Surface world

To live in this surface world in a spiritual sense means that we want others to tell us what to believe.

"Just tell me what I'm supposed to believe and I'll memorize it. Then, I'll be okay."

Think about a typical religious or spiritual meeting.

Is it where one, or in rare cases, a few people are "talking heads" as they transmit doctrines or helpful tips on living?

The speakers assume that what they say will be taken to heart and then applied in life --

Believe this because this writing or oral tradition states it and you will prosper now and forever.

Are they ever challenged?

"How do you know that what this says or your interpretation of it is correct? Can you prove from abundance of supposed truth that this is the way to believe?"

He [Apollos] argued very strongly with the Jews before all the people, clearly proving with the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Acts 18:28

Apollos argued WITH the Jews based on the authority of Scripture that proved Who Jesus is.

Speaking WITH someone or others implies that there's mutual interaction between speakers and listeners.

If spiritual people now had this, couldn't there be a better atmosphere for learning?

Here are some more examples --

Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question: “What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?” They said to Him, “The son of David.” He said to them, “Then how does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying,

‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Until I put Your enemies under Your feet”’? Therefore, if David calls Him ‘Lord,’ how is He his son?” Matthew 22:41-45

And according to Paul’s custom, he visited them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, giving evidence that Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.” Acts 17:2-3

Paul reasoned WITH them, not only proclaiming to them.

While Paul was waiting for Silas and Timothy in Athens, he was troubled because he saw that the city was full of idols. In the synagogue, he talked with the Jews and the Greeks who worshiped God. He also talked every day with people in the marketplace. Acts 17:16-17

Paul talked WITH them, not only preaching to them.

Other dialogues can be read in Matthew 19:3-10 and Matthew 19:16-21.

Ideally, shouldn't every statement be cross-examined in love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 to make sure that this IS truth?

When listeners don't pay attention, they may receive false information that's presented as true.

When listeners DO pay attention, they may just swallow what's said or written as true, without finding out for themselves if it is, which they can do, couldn't they? Acts 17:11-12

Your thoughts?

R. Jason