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The Issue is Not the Issue
Seeking the Truth About God’s Ways
The issue is not the issue. What does that mean? Here is an illustration. This is the scenario. Your vehicle is not running smoothly and you realize something is wrong. You wonder if the issue is an electrical issue or could it be a fuel issue. You assume that it is an electrical issue but it turns out that the “real” issue is a fuel issue. So, the electrical issue is not the issue. Conversely, you assumed it was a fuel issue but it turns out the “real” was an electrical issue. The assumed issue was not the issue.
This book is divided into three parts and each part is presented with an issue is not the issue format. I seek to identify the assumed or presented issue and then through exploration of Scripture discover the “real” issue. Part 1 concerns issues involving the supernatural. Part 2 looks at issues concerning the process that God uses to grow believers in Christ-likeness. Part 3 explores the issue of leadership in the church of Jesus Christ and who is in charge.
Often there can be tension between the assumed issue and the “real” issue. We look at this tension and some of the reasons for it. The readers are invited to evaluate and contemplate about the issue is not the issue.
At the beginning of each part of the book, I have given what I have called a preamble. My purpose in doing this is to reveal to the reader the basic principles upon which I have sought to base my writing. These are personal principles and guidance for me. I heard or read this saying, “We have our beliefs but are convictions have us.” This preamble is my conviction and it has me.
This book is a topical exploration of the Book of Proverbs. The Book of Proverbs is one of the wisdom books. Here are the first seven verses from the Book of Proverbs.
The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:1-7).
Have you noticed that some messages are self-explanatory? Signs are good examples. Stop. Do Not Enter. Private Property. Keep Out. No Trespassing. No Hunting or Fishing. Many of the verses in Proverbs are like that. That is why in this book I have just listed verses that pertain to a specific topic. As you read them you won’t need any explanation. Here is an example.
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool (Proverbs 10:18).
This verse requires no explanation. The obvious response from a reader is, “Yes, this is true.”
Another feature of many verses in Proverbs and indeed also throughout the Scriptures is the use of compare and contrast. Here is an example.
A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom (Proverbs 10:23).
Interestingly we find in educational research on effective instructional strategies that the technique of compare and contrast has the greatest benefit for learners. In this example, we learn what a fool is and what a fool is not. We learn what a person of understanding is and what a person of understanding is not. This process guides what to not do and guidance for what to do.
In addition, in these verses, we can see cause and effect and also often consequences. Look at this example.
To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool (Proverbs 17:21).
The foolish child causes the effect of no joy for the parent. It does not take much imagination to consider what consequences of the foolish behavior of the child might be that result in no joy for the parent.
As you read through the verses be looking for the self-explanatory statements. As you read through the verses be looking for compare and contrast examples. As you read through the verses be looking for examples of cause and effect.
To completely and thoroughly answer the question “what does it mean to be saved?” is impossible. Why is that? I can think of a least four reasons and maybe there are additional reasons.
- There is more yet to be revealed about what it means to be saved.
Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is (1 John 3:2 NLT).
- Those who are saved cannot see clearly yet.
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).
- The benefits and the extent of God’s salvation are beyond what those who are saved can understand.
That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT).
- For those who are saved, there is a personal, private, and sometimes secret special relationship between them and the Lord Jesus.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable (Hebrews 4:13 NLT).
Then why attempt to answer the question “what does it mean to be saved?” Because there is much that has been revealed about being saved. Because there is much that is being experienced by those who are saved. Besides, being saved is good news and there is no reason to keep good news a secret.
Readers will discover in this book descriptions and illustrations of many aspects and components for those who are saved. Although there are many components, it is important to remember that the components do not stand alone. They are parts of a whole. The components are complementary and supportive of each other. The components enhance and enrich each other. When all is considered, the clear conclusion is that it is wonderful to be a saved person.
