Stephen W. Hiemstra's Blog, page 112

The Name: Monday Monologues (podcast) July 5, 2021

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on . After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this .

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

The Name: Monday Monologues (podcast) July 5, 2021
Also see:



Monday Monologue On March 26, 2018 



Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net,
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.





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Prayer Day 33

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty God,

May our words and our actions reflect your glory and bring honor to your name, this day and every day.

In the power of your Holy Spirit, cleanse our thoughts; sanctify our hearts; and redeem our actions that we may be a blessing to those around us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer Day 33
Also see:
Believer’s Prayer
Other ways to engage online:

Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Purchase Book: http://www.T2Pneuma.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

 

 

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Oración Dia 33

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Dios Todopoderoso,

Que nuestras palabras y nuestras acciones reflejen Tu gloria y traigan honra a Tu nombre, este día y todos los días.

En el poder de Tu Espíritu Santo, limpia nuestros pensamientos, santifica nuestros corazones, y redime nuestras acciones que podamos ser una bendición para los que nos rodean.

En el nombre de Jesús oramos, Amén.

Oración Dia 33
Ver también:
Prefacio de La Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
Otras formas de participar en línea:



Sitio del autor: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Comprar Libro: http://www.T2Pneuma.com


Boletín informativo: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

 

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Gebetstag 33

Vor Stephen W. Hiemstra

Allmächtiger Gott,

Mögen unsere Worte und Taten deine Herrlichkeit widerspiegeln und deinem Namen Ehre machen, heute, und jeden Tag.

Reinige unsere Gedanken in der Kraft deines Heiligen Geistes; heiligen unsere Herzen; und erlöse unsere Taten, damit wir für unsere Mitmenschen ein Segen sein können.

In Jesu Namens, Amen.

Gebetstag 33
Siehe auch:
Einleitung auf Ein Christlicher Leitfaden zur Spiritualität 
Andere Möglichkeiten, sich online zu engagieren:



Autoren Seite: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Herausgeber Seite: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Mitteilungsblatt:  http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

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Honor The Name (Third Commandment)

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Exod 20:7; Deut 5:11)

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Years ago when I studied in Germany, I had a friend from Belgium who was known only by his last name. When I asked around, not even the department secretary knew his first name. His first name was reserved for family and no one else.

God is also sensitive about his name and how it is used (Ezek 36:20-23).

In Old Testament Hebrew, numerous names for God are given. God’s covenantal name, YHWH, which God gave to Moses from the burning bush (Exod 3:14), is sacred for Jews. When Jews encounter YHWH in scripture, they normally substitute Adonai, which means Lord. Most translators honor this tradition. By contrast, the generic name for God in Hebrew is Elohim which is, for example, the word for God used in Genesis 1:1.

The treatment of God’s name is an extension of the holiness of God. Holy means both being set apart and the idea of sacredness. The Tabernacle, and later the Temple in Jerusalem, was constructed to observe three levels of increasing holiness: the courtyard for Jews, the Holy Place for priests, and the Holy of Holies for the high priest—but only on the Day of Atonement (Exod 30:10). The Ark of the Covenant resided in the Holy of Holies.

Although the Jewish sacrifice system ended with the destruction of the temple in AD 70, God’s name is still holy. The Apostle Paul, for example, wrote:

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:8-11)

Therefore, the commandment not to profane the name of God is one to be taken seriously. The author of Proverbs writes: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.” (Prov 1:7) We honor God by refraining from vulgar language and refusing to make empty promises leveraged on God’s name.

But honoring God’s name is more than merely not using bad language. Our conduct should bring honor to God—our actions must be consistent with the faith we profess (Jas 2:17).

One of the greatest rewards in heaven is simply to bear the name (Rev 22:4). Why not start now?

Honor The Name (Third Commandment)
Also see:
Preface to A Christian Guide to Spirituality
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Purchase Book: http://www.T2Pneuma.com




Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

 

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Honra El Nombre (El Tercera Mandamiento)

“No tomarás el nombre del SEÑOR tu Dios en vano, porque el SEÑOR no tendrá por inocente al que tome Su nombre en vano.” (Exod 20:7 NBH)

Por Stephen W. Hiemstra

Hace muchos años, cuando estudiaba en Alemania, tuve un compañero de Bélgica quien conocía solo por su nombre de familia. Cuando le pregunté a su alrededor, ni siquiera la secretaria del departamento sabía su nombre de pila. Su primer nombre fue reservado para la familia y nadie más. Dios es también sensitivo acerca de su nombre y cómo se utiliza (Ezek 36:20-23).

