FEBRUARY
22, 2015
FIRST THOUGHTS
1.
Conformity.
In
the 1950′s, psychologist Solomon Asch performed a series of now famous
experiments on social conformity.
All
of them involved a group of participants answering some very simple questions
about their perception (for example: which line was longer than the other?,
which lines were the same length?, etc.). All but one of those participants
were “confederates”, meaning they were in on the experiment, and were asked to
give the same incorrect answers. Asch wanted to see how the remaining subject
would react to the rest of the participants behavior.
The
results were startling: When they were surrounded by participants giving an
incorrect answer, 75% of the subjects followed along and gave the same
incorrect answer at least once, and 37% of the subjects followed along and gave
an incorrect answer the majority of the time.
The Scary Part:
The
most frightening aspect of the experiment only came to light recently, in 2005.
Dr. Gregory Berns from Emory University led a study where the researchers used
an fMRI brain scan on the subjects in an experiment similar to the original
Asch study. The results showed that, when individuals conform to a group’s
opinion, even when the group is wrong, perceptual circuits in the brain light
up. This suggests that groups actually change the way we see the world. Second,
when an individual stands up against the group, they observed strong activation
in the amygdala, the fear center of the brain. All this suggests that not only
are our brains not wired for truly independent thought, but it takes a huge
amount of effort to overcome the fear of standing up for one’s own beliefs and
speaking out.
Humans
are a social species, we’re built to function in a group. If everyone around us
starts running, it makes sense for us to start running too, without putting
much thought into it. This is the reason advertisers are so keen on giving the
appearance of popularity. It’s why political ads have shots of cheering crowds,
and car commercials say “best selling sedan of 2008″. It’s why our opinion of a
politician changes when we think that a majority of people support him.
Dr.
Berns brain scan study showed us that our actual perception can change solely
based on the opinions of those around us. This is a frightening aspect of the
human brain and, hopefully, one we can try to counter now that we are aware of
it.
Robert Jay Lifton was one of the early
psychologists to study brainwashing and mind control. He called the method used
thought reform, and offered the following eight methods that are used to
change people's minds.
Milieu control
All communication with outside world is
limited, either being strictly filtered or completely cut off. Whether it is a
monastery or a behind-closed-doors cult, isolation from the ideas, examples and
distractions of the outside world turns the individuals attention to the only
remaining form of stimulation, which is the ideology that is being inculcated
in them.
Mystical manipulation
A part of the teaching is that the group has
a higher purpose than others outside the group. This may be altruistic, such as
saving the world or helping people in need. It may also be selfish, for example
that group members will be saved when others outside the group will perish.
All things are then attributed and linked to
this higher purpose. Coincidences (which actually may be deliberately
engineered) are portrayed as symbolic events.
Confession
Individuals are encouraged to confess past 'sins' (as defined by the group). This creates a tension between the person's actions and their stated belief
that the action is bad, particularly if the statement is made publicly. The consistency
principle thus leads the person to fully adopt the
belief that the sin is bad and to distance themselves from repeating it.
Self-sanctification through purity
Individuals are encouraged to constantly push
towards an ultimate and unattainable perfection. This may be rewarded with
promotion within the group to higher levels, for example by giving them a new
status name (acolyte, traveller, master, etc.) or by giving them new authority
within the group.
The unattainability of the ultimate
perfection is used to induce guilt and show the person to be sinful and hence
sustain the requirement for confession and obedience to those higher than them
in the groups order of perfection.
Aura of sacred science
The beliefs and regulations of the group are
framed as perfect, absolute and non-negotiable. The dogma of the group is
presented as scientifically correct or otherwise unquestionable.
Rules and processes are therefore to be
followed without question, and any transgression is a sin and hence requires
atonement or other forms of punishment, as does consideration of any
alternative viewpoints.
Loaded language
New words and language are created to explain
the new and profound meanings that have been discovered. Existing words are
also hijacked and given new and different meaning.
The consequence of this is that the person
who controls the meaning of words also controls how people think.
Doctrine over person
The importance of the group is elevated over
the importance of the individual in all ways. Along with this comes the
importance of the the group's ideas and rules over personal beliefs and values.
