Life of King David – The Philosopher

Many remember David as the fair-haired shepherd boy who defeated a giant named Goliath. Others recall David as the wise Jewish ruler who brought the tribes of Israel together as a united nation. The ancient texts also present David as a powerful warrior, cunning diplomat, and talented musician. However, with all these tremendous accolades, the foundation of David’s fame and faith can be traced to a period of severe trial and doubting in his life. Indeed, David was a true philosopher.

Early in his journey, David was chosen to succeed Saul as the king of Judah. Although Saul was initially impressed by David’s skills as a soldier, politician, and musician, Saul became wary of his successor, so he put out a contract on David’s life. David was forced to live on the run, often spending weeks hiding in the network of caves surrounding the Dead Sea.

It is here that David really began asking the tough questions of life. Alone in the dark or on the run through enemy territory, David opened-up and honestly shared his thoughts, struggles, and fears. David was frustrated with God’s plan for his life, and he wrote about it in his prayer journals. Although Saul stopped at nothing to kill David, David never followed through on his opportunities to kill Saul. David’s years alone with God forged his exemplary character and unflinching faith. Through loneliness and struggle, David learned to be fully dependent on God.

When Saul finally died in an unrelated battle, David returned to Judah and claimed his position as king over Judah in 1009 BC. Seven years later, the northern tribes of Israel accepted him as king and he became ruler of a united Jewish nation until his death in 969 BC. David wasn’t a perfect leader or a perfect man, but his years alone with God, humbled and crumbled in the dark, developed the soul of a legendary philosopher-king, and forged a legacy that endures to this day.

Life of King David – His Theme

“When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’ -- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:3-7).

Have you noticed one of the major themes running through David’s writings? He paints a picture of utter trial and turmoil in his life, yet maintains an internal compass that always points to “true north.” Whereas most of us look for happiness based on external circumstances in our lives, David has discovered a deeper joy grounded in his inner self. Most of us strive for happiness that’s external and temporary. David teaches us to drive towards a place of deeper well-being, where we develop trust and hope in God that extends beyond our external realities.

Life of King David – His Conclusion
Yes, deep stuff! David has learned that happiness and joy are different things. Happiness is that fleeting state of emotion that’s dependent on doing. However, Joy is a long-term process of the mind that’s dependent on being. For David, it’s the seasons of trial and suffering -- chaos and confusion -- that ultimately develop deeper and more profound joy. The key is to know God as your internal compass.

Why?

Atheism vs. Agnosticism
What's the Difference? Are they Alternatives to Each Other?

Agnostic Atheism & Agnostic Theism

Once it is understood that atheism is merely the absence of belief in any gods, it becomes evident that agnosticism is not, as many assume, a “third way” between atheism and theism. The presence of a belief in a god and the absence of a belief in a god exhaust all of the possibilities. Agnosticism is not about belief in god but about knowledge — it was coined originally to describe the position of a person who could not claim to know for sure if any gods exist or not.

Thus, it is clear that agnosticism is compatible with both theism and atheism. A person can believe in a god (theism) without claiming to know for sure if that god exists; the result is agnostic theism. On the other hand, a person can disbelieve in gods (atheism) without claiming to know for sure that no gods can or do exist; the result is agnostic atheism.

It is also worth noting that there is a vicious double standard involved when theists claim that agnosticism is “better” than atheism because it is less dogmatic. If atheists are closed-minded because they are not agnostic, then so are theists. On the other hand, if theism can be open-minded then so can atheism.

In the end, the fact of the matter is a person isn’t faced with the necessity of only being either an atheist or an agnostic. Quite the contrary, not only can a person be both, but it is in fact common for people to be both agnostics and atheists. An agnostic atheist won’t claim to know for sure that nothing warranting the label “god” exists or that such cannot exist, but they also don’t actively believe that such an entity does indeed exist.
Suggested Reading

* What is Agnosticism?
* Strong Agnosticism vs. Weak Agnosticism
* Philosophic Origins of Agnosticism

Atheist & Agnostic Resources

* Attacks on Atheism & Agnosticism
* Advice for Atheists & Agnostics
* Books on Atheism & Agnosticism

Celebrating Shavuot in The Holy Land

Each of us is responsible for all of man kind

Each relationship nurtures a strength or a weakness within us.

The relationship between a person and another human being is what creates and allows for a relationship with God.

Being a Christian means...

BEING A CHRISTIAN MEANS ONE CAN ENJOY PEACE WITH GOD.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord

Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). So much of the turmoil in the lives of men today is the

result of an awareness that they are not living in harmony with the will of God. The

world desperately searches for peace, but peace eludes them. The Christian can say,
It is well with my soul because he has been reconciled to God through Christ. He not
only enjoys peace because all is well with him spiritually, but he can overcome the
anxieties of this life because of the assurance that the Father is aware of the needs of his children and has promised to provide for all his needs.

After Paul's instructions to the Philippian Christians concerning overcoming anxieties through prayer to God, he then says, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).... one can enjoy the peace given by the Lord to his faithful
disciples (John 14:27).


BEING A CHRISTIAN MEANS ONE HAS THE RIGHT TO COME TO THE THRONE OF GOD S GRACE.

One can have confidence that he will be able to find grace to help whatever may be his need (Hebrews 4:16). The Son of God serves as the great High Priest for the children of God. He can sympathize with the weaknesses of man because He has experienced temptations in the flesh. He stands ready to always intercede in
behalf of those who approach God through him (see Hebrews 4:15; 7:24,25). Every
thing which is of anxiety to the Christian is that which can be taken to God in prayer with the assurance that He will provide for man s needs. Truly, one of the greatest blessings enjoyed by the Christian is that of casting his cares on the Lord, knowing he cares for his people (I Peter 5:7).


BEING A CHRISTIAN MEANS ONE HAS THE HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE.

Through the mercy of God the Christian has been begotten to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 2:3). In speaking of the hope of the resurrection, the apostle Paul declares, For we are saved in this hope (Romans 8:24). It is the hope of eternal life that gives the Christian the motivation to patiently withstand the difficult trials of life (Romans 5:4,5).

Paul says the hope of being with Christ forever is that which can give comfort to the heart of the Christian in time of great sorrow (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).