En el Hebreo del Antiguo Testamento, hay muchos nombres para Dios. El nombre de pacto, YHWH, cual Dios dio a Moisés desde la zarza ardiente, es sagrado para los Judíos. Cuando los Judíos se encuentran con YHWH en las escrituras, sustituyan normalmente la palabra Adonaí que significa Señor. La mayoría de traductores honra esta tradición. Por lo contrario, el nombre genérico de Dios en Hebreo es Elohim que está, por ejemplo, la palabra para Dios usó en Génesis 1:1.

El tratamiento del nombre de Dios es un extensión de la santidad de Dios. Santo medios tanto ser apartado y la idea de sagrado. El tabernáculo, y mas tarde el templo en jerusalén, se construyó para observar tres niveles de aumento de la santidad: la Patio para Judíos, el Lugar Santo para sacerdotes, y el Santo de los Santos para el sumo sacerdote—pero sólo por el Día de Expiación (Exod 30:10). El Arca de la Alianza residía en el Santo de los Santos.

Aunque la sistema Judío de sacrificio termino con la destrucción del templo en ano 70, el nombre de Dios queda todavía santo. El Apóstol Pablo, por ejemplo, escritó:

Y hallándose en forma de hombre, se humilló El mismo, haciéndose obediente hasta la muerte, y muerte de cruz. Por lo cual Dios también Lo exaltó hasta lo sumo, y Le confirió el nombre que es sobre todo nombre, para que al nombre de Jesús SE DOBLE TODA RODILLA de los que están en el cielo, y en la tierra, y debajo de la tierra, y toda lengua confiese que Jesucristo es Señor, para gloria de Dios Padre. (Phi 2:8-11 NBH)

Por lo tanto, el mandamiento no a profanar el nombre de Dios es uno a ser tomar en serio. El autor de Proverbios escribe: “El temor del (La reverencia al) SEÑOR es el principio de la sabiduría; Los necios desprecian la sabiduría y la instrucción.” (Prov 1:7 NBH) Honramos a Dios, absteniéndose de lenguaje vulgar y se niega a hacer promesas vacías apalancadas en el nombre de Dios.

Pero que honra el nombre de Dios es más que meramente no que usa lengua malo. Nuestra conducta debe traer honor a Dios—nuestra acciones debe ser consistente con la fe que profesamos (Jas 2:17).

Una de las mayores recompensas en el cielo es simplemente a llevar el NOMBRE (Rev 22:4). ¿Por que no empezamos ahorita?

Honra El Nombre (El Tercera Mandamiento)
Ver también:
Prefacio de La Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad
Otras formas de participar en línea:



Sitio del autor: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Comprar Libro: http://www.T2Pneuma.com


Boletín informativo: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

 

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Ehre den Namen (Drittes Gebot)

 

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Du sollst den Namen des HERRN, deines Gottes, nicht missbrauchen; denn der HERR wird den nicht ungestraft lassen, der seinen Namen missbraucht. (Exod 20:7; Deut 5:11)

Als ich vor Jahren in Deutschland studierte, hatte ich einen Freund aus Belgien, der nur unter seinem Familiename bekannt war. Als ich mich umhörte, wusste nicht einmal der Abteilungssekretär seinen Vornamen. Sein Vorname war der Familie vorbehalten und sonst niemandem.

Gott ist auch sensibel in Bezug auf seinen Namen und wie er verwendet wird (Ezek 36:20-23).

Im alttestamentlichen Hebräisch werden viele Namen für Gott angegeben. Gottes Bundesname, אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה (JHWH), den Gott Mose aus dem brennenden Dornbusch gab (Exod 3:14), ist für Juden heilig. Wenn Juden JHWH in der Schrift begegnen, ersetzen sie normalerweise Adonai, was “Herr“ bedeutet. Die meisten Übersetzer ehren diese Praxis. Im Gegensatz dazu ist der generische Name für Gott im Hebräischen Elohim, was zum Beispiel das Wort für Gott ist, das in Genesis 1:1 verwendet wird.

