Jihadists, Christ, Plutarch...

Someone has said that the only thing cool about Jihadists is their clothes. I'd add one other thing that strikes me as positive about them which is: simplicity. Whether it's real or not they give off a vibe of keeping what they value to things very few in number. One book, for instance. (And again, whether this is true or not it's the impression or vibe one gets from them.)

There is practical value and power in keeping things simple. When learning about things we may have to be involved in a zillion different influences and activities, but then once we find and awaken to the truth we should hew to it alone, but this is hard to do or recognize. There is always the desire to either seek novelty (even after we've passed the point where novelty turns into defiling the terminal point which is the truth we were seeking to begin with) or going backwards and indulging influences that are now really beneath us.

Luther said find your books and learn them. I forget the exact quote, but he said learn those few books (influences) well rather than engaging a thousand different influences shallowly.

In Christian environments there is continual talk of books, books, books, but few people if any want to be alone with the Bible solely. The latter approach almost seems to them mystical after awhile. I'm guilty as well, though I do counter this by making a real effort to read the Bible complete - intentionally, Genesis through Revelation, every jot and tittle - every few years, or as it works out, actually recording the number to keep myself honest (I'm currently in II Chronicles of my 6th complete reading as I write this).

There is power in simplicity. Once you know the truth and the source of the truth. There is power in having few belongings and interior belongings. There is power in being focused.

This applies as well to books of doctrine. Scholars are shallow, with their libraries of secondary literature. Yet look at that 'simple' old man in the village over there that you hear has only had a Bible and a worn copy of Boston's Human Nature in its Fourfold State, once a folk classic on par with Pilgrim's Progress; Boston's work being a simple, powerful, on-the-mark biblical treatise that actually gives a perspective on the history of redemption relating it to the states of man and delivering foundational, on-the-mark doctrine as well. A book the scholars would treat like it were a novel for teenagers compared to their endless, respected, multi-volume scholarly works of past and present.

And if the Holy Spirit has led you into a teaching, a language, an understanding of the actual ground-level practice of the faith (not philosophy, not theory, but actual practical knowledge and doing), that too needs to be hewed to and valued as the most important thing.

The old man, the simple fellow, in the village, over there, has that as well. He's impressive because he's not only recognized the value of it, but he's stayed with it. Who is being built up in the faith more? Turns out he also knows about war and wealth. Plutarch is going to be writing about him in his next volume. If he is not translated to the heavenly Kingdom before that. Maybe that will supply a good ending to the life.