Theology

Comments on a Conversation Overheard at a Adjoining Table in a Coffee Shop.

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Sitting at a booth in Panera Bread this morning, chatting with a Unitarian friend. A group of three Jewish women sit down next to me while I’m waiting for my friend. They begin talking about how ignorant Christians burned Wycliffe at the stake for translating the Bible from Latin into English…. Ignorant Christians don’t understand Science…. Ignorant Christians are such bigots….

I am not assuming they were Jews: they mentioned Chabad and Passover.

My friend asked to move. One was a neighbor. She couldn’t hear because they were talking so loud.

I said they were ignorant bigots. The Jewish women were the very stereotypes of who they were accusing Christians of being. That is Liberal Progressivism in a nutshell. Ignorant bigots claiming moral superiority over those they believe to be ignorant bigots. Blind guides.

What is my point? That Conservative Christians are never ignorant bigots? Not at all. Of course some of us are. Am I claiming that all Progressive Liberals or Jews are ignorant bigots? May look that way, but I have met and spoken to many of each who are well-informed, well-educated, free thinking and erudite, but that group is far, far smaller than it used to be. Now most are just as ignorant and just as bigoted as the worst of the Right-Wing Christian Conservatives.

Now… most Progressive Liberals, Jews, Yankees in general and New Englanders and New Yorkers in particular think of Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly when they think of Right-Wing Conservative Christian kooks… not knowing that neither is actually a Born-again believer to the best of my knowledge. O’Reilly certainly ain’t one of the Saints.

My first point is this: don’t judge others.

My second point is: know what you are talking about.

Know your own history. The Radhanite Jews were slave traders and usurers from the early Medieval times. The were obligate bigots because they could not sell other Jews as slaves or charge other Jews interest by the Mosaic Law. So… obviously they were preying on other religions. And Christians participated willingly, then turned on the Jews when they found that more profitable. Because of the limitations of arithmetic using Roman numerals (we currently used the Arabic numeral system which included zero) interest rates were fixed at 5% or 10% or 25% or 50%… which is the definition of usury! Aaron of Lincoln was considered by many to be the richest man in England in the 12th Century: the only man richer than the king, who theoretically owned the entire country!

Jews also persecuted other Jews for their religious beliefs.

We are ALL ignorant bigots. That’s my point. We need to recognize our biases and seek to minimize the effects. We need to accept other people’s right to exist and right to have opinions that differ from our own. We need to have frank and open discussions.

Defining God Using Math and Science.

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If you were going to describe God in one word, what would it be?

I suppose many would chose love: and God is Love. Some might chose Great or Powerful. Just. Holy. Good. Some might choose a different word. And he is all of those.

I would chose Infinite. Because infinite describes and encompasses all of the above.

Paul said that God showed himself in Creation.

Why are Astrophysicists and people who study Cosmology and Cosmogeny struggling to invent Math and concepts that cannot possibly be submitted to the Scientific Method for Centuries or Millennia… because humans cannot produce the energy needed to test M-Theory or String Theory? Why are otherwise rational people who claim to believe in Science so desperate to embrace untestable hypotheses that they would find laughable if they supported belief in God? Because they are desperate to disprove God… or to further the delusion of disproof of Creation.

And… because when anyone tries to unify Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics… which is the necessary step to prove the Standard Model or Big Bang Theory… the math always degenerates into infinities and singularities…. The Math and Science do not work in the 4 dimensions that are proved to exist….

Infinities and singularities….

In Math and Science… those terms mean that an answer does not exist. Or cannot be found.

But to me… they simply mean that God is the answer. God is exactly who he defines himself to be….

God has a sense of humor!

Reflections on I Timothy 2:3-7: God’s Timing is Perfect… Because God is Perfect….

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1 Timothy 2:3-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

3 This is good, and (A)it is pleasing in the sight of (B)God our Savior, 4 who desires (C)all people to be saved and (D)to come to (E)the knowledge of the truth. 5 For (F)there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus, 6 (G)who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is (H)the testimony given (I)at the proper time. 7 (J)For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle ((K)I am telling the truth, I am not lying), (L)a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Timothy 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4

Cross references:

