Copyright © 2006 Ron Schwartz
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A Better Way, Part 2

The Butterfly Effect

December 10, 2002

From Ron Schwartz  

2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 KJV

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,

10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Did you ever wonder about this scripture?  Have you ever wonder how people could become so deluded that they could believe a lie even though the truth is right in front of them?   Delusions don’t sneak up on you in the night and then pounce on you.  They come slowly over the course of time.  They come about through little ideas and compromises that build on one another, each taking you a little further from the truth.  There is a principle in our natural universe that describes this form of behavior.  It’s called The Butterfly Effect.

The Butterfly Effect

It’s called The Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect is also known in mathematics as Chaos Theory, which espouses the idea that "the flapping of a single butterfly's wings today produces a tiny change in the state of the atmosphere.  Over a period of time, what the atmosphere actually does diverges from what it would have done.  So, in a month's time, a tornado that would have devastated the Indonesian coast doesn't happen.  Or maybe one that wasn't going to happen does happen (Ian Stewart, Does God Play Dice?  The Mathematics of Chaos, pg. 141)."  The idea is that things matter, even small things, no matter how insignificant they may seem.

In the winter of 1961, Edward Lorenz, a mathematician and meteorologist, was working on a computer program to predict weather.   For some reason, he decided to reevaluate the results of his computer-modeled weather forecast.  To save time, he reentered the data from his printout and restarted the program from a certain place in the middle.  When the program finished, the results were the complete opposite of the first run.  Lorenz was astonished.

Lorenz realized that the only difference between the two forecast was that in the first run, he used data that was exact to the millionths decimal place, but in the second run, he rounded his data to the thousandths decimal place.  In normal systems, this difference would have been insignificant.  In meteorological terms, the difference would be nothing more than a butterfly flapping it’s wings.  Since this discovery, meteorologists have come to understand that reliable weather forecasting can never become an exact science.  To accurately predict weather would require exact knowledge of every current weather characteristic every place in the world at the same time.

A graph of Lorenz’s computer model results is shown below.  Notice that near the center of the run, one run begins to deviate.  It continues to deviate more and more until at the end it is going in the exact opposite direction as the first (one run is going up while the other is going down).

The two vastly different outcomes came from a “rounding” error, an error so small that it could only be measured at the millionth decimal place.  The error, nothing more significant than a butterfly flapping its wings, resulted in a change of forecast from a sunny day to a stormy one.  The idea here is that small things, insignificant things, can cause great disparities over time.   A seemingly insignificant error can eventually lead us in the opposite direction we think we are going.  This is how delusions come about: small, seemingly insignificant, errors.

Delusions

In the scripture above, verse 11 tells us that “for this cause God shall send them strong delusion.”  For what cause?  This one: “because they received not the love of the truth (v.10).”  And this one: “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth (v.12).”

A delusion is “a false belief or opinion.”  In psychiatry, a delusion is denoted as “a fixed false belief that is resistant to reason or confrontation with actual fact.”   In other words, a delusion is to believe in things that are not true just because we want to.   It is to reject (or not want) the truth and to resist it with deliberate and determined effort.

This scripture implies that the truth and the delusion are mutually exclusive.  They cannot coexist.  People get lost trying to determine what the strong delusion is instead of understanding why people succumb to it.  We don’t need to worry about falling victim to this delusion if we simply love the truth.  In other words, we should not be concerned about falling into the delusion.  We should be concerned about not having a heart for truth.  People who love the truth will eventually find truth.

Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice and another they will not follow (John 10:27).”  Today, more than at any other time in history, Western churches are faced with a mass exodus of God’s people.  Why the exodus?  Probably no other time in history has the knowledge of the scripture been as comprehensive as it is today, but still God’s people are not satisfied with what they are hearing.  Why?  How can it be that people whose pastors have doctorates in “Divinity” and are more educated than any those of any other nation cannot find the truth?  God’s people are looking for the voice of Jesus.   They go from church to church and many simply quit going altogether.  It’s like they don’t know exactly what they want, but they will know it when they hear it.

