Randy Green's Blog, page 457
December 19, 2012
It’s Christmas. I’m Inspired! – Part 1
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” [Luke 2:13-14, KJV]
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” [Luke 2:13-14, NASB]
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” [Luke 2:13-14, NIV]
As a kid back in the days before the American Revolution (ha ha), I grew up on the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). The first quotation of Luke 2 above was repeated from memory every Christmas, at the reenactment of the Christmas story in my parents’ church. I knew those words by heart, let me tell you. They rang out true and pure, with no adulteration attached. By no means should a single word ever be changed or the syntax be rearranged. Heresy ‘twould be!
It never dawned on me to wonder why it would be heresy. Go figure, why don’cha. I mean, when the Holy Spirit inspired the Christmas story (as well as all the rest of Scripture), there were no English words included! The original manuscripts of the Old Testament were penned in Hebrew, with a small part in Aramaic (a language akin to Hebrew). The New Testament originally was penned in koine Greek (aka the Greek used by the everyday average Joe at the time).
So why, then, by the reckoning of some folks, is it heresy if the Bible is translated differently than old King Jamie authorized? I’ll give you a hint. It begins with a “t” and ends with an “n”, and in-between come the letters “raditio”. Did you decipher the hint okay. You see, it’s much easier on our noggins to learn something when we’re young, taking it at face value because we are taught it by the adults, and nevermore wavering a hairs’ breadth to the right or to the left of it. “Twould be heresy!
Once upon a time, oh, say around 1991-ish, my family and I attended a little startup church in Massachusetts, a couple of blocks from our house. The pastor was a kindly young soul, a self-starter who ignored formal education in favor of knowing it all without having to learn first.
I mean to be kind, honest I do, dear friends. But more harm is done amongst Christians by well-meaning folks who figure the Lord just needs them so desperately to be a teacher of the Bible. It doesn’t occur to them to check and see if the Lord gave them a speaking gift in the first place, or whether He called them to a preaching/teaching ministry. No need to bother the Lord with that. I’ll leave Him in peace and just take care of the matter myself. Uh, it doesn’t work that way! We will continue this in our next post.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my books Numbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” [Luke 2:13-14, NASB]
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” [Luke 2:13-14, NIV]
As a kid back in the days before the American Revolution (ha ha), I grew up on the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). The first quotation of Luke 2 above was repeated from memory every Christmas, at the reenactment of the Christmas story in my parents’ church. I knew those words by heart, let me tell you. They rang out true and pure, with no adulteration attached. By no means should a single word ever be changed or the syntax be rearranged. Heresy ‘twould be!
It never dawned on me to wonder why it would be heresy. Go figure, why don’cha. I mean, when the Holy Spirit inspired the Christmas story (as well as all the rest of Scripture), there were no English words included! The original manuscripts of the Old Testament were penned in Hebrew, with a small part in Aramaic (a language akin to Hebrew). The New Testament originally was penned in koine Greek (aka the Greek used by the everyday average Joe at the time).
So why, then, by the reckoning of some folks, is it heresy if the Bible is translated differently than old King Jamie authorized? I’ll give you a hint. It begins with a “t” and ends with an “n”, and in-between come the letters “raditio”. Did you decipher the hint okay. You see, it’s much easier on our noggins to learn something when we’re young, taking it at face value because we are taught it by the adults, and nevermore wavering a hairs’ breadth to the right or to the left of it. “Twould be heresy!
Once upon a time, oh, say around 1991-ish, my family and I attended a little startup church in Massachusetts, a couple of blocks from our house. The pastor was a kindly young soul, a self-starter who ignored formal education in favor of knowing it all without having to learn first.
I mean to be kind, honest I do, dear friends. But more harm is done amongst Christians by well-meaning folks who figure the Lord just needs them so desperately to be a teacher of the Bible. It doesn’t occur to them to check and see if the Lord gave them a speaking gift in the first place, or whether He called them to a preaching/teaching ministry. No need to bother the Lord with that. I’ll leave Him in peace and just take care of the matter myself. Uh, it doesn’t work that way! We will continue this in our next post.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my books Numbers: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes. To purchase my books please go to:
http://www.amazon.com/Randy-Green/e/B...