  1. 1 Timothy 2:3 : ch. 5:4
  2. 1 Timothy 2:3 : ch. 1:1
  3. 1 Timothy 2:4 : ch. 4:10; Ezek. 18:23, 32
  4. 1 Timothy 2:4 : 2 Tim. 3:7
  5. 1 Timothy 2:4 : 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 1:1; Heb. 10:26
  6. 1 Timothy 2:5 : See Gal. 3:20
  7. 1 Timothy 2:6 : See Matt. 20:28
  8. 1 Timothy 2:6 : See 1 Cor. 1:6
  9. 1 Timothy 2:6 : ch. 6:15; Titus 1:3; [Gal. 4:4]
  10. 1 Timothy 2:7 : ch. 1:11; Eph. 3:7, 8; 2 Tim. 1:11
  11. 1 Timothy 2:7 : See Rom. 9:1
  12. 1 Timothy 2:7 : See Acts 9:15

Sometimes man skips over things that explain “difficult text” without resorting to “historical” or “cultural context” because simply using Scripture to support arguments may not fit our agenda. Sometimes man views our desires… our glory… as superior to God’s Will. Even though we don’t recognize that we are creeping towards apostasy. Idolatry….

Paul says that it’s good for Christians to pray for Salvation and Enlightenment… knowledge of God’s Saving Grace… for ALL mankind… even though not everyone will be Saved… because not everyone is one of God’s Elect. Still… praying for the Lost is good. Not because they have any power to save themselves and not because they even have Free Will to choose: because perhaps God will change his mind. Or… because by praying for other sinners… we may gain insight into our own Sin…. Look at ourselves. And… learn more about True Repentance. Turning away from our Sin towards God’s Grace in Faith… and work out our Salvation, not through works, but through Faith.

Demanding that God give me my way…. Believing that my work… my sacrifice… my family… any such Worldly thing… entitles me to demand anything from God… is utter foolishness. Hubris. Idolatry.

Redemptive Movement hermeneutics teaches that Scripture is not enough. God’s Will is not fully described in Scripture: Christianity is on a “trajectory” that empowers man. That “trajectory”… that is not contained or even hinted at in Scripture… outweighs Scripture. Church Growth philosophy seems to suggest that anyone who disagrees with the new “trajectory” will inhibit church growth… and should be excluded from membership… in the name of Unity of the Body…. Moses, Paul, most (or all) of the Major and Minor Prophets, and even Jesus would probably have been shown the door of their churches, if they dared to suggest that they were not diligently following Scripture.

This is some of what John had to say about false prophets:

1 John 2:15-29 English Standard Version (ESV)

Do Not Love the World

15 (A)Do not love the world or the things in the world. (B)If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—(C)the desires of the flesh and (D)the desires of the eyes and pride of life[a]—is not from the Father but is from the world. 17 And (E)the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Warning Concerning Antichrists

18 Children, (F)it is the last hour, and as you have heard that (G)antichrist is coming, so now (H)many antichrists have come. (I)Therefore we know that it is the last hour. 19 (J)They went out from us, but they were not of us; for (K)if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, (L)that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 20 But you have been (M)anointed by (N)the Holy One, and (O)you all have knowledge.[b] 21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is the liar but (P)he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is (Q)the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. 23 (R)No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Let (S)what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then (T)you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he made to us[c]—(U)eternal life.

26 I write these things to you about (V)those who are trying to deceive you. 27 But (W)the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and (X)you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and (Y)is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

Children of God

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that (Z)when he appears (AA)we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his (AB)coming. 29 If you know that (AC)he is righteous, you may be sure that (AD)everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 John 2:16 Or pride in possessions
  2. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts you know everything
  3. 1 John 2:25 Some manuscripts you

Cross references:

