zach doppelt

education

2011-09-10T10:22:00.001-04:00

Time for another pause as I work to write my Dissertation (basically a Masters Thesis) for my B.Th. at King's Evangelical Divinity School.

Will be writing soon, though!

family

2011-06-16T12:05:00.004-04:00

Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity (1 Tim. 5:1-2 nkjv)."

In a world of persecution, false teaching and opposition, the apostle Paul wrote two letters to Timothy to encourage his work in Ephesus and beyond. These words, as Paul was nearing the end of his life and ministry, encouraged faithfulness to the Lord's established doctrine and order that was laid in that apostolic age.

Within these instructions great care was taken to urge the churches to treat one another in familial terms, giving honor and respect to one another as the family and household of God. Men and women were not to treated with prideful abuse of authority, rather, they were to be exhorted as mothers and fathers who deserved respect... especially those ladies who served while being widows, and those men who served in the office of elder.

Faithful widows were to be cared for first by family, then by the church. Elders were to be treated judicially and cared for as well, freeing them for the ministry in which they had been called.

Younger men were to be treated as equals, like one would treat a brother. Women were to be honored even beyond, with the purity and respect as a sister, avoiding the cavalier attitudes of the churchmen of our day that take no thought of avoiding even the appearance of immorality.

We too are wise if we embrace these essential commands. We too can avoid the sinful practices of disrespect, pride and immorality as we work out our relationships as one would a family in each and every church community we engage.

prayer

2011-05-05T10:25:00.000-04:00

A brief note to my church today:

Today is the National Day of Prayer. At times we have opened up the church building for prayer, but it is just as powerful (if not more) to pray in your own homes, workplaces and even in your modes of transportation. Of course, we know that every day is a day of prayer, but why not celebrate the fact that many are joining together to emphasize faith and prayer to the one true God that we serve.

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore (1 Chr. 16:11 nkjv)!"

second coming

2011-03-22T10:44:00.004-04:00

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know.”
⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”
⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:1-6 nkjv)."

In light of the apostles' confusion on where Christ was going and how His messianic role would be demonstrated, Jesus offered them this very source of comfort. It was a comfort that though they would not follow Him to His death, they would follow Him in a spiritual kingdom of life (John. 13:36), and the messianic kingdom at His coming. He encouraged them with the relationship His coming would have to them - a relationship of blessing and hope (1 Thess. 4), in which they could encourage each other trusting they had a future home that far exceeds the here and now.

We too can eagerly wait and expect for Jesus to come again soon for us if we know Him as the only way to the Father. Likewise, we too have the privilege to practice, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the command of Christ as we reflect on the wonderful grace we have been given:

“If you love Me, keep My commandments (John 15:15)."

elect

2011-02-23T10:23:00.003-05:00

Much debate has surrounded the concept of being God's chosen spiritual people, usually to miss the greatest point of our wonderful calling. The apostle Peter says:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ² elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied (1 Peter 1:1-2 nkjv).

Some say foreknowledge means foreknowing a choice. Some say foreknowledge practically means foreordination... both have truth, but the reality is foreknowledge implies something much deeper and more beautiful: an eternal, intimate knowledge and relationship our God has with His children. When we begin to focus on this truth, our election becomes that much more practical... it becomes a hope of a future home. An inheritance. An eternal destiny that only God can give.

Peter goes on to tell us:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵ who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5 nkjv).

Let these words be an encouragement to us as God's adopted children during these days of trial, tribulation and suffering, just as it was for these first believers many centuries ago.

dominion?

2011-01-21T23:56:00.002-05:00

Cultural Mandate? Christian Nation? Dominion?

Are these principles valid expressions of the Christian faith? Is 2 Chronicles 7:14 applicable to a nation other than Israel (as in the U.S.)? Is the Genesis 1 mandate untainted by the fall of humanity? Are we to partner with God to manifest His Kingdom physically? Though caring for widows and feeding the poor are necessary, are they part of a fuller Gospel?

All these statements reflect various forms of a dominion mindset which are finding favor in a growing number of Christian circles (including our own), yet they seem dangerously inconsistent with Christian truth, for, though proponents believe we are called to usher in God's kingdom using science, literature and art; they fail to remember the curses of Genesis 3. And, though there is a reconciliation of creation with God in scripture, the Gospel is clearly and primarily focused on the judicial act of justification for our sins in that

"He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross (Col. 2:13-14 nkjv)."

Further, even though the Bible speaks of a "kingdom of priests," virtually every first century Jew would have read "And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years (Rev. 20:4 nkjv) in a decidedly futurist mindset, for they had all been taught to expect a Messianic kingdom on earth beyond the present time.

What is our response? Rather than changing our views of the kingdom and exercising dominion, we should expectantly wait for the Lord and "comfort one another with these words (1 Thess. 4:18 nkjv)" since "now we do not yet see all things put under him (Heb. 2:8 nkjv)."

restore reposted

2010-12-28T10:13:00.001-05:00

Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, ²⁰ that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God (Ezekiel 11:19-20 nkjv).

Amidst the discipline and judgment of God on Judah through the Babylonian captivity and invasions, the LORD promised both a physical gathering and a spiritual restoration of His people - a restoration that would bring hope in their darkest hour.

The future gathering fulfills the picture of the Feast of Trumpets, as the sound of a trumpet signifies the calling together of God's people for worship (Isaiah 27:12-13), and he calls His church to be caught up with Him (1 Thess. 4:16-17). The future restoration comes in the form of a New Covenant made with Israel that will see its fulfillment in Christ's coming kingdom later, while believing Jew and Gentile experience its redemptive blessings of salvation even now.

So, how might we respond today to God's gathering and restorative power? It is rather simple:

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷and Then we who are alive remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thess. 4:16-18 nkjv).

Let us indeed bring comfort and hope to each other as Ezekiel gave the LORD's comforting words to Judah.

superior

2010-11-16T09:45:00.002-05:00

And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Col. 1:18 nkjv)."

In the the first chapter of the letter to the Colossians, the Apostle Paul gives a discourse on the superiority and preeminence of Christ in contrast with the false mysticism, secret wisdom and compromising views of Jesus' humanity and divinity creeping in the Church. Paul finished this teaching with a play on the word "mystery" demonstrating the unique miraculous power of Christ uniting Jew and Gentile in one body, the Church, as opposed to the mystery religions of Paul's day.

How does Paul respond to these precious truths? He responds as one who labors and works to get the Gospel and its truths to every one possible:

"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily (Col. 1:28-29 nkjv)."

Let us also respond to Jesus by sharing our faith and doctrine with the same boldness as the early Church.

new catholicism 2

2010-11-02T08:44:00.006-04:00

A few years ago I wrote a post entitled "new catholicism" and I find it may warrant a follow up discussion, so I have decided to outline a few ways that evangelicalism may be taking a journey toward new catholicism, a dangerous yet ever so subtle progression.

1. A restoration of ritualized worship. It is interesting that in postmodern times, where a forsaking of strict tradition is sometimes fare, there is a resurgence of ritualized worship. Be it fringe catholic practices such as lectio divina and labyrinths (my experience was strange), or seemingly harmless rituals as lighting of candles to set the mood, the tone is a subtle reliance on extra-biblical effects to produce a worshipful experience.

2. A movement toward tradition as authority. A few years ago Rob Bell's church community posted an article arguing against the notion of Scripture as authority. It was soon removed, yet the pervasive mindset remains: Community must be elevated as essential for interpretation, for the Bible is not designed to be sufficient. Though at face value it is important to have community involvement in interpretation, we must remember the importance of the sufficiency and authority of God's Word (Psalm 19), though we must not abuse the principle of "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25 nkjv)."

3. A subtle change of understanding salvation. Traditionally Protestants and Evangelicals were taught that Catholics teach salvation by works. But, when Protestants realize the subtle similarities between their doctrines, they are left to believe that maybe the Catholics have it right! For, Catholics actually don't teach salvation by works (though that is the result), but that "salvation is by grace through faith, and grace is administered by works." It is the faith and grace alone that they miss... leaving Protestants (even Grace Brethren and Baptists I have met) believing that the Catholic catechism is correct.

So how should we respond? Paul gives us some helpful advice against legalism, aestheticism and the like:

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; ¹⁰ and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power Colossians 2:8-10 nkjv)."

lectio divina?

2010-10-26T14:40:00.005-04:00

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:1-2 nkjv)."

Recently I have discussed the power of experiencing God through the Word, Jesus, and His Word, the Scripture. This comes through the "ministry of prayer and the Word" - often accompanied by careful study, just as those in Berea were commended for in Acts 17. This is in tune with what many Protestant and Anabaptist churches have taught for years since the reformation; however, some believe that the reformers robbed us of something the catholics had - the spiritual reading of God's Word. I disagree. The reformers were a light in restoring proper exegesis of Scripture, without sacrificing the transformational power of the Spirit of God and His Word (think Puritans). Further, only in certain excesses have many overemphasized knowledge over practice.

So, should we react to those excesses and re-embrace Catholic practices, softening them by giving them an evangelical presentation? Should we exercise the methods of Henri Nouwen , Thomas Merton and the Monastic movements? Should we abandon the plain interpretation of Scripture as espoused by the Antiochan churches, in favor of the allegory of Origen? Should we utilize lectio divina as a sacred practice? Certainly not. Below is a quote from the Vatican:

The "primordial role" played by Origen in the history of lectio divina instantly flashes before one's eyes. Bishop Ambrose of Milan, who learned from Origen's works to interpret the Scriptures, later introduced them into the West to hand them on to Augustine and to the monastic tradition that followed.

My urge is that we see the power of God and His Word for what it is, rather than looking through the lens of various catholic practices and rituals. My urge is that we see the power of knowing Jesus and studying His Word.