Dispensed existence
There is a very sharp line between the group
and the outside world. Insiders are to be saved and elevated, whilst outsiders
are doomed to failure and loss (which may be eternal).
Who is an outsider or insider is chosen by
the group. Thus, any person within the group may be damned at any time.
+++
(These 8 points is a perversion of some of the things that any true church will do to impart the truth of scripture. Here they could be formed and worded in such a way that it could used to accuse the true church of brain washing. In this way the world sees the church as being evil and an enemy to the indoctrination of a godless society.)
Romans 12:2 NASB
And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will
of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though
our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
Ephesians 4:20-24 NASB
20 But you did
not learn Christ in this way,
21 if indeed
you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,
22 that, in
reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is
being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit,
23 and that you
be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the
new self, which in the
likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the
truth.
Colossians 3:9-10 NASB
9 Do not lie
to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
10 and have put
on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image
of the One who created him—
Titus 3:5 NASB
5 He saved us,
not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to
His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
UNDERSTAND THE
CONTEXT
Chapter
10:1-27
·
This
is a list of Nehemiah the governor, the priests, the Levites and leaders in Jerusalem.
·
This
reminds us that God uses individuals to do His work.
Chapter
11:
·
The
details of repopulating Jerusalem are given along with the provisions on the
distribution of the land.
Chapters
12-13:
·
On
the twenty-fourth day, the people came together to humble themselves in a
manner that became their position,
·
and
they separated themselves from all strangers.
·
Beginning
with the blessing promised to Abraham, they relate all the tokens of God's
grace bestowed upon Israel, the frequent unfaithfulness of which they had
afterwards been guilty, and there is a true expression of heartfelt repentance;
·
they
acknowledge without any disguise their condition
·
and
undertake to obey the law to separate themselves entirely from the people of
the land,
·
and
faithfully to perform all that the service of the house of God required.
·
We
have already seen that gladness was the portion of the people; a joy which
acknowledged God, for God had preserved the people and had blessed them.
·
But
the princes of the people had immediately relapsed into unfaithfulness; and
during Nehemiah's absence the chambers of the temple, in which the offerings
had been formerly kept, were given up to Tobiah, that subtle and persevering
enemy of God's people.
·
But
at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem the joy of the people and the
faithfulness of Nehemiah brought them back to the written word, and Israel
separated themselves again from the mixed multitude.
o
Tobiah's
stuff is cast out of the chamber prepared for him in the temple.
o
The
observance of the Sabbath is again enforced.
o
Those
who had married strange wives, and whose children spoke partly the language of
strangers and partly that of the Jews, are put under the curse and sharply
rebuked and chastised. The order and the cleansing, according to the law, are
re-established, and this leading thought of the book, as to the people's
condition, closes the narrative.
John
Darby
EXPLORE THE TEXT
NEHEMIAH
10:28-39 NASB
VERSES 28-29:
28 Now the rest of the people, the priests, the
Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants and all those who
had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the law of God, their
wives, their sons and their daughters, all those who had knowledge and
understanding,
29 are joining
with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an
oath to walk in God's law, which was given through Moses, God's servant, and to
keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances
and His statutes;
·
In
order to emphasize the support and depth of communal commitment, the writer of
Nehemiah reviewed the rest of the people who, along with the leaders, pledged
themselves: priests, Levites, gatekeepers, singers, temple servants.
·
This
may underscore the breadth of those attending to the vow, emphasizing that it
involved more than the leadership.
·
In
addition, it included all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples
for the sake of the Law of God.
·
They
had voluntarily separated themselves from the neighboring peoples.
·
Whereas
the leaders had publicly and officially pledged themselves to follow the
reforms by signing their names to a document, the greater community assented
verbally, binding themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God
given through Moses.
·
Using
a curse and an oath to seal an agreement can be traced back to[…]”
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSE 30:
and
that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their
daughters for our sons.
·
While
some interpreters regard this prohibition as a desire to purify the Jewish
race, it served primarily to keep the Jews spiritually pure.
·
Separation
was seen as a safeguard for the distinctive life to which God had called them.”
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSE 31:
As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any
grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a
holy day; and we will forego the
crops the seventh year and the exaction of every debt.
·
Underlying
this command was God's wisdom.
·
He
knew that refreshment was needed by all the created order.