I want to share with you a better way.   It is a way found in the simplicity of New Testament principles.  It is a way taught by our Lord and the apostles who served Him.

“Not of this world”

John 18:36-38 KJV

36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world [Greek: kosmos]: if my kingdom were of this world  [Greek: kosmos], then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.

The word “world” in these verses is the Greek word kosmos.  Though the word kosmos has a variety of meanings, it is clear that the way in which John uses this word is to describe humanity (i.e., “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world  [Greek: kosmos]; but that the world  [Greek: kosmos] through him might be saved (John 3:17).” This scripture, and many others like it, can only apply to humanity.  John builds on this idea in the following passage to include both (humanity’s) characteristics and nature:

John 15:18-19 KJV

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world  [Greek: kosmos], the world  [Greek: kosmos] would love his own: but because ye are not of the world  [Greek: kosmos], but I have chosen you out of the world  [Greek: kosmos], therefore the world  [Greek: kosmos] hateth you.

People are looking for the kingdom that “is not of this world.”   Instead of finding the characteristics and nature of an “un-kosmos” kingdom, they find all the characteristics and nature of humanity.  If the kingdom they search for does not resemble what is typically found in Western churches, what should it look like?  The following are the characteristics of Christ’s kingdom and how they should be seen in His Church:

Principle #1: We Receive By Giving

Acts 20:35 KJV

I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

In the kosmos (realm of humanity), we are blessed by receiving.   It may come by gifts or through our wages, but we benefit through receiving.  Additionally, this world measures a blessing by an increase in the corruptible, or material gain.  Now consider how many churches convey the idea of being “blessed.”

·         People are led to believe that they are to go to church to be fed (receive).

Here we find the idea that it is more blessed to receive than to give.  In reality, in Christ’s kingdom, there is little blessing in receiving.  Therefore, the only ones who receive the blessing from week to week are those who perform, or give.  That is why pastors tend to grow and the people tend to stay the same.

Remember the story of the feeding of the five thousand.  Jesus gave the food to His disciples to give to the people.  What was left for the disciples after they gave to the people?  We find that “…they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full (Matthew 14:20).”  After sharing what they had, there was a basket of food left for each of the twelve disciples.  They were “more blessed” for having given than those who received.

Christian, if you are to grow spiritually, you must find a place that allows you to give of the grace of God in your life.  I’m not talking about being an usher who collects offering or shows people to their seats.  I’m talking about sharing the gift of God in your life.  This is why home churches are so popular.  They tend to encourage everyone (including children) to give.   And that is also why Bible studies are so effective.  Remember what Jesus said to Peter, “…Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep (John 21:16).”  If we love Him, we will give (spiritually) to others.  There is nothing here about tithing or church attendance.  It is about giving the gift of God in his life.

Are you looking for a better way?  Then pastors, give the church back to God and allow His Spirit and God’s people to give.  There will be mistakes.  Don’t come down with a heavy hand but teach and guide the people, be an example to them.  Would you like to be part of a congregation of overcomers?  Then allow them to grow by developing their “spiritual” gifts.   Allow them the same liberty that you enjoy.   Set expectations for them in meetings – more then that of an audience. 

·         People are taught the twisted notion that they are to pay tithe to be blessed.  And that the blessing is material gain earned by their giving of material wealth.

Think about it.  Most contemporary pastors don’t want your spiritual gifts.  Such pastors feel your gifts compete with theirs.  It may be contrary to what they want.  All they want from you is your attendance and financial support, and they tell you that if you do those things, you will be blessed in a materialistic manner.  This is equivalent to what Paul describes of humanity when he wrote that unspiritual people believe “…that gain is godliness (1 Tim 6:5).”  This tends to draw unspiritual people and this is why Western churches are some of the least spiritually mature churches in the world.  Churches should be giving rather than receiving, because it is the ways of kosmos (corporations) to channel finances into it’s own fat operations.  This should NOT be said of God’s church.