December 18, 2012
Magi Tricks – Part 2
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”...After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh [Matthew 2:1-2, 11].
Because the gifts given to Jesus by the magi were identified as gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, someone assumed that one magi gave gold, another frankincense, and still a third myrrh, making for three magi. But there could just as well have been two magi, with one giving gold and frankincense and the other myrrh. Or both could have given all three varieties of gifts. Then again, there could have been 317 magi with some giving gold and others giving…
Well, you get the point. The Bible doesn’t tell us how many magi came to visit Jesus, so we cannot possibly know the answer to that question. If we assume we know based upon our own wit and wisdom, we will create traditions to take the place of the Bible. And that can’t be a good thing!
Oh, by the way, we began with the question, “How many magi came to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day?” It’s really a trick question. You see, even if the Bible had recorded that exactly three wise men came to see Jesus, nonetheless the answer is still not “three”.
“Huh?” mumbles a befuddled reader as he shakes his head and looks lost. “Come again, teacher.”
Let’s read some more Scripture and you will understand.
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared…Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi [Matthew 2:7, 16].
It happened like this. Jesus was born and a special star appeared in the sky. During that period of history all the world was watching for the Jewish Messiah to appear. These Gentile easterners, perhaps from Persia, were stargazing, being astronomers and watching for that special star. They saw it, prepared provisions for the long caravan journey to Jerusalem, then arrived two years later. That is the meaning of Matthew 2:16, as quoted above.
So you see, no magi came to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day. They came two years later! And there was no baby any longer because Jesus was two years old. Aha. Gotcha. Trick questions rule!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 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...
Because the gifts given to Jesus by the magi were identified as gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, someone assumed that one magi gave gold, another frankincense, and still a third myrrh, making for three magi. But there could just as well have been two magi, with one giving gold and frankincense and the other myrrh. Or both could have given all three varieties of gifts. Then again, there could have been 317 magi with some giving gold and others giving…
Well, you get the point. The Bible doesn’t tell us how many magi came to visit Jesus, so we cannot possibly know the answer to that question. If we assume we know based upon our own wit and wisdom, we will create traditions to take the place of the Bible. And that can’t be a good thing!
Oh, by the way, we began with the question, “How many magi came to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day?” It’s really a trick question. You see, even if the Bible had recorded that exactly three wise men came to see Jesus, nonetheless the answer is still not “three”.
“Huh?” mumbles a befuddled reader as he shakes his head and looks lost. “Come again, teacher.”
Let’s read some more Scripture and you will understand.
Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared…Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi [Matthew 2:7, 16].
It happened like this. Jesus was born and a special star appeared in the sky. During that period of history all the world was watching for the Jewish Messiah to appear. These Gentile easterners, perhaps from Persia, were stargazing, being astronomers and watching for that special star. They saw it, prepared provisions for the long caravan journey to Jerusalem, then arrived two years later. That is the meaning of Matthew 2:16, as quoted above.
So you see, no magi came to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day. They came two years later! And there was no baby any longer because Jesus was two years old. Aha. Gotcha. Trick questions rule!
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 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...
December 17, 2012
Magi Tricks – Part 1
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?”...After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh [Matthew 2:1-2, 11].
Let’s have a pop quiz today! How many magi came to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day? Don’t be bashful now. You won’t flunk the course if you get it wrong. Go ahead. Give it your best shot.
“I know! I know! Pick me!” splutters an overly eager reader in the back of the room, his hand bobbing up and down like apples in a bucket of water. Unable to control his excitement, he blurts out the answer without waiting for an
acknowledgment, “Three! There were three wise men!” Gasping for air our learned scholar then sits back down, satisfied he can do no wrong. Then he waits for the accolades to come pouring in from around the world.
Well, I’ll give it to him. The traditional answer is “three magi”. He is right traditionally. But I am a Christian, so I believe the Bible to be the Word of God, not man’s traditions. Which prompts the question, “What does the Bible say about it?” That is Question #2 on the pop quiz. Any takers?
