- Satan, our adversary, is crafty. Ezekiel 28 says he is the wisest of all God's created beings, "the model of perfection, full of wisdom. He is sly and subtle. He tempts Eve not by bringing into question God's existence, but by challenging His goodness. Satan tempts many of us by trying to persuade us either that God is unfair; denying us something, or that He is unjust; withholding some good that is due us.
- The key to resisting his schemes then is to hold onto God's truthfulness and trustworthiness. Eve was a perfect example of how we fail at this. In Matthew 4, Jesus is a perfect example of how to fight off Satan's schemes with the truth of God (His Word and promises to us)
- The most dangerous lie is the one that contains some truth. "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God..." "...and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked."
- Sin looks satisfying. The fruit was good for food, a delight to the eyes, and desired to make one wise. If it's too tasty, too pretty, and too easy...be cautious. Remember that God is for your joy! Psalm 16.17 says that in His presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore! Don't settle for Satan's sloppy seconds. His pleasure comes with a price.
- Sin separates. It separates people (Adam and Eve start blaming each other). It separates self (they feel shame and guilt). And it separates us from our Heavenly Father (they hide from God)
- GOD SAVES! It is God who comes looking for Adam and Eve. It is God who provides adequate clothing to cover their shame. It is God who promises to crush the adversary who tempted our first parents. Despite our rebellion and desire to steal His glory, He pursues, provides protection, and promises salvation. God is good.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
"Did God really say..." Lessons Learned from Genesis 3
Studying Genesis 3 today. A few observations:
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Creation: Fact or Myth
I love the creation story. I hate when it comes under attack. Guys too smart for their own good, like to use the brains that God gave them to try and disprove Him and His beautiful, majestic work in creation. I'll admit, there are moments when their arguments and theories threaten my faith and I can feel the sting of their arrows. But I know deep in my soul that God made everything. I can't look at a sunrise or sunset and not think of Him. It's impossible for me to drive through the snow-covered Rockies and not dwell on Him.
That's why I love coming across books and articles that cement my faith in the creation account told in Genesis 1 and 2. Genesis Unbound, is one of those books. It has changed the way I read these two chapters and those arrows from Evolutionists and others who argue that creation is a myth lose their sting. Reading Genesis 1 through this lens resolves the apparent conflict between science and the Bible.
Creation in One Verse
Here is the big shift:
Read Genesis 1.1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Ten words in the English, seven in the Hebrew. This verse is packed! This is the creation account. Let's break it down:
What About the 7 Days?
Okay, so what about verse 2 and following. The seven-day creation account? What do we do with the Sunday School felt-board retelling of God making different elements of creation during each day?
These seven days do not refer to the creation of the universe, heavens, and planet earth. Narrow in your focus. The seven day creation account speaks of a time after the creation of the universe when God prepared a specific piece of real-estate for Adam and Eve: His image-bearers. With this in mind, go back and read through Genesis 1.2-31. Where it says earth, don't think planet Earth, think land. Where it says heaven don't think outerspace, think sky. In verse 2 where it says "earth was formless and void" don't picture a huge planet of mud. Think a piece of real-estate that is unihabitable or wilderness. It's the same phrase Moses uses to describe the wilderness in which he wandered for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. Now can you see how the seven days focus in on an area that God was preparing for man.
Falling into Place
When I had all of creation in mind during the seven day account, certain parts didn't settle. Like where did the light come from on day one if God didn't make the sun, moon, and stars until day four? Well, if you read Genesis in this light of what we just discussed, it all fits together nicely. God created everything, including the Sun in Genesis 1.1. On day one of the creation story, God causes the Sun to rise over the land He is preparing. Verse 2 says it was dark over the land so in verse 3 when God says let there be light...BOOM! Sunrise. On day four He when it says God made two great lights, the word there isn't create. It is made. Think made as in you made your bed this morning. Did you create a bed this morning where there was no bed? No, you prepared or fixed your bed. When it says God made the Sun and the Moon, He is preparing them, fixing them to rule the day and the night so that the man and the woman can have guides for days and seasons. Each day, God does something to this piece of land to get it ready and habitable for man. He pulls together dry land, creates Seas, fills the land with animals and plants, and puts fish in the water and birds in the air. It goes from an uninhabitable wilderness to a flourishing, prime piece of property.