·
Sabbath
observance also distinguished the Jews from surrounding cultures as a means of
declaring dependence on God's provision.
·
The
people pledged anew to honor the Sabbath.
·
The
word Sabbath literally means “cessation.”
·
While
the name has become identified with the seventh day of the week, it actually
denoted any rest”
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSES 32-33:
32 We also placed ourselves under obligation to
contribute yearly one third of a shekel for the service of the house of our
God:
33 for the
showbread, for the continual grain offering, for the continual burnt offering,
the sabbaths, the new moon, for the appointed times, for the holy things and
for the sin offerings to make atonement for Israel, and all the work of the
house of our God.
·
By
agreeing to this tax, the people assumed responsibility for the care and
service of the house of our God.
·
Specifically
they promised to use the collected money for the prescribed offerings and
celebrations.
·
The
bread was twelve loaves representing the twelve tribes and signified a thank
offering; grain offerings and burnt offerings were daily sacrifices and
offerings; offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moon festivals and appointed feasts
were special celebrations throughout the year.
·
The
temple tax would go toward building upkeep and repair”
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSE 34:
Likewise
we cast lots for the supply of wood among the priests, the Levites and the people so that they might
bring it to the house of our God, according to our fathers' households, at
fixed times annually, to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is
written in the law;
·
This
“dice throwing” was an acceptable means in Middle Eastern culture, even into
the times of the apostles (Acts 1:21–26), for making decisions when all options
were acceptable, or when human knowledge could not determine an answer.
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSES 35-36:
35 and that they might bring the first fruits of our
ground and the first fruits of all the fruit of every tree to the house of the
LORD annually,
36 and bring to
the house of our God the firstborn of our sons and of our cattle, and the
firstborn of our herds and our flocks as it is written in the law, for the
priests who are ministering in the house of our God.
·
God
deserved the first portion of everything they had, including their sons and
animals.
·
Numbers
18 specifies that firstborn sons were not to be sacrificed but redeemed by the
payment of five shekels of silver (Num. 18:16).
·
This
redemption money was given to the priests.
·
The
firstborn among unclean animals was also to be redeemed by money paid to the
priests.
·
However,
the firstborn among the clean animals (ox, sheep, or goats) were to be burned
by fire as a holy sacrifice to God.
·
The
priests were then given these portions to eat.
·
That
was why the people vowed to bring the firstborn of all they possessed to the
priests who ministered in the house of God.”
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSES 37-39a
37 We will also bring the first of our dough, our
contributions, the fruit of every tree, the new wine and the oil to the priests
at the chambers of the house of our God, and the tithe of our ground to the
Levites, for the Levites are they who receive the tithes in all the rural
towns.
38 The priest, the
son of Aaron, shall be with the Levites when the Levites receive tithes, and
the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to
the chambers of the storehouse.
39 For the sons of Israel and the sons of
Levi shall bring the contribution of the grain, the new wine and the oil to the
chambers; there are the utensils of the sanctuary, the priests who are
ministering, the gatekeepers and the singers.
·
This
included those items made by man—ground meal, wine, and oil—things that had to
be processed and refined.
·
These
were not the first of the harvest but the best.
·
These,
too, were given to the priests since they had no landed inheritance and were
dedicated to the service of God on behalf of the people.
·
...this
was to keep everyone honest since the priests had a vested interest in what was
collected.
·
The
specification that the priest be a descendant of Aaron may suggest that the
high priest was to accompany the Levites in their collection, though this would
seem burdensome.
·
More
likely, the qualification was meant to underscore the holy function of the
priests in receiving the Levitical tithe.
·
The
priests placed the produce in storerooms within the temple for later use.
From:
Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament Commentary -
Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08. iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
VERSE 39b:
Thus
we will not neglect the house of our God.
“Dedication
was more than a new spirit; it was renewed action. When the church at Ephesus
was warned to return to its first love, the people were told to “repent and do
the things you did at first” (Rev. 2:5). The stirring of emotion was not the
issue; it was devotion demonstrated in actions of obedience. Christ said, “If
you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15).”
Excerpt
From: Knute Larson, Max Anders & Kathy Dahlen. “Holman Old Testament
Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010-02-08.
iBooks.
This
material may be protected by copyright.
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