Thoughts?

sermon

2010-10-26T13:00:00.006-04:00

I am amazed at how we never hear one of the most beloved sermons of the bible, and of all time, read in its entirety. That sermon (though not a typical sermon in our modern understanding of the term) is often called the "sermon on the mount," and of course was given by Jesus Himself.

It is amazing that we sit and listen to imperfect men give sermons, teachings or talks every week, yet we neglect letting the Scripture in all its authority speak, by the power of the Holy Spirit, standing on its own merit as coming from the very breath of God. This is not to say that the regular exposition (explanation) of God's Word is not necessary. On the contrary, explanation of God's Word is essential, yet it must never take the place of the regular public reading of Scripture: God's Word to us.

So, here is a meager attempt at an expository reading of Jesus' message of the kingdom. Be patient with the slow moving explanation of essential principles at the beginning, and reflect on the reading of God's word.

http://ghentgrace.org/graphics/uploadfile/2798/3930/2010-10-17_pastor_zach_.mp3

experience

2010-10-05T11:11:00.007-04:00

And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. And we beheld His glory, glory as of an only begotten from the Father, full of grace and of truth (John 1:14 litv)."

We often wonder how we might experience the presence of God, so we look to various forms of Christian self-help philosophies, step by step spiritual instruction manuals or "inspiring" ancient mystical catholic practices, yet we fail to see that the true power of God's presence is ever before us - in the person and work of Jesus Christ, called the "Word."

We fail to remember that as God's glory resided in the wilderness tabernacle, Jesus dwells with us as the fulfillment of the ultimate Sanctuary (Heb. 8). We fail to remember that just as the Temple was the former dwelling place of God, the Spirit of Christ now dwells in man (Rom. 8:9). We fail to remember that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have access to the glory of God and salvation in Christ by faith (Rom. 5:2).

So, what do we do with these truths? We look to the Word (that is Christ) found in the Word (that is Scripture) and we spend time in prayer and study so that we may know Him more deeply. Then, we put into practice what Jesus as asked of us:

If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:15-17 esv)."

honor and mercy

2010-09-28T11:50:00.007-04:00

Faced with the prospect of having their temple rebuilt in Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity (500 years before Christ), the Jews asked an honest question: Do we keep fasting and commemorating the destruction of our temple and the ruin of our leaders?

God, through the prophet Zechariah answered with another question hinting at their empty formalism:

Speak unto all the people of the land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me (Zech. 7:5 kjv)?"

The LORD continued to convict saying that not only were there rituals empty and self healing, but they lacked loving compassion and and merciful social action:

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear (Zech. 7:9-11)."

So what about us today? Does the LORD ask of our worship the same as of the Jews? Does the LORD seek us to honor Him above our own desires, and does He seek that we respond in worship by extending mercy and loving those of other lands and other ethnicities? Does the LORD desire we help the widow, the orphan and the homeless? Though many verses clarify this issue, one particular may be of interest:

But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matt. 22:34-40 kjv)."

unity

2010-09-22T12:36:00.004-04:00

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph. 4:1-6 NKJV)."

The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians on the essential nature of being united together in love as one body, one community. He urged them to see the Gospel of Christ and the faith and hope found in the Lord by the power of the Holy Spirit as something to be treasured, and he subsequently shared a progressive unfolding of foundational and permanent gifts to which the body of Christ might be built up and edified.

These gifts, starting with the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets (Eph. 2-3) and continuing with evangelists, pastors and teachers, were designed to stimulate "the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13 NKJV)," which would further encourage the goal that they (and you) might be "renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:23)."

But, somewhere we have lost the essence of the unity of which these verses speak. Some have taken passages (and grammer) out of context and emphasized unity based on apostleship no longer available today (Eph. 2-3). Some have emphasized unity on the Gospel alone with out care to the other truths of God's word, failing to discuss the importance of doctrine (thus breaking away from the tradition of Paul). Still others have failed to place Christ first and foremost, of which all doctrine stems, elevating the non-essentials over the essentials.

Certainly, some might suggest that to discuss both the Gospel as well as other doctrine might simply divide rather than unite. How might we then address and model the gospel, doctrine and practice in a way that is profitable and Spirit led, confirming a deep and abiding unity founded in a relationship with Christ? God, through the apostle Paul, does give us helpful advice:

"Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (Eph. 4:25-32 NKJV)."

pride

2010-09-15T13:27:00.006-04:00

Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, Thus says the Lord GOD:

“Because your heart is proud,
and you have said, ‘I am a god,
I sit in the seat of the gods,
in the heart of the seas,’
yet you are but a man, and no god,
though you make your heart like the heart of a god—You shall die the death of the uncircumcised
by the hand of foreigners;
for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD (Ezekiel 28:2,10 ESV).

Ithbaal, the ruler of Tyre chose to turn his eyes away from the despair of Judah, believing that his city was too powerful, wise and wealthy to be overtaken by the Babylonians. So tremendous was his pride that language was used of him that mimicked the antichrist or even Satan himself (vv. 11-19).

Surely this king believed his attitude was defensible, a small sin of sorts, but when he was forced to submit to Nebuchaddnezzar's power did he realize the gravity of his sin?

What about us today? Do we understand that based on our oft overlooked pride and reliance on wealth and success we may "become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil (1 Tim. 3:6 ESV)."

Do we understand that the severity of self reliance deems necessary the humbling discipline of God? For,

"Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18 KJV)."

restore

2010-09-07T11:14:00.004-04:00

expository reading reposted

2010-08-31T13:06:00.005-04:00

originally posted 26 September 2008 as "expository reading, the bible and the human mind" (I enjoyed working on this one, and though a little long and technical, I feel it may be of interest...)

Psychologists, literary scholars and educators have all written and discussed on the importance of expository reading. Generally speaking, this is understood as reading for meaning, and is linked to the ability one has in reading documentation written for knowledge and understanding. It is the transfer of meaning, through reading, from a written source to the human mind.

In recent years, some theologians and specialists in various fields have considered how this discipline must be expanded to oral public reading, not just private research.

Dr. Wayne McDill, Professor of Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Seminary, gave an intriguing article posted on his Web site about the very idea of expository reading in the pulpit and church communities.

The idea is to renew the historical idea of reading accurately and clearly a given text so that one's mind will grasp the locus of meaning with as minimal human intervention as possible.

Biblically, it is interesting that Ezra read and translated the law accurately and clearly for an extended amount of time, to an attentive people, while also providing exposition:

"3And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law...

8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

The focus on Ezra's exposition was most definitely the text itself, not on human wisdom, illustration or entertainment.

So where does that leave those of us charged with explaining and expounding the word of God today? I propose three key elements of application, primarily based on the presupposition of biblical authority and an inerrant text, (which is an important discussion for another time):

1. If one believes in the authority of the sacred biblical text, then reading large texts may be essential. This point has become key in my ministry, but as been almost universally ignored in evangelical protestant churches.

2. If one believes in the authority of the sacred biblical text, then reading that text accurately and in context is essential. This will require some familiarity with the ancient languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek that underlie these texts, and a willingness to moderately emphasize grammatical forms in reading, so as to emphasize the authors intended meaning.

3. If one believes in the authority of the sacred biblical text, then accurate exposition of that text in context is essential.

Here is where an important clarification is pertinent, especially in light of current scholarly and community opinion that a precise meaning (to the point of propositional truth) of a sacred text cannot be adequately ascertained. The sense of the point of a text can and should be found, and a general reading knowledge of the scholarly languages rather than a supposed fluency (fluency in an ancient language is always supposed) is valuable to find and communicate that precise point, but not to the extent of obsessing over every grammatical ending or construction. Rather, it is to give the thrust of the meaning.

My hope and desire is that a more proper respect to the sufficient word of God may be found in the form of presentation that is given to preaching and reading of the Scripture. portions of scripture exposition of that text in context

distress

2010-08-24T13:06:00.007-04:00

The prophet Jeremiah, having been locked down, persecuted and rejected still had a prayer life that allowed him to confidently say:

Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers (Jer. 20:13 kjv).

This affirmation of God's victory was not, however, divorced from an open honest declaration of Jeremiah's deeply painful circumstance, as he also said:

Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed (Jer. 20:14 kjv).

How was it that Jeremiah was able to speak both praise and struggle, worship and complaint? It seems, based on the lack of rebuke from the LORD, that Jeremiah was able to clearly express his deepest hurts without breaking the barrier of respectful worship. It seems that Jeremiah understood that the LORD is both the gentle shepherd and the victorious warrior in our lives. So, the lesson is this: During times of distress we may honestly share, humbly trust and happily praise our sovereign God who knows our needs

mouth

2010-08-10T10:02:00.006-04:00

An interesting play on words is used in one of the most quoted passages of our Bibles. This rhetorical effect begins with the Apostle Paul contrasting the responsibility of law and the accessibility of faith using quotes from Leviticus and Deuteronomy:

For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” ⁶ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) ⁷ or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’”(that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). ⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach) (Rom. 10:6-8 nkjv)

Paul goes on to say:

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Rom. 10:9-10 nkjv).

The point made is that if in the Torah faith was so near to them (as if it was in their own mouth as they recited the life giving principles of God), how much nearer should faith in Christ be as they trusted Him with their heart and confessed Him with their mouth! If faith was so accessible, so near through the Law to the extent of knowing God personally (as if in their own mouth), how much more should they know God in Jesus, their long awaited Messiah on whom salvation rested? Faith and confession then become two sides of one coin (knowing Jesus), rather than two separate acts.

So, we too have the responsibility to embrace this life changing faith so that Christ becomes as near and accessible to us as well!

change

2010-08-03T08:57:00.005-04:00

Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously... ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. ²⁵ For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer^i]">[i] of your souls (1 Peter 2:4-5; 24-25 nkjv).

