Ignorance. It is truly bliss you know. Curiosity killed the cat, or so they say. It also kills friendships and can leave you very much alone. It seems every day I am reminded or I find something new that I wish I remained ignorant of. Knowing or never questioning what is accepted is a balm to the searching heart. However, such simple life constructs leave my soul wanting more. But the more I find only drives me deeper into the island where I struggle as a cast away. I relate to Robinson Caruso and Tom Hanks except my companion is neither Friday or Wilson; it is a restless spirit and the Word of God. Marooned on Patmos, I want to flee the revelation from God rather than be swept into the heavenlies. Why must I be haunted by the "whys" that shadow my very being; aching for answers yet fearing their discovery. What was once clearly defined black and white has become blurred and indistinct like sidewalk chalk drawings after the rain.
Today is Saturday. I am to be at rest. It is God's Sabbath. After years of research and study of His Word there is no doubt that I am to be still this day. You may be free to pursue what you like, but I must either rest or be in the service of God's people. His Spirit imposes this thought upon my heart as I look to the lawn mower and sprouting weeds. "Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy", set apart, for God. You shall do no work. He says my body needs rest. One day in seven. But I do not rest easily. Ever. My hammock may rot before it ever wears out from use. God still says, "Be still, and know that I am God". The closest I come to "still" is reading or writing even as I am now. What a simple command. Just stop. Cease. Don't do anything. Yet, if perpetual motion could be put in a jar I could fill a pantry with just today alone. Sabbath is just the beginning. There are abundant other realities that used to be comfortingly benign. But now, new possible meanings chew at my spirit like insatiable termites feeding on the framework of what I used to simply accept as true.
Paul writes, "O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out" (Rom 11:33). I feel I am drowning in His depths and lost among His judgements. Paul tells me to "study to show myself approved unto God"; however, study just reveals how little of me there is to approve of. Evangelical Christianity tells my to jettison large portions of Holy text so I may rest in my ignorance. To question is folly. It only leads to isolation and ridicule. So much easier to go with the flow. To reject Torah. To say Moses doesn't matter. To remove the unpleasant calls to obedience. To somehow benefit from the Jewish Messiah while avoiding being "grafted in". To find a way to be one who was "far off" and now "drawn near", as Ephesians 2 says, yet without being obligated to the covenant of promise that is now to be mine. To pick and choose what part of the covenant and which promises I want to accept and which I want to take my "Gentile exemption" on. It all seems so confusing at times.
The wealth of the Word of God draws me to come and know that He is God. That He is an integrated Being portrayed as Father, Son, and Spirit. As I study, they become less distinct and more inseparable. Grace flows from the Father, judgement dispensed by the Son, while the Spirit gives life and comfort that escapes my understanding. Still I am told of the "Angry God" of the Old Covenant of Moses and the Law being replaced by the grace and peace of the New Testament Son. Obedience is now "Spirit lead" so there is no need for written instruction. All those requirements just pointed to Jesus anyway. They are just shadows to be spiritualized and placed in a box with other discarded garments called festivals and celebrations. Old cloths that have no place with my new spiritually discerned grace apparel. Thanks to the Spirit I can accept or reject any command given in Scripture. If I don't like it I can just declare it is of the old legalistic, oppressive law that I have been delivered from, by the blood of Jesus. "I can reject this commandment, the Spirit told me so." But, which spirit is directing me to forsake God's Word? I guess I could go with what seems most comfortable with life as I feel right now.......... then that restless Spirit comes knocking again saying "Be holy for I am holy". Separated from the world of easy belief and no need for discipline.
He says keep on. Be like Paul and "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). To accept that when Paul wrote, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim 3:16). That he really meant it. Recognizing that the only Scripture Timothy could know is the Old Testament, Genesis through Malachi. So if I want to be "fully equipped for every good work" that God might call me to do, the study must continue. The road that sometimes, perhaps often, leads away from the traditional evangelical view is one I must travel. Finding life and joy in the depths of Torah, the Writings and the Prophets. For these words give more than a foundation to the Apostolic writings of the more recent revelation found in Matthew through the Revelation of Jesus Christ. They hold life itself. The writer to the Hebrews says it is living and sharper than any two edged sword. (Yes, that would be the Old Testament as the New was not yet accepted as Scripture).
The journey is likely to be a lonely one. I would invite you to join me but it might mean leaving your comfortable evangelical tradition behind. It might cause you to rethink what you have always thought was true. I might leave you feeling like the only people who really understand are Robinson Caruso and a friend of a volleyball named Wilson. But if you want to come, there is still room on Patmos for another soul searching for God's truth and, at times, running from His revelation.
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Shall We Toss Out 2 Timothy 2:15 or Act Like a Monkey?