“I know the answer to that one, teacher,” a rather calm and composed fellow announces. His demeanor is in stark contrast to our overly eager brother who answered “three”. “The Bible says that magi or wise men came from the east. How many came is not stated, so we don’t really know how many.” And then he quietly retires to his seat, making no waves and waiting on no fanfare.
Thank you, kind sir. Your answer, both verbally one and by example, teach us truth. There can be no more fitting an answer than to quote the Bible. It is infallible. It is inerrant. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. My words and yours are, contrariwise, fallible, errant, and inspired by sinners. Nothing could be further from the truth than to proclaim the wit and wisdom of tradition. As Rule #2 for Bible study teaches, The Bible is our sole and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We will continue this pop quiz in our next posting. See you then.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 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...
Let’s have a pop quiz today! How many magi came to see the baby Jesus on Christmas Day? Don’t be bashful now. You won’t flunk the course if you get it wrong. Go ahead. Give it your best shot.
“I know! I know! Pick me!” splutters an overly eager reader in the back of the room, his hand bobbing up and down like apples in a bucket of water. Unable to control his excitement, he blurts out the answer without waiting for an
acknowledgment, “Three! There were three wise men!” Gasping for air our learned scholar then sits back down, satisfied he can do no wrong. Then he waits for the accolades to come pouring in from around the world.
Well, I’ll give it to him. The traditional answer is “three magi”. He is right traditionally. But I am a Christian, so I believe the Bible to be the Word of God, not man’s traditions. Which prompts the question, “What does the Bible say about it?” That is Question #2 on the pop quiz. Any takers?
“I know the answer to that one, teacher,” a rather calm and composed fellow announces. His demeanor is in stark contrast to our overly eager brother who answered “three”. “The Bible says that magi or wise men came from the east. How many came is not stated, so we don’t really know how many.” And then he quietly retires to his seat, making no waves and waiting on no fanfare.
Thank you, kind sir. Your answer, both verbally one and by example, teach us truth. There can be no more fitting an answer than to quote the Bible. It is infallible. It is inerrant. It is inspired by the Holy Spirit. My words and yours are, contrariwise, fallible, errant, and inspired by sinners. Nothing could be further from the truth than to proclaim the wit and wisdom of tradition. As Rule #2 for Bible study teaches, The Bible is our sole and final authority in all matters of faith and practice.
We will continue this pop quiz in our next posting. See you then.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Numbers: Volume 4 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...
December 16, 2012
Does the Bible Contradict Itself? – Part 2
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes [Proverbs 26:4-5].
Proverbs 26:4 does not have to do with the same concept as in verse 5. The first half of each verse is worded identically, except that the words “Do not” in v.4 don’t occur in verse 5. But it is the second half of each verse which identifies the subject matter. Let’s vet them and see.
Both verses tell why we should or should not answer a fool according to his folly. The context for v.4 is that, if we do, you yourself will be just like him. The teaching is simple enough when we consider the context. To be “just like him” we must behave just like him. The context, then, has to do with our behavior. The fool scoffs and scorns, sneers and jeers, and generally acts contemptible. If I respond to him with the same behaviors, I will be just like him. Am I not right?
Now let’s vet verse 5. In this verse we are told to answer a fool according to his folly, the exact opposite of verse 4. This is what leads the gainsayers to bluster windy speeches about Biblical contradictions. However, the second half of the verse furnishes the context, and it is not the same context as we saw in verse 4. Listen to verse 5: or he will be wise in his own eyes. In v.4 the person who answered the fool in his folly was the subject. In v.5 the fool is the subject. Very different contexts, you see.
The reason why we MUST answer the fool in his folly is to refute his foolishness. Otherwise he (and many like him) will be emboldened to persevere with their foolishness. We want to disperse the darkness with the light, not turn away and permit the darkness to persevere. So we gently and systematically set forth the errors of the fool’s way, while simultaneously laying out the truth in plain English for all to understand.
Verse 4, then, teaches that we mustn’t respond to the fool in his folly by imitating his folly. He scoffs, but we don’t. He sneers, but we don’t. He jeers, but we don’t. Otherwise we are being fools in their folly along with him! And that doesn’t get rid of the foolishness, does it?