This is just one example of how things start to fall into place when you think of Genesis through this lens. I could keep going, but I don't want to spoil all the fun for you. Hope this helps and fans the flames of your faith.
And God saw that it was good.
That's why I love coming across books and articles that cement my faith in the creation account told in Genesis 1 and 2. Genesis Unbound, is one of those books. It has changed the way I read these two chapters and those arrows from Evolutionists and others who argue that creation is a myth lose their sting. Reading Genesis 1 through this lens resolves the apparent conflict between science and the Bible.
Creation in One Verse
Here is the big shift:
Read Genesis 1.1: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."
Ten words in the English, seven in the Hebrew. This verse is packed! This is the creation account. Let's break it down:
- In the beginning..."at some point during an unspecified period of time"
- God created..."God brought into existence"
- the heavens and the earth..."everything" (don't think literal heaven and earth, think top to bottom)
What About the 7 Days?
Okay, so what about verse 2 and following. The seven-day creation account? What do we do with the Sunday School felt-board retelling of God making different elements of creation during each day?
These seven days do not refer to the creation of the universe, heavens, and planet earth. Narrow in your focus. The seven day creation account speaks of a time after the creation of the universe when God prepared a specific piece of real-estate for Adam and Eve: His image-bearers. With this in mind, go back and read through Genesis 1.2-31. Where it says earth, don't think planet Earth, think land. Where it says heaven don't think outerspace, think sky. In verse 2 where it says "earth was formless and void" don't picture a huge planet of mud. Think a piece of real-estate that is unihabitable or wilderness. It's the same phrase Moses uses to describe the wilderness in which he wandered for 40 years before entering the Promised Land. Now can you see how the seven days focus in on an area that God was preparing for man.
Falling into Place
When I had all of creation in mind during the seven day account, certain parts didn't settle. Like where did the light come from on day one if God didn't make the sun, moon, and stars until day four? Well, if you read Genesis in this light of what we just discussed, it all fits together nicely. God created everything, including the Sun in Genesis 1.1. On day one of the creation story, God causes the Sun to rise over the land He is preparing. Verse 2 says it was dark over the land so in verse 3 when God says let there be light...BOOM! Sunrise. On day four He when it says God made two great lights, the word there isn't create. It is made. Think made as in you made your bed this morning. Did you create a bed this morning where there was no bed? No, you prepared or fixed your bed. When it says God made the Sun and the Moon, He is preparing them, fixing them to rule the day and the night so that the man and the woman can have guides for days and seasons. Each day, God does something to this piece of land to get it ready and habitable for man. He pulls together dry land, creates Seas, fills the land with animals and plants, and puts fish in the water and birds in the air. It goes from an uninhabitable wilderness to a flourishing, prime piece of property.
This is just one example of how things start to fall into place when you think of Genesis through this lens. I could keep going, but I don't want to spoil all the fun for you. Hope this helps and fans the flames of your faith.
And God saw that it was good.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Yule-tide Tunes
Had to share a few of my favorite holiday albums. I never listened to much Christmas music...until I stumbled upon these bad boys.
Christmas Remixed
Christmas Remixed Vol 2
Merry Mixmas
Enjoy!
Christmas Remixed
Christmas Remixed Vol 2
Merry Mixmas
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
No Doubt-More Sure Than a Sign
I want faith like Paul and Peter. If Jesus told me to step out of boat, I want to say that I would. I mean these great men of the faith lived and died with gospel running through their veins. And when I have days (which are sadly more often than not) that are plagued with doubts and petty concerns, days when my thoughts aren't consumed with the things of God, I try to justify it by telling myself that guys like Peter and Paul had personal encounters with Christ and actually heard the audible voice of God the Father. I feel better for a moment, then the Holy Spirit hits me with a verse like 1 Peter 19.
