Well, application, yeah. Colorado Christian University has these ID cards that they use for just about everything. If you want to eat, you need your card. If you want to have your attendance count, you need your card. To attend chapel, you need your card. What is next, using the card to get in and out of apartments? I saw that at the University of Idaho. All I am saying is that if being tracked like this is okay in a Christian university…we need to calm down a little or be concerned that so many students have taken ‘the mark.’
Actually, that has nothing to do with my application. I just thought it was ironic.
Last year my pastor at The Crossing did a series of talks on Revelation 1-3. Therefore most of his talks were on the letters to the churches.
Ephesus: recognized for its works and endurance but had lost its First Love.
Apply to my own life. Apply to your life.
Symrna: recognized in its suffering and encouraged to remain faithful.
Apply to my own life. Apply to your life.
Pergamum: recognized for faithfulness to the Name and told to repent, listen to the Spirit, and conquer.
Apply to my life. Apply to your life.
Thyatira: recognized for faith, love, service, and patient endurance and promises reward to those who conquer.
Apply to my life. Apply to your life.
*skipping Sardis for now…will come back, I promise
Philadelphia: recognized for faithful endurance and encouraged to continue with the promise of being saved.
Apply to my life. Apply to your life.
Laodicea: the lukewarm church that God will spit out of His mouth if they remain in the middle.
Apply to my life…I wish that this one was easy to change. Too often I find that I want to be acceptable in both places…in man’s eyes and in God’s eyes. How is that even possible? Why do I try to justify what I do for humans? One lesson that I learned this year was this one. I hope I can do better in the future. You see, I was trying to get a good grade. A good grade would be approval in the teacher’s eyes and the university’s eyes. How in God’s eyes though? Thankfully I got a C on that assignment. It could have been worse. At that moment I realized my fault in wanting approval from humans. I stopped doing assignments for the instructors. Overall, most of my assignments were done for God; especially those for my two Bible and two Literature classes. Unfortunately, my philosophy class is another issue.
Sardis: recognizes that works are being seen but says that it is dead. Sardis is told to wake up. This has been my theme idea that God has continuously reminded me of all semester long. Actually, this goes back for about a year now.
I see God moving in Colorado Christian University’s campus! He has worked within people and I know that He is about to do more! I look forward to everything that He has for us next semester and onward!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Revelation Blog 1
Traditionally, the author of Revelation has been given to John the Evangelist who wrote from Patmos in the 90s AD (Tafoya). Craig S. Keener says, however, that scholars today argue about the authorship because it does not seem likely that the possible author of John and the author of Revelation could be the same author, but at the same time the vocabulary of Revelation is very similar to that of John (757). Keener also states “that one writer would use the same vocabulary but write entirely different kinds of works from different perspectives seems more probable…than that two allied writers would differ in perspectives buy share vocabulary” (758). Keener also states that Revelation could have been written as early as the late 60s AD but overall supports the 90s AD date (758). M. Eugene Boring states this about the authorship of Revelation, “the author makes no claim to be an apostle or personal disciple of the historical Jesus; rather he distinguishes himself from the ‘twelve apostles,’ referring to himself simply as ‘John’ and as a ‘brother’—that is, a fellow Christian, a servant/slave—of Christ who writes prophecy” (2211).
Revelation is an occasional epistle, but mostly it fits into apocalyptic literature. The framework is that of a pastoral letter (Boring 2211) written to the seven churches: Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Smyrna, Philadelphia, Ephesus, and Laodicea. The seven churches could mean all churches (Tafoya). The purpose of Revelation was to reveal what was really going on beyond Domitian’s rule. It is a pulling back of the curtain (Tafoya). Keener adds the word ‘prophetic’ to its genre (758). The sequence of John is in logical sequence rather than chronological sequence (Keener 759). The theme of Revelation is that God is the Alpha and Omega, Christ is the Lamb who was slain, and the sovereignty of God (Tafoya). Other themes of the book include tribulation(s) and justice (Tafoya).
Craig S. Keener gave ways of interpreting Revelation which are:
1) Revelation predicts in detail the course of human history till the Second Coming.
2) Revelation reflects the general principles of history.
3) Revelation addresses only what was happening in John’s day.
4) Revelation addresses only the end time.
5) Combinations of the above approaches.
These can be found on page 760 of the work cited below.
My favorite verse in the Bible is, “for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
I think it was my second time that I had read the Bible all the way through when I determined that of all the verses that I had read, this was the one that would be called favorite. Because it is in Revelation, I do know that I picked it out in December simply from the fact that in a Bible plan, Revelation is always read at the end and I had started on January 1st.
The reason that this verse struck me so hard was because there was so much going on in my life during that time. I was dealing with family issues, school stuff, and friend problems. The only friend who never hurt me during that year was Christ. I shed a lot of tears and I told God that I accepted His promise here “God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” The most important word in this verse is God. Who will wipe away tears? God Himself. Not an angel or a cool human or whatever. No, God will.
This semester, likewise, has been difficult. Last year I went to the University of Idaho and lived at home with my parents and brothers. I went to a church that I fell in love with. The pastor is a man whom I have listened to since I was in seventh grade. I have friends there that I have known for years and we have grown close. Colorado had very little. I have an aunt here that I barely know. Thank God for her, I have a home away from Idaho because of her. There was nobody at this university and I had many fears.
After a full spring semester of praying to God for direction, God told me Colorado was where He wanted me. During the semester I questioned that a little bit. Yet even while going through various things, I knew that everything that I was going through would make no sense if God was not in it. But even in that realization everything got harder and I know that I resisted what God was trying to do for a long time. God is faithful. He has proven to be so and that means that He will one day fulfill this promise that He made in Revelation 7:17.
WORKS CITED
Books:
Boring, M. Eugene. “The Revelation to John.” Pages 2211-2213 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Revelation,” Pages 747-821 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Class Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. “Intro to Revelation.” Bible 114 Early Christian Literature. Colorado Christian University. 8 and 10 Dec 2008.
Revelation is an occasional epistle, but mostly it fits into apocalyptic literature. The framework is that of a pastoral letter (Boring 2211) written to the seven churches: Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Smyrna, Philadelphia, Ephesus, and Laodicea. The seven churches could mean all churches (Tafoya). The purpose of Revelation was to reveal what was really going on beyond Domitian’s rule. It is a pulling back of the curtain (Tafoya). Keener adds the word ‘prophetic’ to its genre (758). The sequence of John is in logical sequence rather than chronological sequence (Keener 759). The theme of Revelation is that God is the Alpha and Omega, Christ is the Lamb who was slain, and the sovereignty of God (Tafoya). Other themes of the book include tribulation(s) and justice (Tafoya).
Craig S. Keener gave ways of interpreting Revelation which are:
1) Revelation predicts in detail the course of human history till the Second Coming.
2) Revelation reflects the general principles of history.
3) Revelation addresses only what was happening in John’s day.
4) Revelation addresses only the end time.
5) Combinations of the above approaches.
These can be found on page 760 of the work cited below.
My favorite verse in the Bible is, “for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17
I think it was my second time that I had read the Bible all the way through when I determined that of all the verses that I had read, this was the one that would be called favorite. Because it is in Revelation, I do know that I picked it out in December simply from the fact that in a Bible plan, Revelation is always read at the end and I had started on January 1st.
The reason that this verse struck me so hard was because there was so much going on in my life during that time. I was dealing with family issues, school stuff, and friend problems. The only friend who never hurt me during that year was Christ. I shed a lot of tears and I told God that I accepted His promise here “God will wipe every tear from their eyes.” The most important word in this verse is God. Who will wipe away tears? God Himself. Not an angel or a cool human or whatever. No, God will.
This semester, likewise, has been difficult. Last year I went to the University of Idaho and lived at home with my parents and brothers. I went to a church that I fell in love with. The pastor is a man whom I have listened to since I was in seventh grade. I have friends there that I have known for years and we have grown close. Colorado had very little. I have an aunt here that I barely know. Thank God for her, I have a home away from Idaho because of her. There was nobody at this university and I had many fears.
After a full spring semester of praying to God for direction, God told me Colorado was where He wanted me. During the semester I questioned that a little bit. Yet even while going through various things, I knew that everything that I was going through would make no sense if God was not in it. But even in that realization everything got harder and I know that I resisted what God was trying to do for a long time. God is faithful. He has proven to be so and that means that He will one day fulfill this promise that He made in Revelation 7:17.
WORKS CITED
Books:
Boring, M. Eugene. “The Revelation to John.” Pages 2211-2213 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Revelation,” Pages 747-821 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Class Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. “Intro to Revelation.” Bible 114 Early Christian Literature. Colorado Christian University. 8 and 10 Dec 2008.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Jude Blog 2
“But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.” Jude 20-23
Pray in the Holy Spirit. I have heard to ask God what He wants us to pray for at certain times. By asking Him if there is somebody or some situation that needs prayer, we are allowing Him to help us pray. Prayer is a strong weapon and God knows who and what needs prayer when. Keep yourselves I the love of God. See previous blogs. Love God, and love others. The Gospel is about God who is love (1 John 4:8). This love includes helping somebody who is questioning the faith. This includes going after them and praying for them.
Right now I have several friends from high school who have since graduation (or shortly before graduation) who have turned away from God. I have prayed for them. I have tried to keep communication open with them so that they know that I want to listen to them. At one point, one of them turned back to the Lord and we all rejoiced. However, distance has separated us and my prayers have continued for her because I think she may have lost the passion for Christ again.
Pray in the Holy Spirit. I have heard to ask God what He wants us to pray for at certain times. By asking Him if there is somebody or some situation that needs prayer, we are allowing Him to help us pray. Prayer is a strong weapon and God knows who and what needs prayer when. Keep yourselves I the love of God. See previous blogs. Love God, and love others. The Gospel is about God who is love (1 John 4:8). This love includes helping somebody who is questioning the faith. This includes going after them and praying for them.