  1. 1 John 2:15 : [Rom. 12:2; 2 Tim. 4:10]
  2. 1 John 2:15 : See James 4:4
  3. 1 John 2:16 : Rom. 13:14; Eph. 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:2; 2 Pet. 2:18
  4. 1 John 2:16 : Eccles. 4:8; 5:11
  5. 1 John 2:17 : See 1 Cor. 7:31
  6. 1 John 2:18 : [2 Tim. 3:1; James 5:3; 2 Pet. 3:3; Jude 18]
  7. 1 John 2:18 : ver. 22; ch. 4:3; 2 John 7; [Matt. 24:5, 24]
  8. 1 John 2:18 : [ch. 4:1; Matt. 24:5]
  9. 1 John 2:18 : 1 Tim. 4:1
  10. 1 John 2:19 : Deut. 13:13; Acts 20:30
  11. 1 John 2:19 : See John 17:12
  12. 1 John 2:19 : 1 Cor. 11:19
  13. 1 John 2:20 : ver. 27; [2 Cor. 1:21]
  14. 1 John 2:20 : See Mark 1:24
  15. 1 John 2:20 : ver. 27; See John 14:26
  16. 1 John 2:22 : ch. 4:3; 2 John 7
  17. 1 John 2:22 : [See ver. 18 above]; ver. 22; ch. 4:3; 2 John 7; [Matt. 24:5, 24]
  18. 1 John 2:23 : ch. 4:15; 5:1; 2 John 9
  19. 1 John 2:24 : ch. 3:11; 2 John 6
  20. 1 John 2:24 : [John 14:23]; See ch. 1:3
  21. 1 John 2:25 : John 17:2
  22. 1 John 2:26 : ch. 3:7; 2 John 7
  23. 1 John 2:27 : ver. 20
  24. 1 John 2:27 : Jer. 31:34; Heb. 8:11
  25. 1 John 2:27 : John 14:17
  26. 1 John 2:28 : ch. 3:2; [Col. 3:4]
  27. 1 John 2:28 : ch. 3:21; 4:17; 5:14
  28. 1 John 2:28 : See 1 Thess. 2:19
  29. 1 John 2:29 : ch. 3:7
  30. 1 John 2:29 : ch. 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4, 18; 3 John 11

Lot me get back to I Timothy 2: verse 5 is plethoric with meaning.

1 Timothy 2:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 For (A)there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man[a] Christ Jesus,

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Timothy 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4

Cross references:

  1. 1 Timothy 2:5 : See Gal. 3:20

That expounds on this and speaks to the Trinitarian concept that states that God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit are One.

Deuteronomy 6:4 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 “Hear, O Israel: (A)The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[a]

Footnotes:

  1. Deuteronomy 6:4 Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone

Cross references:

  1. Deuteronomy 6:4 : Cited Mark 12:29; [Isa. 42:8; Zech. 14:9; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:4, 6]

First, God is One. That has multiple meanings. God is Great – as in the GREATEST! Above ALL things. God alone is worthy of Praise and ALL Glory. God does not change. His Word does not change. His Will does not change. God is Perfect and is Perfection – Fully Completed! NOTHING needs to change or be changed or augmented. The idea of Evolution cannot and SHOULD NOT be applied to God. To do so is to demean God and to attempt to elevate man, thus attempting to usurp God’s Authority because we refuse to accept God’s Sovereignty.

Second, Jesus is the only Mediator between God and man. Scripture does not allow for the concept of man having authority to “Reverse the Curse” that God spoke in Genesis 3: when God spoke the Curse, he also prescribed the Cure. That prescription is none other than Jesus Christ himself. To believe man has evolved or is evolving or will ever evolve to the point that God needs our help is nothing more than pure, unadulterated hubris. That message comes from the minds of men, or more nefariously, the mouth of Satan, not Scripture, which is the Word of God. True Christians must be careful lest we are deceived.

Do you want to talk about God’s timing?

1 Timothy 2:6 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 (A)who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is (B)the testimony given (C)at the proper time.

Cross references:

  1. 1 Timothy 2:6 : See Matt. 20:28
  2. 1 Timothy 2:6 : See 1 Cor. 1:6
  3. 1 Timothy 2:6 : ch. 6:15; Titus 1:3; [Gal. 4:4]

Let’s talk about Social Context… and put this puppy to bed!

Rome was a Republic. They had the same issues America does right now: legislative gridlock. The answer… to that problem… to that inhibition to the Growth Movement of Rome… was to take the Civil Authority out of the hands of the people… who could not be trusted to do what was best for Rome… rather than for themselves….

So… in 49 B.C. Caesar crossed the Rubicon. Julius Caesar led his army South across the Rubicon River in direct challenge to the Roman Senate. At that point, he was in direct confrontation with the statutes that give him authority as a Roman General: he chose to become an outlaw. He conquered Rome and made himself Emperor. Then… he established the Imperial Cult and made himself a god to whom homage must be paid by all citizens at least annually. The Roman Empire began to expand its borders and control. By the time of Jesus, Rome was the greatest and most expansive power on Earth. That allowed for the survival and expansion of Christianity. The timing suited God’s Will and Purpose. God is not restricted in advancing his Kingdom to what Christians choose to do. God is Sovereign not only over True Christians, but False Prophets and Civil Authorities and Immoral and Amoral Philosophical Movements and Hollywood Icons and  Anarchist and Anachronists and even Antichrists.

Not everyone who claims to know God’s Will or says that they are proclaiming God’s Word… really is….

