This year I've been introduced to the study of philosophy, and have discovered that it's not quite as dry as I thought it was. I actually now really, really, really like it. Nota bene to the 3(-/+) readers of my blog - you shouldn't run, hide, gasp in horror etc. upon reading this because, really, have I ever attempted to lead you to believe that I'm normal?
So lately I read about this man named Heraclitus and his particular order of philosophy. Essentially, what he believed is that everything is constantly changing. People change - we grow older every second, we learn new things, we grow, (vertically till some point in our teenage years; horizontally from then on) etc. Nature obviously changes too. Heraclitus is most famously known for his phrase, "It is not possible to step in the same river twice." So by tomorrow, according to Heraclitus, everything in existence will be different than it is today. Everything changes, and if something doesn't change, it doesn't exist.
If you're a true Christian, it's impossible to fully agree with this philosophy. Those who do, are at best, dangerous heretics, and at worst, atheists. One of the most fundamental Christian doctrines is the immutability of God, or in everyday phraseology, His unchangeable-ness. I don't think I need to provide Scriptures to back this up - its pretty self-evident. So, with that in mind, the reason why an advocate of Heraclitus' philosophy would be at best a dangerous heretic is because they would be denying God's immutability. What a scary version of Christianity that would be! The purest version of this philosophy would probably then involve being an atheist - if you believe in a God who doesn't change, you believe in a God who doesn't exist, and since Heraclitus' followers believe everything changes, they must then believe God doesn't exist.
Thinking about all this makes me more grateful for who God is. If reality was the way Heraclitus envisioned it to be, what would be the point in believing in a god who never stayed the same? Who or what could you trust? How could you be certain of anything if even a god is a different god tomorrow than they are today? Thankfully, that's a situation which will never exist, and that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
So lately I read about this man named Heraclitus and his particular order of philosophy. Essentially, what he believed is that everything is constantly changing. People change - we grow older every second, we learn new things, we grow, (vertically till some point in our teenage years; horizontally from then on) etc. Nature obviously changes too. Heraclitus is most famously known for his phrase, "It is not possible to step in the same river twice." So by tomorrow, according to Heraclitus, everything in existence will be different than it is today. Everything changes, and if something doesn't change, it doesn't exist.
If you're a true Christian, it's impossible to fully agree with this philosophy. Those who do, are at best, dangerous heretics, and at worst, atheists. One of the most fundamental Christian doctrines is the immutability of God, or in everyday phraseology, His unchangeable-ness. I don't think I need to provide Scriptures to back this up - its pretty self-evident. So, with that in mind, the reason why an advocate of Heraclitus' philosophy would be at best a dangerous heretic is because they would be denying God's immutability. What a scary version of Christianity that would be! The purest version of this philosophy would probably then involve being an atheist - if you believe in a God who doesn't change, you believe in a God who doesn't exist, and since Heraclitus' followers believe everything changes, they must then believe God doesn't exist.
Thinking about all this makes me more grateful for who God is. If reality was the way Heraclitus envisioned it to be, what would be the point in believing in a god who never stayed the same? Who or what could you trust? How could you be certain of anything if even a god is a different god tomorrow than they are today? Thankfully, that's a situation which will never exist, and that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8
After reading your post I started reading from A.W. Pink's book 'The Attributes of God', in particular ch.7 which is entitled 'The Immutability of God'. It was comforting and terrifying at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand it speaks about no matter how unreliable, unstable, or fickle man may be, God is not. He changes not (semper idem). He doesn't will one thing today and another tomorrow. "The permanence of God’s character guarantees the fulfillment of His promises". That is indeed comforting, particularly for those who are in Christ.
On the other hand, for those who are NOT in Christ, God's immutability is something to fear as seen in this quote from the chapter:
Herein is terror for the wicked. Those who defy Him, break His laws, have no concern for His glory, but live their lives as though He existed not, must not suppose that, when at the last they shall cry to Him for mercy, He will alter His will, revoke His word, and rescind His awful threatenings. No, He has declared, "Therefore will I also deal in fury: Mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in Mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them" (Ezek. 8:18). God will not deny Himself to gratify their lusts. God is holy, unchangingly so. Therefore God hates sin, eternally hates it. Hence the eternality of the punishment of all who die in their sins.
May we not take His word lightly.