Contrariwise, v.5 teaches that we must respond to the fool in his folly by being prudent and self-controlled, gentle and humble, yet still bold and adamant with respect to the truth. In that way his folly is exposed, both by noting his lack of logic and by presenting the true logic.
Words to be found in theology textbooks:
• inerrancy: the Bible contains no errors
• infallibility: the Bible is absolutely trustworthy and doesn’t lead us astray
• inspiration: the Holy Spirit (Who is God) led God’s chosen men to write down His Word in such a way that their personalities were included (i.e., they were not mere robots or automatons), but with the Holy Spirit still overseeing the process so that what was written was exactly what the Lord wanted written, no more and no less.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 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...
Proverbs 26:4 does not have to do with the same concept as in verse 5. The first half of each verse is worded identically, except that the words “Do not” in v.4 don’t occur in verse 5. But it is the second half of each verse which identifies the subject matter. Let’s vet them and see.
Both verses tell why we should or should not answer a fool according to his folly. The context for v.4 is that, if we do, you yourself will be just like him. The teaching is simple enough when we consider the context. To be “just like him” we must behave just like him. The context, then, has to do with our behavior. The fool scoffs and scorns, sneers and jeers, and generally acts contemptible. If I respond to him with the same behaviors, I will be just like him. Am I not right?
Now let’s vet verse 5. In this verse we are told to answer a fool according to his folly, the exact opposite of verse 4. This is what leads the gainsayers to bluster windy speeches about Biblical contradictions. However, the second half of the verse furnishes the context, and it is not the same context as we saw in verse 4. Listen to verse 5: or he will be wise in his own eyes. In v.4 the person who answered the fool in his folly was the subject. In v.5 the fool is the subject. Very different contexts, you see.
The reason why we MUST answer the fool in his folly is to refute his foolishness. Otherwise he (and many like him) will be emboldened to persevere with their foolishness. We want to disperse the darkness with the light, not turn away and permit the darkness to persevere. So we gently and systematically set forth the errors of the fool’s way, while simultaneously laying out the truth in plain English for all to understand.
Verse 4, then, teaches that we mustn’t respond to the fool in his folly by imitating his folly. He scoffs, but we don’t. He sneers, but we don’t. He jeers, but we don’t. Otherwise we are being fools in their folly along with him! And that doesn’t get rid of the foolishness, does it?
Contrariwise, v.5 teaches that we must respond to the fool in his folly by being prudent and self-controlled, gentle and humble, yet still bold and adamant with respect to the truth. In that way his folly is exposed, both by noting his lack of logic and by presenting the true logic.
Words to be found in theology textbooks:
• inerrancy: the Bible contains no errors
• infallibility: the Bible is absolutely trustworthy and doesn’t lead us astray
• inspiration: the Holy Spirit (Who is God) led God’s chosen men to write down His Word in such a way that their personalities were included (i.e., they were not mere robots or automatons), but with the Holy Spirit still overseeing the process so that what was written was exactly what the Lord wanted written, no more and no less.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 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...
December 15, 2012
Does the Bible Contradict Itself? – Part 1
Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes [Proverbs 26:4-5].
“Looky there! A contradiction in the Bible! I knew it! I knew! The Bible does too contain errors! See! This proves it!”
Such are the rantings of typical worldly gainsayers. They search high and low, devoting themselves exclusively to disproving the Bible. They spend inordinate amounts of time sniffing like an old hound dog for the evidence to “prove” what they’ve already determined to be the case. They are staunch card-carrying activists in the anti-Bible brigade. The motto of this organization is, Don’t confuse me with the facts. I’ve already made up my mind!
But is there really a contradiction in Proverbs 26, between verse 4 and verse 5? A lot is at stake here, doctrines like,
• Biblical inerrancy
• Biblical infallibility
• Holy Spirit inspiration
We mustn’t be slapdash in drawing conclusions based on appearance, dear friends, lest we enjoy having egg on the face! As Rule # 4 for Bible study states: When something in the Bible is not understandable or seems in error, consider that our understanding is more likely in error than is God’s! Amen to that.
“Okay then, teacher,” challenges our local skeptic. “You think you know so much. Explain the contradiction if you can.” And then he sits back on his haunches, a smug look on his face and his chest puffed outward several inches.
