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NATURAL PHILOSOPHY

There is only one "Natural Philosophy" and that is "Pragmatism."

Pragmatism is concerned with causes and effects. It evaluates results. It's only concern is "what works." If it works, do it some more. If it doesn't work, do something else.

Now, everything in nature operates on this principle. Flowers seek the sun; birds develop protective nesting habits; animals use hunting skills that are successful. Human beings are the only species that disregard this valuable criteria. It's astonishing that many people systematically and persistently continue to follow dead end paths and perform unproductive deeds and beat their heads against stone walls. Why do we keep doing what doesn't work?

Jesus was a pragmatist. He advocated a ruthless evaluation of religious teachings, saying, "You will know these people by what they do. Grapes don't come from thornbushes, and figs don't come from thorny weeds. In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot produce good fruit" (Matt. 7:16-18).

We can evaluate people by their actions and we can definitely evaluate beliefs by their consequences. If certain doctrines and teachings help people create understanding, and make life better, then they are right. If on the other hand, certain doctrines and teachings hurt people, create misunderstanding and make life worse, then they are wrong, no matter how traditional or orthodox they may be!

The Scriptures support pragmatism: Solomon said, "Even children are known by their behavior; their actions show if they're innocent and good" (Prov. 20:11, EDB).

The man Jesus healed said, "One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" (John 9:25b).

James said, "Show me your faith without doing anything, and I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:18b, EDB).

John said, "Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions . . ." (1 John 3:18).

So be pragmatic. Analyze your thoughts and attitudes and beliefs. Keep what is productive and change what is unproductive. Paul said, "Test everything. Hold on to the good" (1 Thess. 5:21).

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This issue of NEW PERSPECTIVES is from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted 2005 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THEM IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE. The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works.

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I have had excellent response to my offer to send books for postage only. I have depleted my supply until I only have about 11 books I can share with you, but I will be happy to send you all the books we have available at this time. All you need to do is reimburse me for the postage which comes to about $3.50 (which is the cost, the last time I mailed them). Please wait until you receive your books before remitting.

Even though my stock of some books is rapidly becoming depleted. I have most of them on a CD which I will send with your order. All I'll need is your Mailing Address and the Word Processing program you use. (I use Word Perfect, but can also supply it in Microsoft Word or ASCII.).

For those outside the US and Canada, the cost of mailing a CD would be a rather inexpensive way to get copies of our books.

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