Peter, in a brief discourse on holy living, ends a string of quotes from the prophet Isaiah with the most beloved and well known prophetic declarations of the Messiah: A declaration that the Messiah would come as both the rejected suffering servant and the victorious savior over sin (Isaiah 53). Peter engaged these quotes to urge the early church communities to live a life worthy of the gospel they received. To live a life of righteousness, even in suffering, worthy of the calling invoked upon them. To live a life that proclaimed the truth of God's word, no matter the cost.

The question remains then for us today? Have we received the gospel message eloquently presented by Isaiah, and if so, is this gospel actually changing our lives and our churches?

Reposting

2010-07-28T15:07:00.003-04:00

In an effort to restart blogging, I have chosen to repost an older entry from March of 2009:

Fighting God

"'But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it-lest you even be found to fight against God (Ac. 5:39).'"

These words by the respected, but non-believing Jewish teacher Gamaliel (Paul's very own instructor) are strangely prophetic in that they summarize Jesus' statement to Peter "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Mt. 16:18 nkjv)."

God's plan's of redemption, both for Israel and the Church, cannot and will not be hindered, though Satan, nations, and even you and I fight against Him.

If God's will cannot be undermined, and His ways will come to pass, then the question remains, "will you trust Him, even when it means giving up your control?"

pause

2010-01-06T14:35:00.003-05:00

As evident in the lack of posts... I will be taking a brief blog hiatus in order to focus on some educational projects (i.e. classes) I am working on. Will resume in late Spring!

true ministry

2009-10-08T08:49:00.004-04:00

Somewhere we must learn to be ministers of a true ministry, one that is characterized by "prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4)."

However, this is not always an easy task, for we often fall out of balance in this endeavor. We often become so preoccupied with our scholarship, wisdom and programs that we fail to remember the power of prayer in our ministries. We fail to remember we must minister out of who we are and what God is teaching us, rather than relying on our external competencies. We fail to remember it is all about God's power, rather than our abilities demonstrated in some strange blend of eloquence, storytelling and explanation, which so often veils His very Gospel (2 Cor. 2).

But then, when we recognize that the Word of God is "spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2:14)," we often get so obsessed with the spiritual that we forget the importance right doctrine has. We soon become mystics, seeking an overt spiritual experience that often places our subjective reception of what we think God wants us to know over what His Word plainly teaches.

How do we work through this? Psalm 119:17-18 seems to demonstrate a balance of knowledge, prayer and obedience quite well:

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law (nkjv).

kingdom summary

2009-09-22T16:07:00.010-04:00

There is still not an absolute consensus on what the kingdom of God is, and what it isn't, but I prefer leaning toward the oft considered outdated kingdom view 1 (reread that post). It is necessary; however, that we as believers are free to discuss and engage these issues without seeming divisive in any way. There is only good when, as the Bereans, believers are free to discuss and disagree.

Here are some conclusions about the kingdom of God, especially in light of Jesus Christ:

1. Though it is generally understood that there is a spiritual, universal element of God's kingdom reign in the here and now, and for all eternity, and that Christ presently reigns in our hearts as the Church, there appears to be a very distinct manifestation of Christ coming in His kingdom, which is yet future. A plain reading of scripture does not seem to allow for blurring of this age, and the age to come (Matt. 12:32), or a present physical manifestation of Christ as already fulfilling the Davidic throne. Passages such as Dan. 7:13-14 and Matt. 25:31 seem to confirm a stronger "not yet" than the "already/not yet" paradigm seems to allow:
"I kept looking in the night visions,
And behold, with the clouds of heaven
One like aSon of Man was coming,
And He came up to the Ancient of Days
And was presented before Him.
¹⁴"And to Him was given dominion,
Glory and a kingdom,
That all the peoples, nations and men of every language
Might serve Him
His dominion is an everlasting dominion
Which will not pass away;
And His kingdom is one
Which will not be destroyed (NASB)."

And

"But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,
then He will sit on His glorious throne (NASB). "

Further, the book of Hebrews (Heb. 10:12, etc.) plainly understood see Christ at the right hand of the Father, rather than being seated at the Messianic throne of David. Only a slightly spiritualized reading would see anything other than this.

2. A plain reading of the many promise passages of the Hebrew Scriptures, such as Ezekiel 36:28:

"You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My
people, and I will be your God (NASB)."

and the fact that Jesus did NOT rebuke His followers for seeking the kingdom to be restored to Israel, but He did rebuke them for seeking a time line:
^"Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority (Acts. 1:6-7 NKJV)."

...demonstrates a very Jewish nature of Christ's future, physical millennial kingdom (Rev. 20).

3. The debate on social action, such as obediently taking care of widows and orphans (Jas. 1:27), is not affected in any way whether the kingdom is "already" or "not yet" (notice Jas. 2:5 might be using future language of the kingdom). Thoughtful believers recognize the essential obedience of these acts regardless of their view on the kingdom. The fallacy that those who stress the "not yet" do not partake in social acts is absurd... they just avoid vehemently the "Social Gospel" movement.

4. Defeat of the supernatural - The book of Hebrews sees the realized defeat of the enemies of God, a key peice of inaugurated eschatology, as yet future:

" Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him (Heb. 2:8 AV)."

Other questions have been asked during these last few posts concerning abuses of the already/not yet paradigm as historically laid out by Goerge Eldon Ladd. These questions may be valuable for some to discuss as it affects our theology and practice. Further, the question still arises as to what our mission is as church communities. Is it the Great Commission, or is it the "other" commissions? Were the "other" commissions given to the church, Israel, the seventy, etc.? What about our statement of faith? Is it a valuable statement of accountability? If so, how does that bear on our views of the kingdom?

kingdom part 3 (view 2)

2009-09-03T12:50:00.004-04:00

This second view of the kingdom is probably the most prominent current view among Grace Brethren, and is a little more challenging to summarize, in that broad variations of this view are found in many circles (progressive dispensationalism including some forms of pre-trib thinking, historic covenantal premillennialism, some covenantal thinkers, many charismatics, etc...)

Emphases: This view differs from the first view in that it attempts to streamline the kingdom of God and Christ's kingdom. Rather than seeing two unique aspects of the kingdom, proponents of this view see the kingdom as progressively being unfolded in phases, ultimately being fulfilled or consummated after Christ returns.

This view teaches the kingdom of God is initially and presently, but partially being manifested in this age with the Church, with Christ presently fulfilling prophesies to David of having one sitting on the Davidic throne (2 Sam. 7) as present King of the Kingdom. Thus an already/not yet tension of the manifestation of God's kingdom is created, rather than waiting for Christ's fulfillment of these and other prophesies until the future millennium (Rev. 20).

Likewise, this view sees eschatology (the study of last and consummated things) to be partially fulfilled on earth beginning with Christ's first coming, thus it is explained as an "inaugurated eschatology." Some holding this view still maintain some distinction between God's covenant people Israel and His people the Church; and, some maintain some form of a Jewish sense to Christ's consummation of the kingdom when He returns, but this is generally softened as the kingdom is viewed as already being manifested.

Application of the Gospel:

Many proponents of this view agree with those of the first view that the Gospel is focused on individual redemption, yet this view focuses strongly that those who receive the Gospel are kingdom citizens with a King victorious over the supernatural. This emphasizes believers who are to live out kingdom ethics and who are to manifest the power of Christ in their lives.

Thus, social action is often seen as kingdom acts, rather than just simply obedient responses. This view avoids the extremes of social Gospel and pursuit of perfect health and wealth; however, in that it maintains the "not yet" tension with the inaugurated "already." Some in this view see the dominion mandate in Gen. 1:28 as applicable (despite the fall) and believe a fuller Gospel message of creation redemption should be taught.

Questions: Is this view biblical? Some have concerns that this view is less allowing of the pre-tribulation view in our statement of faith. Is that true? Some are concerned that many extreme dominionists and extreme charismatics have used this view to defend power evangelism and christian theocracy and redemption, yet more conservative proponents of this view disagree. What do you think?

kingdom part 2

2009-08-26T20:21:00.002-04:00

Here is the first view of a couple of views of the kingdom. Keep in mind these couple of posts may, over-analyze, over-word, over-simplify and generalize at times :)

Emphases: Common among earlier Grace Brethren, this first view sees two aspects or phases of the kingdom. One aspect being the kingdom as God's universal and sovereign reign over all things, including His rule in our lives and hearts. The other aspect is God's kingdom manifested on earth among men, usually set up with a mediator/king physically and spiritually ruling, which will specifically be fulfilled in Jesus' future reign on earth.

Thus, this view sees Jesus as presently sitting on the right hand of the father in God's universal reign (Heb. 10:12), while Christ's future reign as king of the kingdom is messianic, millennial, earthly and future, preserving the distinction of "this age and the age to come." It sees Christ as not yet fulfilling promises to David ( 2 Sam. 7) of having one sitting on the Davidic throne (fulfilling the earthly kingdom theme present in the O.T.) until that future millennial kingdom found in Rev. 20.

Those who hold this view tend to focus the eschatology (the study of last and consummated things) of Christ's reign primarily with Christ's coming again (the first phase of His future coming to catch up His church, the latter phase of His future coming for judgment), and do NOT tend to see these last things inaugurated or realized primarily in Christ's first coming on earth. This view also preserves a firm distinction between God's people Israel, and God's people the church, and sees the kingdom on earth having a very Jewish sense.

Application of the Gospel: Those who hold this view, like many others, believe the gospel message is primarily for individual redemption, and awaits the redemption of creation later (Acts. 3:20-21, Rom. 8:18-25), rather than striving for a sort of "fuller gospel" now.

Further, contrary to common inaccurate caricatures, this view fully allows and encourages social action, such as taking care of the poor and widows, even caring for the environment, but it sees these things as obedient responses to God's grace, like any other act of obedience, rather than being kingdom acts. Consequently, preaching the gospel of Christ crucified for sinners takes precedence, with acts of obedience being confirmation of that gospel.