Right now I have several friends from high school who have since graduation (or shortly before graduation) who have turned away from God. I have prayed for them. I have tried to keep communication open with them so that they know that I want to listen to them. At one point, one of them turned back to the Lord and we all rejoiced. However, distance has separated us and my prayers have continued for her because I think she may have lost the passion for Christ again.
Jude Blog 1
This “letter essay” was possible written by Jude, the brother of James and of Jesus. Because the author dose not specify which Jude he is it make it “probable that the letter was genuinely written by Jude. At the same time, his lack of clarifications s to which Jude he is and the fact that he seems to be already known to his readers suggest that he is the most prominent Jude, brother of the most prominent James—the younger brother of Jesus” (Keener 752). Jude is a letter used as a sermon (Keener 753). The letter “exhorts it recipients to remain unwavering in faith and tot lead virtuous lives, while rejecting the immoral lure of false teachers who are preying upon the community” (Senior 2207) with sexually immoral lifestyles and teaching arrogance (Keener 752). The author wants the recipients to remain faithful until the end (Senior 2207).
“Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3
One thing that I am learning this month is that faith is something that each person has to fight to keep. I don't mean that somebody is going to come at take it away. Remember that parable of the sower? We need to keep taking in the water and nutrients from the Scriptures and from God in order to keep growing strong. Contend for your faith and for the faith of others around you.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “Jude,” Pages 734-746 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Senior, Donald. “The Letter of Jude.” Pages 2195-2196 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about the salvation we share, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Jude 3
One thing that I am learning this month is that faith is something that each person has to fight to keep. I don't mean that somebody is going to come at take it away. Remember that parable of the sower? We need to keep taking in the water and nutrients from the Scriptures and from God in order to keep growing strong. Contend for your faith and for the faith of others around you.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “Jude,” Pages 734-746 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Senior, Donald. “The Letter of Jude.” Pages 2195-2196 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
1, 2, 3 John Blog 2
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves I born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God's love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.” 1 John 4:7-13
“But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning –you must walk in it.” 2 John 5-6
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” 3 John 11
To accept God's love and love Him back means that we well love each other. If we do not love each other, how can we say that we love God. If you love somebody you love their work and we all are created in God's image by God. Therefore we cannot just not love each other because then we are insulting God. This is especially true because God loved us before we loved Him. We deserve nothing from Him yet He has given so much. And how do we tend to repay Him? We do not love others...ouch.
There is this girl who I have a really hard time getting along with. Honestly, I do not understand what went wrong, but it is very obvious that she does not like me. Yet I am supposed to love her? Yep. I have been trying to deal with frustrations at her all semester and it is not easy. I have tried smiling at her and saying 'hi' when I pass her. I have also tried ignoring her when I see her and avoiding her when I can. Nothing is working. As I read through these verses, I thought of her.
“What am I supposed to do, God?” I asked. He said that I could try praying for her and praying for encounters with her.
Honestly, I don't like that answer. She has said somethings to me that have hurt me. But that has always been God's answer when I have a problem with people who I don't get along with who have hurt me. Pray for them. And it really has worked when I have listened. Prayer puts your mind on God and His heart. If His heart radically beats with love for that person you don't like and you are praying for them, it really is hard to keep not liking them.
“But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning –you must walk in it.” 2 John 5-6
“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil but imitate what is good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” 3 John 11
To accept God's love and love Him back means that we well love each other. If we do not love each other, how can we say that we love God. If you love somebody you love their work and we all are created in God's image by God. Therefore we cannot just not love each other because then we are insulting God. This is especially true because God loved us before we loved Him. We deserve nothing from Him yet He has given so much. And how do we tend to repay Him? We do not love others...ouch.
There is this girl who I have a really hard time getting along with. Honestly, I do not understand what went wrong, but it is very obvious that she does not like me. Yet I am supposed to love her? Yep. I have been trying to deal with frustrations at her all semester and it is not easy. I have tried smiling at her and saying 'hi' when I pass her. I have also tried ignoring her when I see her and avoiding her when I can. Nothing is working. As I read through these verses, I thought of her.
“What am I supposed to do, God?” I asked. He said that I could try praying for her and praying for encounters with her.
Honestly, I don't like that answer. She has said somethings to me that have hurt me. But that has always been God's answer when I have a problem with people who I don't get along with who have hurt me. Pray for them. And it really has worked when I have listened. Prayer puts your mind on God and His heart. If His heart radically beats with love for that person you don't like and you are praying for them, it really is hard to keep not liking them.
1, 2, 3 John Blog 1
The authorship was attributed to the author of the Gospel of John until the twentieth century (Keener 734). Some scholars believe that 1, 2, 3 John were written by a disciple of John (Keener 734). Robert Kyser says that some people calls these “general letters” but look like sermons (Kyser, 2195). Keener says that often when the books were compiled, the greetings were taken off which may be why 1 John does not have a greeting (Keener 735). Second John “has the classical form of an ancient letter, with a salutation, a thanksgiving, and a farewell...soon connected with 1 John ” (Kysar, 2203). Third John is a letter of recommendation for Demetrius, who was a traveling missionary (Keener 750). Kyser says that these letters were probably written between 90-110 AD (Kysar 2203). The purpose of 1 and 2 John were probably for defense against false teachers. Other ideas are that “if the setting of 1 John is the same as that of the Fourth Gospel, it is mean to encourage Christians expelled from the synagogues”...”tempted with heresy of compromise elsewhere, including compromise with idolatry advocated by false prophets...” (Keener, 735).
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10
God is in light because he is light and there is no darkness. That was a fun thing for me to think about as I read this verse. If we are in Christ, then we should not continue in darkness. I really enjoyed the logic of these verses. Also, at the same time we cannot be arrogant thinking that we have not sinned, rather we should confess that we have sinned and confess those sins. God will forgive.
“Be on guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.” 2 John 8
The Christian life is not easy and it is not supposed to be easy right now. Faith is something that we have to keep along with the hope that we have in Christ.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4
I thought of my pastor back in Idaho when I read this verse. I can see people like him, who are teaching Christians, feel such a closeness to the people they are teaching that they rejoice when they see that people are following Christ and walking in the truth.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “1 John,” Pages 734-746 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
--------. “2 John,” Pages 747-749 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
--------. “3 John,” Pages 750-74551 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Kyser, Robert. “The First Letter of John.” Pages 2195-2196 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
--------. “The Second Letter of John.” Pages 2203 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
--------. “The Third Letter of John.” Pages 2205 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:5-10
God is in light because he is light and there is no darkness. That was a fun thing for me to think about as I read this verse. If we are in Christ, then we should not continue in darkness. I really enjoyed the logic of these verses. Also, at the same time we cannot be arrogant thinking that we have not sinned, rather we should confess that we have sinned and confess those sins. God will forgive.
“Be on guard, so that you do not lose what we have worked for, but may receive a full reward.” 2 John 8
The Christian life is not easy and it is not supposed to be easy right now. Faith is something that we have to keep along with the hope that we have in Christ.
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 4
I thought of my pastor back in Idaho when I read this verse. I can see people like him, who are teaching Christians, feel such a closeness to the people they are teaching that they rejoice when they see that people are following Christ and walking in the truth.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “1 John,” Pages 734-746 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
--------. “2 John,” Pages 747-749 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
--------. “3 John,” Pages 750-74551 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Kyser, Robert. “The First Letter of John.” Pages 2195-2196 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
--------. “The Second Letter of John.” Pages 2203 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
--------. “The Third Letter of John.” Pages 2205 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
2 Peter Blog 2
“But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years...” 2 Peter 3:3a.
A man had an opportunity to ask God three questions. He walked up to God smiled and greeted Him. The Lord then nodded and greeted the man back. Next the man asked his first question, “God, how much money is a million dollars to You?” God smiled and replied, “A million dollars is like a penny.” “Wow,” said the man, “What, then, is a second to you?” “A second is like a thousand years.” God replied. The man was impressed, and for his final question, he asked “Can I have a penny?” God nodded, “Sure, just a second!”
So obviously the time proportion got changed a little to make the joke a little funnier...but I love that joke!
Okay, so my application for 2 Peter actually starts now.
“...you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!'” 2 Peter 3:2-4
When I was in 12th grade, I was working on my government final and I stumbled across an atheist website. I decided to read the proof that God did not exist based off of the Bible. One of their points was that God has broken His promise, and therefore He must not really exist. That promise is that He has not returned and many Christians have died...yet God has not returned...
Many of their other arguments were not even using full Bible verses. You can make the Bible say just about anything if you twist it out of context. So, of course because God is waiting to return, He must not exist.
Anyway, my application is this: Read the Bible (it helps to remember what you have read if you actually read it)...Remember what you have read whether it is from Moses, Isaiah, Amos, or Paul. Remember also what the Lord has spoken to you. Constantly remember what God says. At the same time, keep seeking the Lord, because God is always thinking and speaking. Finally, do not follow in those scoffings, indulgings and lustings. Do not act like this time thing is just going to keep on going as it has since the days of creation.
That is my prayer for myself right now.
A man had an opportunity to ask God three questions. He walked up to God smiled and greeted Him. The Lord then nodded and greeted the man back. Next the man asked his first question, “God, how much money is a million dollars to You?” God smiled and replied, “A million dollars is like a penny.” “Wow,” said the man, “What, then, is a second to you?” “A second is like a thousand years.” God replied. The man was impressed, and for his final question, he asked “Can I have a penny?” God nodded, “Sure, just a second!”
So obviously the time proportion got changed a little to make the joke a little funnier...but I love that joke!