Peter's talking about his moment on the mountain when Jesus leads them up to be eyewitnesses to his transfiguration. They watch as Jesus changes physically before them, revealing all of his glory. His face shining like the sun and his clothes turning as white as light. Boom...then Moses and Elijah crash the mountain top party. "Oh, hi Mr Moses. Hi Mr. Elijah, the prophet who rode to heaven in a flaming chariot. Glad ya'll could leave the afterlife and join us." And if Peter, James, and John hadn't seen enough and peed their pants by then...God the Father rolls in like a cloud and speaks audibly. "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." That's finally what did it for the three. They cover their faces, fall to the ground, and assume the tornado disaster drill position. Jesus touches them, says it's okay, and when they look back up, the party had died. Only Jesus in his non "shining like the Twilight guy" form remained.
Peter is referring and retelling this almost unfathomable experience in the first chapter of his second letter when he makes this statement:
"...we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts..."
More sure? Peter, the guy who saw all of this is pointing us to something more sure: the recorded words of the prophets and apostles. The B-I-B-L-E. I let it collect way too much dust on my night stand. May we pay more attention to them as Peter commands. And as we do, may the Scriptures fuel our faith, settle our doubts, and increase our affections for Jesus.
Peter's talking about his moment on the mountain when Jesus leads them up to be eyewitnesses to his transfiguration. They watch as Jesus changes physically before them, revealing all of his glory. His face shining like the sun and his clothes turning as white as light. Boom...then Moses and Elijah crash the mountain top party. "Oh, hi Mr Moses. Hi Mr. Elijah, the prophet who rode to heaven in a flaming chariot. Glad ya'll could leave the afterlife and join us." And if Peter, James, and John hadn't seen enough and peed their pants by then...God the Father rolls in like a cloud and speaks audibly. "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him." That's finally what did it for the three. They cover their faces, fall to the ground, and assume the tornado disaster drill position. Jesus touches them, says it's okay, and when they look back up, the party had died. Only Jesus in his non "shining like the Twilight guy" form remained.
Peter is referring and retelling this almost unfathomable experience in the first chapter of his second letter when he makes this statement:
"...we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain. And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts..."
More sure? Peter, the guy who saw all of this is pointing us to something more sure: the recorded words of the prophets and apostles. The B-I-B-L-E. I let it collect way too much dust on my night stand. May we pay more attention to them as Peter commands. And as we do, may the Scriptures fuel our faith, settle our doubts, and increase our affections for Jesus.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Jonathan Edwards had the hots for his wife.
Check out this paragraph found on the inside cover of one of Edward's grammar books. It's about a girl he had his eye on and eventually married. Apparently she captured his attention much more than his English class.
"They say there is a young lady in New Haven who is loved of that Great Being (God), who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fillers her mid with exceeding sweet delight; and that she hardly cares for anything, except to meditate on Him...you could not persuade her to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being. She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and universal benevolence of mind; especially after this Great God has manifested Himself to her mind. She will sometimes go about place to place, singing sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure...she loves to be alone, walking in fields and groves, and seems to have some one invisible always conversing with her."
Her name was Sarah Pierrepont. He was probably nineteen or twenty when he wrote this and they were married about 5 years later on July 28, 1727. She was seventeen. He was twenty-four.
Fellas, Edwards was a godly man. He was attracted to a godly woman. Ladies, you want a godly man? Seems they are drawn to godly women. Be one.
"They say there is a young lady in New Haven who is loved of that Great Being (God), who made and rules the world, and that there are certain seasons in which this Great Being, in some way or other invisible, comes to her and fillers her mid with exceeding sweet delight; and that she hardly cares for anything, except to meditate on Him...you could not persuade her to do any thing wrong or sinful, if you would give her all the world, lest she should offend this Great Being. She is of a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and universal benevolence of mind; especially after this Great God has manifested Himself to her mind. She will sometimes go about place to place, singing sweetly; and seems to be always full of joy and pleasure...she loves to be alone, walking in fields and groves, and seems to have some one invisible always conversing with her."