Scripture states that some of the most effective “ministers”… will be Antichrists….

But… True Christians can’t claim that we were deceived. That excuse will not be acceptable when it counts. We are called to STUDY Scripture so that we FOLLOW Scripture… and discern those who are not speaking… or teaching… TRUTH. That is why the restrictions on who should teach are so narrow. Because the role is so important.

God desires to raise Godly offspring. We cannot do that if we refuse to Submit to Scripture in humility. We cannot do that if we demand give us authority that he specifies in Scripture is not for us to have. We deceive ourselves. And… we deceive others. Just like our father…. If we chose to lift ourselves as idols… attempt to elevate ourselves as god… and usurp God’s Authority….

That seems very dangerous to me.

Even Paul submitted to God’s Authority and humbled himself. That’s a good example to follow. May God receive ALL Glory and Praise.

Reflections on I Timothy 2:1-2.

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I Timothy 2:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV)

Pray for All People

2 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 (A)for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and (B)dignified in every way.

Cross references:

  1. 1 Timothy 2:2 : Ezra 6:10
  2. 1 Timothy 2:2 : ch. 3:4

I recently heard a sermon in which someone presented I Timothy 2:1-2 rather contemptuously as an example where Paul’s teachings are no longer relevant: most people don’t even have kings anymore… so man has evolved… and that’s a good thing….

I don’t know about you, but to me… that interpretation seems to suggest that Paul was ignorant… and that the Holy Spirit… and by implication… God… are idiots… or incompetent… or

I was struck by the supreme superficiality… the utter mischaracterization… the pedantic lack of understanding… of the passage. Particularly… the inability to understand THE CORRECT SOCIAL CONTEXT!!! Kings ruled by divine right. That wasn’t something that started in the Dark Ages in Europe. That was the Social Context from which God was setting Israel apart as a nation. The king or ruler was the incarnate embodiment of the authority of the national gods. That persisted through the Holy Roman Empire, is the rational for Papal authority and was the underlying reason for the authority of the Roman Emperor. That is what Pontifex Superanus means: the official title of the Roman Emperor usurped by the Pope. The Roman Emperor, like Pharaoh and all other supreme leaders, served to unite secular, state and religious authority in one person. The Roman variation of the religion of the pagan Greeks set the Emperor up as a god, just like Pharaoh, and that lasted until Constantine, who set God up as the highest authority with the Emperor under him. The Roman Emperor was the head of the Orthodox Church until Constantinople was captured by the Turks, but the idea persisted… and still persists… in the Anglican Church. The Constitutional Separation of Church and State was not a call to apostasy, but rather a necessary mechanism for sustaining and protecting Religious Freedom… which was important enough to be protected first. Another example within the Social Context is the Tent of Meeting and even the Temple. The temples of the gods of the people of Canaan and the surrounding areas were built facing East… so that the rays of the Sun… represent the Sun god… who was usually the representation of the supreme god… would enter the temple immediately. The ziggurats, which were an example of one architectural plan for temples of the surrounding people, were built as a set of steps with the temple at the apex… closest to heaven… closest to god. The steps were so that the god could descend to be with the people. The Tower of Babel was so that man could raise himself up… and become like unto gods. Which is the same underlying rational for secular humanism… and Evolutionary Christianity…. Man is evolving on a trajectory… to be gods…. That is a perfect recitation of secular humanist hermaneutics! And Redemptive Movement hermaneutics as well apparently.

Did he not get what Paul was saying? Did he not understand the Social and Scriptural Context that Paul was presenting? I don’t know what Commentaries the pastor used to prepare his sermon, but the only one I consulted, which was the one volume 21st Century Edition of the New Bible Commentary states explicitly that Paul had two ideas in mind: we have a Christian duty to pray for ALL authorities with the ability to impact the lives of Christians without regard for their religion or even whether they are just or unjust (elsewhere he establishes that ALL authority comes from God for his purpose), and Paul also explains the purpose of prayer: so that “Christians may live peaceful and quiet lives in all Godliness and Holiness”… which is the theme for the rest of the passage (I Timothy 2:1-15). Less straightforward… still obvious… is Paul’s allusion to God’s Ultimate Purpose as expressed repeatedly through Scripture: Universal Redemption. Man is commanded to accept the circumstances we find ourselves in because God has specifically created and equipped each of us to Glorify God by serving him in the mission he created especially for us… and that mission leads to the Salvation of even kings… regardless of whether they are just or unjust… and that furthers God’s Kingdom. Reference the Pharaohs and Sennacherib and  Nebuchadnezzer and Cyrus and Darius.