Okay, so my application for 2 Peter actually starts now.
“...you should remember the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets, and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour spoken through your apostles. First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts and saying, 'Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since our ancestors died, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation!'” 2 Peter 3:2-4
When I was in 12th grade, I was working on my government final and I stumbled across an atheist website. I decided to read the proof that God did not exist based off of the Bible. One of their points was that God has broken His promise, and therefore He must not really exist. That promise is that He has not returned and many Christians have died...yet God has not returned...
Many of their other arguments were not even using full Bible verses. You can make the Bible say just about anything if you twist it out of context. So, of course because God is waiting to return, He must not exist.
Anyway, my application is this: Read the Bible (it helps to remember what you have read if you actually read it)...Remember what you have read whether it is from Moses, Isaiah, Amos, or Paul. Remember also what the Lord has spoken to you. Constantly remember what God says. At the same time, keep seeking the Lord, because God is always thinking and speaking. Finally, do not follow in those scoffings, indulgings and lustings. Do not act like this time thing is just going to keep on going as it has since the days of creation.
That is my prayer for myself right now.
2 Peter Blog 1
Of all of the New Testament Epistles, 2 Peter’s authorship is one of the most disputed. Its style differs so much from 1 Peter that it seems highly unlikely that the same person could have written both. Peter is one of the people who are thought to have written it though (Keener 723). The author claims to have been a witness to the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 3: 15-16 (Senior 2189). Donald Senior this on the authorship of 2 Peter, the “probable use of the Letter of Jude as a source are all arguments against Peter’s having been the actual author and the probability that, as with 1 Peter, this is a pseudonymous work that cites the authority of the apostle but was written by a later generation in his name” (2189). Senior also says this about 2 Peter, “The formal style and stiff polemical tone of this brief book help to rank it among the least read of the biblical canon. Yet it grapples with profound and enduring theological issues such as God’s providence and the destiny of the world” (2189). On the genre, 2 Peter is an epistle meant to have a large audience and has elements of a “testamentary” (Keener 724).
“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, though the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
I was frustrated the other day as I flipped through the channels at the dorm. The Trinity Broadcasting Network was playing Joel Osteen. How can a Christian channel play Finger of God Film one night, a life of Jesus film the next, and Joel Osteen the next? HOW? Finger of God Film is all about God. The Jesus films out there show us the Gospel (JESUS), and Joel Osteen does none of that.
I do not hate Joel Osteen. I just do not listen to Joel Osteen anymore. I do not think that the Gospel is about what I deserve.
Look at 2 Peter 1:3. It says, “His divine power...” who is He? God is. God. Not anybody else. “has given us...” we had nothing without God. Therefore, God is higher than we are. Yet God still has given. “everything we need” not everything we want...not a promotion that we feel that we deserve, not that luxury car. Now wait, God did provide riches for us to spend on stuff like that, but that is not our purpose. No, our purpose is far greater than sitting in a mansion getting fat off our junk food and then going to the doctor...now which car should I take? Our purpose is greater. Anyway, “everything needed for life and godliness” what does stocking up our houses full of junk have to do with godliness? What does anything that makes the flesh happy have to do with godliness? “through the knowledge of him who called us” again, it is about God. Not me, not you, not anybody but GOD. Through the knowledge of God....everything. Through the knowledge of God...we have everything that we need. “by his own glory and goodness.” Again...God. God. And, more God. Did you see humans able to do anything apart from God in that verse anywhere? That is how 2 Peter opens (after the opening greeting). Ta-da, it s about God, people.
This even is hard for me to grasp at times. God does not need any of my help. God does not need your help. God does not need anything that any of us could do.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “2 Peter,” Pages 723-733 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Senior, Donald. “The Second Letter of Peter.” Pages 2189-2190 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, though the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
I was frustrated the other day as I flipped through the channels at the dorm. The Trinity Broadcasting Network was playing Joel Osteen. How can a Christian channel play Finger of God Film one night, a life of Jesus film the next, and Joel Osteen the next? HOW? Finger of God Film is all about God. The Jesus films out there show us the Gospel (JESUS), and Joel Osteen does none of that.
I do not hate Joel Osteen. I just do not listen to Joel Osteen anymore. I do not think that the Gospel is about what I deserve.
Look at 2 Peter 1:3. It says, “His divine power...” who is He? God is. God. Not anybody else. “has given us...” we had nothing without God. Therefore, God is higher than we are. Yet God still has given. “everything we need” not everything we want...not a promotion that we feel that we deserve, not that luxury car. Now wait, God did provide riches for us to spend on stuff like that, but that is not our purpose. No, our purpose is far greater than sitting in a mansion getting fat off our junk food and then going to the doctor...now which car should I take? Our purpose is greater. Anyway, “everything needed for life and godliness” what does stocking up our houses full of junk have to do with godliness? What does anything that makes the flesh happy have to do with godliness? “through the knowledge of him who called us” again, it is about God. Not me, not you, not anybody but GOD. Through the knowledge of God....everything. Through the knowledge of God...we have everything that we need. “by his own glory and goodness.” Again...God. God. And, more God. Did you see humans able to do anything apart from God in that verse anywhere? That is how 2 Peter opens (after the opening greeting). Ta-da, it s about God, people.
This even is hard for me to grasp at times. God does not need any of my help. God does not need your help. God does not need anything that any of us could do.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “2 Peter,” Pages 723-733 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Senior, Donald. “The Second Letter of Peter.” Pages 2189-2190 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
1 Peter Blog 2
“But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit.” 1 Peter 3:14-18
The most important being in the world is God. When Jesus came to earth, he suffered yet had done nothing wrong. He told His disciples that those who followed Him should expect the same things that He experienced.
Jesus was questioned numerous times by the religious leaders and also other people. He gave an answer every time and therefore the Bible can ask us to be able to do the same thing.
Jesus also suffered for doing nothing wrong. Therefore the Bible can also tell us that we should be willing to suffer for doing what is right.
However these can be hard because, I don't know about you, but I have trouble looking past time. Here we are on this earth and we are living our lives and those lives are bound with in time. Even though death is not the end, it feels like it. There I go again with feelings...this is another reason we can't depend on our feelings. The time that we are on this earth is nothing compared to what is after time.
So we need to live with no reason to be condemned. We need to follow the example that Jesus set in both word and works. We need to remember, first of all, that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to save us. We should not be afraid of those who can harm us because they can do nothing with our soul.
The most important being in the world is God. When Jesus came to earth, he suffered yet had done nothing wrong. He told His disciples that those who followed Him should expect the same things that He experienced.
Jesus was questioned numerous times by the religious leaders and also other people. He gave an answer every time and therefore the Bible can ask us to be able to do the same thing.
Jesus also suffered for doing nothing wrong. Therefore the Bible can also tell us that we should be willing to suffer for doing what is right.
However these can be hard because, I don't know about you, but I have trouble looking past time. Here we are on this earth and we are living our lives and those lives are bound with in time. Even though death is not the end, it feels like it. There I go again with feelings...this is another reason we can't depend on our feelings. The time that we are on this earth is nothing compared to what is after time.
So we need to live with no reason to be condemned. We need to follow the example that Jesus set in both word and works. We need to remember, first of all, that Jesus is the Son of God who came to earth to save us. We should not be afraid of those who can harm us because they can do nothing with our soul.
1 Peter Blog 1
There is some debate on the authorship of 1 Peter, but many scholars say that the apostle Peter wrote it. In fact early Church tradition gives authorship to Peter by the 2nd century (Keener 705). Most scholars date it to “the last quarter of the 1st century” (Senior 2181). Craig S. Keener says that “First Peter implies an atmosphere of severe repression, but not the official court prosecution of Trajan’s time” (706) which helps to set the date that 1 Peter was written. According to Donald Senior, Rome is where the letter was written (Senior 2181) and it was written for the Christians in the northern part of Asia Minor and included both Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. The genre is a general letter that encouraged Christians who were dealing with being outcasts because they were seen as atheists and cannibals, who were incestuous (Keener 707).
“In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him, and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1: 6-9
It is not anything that a human does that redeems them to God apart from accepting Christ. I really like the translation in The Message Bible which says,
I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.
Our faith becomes God’s glory! Our faith is also what makes us seen as righteous before God. Yet, it is not the choosing of faith that saves us because that is still righteousness based on works, but rather it is us having faith that God “reckons to us as righteousness” just as He did with Abraham’s belief.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “1 Peter,” Pages 705-722 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Senior, Donald. “The First Letter of Peter.” Pages 2181-2182 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him, and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1: 6-9
It is not anything that a human does that redeems them to God apart from accepting Christ. I really like the translation in The Message Bible which says,
I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it's your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. You never saw him, yet you love him. You still don't see him, yet you trust him—with laughter and singing. Because you kept on believing, you'll get what you're looking forward to: total salvation.
Our faith becomes God’s glory! Our faith is also what makes us seen as righteous before God. Yet, it is not the choosing of faith that saves us because that is still righteousness based on works, but rather it is us having faith that God “reckons to us as righteousness” just as He did with Abraham’s belief.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “1 Peter,” Pages 705-722 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Senior, Donald. “The First Letter of Peter.” Pages 2181-2182 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
James Blog 2
“What is good my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, an done of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,’ and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no woks, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you senseless persons, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not our ancestor Abraham justified by works when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works. Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. Likewise, was not Rahab the prostitute also justified by works when she welcomed the messengers and sent them out by another road? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead.” James 2:14-26 (NRSV)
These verses and Hebrews 6:9-10 and Matthew 7:15-20 inspired the following lyrics:
Screen Door
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand, one is your right
It'll take two strong arms to hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show for your alleged faith
Well there's a difference you know
'tween having faith and playing make believe
One will make you grow the other one just make you sleep
Talk about it
But I really think you oughtta take a leap off of the ship
Before you claim to walk on water
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith comes from God and every word that He breathes
He lets you take it to your heart so you can give it hands and feet
It's gotta be active if it's gonna be alive
You gotta put it into practice
Otherwise....
