A Theological Dilemma? - April 04/2026

The Scripture never contradicts itself.

However, there are what this author refers to as "Parallel Contrasting Truths".

Consider two examples - The concept of Predestination and Free Will or even the two ideas of "OSAS" (Once Saved Always Saved) and "Eternal Reprobation".

These are concepts that appear to be mutually exclusive but in actuality they are not.

Our natural reasoning says: "They both can't be right!".

The truth is that our inability to reconcile these apparently opposing ideas in our minds merely reflects the limitations of our human understanding.

The prompting to write this "Freditorial" came sometime before dawn of the Saturday between the Good Friday and Easter Sunday of 2026. It was the Scripture of Luke 16:9 that came to mind, copied here using the New King James Version:

"...And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home..."

(These are words of Christ Himself as indicated by the letter coloring.)

Of course, context is always paramount when interpreting and understanding Scripture and this author is reminded of the tremendous impact of the verse of Scripture immediately preceding this statement which is Luke 16:8, one of several passages of Scripture that makes reference to the fact that sometimes the people of this world appear to have greater wisdom than the "children of light".  It was in the year 1992 when this author and his wife discovered the reality of that truth after working in a Christian television ministry in the previous year. The truth of that Scripture is one of many that often do appear to be counter-intuitive.

Later that Saturday this author received an interesting email message from a financial institution that he's dealt with for several decades. The message was a reminder to check in on his investments (made several years ago) in the stock market (Nasdaq).

On following up with the message the reason for the spiritual prompting regarding the passage in Luke's Gospel became apparent (!).

The investments are not large ($2000 originally) but one of them over the years has lost more that 90% of its value and the other one has recovered from the market's decline and is presently close to its value when originally purchased and is poised for some good appreciation.

It's been said that there are two basic forces that control the stock market.  Fear drives it downward while greed drives it upward.  Those are clearly negative forces and are part of the "spirit of this world". For the believer, the answer is obvious and it's clear that he/she must be led of by the Holy Spirit while being filled with His positive gifts such as Faith, Hope and Love.

Here is an apparent contradiction that needed to be resolved in this author's mind:

1 John 2:15 - "...Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him..."

As discussed in the passage above: "...make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness..."

This appears to be another "parallel contrasting truth".  A rhetorical question:

How can we make friends with the unrighteous while following the command to not love the ways of the world?  The prophet Amos spoke of this paradox when he said: "...How can two walk together unless they be in agreement?..." Another passage on this topic comes to mind: "...Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..." - 2 Cor 6:14-17

Here is the way this author attempts to reconcile these two particular contrasting truths:

We are free to engage in financial affairs but there is a strong warning from the apostle Paul as recorded in 2 Timothy 2:4

"...No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life..."

So... The words of Saint Paul to the believers in Philippi do apply:

"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..."

May the reader be spiritually edified in Christ while considering these words.

...The Freditorialist