Why thank you for the invite, my dear gainsayer. I’ll be glad to…only I didn’t say I could explain everything, only that we mere mortals are more likely in error than is God. Plus I can’t explain the contradiction because there is no contradiction. It is circular reasoning to assert that something nonexistent exists, and then demand that it be explained! Nice try though. It seems to work out there among the worldly folk.
The so-called “contradiction” is merely ostensible, on the surface, superficial. Those who are content to go by first impressions might see one. But to understand the Bible, we must learn the truth of Proverbs 2:4, that we search for the truth as hard as we would search for buried treasure. Half-hearted and perfunctory rituals won’t cut it, dear friends.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 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...
“Looky there! A contradiction in the Bible! I knew it! I knew! The Bible does too contain errors! See! This proves it!”
Such are the rantings of typical worldly gainsayers. They search high and low, devoting themselves exclusively to disproving the Bible. They spend inordinate amounts of time sniffing like an old hound dog for the evidence to “prove” what they’ve already determined to be the case. They are staunch card-carrying activists in the anti-Bible brigade. The motto of this organization is, Don’t confuse me with the facts. I’ve already made up my mind!
But is there really a contradiction in Proverbs 26, between verse 4 and verse 5? A lot is at stake here, doctrines like,
• Biblical inerrancy
• Biblical infallibility
• Holy Spirit inspiration
We mustn’t be slapdash in drawing conclusions based on appearance, dear friends, lest we enjoy having egg on the face! As Rule # 4 for Bible study states: When something in the Bible is not understandable or seems in error, consider that our understanding is more likely in error than is God’s! Amen to that.
“Okay then, teacher,” challenges our local skeptic. “You think you know so much. Explain the contradiction if you can.” And then he sits back on his haunches, a smug look on his face and his chest puffed outward several inches.
Why thank you for the invite, my dear gainsayer. I’ll be glad to…only I didn’t say I could explain everything, only that we mere mortals are more likely in error than is God. Plus I can’t explain the contradiction because there is no contradiction. It is circular reasoning to assert that something nonexistent exists, and then demand that it be explained! Nice try though. It seems to work out there among the worldly folk.
The so-called “contradiction” is merely ostensible, on the surface, superficial. Those who are content to go by first impressions might see one. But to understand the Bible, we must learn the truth of Proverbs 2:4, that we search for the truth as hard as we would search for buried treasure. Half-hearted and perfunctory rituals won’t cut it, dear friends.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Deuteronomy: Volume 5 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...
December 14, 2012
The Fork in the Road
Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name [Psalm 86:11].
I was on my way to be the guest preacher at a church to which I had never before been. In fact I had never been to the town in which it was located. I had never passed that way before.
The cautious and prepared soul who lives within me didn't like taking chances. So I had someone from the church give me directions. Wouldn't you know it? As is often the case when directions are furnished by the locals, vital details are left out under the assumption the newbie knows the territory. Since the locals know their turf so well, it doesn't occur to them those from elsewhere don't!
So here I was, driving down the roads and keeping in step with the directions afforded me. I turned left when the directions said to, and in the same manner I turned right at the prescribed times. I zigged when told to and zagged when that was the direction given.
Who woulda thunk it? Suddenly there was a fork in the road. Do I go left or do I go right? Hmm. Let's see. What do the directions say? Uh, they don't... Ah oh, what to do? I could imitate the king of Babylon on his way to sack Jerusalem. Here's how he resolved being caught on the horns of his dilemma:
For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shakes the arrows, he consults the household idols, he looks at the liver [Ezekiel 21:21].
So much for that plan. Think I'll go with Plan B. So I hopped out of the car and flagged down the first passerby I saw. "Hey! How do I get to ...?" It worked a bit better than the whole divination scene. That's not my thing.
The Psalmist didn't much care for the divination scene either. He wasn't keen on the idea of facing life's crossroads with a divided heart. The thought of having a fork in the heart's road didn't cut it with him. He wrestled with the angel until daybreak, refusing to surrender. "Give me an undivided heart, O Lord! I must fear Your name, not doubt You and be indecisive at the crossroads."