Questions: Is this view Biblical? Is this view reflected in our statement of faith? Is a pre-tribulation rapture Biblical (first aspect of His future coming)? What about the kingdom implications? What about social action issues?

kingdom part 1

2009-08-14T13:03:00.005-04:00

There are at least two main views of the Kingdom of God/Kingdom of Heaven in our fellowship of churches (FGBC) that can be described briefly for sake of discussion as the traditional view of Grace Brethren as well as many conservative non-reformed baptists, etc. (dispensational premillenial) and the more current (and probably more popular) inaugurated view (most progressive dispensationalists / some reformed / many modern historical premilleniallists, many charismatics, etc.).

I will put a few posts discussing these views in the next week or so, but, for anyone interested in thinking through this topic, there are a couple of resources that might be helpful. One is Alva McClain's "The Greatness of the Kingdom" promoting the first view we will look at. The second is Russell D. Moore's "The Kingdom of Christ: The New Evangelical Perspective." a conservative Southern Baptist promoting the second view that will be discussed.

Questions for thought: Since these next couple of posts deal with "non-essential" issues for faith in Christ and adherence to Christianity, does that mean the topic of the Kingdom is unimportant? Also, though we are not a "creedal people," should our statement of faith and tradition have any bearing on our views?

community

2009-07-30T16:16:00.000-04:00

originally posted April 10, 2007

The word community is popular among people of faith. It signifies a common identity, a common purpose. People, living together in harmony and peace, sharing their lives and dreams together.

One may venture into the Holy Scripture and see such demonstrations of community as early Christians “… began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need (Acts 2:45 NASB). “

People were taken care of. Their needs were met. But is this all?

To understand what community should be, you must understand the purpose of it. Its purpose is not to become a binding interpretive authority over Scripture. It is not to bring peace on earth. It is not just to meet superficial needs. It is to build up Christian people in the faith under the headship of Christ, for

“we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love (Eph. 4:15-16 NASB).”

Let us build each other up, help each other grow and work together in unity under the headship of Christ, where true community lives.

Lectio Divina

2009-07-17T20:50:00.002-04:00

It seems that the phrase or practice "Lectio Divina" is gaining ground among many evangelical Christians in recent times. I personally became more acquainted with this practice while working in Public Relations at a library in Indiana, about 4 years ago, by a former Church of the Brethren (not Grace Brethren) women turned Catholic. She described it eloquently as the ruminating prayer of a word or phrase in Scripture until it settles down within you and becomes part of you; then God becomes part of you.

Is this definition accurate? If so, is this practice Biblical? Just recently while looking for adult Sunday school concepts, I stumbled across (incidentally this stumble became the motivator for this post) a Baptist article favorable to the practice of Lectio Divina that confirmed the common knowledge that this is an ancient catholic practice preserved through the ages, and he suggested that it is a form of spiritual reading in which the goal is transformation, not information. He too confirmed the blessings of letting even one word resonate in the heart, "savoring each word" and letting it "ruminate" in your mouth. He suggests that each reader and prayer "listen for the word or phrase that is most ‘alive’ to you." He goes on to suggest that one allow God to speak through that word, paying attention to the images and feelings that word brings.

This focus on words isolated from context being used to receive revelation from God has spurred many to claim the practice as Catholic at best and Eastern Mysticism at worst, yet, in spite of these uses, many others claim that there is nothing wrong with the practice, that it is not mystical in any way or form, and it is not to be limited to one word or phrase. They also claim that it is merely a way to be transformed and not "modernist" in one's approach to Scripture... that it is a way of "meditation" that is purely Biblical, and any connection to Eastern thought is by way of the fact that at least the Biblical writers were merely an ancient Eastern Oriental (not Oriental in its modern usage) people.

So let us consider what meditation is in the Scriptures. Consider the quotes below:
I will meditate on Your precepts,
And contemplate Your ways (Ps. 119:15 nkjv)."

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night (Ps. 1:2 nkjv)."

In these quotes there seems to be a focus not on isolated words or thoughts, yet on the very ways and laws of God, which would have, history attests, in the ancient Hebrew mind required a lifetime of devoted study with the mind. So it is quite possible if not certain that if Lectio Divina is attributed to a Catholic practice of the rumination of one isolated word regardless of context and informative pursuit, and if this appeals and is not inconsistent with the Eastern mystical practice of emptying the mind, then the practice, regardless of how it is done, by name quickly becomes a distraction to a true Biblical meditation.

The response.

Why not choose to forsake the ancient practices of religious Christians who we share very little similarity with (namely, the practice of Lectio Divina and the use of its name), and take on the practices of thoughtful and studious meditation which was the practice of the Ancient Hebrew people God used to bring us His Word, and let that in depth study of His Word become a basis for our Transformation in Him.

Blog

2009-07-17T20:49:00.001-04:00

I have decided that it is time to merge my two blogs, going from the general to the more specific. Those very few (5 or 6) people who have paid attention to my theology blog will be most satisfied at my change of approach :) My goal will remain; however, general in that I will speak on issues, rather than personalities.

Cultural Mandate and Premillenial Theology

2009-07-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

originally posted on another blog 30 June 2009

The term "Cultural Mandate," often associated with leaders such at Chuck Colson and the late D. James Kennedy1 , is vastly becoming a topic of discussion among all Christians of various theological persuasions. In short its very concept and exhortation is that we are to redeem both creation and culture for the Lord, creating transformational pieces of scholarship, art and cultural communication; and it seems to be argued based on the reformed doctrine of common grace, coupled with the command given to Adam found in Gen. 1:28 "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth (nkjv)." In addition, it finds its reasoning in the many commands in Scripture to take care of the widows and orphans (a careful study of who these widows and orphans were may be in order).

So, the question arises: Is this reformed and slightly dominionist leaning concept consistent with traditional premillenial theology (even historical premillenialism)? Probably not. Though Israel was and we today are commanded to consider and care for the orphans and widows (Jas. 1:27), there is no question the overall sense of the Gospel is christ Crucified for our individual sins (Eph. 2), which leads as a result love for the saints (Col. 1:4). And though the Bible speaks of reconciliation of creation through Christ's sacrifice (Col. 1:20), this reconciliation is merely a repositioning, for the redemption does NOT come until Christ's kingdom, the new heaven and earth and our glorification - all of which will NOT come before Christ's return (Rom. 8:18-30, 2 Pet. 3).

Further, in Hebrews 2:5-8 (esp. note v. 8) we have a clear indication, based on the Messianic and eschatological context of the preceding chapter and relevant Psalm quotes, that the subjection of creation will not be realized until His coming again in His kingdom.

Application? Should we care for the environment? Yes, out of a mode of stewardship. Should we care for widows and orphans? Yes, out of heart of love tranformed by God's grace. Should we do good things to our enemies, and show good to our culture? Yes, as a way to live out the spiritual kingdom implications of God's sovereign rule in our hearts now, while we wait for the redemption of culture after He returns.

endnote:
1. (www.coralridge.org, "Dr. Kennedy’s energetic commitment to both evangelism and cultural renewal is demonstrated by four organizations he founded: Coral Ridge Ministries, Evangelism Explosion International, Knox Theological Seminary, and Westminster Academy."

Yeshiva

2009-07-17T15:48:00.001-04:00

originally posted 26 February 2009

Traditionally, the method of learning for Jewish men from the time of Christ until as recent as the late 1800's followed in a very general sense the yeshiva model. It symbolizes (and in some cases still is) a next step beyond domestic education, a place where young men would learn specifically the Torah, but eventually also the Talmud (Rabbinic interpretation after the time of Christ-Messiah during the early Christian Era), the entire Tanakh (the Torah-Law, the Neviim-Prophets, and the Ketuvim-Writings) and various Midrash (commentary) as well.

The brightest and most promising of students would eventually move beyond the "school" and train directly under a local Rabbi in a type of apprenticeship. Eventually many would become ordained Scholars by the local Rabbi (s) after suitable competence was achieved, rather than a prescribed set of courses. The yeshiva model (especially for youth) was generally under the leadership of a local teacher, as the school was an extension of the local synagogue, continuing as the Jews went back into Diaspora (dispersion).

The underlying concept of the Jewish educational system at large involved Rabbinic oversight and mentoring - local community training - with students literally sitting at the feet of scholars (Ac. 22:3), engaging in local class or local small group interactive learning and practice. For the Jew, Knowledge and Service went hand in hand, as the study of the Law has always been the highest of all prizes, never (for the noble-minded) engaged in to prepare for a profession or money building enterprise, but for the sake of learning the wisdom of God and teaching others alone.

Their studies, did; however, differ from other Eastern philosophical paradigms in that their focus was not mystical or extremely Pietist in seeking an overtly experiential or existential system, much like Jewish Kabbalah, as many modern commentators claim. Rather, a mere balance of simple knowing and serving was sought.

This begs the question: In searching out the Hebraic roots of Christianity, should this affect modern Christian practice and discipleship (learning), even to the extent of leadership training? I believe it should, considering that Jesus, the apostles, and the early followers of Jesus were all Jewish, and they modeled (though unofficially) this form of grassroots local congregation type training, leading us to consider the impact on modern discipleship paradigms used today.

For, so many rely solely on distant Colleges, Universities or Seminaries to provide the framework for theological understanding and leadership training, rather than finding learning and discipleship in their local communities. This leads to a disastrously high number of under-prepared and easily swayed minds attempting to shepherd congregations, having been unintentionally swayed to various theological interpretations and convenient novel ideas by professors and scholars unaware of the relative lack of understanding these young (or seasoned) believers really hold.