Most of us have heard of Jesus’s disciples. Most probably know the names of several of them. But what exactly is a disciple of Jesus? We know there were twelve and one turned out to be a betrayer. We know that Jesus asked them to follow Him and they did. This makes them Jesus followers. What do Jesus followers do? They follow Jesus.
A close look at the Gospels reveals that many others were Jesus followers. Through the last two centuries, many people have followed Jesus and many still do today. Being a Jesus follower was very important to Jesus.
Being a disciple must be very important. When Jesus began His public ministry one of the first things He did was choose and call His disciples. The last thing He did before departing to return to heaven was to give the instruction to make disciples. To me, it is clear the Lord Jesus’ intention was that every believer was to become a disciple.
A disciple is a learner. Jesus was the teacher for the twelve as well as many others. We see from the Great Commission that disciples are to be disciple-makers and this is done by teaching potential disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded.
In this book, we will explore significant information about disciples and being a disciple. We will look at what are Jesus’s commandments. We will discover how a disciple can be a disciple-maker. Interestingly we will see how obeying the Great Commission results in a chain reaction in which disciples, Jesus followers make other disciples. This chain reaction of making Jesus followers continues generation after generation throughout the history of the church. If you are a Jesus follower, it is a result of this wonderful plan.
If you are a Jesus follower, you will find this information useful in becoming a more effective Jesus follower. If you have not yet decided to be a Jesus follower, I am hoping this book will inspire you to become a Jesus follower.
Most of us have heard of Jesus’s disciples. Most probably know the names of several of them. But what exactly is a disciple of Jesus? We know there were twelve and one turned out to be a betrayer. We know that Jesus asked them to follow Him and they did. This makes them Jesus followers. What do Jesus followers do? They follow Jesus.
A close look at the Gospels reveals that many others were Jesus followers. Through the last two centuries, many people have followed Jesus and many still do today. Being a Jesus follower was very important to Jesus.
Being a disciple must be very important. When Jesus began His public ministry one of the first things He did was choose and call His disciples. The last thing He did before departing to return to heaven was to give the instruction to make disciples. To me, it is clear the Lord Jesus’ intention was that every believer was to become a disciple.
A disciple is a learner. Jesus was the teacher for the twelve as well as many others. We see from the Great Commission that disciples are to be disciple-makers and this is done by teaching potential disciples to obey everything that Jesus commanded.
In this book, we will explore significant information about disciples and being a disciple. We will look at what are Jesus’s commandments. We will discover how a disciple can be a disciple-maker. Interestingly we will see how obeying the Great Commission results in a chain reaction in which disciples, Jesus followers make other disciples. This chain reaction of making Jesus followers continues generation after generation throughout the history of the church. If you are a Jesus follower, it is a result of this wonderful plan.
If you are a Jesus follower, you will find this information useful in becoming a more effective Jesus follower. If you have not yet decided to be a Jesus follower, I am hoping this book will inspire you to become a Jesus follower.
Those Jesus followers who have known Jesus for a long time keep discovering the riches and treasures that come to them as a benefit for being “in Christ.” As they contemplate these riches and treasures, they can become overwhelmed in worship and praise. Scripture proclaims what experience confirms, the riches and treasures are unsearchable, boundless, and endless.
In this book, I have explored the many examples, illustrations, and proclamations of those riches and treasures. I have also reflected upon the riches and treasures. I invite the reader to join me in this experience and perhaps to go beyond what I have written and reflect on other examples as well as their experiences in experiencing the riches and treasures for those who are “in Christ”.
I conclude the book with a section exploring what the Jesus follower can be doing to maximize their experience of the riches and treasures. I didn’t exhaust what the Jesus follower can be doing to maximize their experience. Perhaps the reader can think of additional things to do to maximize their experiencing of the riches and treasures for those who are “in Christ.”
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8 KJV).
The thoughts about what is in “it” for Jesus came to me when this verse was read during a worship service in my local fellowship.