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works, baby, it just ain't happenin'
One is your right hand, one is your left
It's your light, your guide, your life and your breath
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works, like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
I was raised on Rich Mullins music. For the longest time, I did not understand this song. Of course, part of it has to do with the fact that most three and four-year-olds do not learn song lyrics correctly. Only God remembers my original lyrics to this song, and I am sure that He laughs when He thinks of them. Anyway, that really has nothing to do with James.
Where is the balance between faith and works? Galatians states that it was faith that God reckoned as righteousness to Abraham. Here it is works. Of course I definitely understand how both are needed. Works cannot get you into heaven and faith does not make your righteous if you pass by things that need help. Rich Mullins states that “there's a difference you know/ 'tween having faith and playing make believe/ One will make you grow the other one just make you sleep/ Talk about it/ But I really think you oughtta take a leap off of the ship/ Before you claim to walk on water/ Faith without works is like a song you can't sing/ It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.” So I suppose the question is Is my faith making me grow? Because if it isn’t then I do not have genuine faith. Have I taken that leap off of the ship?
WORKS CITED
Mullins, Rich. “Screen Door.” By Rich Mullins. Songs. BMG Songs, Inc. 1987. http://www.kidbrothers.net.
These verses and Hebrews 6:9-10 and Matthew 7:15-20 inspired the following lyrics:
Screen Door
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works baby
It just ain't happenin'
One is your left hand, one is your right
It'll take two strong arms to hold on tight
Some folks cut off their nose just to spite their face
I think you need some works to show for your alleged faith
Well there's a difference you know
'tween having faith and playing make believe
One will make you grow the other one just make you sleep
Talk about it
But I really think you oughtta take a leap off of the ship
Before you claim to walk on water
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith comes from God and every word that He breathes
He lets you take it to your heart so you can give it hands and feet
It's gotta be active if it's gonna be alive
You gotta put it into practice
Otherwise....
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works, baby, it just ain't happenin'
One is your right hand, one is your left
It's your light, your guide, your life and your breath
Faith without works is like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
Faith without works, like a song you can't sing
It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine
I was raised on Rich Mullins music. For the longest time, I did not understand this song. Of course, part of it has to do with the fact that most three and four-year-olds do not learn song lyrics correctly. Only God remembers my original lyrics to this song, and I am sure that He laughs when He thinks of them. Anyway, that really has nothing to do with James.
Where is the balance between faith and works? Galatians states that it was faith that God reckoned as righteousness to Abraham. Here it is works. Of course I definitely understand how both are needed. Works cannot get you into heaven and faith does not make your righteous if you pass by things that need help. Rich Mullins states that “there's a difference you know/ 'tween having faith and playing make believe/ One will make you grow the other one just make you sleep/ Talk about it/ But I really think you oughtta take a leap off of the ship/ Before you claim to walk on water/ Faith without works is like a song you can't sing/ It's about as useless as a screen door on a submarine.” So I suppose the question is Is my faith making me grow? Because if it isn’t then I do not have genuine faith. Have I taken that leap off of the ship?
WORKS CITED
Mullins, Rich. “Screen Door.” By Rich Mullins. Songs. BMG Songs, Inc. 1987. http://www.kidbrothers.net.
James Blog 1
The Letter of James has two major candidates for authorship. The first is James, the son of Zebedee. According to Craig S. Keener, the more likely author was James, the brother of Jesus. The setting of the letter was probably before 66 AD and since James was killed around 62 AD, if he was the author, then it was written by 62 AD. The time frame between 62 AD and 66 AD “would allow for insufficient time for this letter to be a pseudepigraphic composition” (Keener 687). The Genre is an essay letter (Keener 687), adapting the diatribe (Perkins 2171) and is not addressed to a specific church. In the letter, James “attacks any form of partiality shown toward the rich. Arrogance and self-confidence can separate the rich from God and lead to callous injustice” (Perkins 2171). “Pride of the rich,” “persecution by the rich,” “pay withheld by the rich,” temptation to “retaliate with violent acts…or words” (Keener 689) are all reasons that the letter of James was written. The audience is predominately Jewish Christians, or even Jews in general, who had been “caught up in the sort of social tensions that eventually produced the war of AD 66-70” (Keener 689).
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:2-8
“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy in to dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” James 4:7-10.
The cool thing about joy is that nobody can take it away from you. Happiness is fleeting. One wrong word or gesture and—where did the happiness go? Situations come and go making one happy or sad or whatever emotion. Joy is not an emotion though. I like to think of joy as a pure knowledge of God being, no matter what is going on inwardly or outwardly.
Christians cannot be “baby Christians” forever. God has greater plans than simply saving a person. After salvation, the Christian is supposed to learn and grow in the faith. One way faith is tried and refined is through trials. And it is so true that when a person goes through trials their faith produces endurance.
When growing up at church, we sang a song that was based off of James 1:17 and it is one of my favorites to sing to God. I love to call God by different attributes and names of His. Here, God is called the Father of lights. Does not that name make you smile? It is beautiful! Anyway, from the Father of lights comes every good and perfect gift. Anything that you receive that is good is from God! How amazing a God we serve who would give so much to His Church!
In times when I cannot feel the way I want to, I love to remember that God is beyond emotion. It is interesting, but when God feels far away, odds are He is closer than ever. Why? Because God is not known to pack up and leave during the night in an evil act of abandonment. One of the last things that God wants is for us to rely on emotion. What would come of that? I think that there would be a lot of spoiled Christians thinking that God somehow owed it to them to keep them happy at all times. There would be a world of “baby Christians” and maturity would be a foreign term.
This semester I have gone through some refining. There were days that God felt close and days where I wondered where He had gone. Yet, calling on Him proved that He was there because He answered each prayer. I just pray that I can keep on trusting when again God does not feel close.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “James,” Pages 686-704 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Perkins, Pheme. “The Letter of James.” Pages 2171-2172 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” James 1:2-8
“Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy in to dejection. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” James 4:7-10.
The cool thing about joy is that nobody can take it away from you. Happiness is fleeting. One wrong word or gesture and—where did the happiness go? Situations come and go making one happy or sad or whatever emotion. Joy is not an emotion though. I like to think of joy as a pure knowledge of God being, no matter what is going on inwardly or outwardly.
Christians cannot be “baby Christians” forever. God has greater plans than simply saving a person. After salvation, the Christian is supposed to learn and grow in the faith. One way faith is tried and refined is through trials. And it is so true that when a person goes through trials their faith produces endurance.
When growing up at church, we sang a song that was based off of James 1:17 and it is one of my favorites to sing to God. I love to call God by different attributes and names of His. Here, God is called the Father of lights. Does not that name make you smile? It is beautiful! Anyway, from the Father of lights comes every good and perfect gift. Anything that you receive that is good is from God! How amazing a God we serve who would give so much to His Church!
In times when I cannot feel the way I want to, I love to remember that God is beyond emotion. It is interesting, but when God feels far away, odds are He is closer than ever. Why? Because God is not known to pack up and leave during the night in an evil act of abandonment. One of the last things that God wants is for us to rely on emotion. What would come of that? I think that there would be a lot of spoiled Christians thinking that God somehow owed it to them to keep them happy at all times. There would be a world of “baby Christians” and maturity would be a foreign term.
This semester I have gone through some refining. There were days that God felt close and days where I wondered where He had gone. Yet, calling on Him proved that He was there because He answered each prayer. I just pray that I can keep on trusting when again God does not feel close.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “James,” Pages 686-704 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Perkins, Pheme. “The Letter of James.” Pages 2171-2172 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Hebrews Blog 2
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would approach him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NRSV
“It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 The Message
I seem to go through random times of doubting. I think every Christian also goes through the same thing. This past week has been one of those randomly-finding-thoughts-of-doubt weeks. While the seem random, they are placed right before worship at chapel or during a Bible class. They are not strong doubts. Actually, most of them have started off with the words “What if...” you know. “What if there is nothing after this life?” “What if people have twisted God into what we believe today as a loving God?” There have even been some like “What if I am unable to keep believing?”
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving I sat in chapel and was really happy just to be there. As the music started up and the people were shifted into a time of musical worship to God I got those random doubts. I closed my eyes and sang along with the songs. I had learned not to allow thoughts to take over what is supposed to be a time about God. But then the speaker got up and began to talk. Overall, the talk was frustrating because he too was kind of doubting. And by the end of his talk there was nothing positive coming out of his mouth. He ended the talk in a very negative way. And, bam, chapel was over. I sat there and shook my head. No matter what we are feeling, God is still in control, couldn't the guy have said that? God is still on His throne! God is still sovereign! God is still alive and moving! Faith is not about how I feel or how you feel.
Last December I sat in the Pray Room at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City allowing myself to ask the Lord of All questions that sounded “stupid.” They were not stupid, but I felt stupid having to ask them. One of the questions was, “God, what is faith?” I was reading a book by Bill Johnson called When Heaven Invades Earth and as I read Bill gave this verse:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NRSV.
At that I closed the book and switched to my Bible to read on in Hebrews. I found the whole chapter rich in the answer to the question I had asked.
I wish that I could say that I remembered Hebrews 11 after chapel, but I did not. I went to lunch and found out that my semester had just gotten more stressful. Then I took some time alone with God. I was not reminded of Hebrews 11 as I struggled with doubt because I struggled more with stress and instead God reminded me of Philippians 4:6 and 4:13.