Does this mean that local fellowship based studies, if modeled after Jewish tradition, should replace academic higher learning? Not at all, but it should develop a level of training, wisdom and even scholarship among youth and adults that will allow for traditional (a relative term) college and seminary education to become a capstone of one's learning, rather than the foundation.

Psychology, Sociology or Theology?

2009-07-17T15:47:00.000-04:00

originally posted 09 October 2008

All theological movements within Christianity are reactionary to some degree, but many recent movements seem to react far more against abuses of people, than abuses of doctrine, making sociology the authority, rather than truth.

These prevalent sociological themes and ideas in many current movements are summarized in popular works such "They Like Jesus but not the Church," by Dan Kimball, "Blue Like Jazz," by Donald Miller and "Everything Must Change," by Brian McLaren.

Now, many valid questions are being raised as to whether the church of the last couple of centuries have adequately lived out their faith, but does it warrant the type of reformation emotional response that is apparent today? Is a complete reworking of the traditional church necessary, filled with rhetoric of frustration? Is the traditional Church needing the same level of reworking as the Catholic church in the days of Luther, Knox and Calvin? Or, is the answer much simpler.

Why have some, such as A.W. Tozer, been able to differentiate between the current praxis of believers versus the praxis outlined in the Bible, without using consistent language of redefinition?

Why are some able to maintain some of the organization the Bible commends, but recognize important shepherding and nurturing still needing to take place, while others in these new movements communicate in extreme "change rhetoric," giving up on the traditional church altogether?

The issue and cause: An emotional response. I believe this is truly the dividing line. Many following some of the newer movements have not been legitimately cared for, have not legitimately healed from past or present wounds, and thus, have not felt comfortable re-acculturating back into the church life they grew up in. Not having their needs met, they have turned to ancient Catholic and Eastern Orthodox experiential rites, rather than leaning on Scripture alone to aid in gaining guidance from the Holy Spirit. It is a spiritual issue of counseling in which these believers need to be walked through their emotional response and find a standard (scripture) in which to proceed from.

On the contrary, many writers who have experienced healing, have been able to lay their church practice alongside scripture, have been able to maintain the historic orthodox doctrines of the sufficiency and inerrancy of scripture (yes this is historic), salvation by grace through faith, the atonement, the tri-unity of God, the virgin birth, the second coming, the eternal punishment of the lost and the eternal hope of the redeemed. And, they have been able to lay all their beliefs alongside a plain sacred text. How?

An answer: The all powerful God, using His Spirit, humble shepherds and faithful believers confidently speaking the truth of the word of God, while living the timeless principles out entirely, and loving their fellow brethren. This was lived out by many in the reformation, many in the Anabaptist movement, and many in fundamentalist and conservative evangelical circles today.

Where do we go from here: We take a few steps back, recognize the causes of dysfunction and disillusionment, and work within our imperfect but holy church communities spreading the gospel and equipping others, preaching the whole counsel of God and guarding in love the church from false doctrine, without railing insults on those who have gone before us.

"And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. 28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31 Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears (Acts 20:25-31 nkjv)."

Expository reading, the Bible and the human mind

2009-07-17T15:46:00.000-04:00

originally posted 26 September 2008

Psychologists, literary scholars and educators have all written and discussed on the importance of expository reading. Generally speaking, this is understood as reading for meaning, and is linked to the ability one has in reading documentation written for knowledge and understanding. It is the transfer of meaning, through reading, from a written source to the human mind.

In recent years, some theologians and specialists in various fields have considered how this discipline must be expanded to oral public reading, not just private research.

Dr. Wayne McDill, Professor of Preaching, Southeastern Baptist Seminary, gave an intriguing article posted on his Web site about the very idea of expository reading in the pulpit and church communities.

The idea is to renew the historical idea of reading accurately and clearly a given text so that one's mind will grasp the locus of meaning with as minimal human intervention as possible.

Biblically, it is interesting that Ezra read and translated accurately and clearly the law for quite some time, to an attentive people, while also providing exposition:

8So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

The focus on Ezra's exposition was most definitely the text itself, not on human wisdom, illustration or entertainment.

So where does that leave those of us charged with explaining and expounding the word of God today? I propose three key elements of application, primarily based on the presupposition of biblical authority and an inerrant text, (which is an important discussion for another time):

1. If one believes in the authority of the sacred biblical text, then reading large portions of scripture may be essential. This point has become key in my ministry, but as been almost universally ignored in evangelical protestant churches.

2. If one believes in the authority of the sacred biblical text, then reading that text accurately and in context is essential. This will require some familiarity with the ancient languages of Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek that underlie these texts, and a willingness to moderately emphasize grammatical forms in reading, so as to emphasize the authors intended meaning.

3. If one believes in the authority of the sacred biblical text, then accurate exposition of that text in context is essential.

Here is where an important clarification is pertinent, especially in light of current scholarly and community opinion that a precise meaning (to the point of propositional truth) of a sacred text cannot be adequately ascertained. The sense of the point of a text can and should be found, and a general reading knowledge of the scholarly languages rather than a supposed fluency (fluency in an ancient language is always supposed) is valuable to find and communicate that precise point, but not to the extent of obsessing over every grammatical ending or construction. Rather, it is to give the thrust of the meaning.

My hope and desire is that a more proper respect to the sufficient word of God may be found in the form of presentation that is given to preaching and reading of the Scripture.

culture

2009-07-02T14:56:00.000-04:00

http://theologyexplained.blogspot.com/

broken

2009-05-06T14:25:00.002-04:00

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

Psalm 51:17 nkjv

Psalm 51 provides three beautiful pieces of seeking God's mercy, bathed in the context of a man, David, who committed some of the most grievous sins possible.

Confession of sin (vv. 1-6), petitioning God's cleansing (vv. 7-11), and a humble, willing worship and ministry (vv. 12-19) are the fruits of a broken and contrite heart that desires restoration to God and is willing to accept His forgiveness.

All of us are capable of the path David chose in disobedience, so, by the power of the Holy Spirit, may we all respond to our faults with the same attitude of obedience as we learn to yield to God's ever present lovingkindness.

crucified reposted

2009-04-08T15:25:00.000-04:00

It is refreshing to me that many preachers, scholars and writers are speaking again of the power of the cross. They are finding that no element of tightly programmed services, eloquent words or even gracious relationships can take the place of the primacy of the cross in our lives. The cross is the most applicable doctrine we can speak of, and it is the centerpiece of our faith. The reminder that Paul gives us is this: if all we know and all we can attest to is the wondrous cross of Christ, than we are on the right track.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:1-5 nkjv)."

leadership

2009-03-17T16:02:00.003-04:00

In an evangelical culture obsessed with various creative and often professionalized terminology for leadership, desiring to produce "change agents" ready to transform the culture around us, it is nothing short of fresh and enlightening to draw from the depth of Scripture for the source of what spiritual leaders and spiritual servants should truly seek after:

Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. ³ Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴ but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. (Ac. 6:2-4 nkjv).”

In the early church pastoral oversight devoted itself to the word of God and to prayer, and those that assisted them in service were wise, full of character and had the evidence of the Holy Spirit flowing through their life.

A simplicity is to be found in this text, for these early followers of Jesus Christ sought these very foundations for their ministry, rather than trendy methods and man made wisdom. We will do well if we follow their example in the avenues of service where we have been called, and in the spheres of influence in which we are given.

fighting God

2009-03-11T14:38:00.004-04:00

"'But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it-lest you even be found to fight against God (Ac. 5:39).'"

These words by the respected, but non-believing Jewish teacher Gamaliel (Paul's very own instructor) are strangely prophetic in that they summarize Jesus' statement to Peter "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Mt. 16:18 nkjv)."

God's plan's of redemption, both for Israel and the Church, cannot and will not be hindered, though Satan, nations, and even you and I fight against Him.

If God's will cannot be undermined, and His ways will come to pass, then the question remains, "will you trust Him, even when it means giving up your control?"

boldness

2009-02-20T14:06:00.002-05:00

In the life of the apostles, there seems three motivators to a life of boldly preaching the Word of God and the Gospel it contains:

First, understanding the truth of Jesus' death and resurrection as the only way of salvation (Ac 4:5-12),

Second, knowing this Jesus so personally that our experience with Him goes beyond mere intellectual assent and fear of man (Ac 4:13-22), and

Third, living out this faith to the extent of praying that the Word of God may be spread with boldness and power (Ac 23-31).

The questions for us to wrestle with today in response to Peter and John's testimony are quite simple - If we are not boldly preaching the Word of God, then do we not know His salvation offer? Do we not know Him personally? Do we not pray for boldness?

"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (Ac 4:31)."

joy

2009-02-11T15:02:00.004-05:00

It is surprising that in today's churches believers continue to look to strategic planning, relevant programs, dynamic preaching and engaging worship music to fabricate joy, when the answer to this desired value is quite simply found in the words of holy scripture:

I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.
10 For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps 16:8-11 nkjv)."

When Peter quoted this in Acts chapter 2, he clearly understood this Psalm of David to be a prophetic declaration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that this truth is sufficient to bring believers gladness and joy.

What a blessing that will take place if we too begin to understand where the true source of joy should lie!

encouragement again

2008-12-09T09:43:00.006-05:00

It is easy to recognize that encouragement and discouragement are contagious attributes that can spread throughout a community without hindrance.

All of us who are believers can learn from Barnabas, who seemed to spread his encouraging spirit everywhere he went.

Now, it must be recognized that his encouragement was not empty, superficial or deceitful; but rather, it was full of the grace of the gospel as people heard and were saved, even in the midst of the most trying times of persecution imaginable.

"Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26)."

mission

2008-11-06T09:07:00.005-05:00

There is no question our role as believers is that of a missionary, carrying out an important call by God, often called the great commission. If this is true, then all of our statements and summaries of vision, purpose and mission should embody what the Lord Jesus Christ laid before His followers :

"Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:16-20 nkjv)."