Are you looking for a better way?  Flee “faith movement” groups that teach that “blessings” come from tithing.  There is little or no spiritual maturity in these groups. Find a group that channels their finances to areas where it truly belongs (i.e., “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world (James 1:27).”  Remember, Jesus said, “but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Mathewt 6:20),” He wasn’t describing material gain but spiritual wealth.  “The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof (Psalms 24:1).”  God already owns the world.   You can’t give Him anything (materially) that He doesn’t already own.  What He wants from you is your heart!

·         People are taught that they are to be in subjection (or submission) to the rule of pastors/elders.

Christian leaders use the following scriptures to support the idea that people should be in subjection to them:

1 Timothy 3:5

For if a man know not how to rule [Greek: proistemi] his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

1 Timothy 5:17

Let the elders that rule [Greek: proistemi] well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

To begin with, this instruction was NOT given to a congregation but to a pastor: “…epistle unto Timothy, ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians… (II Timothy postscript).”  Paul was instructing this pastor (not a congregation) who was also and elder to acknowledge the elders, and to give them honor.  

Secondly, Strong’s Concordance says this about the word “rule” found here: literally, "to stand before," hence, "to lead, attend to" (indicating care and diligence)…  In this we find the idea of leading, attending to (ministering), and example-ship.  Now consider:

Hebrews 13:7, 17, 24

7 Remember them which have the rule over [Greek: hegeomai] you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

17 Obey them that have the rule over [Greek: hegeomai] you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

24 Salute all them that have the rule over [Greek: hegeomai] you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.

From Strong’s concerning hegeomai (2233): "to lead," is translated "to rule" in Heb 13:7,17,24 (KJV margin, in the first two, "are the guides" and "guide."

The word can mean both to lead and to rule.  In fact, the words in both Timothy and Hebrews carry the idea of leading and sometimes ruling.   How should it be used here?  Did these authors mean ruling or leading?  Peter tells us which definition is meant when he wrote:

1 Peter 5:1-3 KJV

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

Here Peter clearly establishes that elders are not “to rule” in the sense of expecting submission and subjection but to guide through their example-ship.  They are to “stand before” in the sense of being an example.  They are not to subject people to their control, nor to expect their submission.  They are guilds and examples, not lords!

Jesus describes the idea of ruling as ways of kosmos (the world).  He contrasts kosmos to what Peter wrote in the following:

Matthew 20:25-28 KJV

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Therefore, any place that tells you that you are to be in subjection and submission to the elders is kosmos.

Think about the contradiction required by believing in submission to elders.  If the word really means “rule” and applies to the church, then:

1)     you must be in submission to the elders in any and every church.  So who should you listen to?

2)     wives and children must usurp the authority of the husband/father, if necessary, to listen to those who “rule.”  The elders essentially become their covering. 

Such contradictions to New Testament scripture are too insurmountable.

Are you looking for a better way?  Then Christian leader, you must stop taking authority over God’s people that in reality belongs to God.  He is their king, and they are the people and disciples of Christ.  Give the church back to God.  Christian friends, find a place to fellowship that does not follow the ways of kosmos (i.e., where men “exercise dominion…” and “exercise authority upon” God’s people).  Find a place where there are spiritual examples but they do NOT replace Christ as the head of the Body of Christ.

Principle #2: Broken and Nothing

Psalms 51:17 KJV

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 KJV

26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.

In kosmos, broken things are of no value.  In kosmos, it is the rich, the educated, the talented, and charismatic who are of value.  But in the Kingdom of God, it is just the opposite.

Christian leaders who are articulate, charismatic, well-educated, entertaining, and wealthy are the most honored of all Christians.  Yet this is completely contrary to the scripture.  Why are they so honored?  As it turns out, this type of Christian leader is the prototype for Western churches that have very little spiritual maturity. Consequently, Christian leaders like this tend to draw the spiritually immature Christians who embrace kosmos, and that is why their churches are full of spiritually immature Christians.  Nevertheless, this is the model for the current generation of super churches.  Market to kosmos, and that is what you will get.  Are you satisfied with this?  Are you happy with a big church of immature Christians who glorify you?  Do you enjoy being idolized?  Then stay doing what you are doing.  But the only reward you will ever receive will be in this life.