However, the fact that I sought out God was very positive. My point of this blog is that faith is not a feeling anymore than love is simply a feeling. You just have to have faith through random doubt because even small thoughts of doubt can turn into perseverance...but that is for my next blog or two.
“It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 The Message
I seem to go through random times of doubting. I think every Christian also goes through the same thing. This past week has been one of those randomly-finding-thoughts-of-doubt weeks. While the seem random, they are placed right before worship at chapel or during a Bible class. They are not strong doubts. Actually, most of them have started off with the words “What if...” you know. “What if there is nothing after this life?” “What if people have twisted God into what we believe today as a loving God?” There have even been some like “What if I am unable to keep believing?”
The Tuesday after Thanksgiving I sat in chapel and was really happy just to be there. As the music started up and the people were shifted into a time of musical worship to God I got those random doubts. I closed my eyes and sang along with the songs. I had learned not to allow thoughts to take over what is supposed to be a time about God. But then the speaker got up and began to talk. Overall, the talk was frustrating because he too was kind of doubting. And by the end of his talk there was nothing positive coming out of his mouth. He ended the talk in a very negative way. And, bam, chapel was over. I sat there and shook my head. No matter what we are feeling, God is still in control, couldn't the guy have said that? God is still on His throne! God is still sovereign! God is still alive and moving! Faith is not about how I feel or how you feel.
Last December I sat in the Pray Room at the International House of Prayer in Kansas City allowing myself to ask the Lord of All questions that sounded “stupid.” They were not stupid, but I felt stupid having to ask them. One of the questions was, “God, what is faith?” I was reading a book by Bill Johnson called When Heaven Invades Earth and as I read Bill gave this verse:
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NRSV.
At that I closed the book and switched to my Bible to read on in Hebrews. I found the whole chapter rich in the answer to the question I had asked.
I wish that I could say that I remembered Hebrews 11 after chapel, but I did not. I went to lunch and found out that my semester had just gotten more stressful. Then I took some time alone with God. I was not reminded of Hebrews 11 as I struggled with doubt because I struggled more with stress and instead God reminded me of Philippians 4:6 and 4:13.
However, the fact that I sought out God was very positive. My point of this blog is that faith is not a feeling anymore than love is simply a feeling. You just have to have faith through random doubt because even small thoughts of doubt can turn into perseverance...but that is for my next blog or two.
Hebrews Blog 1
In the Second Century AD, the authorship of Hebrews was attributed to Paul, however, both Craig S. Keener and Donald A. Hagner agree that Hebrews was not written by him. Hagner gives no other options for authorship besides saying that the author could have been in the Pauline circle (Hagner 2151), while Keener says that there are similarities between Luke-Acts, but says that the style is not completely Lukan. Keener does say that the top candidate for authorship is Silas and that the date of the text is around AD 64. Silas was a Jewish Roman citizen and likely a scribe who would have had the education to write a work such as Hebrews (Keener 648). Hebrews is probably a sermon letter-essay. The audience of the letter-essay is “predominately Jewish and are under pressure to give up their Christian distinctives (Keener 648). If Hebrews was not written in 64 AD then it was probably written closer to 68 AD because Paul is not mentioned. However, Hanger says that Hebrews was probably written around 65 AD and not after the Temple's destruction in 70 AD because there is no comment on the destruction. Another issue on dating the text is whether or not Nero had begun his persecution of the Church. Specifically, Hagner says, “If Nero's persecution had not yet taken place, then a likely date for Hebrews is c. 65 CE” (2152).
“About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.” ~ Hebrews 5:11-14
Ouch. Let's face it, that was meant to convict the Christians who read it. Really, it should convict Christians today. No, not every Christian, but many of them. I would even go as far as to say “most of them” because every Christian has more to learn and has in some way failed to do their part at various times, and instead have a acted as if they were new in the faith.
Or maybe there are Christians who are only followers one day a week. Monday through Saturday they live for themselves without a second thought to God at all. I know that I do not think of God as much as I want to. Yeah, I have things that I do daily that remind me of why I am alive. Yeah, I go to a Christian school and some classes pray before they begin. I have been a Christian for years now. Yet sometimes I wonder how many of us have been Christians for years now and nothing more. I mean we have the title...but we should by now know enough to be involved in intelligent conversation teaching and learning at the same time instead of just 'learning.'
WORKS CITED
Hagner, Donald A. “The Letter to the Hebrews.” Pages 2151-2153 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Hebrews,” Pages 647-685 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
“About this we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.” ~ Hebrews 5:11-14
Ouch. Let's face it, that was meant to convict the Christians who read it. Really, it should convict Christians today. No, not every Christian, but many of them. I would even go as far as to say “most of them” because every Christian has more to learn and has in some way failed to do their part at various times, and instead have a acted as if they were new in the faith.
Or maybe there are Christians who are only followers one day a week. Monday through Saturday they live for themselves without a second thought to God at all. I know that I do not think of God as much as I want to. Yeah, I have things that I do daily that remind me of why I am alive. Yeah, I go to a Christian school and some classes pray before they begin. I have been a Christian for years now. Yet sometimes I wonder how many of us have been Christians for years now and nothing more. I mean we have the title...but we should by now know enough to be involved in intelligent conversation teaching and learning at the same time instead of just 'learning.'
WORKS CITED
Hagner, Donald A. “The Letter to the Hebrews.” Pages 2151-2153 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Hebrews,” Pages 647-685 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Philemon Blog 2
I have two brothers and I know how frustrating they can be at times. We go through times where we do not get along. Even now that we are about 1,000 miles apart, we come close to arguing. However, if I let our relationship come to a point when we cannot stand to even look at each other, then how can I really love anyone? Friends are fun to hang with and love, but brothers are so much closer. The memories go back farther (in my case, they go back to the birth of my first brother) than any memory with friends do. You may have been friends with another for longer than you have been friends with a sibling, but a family tie should go deeper just because they are, well, family. This means that we must welcome our siblings the way we welcome our best friend!
Philemon Blog 1
This epistle, a letter of recommendation, was written by Paul and was addressed to Philemon about Onesimus. At the time of writing this, Paul was most likely in prison and trying to help Philemon and Onesimus come to reconciliation because they were brothers “in the flesh and in the Lord” Philemon 16. Craig S. Keener believes that Onesimus was a slave of Philemon who escaped while running an errand (Keener 643), while Allen Callahan disagrees saying that “nowhere…does the letter suggest that Onesimus ‘belongs to’ Philemon. Nowhere does Paul refer to Philemon as a ‘lord’ or ‘master’” (Callahan 2147). Whether or not Onesimus was a slave of Philemon, this letter is Paul’s way of saying that “love between those in the Lord cannot be fulfilled when love has grown cold between those who are brothers in the flesh” (Callahan 2148). Overall, some interpreters do not think that this letter takes any position on slavery, which would make even more sense if Onesimus was not owned by his brother, Philemon.
When I read the introduction from the New Interpreter’s Study Bible and then the letter to Philemon, I thought that it was very ironic that Paul said to Philemon “When I remember you in my prayers, I always think y God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus” Philemon 4. I suppose Paul is pointing out that if Philemon loves the saints of the faith, surely he loves his brother. That could win the argument for Paul without Paul even arguing. Surely Philemon as he read this letter for the first time was thinking of his brother (why not, wasn’t his brother the messenger?).
WORKS CITED
Callahan, Allan. “The Letter of Paul to Philemon.” Pages 2147-2148 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Philemon,” Pages 642-646 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
When I read the introduction from the New Interpreter’s Study Bible and then the letter to Philemon, I thought that it was very ironic that Paul said to Philemon “When I remember you in my prayers, I always think y God because I hear of your love for all the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus” Philemon 4. I suppose Paul is pointing out that if Philemon loves the saints of the faith, surely he loves his brother. That could win the argument for Paul without Paul even arguing. Surely Philemon as he read this letter for the first time was thinking of his brother (why not, wasn’t his brother the messenger?).
WORKS CITED
Callahan, Allan. “The Letter of Paul to Philemon.” Pages 2147-2148 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Philemon,” Pages 642-646 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Titus Blog 2
“Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior.” Titus 2: 9-10
I am not a worker who does not get paid, but when I read verses like these, I instantly think of the times that I work. When applying verses like this to myself, I read them more like “Tell workers to be submissive rot their bosses…” for bosses have authority at work. While working, a person represents the company that pays them. No glory is brought to God if a worker who follows Him dishonors his boss in some way.
Therefore, this verse is a good reminder.
“…so that [older women] may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.” Titus 2: 4-5
One thing that I miss about The Crossing is the women’s group. I could listen to them for hours because they are so wise! They come together once a week and speak love over each other. They share prayer requests for members of their family. Often, they pray over Pastor John and his wife and children. They always have such beautiful things to say about the Church. My favorite question to hear them answer is “What is the Lord doing in your life?” Opinions are valued in their group and are encouraged. Everyone is seen as a gift of God. When I watch them, I see what a woman in the Lord is supposed to look like. Praise God!
I am not a worker who does not get paid, but when I read verses like these, I instantly think of the times that I work. When applying verses like this to myself, I read them more like “Tell workers to be submissive rot their bosses…” for bosses have authority at work. While working, a person represents the company that pays them. No glory is brought to God if a worker who follows Him dishonors his boss in some way.
Therefore, this verse is a good reminder.
“…so that [older women] may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, being submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.” Titus 2: 4-5
One thing that I miss about The Crossing is the women’s group. I could listen to them for hours because they are so wise! They come together once a week and speak love over each other. They share prayer requests for members of their family. Often, they pray over Pastor John and his wife and children. They always have such beautiful things to say about the Church. My favorite question to hear them answer is “What is the Lord doing in your life?” Opinions are valued in their group and are encouraged. Everyone is seen as a gift of God. When I watch them, I see what a woman in the Lord is supposed to look like. Praise God!
