CITY GATE WISDOM: Secular Prophets...?

Life Coaching Principles: Those Who Sit At the City Gates (cf. Proverb 31): (i.e.:'City Gate' Wisdom vs. Ministerial Wisdom)

The Christian Bible student, who seeks the 'mind of Christ' and the 'mind of the Spirit' (see Paul's epistles) lives and walks in the gifts and wisdom of the Holy Spirit--and then examines, reflects upon, analyzes, observes, weighs 'what is going on in the city'.

When appropriate the 'intimate-knower-of-Christ' (Philippians 3:10) (a 'Christian leader' by very nature of his being part of the Priesthood of Believers) 'sits' (in his conversation, writing and art) with the elders at the city gates' as a consultant in practical, political, and public policy matters.

Otherwise, the person who is transformed in Christ minsters as part of the community of the redeemed.

The Christian lives out (and loves out) the characterological fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and the Spirit's giftedness. (The spiritual gifts describe the Giver--not the recipient, of course.)

The person in Christ does not look first to secular pundits and commentators--but, of course, looks to and meditates upon God's Word in biblical scripture, and devotionally and worshipfully looks to Christ Jesus--daily asking the Heavenly Father for His wonderfully enlightening and empowering (2 Timothy 1:7) gift of the Holy Spirit--and the Spirit's 'best gifts' for application to the current or appropriate need and circumstance.

The thoughtful Christian does not allow propaganda, thought-reform, mind control, demagoguery, the Media, political 'spinning', 'winds of doctrine' (cf. James), secular philosophies (Collectivism, Naturalism, Pantheism, Metaphysics)--to sway, influence, or truncate his/her reasoning, thinking, or ideation. 'City Gate' elders (perhaps 'secular' voices given a platform by the Lord God) can, I think, help us sift out truth in the public, media-driven, political arena.

It is the foundational work of the Holy Spirit in the mind and heart of the believer-in-Christ Jesus--to glorify Christ by having a nourishing personality, godly behavior, being a lover of Truth, holding heavenly priorities--and demonstrating God's power over the world, the sinful nature, and the devil.

But in the midst of 'wicked and perverse generations--proverbial 'generations of vipers'--of political storms--of anti-privacy, anti-Individual, 'collectivist' 'thought police', of encroaching totalitarianism, of fascist authoritarian governments--you may find a sane and sensible voice here and there. A voice which doesn't clash with The Christian mind (cf. Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind).

For example, even though they're not perfect, I think you'll find--in the following persons below--sane, sensible 'city gates' wisdom regarding American politics (not necessarily, of course, Christian theology!).

These observers, social commentators, political pundits offer (to me) good 'city gate knowledge and wisdom'--in varying degrees of quality. Mark Steyn (click on his Site link below), Mark Levin, Matt Drudge, Michael Savage, (Historically, I will read John Milton, William Shakespeare, Carl Sandberg, Francis Schaeffer, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, C.S. Lewis--even George Orwell).

Please let me know other good ones whose ideas and thinking you value and appreciate in the midst of the cacophony and noise of American politics and mass media maelstroms.

(exxerpt: unpublished work-in-progress:)
CITY GATE WISDOM
Are There Secular Prophets In the Land?
Copyright 2008 by Philip C. Brewer All Rights Reserved


http://www.steynonline.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1