Resistance to Change Examined

 

 I have recently been shown some valid reasons that inhibit our ability to change from that which is not true to that which is true.   In the past I have named this condition being a result of the "resolute power of spiritual inertia".   I have learned, in more detail, how this condition manifests itself.  I was introduced to four elements that contribute to an ability to maintain a belief in the face of evidence that shows the belief to be in error.  They are described as Confirmation Bias, Skepticism, Complexity Bias and Emotions.  This subject affects so many aspects of our lives today and has through history.  But, in the Church of God, we have conditions that exist that give us opportunity to grow out of this resistance.  The deficiencies of the Jews "Hebrew calendar" are a prime example of there being a resistance to change toward that which supports Biblical authenticity for the subject.  In the case of the calendar all four of the mentioned elements come into play.  I'll begin with "confirmation bios". 

 

Confirmation Bias is described as using information that confirms preexisting beliefs and not being able to acknowledge information that proves otherwise.

 

Alexandrovich Bezmenov, a former KGB agent said something relating to this subject.

 

“As I mentioned before, exposure to true information does not matter anymore,” said Bezmenov. “A person who was demoralized (taught a well defined way of thinking) is unable to assess true information. The facts tell nothing to him. Even if I shower him with information, with authentic proof, with documents, with pictures; even if I take him by force to the Soviet Union and show him [a] concentration camp, he will refuse to believe it, until he [receives] a kick in his fat-bottom."

 

There are several items relating to the calendar that are included in a confirmation bias.  In regard to the beginning of a month there is a resistance to acknowledge Jesus used the pronouncement of the new moon by the Sanhedrin for the beginning of the month. This conflicts with the popular Hebrew calculated calendar method for determining the beginning of a month.  

 

Chabad.org:   On the 30th day of every month, the Sanhedrin would “open for business” in a large courtyard in Jerusalem called Beit Ya’azek. Witnesses who claimed to have seen the new moon on the previous night would come to give their testimony and be cross-examined.

That day, the thirtieth day, was now declared Rosh Chodesh of the new month. The head of the Sanhedrin would proclaim: “Mekudash!” (“Sanctified!”) and everyone would respond, “Mekudash! Mekudash!” The previous month was now retroactively determined to have had only twenty-nine days.

 

There is adamant belief that there is no calendar that resides in the Bible even though God gives direct commands regarding the timing of Holy Days. The Mo-ade, being a fixed appointment, is the time given, in the Bible, for all the Holy Days.  There are verses that reveal that the time a year begins is in the spring.   There is though, a large number in the Church of God that believes Gen 1:14 is insufficient to give enough information that would provide a complete calendar for us.  Therefore it is believed that the church is obligated to use the Jews calculated calendar.    

 

Gen 1:14  And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs (signals), and for seasons (mo-ade), and for days, and years: 

Gen 1:15  And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 

 

These verses clearly show that we are to determine by "light" the time for days, the mo-ades and the years.  There are signals that must be used in determining those times.  It takes a degree of awareness and accurate historical knowledge to understand what the signals are that the light provides.  See "Answers to a COG Calendar Doctrinal Statement" @ evidenceoftruth.org for details.  It is good to remember how God values light.    

 

1Jn 1:5   This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Eph 5:8   For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1Jn 1:7   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  

 

It's important information to know that the Hebrew calculated calendar uses the time of the average conjunction (dark of the moon) in its calculations. 

 

There are those who believe that the Hebrew calculated calendar was used during the time of Jesus.  There is other information that shows that the Hebrew calculated calendar was a work in progress some time after the fall of the temple and codified for the Jewish community some time before 400 CE.  They both can't be right.  The following is some history of the Jews calendar. 

 

jewishencyclopedia.com

One of the important figures in the history of the calendar was Samuel (born about 165, died about 250), surnamed "Yarḥinai" because of his familiarity with the moon. ---  He also calculated the calendar for sixty years. His calculations greatly influenced the subsequent calendar of Hillel. --- The persecutions under Constantius finally decided the patriarch, Hillel II. (330-365), to publish rules for the computation of the calendar, which had hitherto been regarded as a secret science.

 

They kept the calculations for a calendar secret.  Is the knowledge of "God's calendar" something that is to be kept secret? How important is it to meet with God at the very well defined times that He has commanded us to meet?  I have a booklet titled:   The Hebrew Calendar: A Mathematical Introduction. ---  It is written by John Kossey and edited by Herman Hoeh and is a first edition from the AMBASSADOR COLLEGE PRESS.  There are 50 pages of instructions for calculations.  The following is a part of the introduction of the booklet.