Now… Redemptive Movement Hermaneutics…. I was offended when the pastor spoke his meme or motto or catch phrase… or mantra… echoing what was said during the first vote in 2007 that “We are here to ‘Reverse the Curse'”. I gave him a pass back then. I tried to believe that such clear apostasy had not infiltrated the leadership of Grace Chapel, but that statement is clearly heretical and should never have been spoken from the pulpit in a church service unless it was to refute the humanistic error. That is clearly an affront to God’s Sovereign Authority and cannot be supported in Scripture. Period. That is a clear expression of Darwinian Evolution on steroids! That idea comes directly out of Darwin as filtered through Hegel and Nietzsche and Freud and Marx and seeks to usurp the authority of God. There is no other trajectory imaginable other than complete rebellion against God and the elevation of Man… as deity. And that… is clearly apostasy.

This message appears to be an attempt to lead a congregation towards the tenets of the Redemptive Movement hermaneutics and Growth Movement philosophies… evolve past… and distance a local church from authoritative Scriptural Integrity. I fear for the pastor’s and the church leader’s immortal souls because the blood of people they lead down the rosy path to oblivion are going to be on their head when Jesus judges the quick… and the not-so-quick… and the spiritually slow… and the spiritually dead.

Be gone. I never knew you.

But…. But…. But…. Didn’t I….

Yes. You glorified yourself. So… you received your reward. Before men. Which is what you desired.

Trifling with I Timothy 2:1-2 is bad enough, but trifling with God is a serious matter. Someone needs to talk to him and the rest of the Board and Pastoral staff and correct THEIR trajectory. Believing that “God needs our help” and “We are here to ‘Reverse the Curse'” and injecting Darwin and Nietzsche and Freud into a hermaneutics that transcends Scripture and castrates God… is clearly apostasy and represents a clear and present danger in the time of clandestine Spiritual Warfare conducted as Psychological and Guerrilla Operations.

Though the agenda was suggested previously, the underlying justifications… the operative beliefs of those involved… was never made clear. Not even while the opposition was being silenced and a watered down veneer was being created. Sometimes seemingly Christian leaders attempt to create a patina of sanctity over a facade of Scriptural Integrity. At least that’s how it appears on the surface… which is all they have allowed to be seen. Have these church leaders presented candidates for Elder and ordination and commissioning of pastors and other ministers without ever informing the congregation what their sincere beliefs were? That would constitute fraud, if they knew or even suspected that their beliefs are heterodox. That’s serious business.

I don’t know that that has happened…. I’m not accusing anyone of committing fraud. I’m simply stating my understanding of Scripture. God is in control.

I personally need to examine myself and my motives. Make sure that my own anger remains righteous. Solely focused on the affront to God’s Sovereignty.

Getting angry is OK. Responding in anger is NOT! Responding in anger is also usurping God’s authority. We are called to redirect all Christians, even leaders, back towards Orthodoxy. God withholds Judgment for himself. The most any man or church is called to do is to release heretics into the World for Satan to deal with them… so that they will turn back… and God will not be forced to judge them. That is an example of God’s Redemptive Purpose in which even Satan submits to God’s Will.

Isn’t Grace… and God’s Sovereignty… AMAZING?

World Vision and Westboro Baptist Church: Comparing and Contrasting Contemporary Extremes in Christianity to Scripture.

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World Vision announced that they will be supporting Marriage Equality in their hiring practices… in order to help unify Christians….

Westboro Baptist Church announced that their founder, whom they excommunicated, died… but they have no understanding why pagans are making sympathetic gestures towards them….

Something significant seems to be missing…. In both instances….

From the title…. From the name…. That seems to be very telling….

God is not necessarily centrally evidenced in either World Vision… or Westboro Baptist Church… at least not on the surface…. The name World Vision seems strangely appropriate…. A declaration of internal values….

Yet both seem to be trying to stake claim to controlling interests in Christian Morality….

World Vision is definitely not Hobby Lobby…. No Duck Dynasty…. No Chick-fil-a…. Very different ethos…. Different ethic….

Neither is Westboro Baptist Church….

But… the critical question seems to  be… can God use such divers… such divergent… “Christian”organs…? Does God use them…?

Short answer…. God used Pharaoh…. So… yes… God can….

But… what does Scripture say…. Do of these two Contemporary Christian Extremes reflect Scripture… accurately…?