The words of Psalm 86:11 are embedded in the hard disk of my gray matter. I ponder them anew frequently. I too want an undivided heart to fear the Lord, to fear Him as a loving, but righteous, Heavenly Father. He won't hesitate to take me to the woodshed, should He deem that profitable in promoting my spiritual maturity.
Don't we do the same for our kids? If not, then we are not much suited to be Christian parents. Let's ponder this concept a space and see how the Lord will work in our lives.
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...
I was on my way to be the guest preacher at a church to which I had never before been. In fact I had never been to the town in which it was located. I had never passed that way before.
The cautious and prepared soul who lives within me didn't like taking chances. So I had someone from the church give me directions. Wouldn't you know it? As is often the case when directions are furnished by the locals, vital details are left out under the assumption the newbie knows the territory. Since the locals know their turf so well, it doesn't occur to them those from elsewhere don't!
So here I was, driving down the roads and keeping in step with the directions afforded me. I turned left when the directions said to, and in the same manner I turned right at the prescribed times. I zigged when told to and zagged when that was the direction given.
Who woulda thunk it? Suddenly there was a fork in the road. Do I go left or do I go right? Hmm. Let's see. What do the directions say? Uh, they don't... Ah oh, what to do? I could imitate the king of Babylon on his way to sack Jerusalem. Here's how he resolved being caught on the horns of his dilemma:
For the king of Babylon stands at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination; he shakes the arrows, he consults the household idols, he looks at the liver [Ezekiel 21:21].
So much for that plan. Think I'll go with Plan B. So I hopped out of the car and flagged down the first passerby I saw. "Hey! How do I get to ...?" It worked a bit better than the whole divination scene. That's not my thing.
The Psalmist didn't much care for the divination scene either. He wasn't keen on the idea of facing life's crossroads with a divided heart. The thought of having a fork in the heart's road didn't cut it with him. He wrestled with the angel until daybreak, refusing to surrender. "Give me an undivided heart, O Lord! I must fear Your name, not doubt You and be indecisive at the crossroads."
The words of Psalm 86:11 are embedded in the hard disk of my gray matter. I ponder them anew frequently. I too want an undivided heart to fear the Lord, to fear Him as a loving, but righteous, Heavenly Father. He won't hesitate to take me to the woodshed, should He deem that profitable in promoting my spiritual maturity.
Don't we do the same for our kids? If not, then we are not much suited to be Christian parents. Let's ponder this concept a space and see how the Lord will work in our lives.
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...
December 13, 2012
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.
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...
December 11, 2012
Slam the door!
“Oh that there were one among you who would shut the gates, that you might not uselessly kindle fire on My altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord of hosts, “nor will I accept an offering from you.” [Malachi 1:10]
I recall back in the day spending summer vacations and Christmas holidays and spring break—in fine, any free time I had from elementary school—staying with my maternal grandparents out in the country. They had a small farm with chickens and rabbits and corn and assorted other crops. They were surrounded by big old farms with pigs and cows and humongous acres of corn and soy beans.
My granddaddy built their home with his own hands, right after World War I. He was a carpenter by trade. The home was heated with a wood burning stove in the living room, and that was it for all the rooms! As for air conditioning, well, you held this cardboard in your hand and waved it!
Grandmamma cooked the food on her wood burning stove. Some of the tastiest, mouth-watering meals ever originated there. We hunted squirrel and rabbit to eat and fished for food too. Even frog legs were on the menu sometimes. The homemade bread and biscuits sung their siren song, compelling us back for more. It never gets better than that.
Well, both the front door and the back had screen doors attached to them. In the center of the door near the doorknob one end of a strong, heavy-duty spring was attached, with the other end attached to the doorpost. This kept the doors from staying open: the spring action pulled it shut.
When the door was pulled shut by the spring, the door would slam loudly. In fact for being such a light-weight door, it sure startled the dickens out of us when it slammed! And God forbid anyone should be so jejune as to stomp out mad and slam the door on purposes Yikes! That was even louder.
In the prophet Malachi’s time the Israelites got caught up in apathetically going through religious motions. They completely lost sight of the Lord and ignored His Word. Consequently the Lord spent His time by Himself every day because His people failed to spend time with Him. This didn’t sit too well with Him then, and it doesn’t sit too well with Him today (cf., Revelation 2:2-4).
