James Meyers, III discusses the secular philosophy called Positivism, probably the least familiar philosophy discussed in this series. However, Positivism enjoyed much prominence and was later developed into Logical Positivism before it was rejected, but eroded into other philosophies, such as Pluralism/Relativism. James considers the father of Positivism, Auguste Comte and proceeds to trace its influence to our own day. In a world which embraces the axiom, “Seeing is believing,” we want to consider the limitations of our sense perception, and understand that we cannot see that statement and thus belies itself. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III considers the philosophy called Pragmatism, which is an inherently American philosophy. As was mentioned in the first session, the “ism” indicates a philosophical perspective. Being pragmatic and a follower of Pragmatism are two quite different things. The Pragmatist believes that whatever works is therefore good, thus establishing a relativistic ethic and a disparate logical system. James believes rather than trying to squeeze this philosophy out of the mainstream, we engage them within their own worldview with the Gospel which is as practical as it is true. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III discusses the philosophy of Humanism, which has a long and somewhat twisted history. James believes this philosophy can be traced to the fall of Man by a serpent rather than a human being. As optimistic as secular humanism became, James shows its utter naïveté and how it is rationally circular, and therefore fallacious and untenable. He concludes with a Christian admonition that while the Humanist proclaims, “Homo mensura (Man, the measure),” the Christian is to look to the One of Whom was said, “Ecce Homo (Behold the Man).” Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III discusses Christian existentialism as found in the nineteenth century Dane, Søren Kiergegaard. While James finds Kierkegaard to be the greatest existential thinker, he communicates some areas in which he disagrees. However, these disagreements notwithstanding, James finds Kierkegaard to be one of the last sincere Christians, not only in what he said, but, more importantly, and perhaps more effectively, in how he lived. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III considers the philosophy of Existentialism. While perhaps a familiar term, few are able to define it. However, James finds it to be perhaps the most influential secular philosophy and it also enjoyed a fairly swift popularity as compared to other philosophies. James discusses two very influential men who, in their lives, propagated existentialism, albeit in diametrically opposing ways: the nihilistic existentialist, Friedrich Nietzsche and his counterpart, the Christian existentialist, Søren Kierkegaard.   Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III begins a series considering a variety of worldviews which have infiltrated and been subsumed in the present Western culture. In the first section of the series, James will discuss these worldviews under the general category of Secularism. The Church tends to see Secularism as worldliness, which James dismisses. However, some of the irreligious underpinnings have seeped into our society. It is James’s opinion that we have all been subjected and succumbed to many of Secularism’s assumptions, not only in the West, but also in the Church. If the Church desires relevance, She must shake off the dust of over a century’s ruination, and return to a Biblical understanding and see the world as God intends and to declare the richness of the Gospel. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III concludes this series which has been an overview of the Trinity by considering the eternal love between the Persons of the Trinity and how the people of God are brought into the unity of love that is everlasting. In this session, James discusses how Christ and the Holy Spirit have been sent to send us, just as Abraham was blessed to be a blessing. As we are joined into the eternal fellowship within the Godhead, we are to multiply and fill the earth by preaching the Gospel and calling the saints of God to Himself. Just as Christ and the Spirit only declare what they have heard, so the church only declares what we have received, that God might be glorified according to His own precepts. Sea of Fire Ministries onn YouTube

Having given a historical overview regarding the Doctrine of the Trinity, James Meyers, III considers what the Bible says about the House of God. Should we be sons and daughters of God the Father, where are we to find our home? Is it in the church? Are we to seek the House of God, or does He establish our house? James considers this and more in hopes it enriches and encourages the Saints of God. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III reflects upon a variety of heresies which arose during the Early Church, and shows their incongruity with Scripture while, also, admitting much of Christian Orthodoxy may not have been developed without them. Often in Church History, it has been in the eras of the greatest errors when the Church has needed to correct and refute both confusion and impetuosity, and thereby has better defined Her Faith. In this session, James discusses the Chalcedonian Creed or Definition which actually did not define the Hypostasis of God the Son, but rather defined what it is not. Much remains a mystery and it is the privilege of every Saint of God to wonder at the wonderful, to plunge the depths of infinity, to meditate upon the inexhaustible, to count the stars if we are able. May God give us His grace however to remain in the Way of Truth in the Abundant Life given to us toward that eternal glory, which will still be joyfully full of wonder. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III takes us through some biblical passages referring to the Person of the Holy Spirit prior to discussing the historical development of Pneumatology in our next session. As vital as the study of Christology is, James believes the study of the Person and Work of God the Holy Spirit is one which is in dire need today. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III considers a variety of theological terms which were used somewhat interchangeably in the early church, but were clarified prior to the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. While perhaps this might seem pedantic or fastidious on the surface, it can assist us to understand what is being expressed when we discuss the Divine Trinity. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III continues considering the early development of Christology which began prior to and became furiously threatened following the Council of Nicea, and yet defended and articulated in particular through the great and unwavering theologian, Athanasius. James discusses some of his main contributions while setting the historical scene through which orthodoxy was to emerge victorious. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III discusses what led to the first ecumenical council which took place in Nicea in 325 A.D. He begins with the church’s birth at Pentecost and briefly considers the theological climate prior to Constantine calling bishops from all the empire to meet in Nicea and what caused the foundational and necessary creed produced at this great council. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

In our second session considering the Doctrine of the Trinity, James Meyers, III discusses the distinction between the Ontological Trinity and the Economic Trinity which he then develops into what is referred to the hypostasis of God, or simply what is foundational to Him, and the ekstasis of God, or what proceeds from, or comes out of, God. In this, James hopes to show that the hypostasis of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is in ekstasis. Perhaps to put it tersely, who God is, He expresses and desires to share with Mankind. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III begins a new series regarding the historical development in understanding the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. In this session, he considers how we might view the Trinity in light of God’s revelation through the Son of God and how recent scholastic criticism misunderstands the distinctions between a contradiction, a paradox, and a mystery. James shows how the Trinity is quite mysterious, but how it is still, by God’s grace, knowable though not exhaustively. Man should seek to know the God Who is how He reveals Himself, and not how we might imagine Him to be. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III concludes this series considering the Decalogue through the Christian perspective by considering the tenth commandment forbidding coveting and summarizing the whole Law as Christ did. He considers why we are commanded to love our neighbor as a fulfillment of loving God. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III considers the ninth commandment forbidding false testimony. If we call ourselves Christians, then when we lie, we make His name futile. As Christ is the absolute Truth, we are to be those of trustworthy testimony to His glory and our peace in sanctification. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III considers the eighth commandment forbidding stealing. As theft is a violation of a person’s personal property, James discusses how the victim and God are violated when this commandment is broken. The prophet, Malachi, asks, “Will a man rob God?” The Christian must mediate how we are not only forbidden to steal, but how we might give to the glory of God. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III discusses the sacred institution of marriage and how our age has sought to demean it. The analogy of marriage where God is our husband as found in the Scriptures gives us better light into the solemnity of a husband and wife coming together. James, also, considers what Adam said about his wife before the fall and how this prophetic word is to be applied to marriages ordained by God. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube

James Meyers, III considers what he perceives to be the first anthropological commandment, namely, the sixth commandment forbidding murder. He briefly discusses two of the most pressing issues in our day, capital punishment, abortion, and suicide before discussing what Christ said about this commandment. As it is forbidden to unjustly take life, so it is commanded to promote it. Sea of Fire Ministries on YouTube