I am convinced both will argue that their values do… and the others do not… and thus… neither is likely to lead towards unity of the Body of Believers…. Because healing… requires Reconciliation….

I am sure that many Christians will see this as a case in which The Golden Mean applies…. Let’s meet half way…. Compromise….

That is perfect… from the Buddhist Perspective….

Buddha taught “The Middle Way”. In Pure Land Buddhism, the ideal is called “The White Path Between the Two Rivers”. The River of Fire on the right, which signifies submersing oneself in willful self-indulgence. The River of Water on the left, which signifies severe asceticism and extreme self-denial. And the White Way… the narrow path between the two extremes….

Here’s why I say that:

John 4:1-44 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus and the Woman of Samaria

4 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.[a]

7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[b] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.)

Footnotes:

  1. John 4:6 That is, about noon
  2. John 4:14 Greek forever

Many of us know this passage as “The Woman at the Well”. The woman in question, happens to be a Samaritan…. A half-blood syncretist…. Evidence of God’s destruction of his Chosen People for Infidelity…. And… that was certainly brought out by her sin….

Jesus’ Disciples were amazed that he was even talking to her….

First… she was a woman…. Not of his family…. Not someone he knew well… or even knew at all…. She was a Samaritan… so she was shunned…. A social outcast…. Racially discriminated against…. Far from salvation…. The Jews viewed Salvation as strictly their own possession… The Jews viewed themselves as better than their kin…. And… the Messiah… had been sent… to save only the Chosen….

Oh… and she was a SINNER!!! An Infidel…. In EVERY sense of the word….

So… how did Jesus treat this Sinner….

He didn’t condemn her… though he clearly identified her sin to her….

But… Jesus didn’t condone her sin either…. Jesus didn’t say: “You are a Sinner, but your sins are forgiven… just keep on doing what you are doing…. It’s OK…. My Grace covers all your sin….”

Jesus did not condemn the Sinner… nor did he condone her sin-filled Lifestyle….

But… shouldn’t we condemn her….

John gives another example… where Jesus is tested… on just this issue….

John 8:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

8 1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

Jesus does not condemn this woman either. Nor does he condone her actions or lifestyle.

Jesus instructs the women: Go… and sin no more….

Rebuke in Love. Leading to Repentance. Leading to Reconciliation.

The Church cannot be healed with Reconciliation.

Neither Condemning… nor Condoning… are likely to facilitate True Repentance….

I mentioned the White Way Between the Two Rivers…. Jesus never suggested we walk the narrow path between extremes….

God didn’t send Jesus as our Messiah as some half-measure….

The Temple… and the Sacrifice… the Law… those were half-measures…. Temporary…. Symbolic…. Ritualistic….

But Jesus… was the culmination… the completion… of the Law….

Jesus was fully man… fully God… and full propitiation for my sin…. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid my debt in full….

Jesus didn’t preach a half-way… or a Middle Way….

Jesus was a different way….

Jesus is… the ONLY Way….

Jesus didn’t condemn…. Jesus didn’t condone…. Jesus SAVED…. And… Jesus transformed….

Christian Divorce: What is Required of Men….

verrucavulgaris Theology, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

Well… I suspect this post will not be too popular….

Micah 7:6-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

6 for the son treats the father with contempt,
the daughter rises up against her mother,
the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
a man’s enemies are the men of his own house.
7 But as for me, I will look to the Lord;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.

I suspect some of you have never been through it. Never had someone in your family become your enemy.

I’m happy for you. May you never have the experience.

But… for the rest of us….

The issue is NOT how I FEEL. The issue is NOT my reputation. Not inside my church. Not in my community. Not professionally. Not at all.

The issue is not whether my church listens to both sides… or takes the other person’s side…. Divorce amongst Christians is no prettier than divorce amongst pagans…. The only thing that seems to be missing is some of the hypocrisy….

The issue is not who controls the spin….

Not whether I am treated fairly…. Not whether I get JUSTICE… Not whether I clear my name….

Funny….

God doesn’t seem to care about ANY of that….

God HATES divorce….

 Malachi 2:16   English Standard Version (ESV)

16 “For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her,[a] says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers[b] his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.”

Footnotes:

  1. Malachi 2:16 Hebrew who hates and divorces
  2. Malachi 2:16 Probable meaning (compare Septuagint and Deuteronomy 24:1–4); or “The Lord, the God of Israel, says that he hates divorce, and him who covers

God HATES dishonesty….

