124 Value Analysis

Meaning: “conveying a significance that is not directly expressed . . .”

If you notice, Gentle Reader, as we saw in the last 2 blogs, positive meaning is ruled by independent values/standards (of the Triune God) for “followers of good.”

Negative meaning is ruled by arbitrary standards (of other influence, such as that of the Adversary) for “followers of other persuasions” (since Scripture says that the “world and/or the flesh and/or the devil” are/is behind all persuasions adversarial to God, it will be one of the three or some combination thereof, at any given time).

Note well, dear reader, positive value analysis concerning meaning (remembering that meaning is an adversarial proposition) consists of application of authoritative, objective standards; or, conversely, negative value analysis consists of arbitrary, objective/subjective standards. A further note I also consider to be of particular value and worthy of attention here is that any thorough positive value analysis will produce warnings, cautions, or advisories, if you will.

For example, those of alternate “persuasions” who worship idols (such as various faith systems do) are warned of wrath from the Judeo-Christian Godhead because they exchange relationship with the Creator for relationship with man-made images (Romans 1:18-25, NKJV). Not a good swap do you think, Astute Reader?

Interestingly, I think this swap situation is a perfect example of some missed steps in meaning making (Blog #118).

In fact, I would say that those who missed the warning about idols totally missed a step in adequate meaning-making (Psalm 19:7-1, NKJV).

Then again, a lot, and I mean a lot of people, ignore warnings of all kinds, just on principle. They seem to have something against warnings in general.

Don’t try to warn them of anything!

It falls on deaf ears.

I think Scripture even has something to say about these poor listeners. Oh yes, it’s “He who has ears to hear, let him hear, Matthew 11:15!” Hmm, makes sense to me. Though I can really be as deaf as the next person sometimes, too, Dear Reader, much to my chagrin. Being human t’aint easy!

I guess you can see that positive meaning involves something to motivate, something to enlighten and something to make the way, in life and beyond, more valuable and rewarding to oneself and others (Acts 10:38, NKJV). Positive meaning is something to aspire to, its warnings something to listen-up well to, its value priceless!

To be continued . . .

123 Meaningful Behavior and Feelings

Meaning: “conveying a significance that is not directly expressed . . .”

“Meaning” has so many faces and makes so many appearances in life, Dear Friend! To show you yet a few more of the seemingly endless adversarial relationships paired and exhibited in “meaning,” I am now going to address some issues surrounding meaningful behavior and feeling.

Issue #4: Desirable Behavior

“Desirable behavior” can mean: Self-sacrifice (to one) vs. survival of the fittest (to another).

Positive: Jesus thought/thinks desirable behavior meant/means self-sacrifice for the benefit of others (John 11:50-52, NKJV).

Positive: As duly noted by Atlanta psychologist Dr. Burt Bradley, America thinks desirable behavior is helping the weakest members of society (a Judeo-Christian concept).

Negative: Hitler believed in the superiority of the Aryan race, committing genocide because of his belief in this meaning. What a downer!

Negative: A popular notion derived from Herbert Spencer’s (British polymath philosopher) comments upon Darwin’s Origin of the Species promotes desirable behavior to mean survival of the fittest and that survival of the fittest improves quality of life. Dr. Bradley would not agree with this. Nor do I.

Issue #5: Desirable Behavior

“Desirable behavior” can mean: Humility (to one) vs. arrogance (to another).

Positive: Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth as a man (Philippians 2:5-8, NKJV).

Negative: Satan was cast out of heaven for his presumption (Isaiah 14:12-14; Revelation 12:9; Luke 10:17-20, NKJV). Ask an arrogant person if her/his behavior is desirable and she/he will most likely respond yes, citing personal superiority of some fashion or degree—unless pressed to the wall (or the wheel of his yacht) like Tony Hayward of BP by the public (or “little people” as he calls them).

Issue #6: Feelings

Feelings can mean: Feelings lie (to one) vs. feelings rule (to another).

Positive: The Triune Godhead has carefully edited emotions and promotes self-control (See Significant Truth #1: God, Blogs #11-110). God is not ruled by feelings. He is voluntarily ruled by reason and commitment to a value-system based on pure goodness.

Negative: The Adversary would have feelings drive appetites and promote self-indulgence (lusts) (Matthew 4:1-11, NKJV). Personally, I do not have any desire to be ruled by whimsical and sometimes downright deceitful feelings, not to say that some days I’m not better at this thinking than others.