Die Behandlung des Namens Gottes ist eine Erweiterung der Heiligkeit Gottes. Heilig bedeutet sowohl Absonderung als auch die Idee von Heiligkeit (Selig). Das Tabernakel und später der Tempel in Jerusalem wurden gebaut, um drei Ebenen zunehmender Heiligkeit zu beobachten: den Hof für die Juden, das Heilige für die Priester, und das Allerheiligste für den Hohenpriester— aber nur am Versöhnungstag (Exot 30:10). Die Bundeslade befand sich im Allerheiligsten.

Obwohl das jüdische Opfersystem mit der Zerstörung des Tempels im Jahr 70 n. Chr. endete, ist Gottes Name immer noch heilig. Der Apostel Paulus schrieb zum Beispiel:

Er erniedrigte sich selbst und ward gehorsam bis zum Tode, ja zum Tode am Kreuz. Darum hat ihn auch Gott erhöht und hat ihm den Namen gegeben, der über alle Namen ist, dass in dem Namen Jesu sich beugen sollen aller derer Knie, die im Himmel und auf Erden und unter der Erde sind, und alle Zungen bekennen sollen, dass Jesus Christus der Herr ist, zur Ehre Gottes, des Vaters. (Phil 2:8-11)

Daher ist das Gebot, den Namen Gottes nicht zu entweihen, ernst zu nehmen. Der Autor der Sprüche schreibt: “Die Furcht des HERRN ist der Anfang der Erkenntnis.” (Prov 1:7) Wir ehren Gott, indem wir vulgäre Sprache unterlassen und uns weigern, leere Versprechungen zu machen, die auf Gottes Namen beruhen.

Aber Gottes Namen zu ehren bedeutet mehr, als nur keine schlechte Sprache zu verwenden. Unser Verhalten sollte Gott Ehre bringen—unser Handeln muss mit dem Glauben übereinstimmen, den wir bekennen (Jas 2:17).

Eine der größten Belohnungen im Himmel ist einfach den Namen zu tragen (Rev 22:4). Warum nicht jetzt anfangen?

Ehre den Namen (Drittes Gebot)
Also see:
Preface to A Christian Guide to Spirituality
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Purchase Book: http://www.T2Pneuma.com





Mitteilungsblatt:  http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

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Schaeffer Checks the Pulse

Francis A. Schaeffer. 2005.  How Should We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture (Orig Pub 1976).  Wheaton: Crossway Books.

Review by Stephen W. Hiemstra

As a believer in the risen Christ, life sometimes resembles being stuck in a zombie invasion.  Zombies hate living people and desire their destruction.  Conversation with zombies can be challenging. Still, Christians are called to live sacrificially sharing their very lives with zombies on the hope that they too can live.  Jesus said:

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. (Luke 9:24 ESV)

While we were still zombies, Jesus died on the cross for us [1].

The Watchman

How should we then live?

This question taken from Ezekiel 33:10 where Ezekiel reviews his calling as prophet.  In the original call statement, Ezekiel writes:

Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand… (Ezekiel 3:17-18 ESV)

Ezekiel must prophesy exactly as God instructs or his own salvation is at risk.

This watchman motif motivated Francis Schaeffer to write his book—How should we then live? (257-258) He outlines this motif in the final chapter addressed specifically to Christians.  The chapter begins with a warning against dichotomous thinking:  separating values (non-reason) from reason (255) .  This dichotomy has its origins in Greek thought (Platonic dualism; Gnosticism) where the mind (reason) was elevated over the body (values).

Greek Dualism

This re-emergence of dichotomous thinking in the modern era is a Christian heresy, in part, because it rejects the divinity of Christ who was bodily resurrected from the grave. The risen Christ is no ghost (spirit only) and no zombie (body without spirit).  Dichotomous thinking (a kind of schizophrenia) leads one to believe that God can only be approached through emotional experiences or, alternatively, only through theology.  By contrast, the New Testament teaches unity of mind and body—faith and action [3].  For example, James writes:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. (James 1:22-24 ESV)

The splitting of mind and body (or faith from action) robs the Gospel of its power to transform lives and of its moral teaching. By contrast, the resurrection of Christ accredits Jesus’ divinity (Acts 17:31) and lays claim to the whole of us—both our minds and bodies.  Schaeffer especially sees dichotomous thinking leaving us to accept authoritarian rule because it facilitates manipulation (256-257).

