Randy Green's Blog - Posts Tagged "mutual-encouragement"
Too Heavenly Minded - Part 1
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine [Romans 1:11-12].
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Too Heavenly Minded - Part 2
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine" [Romans 1:11-12].
Sadly, but most readers come upon a new chapter and believe the subject changes. And they quote a verse to prove a point, as if the verse takes place in a vacuum. That is, they take the words out of context. Rule #1 for Bible study states, a text out of context is a pretext. Those are vital words to live by, dear people.
Should we read v.11 as if it occurs in a vacuum, we might very well correlate the “spiritual gift” here with Paul’s topic in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. In Corithians Paul discusses the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to each Christian, the purpose of which is to equip the Christian with ability to perform a specific ministry to which the Lord calls the Christian. But that topic is not even remotely discussed by Paul in Romans 1!
Verse 12 makes this obvious by defining the term “spiritual gift”, as it is used in Romans 1. Listen: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. See! The “spiritual gift” here consists of being “encouraged…by the other’s faith”. The phrase “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11, then, refers to a blessing which results when we Christians see the Lord working in each of our lives. It occurs when we have true fellowship together.
Biblical fellowship (aka koinonia) always has the Lord and His Word as its axis. If we sit around the church fellowship hall, filling our faces with food and discussing the football game or the best sales at the mall—dear friends, that has nothing to do with fellowship! Just because it occurs in the church building does not make it “spiritual”.
Paul’s “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11 has to do with sharing how the Lord is working in my life. It has to do with sharing a Bible verse which impacted me. It has to do with the Lord and His Word. When we get to that point in our churches, then true Biblical fellowship takes place…at which time all of us receive a “spiritual gift”.
Isn’t that wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to go to church in order to receive suchlike spiritual gifts? Amen to that, brother! Amen to that, sister! Let’s do it, okay?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Sadly, but most readers come upon a new chapter and believe the subject changes. And they quote a verse to prove a point, as if the verse takes place in a vacuum. That is, they take the words out of context. Rule #1 for Bible study states, a text out of context is a pretext. Those are vital words to live by, dear people.
Should we read v.11 as if it occurs in a vacuum, we might very well correlate the “spiritual gift” here with Paul’s topic in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. In Corithians Paul discusses the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to each Christian, the purpose of which is to equip the Christian with ability to perform a specific ministry to which the Lord calls the Christian. But that topic is not even remotely discussed by Paul in Romans 1!
Verse 12 makes this obvious by defining the term “spiritual gift”, as it is used in Romans 1. Listen: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. See! The “spiritual gift” here consists of being “encouraged…by the other’s faith”. The phrase “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11, then, refers to a blessing which results when we Christians see the Lord working in each of our lives. It occurs when we have true fellowship together.
Biblical fellowship (aka koinonia) always has the Lord and His Word as its axis. If we sit around the church fellowship hall, filling our faces with food and discussing the football game or the best sales at the mall—dear friends, that has nothing to do with fellowship! Just because it occurs in the church building does not make it “spiritual”.
Paul’s “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11 has to do with sharing how the Lord is working in my life. It has to do with sharing a Bible verse which impacted me. It has to do with the Lord and His Word. When we get to that point in our churches, then true Biblical fellowship takes place…at which time all of us receive a “spiritual gift”.
Isn’t that wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to go to church in order to receive suchlike spiritual gifts? Amen to that, brother! Amen to that, sister! Let’s do it, okay?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005PJ761C
https://sites.google.com/site/heavenl...
Too Heavenly Minded – Part 1
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine [Romans 1:11-12].
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Too Heavenly Minded – Part 2
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine [Romans 1:11-12].
Sadly, but most readers come upon a new chapter and believe the subject changes. And they quote a verse to prove a point, as if the verse takes place in a vacuum. That is, they take the words out of context. Rule #1 for Bible study states, a text out of context is a pretext. Those are vital words to live by, dear people.