Ever see a monkey open up a banana? They, more often than not, start on the end of the finger (A bunch is a hand and a single banana is a finger in case you like trivia) that is not by the stem. They open the banana from the bottom. Their approach is not what most of us use. Try it, it is an effective way to gain access to the sweet fruit inside. It is also a conversation starter as most of those around you will think you are a bit odd. However, just because it is different does not necessarily make it better or right or wrong. It is 180 degrees out of the norm and sort of stands out if you are peeling it in the midst of a group at a hotel breakfast bar. (Recent personal experience attests to that reality when a little boy asked his mom why I was opening the banana wrong.) For the peeling of fruit this difference is not earth shaking, nor will it have ramifications on your life in general. As far as I know the Federal Government does not yet have guidelines on proper fruit peeling, though NY City may; they regulate salt, margarine, and soft drink size so banana peeling may well be on the books. But what of the Scriptures? Is it okay to view them from a different perspective?
My purpose for this blog and in my teaching is not just to spoon out information but, hopefully, to encourage people to think. My intent is not to cause trouble with your Pastor or Bible study teacher, but to cause you to consider something new and then to be like a Berean and study to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11). My concern is that we, as followers of Messiah, have thrown out 2 Timothy 2:15. Paul told Timothy that he was to "Study to show himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, correctly discerning the word of truth." To be like the more noble Bereans and to search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so. The word "study" is spoudazo. It carries the meanings of to make haste and to exert effort, to be diligent, to work at something recognizing it can't wait; it holds a priority and cannot be delayed. The study of Scripture takes time. It also should be a priority and it should be you who does the work. Too often our approach to Bible study is to show up on Sunday and hear a message. We just want the speaker to tell us what the Scripture means and some fluffy application to encourage us for a day or two. Some of us go beyond that to a weekly study where we read a book and fill in the blanks so we know what the author thinks the passage means. Not a bad thing, but it is not 2 Timothy 2:15.
The danger is one I see in the understanding of our nation's Constitution. It is a popular opinion that the document is a living document, meaning that the intent of the original authors has no bearing on what we want it to say now. In so doing we find the "right" to abortion but lose the "right" to own a gun or we can keep the gun but the government will just make ammunition illegal. The original framer's and founder's intention carries no weight. We should not be surprised when religious speech will be outlawed as hate speech and children removed from homes that do not support the government's agenda, obviously for the children's protection. God calls His Word "Living and active and sharper than any two edged sword" (Heb. 4:12). So if it is living it must be like the Constitution, always changing to fit our culture and society. This way God's Word can sanction gay marriage, abortion, living together outside a marriage covenant and anything else we desire to change. The intent and culture of the original writers is irrelevant. All that matters is what the Scriptures mean to me or to the author leaving the blanks to fill in on the study guide. This leaves us in a very dangerous place Biblically and culturally.
The primary excuse for disregarding the imperative command in 2 Timothy 2:15 is we do not have time. We have time for football, baseball, NASCAR, concerts and our favorite TV shows, but not half an hour to really study to show ourselves approved. I seriously doubt that God will ask you about a batting average or QB rating as we enter into glory. The question is priorities. Sometimes we are just too lazy to think when we hear the preacher on the radio or even in the pulpit on a Sunday. I remember being at a conference and being told that you could never effectively teach the Word without mastering "power point". Now power point is a helpful tool, but Peter, James, and the Apostle Paul seemed to be fairly effective without it. More disturbing was being told if I hadn't been baptized by the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues I would never be used by God. We need to not be afraid to look on our own as to what the Word says. There are abundant tools and opportunities available to dig deeper. There are dangers, so we need to be diligent to make sure what we find agrees with the rest of Scripture. Don't let fear of the danger keep you from the Word. We are told to study.
You may find that you are a bit like that monkey who peels his fruit 180 degrees out of the norm. I was bothered by the idea of God forsaking the Son until I read the rest of Psalm 22 and discovered Yeshua's cry is more likely one of victory rather than separation. I found that the idea of Christ being our Passover Lamb has nothing to do with redemption, at least in the context of Scripture. I found Christ's offering in the cross doesn't look like a sin offering. I found the possibility of Mrs Job calling for blessing instead of a curse. I found that the Apostle Paul never persecuted Christians and that he was a Torah observant Rabbi all his life. I discovered that the New Covenant promised by Jeremiah places Torah on my heart and in my mind rather than removing Torah as a guide for my life. I see that Paul calls Torah Holy and good and that Jesus said it would remain until heaven and earth passed way. I found that things I had accepted without question or study held other possible understandings and applications. I discovered it really didn't take much effort to peel the banana backwards. All you have to do is connect the dots of Scripture. When someone tells you that Jesus is your Passover Lamb, go look at Exodus and see what that means. It means deliverance from death. There is no mention of repentance, atonement, or forgiveness, just deliverance for death. Which, by the way is a great thing. There are just layers of things we have added that are not in the Scriptures.
