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PRACTICALITY

Jim Sandall, pastor of Agape Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, recently received a joke over the internet that made a spiritual impression in his heart. The joke went like this:

A psychologist, and engineer, and a theologian were on a hunting trip in Canada. Seeking shelter, they knocked on the door of a small isolated cabin. No one was home, but the front door was unlocked, so they entered.

They saw something strange. A large pot bellied, cast iron stove was suspended in midair by wires attached to the ceiling beams. Why would a stove be elevated from the floor?

The psychologist concluded: "It is obvious that this lonely trapper, isolated from humanity, has elevated his stove so he can curl up under it and vicariously experience a return to his mother's womb.

The engineer laughed. "No," he theorized "The man is practicing the laws of thermodynamics. By elevating his stove, he has discovered a way to distribute heat more evenly throughout the cabin."

The theologian speculated: "I'm sure that hanging his stove from the ceiling has religious significance. Fire lifted up has been a religious symbol for centuries."

While they were debating the matter, the trapper arrived home. They immediately asked him why he hung his potbellied stove by wires from the ceiling.

"Had lots of wire, not much stovepipe," the trapper responded.

Remember: the key to life is practicality.

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." NIV

PRAGMATISM

On her website, Gwen Shamblin, the author of the popular "Weigh Down" Diet plan makes some statements about the Trinity that are troubling. "As a ministry," she says, "we believe in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. However, the Bible does not use the word 'trinity'" which implies equality, she said. "It is clear that the Scriptures teach that Jesus is the Son of God and God sends the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not send God anywhere. God is clearly the Head."

Her statement troubled Thomas Nelson enough they canceled her next book they were going to publish. Shamblin doesn't understand what all the fuss is about. "People don't care about this. They don't care about the Trinity" she said, "what the women want is weight loss."

—ReligionToday, September 12, 2000 Illustration by Jim L. Wilson

Is Shamblin right? Do we only care about practical things like weight loss? Pragmatism is important, but so is sound doctrine.

Titus 1:9 NASB holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.