This is not to be taken lightly or skimmed over; however, for the complete command by the Lord must be followed, rather than mere selection of one's favorite activity.

The commission by our Messiah is that of going. It is of proclaiming the gospel to make followers and baptizing them, and it is of continual teaching of the tenets of the faith so they may partake of this replicating process as well.

The plan is simple. Doubt and motivation is the difficulty.

encouragement

2008-10-16T09:02:00.003-04:00

Certainly the Jewish believers in Christ would have understood the concept of a sabbath rest that went beyond merely the keeping of a day in the week. The writer to the Hebrews spoke of a kingdom rest that was a fulfillment of the Sabbath day. A rest that comes with salvation and is completed in Christ's future coming. A rest that was a motivator for these believers to press on in Christ Jesus.

"Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it... 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:14-16 nkjv)."

For us today, we have an opportunity to be encouraged to go to our High Priest, our Messiah, Jesus, the Son of the living God, who offers us the grace of salvation, a renewed life of prayer, and the grace to move on, as we look to His return in Glory.

NEW BLOG

2008-09-26T13:54:00.004-04:00

I have created an additional blog designed to present theological and philosophical opinions, which will exceed the purpose of my main blog here. This present blog, Zach Doppelt, however, will continue functioning as my main blog

The other blogs address is

http://theologyexplained.blogspot.com

crucified

2008-09-23T10:25:00.002-04:00

christian

2008-09-07T14:31:00.007-04:00

It is nothing short of an oddity that the word "Christian" has become a word worthy of avoidance among some of those who who claim Christ's name on their life. It is true that many under the guise of Christianity have committed atrocious sins, yet it does not mean that the word itself is to be looked down upon. Changing what you call yourself means nothing, but letting Christ live through you is everything.

Don't be ashamed of the title, be ashamed of the sins.

"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter (1 Peter 4:15-16 nkjv)."

sufficiency

2008-09-02T15:37:00.004-04:00

What one believes about the sufficiency of scripture for faith, life and ministry will directly influence their practice.

Will they add additional structures, plans and programs to what the Bible has laid out, or will they trust that through its complete words God will speak?

Will they conjur dreams, visions and emotion to hold onto, or deem God's laws as appropriate enough to take joy in?

Be it in Israel's day of conquest, the early church's founding, or in the life of the contemporary church today, this principle still remains true:

"You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you (Dt. 4:2 nkjv)."

Let us not be guilty of knowingly or unkowingly adding to God's commands.

partiality

2008-08-05T12:15:00.003-04:00

There is a current trend among ministers today, just as there was a trend among the Jewish priests after God's people returned from their exile and rebuilt God's temple. And this trend is to show partiality in how much of God's law is presented, both in word and deed.

"So I also have made you despised and abased before all the people, just as you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction (Malachi 2:9 NASB)"

The result of this lack of shepherding was to be expected. The people lived apart from their covenant responsibilities, leading to marrying outside of the faith and giving up on their marital commitments.

Just as Paul in Acts 20:27 preached all of God's purposes and counsel to believers and non believers alike, so too must we not fear from presenting all that God has in His word. Just as Jesus preached through the prophets about Himself, so must we reveal and live out what even the hardest books of Scripture have to say.

delight

2008-07-09T10:39:00.002-04:00

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.

The question is often asked, "What do we have to be excited about?" And the answer is quite simple: When we are wise, we learn to delight in God's law and His word. We meditate on it often and it gives us a firm foundation which in due time will reap its own rewards in our soul. Make no mistake, the externals of how we worship, the programs we create, and the way we present ourselves cannot take the place of love for God, love for people, and love of His laws.

small things

2008-06-24T21:49:00.001-04:00

Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
9 ' The hands of Zerubbabel
Have laid the foundation of this temple;
His hands shall also finish it.
Then you will know
That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth (Zech. 4:8-10 NKJV).' "

Undoubtedly, the Jews saw the small beginnings of the rebuilding of the temple, and questioned whether it would ever have the grandeur of the old temple of Solomon. Yet, how important it was for them to open their eyes and see the magnificent work which only God was doing, and only God could do. Likewise, it may be easy for us to look back at the days when our church buildings were filled with people, only to fail to see the beautiful work which God is doing in each of us spiritually right now...

The prayer is that we as believers spend time in continued rejoicing of our risen Savior, Christ the LORD, and to take time to soak our souls in the wonderful transforming power that He offers us day by day in His Spirit, as He molds us into the spiritual temple that is fit for His purposes and His ways!

equality

2008-05-23T12:00:00.003-04:00

"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man (James 2:1-6 nkjv)."

Should we not treat all men and women with equality and respect, especially when they enter into our assembly and our community? Do we not do a disservice when we treat those honored guests or speakers with the praises of presidents and kings, yet in the same moment smirk when one comes in dirty and unkept?

This is no small matter to be overlooked, for the scripture is clear. Partiality is not the proper response to the One who has given we who are filthy the best seat in His house.

home

2008-05-14T09:39:00.002-04:00

Where is it that we truly live? Is it this world we are to settle, decorate and dwell? Or is there somewhere else we look to as our permanent residence and home?

The Scripture gives us an answer to this question which must shape our focus and our hope:

"20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20-21 nkjv)."

We wait for the coming of our Lord. We are as children, spending a brief moment at our school of preparation, waiting for our father to pick us up and take us back to where we know we belong. Waiting to be taken back to a safe place. Waiting to go to our precious home where peace, joy and rest replace labor, effort and stress.

Let us walk as a people looking for Him.

healing

2008-04-16T17:38:00.006-04:00

"I will heal their backsliding,
I will love them freely,
For My anger has turned away from him (Hosea 14:4 nkjv)."

If Israel would turn away from their spiritual adultery, God would heal them.
If they would renew their commitment to Him, God would demonstrate His love in them.
And, in His ever present knowledge of all that is, and the kingdom life that would be,
God had already removed His anger from their presence.

He does this as well with His Church today - yet do we offer the same grace to those whom we care for; whom we should love?

"... even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do (Colossians 3:13 nkjv)."

small things

2008-04-01T11:18:00.003-04:00

testimony

2008-03-11T14:52:00.003-04:00

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (Matt. 5:13-16).

It is an immense opportunity laid before you: to live a life of testimony to the Father's love and power. What you do, the attitudes you hold and the situations you place yourself in can be a vehicle which God will use to glorify Himself, so that men and women may be drawn to His present kingdom message: faith in Jesus Christ.

Do not be mislead; however, for God will be glorified whether you hide your light or not. The choice is found in whether you will partake of that very process or leave it to the faithful who believe in its worth.

charity

2008-02-26T10:21:00.002-05:00

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
3 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly (Matthew 6:1-4 nkjv).

The things we do, and the words we pray must be to glorify God and God alone. If we take credit for that which we preach, that which we give, or those whom we help we rob God of the honor only He deserves.

To praise ourselves is error. To worship God is truth.

revelation

2008-02-14T16:43:00.000-05:00

It is a strange thing we do when we turn to Christ these days. Though we learned of Him through His word: His revelation; we look to other means to live right and well.

We turn to spiritual self help books.
We turn to methods and philosophies.
We turn to guides who fill our emotional desires of experience.

And yet, we dare ask why we are void of fulfillment. The answer is simple:

"Surely the LORD God does nothing
Unless He reveals His secret
to His servants the prophets.
A lion has roared!
Who will not fear?
The LORD God has spoken!
Who can but prophesy (Amos 3:7-8 NKJV)?"

The LORD God has spoken. Will you listen?

celebration

2008-01-30T10:45:00.000-05:00

Christian people have a choice. It is a choice to celebrate things that are good, or things that are false. It is a choice that seeks a balance between mercy and justice -- doctrine and practice. It is a choice whether one pursues love or hate. It is a choice to appropriate the very words of Scripture to one's life:

"(Love) does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth (1 Cor. 13:6 NASB);"

It becomes so easy to take an easy path under the guise of forgiveness, neglecting the true words of God. It becomes just as easy to take the martyrs path of justice and supposed righteousness, neglecting mercy and grace. Let believers avoid the extremes, and settle into the dividing fine line of moderation, which is conveniently called "truth."

pain

2008-01-15T11:44:00.000-05:00

Crying out to God in time of destruction is the key to getting through painful circumstances. Just like Judah in the time of a great plague of locusts were encouraged by the prophet Joel to call on God for help, so should we during our own times of distress.

" To You, O LORD, I cry;
For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness
And the flame has burned up all the trees of the field.
Even the beasts of the field pant for You;
For the water brooks are dried up
And fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness (Joel 1:19-20 NASB)."

Never forget, never take for granted, never overlook the power of prayer. Never underestimate that fact that God is in control and we are not, and He is the one to go to for help in time of need.

foreknowledge

2008-01-09T12:37:00.000-05:00

It is a wonderful privilege that God has always known His children, and He has always planned that these children would become more and more like Christ. Indeed, for an eternal creator, there has never been a time in which our LORD did not know who we are, where we would go, and what we would become.

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29 NASB)."

If He has always known us, than we have a tremendous opportunity to live out the faith in confidence and trust that God will complete all that He has begun in us.

"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6 NASB)."

Let us all take comfort in the truth that nothing in this world, including our very lives, can take God by surprise.

redemption

2007-12-31T14:17:00.000-05:00

"But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account (Philemon 18 NASB);"

The situation between Paul, Onesimus and Philemon reminds us of the importance of offering forgiveness to others, and more importantly, the forgiveness and redemption we have in Jesus Christ. Paul was willing to pay all of Onesimus' former debts so that he could truly be free, just as Christ has paid it all for us.