Titus Blog 1
The authorship of Titus, like 1 and 2 Timothy is disputed among the scholars. Some believe that it was Paul and others do not. If Paul was the author then 1 Timothy was written around during the 60s AD (Smith 2143), however if Paul did not write it then the date of it is uncertain (Smith 2143). The pastoral epistle is addressed to Titus. According to Craig S. Keener, “the description of the opposition sounds much like what Paul addressed at Ephesus in 1 Timothy, suggesting that the error addressed there is spreading rapidly among Christian congregations. Paul’s old opponents, those of the circumcision group he encountered in Galatia, apparently continue to follow on is heels to ‘correct’ his converts” (Keener 634).
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passion our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, though the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3-7.
Those who have accepted Jesus have been freed, saved, reborn, and heirs. Talk about a rags to riches story! We were slaves to sin. Nothing we could do could free us. We could try good behavior. In fact, we probably did. We tried and failed. Then God stepped in and provided a way to be free. He took off the chains of our sin and told us that He loved us. Turns out His intervention had nothing to do with what we tried to do. Like Galatians says, our belief was what God saw. Even in our belief, we were not right enough for God to reward us. If God had simply freed us from our sin, that would have been more than enough, but God did not stop there. After He freed us, he saved us. After He saved us He is continuing to remain with us by His Holy Spirit.
The most beautiful Being in the entire universe who is pure love, pure holiness, and pure good (among other pureness) is with us and will remain with us forever! I love rediscovering this!
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “Titus,” Pages 634-641 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Abraham. “The Letter of Paul to Titus.” Pages 2143 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passion our days in malice and envy, despicable, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, though the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3: 3-7.
Those who have accepted Jesus have been freed, saved, reborn, and heirs. Talk about a rags to riches story! We were slaves to sin. Nothing we could do could free us. We could try good behavior. In fact, we probably did. We tried and failed. Then God stepped in and provided a way to be free. He took off the chains of our sin and told us that He loved us. Turns out His intervention had nothing to do with what we tried to do. Like Galatians says, our belief was what God saw. Even in our belief, we were not right enough for God to reward us. If God had simply freed us from our sin, that would have been more than enough, but God did not stop there. After He freed us, he saved us. After He saved us He is continuing to remain with us by His Holy Spirit.
The most beautiful Being in the entire universe who is pure love, pure holiness, and pure good (among other pureness) is with us and will remain with us forever! I love rediscovering this!
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “Titus,” Pages 634-641 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Abraham. “The Letter of Paul to Titus.” Pages 2143 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
2 Timothy Blog 2
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. The saying is sure: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2: 8-13
“Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3: 12
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:22
Jesus paid the highest price for us and expects us to be able to pay a high price to be with Him. I struggle with the idea of various levels of persecution that could come. A person may never be persecuted in the way that Paul was, but all should be willing. Let us ponder some questions. In your head answer them.
Am I willing to be made fun of for Christ?
Am I willing to be fired for Christ?
Am I willing to be humiliated for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated by close friends for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated by family members for Christ?
Am I willing to be hunted by the government for Christ?
Am I willing to be jailed for Christ?
Am I willing to be physically hurt for Christ?
Am I willing to lose my life for Christ?
This blog is beginning to look similar to previous blogs. It repeats because I am still trying to be able to honestly say yes to every question that I just asked.
My life was changed as I watched a video on China’s Christians during the spring semester. I had joined a group that was based around Voice of the Martyrs. The strongest memory I have with the video on China was of a woman arrested at night and taken from her home. She was told to sign papers that would tell the government that she and some of her friends were Christians and she refused to sign it. She was burned by a lit cigarette and forced to walk back and forth down a hallway all night long. A couple hours later, she realized that the trail of blood that she was walking through was her own blood. She briefly wondered what would be so wrong if she signed the papers. Was not signing worth what she was going through? She determined that Christ was worth far more and she never signed the papers.
The worst thing that has ever happened to me because of my faith was a few remarks that were not even directed to me but to God.
“Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3: 12
“The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.” 2 Timothy 4:22
Jesus paid the highest price for us and expects us to be able to pay a high price to be with Him. I struggle with the idea of various levels of persecution that could come. A person may never be persecuted in the way that Paul was, but all should be willing. Let us ponder some questions. In your head answer them.
Am I willing to be made fun of for Christ?
Am I willing to be fired for Christ?
Am I willing to be humiliated for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated by close friends for Christ?
Am I willing to be hated by family members for Christ?
Am I willing to be hunted by the government for Christ?
Am I willing to be jailed for Christ?
Am I willing to be physically hurt for Christ?
Am I willing to lose my life for Christ?
This blog is beginning to look similar to previous blogs. It repeats because I am still trying to be able to honestly say yes to every question that I just asked.
My life was changed as I watched a video on China’s Christians during the spring semester. I had joined a group that was based around Voice of the Martyrs. The strongest memory I have with the video on China was of a woman arrested at night and taken from her home. She was told to sign papers that would tell the government that she and some of her friends were Christians and she refused to sign it. She was burned by a lit cigarette and forced to walk back and forth down a hallway all night long. A couple hours later, she realized that the trail of blood that she was walking through was her own blood. She briefly wondered what would be so wrong if she signed the papers. Was not signing worth what she was going through? She determined that Christ was worth far more and she never signed the papers.
The worst thing that has ever happened to me because of my faith was a few remarks that were not even directed to me but to God.
2 Timothy Blog 1
The authorship of 2 Timothy, like 1 Timothy is disputed among the scholars. Some believe that it was Paul and others do not. If Paul was the author then 1 Timothy was written around 62-64 AD (Keener 607), however if Paul did not write it then the date of it is uncertain (Smith 2129). Again, if Paul is the author, then “Paul writes 2 Timothy while imprisoned in Rome, awaiting probable execution; he wants Timothy to join him before it is too late (Keener 622). 2 Timothy, a pastoral epistle, was written to an assistant who is encouraged to “an unashamed commitment to the gospels and to the potential suffering that such commitment entails” (Smith 2137).
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Back at the church I grew up in, the Sunday school classes went under a remodel. Instead of simply learning Bible stories, a challenge was added that would reward students who could memorize and recite Bible verses to the teacher. We were all given a Promise Club booklet that gave verses. The first student to certain areas would receive something. It was not long after that when I decided to stay in the sanctuary for church instead of attending Promise Club, which I was on the verge of outgrowing.
One boy stands out in my mind as I think about this book. He memorized with such an amazing passion. This was one of the first verses that I heard him recite. It was inspirational. The farthest that I had ever gotten in this particular verse was “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful…” sounds like Truth to me…anyway…the point is that the boy had something that probably made God smile. Memorization is a good thing as long as it is not only the words being remembered.
Right before the Midterm for my New Testament Class, I felt that God kept telling me not to make my knowledge of the Gospels head knowledge only. I remember laughing a bit, not because I thought what was being said was crazy or wrong, though. My response was, “God how is this exam anything BUT head knowledge?” After all, we were being asked questions like “which Gospel…?” and “which Gospel and chapter…?”
While I am sure that God was amused at my sense of humor, He still had a point to make. Anytime the Bible is opened (or closed if it is a closed-book exam), there is potential of learning with the heart. I closed my study guide before the midterm and let God quiz me. My favorite question was “where is ‘before Abraham was, I am’?” I was able to say “John 8:58” and at the same time I was again able to understand the significance of the words Jesus spoke there and to claim that as Truth.
No matter what, the Bible is inspired by God and useful…for teaching, reproof, correction, and training. That is why it is important to study the Word daily. It is important to have the Word written on the heart because of the truth of these two verses.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “2 Timothy,” Pages 622-633 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Abraham. “The Second Letter of Paul to Timothy.” Pages 2137-2138 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Back at the church I grew up in, the Sunday school classes went under a remodel. Instead of simply learning Bible stories, a challenge was added that would reward students who could memorize and recite Bible verses to the teacher. We were all given a Promise Club booklet that gave verses. The first student to certain areas would receive something. It was not long after that when I decided to stay in the sanctuary for church instead of attending Promise Club, which I was on the verge of outgrowing.
One boy stands out in my mind as I think about this book. He memorized with such an amazing passion. This was one of the first verses that I heard him recite. It was inspirational. The farthest that I had ever gotten in this particular verse was “All scripture is inspired by God and is useful…” sounds like Truth to me…anyway…the point is that the boy had something that probably made God smile. Memorization is a good thing as long as it is not only the words being remembered.
Right before the Midterm for my New Testament Class, I felt that God kept telling me not to make my knowledge of the Gospels head knowledge only. I remember laughing a bit, not because I thought what was being said was crazy or wrong, though. My response was, “God how is this exam anything BUT head knowledge?” After all, we were being asked questions like “which Gospel…?” and “which Gospel and chapter…?”
While I am sure that God was amused at my sense of humor, He still had a point to make. Anytime the Bible is opened (or closed if it is a closed-book exam), there is potential of learning with the heart. I closed my study guide before the midterm and let God quiz me. My favorite question was “where is ‘before Abraham was, I am’?” I was able to say “John 8:58” and at the same time I was again able to understand the significance of the words Jesus spoke there and to claim that as Truth.
No matter what, the Bible is inspired by God and useful…for teaching, reproof, correction, and training. That is why it is important to study the Word daily. It is important to have the Word written on the heart because of the truth of these two verses.