Oh, there are so many issues that can systematically be explored like this! But, time to move on.

To be continued . . .

122 Adversarial Meanings

Meaning: “conveying a significance that is not directly expressed . . .”

Keeping the adversarial orientation of positive and negative meaning in mind, I’m now going to pair and briefly comment on 3 special issues with adversarial positions— opposing positive and negative meanings—the positive meaning first and the negative second:

Issue#1: The Value of Life

The value of life can mean—life is precious (to one) vs. Life is cheap (to another).

Positive: To the Triune God, life is precious (Genesis 2:7, NKJV).

Negative: To the Adversary, life is cheap (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV). Try to discuss the value of life with a pro-abortionist (who has bought into the Adversary’s trickery) and you will see what I mean.

Issue#2: The Identity of God

The identity of God can mean—God is a freedom-loving, living, personal, just, loving and forgiving Father-God (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV) (to one) vs. god is a vengeful, controlling, condemning and impersonal deity, or simply non-existent (various religions/cults) (to another).

Positive: Scripture, which is authoritative, assures us God is all the positive meanings described here and more, and that this positive meaning is the only true experience of God. Scripture also denies the validity of any other type of god experience (Exodus 20:1-6, NKJV).

Negative: There are actually groups that adhere to the tenets of contrived belief systems that endorse and promote all kinds of horrific behavior (human sacrifice, cannibalism, stoning, mutilation, etc.) on the authority of their god.

It seems so odd to me that someone could actually be devoted to a god who could mean truly negative things to her/him.

Issue#3: The Duty of Humankind

The duty of humankind can mean—love one another (to one) vs. every man for himself (to another).

Positive: Jesus commands believers to “love one another” (John 15:12, NKJV).

Negative: The Adversary sows dissent (Acts 13:8, NKJV) and is a murderer and the father of lies (John 8:44, NKJV).

My advice? Don’t be on a sinking ship with someone who thinks duty means every man for himself.

To be continued . . .

121 The Upside and Downside of Meaning

Meaning: “conveying a significance that is not directly expressed . . .”

In Blog #115, I wrote about Type and Process in meaning, and we have spent several blogs on process. Now to expand on type, let’s start by restating that in type there is negative meaning and positive meaning— “meaning” there is an upside and a downside to what an issue can mean.

Which side we choose is up to us.

For example, everyone has experienced the uncomfortable situation of thinking, “I wonder what she/he meant by that?” A meaning was implied by word or deed, and if it was possibly unflattering, it was disturbing. If it could be construed as positive, then all was well. Each of us is capable of perceiving, or indirectly conveying, meaning of a flattering or unflattering type, meaning that can harm or help.

Actually, there is a range of meaning between positive and negative, including mixed meanings, neutral meanings and others. But for the purpose of this blog (which means for simplicity’s sake), we will stick with positive and negative meaning and the proposition that positive and negative meaning have an adversarial relationship.

First, to give this adversarial orientation to “meaning” some dimension, some attention needs to be drawn to the word “adversarial.” From Encarta, the noun adversary means an opponent in a conflict, contest, or debate. Adversarial means relating to conflict or adversaries.

Next, in The Holy Bible, the Adversary (Strong’s #7854) is the oldest name for Satan (Sátán, Strong’s #7854). Occurring 24 times in the Old Testament, Satan/Adversary refers most often to cosmic strife in the invisible world, between God and opposition forces of darkness (Vine’s, p.213).

The Triune God of Scripture sees Satan as an adversary or enemy, an opponent in conflict with Him (Luke 10:17-20, “Behold, I give you the authority . . . over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm you.” NKJV).

In this adversarial relationship, God is the proponent of pure goodness and Satan is the proponent of evil (Matthew 4:1-11, Satan Tempts Jesus; NKJV).

Good and evil (evil, Gr. n., rá, Strong’s #7451) are regularly contrasted in Scripture, and evil (Satan’s work ethic) is designated as that which must be hated and destroyed (Psalm 5:4-6, v.4 “For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You.”; Psalm 97:10a, “You who love the Lord, hate evil!”; NKJV).

According to the Bible, Satan and his minions are behind all evil (Matthew 10:1, “And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.” NKJV).

To be continued . . .