Her name was Sarah Pierrepont. He was probably nineteen or twenty when he wrote this and they were married about 5 years later on July 28, 1727. She was seventeen. He was twenty-four.
Fellas, Edwards was a godly man. He was attracted to a godly woman. Ladies, you want a godly man? Seems they are drawn to godly women. Be one.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
How much of the Bible should I obey? Part 3
Is the Bible headed anywhere? What I mean is, how can something written before the Internet and iPhones be relevant in any way especially when it comes to topics dealing with culture and society? After all, the world and lifestyles of those in it looked infinitely different when Paul, Moses, David, John, and about sixty other dudes sat down and wrote the books that we now believe to be the Word of God. How does it still apply and better yet, how do I interpret in a way so that I can apply it correctly.
Here's something that will help tremendously. See the Bible through a lens called a redemptive-movement framework. Let me explain:
Slavery
During biblical times slavery was common and slaves were treated very poorly. Then Moses came along and wrote down some commands from God that went against how society treated and viewed slaves. For example, the people of Israel were told to be a safe haven for run away and escaped slaves fleeing harsh treatment in some other country. Rules about how harshly you could punish a slave were put in place and every 6 years slaves were to be given their freedom back. (It's important to note that the form of slavery here was fundamentally different than the forced slavery of Africans in early America). Do you see the redemptive movement taking place. If we continue on down the path towards an ultimate ethic concerning slavery we reach a place where slavery is altogether eliminated and all working conditions are improved. Bosses (those in authority) treat their employees with dignity and respect. Employees work as if they are working unto the Lord and there is harmony at all levels of an organization.
Women
View the treatment and rights of women through this same lens; follow the trajectory that Scripture sets out for them. From a society and culture that views women as property to and ultimate ethic of complementarianism: the idea that while men and women have equal value and status before God, they have distinct, God-given roles and responsibilities when it comes to the home, family, and the church.
So when trying to determine which commands to obey and how they are to be obeyed given our context and culture, you have to allow the redemptive spirit of the text to carry forward the unrealized or frozen-in-time aspects of a biblical ethic" (taken from Slaves, Women and Homosexuality by William Webb. An odd title, but a book I strongly recommend.)
Holy Kisses
Let's take one of the commands from our list and apply this idea to see what "we should do with" this command.
"Greet one another with a holy kiss." Romans 16.16
"Greet one another with a holy kiss." 1 Corinthians 16.20
"Greet one another with a holy kiss." 2 Corinthians 13.12
"Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss." 1 Thessalonians 5.26
"Greet one another with a kiss of love." 1 Peter 5.14
At least five times the bible commands its reader to greet one another with a holy kiss. So where are all the holy kisses? I never get any. Why do we not obey or follow this command?
Let's look at it though our two steps: The cultural component and the redemptive-movement.
1. What is the cultural component of this text and what is the tran-scultural component? In New Testament times a holy kiss encouraged and demonstrated community and closeness within a body of believers. Paul and Peter were basically saying, "You guys should be tight. There should be obvious amounts of brotherly love in a room where you all are gathered. Lots of holy kissing!" So the cultural component of this text is the kiss. The physical act of kissing a brother (in a brotherly, heterosexual way) to manifest the love felt among believers. Fruit of the Spirit type love.
The transcultural component, the idea behind the text that transcends culture and time is that Christians should be known by their love for one another. Self-sacrificial love. Now it would be distasteful and a bit awkward for outsiders in our culture and society if they saw Christians kissing each other during church. The message wouldn't be communicated properly. Obeying this command in our context would have the fulfill the exact opposite purpose for which it was commanded. So, we read this text and apply it properly by giving out lots of hugs and handshakes. Greet each other warmly and affectionately. "After all, this is how people will know you are my disciples" says Jesus.
Be Careful
Now understand that this is just a singular example and there are many different criteria to follow as you are interpreting. I want you to understand the delicacy and precision one must operate as they apply text. The pastor I mentioned in part 1 took this idea and used it to argue (incorrectly) that homosexuality is a form of sexual expression that the Scriptures don't prohibit.