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “2 Timothy,” Pages 622-633 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Abraham. “The Second Letter of Paul to Timothy.” Pages 2137-2138 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Monday, November 24, 2008
1 Timothy Blog 2
“But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses….keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kinds and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; ho him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” 1 Timothy 6: 11-12; 14-16
In the reading of the whole New Testament in a squished amount of time with two blogs required for each, I am more convinced than ever that works will not do anything on Judgment day. This is not to say that I did not realize this prior to this semester. No, I am just way more aware of it. Again and again it is the same. Remember Galatians where it says that anyone who tries to follow the law is under a curse? That is Galatians 3:10. Well, here is another list of things that God wants us to do. We are to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Just this last Sunday at church the pastor talked about the order of the Christian faith.
1) Believe in Jesus
2) You’re saved
3) You work toward all these (because you love Jesus)
This is not allowed to go in any other order. Some churches today preach it differently, switching number two and number three. At church last Sunday the pastor explained a similar problem back during Paul’s time from the Churches of Galatia. The Judaizers believed that two and three were the other way around and that works came first before a person received salvation.
1 Timothy Blog 1
The authorship of 1 Timothy is disputed among the scholars. Some believe that it was Paul and others do not. One idea going around is that the author of Luke-Acts was either the scribe or the author of 1 Timothy (Keener 606). If Paul was the author then 1 Timothy was written around 62-64 AD (Keener 607), however is Paul did not write it then the date of it is uncertain (Smith 2129). 1 Timothy, a pastoral epistle, was written to Timothy a young pastor sent by Paul to the Church at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul addresses how to appoint church leadership and what is expected of men and women in the church.
“I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.” 1 Timothy 2:8-10
I tend not to spend a really long time getting ready for the day. These verses affirm why I am the way I am as I get ready in the morning. I used to care more than I do now. I have always believed in dressing modestly, but I still wanted to know that I looked cute or what not. The day I realized God’s opinion was all that mattered must have been a very relieving day. I did believe what I heard. Now, any time I read these verses I smile. Whenever I dress up for something I make sure that it is for the right reasons.
Prayers look amazing on a Christian to God.
WORKES CITED
Keener, Craig S. “1 Timothy,” Pages 605-621 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Abraham. “The First Letter of Paul to Timothy.” Pages 2129-2130 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
“I desire, then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument; also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.” 1 Timothy 2:8-10
I tend not to spend a really long time getting ready for the day. These verses affirm why I am the way I am as I get ready in the morning. I used to care more than I do now. I have always believed in dressing modestly, but I still wanted to know that I looked cute or what not. The day I realized God’s opinion was all that mattered must have been a very relieving day. I did believe what I heard. Now, any time I read these verses I smile. Whenever I dress up for something I make sure that it is for the right reasons.
Prayers look amazing on a Christian to God.
WORKES CITED
Keener, Craig S. “1 Timothy,” Pages 605-621 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Smith, Abraham. “The First Letter of Paul to Timothy.” Pages 2129-2130 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
2 Thessalonians Blog 2
“Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling got work should to eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. Take note of those who do not obey what we say in this letter; have nothing to do with them, so that they may be ashamed. Do not regard them as enemies, but warn them as believers.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15
I remember as I read this I thought, “In this regard, what does God think of me?” Because I could list off other people who are Christians who expect to get everything for nothing. Yet the words of Jesus ring in my mind about not removing the speck from my brother’s eye if I have a log in mine. Do not be foolish in thinking that self is greater than others.
This semester I did nothing but homework until about three weeks ago when I crashed and no homework got done except papers that were due. I refused to do homework for almost two weeks. This not doing homework made grades that reflected perfectly. I got a few sorry grades on quizzes. Paul’s advice given above worked. No surprise there. When I tried to learn, I did and it reflected in my grades.
At the same time I had been trying to make Christian friends. A week and a half ago I gave up. Trial and error made me realized that “nobody really cared.” I looked at what a “Christian is supposed to be” and did not see what I was looking for. Now, this sounds really bad, I know it does. Here this: I had friends, I have friends. Many of them are in Idaho. Yet even here at Colorado Christian University, I have found friends. There was something heavy over me that I needed to find somebody to confide in. The Lord and I had talked about this issue and He told me that I needed to trust even one person enough to share the deepest pain inside of me. I hated that that was what the Lord wanted.
In this state of having given up on Christians who were around me, I read 2 Thessalonians again. While, I continued to work hard at work representing the company that I am employed by (therefore able to eat there), I thought mostly about spiritual food. Here I was attending a church and not giving out what the Lord has given me. God did not give me a gift so that I could have a claim to it. He gave it to me to give out to others.
Thank God for others, though. Two friends did not give up on me like I had given up on them. More than two had been praying for me even though I had given up on them.
My application of this passage is that I think it needs to be constantly applied to myself because I can be just as idle as the next person you walk past.
I remember as I read this I thought, “In this regard, what does God think of me?” Because I could list off other people who are Christians who expect to get everything for nothing. Yet the words of Jesus ring in my mind about not removing the speck from my brother’s eye if I have a log in mine. Do not be foolish in thinking that self is greater than others.
This semester I did nothing but homework until about three weeks ago when I crashed and no homework got done except papers that were due. I refused to do homework for almost two weeks. This not doing homework made grades that reflected perfectly. I got a few sorry grades on quizzes. Paul’s advice given above worked. No surprise there. When I tried to learn, I did and it reflected in my grades.
At the same time I had been trying to make Christian friends. A week and a half ago I gave up. Trial and error made me realized that “nobody really cared.” I looked at what a “Christian is supposed to be” and did not see what I was looking for. Now, this sounds really bad, I know it does. Here this: I had friends, I have friends. Many of them are in Idaho. Yet even here at Colorado Christian University, I have found friends. There was something heavy over me that I needed to find somebody to confide in. The Lord and I had talked about this issue and He told me that I needed to trust even one person enough to share the deepest pain inside of me. I hated that that was what the Lord wanted.
In this state of having given up on Christians who were around me, I read 2 Thessalonians again. While, I continued to work hard at work representing the company that I am employed by (therefore able to eat there), I thought mostly about spiritual food. Here I was attending a church and not giving out what the Lord has given me. God did not give me a gift so that I could have a claim to it. He gave it to me to give out to others.
Thank God for others, though. Two friends did not give up on me like I had given up on them. More than two had been praying for me even though I had given up on them.
My application of this passage is that I think it needs to be constantly applied to myself because I can be just as idle as the next person you walk past.
2 Thessalonians Blog 1
Scholars tend to debate as who wrote 2 Thessalonians. Many of them believe that Paul wrote this letter. According to Raymond F. Collins, this is called the second letter simply because it is shorter than 1 Thessalonians (2123). Craig S. Keener adds that 2 Thessalonians was probably really written second (597). Keener adds that the reason for this letter may be a response to the reaction of the first letter where some hearers may have thought that the Day of the Lord had already come (598). Paul wrote 2 Thessalonians in the mid 50s (Tafoya).
One thing that is really hard to realize, that I have discovered a lot in the past year, is the fact that we are all born into this spiritual war that has been going on for a really long time. As I mature in this faith, I realize the reality of both sides. Growing up I was taught that God exists as three in one. His son, Jesus, came to die to save humanity. In order to be saved, I would have to ask Jesus into my heart and then begin a relationship with Him. I learned that the Bible is more than a good book (or even a compilation of good books). In fact, the Bible is the Living Word of God.
After a while I also learned that God is really smart. He knows me from the inside and therefore knows everything I need before I even know. I learned that God wants all of me and not just every Sunday morning. God also wants me to desire Him more and more every day.
Life is easy still up to this point. Then add the fact that the devil wants to tear up everything that God stands for. Add the reality of the force that is moving as hard as it can against God. See how so many people are blindly following that movement. Imagine what God really feels. Suddenly it gets hard because the devil would love to convince you of something, anything. Whatever he convinces you of is a lie. Now everyone needs to sort out the Truth from the lie.
From that point try to understand that God is close even when everything feels contrary. Good things happen in life and then it is easy to declare that Jesus is King. Bad things happen and it is harder to remember the God who loves us so much. The devil then tries to convince us that he is winning and God is losing. During those moments, we have to remember that now is not the greatest point of life. In faith, we have to remember and hold to the FACT that God has won and will win. We have to remember that the devil lost, and that God was and is and is to come.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that at we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
No matter what is going on, whether good or bad, the Lord is near and hears our prayers. He is mighty.
There are times this past semester that I have either forgotten or doubted that. Sometimes I wondered if my choices to follow God were correct. I wondered if He had left because the enemy felt so close and God felt so far. In reality God was closer than however close the enemy was. The Lord has been faithful and will continue to be faithful. Praise God!
WORKS CITED
Books:
Collins, Raymond F. “The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.” Pages 2123-2124 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “2 Thessalonians,” Pages 597-604 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. “2 Thessalonians,” lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 19 November, 2008.
One thing that is really hard to realize, that I have discovered a lot in the past year, is the fact that we are all born into this spiritual war that has been going on for a really long time. As I mature in this faith, I realize the reality of both sides. Growing up I was taught that God exists as three in one. His son, Jesus, came to die to save humanity. In order to be saved, I would have to ask Jesus into my heart and then begin a relationship with Him. I learned that the Bible is more than a good book (or even a compilation of good books). In fact, the Bible is the Living Word of God.
After a while I also learned that God is really smart. He knows me from the inside and therefore knows everything I need before I even know. I learned that God wants all of me and not just every Sunday morning. God also wants me to desire Him more and more every day.
Life is easy still up to this point. Then add the fact that the devil wants to tear up everything that God stands for. Add the reality of the force that is moving as hard as it can against God. See how so many people are blindly following that movement. Imagine what God really feels. Suddenly it gets hard because the devil would love to convince you of something, anything. Whatever he convinces you of is a lie. Now everyone needs to sort out the Truth from the lie.