Should we read v.11 as if it occurs in a vacuum, we might very well correlate the “spiritual gift” here with Paul’s topic in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. In Corinthians Paul discusses the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to each Christian, the purpose of which is to equip the Christian with ability to perform a specific ministry to which the Lord calls the Christian. But that topic is not even remotely discussed by Paul in Romans 1!
Verse 12 makes this obvious by defining the term “spiritual gift”, as it is used in Romans 1. Listen: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. See! The “spiritual gift” here consists of being “encouraged…by the other’s faith”. The phrase “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11, then, refers to a blessing which results when we Christians see the Lord working in each of our lives. It occurs when we have true fellowship together.
Biblical fellowship (aka koinonia) always has the Lord and His Word as its axis. If we sit around the church fellowship hall, filling our faces with food and discussing the football game or the best sales at the mall—dear friends, that has nothing to do with fellowship! Just because it occurs in the church building does not make it “spiritual”.
Paul’s “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11 has to do with sharing how the Lord is working in my life. It has to do with sharing a Bible verse which impacted me. It has to do with the Lord and His Word. When we get to that point in our churches, then true Biblical fellowship takes place…at which time all of us receive a “spiritual gift”.
Isn’t that wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to go to church in order to receive suchlike spiritual gifts? Amen to that, brother! Amen to that, sister! Let’s do it, okay?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Sadly, but most readers come upon a new chapter and believe the subject changes. And they quote a verse to prove a point, as if the verse takes place in a vacuum. That is, they take the words out of context. Rule #1 for Bible study states, a text out of context is a pretext. Those are vital words to live by, dear people.
Should we read v.11 as if it occurs in a vacuum, we might very well correlate the “spiritual gift” here with Paul’s topic in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. In Corinthians Paul discusses the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to each Christian, the purpose of which is to equip the Christian with ability to perform a specific ministry to which the Lord calls the Christian. But that topic is not even remotely discussed by Paul in Romans 1!
Verse 12 makes this obvious by defining the term “spiritual gift”, as it is used in Romans 1. Listen: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. See! The “spiritual gift” here consists of being “encouraged…by the other’s faith”. The phrase “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11, then, refers to a blessing which results when we Christians see the Lord working in each of our lives. It occurs when we have true fellowship together.
Biblical fellowship (aka koinonia) always has the Lord and His Word as its axis. If we sit around the church fellowship hall, filling our faces with food and discussing the football game or the best sales at the mall—dear friends, that has nothing to do with fellowship! Just because it occurs in the church building does not make it “spiritual”.
Paul’s “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11 has to do with sharing how the Lord is working in my life. It has to do with sharing a Bible verse which impacted me. It has to do with the Lord and His Word. When we get to that point in our churches, then true Biblical fellowship takes place…at which time all of us receive a “spiritual gift”.
Isn’t that wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to go to church in order to receive suchlike spiritual gifts? Amen to that, brother! Amen to that, sister! Let’s do it, okay?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Too Heavenly Minded – Part 1
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine [Romans 1:11-12].
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
Oh, but we must needs pause at this point. We will return to the text in our next study.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
There is an old adage which states, “He is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good!” Alas, but it is sometimes the truth. Sometimes we Christians can imagine ourselves to be floating on silver clouds and playing golden harps. But if we are so busy soaring into the wild blue yonder, our feet lose their footing on earth. If we fancy ourselves eerily spiritual, we likely haven’t a clue when it comes to daily living. We very well might wind up being no good to anybody!
Such is often the case for some Christians, when it comes to understanding the Bible. It is possible to hold to a man-made doctrine or set of doctrines to such an extent, that we practice eisegesis instead of exegesis. The word eisegesis refers to taking our beliefs and reading them into the Bible. It is to use the Bible for our own purposes, even though we might not be aware we are doing so. The word exegesis is to read the Bible literally and pull out of it what it teaches. It is to allow the Bible to use me for the Lord’s purposes.
The verses we quoted in Romans 1 are a case in point. Verse 11 affords a wonderful opportunity to practice eisegesis, should I be so inclined. Let’s read it once more, shall we? For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.