The trajectory that Scripture sets for homosexuality does not terminate to an ultimate ethic where it is permissible. It always has a negative assessment of this behavior. The redemptive spirit Scripture sets is directed toward how we as believers treat and understand those who commit this sin. We pursue them in love with the same grace and mercy that our Lord extended when he offered himself as a sacrifice for their iniquities.
Try one for yourself: "If a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him." I Corinthians 11.14 What do you do with this verse?
Sorry. Just realized this was a long post. Thanks for hanging in there and I hope it was helpful.
Here's something that will help tremendously. See the Bible through a lens called a redemptive-movement framework. Let me explain:
Slavery
During biblical times slavery was common and slaves were treated very poorly. Then Moses came along and wrote down some commands from God that went against how society treated and viewed slaves. For example, the people of Israel were told to be a safe haven for run away and escaped slaves fleeing harsh treatment in some other country. Rules about how harshly you could punish a slave were put in place and every 6 years slaves were to be given their freedom back. (It's important to note that the form of slavery here was fundamentally different than the forced slavery of Africans in early America). Do you see the redemptive movement taking place. If we continue on down the path towards an ultimate ethic concerning slavery we reach a place where slavery is altogether eliminated and all working conditions are improved. Bosses (those in authority) treat their employees with dignity and respect. Employees work as if they are working unto the Lord and there is harmony at all levels of an organization.
Women
View the treatment and rights of women through this same lens; follow the trajectory that Scripture sets out for them. From a society and culture that views women as property to and ultimate ethic of complementarianism: the idea that while men and women have equal value and status before God, they have distinct, God-given roles and responsibilities when it comes to the home, family, and the church.
So when trying to determine which commands to obey and how they are to be obeyed given our context and culture, you have to allow the redemptive spirit of the text to carry forward the unrealized or frozen-in-time aspects of a biblical ethic" (taken from Slaves, Women and Homosexuality by William Webb. An odd title, but a book I strongly recommend.)
Holy Kisses
Let's take one of the commands from our list and apply this idea to see what "we should do with" this command.
"Greet one another with a holy kiss." Romans 16.16
"Greet one another with a holy kiss." 1 Corinthians 16.20
"Greet one another with a holy kiss." 2 Corinthians 13.12
"Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss." 1 Thessalonians 5.26
"Greet one another with a kiss of love." 1 Peter 5.14
At least five times the bible commands its reader to greet one another with a holy kiss. So where are all the holy kisses? I never get any. Why do we not obey or follow this command?
Let's look at it though our two steps: The cultural component and the redemptive-movement.
1. What is the cultural component of this text and what is the tran-scultural component? In New Testament times a holy kiss encouraged and demonstrated community and closeness within a body of believers. Paul and Peter were basically saying, "You guys should be tight. There should be obvious amounts of brotherly love in a room where you all are gathered. Lots of holy kissing!" So the cultural component of this text is the kiss. The physical act of kissing a brother (in a brotherly, heterosexual way) to manifest the love felt among believers. Fruit of the Spirit type love.
The transcultural component, the idea behind the text that transcends culture and time is that Christians should be known by their love for one another. Self-sacrificial love. Now it would be distasteful and a bit awkward for outsiders in our culture and society if they saw Christians kissing each other during church. The message wouldn't be communicated properly. Obeying this command in our context would have the fulfill the exact opposite purpose for which it was commanded. So, we read this text and apply it properly by giving out lots of hugs and handshakes. Greet each other warmly and affectionately. "After all, this is how people will know you are my disciples" says Jesus.
Be Careful
Now understand that this is just a singular example and there are many different criteria to follow as you are interpreting. I want you to understand the delicacy and precision one must operate as they apply text. The pastor I mentioned in part 1 took this idea and used it to argue (incorrectly) that homosexuality is a form of sexual expression that the Scriptures don't prohibit.