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance (Ephesians 1:18).
I found it amazing to think that believers, his holy people are could be his rich and glorious inheritance.
Probably like most other Jesus followers my focus has always been about what is in it for me. But what was in it for Jesus? “It” refers to His incarnation and sacrificial death. “It” refers to all those benefits that I think about. I have some knowledge of what I have gained by becoming a child of God and a Jesus follower. But what has Jesus gained by having me be one of His children. We know He has many children. What has Jesus gained by having many children? Really, what is in it for Him?
In this book, I have explored many illustrations, examples and metaphors that are given in Scripture that give insight into the relationship between the Jesus follower and Jesus. This different perspective of looking at what Jesus had to gain actually magnifies what Jesus followers gain in their relationship with Jesus.
Here are a few examples detailed in the book: Creator-created, Father-child of God, King-subjects, head-body (church), leader-follower, and others.
The Adventure in Biblical Thinking Study Series comes in four volumes. The volumes are a collection of studies of Biblical concepts and principles. These studies first appeared as postings on my website and/or as studies in my audiobooks. Volume One contains twenty-two short-length studies. Volume Two contains thirteen medium-length studies. Volume Three contains eight longer-length studies. Volume Four contains ten studies. Most of the studies include discussion questions.
These studies can be useful for a personal or a small group Bible study. The studies could be used as curriculum in a Sunday School class, in a small group fellowship, in a Bible course in a Christian School, or in a home school setting.
The emphasis is on exploring what the Scriptures have to say about the topics of each study. The Scripture verses are included in the text so the reader does not have to stop and look them up. The author’s strategy is to let the Scriptures speak for themselves. The primary target audience is born-again believers who are seeking to be faithful and loyal Jesus followers. These people will be eager to dig into the adventure of becoming biblical thinkers.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).
What is real? Do you ever wonder if something is truly real? Can real things become more real? In More Love-More Real More Real-More Love we will explore answers to the question. The exploration will begin with excerpts from a popular old children’s story, The Velveteen Rabbit. The story connects a relationship between love and becoming real. We see in this imaginative story how a little boy’s love for his stuffed bunny results in the bunny becoming real.
In More Love-More Real More Real-More Love we move on to explore the relationship between love and real as they increase. More love moves to more real. More real moves to more love. Thus, a progression is established.
These concepts are applied to a Jesus follower’s relationship with the Lord Jesus. We look at relevant factors such as time spent with Jesus and increased knowledge about who He is and what He has done. How do these factors increase love and awareness of Jesus being more real? We make the case that as Jesus becomes more real, we love Him more.
We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).
May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord (2 Peter 1-2).
Believers are exhorted to go outside the camp where Jesus is in Hebrews 13:13. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.
We ask, What camp? Do we even know we are in camp? Do we want to bear the disgrace He bore? See the dilemma? Jesus followers want to be where Jesus is but to do so they will have to leave the camp. Those outside the camp are outsiders. Do we want to be outsiders? To go to where Jesus is means we have to leave where we are. This becomes very mysterious.
The first four chapters elaborate on the concept of camps. This is important background information for personal application for the Jesus follower that comes in the last three chapters. The overall experience of the seven chapters is the creating of a setting for understanding a closer relationship with Jesus. This something every Jesus follower wants.
The reader will receive an expanded understanding of what constitutes a camp. They will be introduced to many examples of leaving a camp and arriving at another camp. The adventure of reading this book will stimulate the readers to think about the camps they are in, the camps they have left, the camps they have gone to, and what camps they may want to go to.
This book is actually two books; Regeneration in the Jesus Follower and Battle for Your Mind. The first book, Regeneration in the Jesus Follower, explores the wonder of the process the Lord has created for changing the Jesus follower into the image of Christ.
Regeneration speaks of a re-creation or being created again. This term describes what happens when a person is born again and becomes a believer and a Jesus follower. Scripture teaches that when a person becomes a believer, they become a new creation.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (II Corinthians 5:17).
