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To Die to Gain: BFG Handbook Chapter 50 (Finding Life Through Surrender)
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-46-contentment/
What if the key to finding true life is actually surrendering it? Chapter 50 of the Built for God Movement Handbook, "To Die is Game," presents this compelling paradox at its core. We explore how this ancient spiritual wisdom categorizes humanity into three distinct groups – those following life, those following death, and those who step prematurely into death through excessive worldly striving.
The chapter reveals a profound counterintuitive truth: protection comes through surrender. Those who embrace spiritual surrender gain an inner resilience symbolized by immunity to "rhinos and tigers" and weapons of battle. This isn't literal invulnerability but represents freedom from fear and anxiety that comes when we're aligned with divine purpose rather than worldly concerns. Scripture reinforces this theme through passages like Matthew 10:39 ("whoever loses his life will find it") and Romans 6:1-10 (dying and rising with Christ).
Most valuably, the text offers a practical framework called the Trinitarian MAP (Mindset, Aim, Practice) for living out these principles. The four key mindset shifts – surrendering to God's will, trusting divine protection, embracing peace beyond death-fear, and letting go of excessive striving – translate into concrete aims and practices. From cultivating selflessness to practicing nonviolence, these actions help believers embody spiritual transformation in daily life. The chapter then broadens to find universal truths across faith traditions, suggesting that selflessness, peace, and surrender to divine will represent common ground between Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
What would change if you viewed surrender not as defeat but as the pathway to true freedom? Consider how these principles might transform your relationship with material pursuits, anxiety, and purpose. Does St. Thomas Aquinas's insight that "Truth cannot contradict truth" open possibilities for meaningful dialogue across different beliefs? We invite you to reflect on how the paradox of dying to gain might illuminate your own spiritual journey.
And today we're diving into something quite specific chapter 50 of the Built for God Movement Handbook. It's got this intriguing subtitle To Die is Game.
Speaker 2:Right and it's presented in a really interesting way, sort of like a Christian take on the spirit of the Tao Te Ching.
Speaker 1:A new expression of God's love, it says, aiming to restore the truth.
Speaker 2:Exactly so. The sources we have are excerpts from this chapter, specifically looking at sections called Restore, renewal and Respond.
Speaker 1:So our mission, if you will, for this deep dive, is to really get to the heart of what this chapter is saying about life, death. You know the spiritual journey.
Speaker 2:And how that connects up with personal transformation, maybe even some broader universal ideas. It seems to blend Eastern thought with Christian theology.
Speaker 1:It definitely seems ambitious. So where does it start? What's the initial observation it makes?
Speaker 2:Well, right off the bat, it makes this pretty striking claim about humanity. It divides people into three groups based on how they approach life and death.
Speaker 1:Three groups.
Speaker 2:It says basically, three out of 10 follow the path of life, another three follow the path of death and the final three well, they live life, but then they step into death quickly, prematurely, almost.
Speaker 1:Interesting and it gives a reason for this, especially for that last group.
Speaker 2:It does. It points to excessive striving for worldly life, basically focusing too much on the material, the temporary.
Speaker 1:Excessive striving leading to well, not a good outcome. Spiritually speaking, that resonates with some common warnings, doesn't it?
Speaker 2:It absolutely does. The chapter quickly brings in scripture to back this up 1 John, 2, verses 15 to 17.
Speaker 1:About not loving the world.
Speaker 2:Exactly that the world and its desires pass away, and also Romans 12.2,. Don't conform to the pattern of this world. Be transformed by renewing your mind.
Speaker 1:So the message is if you're too caught up in worldly things, you're missing something deeper.
Speaker 2:That's the clear implication it detracts from a more, let's say, authentic or spiritually grounded life.
Speaker 1:And from that warning it pivots to a really core Christian idea. A paradox even.
Speaker 2:The whole. Whoever loses his life will find it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's powerful.
Speaker 2:And the chapter links it directly to Matthew 10.39, jesus's own words. It's fundamental, this idea of dying to self to find that deeper life in Christ. It's counterintuitive. You know, you have to kind of turn your thinking upside down.