Schaeffer’s point about the manipulative potential of dichotomous thinking is like a bad movie re-run.  During the Second World War, for example, economists of the Vienna School justified working for Adolf Hitler through the development of philosophical school called logical positivism.  In this paradigm, politicians set the goals and economists simply find the most efficient way to execute them.  The guard arguing that he was only following orders when gassing prisoners, for example, is applying logical positivism. In this manner, economists (and prison guards) tried to escape moral judgment by making no judgments at all .

Organization

Schaeffer’s book is a survey of key philosophical developments in history, politics, and art dating back to ancient Rome.  It is written in 13 chapters:

Ancient Rome;The Middle Ages;The Renaissance;The Reformation;The Reformation—Continued;The Enlightenment;The Rise of Modern Science;The Breakdown in Philosophy and Science;Modern Philosophy and Modern Theology;Modern Art, Music, Literature, and Films;Our Society;Manipulation and the New Elite; andThe Alternatives (7).

If you are one of those who think that this is a book written to justify positions of one generation over another, perhaps you should read with particular care.

Reformation’s Influence

For example, the Renaissance and the Reformation occurred at almost the same time—Renaissance thinkers accepted dichotomous thinking while Reformation thinkers refused to (79-81).  Reformation thinkers refused to accept dichotomous thinking and relied on the Bible to discern God’s truth—an absolute standard for ethics.  In some sense, the enlightenment simply revisited this same split.  Dichotomous thinking remains popular today because it supports humanism and relativism .

Assessment

In all his writing, Schaeffer covers a lot of ground.  The details of his discussion are fascinating and provide context for understanding the vast changes occurring in our time.  Unless you are a student of Western Civilization, be prepared to be challenged.  How Should We Then Live? is a classic.  Thank you Crossway Books for keeping it in print.

Footnotes

[1] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person– though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die–but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6-8 ESV)

Schaeffer felt so strongly about this topic of dichotomous thinking that he wrote an entire book on the subject:  Francis Schaeffer.  2006.  Escape from Reason:  A Penetrating Analysis of Trends in Modern Thinking.  Downers Grove:  IVP Press.

[3] An interesting  example of this integrative principle arises in the biblical idea of beauty.  “Our modern images feature surface and finish; Old Testament images present structure and character.  Modern images are narrow and restrictive; theirs were broad and inclusive…For us beauty is primarily visual; their idea of beauty included sensations of light, color, sound, smell, and even taste” Dyrness, William A. 2001. Visual Faith: Art, Theology, and Worship in Dialogue. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, page 81.

 Hannah Arendt studied this problem at great length.  For example, read her book:   1987.  The Life of the Mind:  The Groundbreaking Investigation of How We Think.  New York:  Harcourt, Inc.

 In Paul’s Letter to the Galatians he confronts the problem of false teachers who added the Gospel of Christ other teaching.  Paul writes:   I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-7 ESV)  In the Galatian context, the added teaching was over-reliance on the Law of Moses.  In our context, the added teaching is primarily philosophical or social.

Schaeffer Checks the PulseAlso see:Wicks Seeks Availability Deepens FaithBooks, Films, and MinistryOther ways to engage online:Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.netPublisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

 

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No Images: Monday Monologues (podcast) June 28, 2021

 By Stephen W. Hiemstra

This morning I will share a prayer and reflect on Make No Images. After listening, please click here to take a brief listener survey (10 questions).

To listen, click on this link.

Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy!

No Images: Monday Monologues (podcast) June 28, 2021
Also see:



Monday Monologue On March 26, 2018 



Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net,
Publisher site: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.




Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone
 

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Prayer Day 32

By Stephen W. Hiemstra

Almighty God, Great I AM (Exod 3:14).

You created us in your image; you have imbued us with your beauty.

Shelter our hearts and minds from idols that ensnare us stealing the dignity and protection of your divine image. Help us to keep your image sacred and holy.

Keep our faith strong in the power of your Holy Spirit.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer Day 32
Also see:
Believer’s Prayer
Other ways to engage online:



Author site: http://www.StephenWHiemstra.net
Purchase Book: http://www.T2Pneuma.com

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/Bug_Begone

 

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