"How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity (Psalm 32:1-2 NASB)"

If Psalm 32:1-2 be true, then how can we not rejoice in the wonderful privilege of being set free from the bondage of spiritual indebtedness. How can we not respond fervently by offering grace to others. How can we not be blessed or happy in the current state of grace in which we live.

loss

2007-12-12T10:11:00.001-05:00

"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Phil. 3:7 NASB)"

In his prior life situation, the apostle Paul had everything of which he could boast. Power. Honor. Prestige. Yet, he counted it all as loss. It meant nothing more than trash to him compared to the amazing gift of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.

What about you? Do you find your satisfaction in the things of this world? Credentials? Accomplishments? Wealth? Honor? Or, do you see being in Christ as the ultimate satisfaction?

May you be transformed as Paul was to understand what is of worth, and what is worth nothing.

wisdom in prayer

2007-11-06T14:01:00.000-05:00

As we mature in our understanding of prayer and we communicate with our loving Father, we have a tremendous opportunity to learn to recognize what His will and desire is for our lives, as revealed in the Scripture. We then begin to entreat the LORD with the very words he would want us to pray.

Just consider Solomon. Would it have been alright to pray whatever his heart desired? In some ways, yes, but he found favor in that he prayed a most unselfish and humble prayer that would allow him to serve God's people with excellence.

"Then Solomon said, "You have shown great lovingkindness to Your servant David my father, according as he walked before You in truth and righteousness and uprightness of heart toward You; and You have reserved for him this great lovingkindness, that You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

"Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in place of my father David, yet I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in.

"Your servant is in the midst of Your people which You have chosen, a great people who are too many to be numbered or counted.

"So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours? (1 Kings 3:6-9 NASB)"

metaphors

2007-10-16T14:41:00.000-04:00

"and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God!' (John 1:36 NASB)"

What a marvelous thing God has done in giving us timeless metaphors that enable our understanding of His eternal word, and what a terrible evil we undertake when we tamper with these devices under the guise of effective communication.

How else would we see Christ's atoning work, had He not been described as a sacrificial lamb foreseen in the typology of the Old Testament?

The symbolic language of the Scripture has a purpose, sometimes beyond what we understand at the time, and we must allow such language to be preserved; for only then do we see the full message of truth laid before us.

So many today wish to change the language, believing fresh comparisons are in order for people to understand meaning. But, those seemingly harmless changes may in fact distort what God wants His people to hear.

Let us celebrate the Lamb of God and His work on the cross, knowing that true metaphors engaged our minds and our hearts to accept this truth by the power of God's Spirit.

gift

2007-10-09T13:14:00.000-04:00

To close the 9th chapter of 2 Corinthians, Paul gives an emotive statement:

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15 NASB)!"

This expression goes far beyond the physical generosity of those whom he was speaking about, for he comments on the grace of God demonstrated in them, their adherence to the gospel message and the giving and blessing that originates with God.

It seems so clear that he saw a people, once bound by obsession with spiritual and physical externals, now realizing the importance of complete surrender to God. A people realizing that possessions are for the advancement of the gospel, rather than for mere enjoyment.

My hope and prayer is that we will mimic this attitude in them: that others will see the grace of God so prevalent in our lives that a shout of thanks will become the most natural response.

parables

2007-09-28T12:16:00.000-04:00

"And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?"

Jesus answered them, " To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.

"For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him.

"Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.

"In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says,
'YOU WILL KEEP ON HEARING, BUT WILL NOT UNDERSTAND;
YOU WILL KEEP ON SEEING, BUT WILL NOT PERCEIVE;
FOR THE HEART OF THIS PEOPLE HAS BECOME DULL,
WITH THEIR EARS THEY SCARCELY HEAR,
AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THEIR EYES,
OTHERWISE THEY WOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES,
HEAR WITH THEIR EARS,
AND UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART AND RETURN,
AND I WOULD HEAL THEM.'

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

"For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. (Matt. 13:10-17 NASB)"

calling

2007-09-27T09:28:00.000-04:00

It is amazing that in the midst of countless teaching, literature and discussion there is a continuous misunderstanding on the nature of our calling as believers. It seems evident that first and foremost our calling is related to our being chosen by God as His children:

"Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble (1 Peter 1:10 NASB);"

Second, in this very same context, our calling is to practice righteousness through the understanding and application of God's truth. Third, our calling is to function in the gifting that God has given us to preach the gospel to the lost and to minister to fellow believers

"But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good 1 Cor. 12:7 NASB)."

Often when believers consider various types of ministry, they fail to recognize that it is God who does the act of calling to Himself. That it is God who reveals the truth we need to apply, and that it is God who manifests Himself with wisdom and power in the lives of individuals. When we create human created devices that determine where, when and how a person must minister, we have taken the power of the divine upon ourselves and set man as a god and idol rather than worshiping our Lord in spirit and in truth.

May we humble ourselves before a mighty God and recognize that it is He and He alone who places the call upon our lives.

New Orthodoxy?

2007-09-18T09:42:00.000-04:00

"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 (Matt. 22:37 NASB).' "

Undoubtedly there is a dangerous trend in the church to desire a new orthodoxy, which isn't really new at all. What is the realm in which these doctrines exist you ask?

It is in the thought that Spirit led understanding of propositional truth must be bound and shackled. That having "a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge (Rom. 10:2 NASB)" is appropriate in a person's relationship to Christ and salvation.

We see; however, that this is simply not the case. We see that we must love our Lord with all of our being, which does include the faculties of our mind, not just our heart. We see that truth indeed is an essential and revealed element given by a Sovereign God who offers a beautiful grace to His elect.

The call and greatest command is this: YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.

Let us not forget the power in this statement.

justice

2007-09-10T18:48:00.000-04:00

"Righteous are You, O LORD, that I would plead my case with You;
Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You (Jer. 12:1 NASB):"

The prophet Jeremiah knew that as Judah self destructed and brought God's judgment upon themselves, only an entreaty that affirmed God's justice was appropriate. Through time of trial he recognized that God is never unfair, that God always knows what He is doing.

What a powerful thought for the remnant of God's people today, believing Jews and Gentiles alike: Regardless of what we face, God's just character never fails.

Knowing that God is righteous in all ways, you are free to modestly plead with Him concerning righteousness and truth.

shame

2007-08-30T08:51:00.000-04:00

Is it strange that our culture finds no shame in its actions? Is it stranger yet that the church overlooks its own sins as well?

The people of Judah committed idolatry and immorality of all sorts, and God gave them a severe warning.

"Were they ashamed because of the abomination they had done?
They certainly were not ashamed,
And they did not know how to blush;
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
At the time of their punishment they shall be brought down,"
Says the LORD (Jer. 8:12 NASB).

The church today would be wise to look at their hearts and lives, questioning whether they too have lost the ability to blush at their disobedience.

Let us come together, build each other up, and keep accountable lest we make necessary God's discipline on our lives.

true religion

2007-08-22T16:05:00.000-04:00

"Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Amend your ways and your deeds, and I will let you dwell in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words saying, 'This is the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD, the temple of the LORD (Jer. 7: 3-4 NASB).' ' "

God seeks two things of us, our hearts and our lives. If we are indeed His children, than we must live His way, and we must believe His truth.

Change is ever necessary, as you come to realize the work and deeds God wants you to do. Change starts with a realization that you have been trusting in deception rather than truth.

Be it your own wisdom or false religion; let go of what you are holding on to. Let God restore you with His ever present grace.

idolatry

2007-08-08T16:58:00.001-04:00

Idolatry is an idea discussed in Christian conversation with little sense of urgency or fear. It is assumed that if one does not take a piece of wood and create something to pray to, they are guiltless.

But is this the case? What if you create an image of God in thought and direct your worship to it? Is that not idolatry? What if you depict Christ on a screen, a movie, or in print and treat that image as if it was truly our LORD? Is that not idolatry? What if you embark on task or project that takes far more time than you would ever direct toward worship, prayer and devotion to our Savior? Does that not qualify as idolatry?

The Scripture clearly describes the power of God and his wrath against the idols that we make:

"'For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

"When you become the father of children and children's children and have remained long in the land, and act corruptly, and make an idol in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD your God so as to provoke Him to anger,

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed (Deut. 4:24-26 NASB).'"

It is imperative that we recognize that God and God alone is our object of worship. Just as he spoke against His covenant people Israel of the dangers of such action, so must we avoid such false worship.

restoration

2007-07-30T09:20:00.000-04:00

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted (Gal. 6:1 NASB)."

Restorative confrontation is a much needed discipline in the church. Often confrontation is either overlooked, allowing fellow believers to run rampant and unaccountable lives, or it is abused, yielding nothing but hostility and antagonism.

One of the keys to biblical restoration is a spirit of gentleness, or humility. Words that flow from a humble heart can cut through much bitterness and pain, and by the Spirit's power, they can melt some of the hardest souls.

As you seek to bring restoration to your relationships in God's church, consider yourself first, making sure your attitude is right and God fearing, then proceed to correct and confront out of a loving heart. Surely, you will often find believers desiring to be reunited to the word of God, fellow Christians, and most importantly our Lord himself.

sovereignty

2007-07-18T15:47:00.000-04:00

"The LORD is King forever and ever (Psalm 10:16 NASB);"

Psalm 10 is a prayer at a time when God seemed afar off, yet the Psalm closes with an expectation that the LORD will make things right and bring about justice.

Where is the key to this Psalm? It is this very statement: The LORD is King forever and ever.

So often we struggle when God seems silent because we do not fully believe and affirm that He is the all powerful sovereign creator of the universe who has the power to carry out His will. So often we struggle because we really don't know Him personally, as a good and loving yet powerful and mighty king.

The next time God seems far away or silent, consider who He is. He is your Savior. Your master. Your eternal king.

patience

2007-07-09T17:16:00.000-04:00

Some fail to recognize that the God revealed in the Old Testament is in fact the very same God in the New Testament. Just as loving, just as merciful, just as patient.