Speaker 1:Surrender to gain, which leads into this quite vivid imagery in the text about protection the rhinos and tigers bit.
Speaker 2:Ah yes, that's a fascinating part. It suggests that someone who has truly embraced the surrender, the spiritual losing of life, they're somehow protected. Well, it says they can travel without fear of rhinos or tigers or won't be harmed by weapons in battle. Now, we probably shouldn't take that as like a magical force field.
Speaker 1:It feels more symbolic. What's the underlying meaning there, do you think?
Speaker 2:I think it's pointing to a profound inner peace, a kind of spiritual resilience.
Speaker 1:So, when you're aligned with this higher purpose, not driven by worldly fear.
Speaker 2:Exactly, you have this sense of divine protection and inner fortitude that external threats can't easily penetrate. It's less about physical invulnerability, more about spiritual security, and it reinforces this with more scripture John 5 about passing from death to life through belief.
Speaker 1:And Romans 6 too.
Speaker 2:Yes, romans 6.1 to 10, the whole theology of dying and rising with Christ and baptism. It deepens that idea of transformation.
Speaker 1:So the rhinos and tigers, the weapons they represent, life's dangers and anxieties.
Speaker 2:That's how I read it. And the lack of harm represents the peace and resilience you gain through faith and surrender.
Speaker 1:Which brings us to the conclusion of that first section.
Speaker 2:restore yeah, it lands on this powerful statement death no longer has mastery over them.
Speaker 1:Referencing Revelation right the victory over the second death.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It really emphasizes the eternal perspective. For someone. Living in this way, physical death loses its ultimate sting.
Speaker 1:It's reframed as a transition, not an end, a fundamental shift.
Speaker 2:Absolutely crucial for understanding the rest, and that leads nicely into the renewal section, which gets quite practical.
Speaker 1:Right. This is where the Trinitarian MAP comes in Mindset, aim and practice.
Speaker 2:Shaped, it says, by God's love, trust in the Son and faith in the Holy Spirit. So, starting with mindset, there are four key shifts it talks about First one, surrendering to God's will.
Speaker 1:What's the core idea? How does that look day to day?
Speaker 2:Well, it circles back to that idea of excessive striving. Chasing worldly success leaves you spiritually empty.
Speaker 1:So the mindset is about recognizing that.
Speaker 2:Yes, and actively choosing to align your life with a higher divine purpose instead. Practically, that might mean prioritizing prayer or meditation, maybe consciously evaluating your daily actions.
Speaker 1:Asking yourself why am I doing this?
Speaker 2:Precisely, and it supports this with Matthew 16.25, again, lose your life to find it. And Philippians 3, where Paul counts his old achievements as loss compared to knowing Christ.
Speaker 1:Okay, it's the first mindset. What's the second?
Speaker 2:Trusting God's protection. This builds directly on that surrender idea and the rhino-tiger imagery.
Speaker 1:So it's about actually believing in that spiritual shield we talked about.
Speaker 2:Kind of Cultivating a mindset where you genuinely trust you'll be guided and protected when you're trying to live according to these principles.
Speaker 1:And the practical application.
Speaker 2:As simple as consciously praying before facing a challenge, actively putting your trust in divine care, not just giving it lip service.
Speaker 1:And there are scriptures for this too.
Speaker 2:Yes, comforting ones Psalm 91.11 about angels guarding you and Isaiah 41 about God upholding you.
Speaker 1:Okay, third mindset shift, this one's big, embracing peace beyond fear of death.
Speaker 2:Yeah, tackling that fundamental human fear head on. The idea is that truly understanding and believing in eternal life frees you from the grip of death anxiety so you can live more fully now exactly focus on your purpose without being paralyzed by the fear of dying. Practically, it suggests consciously shifting from fear to faith in tough situations, remembering that eternal perspective and the scripture 1 Corinthians 15, the famous passage about death being swallowed up in victory, and Hebrews 2, about Jesus freeing those held in slavery by their fear of death.
Speaker 1:Powerful stuff. Okay, the final mindset shift.
Speaker 2:Letting go of excessive striving. We've seen this theme already.
Speaker 1:It seems central. So what's the mindset here?