In Regeneration in the Jesus Follower, we will explore the journey for each Jesus follower in which the Lord is transforming them into a new person.
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (II Corinthians 3:18).
In the second book, Battle for Your Mind, we dig into the details of the process of transformation for the Jesus follower into the image of Christ. Scripture reveals that since the Jesus follower is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, they have been given a renewed mind. As new creatures in Christ, the Jesus follower have a new capacity for thinking. They begin to thinking biblically. They begin to obeying the teachings of Scripture. They find a need to reject and abandon the old ways of thinking and replace them with new ways of thinking. Hence, the value and importance of a new mind. The Scripture describes this process as a put-off and put-on exercise. As knowledge of the Scripture grows, discernment grows. This discernment that comes through the renewed mind guides the Jesus follower in knowing what to put off and what to put on.
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind (Ephesians 4:23 KJV).
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him (Colossians 3:9-10).
The Jesus follower with their renewed mind is prepared to obey the first commandment by loving the Lord their God with all their mind.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30).
Why is it important to be thankful? Being thankful is a response to having received a benefit. When we are thankful, we are thankful for something, about something, or because of something. We can describe what we are thankful for, about, or because.
Being thankful is both an act and an attitude. The act of thanking makes both the giver of thanks and the receiver of thanks feel good. This is very positive. This is true from person to person, the giver of thanks and the receiver of thanks. The act of giving thanks is a relational act. Relationships are built, developed, and maintained. Being thankful is an acknowledgment to the receiver of the being appreciated.
Being thankful is an expectation of God from mankind. God’s creation is the place where we all exist. God provided the gift of life in the creation of each person. He has provided salvation through the gift of His only begotten Son. The Lord continues to give by providing blessings to all. For this I am thankful and everyone should be.
In Be Ye Thankful we will explore what the Scriptures say about God’s creation, His provisions for His children, and His commitment, plans, and promises. This book will lead the reader into the wonders of God for which we are thankful.
Be Ye Thankful is also available as an audiobook.
This “great salvation” includes much more than escape from God’s judgment and condemnation, although that escape is of immeasurable benefit. This great salvation also brings believers into the family of God as His children and provides the capacity through His Holy Spirit to transform believers into godly children.
The Mystery of Godliness addresses the wonder of being created and being saved but its major emphasis is the blessed process of becoming godly. Mysteries beg to be solved and clues are needed to do it. As this mystery of godliness is explored, readers will discover clues about the process by which their mind can be renewed and they can be transformed into the image of Christ.
The path to godliness is both a journey and a destination. For many, achieving godliness seems unattainable, as if it were up to the individual; but Scripture teaches that it is a result of the work of God.
Belief drives practice is a central theme of this book. To achieve the goal of godly practice, a person must believe truth. To know truth, a person must know the Lord Jesus and the Bible. What you believe matters; it impacts what you do and who you are. In the course of reading this book, readers will discover many applications of this principle, which are clues to the mystery of godliness. Believing God’s truth will result in attitudes and behaviors that are godly.