This playing religion on the part of the Israelites became so intolerable to our long-suffering God, that He uttered Malachi’s words we quoted above. He said in essence, “Slam the temple doors shut and keep those religios out of My temple! I don’t want their worthless offerings because their hearts aren’t in it. They live to please themselves, when they are supposed to live for Me. I am the King of kings, but they behave toward Me as if I were a dead carcass back in Egypt. Keep them out of My sight!”
Strong words, those...not the pleasantries I normally associate with church. Maybe I shouldn’t take God for granted. Maybe I shouldn’t rise up late on Sunday mornings and hie off to the church building, thinking I am doing God a favor by being there. He doesn’t need me. I need Him! He bestows the favors (i.e., grace). No matter what I do or how much, I am merely an unprofitable servant. At best I have merely done my duty.
So what will I do to get this right with the Lord? I know. I’ll diligently spend time alone with Him daily, with Bible open and hands folded in prayer. He can talk with me and I with Him. That is the definition of a personal relationship with the Lord. It’s during such times I receive His blessing, and then I can share the blessing with others at church and elsewhere. Anyone is welcome to go and do likewise.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 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...
I recall back in the day spending summer vacations and Christmas holidays and spring break—in fine, any free time I had from elementary school—staying with my maternal grandparents out in the country. They had a small farm with chickens and rabbits and corn and assorted other crops. They were surrounded by big old farms with pigs and cows and humongous acres of corn and soy beans.
My granddaddy built their home with his own hands, right after World War I. He was a carpenter by trade. The home was heated with a wood burning stove in the living room, and that was it for all the rooms! As for air conditioning, well, you held this cardboard in your hand and waved it!
Grandmamma cooked the food on her wood burning stove. Some of the tastiest, mouth-watering meals ever originated there. We hunted squirrel and rabbit to eat and fished for food too. Even frog legs were on the menu sometimes. The homemade bread and biscuits sung their siren song, compelling us back for more. It never gets better than that.
Well, both the front door and the back had screen doors attached to them. In the center of the door near the doorknob one end of a strong, heavy-duty spring was attached, with the other end attached to the doorpost. This kept the doors from staying open: the spring action pulled it shut.
When the door was pulled shut by the spring, the door would slam loudly. In fact for being such a light-weight door, it sure startled the dickens out of us when it slammed! And God forbid anyone should be so jejune as to stomp out mad and slam the door on purposes Yikes! That was even louder.
In the prophet Malachi’s time the Israelites got caught up in apathetically going through religious motions. They completely lost sight of the Lord and ignored His Word. Consequently the Lord spent His time by Himself every day because His people failed to spend time with Him. This didn’t sit too well with Him then, and it doesn’t sit too well with Him today (cf., Revelation 2:2-4).
This playing religion on the part of the Israelites became so intolerable to our long-suffering God, that He uttered Malachi’s words we quoted above. He said in essence, “Slam the temple doors shut and keep those religios out of My temple! I don’t want their worthless offerings because their hearts aren’t in it. They live to please themselves, when they are supposed to live for Me. I am the King of kings, but they behave toward Me as if I were a dead carcass back in Egypt. Keep them out of My sight!”
Strong words, those...not the pleasantries I normally associate with church. Maybe I shouldn’t take God for granted. Maybe I shouldn’t rise up late on Sunday mornings and hie off to the church building, thinking I am doing God a favor by being there. He doesn’t need me. I need Him! He bestows the favors (i.e., grace). No matter what I do or how much, I am merely an unprofitable servant. At best I have merely done my duty.
So what will I do to get this right with the Lord? I know. I’ll diligently spend time alone with Him daily, with Bible open and hands folded in prayer. He can talk with me and I with Him. That is the definition of a personal relationship with the Lord. It’s during such times I receive His blessing, and then I can share the blessing with others at church and elsewhere. Anyone is welcome to go and do likewise.
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 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...