Speaker 2:Cultivating contentment, trusting in God's provision, rather than that relentless chase for more stuff, more status.
Speaker 1:And practically, how do you cultivate that?
Speaker 2:Reflecting on your priorities, practicing gratitude for what you do have, maybe intentionally simplifying your lifestyle, reducing the focus on just accumulating. Philippians 4, paul saying he learned contentment in all situations, and Matthew 6.33, seek first the kingdom of God.
Speaker 1:Okay, so that covers the m mindset. Now for the a aim. How does this differ?
Speaker 2:aim is about turning those mindsets into intentional goals or directions for your life, taking the what you think and making it where you're heading got it.
Speaker 1:So the first aim mirrors the first mindset exactly.
Speaker 2:Aim for spiritual life over worldly life. Consciously choose to prioritize your relationship with god and spiritual growth over just getting consumed by the material world.
Speaker 1:How do you aim for that?
Speaker 2:Through things like regular spiritual practices, setting actual spiritual goals for yourself, actively trying to detach from materialism. It references Matthew 6.33 again and Colossians 3.2,. Set your minds on things above.
Speaker 1:Makes sense.
Speaker 2:Second second name aim for trust in god's protection, again reflecting the mindset. It's about making a deliberate choice to rely on divine guidance, especially when things get tough the application being turning to prayer, consciously choosing trust over anxiety when you face challenges. Same supporting scriptures here too psalm 91 and isaiah 41 okay.
Speaker 1:third Aim for freedom from fear of death.
Speaker 2:So intentionally focusing your life around the reality of eternal life through faith, letting that truth shape how you live.
Speaker 1:How does that translate into action?
Speaker 2:Living more boldly, perhaps Focusing on loving God and others, knowing your ultimate security isn't tied to physical survival. Again, 1 Corinthians 15 and Hebrews 2 are the touchstones.
Speaker 1:And the final aim reflects contentment yep.
Speaker 2:Aim for a life of contentment and simplicity, intentionally letting go of that endless desire for more, finding satisfaction in enough and in your spiritual life practically that means reevaluating priorities, maybe downsizing commitments or possessions, consciously practicing gratitude Philippians 4 again, and also 1 Timothy 6, about godliness, with contentment being great gain.
Speaker 1:Okay, so we've got mindset and aim. Now for the P practice. How do we actually do these things?
Speaker 2:Right Practice is about the concrete actions, the habits. First one selflessness and letting go of worldly desires.
Speaker 1:Detachment in action.
Speaker 2:Exactly Actively working against ego and material attachments, maybe evaluating what you're clinging to, practicing generosity, taking time for quiet reflection on your motives? Matthew 16.25, 1 Timothy 6 again.
Speaker 1:Second practice nonviolence and peace in every situation.
Speaker 2:This is about how you interact with others and the world Actively cultivating peace, avoiding conflict where possible, practicing forgiveness.
Speaker 1:Real world examples.
Speaker 2:Active listening during disagreements, seeking peaceful resolutions, working for justice nonviolently. Matthew 5.9,. Blessed are the peacemakers. And Romans 12.18,. Live peaceably with all.
Speaker 1:Third practice feels like the core surrendering to God's will.
Speaker 2:It really is central. This is about actively cultivating trust and a plan beyond your own control.
Speaker 1:How do you practice that daily?
Speaker 2:Through daily prayer, consciously seeking God's wisdom and decisions, trusting even when things are difficult or confusing. Loop 22.42,. Not my will but yours be done. And Proverbs 3.5 to 6,. Trust in the Lord, lean, not on your own understanding.
Speaker 1:Fourth practice living with purpose beyond the physical.
Speaker 2:Shifting focus to eternal values, making choices based on what lasts rather than just temporary desires, Relationships, service to others, reflecting on the kind of legacy you want to leave things with meaning beyond the material and Colossians 3, setting your mind on things above.
Speaker 1:And the final practice brings us back to trust.
Speaker 2:Trusting in God's protection and guidance, actively relying on God's presence and power in all situations, seeking guidance before big decisions, maintaining faith through challenges. Psalm 91 again and John 16.33. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.