Through these pages, readers will come to marvel at this “so great salvation” and with a thankful heart come to know and love the Lord Jesus more and more.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Doctor Daniel has captured the essence of The Mystery of Godliness in this small volume. His background as an educator and a serious student of the word over several decades has well prepared him to offer insights into this amazing topic that are both profound and yet simply stated. You will find this book both encouraging and challenging. Robert Copley, Captain Colorado State Patrol (ret)
As a missionary to the poor, I’m always looking for Christian literature that will cut through the literary fog and present God in a real and interesting way. THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS is a great read, down to earth and straight to the heart. The fresh perspective may be the catalyst that brings a lost soul to the kingdom! Jack Dody from Equip International, author of Abundaculture
In the spring of 2018, I received a request from my brother, Dr. Daniel, to read a book which he had written. I had been teaching through Jerry Bridges’ excellent work, The Practice of Godliness in our adult Sunday School class at Emmanuel Chapel and so considered it very timely to read through his efforts. I was blessed and challenged with the presentation of sound Biblical truths concerning this subject. Since I could recall a number of the events my brother referenced in his writing, it presented an even more down to earth application of this very heavy subject. Having pastored for 47 years and read many books on the subject of godliness, I do not lightly recommend any works on this subject. However, I am honored to give The Mystery of Godliness my endorsement and believe any serious student of the Word will be blessed by its study. Pastor David Daniel, South Fork, CO 81154
The Mystery of Godliness opens with acknowledgement that godliness is a mystery, meaning it is a puzzle to be solved in partnership with the Holy Spirit, rooted in growing understanding of biblical truth, and lived out in community of others seeking to live godly lives. Dr. Daniel delivers the goods, using the construct “belief drives practice.” He provides personal, practical examples to explain his thinking and to make the principles behind “belief drives practice” accessible for everyday application. John Hopkins, Director of Communications, Every Nation Church, Seattle
In This Family We___. is available in print and e-book.
In This Family We _________ our earthly family and the Spiritual family of a Jesus follower are compared and contrasted. The influences of our earthly families are examined and discussed. The characteristics of members of the Lord’s family are identified from Scripture. The process that the Lord has designed for the Jesus follower to become more like Jesus is explored and explained. We recognize the wonder of God’s provision of the gift the Holy Spirit placed in the Jesus follower and how through their renewed minds they are transformed into godliness. The transformation is a wonderful work of God. Jesus followers will understand more completely what it means to be a child of God.
Since the born-again believer is a new creation, the reader will discover how to become a Jesus follower. The Jesus follower will also be shown an extensive list of thinking patterns and behavior that characterize the Lord’s children.
The transformation involves a process of putting on the thoughts and behaviors of God’s children and putting off the thoughts and behaviors of the old man.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him (Colossians 3:9-10).
My wife and I have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We have nephews and nieces. We have brothers and sisters. We have known them and about them since they were babies. We know the excitement and anticipations for the arrival of a new baby We know the great joy and celebration at the actual arrival of the new baby. We have shared the excitement of new babies with many friends at the arrival of their babies. Therefore, it is totally baffling, perplexing, and very sad to think of a mother deliberately ending the life of their unborn baby. How could anyone be involved in assisting her?
What was the mother thinking when she decided to abort her baby? What was the mother thinking after she aborted her baby? Why focus on the mother who aborted her baby? Although most of the emphasis is usually on the unborn baby, the victim of the abortion, the issue begins with the unborn baby’s mother. There would be no abortion without a pregnant mother. If there is to be a decision not to abort the unborn baby and to carry the baby to term, the pregnant mother will be the one to make that decision. The unborn baby can’t make the decision.
The content is candid and also compassionate but identifies both responsibilities and consequences.
Unborn babies’ lives matter.
This book concentrates on Jesus in the Gospel of John by looking at stories, lessons taught by Jesus, and what Jesus said about some topics. The author seeks to identify, state, and distill specific profound truths from these passages. Knowing the truth is preliminary to believing the truth which leads to doing the truth.
As you read through the chapters and consider profound truths, watch for some keywords and concepts. Watch for commands to obey and examples of obedience. Watch for commands to love and examples of love. Watch for examples of commands to give glory and examples of glory given. Watch for gifts and promises given.
The format is to glean profound truths from the passages. Sometimes stores are paraphrased. Other times a lesson is summarized. Sometimes interesting points are added. Some chapters are very short while other chapters are much longer.
Each chapter is a stand-alone chapter. Each is structured to be a lesson. Jesus is the greatest teacher and we can learn from Him. You will find some duplication because the passages overlap from stories, lessons, and topics.
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (Psalms 25:4-5).
Adventures in Biblical Thinking 