We live in a world where truth is relative or even irrelevant. No one really expects a politician to be honest. Used car sales people have had a reputation for shading the truth from the sale of the first used car. Life is filled with "little white lies" and compromise. Even for those who claim to be followers of God honesty and promise keeping has taken a pretty severe hit. Integrity is often hard to find. However, truth is important. Yeshua proclaimed that He was the Truth (John 14:6). He also told us "the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). In contrast, the Master said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin" (John 8:34). No one wants to be a slave. Freedom is far more desirable than servitude. So give me truth so I can be free. The followers of Messiah Jesus are supposed to know real freedom, right? But what of all those places Paul calls himself a "bondslave" as do Peter and James. Where is the freedom in that?
I know that the American idea of freedom, "doing what ever you want", is not the freedom that the Lord spoke of. I am aware that Paul speaks of being free from sin and death. Which, by the way, is a great freedom to cherish. Yet, the truth is, I have studied the scriptures for about fifty-eight years, seeking to know the truth. In the process I often feel more trapped than I have felt in years. In some ways, the more I search for truth more constricted I become. To be completely honest, life was easier when I just accepted what I had been told.
My problem rests with the Bereans. Those folks in Acts 17:11. Luke writes this about them, "these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so." Search the Scriptures, not the commentaries or by listening to sermons or accepting traditions. Back to the Scriptures. It has been a challenge for me to take a fresh look. It is a greater challenge to consider the culture, the writer, and the audience who first heard the words or read the letter. There is so much personal baggage and accumulated learning that gets in my way. I no longer feel free to just accept what I hear or read. I can no longer listen to radio preachers in blissful ignorance and acceptance. No, now I am trapped with the thought, "Is that really true?". "Maybe the cross is more about conquering death than forgiving sin". "What did Paul mean when he said Christ died for our sins "According to the Scriptures"? The "according to the Scriptures" that I read in Leviticus has little resemblance to the events of the cross. Just how does that fit with what I thought I knew?
Then there is that whole "grafted in" thing. Add to that, Paul tells the Ephesian Gentiles they are no longer "far off" but now "drawn near" and a part of the commonwealth of Israel. I am still not sure what all of that means, but it seems to indicate that I am more Jewish than I thought I was. Now, for me, I am no longer free to eat unclean food. For me, I am no longer free to ignore Yom Kippur. It has become a day of fasting and prayer for the nation. I have been prompted by the Spirit to avoid leaven this week in honor of the feast of unleavened bread. I am honestly not free to eat pizza crust or burger buns this week. I do not think they make matzo burger buns. It has been a remarkable few days. When I think of what I will not eat, I am reminded of all kinds of details of God's deliverance at Passover, of the blood of the lamb on the door posts. Of the blood of the Lamb who delivered me. Leaven, often a symbol of sin, is not to permeate my life as it permeates a donut. I am reminded that I am not free to do anything I want but to keep my life pure. It is true, I am no longer free to just ignore all that God has revealed in what we call the Old Testament.
In addition I am no longer free to ignore the continuity of the Scriptures or the Hebraic nature of the New testament. I am not free to see the Apostle Paul as a "Christian". He was a Torah observant Messianic Jewish Rabbi. Thus, I am not free to see his teaching outside of that reality. That means I am not free to take for granted all that the commentators write about him. I am not free to accept that little editor's note in Acts 9 that speaks of Paul's conversion, for he never converted, he remained a Jew.
For those of us who desire to take the the Word of God seriously, we are trapped in the matrix of Acts 17:11. Just what do the Scriptures say?
On the other hand, I am free to study. To seek the truth without the artificial boundaries of Testaments and editors notes. I am free to commune with YAHWEH on those "Jewish" holy days and find new meaning within His Holy Word. I am free to appreciate the challenges that Paul faced as a Jewish Rabbi proclaiming Messiah to us Gentiles. I am free to know the Person of the Truth who loves me beyond measure and reveals Himself to me through His Word. It seems He does so in new ways with each day of study. I am free to join in the Apostle Paul's doxology,"Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His unfathomable are His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:33-36).
You are free to think I am a little bit crazy. I am free to ask if you want to join me in the company of the Bereans and search to see if these things are so.
Maybe that bond servant thing isn't so restrictive after all. For He is indeed the Truth and the Truth has indeed set me free. He also is offering you such freedom. Want a free ticket to join in the journey? I think they are available in Acts 17:11.
Showing posts with label Acts 17:11. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acts 17:11. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2016
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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