 

Since it is the responsibility of the Church to announce the time of each festival to the congregations, detailed understanding of the Hebrew calendar is not even necessary for a lay church member.  When a holy day is to be kept is not for the individual Christian to decide.   (emphasis mine)

 

 

The next factor is Skepticism.    When there is a factor or factors of doctrine that have been in place for over 80 years it would naturally be difficult to think that there should be any significant doctrinal change.  The belief in something contrary to "Church Doctrine" is looked upon as something as suspect.   Yet there is evidence which would support a change in long time beliefs.  At this time the UCG has given a concluding statement in regard to their calendar.   

 

There will continue to be an ongoing study into this matter. We currently have seen no evidence that would cause us to reject the Hebrew Calendar that has been accepted in the Church of God since at least 1940.

 

Doubting Thomas of John 20:24-25 is a very good example of an individual being a skeptic. 

 

Joh 20:24    But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 

Joh 20:25   The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 

 

Thomas simply was not able to believe the report, even when all of the disciples gave him the same report.  He, in essence, did not give them credibility.   This is in contrast with a group being skeptical of a report that provides valid evidence. 

 

 

Complexity Bias is next.    This refers to something that is too difficult to understand.  There is sufficient reason, for many, to believe the calendar is so complex that the church leadership has a responsibility for determining which calendar to use.  I know of six "Biblical" calendars.  As far as I know only two of them use the visible new moon for the beginning of the month.   One being that the first day of a month is determined by the sighting of the new moon in Jerusalem only.  The other determines the first day of the month by using a local observation of the new moon.  I know that the "complexity" of the subject is a problem for many.  I am confident that in time the church leadership can solve the problem with a decision that will be in harmony with our Creators instructions. 

 

 

Emotion --- of fear is last.   It often plays a significant part in a decision.  It's not hard to understand how difficult it would be to significantly change a principle doctrine after using it since the 1940's.  There would be a degree of fear in anticipating the response of the brethren to such a change.  To what degree would it cause great discomforting?  And what would be the result of that disturbance?   A sense of unity would be in great jeopardy.   It seems obvious that the Jews are confronted with the same problem.  The last two lines of the article titled "Rabbis Desire Calendar Change" (see Evidence of Truth.org) reveal so much of the spirit of the leadership and community of Rabbinical Judaism.  For them unity, concerning a matter, is of the utmost importance.  To them it is more important than an appreciation and obedience to an uncorrupted direction.  After reading the Rabbis paper for a calendar change it is apparent that they understand the Biblical instruction for Gods calendar. It was their need for "unity" that was the principle motivation for the usage of a humanly devised, mathematically designed, calendar in the first place.  The following are those last two lines.

[“Even though the calendar needs to be adjusted, unity is of the utmost importance,” the rabbi said.   Jews are required to adhere to the calendar accepted by the entire nation.]

Rom 12:2    And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

 

God's word teaches us that our values should be shaped by our parents.  For most of us those values were not in accordance with the very complete instruction provided in the word of God.  Now we have parental influence being subjugated by a variety of outside influences.  At the forefront would be the omnipresent efforts of Satan.   And our DNA cannot be left out of the variety of our personal influencers.  Couple that with the fact that we have been made "subject to vanity".   We can then see that our ability, in the past, to appreciate the values of Jesus have been "naturally" subverted.  A capacity to acquire and value truth, most certainly, requires God to intervene in our natural thoughts and values. 

Joh 4:23    But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.

Rom 8:30    Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 

 

 

 

I have learned that the human capacity to be absorbed with levels of fallacious information is truly astonishing as we have witnessed through the current and historical events.   Many of today's individuals actually project the idea that "truth" is a non-extant reality. 

Another thing I learned is that "need" is the principle factor in all that has been created.  First and foremost the people of the world have the need to sincerely desire truth.  And we most certainly need a peace loving nature instead of one that is proud, seditious, hateful, and destructive.  In regard to the physical creation, it is apparent how we need the sun to be located with its relationship to the earth exactly as it is.  It is quite a study to see how the moon affects our life on earth and how dependent we are on its presence and location.  And, as people of God, we need a true understanding of when we are to meet with God on His appointed Holy Days.  This requires a true calendar. 

We have learned and know how the Father and Jesus regard truth.  The following are some reminders of its indispensable value. God's desire for our unity (unity in truth) is well documented.  And being able to apply truth is what is needed to provide the foundation for righteous judgments for today and throughout eternity.      

Eph 4:15    But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

1Jn 2:27    But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.

Joh 17:23    I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect (complete) in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

1Co 6:2    Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 

1Co 6:3    Know ye not that we shall judge angels?  how much more things that pertain to this life?