December 10, 2012
Word Games
On more than one occasion over the years, I have been confronted with doctrinal sophistry. The perpetrators of such blather usually spout arguments about words they heard from some self-styled intellectual genius. The genius knows how to sound convincing, and their followers swallow their chicanery hook, line, and sinker. But those followers don’t understand what's involved at all, and they haven’t given it much thought so they don’t rectify their situation.
One of the more common examples of this is the argument that God doesn’t tempt anyone, period. He does test us, but He never ever tempts us because to tempt is evil while testing is not.
A cursory peek into the dictionary will dispel such illogical tripe, dear friends. To tempt may or may not be evil. Even more to the point, the original Greek for tempt is translated as test in some cases and tempt in other cases.
The translators are interpreting instead of translating, when they do this. They interpret the test/tempt as evil when they translate the word as tempt, while they translate the word as test when it’s a good thing in their eyes. But it’s still the same word. Their shenanigans lead the English reader astray because he/she believes two different words are used in the Greek.
I'll assay one more example and expose the casuistry more thoroughly by means of it. I’ve been challenged about teaching the Scriptural truth of the Rapture. The challenge went something like this:
“There is no such thing as the Rapture! The word doesn’t appear anywhere in the entire Bible. So there!”
I might as well conclude this post right here and now. The challenge is so irrefutable! What’s the point of even answering such clever assertions?
But wait! There is every point to answering the argument. The Bible doesn't mention any toilets in the church buildings. For that matter church buildings aren’t even mentioned in the Bible. Would those who argue against the Rapture be inclined to argue against toilets and church buildings? Methinks not.
But more to the point, dear friends. The crux of the matter is this: the original manuscripts which were inspired by the Holy Spirit were written in Hebrew and Greek, not English. When it comes right down to it, there are NO English words inspired by the Holy Spirit!
So yes, they are correct. The English word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. Nor does the word Trinity and a slew of other words used in doctrinal understanding. But guess what? The Greek word harpazo is. It is the word we translate into English as Rapture. It basically means to be caught up and taken to another place.
So the word Rapture doesn’t appear in the Bible, but what is depicted by the word Rapture does indeed occur in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (cf., 2 Corinthians 12:2). So do we really want to argue about words? I think it is much better to discuss what actually occurs in the Bible. Are you with me?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 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...
One of the more common examples of this is the argument that God doesn’t tempt anyone, period. He does test us, but He never ever tempts us because to tempt is evil while testing is not.
A cursory peek into the dictionary will dispel such illogical tripe, dear friends. To tempt may or may not be evil. Even more to the point, the original Greek for tempt is translated as test in some cases and tempt in other cases.
The translators are interpreting instead of translating, when they do this. They interpret the test/tempt as evil when they translate the word as tempt, while they translate the word as test when it’s a good thing in their eyes. But it’s still the same word. Their shenanigans lead the English reader astray because he/she believes two different words are used in the Greek.
I'll assay one more example and expose the casuistry more thoroughly by means of it. I’ve been challenged about teaching the Scriptural truth of the Rapture. The challenge went something like this:
“There is no such thing as the Rapture! The word doesn’t appear anywhere in the entire Bible. So there!”
I might as well conclude this post right here and now. The challenge is so irrefutable! What’s the point of even answering such clever assertions?
But wait! There is every point to answering the argument. The Bible doesn't mention any toilets in the church buildings. For that matter church buildings aren’t even mentioned in the Bible. Would those who argue against the Rapture be inclined to argue against toilets and church buildings? Methinks not.
But more to the point, dear friends. The crux of the matter is this: the original manuscripts which were inspired by the Holy Spirit were written in Hebrew and Greek, not English. When it comes right down to it, there are NO English words inspired by the Holy Spirit!
So yes, they are correct. The English word Rapture does not appear in the Bible. Nor does the word Trinity and a slew of other words used in doctrinal understanding. But guess what? The Greek word harpazo is. It is the word we translate into English as Rapture. It basically means to be caught up and taken to another place.
So the word Rapture doesn’t appear in the Bible, but what is depicted by the word Rapture does indeed occur in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (cf., 2 Corinthians 12:2). So do we really want to argue about words? I think it is much better to discuss what actually occurs in the Bible. Are you with me?
To further research this issue, I direct you to my book Leviticus: Volume 3 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...