God gives and has always given His people many opportunities to do right.

Consider Cain concerning his brother Abel: God gave a clear warning about Cain's heart and attitude. "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it (Genesis 4:6,7 NASB).'"

After Cain committed the evil murder of his brother, Cain could have easily been destroyed for what he did, but notice the LORD's response, full of mercy.

"'Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth. Cain said to the LORD, 'My punishment is too great to bear!

'Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.'

So the LORD said to him, 'Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold' And the LORD appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him (Genesis 4:11-15 NASB).'"

Cain deserved death and condemnation, yet God provided discipline, patience and even protection!

It is vital that all of God's people recognize that God is full of mercy and grace, even in discipline, for we always get from Him more blessing and patience than we could ever deserve.

wisdom

2007-06-26T14:41:00.000-04:00

Is it surprising that the book of Proverbs describes the aquisition of wisdom in this way?

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7)."

It should not be, for all of Scripture points us to a reverent, obedient and fearful attitude, recognizing that God is the all powerful creator who demands our love and respect. When we trust and obey Him, reading and studying His word, we gain wisdom and understanding to navigate through the challenges and blessings of this life.

Today, you have the opportunity to be wise. Trust in the salvation Jesus Christ offers you, and let yourself be instructed by the Spirit of God as you immerse yourself in the Scripture and in prayer. You truly will find an amazing peace beyond compare.

creation

2007-06-19T16:50:00.000-04:00

"By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:3 NASB)."

Only a faith that affirms the supernatural work of God and recognizes His active involvement in every aspect of our existence is fit to endure and escape the gripping power of sin over our lives. Nevertheless, it is still so easy to play language games in order to achieve conclusions that reconcile wicked philosophy with the unique faith that we embrace. Why are we so unwilling to accept a literal divine creation of the world? Because we lack a faith that overshadows the wisdom of man, and yet we question why we struggle.

If we desire to overcome the sin that holds us back, we must begin by asking ourselves to what extent our trust in God holds. If we desire to grow more intimate with God, we must learn that His power is true over all things and all His created work.

philosophy

2007-06-12T17:05:00.000-04:00

It is truly a good thing when we become free from all the philosophies of this world and we let the scripture speak for itself. God has given us His word as a means of encouragement and growth, and we do well to follow Him.

Whether we speak of His creation of the world, or His restoring of the weak, His truth will comfort us and His Spirit guide us. Be it the preaching of the gospel, or the ministering of His church, Christ provides us with all we need.

Over relying on philosophy, strategy and man made wisdom is not the answer for our lives and for His church. God alone and obeying His word will carry us to where we need to go.

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, (Colossians 2:8-9 NASB)."

contentment

2007-06-05T18:00:00.000-04:00

"But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment (1 Tim. 6:6 NASB)."

There is nothing more satisfying than a content mind free from all types of worry and concern. Neither wealth nor poverty, happiness or sadness should take us away from the peace that is found in Christ Jesus.

When we have this peace, and when we are truly content, than we begin to see the blessings that godliness affords. We see first hand the changes in our lives that God produces. We see the results of God given grace that only the Spirit provides.

As we venture into the busyness of our lives, pursuing treasure that God never intended us to have, let us consider first the pursuit of God and his kingdom, and all other things will be taken care of as he desires.

counsel

2007-05-29T16:28:00.000-04:00

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked... (Psalm 1:1 NASB)."

Why is it so easy to follow the guidance and support of those who do not live by the Spirit and fail to teach truth, rather than seeking advisors who desire God's ways found in His word above all else?

Wise instruction, pure encouragement and healthy leading only come from the Scripture and those who teach and live by it, but direction spewed from those who hate God's wisdom only poison relationships and breed harmful pride and deceit.

There is nothing but stability and growth when we turn toward Scripture and follow the advice of those wise enough to seek restoration to God and others, rather than the evil, gossip and hatred of those who reject the LORD and His word.

As we carry out our mission to spread the gospel and guide others toward righteous living, we must elevate true counsel over hurtful and dangerous rambling, so that the love of God and the knowledge of truth may be clear.

mercy

2007-05-22T15:37:00.000-04:00

"Then summoning him, his lord said to him, 'You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.
'Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you (Matt. 18:32-33 NASB)?'"

Jesus used this very parable to teach His disciples the essential nature of forgiveness as they dealt with fellow believers. The response of the slave demonstrated a heart hardened to the blessing of the gracious mercy that had been bestowed upon him, so it does with us if we fail to respond to Christ's death and resurrection with coldness and hatred to our fellow man.

If we see these truths declared in Scripture, that we must show mercy as we have been shown mercy, why do we resist? If we understand Christ offers forgiveness, why do we not respond? If we have experienced the forgiven debt of sin which bears eternal consequence, why do we fail to offer blessing to those around us?

May we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our risen Savior, accepting His forgiveness, and may we then respond with a merciful heart to those who may do us wrong.

biblical leadership

2007-05-14T17:53:00.000-04:00

Leadership in the scripture is often compared to the strength and love of a shepherd. Whether it be the pastoral guidance and direction by those set apart by God, or the divine oversight of our creator Himself, this picture carries itself throughout the Word of God.

When we submit ourselves under the care of men, or if we undertake this role ourselves, it is essential that we are centered on Biblical truth. For the LORD even promised His covenant people, Israel, in the Old Testament,

"Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding (Jer. 3:15 NASB)."

When we are focused on such truth, we will find ourselves placing priority on spreading the gospel message of salvation to the lost, again, just as God promised His people

"I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken and strengthen the sick... (Ezekiel 34:16 NASB)."

Thank the LORD this day for His infinite wisdom as He shepherds and leads us, and may we follow His example as we direct others.

humility

2007-05-07T13:42:00.000-04:00

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Pet 5:6 -7 NASB)."

There is a unique relationship between anxiety and pride. Anxiety reveals itself in difficult circumstances of all kinds, and finds its root in control and controversy which stems from the failure to humble yourself before a sovereign God.

When you submit to Him and others, you find freedom from the manipulation you often so endear. When you cease your pursuit of empty credential and worth, you allow Him to exalt you to the position He wants you to have, a position of purity and growth in His sight.

Do not fail to humble yourself before the God who cares for you more than you can know.

the clarity of truth

2007-04-27T19:00:00.000-04:00

How wondrous it is that God has given us the ability to understand and know the timeless truth found in His word. It is a truth that is not so bound by culture that we are left without hope to comprehend. It is a truth that is available by the power of His spirit so that we can see clearly the faith which He has given us. It is a truth that leads us to the clear and timeless gospel itself.

For, even as Paul wrote of himself and of all believers, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God...(1 Cor 2:12 NASB).”

Indeed, we can know the things freely given to us by God. And, as we submit ourselves to leaders who shepherd us toward this truth, we as the church also have the divine right and responsibility to verify the gospel preached to us, as did those in Berea. “Now 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 (Acts 17:11 NASB).” Because “As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed (Gal 1:9 NASB)!”

Let us continue to study the clear and powerful word of God and let the Spirit of God continually renew our hearts.

the cross

2007-04-21T15:00:00.000-04:00

“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. (1 Cor 2:2 NASB).”

The cross of Christ is the centerpiece of scripture. It is by the cross we have been made free from condemnation. It is by the cross we have forgiveness. It is by the cross we have a future. Everything we are, and everything we will be depends on the very death of Christ on that cross.

How easy it is to fail to remember the toxic state of sin that is ours, which necessitates the substitution God has provided. We search and we struggle to find some goodness in humanity. We desire a way for seemingly nice people to cooperate with the work of God on this earth merging the wisdom of the human and divine, but it is impossible. Jesus Christ crucified and risen is where we must turn first and foremost. All good deeds and human effort must shy in comparison to the message of the gospel, and all good action must eventually lead to the proclamation of the gospel.

Let us never under emphasize the blessed redemption we have in Christ Jesus based on the atoning sacrifice He has made on the cross.

hope

2007-04-16T13:39:00.000-04:00

Where do you find hope? Is it in the circumstances of life? Or the physical legacy you leave? Is it in money? Is it in blessing others?

Many would quickly say hope should be in something greater. But, if this is true. If we as Christian people (yes, we are Christian people) do believe there is something more, than how do we respond?

We respond by recognizing that our ultimate hope is not in this lifetime. Yes, we do now experience the redemption of our inner person, yet someday, our redemption will be complete, spiritually and physically. Romans 8:23 says “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body (NASB).” It is the hope of the future resurrection. The completeness of our salvation in glory with Christ Jesus.

You have the opportunity to respond to your redemption by spreading the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ as you remember the hope of the future which cannot be taken away.

community

2007-04-10T13:38:00.000-04:00

The word community is popular among people of faith. It signifies a common identity, a common purpose. People, living together in harmony and peace, sharing their lives and dreams together.

People were taken care of. Their needs were met. But is this all?

Let us build each other up, help each other grow and work together in unity under the headship of Christ, where true community lives.

new catholicism

2007-04-10T13:37:00.000-04:00

Is it possible that in an effort to counteract the license and abuse of the gospel of Jesus Christ, evangelical Christians, whether knowingly or unknowingly choose to usher in a new catholic order, where salvation is not merely understood as salvation by grace through faith alone, but in addition grace is understood to be administered through works?

This is demonstrated when some insist that in order to be a Christian, certain action must be performed.

The difference is ever so subtle, yet it seems to counteract the truth we see in Scripture in Rom 3:10 “as it is written, “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; (NASB)”

True righteousness must be an outflowing of faith, not a prerequisite, for we understand that “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast (Eph. 2:8-9 NASB).” The chapter then proceeds to discuss works in their proper place.

How important it is for us to understand the relationship the gospel has with good deeds, that such needs are a necessary byproduct, not a prerequisite of the wonderful salvation we have been given.