So, what is it going to be? Just absorb whatever teaching comes our way or actually look to see what it means in the context of God's Word. It will take time. It will take time to even think about what we hear in the context of Scripture. It will take time to read the history and writings of the Old Testament so often referenced in the New. But it is rewarding, and, by the way, it is a command not a suggestion. Don't throw out 2 Timothy 2:15. It was given to us for a reason. Who knows the search and study might be more fun than you thought. Perhaps you will run into a hmmmmmm moment. Maybe you will see God's Word with a fresh perspective and find you are peeling the banana backwards and the discovery is pretty cool.
My purpose for this blog and in my teaching is not just to spoon out information but, hopefully, to encourage people to think. My intent is not to cause trouble with your Pastor or Bible study teacher, but to cause you to consider something new and then to be like a Berean and study to see if these things are so (Acts 17:11). My concern is that we, as followers of Messiah, have thrown out 2 Timothy 2:15. Paul told Timothy that he was to "Study to show himself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, correctly discerning the word of truth." To be like the more noble Bereans and to search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so. The word "study" is spoudazo. It carries the meanings of to make haste and to exert effort, to be diligent, to work at something recognizing it can't wait; it holds a priority and cannot be delayed. The study of Scripture takes time. It also should be a priority and it should be you who does the work. Too often our approach to Bible study is to show up on Sunday and hear a message. We just want the speaker to tell us what the Scripture means and some fluffy application to encourage us for a day or two. Some of us go beyond that to a weekly study where we read a book and fill in the blanks so we know what the author thinks the passage means. Not a bad thing, but it is not 2 Timothy 2:15.
The danger is one I see in the understanding of our nation's Constitution. It is a popular opinion that the document is a living document, meaning that the intent of the original authors has no bearing on what we want it to say now. In so doing we find the "right" to abortion but lose the "right" to own a gun or we can keep the gun but the government will just make ammunition illegal. The original framer's and founder's intention carries no weight. We should not be surprised when religious speech will be outlawed as hate speech and children removed from homes that do not support the government's agenda, obviously for the children's protection. God calls His Word "Living and active and sharper than any two edged sword" (Heb. 4:12). So if it is living it must be like the Constitution, always changing to fit our culture and society. This way God's Word can sanction gay marriage, abortion, living together outside a marriage covenant and anything else we desire to change. The intent and culture of the original writers is irrelevant. All that matters is what the Scriptures mean to me or to the author leaving the blanks to fill in on the study guide. This leaves us in a very dangerous place Biblically and culturally.
The primary excuse for disregarding the imperative command in 2 Timothy 2:15 is we do not have time. We have time for football, baseball, NASCAR, concerts and our favorite TV shows, but not half an hour to really study to show ourselves approved. I seriously doubt that God will ask you about a batting average or QB rating as we enter into glory. The question is priorities. Sometimes we are just too lazy to think when we hear the preacher on the radio or even in the pulpit on a Sunday. I remember being at a conference and being told that you could never effectively teach the Word without mastering "power point". Now power point is a helpful tool, but Peter, James, and the Apostle Paul seemed to be fairly effective without it. More disturbing was being told if I hadn't been baptized by the Holy Spirit and spoken in tongues I would never be used by God. We need to not be afraid to look on our own as to what the Word says. There are abundant tools and opportunities available to dig deeper. There are dangers, so we need to be diligent to make sure what we find agrees with the rest of Scripture. Don't let fear of the danger keep you from the Word. We are told to study.
You may find that you are a bit like that monkey who peels his fruit 180 degrees out of the norm. I was bothered by the idea of God forsaking the Son until I read the rest of Psalm 22 and discovered Yeshua's cry is more likely one of victory rather than separation. I found that the idea of Christ being our Passover Lamb has nothing to do with redemption, at least in the context of Scripture. I found Christ's offering in the cross doesn't look like a sin offering. I found the possibility of Mrs Job calling for blessing instead of a curse. I found that the Apostle Paul never persecuted Christians and that he was a Torah observant Rabbi all his life. I discovered that the New Covenant promised by Jeremiah places Torah on my heart and in my mind rather than removing Torah as a guide for my life. I see that Paul calls Torah Holy and good and that Jesus said it would remain until heaven and earth passed way. I found that things I had accepted without question or study held other possible understandings and applications. I discovered it really didn't take much effort to peel the banana backwards. All you have to do is connect the dots of Scripture. When someone tells you that Jesus is your Passover Lamb, go look at Exodus and see what that means. It means deliverance from death. There is no mention of repentance, atonement, or forgiveness, just deliverance for death. Which, by the way is a great thing. There are just layers of things we have added that are not in the Scriptures.
So, what is it going to be? Just absorb whatever teaching comes our way or actually look to see what it means in the context of God's Word. It will take time. It will take time to even think about what we hear in the context of Scripture. It will take time to read the history and writings of the Old Testament so often referenced in the New. But it is rewarding, and, by the way, it is a command not a suggestion. Don't throw out 2 Timothy 2:15. It was given to us for a reason. Who knows the search and study might be more fun than you thought. Perhaps you will run into a hmmmmmm moment. Maybe you will see God's Word with a fresh perspective and find you are peeling the banana backwards and the discovery is pretty cool.
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