Are you looking for a better way?  Then look to the broken, the weak, the humble, and the children and learn from them.  Let them teach others of the wisdom of God.  Stop believing that just because you are educated and articulate, you should teach them.   They are in a far better place to know of God’s grace and wisdom than you are.  Learn from the broken things.  They are the closest to God.

Conclusion

Consider the difference between some Christian churches and Christian cults.  Many people think that you must be Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness or even involved in witchcraft to be a cult.  But cult-like traits are part of many independent Christian churches.   The following are generally accepted as signs of a cult (Note: much of this information comes from www.factnet.org):

·         “The cult is authoritarian in its power structure.  The leader is regarded as the supreme authority. He or she may delegate certain power to a few subordinates for the purpose of seeing that members adhere to the leader's wishes and roles. There is no appeal outside of his or her system to greater systems of justice.”  Now consider how independent Christian churches operate expecting submission and subjection to elders.  There is no difference.

·         “The cult's leaders tend to be charismatic, determined, and domineering.”  Once again consider how many independent Christian churches operate with self-appointed pastor/elders.    Leaders like this will force out their competition as well as those people who do not comply with every little nuance of their teaching no matter how insignificant, labeling them as troublemakers and even heretics.    

·         “The cult's leaders are self-appointed and claim to have a special mission in life.”  How did your pastor become the pastor?  Where is their accountability?  Do they claim to be apostles?  Where is the proof?  But perhaps more importantly, do they feel that their authority shouldn’t be questioned?

·         “The cult tends to be totalitarian in its control of the behavior of its members.”  Once again, we find that many pastors of independent Christian churches expect their convictions to be embraced by the congregation, and people who do NOT embrace these convictions in time are not welcome.

·         “The cult tends to have a double set of ethics.  Members are urged to be open and honest within the group, and confess all to the leaders.  On the other hand, they are encouraged to deceive and manipulate outsiders or nonmembers” (in an effort to get them to join) even to the point of hiding the sin of their leaders.  True Christianity teaches to be honest and truthful to all, and to abide by one set of ethics.

·         “The cult has basically only two purposes: recruiting new members and fund-raising.”   Compare this trait to the fact that many Christian churches want (only) two things from its members: tithing (fund raising) and inviting friends and families (recruiting).  Other than this, they want nothing more from their members.  Their sole purpose is to grow larger and richer.  Members exist only to support the ministry.

What am I suggesting?  Am I suggesting that many independent Christian churches are cults?  Not necessary, but certainly the differentiation between the two is extremely slim and beginning to blur.   What I am saying is that cults embrace the values of this world.   When Christian churches begin to do the same, it pushes them closer into becoming a cult.

How is it that Christian churches could have gone from the simplicity of the servant mentality found in the teaching of Jesus to the churches of today that have hardly any similarity to His teaching?  It’s called The Butterfly Effect.  Two thousand years of compromise and error have eventually brought to power the church of kosmos that claims to be the Bride of Christ.  It is not.  It is here only because people do not love the truth.  Because of this, God has allowed a strong delusion to come upon them.  This delusion is that people who are a part of the kosmos church believe they are a part of the Church of God.  They love kosmos (the world and the manner in which the world operates) more than they love God.  By bringing the ways of the world into the church, they have essentially created the church in their image and called it good.

Are you part of a cult?  Are you part of a kosmos church?  Then see it for what it is and leave.  You will not be able to change it because they have already made their decision.  They have chosen to serve kosmos instead of God.  They do not love the truth.  If you are part of one of these churches, and you love the truth, then it is just a matter of time before you are evicted.  Don’t wait for that to happen.  Many people will be hurt, including you.

Are you looking for a better way?  Flee from churches that embrace kosmos - that comply more with the characteristics of a cult than with the scripture.   Find your blessing by serving (as opposed to giving materially in expectation of material gain) instead of by being served.  And for you pastors, give the church back to God and allow Him to be the head of it.  Stop usurping His authority.  This is a better way.