God IS Just….

God IS a jealous god. And… his most frequent comment about himself is that he is HOLY… not that he is loving… as many Christian churches seem to think was his main message… because it fills the pews…. Missing the point… that God reserves for himself the Remnant….

So… I believe I am Chosen…. But to show my love for God… I must follow his commandments…. And his commandment… is that I do everything within my power to reconcile…. To forgive…. Everything…. As he forgives…. Me….

But… what if my wife doesn’t want to…? What if she turns people against me…? What am I supposed to do…?

But… God is not at my beck and call….

Forgive. As I am forgiven. Continue to work towards reconciliation. No matter what is said. No matter what is done.

Not necessarily contest…. But… continue to support…. Financially…. Continue to cover….

I can find no Scripture that releases a man from his responsibilities towards his wife… even if she hates him…. Even if she spreads lies…. Even if she steals….

The only Biblical out is adultery… and physical abandonment… and even then… we are supposed to forgive… support… and seek reconciliation….

Matthew 19:9   English Standard Version (ESV)

9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”[a]

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 19:9 Some manuscripts add and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery; other manuscripts except for sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery

This teaching is hard. Jesus’ Apostles and Disciples said it was hard. If people staring into Jesus’ eyes as he said it thought the teaching was hard, then I cannot imagine it’s gotten any softer for any of us mere mortals….

Matthew 19:10-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

10 The disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let the one who is able to receive this receive it.”

The word that Jesus associates with Divorce is “schlerocardia” in Koine Greek. Having a hard heart. It’s the same word that Moses used to describe Pharaoh’s heart… before God delivered his people out of slavery….

Matthew 19:3-8  English Standard Version (ESV)

3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

The Apostles… the Disciples… the Priests… the Scribes… the Pharisees… and the people who were gathered to be healed and fed… ALL would have recognized the context of his words…. “Your hearts are like Pharaoh’s….” A damning accusation….

Exodus 9:12   English Standard Version (ESV)

12 But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

But… what about the church…? What about the Pastors…. What about the Deacons and Elders…? Aren’t they supposed to be impartial…? Listen to both sides…? Seek to follow Scripture…? Promote reconciliation…?

Yes. That’s what Proverbs says. And… that’s what Paul says…. Don’t settle things before non-Christians in Court because you make Jesus… the Bridegroom… look bad…. Make God look weak…. Impotent….Unpalatable…. A bad witness before the Unsaved….

And… that is what Paul… and Jesus… and God… seem to be most concerned about…. Salvation of Sinners…. And… that is linked to the exercise of Forgiveness by the Forgiven…. Without excuse…. Without exception….

The Principle of Two Witnesses demands that anyone charged be allowed to answer those charges… and no unsubstantiated charges be allowed…. Paul also addresses women who seek to profit at the expense of others so that they can have their days free in I Timothy 5….

But… the church is filled with humans…. Who make mistakes…. Ministers who are more afraid of Man’s Law than God’s Law…. Who are more smitten by the concept of human love… than God’s Holiness…. Minister’s who suffer from schlerocardia… and cannot conceive that God really meant what he said in Scripture….

ALL men suffer from Pride…. That includes me…. My response needs to be Forgiveness…. Radical forgiveness…. As I was forgiven…. Without requiring explanation…. Without requiring apology….

What does Paul say about separation in Christian marriage…?

Permanent separation…. Refusal to reconcile…. Are tantamount to a statement of disbelief in the Sovereign Power of God…. But don’t take my word for it….

1 Corinthians 7:1-15  English Standard Version (ESV)

Principles for Marriage

7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.[a] 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you[b] to peace.

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:6 Or I say this:
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:15 Some manuscripts us

What’s the bottom line…?

God calls men to “Do the right thing”. Not the easy thing. Not the most profitable thing. Not the most desirable thing.

For God’s own purposes….

Micah 6:8

English Standard Version (ESV)

8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[a]
and to walk humbly with your God?

Footnotes:

  1. Micah 6:8 Or steadfast love

Men are commanded to love their wives. Wives are not commanded to love their husbands. They are commanded to obey. Their husbands. But God first.

God’s definition of Love is not man’s ephemeral understanding. Nor woman’s temporary feelings.

No matter what… I am responsible to try my best to follow God’s Laws and Christ’s Commandments… to demonstrate my love for God… which must be extended to man… and woman… even when I am being shown nothing but hate….

Because submitting to God… glorifies God…. In God’s own time….