Someone is befuddled and demands to know, “How does that verse foster the practice of eisegesis, teacher? I don’t get it!”
And a right fine query you have made, kind sir. Here’s how. The original manuscripts of Scripture as inspired by the Holy Spirit did not contain any chapters or verses. Chapter and verse divisions were inserted into the text by man circa 1000 A.D. If we use them for their right purpose—viz., to navigate our way through the length and breadth of the Bible—then we will be fine.
Oh, but we must needs pause at this point. We will return to the text in our next study.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Too Heavenly Minded – Part 2
For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine [Romans 1:11-12].
Sadly, but most readers come upon a new chapter and believe the subject changes. And they quote a verse to prove a point, as if the verse takes place in a vacuum. That is, they take the words out of context. Rule #1 for Bible study states, a text without a context is a pretext. Those are vital words to live by, dear people.
Should we read verse 11 as if it occurs in a vacuum, we might very well correlate the “spiritual gift” here with Paul’s topic in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. In Corinthians Paul discusses the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to each Christian, the purpose of which is to equip the Christian with ability to perform a specific ministry to which the Lord calls the Christian. But that topic is not even remotely discussed by Paul in Romans 1!
Verse 12 makes this obvious by defining the term “spiritual gift”, as it is used in Romans 1. Listen: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. See! The “spiritual gift” here consists of being “encouraged…by the other’s faith”. The phrase “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11, then, refers to a blessing which results when we Christians see the Lord working in each of our lives. It occurs when we have true fellowship together.
Biblical fellowship (aka koinonia) always has the Lord and His Word as its axis. If we sit around the church fellowship hall, filling our faces with food and discussing the football game or the best sales at the mall—dear friends, that has nothing to do with fellowship! Just because it occurs in the church building does not make it “spiritual”.
Paul’s “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11 has to do with sharing how the Lord is working in my life. It has to do with sharing a Bible verse which impacted me. It has to do with the Lord and His Word. When we get to that point in our churches, then true Biblical fellowship takes place…at which time all of us receive a “spiritual gift”.
Isn’t that wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to go to church in order to receive suchlike spiritual gifts? Amen to that, brother! Amen to that, sister! Let’s do it, okay?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
Sadly, but most readers come upon a new chapter and believe the subject changes. And they quote a verse to prove a point, as if the verse takes place in a vacuum. That is, they take the words out of context. Rule #1 for Bible study states, a text without a context is a pretext. Those are vital words to live by, dear people.
Should we read verse 11 as if it occurs in a vacuum, we might very well correlate the “spiritual gift” here with Paul’s topic in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. In Corinthians Paul discusses the spiritual gifts imparted by the Holy Spirit to each Christian, the purpose of which is to equip the Christian with ability to perform a specific ministry to which the Lord calls the Christian. But that topic is not even remotely discussed by Paul in Romans 1!
Verse 12 makes this obvious by defining the term “spiritual gift”, as it is used in Romans 1. Listen: that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. See! The “spiritual gift” here consists of being “encouraged…by the other’s faith”. The phrase “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11, then, refers to a blessing which results when we Christians see the Lord working in each of our lives. It occurs when we have true fellowship together.
Biblical fellowship (aka koinonia) always has the Lord and His Word as its axis. If we sit around the church fellowship hall, filling our faces with food and discussing the football game or the best sales at the mall—dear friends, that has nothing to do with fellowship! Just because it occurs in the church building does not make it “spiritual”.
Paul’s “spiritual gift” in Romans 1:11 has to do with sharing how the Lord is working in my life. It has to do with sharing a Bible verse which impacted me. It has to do with the Lord and His Word. When we get to that point in our churches, then true Biblical fellowship takes place…at which time all of us receive a “spiritual gift”.
Isn’t that wonderful? Wouldn’t it be great to go to church in order to receive suchlike spiritual gifts? Amen to that, brother! Amen to that, sister! Let’s do it, okay?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Genesis: Volume 1 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. For more info please visit these sites to purchase my books:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