Speaker 1:Okay, so the MAP mindset aim practice provides a really comprehensive framework it really does. It moves from internal shifts to outward actions which leads us to the final section of the chapter. Respond what's the focus here?
Speaker 2:respond seems to broaden the view. It suggests this inner transformation naturally leads outwards, towards holiness, towards sharing these truths, towards engaging in meaningful dialogue, even across different beliefs.
Speaker 1:Ah, so this is where it brings in the universal truths.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It starts exploring common ground. First one it identifies is selflessness and surrender. It takes the principle of letting go of excessive worldly attachment for spiritual growth. Which it reads in Matthew 16.25 for Christianity and then finds parallels in Islam, citing the Quran on giving what you love, in Buddhism, with the four noble truths about suffering arising from attachment, and in Hinduism, referencing the Bhagavad Gita, on acting without attachment to results.
Speaker 1:How does it say this unites us.
Speaker 2:It argues the shared focus, moving beyond the purely material towards deeper understanding, is a fundamental link. It's like a universal human tendency to get caught up and different faiths offer paths out.
Speaker 1:End the application.
Speaker 2:Reflecting on your own attachments, practicing generosity, seeing the common thread.
Speaker 1:Okay, the second universal truth nonviolence and peace.
Speaker 2:Similar approach. It presents the call to peace and avoiding harm as another shared foundation.
Speaker 1:Citing Matthew 5.9 for Christianity.
Speaker 2:Yes, Then it points to the Quran again on repelling evil with good, to the Buddhist principle of ahimsa, non-harming and even the Bhagavad Gita's concept of righteous duty versus personal aggression.
Speaker 1:And the unifying element here.
Speaker 2:The shared desire for peace, for reconciliation, the idea that real strength is found in non-harming, not aggression. It encourages practicing peace in all areas of life.
Speaker 1:And the final universal truth.
Speaker 2:Surrendering to God's will or a higher divine reality.
Speaker 1:Again drawing parallels.
Speaker 2:Yes, luke 22.42. In Christianity, islamic concepts of submission referencing the Quran, buddhist ideas of relinquishing attachment and ego, and the Bhagavad Gita's call for ultimate surrender to the divine. What's the common ground here? The idea that surrender, letting attachment and ego, and the Bhagavad Gita's call for ultimate surrender to the divine?
Speaker 1:What's the common ground here?
Speaker 2:The idea that surrender, letting go of ego, aligning with a higher purpose, is a pathway to freedom and peace found across these traditions, even if the language and specifics differ.
Speaker 1:And the application is cultivating practices like prayer or meditation to foster that surrender.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's really quite an effort to bridge these different perspectives.
Speaker 1:And it caps it all off with that quote attributed to St Thomas Aquinas, doesn't it?
Speaker 2:Truth cannot contradict truth. Yes, a powerful closing statement suggesting that underlying truths might resonate across different paths, even if the expressions vary.
Speaker 1:It definitely leaves you thinking about those connections, for sure. So, as we wrap up this deep dive into chapter 50, what are the main takeaways for you? What should our listener really hold on to?
Speaker 2:Well, I think, first is that core, perhaps provocative perspective on life and death, finding true life through a kind of spiritual surrender, not just clinging to the physical.
Speaker 1:The die to gain paradox.
Speaker 2:Exactly. Then there's the MAP framework, mindset, aim, practice. It offers a really concrete structure for actually living that principle.
Speaker 1:Looking at less abstract.
Speaker 2:Right. And finally that exploration in the response section looking for those universal truths selflessness, peace, surrender across different faiths. It opens up some really interesting avenues for thought about common ground.
Speaker 1:It really is a profound idea to wrestle with, isn't it that letting go of excessive striving of fear of ego might actually be the key to gaining something much deeper Purpose peace connection.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And that leads us to the final thought. For you, the listener, as you think about your own life, your own goals and maybe attachments, how do these ideas resonate?
Speaker 1:Could this perspective of dying to gain offer a new way to look at fulfillment?
Speaker 2:And what about those potential universal truths? Does exploring connections between different wisdom traditions spark anything for you about your own path or about shared human spiritual quests? Something to mull over?