Zealous Christians Defaming Christ… and… Which One is Truly the Greatest…?

verrucavulgaris Theology, Uncategorized Tags: , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

I saw this posted on Facebook the other day.

https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fightchristiansandjews

The quote as given is: “FIGHT CHRISTIANS AND JEWS WHO DO NOT BELIEVE IN ALLAH… UNTIL THEY SUBMIT. KORAN 9:29.”

The problem is that this is a case of selective editing worthy of Andrea Mitchell or Bill Maher of those foolish people at MSNBC. This is exactly the same type of hyperbolic editing was used to smear Phil Robertson.

The intentionally inflammatory post takes a snippet from the Qur’an out of context, then uses that snippet as the context for a statement of hyperbole aimed at instigating political zealotry… all under the guise of Christianity….

The post above demonstrates ignorance of Scripture. And reckless and feckless contempt… of Jesus Christ…. I don’t expect Christians to know Islamic scripture, but I do expect Christians to have a basic understanding of the tenets of the Christian Faith which we all espouse….

I responded that the quote was taken out of context. I saw a lot of other comments mocking Islam. I posted the entire scripture. “Fight those of the People of the Book (the Abrahamic Religions Judaism, Christianity and Sabeanism) who do not [truly] believe in God and the Last Day, who do not forbid what God and His Messenger have forbidden, who do not obey the rules of justice, until they pay the tax promptly and agree to submit. Repentance 9:29.”

In the passage immediately above, Mohammed is demanding that Jews and Christians submit to the commands of… Jesus Christ! Jesus famously asked whose face was on the coin used to pay tax… he instructed everyone to pay taxes to Rome… and to pay God Heart Tax….

Matthew 22:20-22 King James Version (KJV)

20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.

22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:20-22&version=KJV

Paul reiterates Jesus’ commandments in Romans 13. Submit to authorities. Fulfill the Law through Love.

Romans 13 English Standard Version (ESV)

Submission to the Authorities

13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Fulfilling the Law Through Love

8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13&version=ESV

Jesus never demanded that I go out and force anyone else to follow his commandments. Jesus said that I need to submit myself and follow his commandments… as a demonstration of MY love him…. For his sacrifice…. His gift of Grace…. To ALL people….

Jesus was asked what is the Greatest Commandment. He answered there are two commands above all others….

 Matthew 22:36-40 English Standard Version (ESV)

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22:36-40

Now… allow me to clarify something else that seems to clarify a bunch of people….

There may be three Abrahamic religions… but there is only ONE God of Abraham….

See Scripture immediately above. Then check out what Paul wrote about Salvation through Faith… not religion….

Romans 4:1-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then shall we say was gained by[a] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in[b] him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”

9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Footnotes:

  1. Romans 4:1 Some manuscripts say about
  2. Romans 4:5 Or but trusts; compare verse 24

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+4%3A1-12&version=ESV

I shouldn’t even need to mention this one, because it explains exactly WJWD: What Jesus Would Do…. I like to call it… The Golden Rule….

Matthew 7:11-13

English Standard Version (ESV)

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 7:13 Some manuscripts For the way is wide and easy

Sure…. It’s easier to quote than it is to follow….

Who is my neighbor…? The Good Samaritan defined that…. EVERYONE…. Even people and peoples I detest for religious reasons….

And… what commandment did Jesus give his Disciples at the end of his Earthly missions…? What was the culmination of my Savior’s ENTIRE time on Earth…? The Great Commission….

Matthew 28:16-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Great Commission

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Footnotes:

  1. Matthew 28:19 Or into

I don’t see descent from Ishmael or be a Muslim as an exclusion criteria listed in these passages… nor anywhere else in Scripture….

Thus… my conclusion… is that… attacking the Qur’an (especially out of context)… or spreading hate against my neighbor… who is no less Child of God than I am… and driving him directly towards Hell… follows the tenets of Islam far more closely than the tenets of Christianity….

I personally feel very uncomfortable throwing Jesus under the bus to follow the words of the Prophet Mohammed. I do not see doing that as pleasing to God, when he commanded me to do the opposite on NUMEROUS occasions. I don’t think God will lightly accept a defense of “they said they would attack me”… especially when taken out of context…. I think God was clear when he spoke through Jesus….

Turn the other cheek….

Trust ME to take care of this….

Follow my Commandments because you love me….

Love one another….

So… which one really IS the Greatest Commandment…. Golden Rule…. Great Commission….

I think they all say the same thing….