The trajectory that Scripture sets for homosexuality does not terminate to an ultimate ethic where it is permissible. It always has a negative assessment of this behavior. The redemptive spirit Scripture sets is directed toward how we as believers treat and understand those who commit this sin. We pursue them in love with the same grace and mercy that our Lord extended when he offered himself as a sacrifice for their iniquities.
Try one for yourself: "If a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him." I Corinthians 11.14 What do you do with this verse?
Sorry. Just realized this was a long post. Thanks for hanging in there and I hope it was helpful.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
How much of the Bible should I obey? Part 2
"The times, they are a changing." And as culture seems to be rapidly shifting around us, as Christians should we endorse these changes or should we challenge them? Let me give you some examples.
In 1960
Cohabitation: 450,000 thousand unmarried couples lived together. Today it's around 4.5 million.
Abortion: 292 babies were aborted. In 2005 there were 1.2 million.
Divorce: one in five marriages ended in divorce. Today it's almost one in two.
Homosexuality: the DSM (Diagnosis Manual of Mental Disorders) listed homosexuality among the sociopathic personality disturbances. Today 52% of Americans believe it is "morally acceptable"
Okay so what does all this have to do with understanding and interpreting Scripture. Well, a lot. As cultural views and norms on these issues change, so will views and thoughts about what the Bible has to say about these very issues.
Perfect example, about two weeks ago the pastor of a mega-church in Georgia came-out to his congregation and then told them the Bible doesn't condemn homosexuality. He went through every verse in the Bible that mentions homosexuality and interpreted each one in a way that permits his life-style. "Gay is okay."
Can you see how important it is to know and understand which verses "we leave behind" due to cultural components compared to those "we take with us" and continue to follow even as culture presses against them! To do this and apply the Bible correctly, you must figure out the cultural components and trans-cultural components of any given passage. Listen people, social change will influence the way we interpret and apply Scripture. You will have to know and argue when that influence goes too far and permits behavior that trans-culturally, the Bible condemns!
Remember the list of commands from the previous blog? Some of these orders have a cultural component so we have left them behind. Some have a tran-scultural component so we take them with us...no matter how different our world is from the world in which the text was written.
With this in mind, go through the list again and identify the ones you this we take with us and the ones we leave behind.
Good job. This is Step 1 in correct interpretation. Step 2 requires you to back up and view the entire Bible through what we call a redemptive-movement hermeneutic framework.
I'll explain what that is tomorrow.
In 1960
Cohabitation: 450,000 thousand unmarried couples lived together. Today it's around 4.5 million.
Abortion: 292 babies were aborted. In 2005 there were 1.2 million.
Divorce: one in five marriages ended in divorce. Today it's almost one in two.
Homosexuality: the DSM (Diagnosis Manual of Mental Disorders) listed homosexuality among the sociopathic personality disturbances. Today 52% of Americans believe it is "morally acceptable"
Okay so what does all this have to do with understanding and interpreting Scripture. Well, a lot. As cultural views and norms on these issues change, so will views and thoughts about what the Bible has to say about these very issues.
Perfect example, about two weeks ago the pastor of a mega-church in Georgia came-out to his congregation and then told them the Bible doesn't condemn homosexuality. He went through every verse in the Bible that mentions homosexuality and interpreted each one in a way that permits his life-style. "Gay is okay."
Can you see how important it is to know and understand which verses "we leave behind" due to cultural components compared to those "we take with us" and continue to follow even as culture presses against them! To do this and apply the Bible correctly, you must figure out the cultural components and trans-cultural components of any given passage. Listen people, social change will influence the way we interpret and apply Scripture. You will have to know and argue when that influence goes too far and permits behavior that trans-culturally, the Bible condemns!
Remember the list of commands from the previous blog? Some of these orders have a cultural component so we have left them behind. Some have a tran-scultural component so we take them with us...no matter how different our world is from the world in which the text was written.
With this in mind, go through the list again and identify the ones you this we take with us and the ones we leave behind.
Good job. This is Step 1 in correct interpretation. Step 2 requires you to back up and view the entire Bible through what we call a redemptive-movement hermeneutic framework.
I'll explain what that is tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)