The Error of Sun Tzu

[Logostician]

Sun Tzu wrote "The Art of War" during the 5th century BC.  It's actually a great book.  But I will pick on one line of worldly thought to contrast it with Christ centered thought. In his book he gives the advice, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer".  This advice is given to defend yourself from your enemies by knowing what they are up to at all times, and preparing action plans to turn or defeat them.

Here's some better advice.  Keep your friends close, but Jesus closer.  Jesus comes before husbands, wives, parents, children, and all other family members.  He comes before all friends and neighbors.  Love all these people.  But love Jesus more.  Do your best to love your enemies.  It's hard to do.  But Jesus said to do it (Mat 5:44).  But love Jesus more.

We are engaged in a greater war than Sun Tzu could have ever imagined.  His mind could only comprehend the things of this world.  But the real war is spiritual.  It is the war that underlies the visible wars that Sun Tzu saw.

Eph 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Victory in this war, that truly will end all wars, is in Jesus.

The world is spiralling downward quickly.  Nobody knows the day or hour of the final battle.  But we know when it began.  It began in the garden of Eden when the first man asserted independence from God and yielded his God given dominion over the world, in concert with God, to Satan.  Satan then became the prince of this world and has sought to defeat Jesus and all who love him ever since.  But victory for Jesus and us is assured.  Don't get close to the enemy in this war.  Rely solely on Jesus.

Jude 9

Yet Michael the archangel when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Michael did not directly battle Satan, or seek to engage him otherwise because it wasn't his place to do so.  Neither is it our place.  Jesus will rebuke Satan.  And his rebuke will be final and irrevocable.  Victory is certain.  Until that time our job is to glorify Jesus, to strengthen his church, and bring lost souls to him.  The gospel armor empowers and protects us as we do this will of God.  This is how we invade and attack the short-lived kingdoms of this world, and their prince.  And we give all glory to Jesus every step of the way.

Rev 19:19-20

And I saw the beast, and the king's of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image.  These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

We serve an awesome and powerful God whose victory in all things is shared with us out of pure love that is so deep that we cannot fully comprehend it.  Just know it, and embrace it.  And be the soldier he wants you to be.  Put on his armor.

 

[Justin Adams]

You probably need a Divine Council worldview. Then you might see all the players more readily. Read Deut 32 and Psalm 82 to get a better handle on what is really going on. There is a lot more afoot than just the fall and Satan or haSatan. Few people study well and so their worldview is simplistic and truncated. Rarely if ever will you hear this from the Augustine seminarians (Platonic) and the reformist pulpits with their heavily abridged and redacted scriptures.

[WayneS]

Sun Tsu was clearly of this world. I read his book many years ago and could see the rationale of it. Now that my Faith overrides much of my thoughts, you’re right, the world view doesn’t hold up for Christians.  
  It may be could for those taking the worldly route to their life. But there is a better way. 
 

[Logostician]

8 hours ago, Justin Adams said:

You probably need a Divine Council worldview. Then you might see all the players more readily. Read Deut 32 and Psalm 82 to get a better handle on what is really going on. There is a lot more afoot than just the fall and Satan or haSatan. Few people study well and so their worldview is simplistic and truncated. Rarely if ever will you hear this from the Augustine seminarians (Platonic) and the reformist pulpits with their heavily abridged and redacted scriptures.

My Divine Council is Jesus.  And he does make it simple for simple minded person like me.  All the wisdom of men combine throughout history pales next to him.

1 Cor 1:18-20

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.  For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  Where is the wise?  Where is the scribe?  Where is the disputed of this world?  Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1 Cor 3:18-20

Let no man deceive himself.  If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.  And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Isa 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

Mat 18:2-3

And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them.  And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Isa 11:6

The old also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together.  And a little child shall lead them.

I am not always humble, as the Son of God was.  But I am happy to be a child of God, and a fool for Jesus.  And I know that is exactly what wants.

 

 

[Marathoner]

The Divine Council which @Justin Adams refers to is presided over by the Lord Himself, my friend. Considerable portions of Old Testament scripture are revelations of the Lord's words to the sons of God who present themselves before Him upon the mount of assembly, where His council gathers. In other passages they are the edicts of the Lord witnessed and recorded by His prophets, delivered by His holy ones to men upon this earth. There are occasions where a prophet of God delivers the judgment of the Lord and His assembly (the Divine Council); the prophet Ezekiel delivered many of the Lord's judgments in such a manner. 

Here is an outstanding example of a scene from the Divine Council which I pray you'll find edifying as well as illuminating: 

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a fence around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But reach out with Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will certainly curse You to Your face.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not reach out and put your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. 
(Job 1:6-12 NASB)

 Another from the first book of Kings. In this passage, a prophet of the Lord declares what he witnessed. 

And Micaiah said, “Therefore, hear the word of the Lord. I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the angels of heaven standing by Him on His right and on His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will entice Ahab to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one spirit said this, while another said that. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord, and said, ‘I will entice him.’ And the Lord said to him, ‘How?’ And he said, ‘I will go out and be a deceiving spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ Then He said, ‘You shall entice him, and you will also prevail. Go and do so.’ Now then, behold, the Lord has put a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all these prophets of yours; and the Lord has declared disaster against you.” (1 Kings 22:19-23 NASB)

There are many more awaiting your discovery.  

Edited November 18, 2020 by Marathoner
typo

[Marathoner]

Oops, quoted when I meant to correct a typo! 

Edited November 18, 2020 by Marathoner

[Guest]

On 11/17/2020 at 9:11 AM, Justin Adams said:

You probably need a Divine Council worldview. Then you might see all the players more readily. Read Deut 32 and Psalm 82 to get a better handle on what is really going on. There is a lot more afoot than just the fall and Satan or haSatan. Few people study well and so their worldview is simplistic and truncated. Rarely if ever will you hear this from the Augustine seminarians (Platonic) and the reformist pulpits with their heavily abridged and redacted scriptures.

Psalms 82:1 - A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
Psalms 82:2 - “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Psalms 82:3 - Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Psalms 82:4 - Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalms 82:5 - They have neither knowledge nor understanding, they walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.
Psalms 82:6 - I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you;
Psalms 82:7 - nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”
Psalms 82:8 - Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!  [ESV]

I am reading a book now about The Divine Council by Dr. Michael S. Heiser.  It strips away the simplistic worldview applied by the Roman Catholic Church (Augustine) and the later reformist translators.  Getting a handle on the Divine Council Worldview (as Jews and Christians of Jesus time would understand Holy Scripture) provides a fresh and deeper understanding of the biblical text.  It's a good place to start.  Dr. Heiser has a YouTube video that's too long for me to post that is excellent.  A study of Psalms 89 should also be made as well as Job 1:6 and its subsequent verses and chapters.  It's interesting to note how many times "the satan" is mistranslated as a proper name, "Satan", when it should be translated as "the adversary".

 

Edited November 20, 2020 by Saved.One.by.Grace