From that point try to understand that God is close even when everything feels contrary. Good things happen in life and then it is easy to declare that Jesus is King. Bad things happen and it is harder to remember the God who loves us so much. The devil then tries to convince us that he is winning and God is losing. During those moments, we have to remember that now is not the greatest point of life. In faith, we have to remember and hold to the FACT that God has won and will win. We have to remember that the devil lost, and that God was and is and is to come.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 “Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will go on doing the things that at we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.”
No matter what is going on, whether good or bad, the Lord is near and hears our prayers. He is mighty.
There are times this past semester that I have either forgotten or doubted that. Sometimes I wondered if my choices to follow God were correct. I wondered if He had left because the enemy felt so close and God felt so far. In reality God was closer than however close the enemy was. The Lord has been faithful and will continue to be faithful. Praise God!
WORKS CITED
Books:
Collins, Raymond F. “The Second Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.” Pages 2123-2124 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “2 Thessalonians,” Pages 597-604 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. “2 Thessalonians,” lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 19 November, 2008.
1 Thessalonians Blog 2
“For you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those how are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11
I am supposed to be a light to the world and look nothing like the world. Churches are supposed to be lighthouses to the world shining the hope of Christ. Churches therefore are supposed to look nothing like the world. No darkness should be found in any of us. We are supposed to keep alert. Instead of drunkenness, we are supposed to have faith and love. Our hope should always be on our salvation through Jesus.
I want to be able to show compassion while there is still time to show compassion to the hurting world. I want to love the people that nobody loves because they are too unlovable. I want the eyes of God to see who needs an encouraging word. I want the heart of God to feel the way He does about things. What makes Him happy should make me happy, and what angers Him should anger me.
I believe that God loves everyone therefore I should love everyone. God died for the person who angers me. I cannot afford to forget that because God desires that none should perish and people die everyday without knowing the hope that is in Jesus.
I am supposed to be a light to the world and look nothing like the world. Churches are supposed to be lighthouses to the world shining the hope of Christ. Churches therefore are supposed to look nothing like the world. No darkness should be found in any of us. We are supposed to keep alert. Instead of drunkenness, we are supposed to have faith and love. Our hope should always be on our salvation through Jesus.
I want to be able to show compassion while there is still time to show compassion to the hurting world. I want to love the people that nobody loves because they are too unlovable. I want the eyes of God to see who needs an encouraging word. I want the heart of God to feel the way He does about things. What makes Him happy should make me happy, and what angers Him should anger me.
I believe that God loves everyone therefore I should love everyone. God died for the person who angers me. I cannot afford to forget that because God desires that none should perish and people die everyday without knowing the hope that is in Jesus.
1 Thessalonians Blog 1
This letter, overall, is thought to have been written by Paul around 50 AD to the Church at Thessalonica. Some scholars think that 1 Thessalonians is the earliest letter of Paul. That is the idea that Raymond F. Collins takes as fact, author of the intro to 1 Thessalonians in the New Interpreter’s Study Bible. According to Craig S. Keener, “Paul had been accused of preaching another king besides Caesar” and Keener cites Acts 17:7 which says, “…They are all acting contrary to the decrees of the emperor saying that there is another king named Jesus.” The Church in Thessalonica continued to see persecution even after Paul left and 1 Thessalonians is an encouragement to them to remain faithful to Christ. Paul explains that there is a future hope even for those who have already died. This letter is a mixture of different types of letters of that time. It is a “letter of thanksgiving,” a “letter of comfort,” a “parenetic letter,” a “letter of praise,” and a “letter of friendship” (Keener 584).
1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 “See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God on Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
I know that God is working in my life when what He says things that may frustrate me but in those words, there is nothing wrong. For example, whenever somebody has hurt me lately by judgments and the spoken word, God has said “Do for that person what they should have done for you.” Often all I wanted was support and a sister or brother in Christ to pray with me. Honestly, over half the time I do not want to pray for them because they “obviously” are doing well. However, it is not only for them that God had asked me to pray. In praying for others who have offended me in some way, I am giving into Love and forgiving them. God is glorified.
Never repay hurt for hurt and thank God for everything because keeps your mind on the things above. I think that I have heard pastors speak that over and over throughout my lifetime.
One of the many cool things about Christianity is that we can worship God anywhere and pray to God anywhere. We do not have to go through rituals to get His attention because He is never looking in another direction, forgetting about us. Praying without ceasing, then, is really not as hard as it could be. Breathe in, pray. Breathe out, pray. When you wake up, say “Good morning, Jesus!” Tell Him everything. Did you have an embarrassing moment? Let Him hear the experience in your own words and laugh with Him. I love this God who is so close!
WORKS CITED
Collins, Raymond F. “The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.” Pages 2115-2116 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “1 Thessalonians,” Pages 583-596 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 “See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God on Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
I know that God is working in my life when what He says things that may frustrate me but in those words, there is nothing wrong. For example, whenever somebody has hurt me lately by judgments and the spoken word, God has said “Do for that person what they should have done for you.” Often all I wanted was support and a sister or brother in Christ to pray with me. Honestly, over half the time I do not want to pray for them because they “obviously” are doing well. However, it is not only for them that God had asked me to pray. In praying for others who have offended me in some way, I am giving into Love and forgiving them. God is glorified.
Never repay hurt for hurt and thank God for everything because keeps your mind on the things above. I think that I have heard pastors speak that over and over throughout my lifetime.
One of the many cool things about Christianity is that we can worship God anywhere and pray to God anywhere. We do not have to go through rituals to get His attention because He is never looking in another direction, forgetting about us. Praying without ceasing, then, is really not as hard as it could be. Breathe in, pray. Breathe out, pray. When you wake up, say “Good morning, Jesus!” Tell Him everything. Did you have an embarrassing moment? Let Him hear the experience in your own words and laugh with Him. I love this God who is so close!
WORKS CITED
Collins, Raymond F. “The First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians.” Pages 2115-2116 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “1 Thessalonians,” Pages 583-596 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Colossians Blog 2
God has used Colossians 3 for a year in my life now. It is an amazing chapter that is hard to live up to. It tells you to do things like keep our eyes set on things of heaven and to “clothe yourselves the compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love; which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another win all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (3: 12-17) and it tells us not to give into fleshly desire and to get rid of “all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another…” (3:8-9a).
This is easier to live up to on those “good days” when everything is going well, but who has nothing but good days? On those not so good days, these are hard to remember. However, they are a very good thing to keep in mind. Mostly, this is encouraging to read because if it is the New Testament, then other people have the same problem. If other people have the same problem, then God knows how to have patience for it. Thankfully, God does! Keep striving follow what is supposed to be done. Keep setting aside things that are of the flesh. Persevere!
This is easier to live up to on those “good days” when everything is going well, but who has nothing but good days? On those not so good days, these are hard to remember. However, they are a very good thing to keep in mind. Mostly, this is encouraging to read because if it is the New Testament, then other people have the same problem. If other people have the same problem, then God knows how to have patience for it. Thankfully, God does! Keep striving follow what is supposed to be done. Keep setting aside things that are of the flesh. Persevere!
Colossians Blog 1
Some scholars believe that Paul wrote Colossians while others think it was written after his death. Colossians was written to Colossae, Laodicea and Hierapolis (Bullard). There was an earthquake that devastated the region in and around Colossae in 60 AD, so if this letter was written after Paul’s death, then the address to the Colossians would have not been literal (Bullard). If Paul did write Colossians, then it was probably written while he was in prison around the mid-fifties. Craig S. Keener states that the situation may have included idea that “Colossians 2 may indicate that Christians were attracted to mystical or apocalyptic elements in a Judaism thoroughly influenced by Phrygian Culture” (569). Try to imagine both Jewish and Gentile religions all mashed up together.
Colossians 1:11-14 says “May you be made strong with all the strengthen that comes from his glorious power, and my you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
This semester I have learned about God’s faithfulness in such a deep way. Growing closer to Him daily makes the enemy angry and that is when these verses come in as a great reminder of what it means to be a Christian. Perseverance is necessary, especially when everything that you have been learning from God is being tested. You know what else? Classes don’t seem to care because they have a schedule to keep. Thankfully, God knows all of this already. These verses were refreshing, epecially when I now look back at the past month of school. God is good.
WORKS CITED
Bullard, Roger. “The Letter of Paul to the Colossians.” Pages 2107-2108 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Colossians,” Pages 568-582 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Colossians 1:11-14 says “May you be made strong with all the strengthen that comes from his glorious power, and my you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
This semester I have learned about God’s faithfulness in such a deep way. Growing closer to Him daily makes the enemy angry and that is when these verses come in as a great reminder of what it means to be a Christian. Perseverance is necessary, especially when everything that you have been learning from God is being tested. You know what else? Classes don’t seem to care because they have a schedule to keep. Thankfully, God knows all of this already. These verses were refreshing, epecially when I now look back at the past month of school. God is good.
WORKS CITED
Bullard, Roger. “The Letter of Paul to the Colossians.” Pages 2107-2108 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Colossians,” Pages 568-582 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Philippians Blog 2
With the economy on shaky ground and my attendance to a private school, I see a new understanding with Philippians 4:13.
Over the past year I have become more away of wanting to know the context of a verse before accepting whatever whoever was saying. At first, the reason was because people would pull verses out of, say, say the Gospels and Jesus would be talking. I would say, “What prompted Jesus to say that? What had previously happened? What was about to happen?” I began to feel confused if a verse was just pulled out of “thin air.” Coming to a Christian school I am even more aware of when verses seem to show up without explanation.
Philippians 4:13 is an extremely famous verse. You can hear it in any context these days. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Honestly, when I hear that verse, I always take a step back and try to figure out what the message is. Everyone should do that. “I can get this promotion through Christ who strengthens me.” No. For crying out loud, read the previous verses.
“I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Now that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.” ~Philippians 4:10-14 (NRSV)
When I first got here I had no job. I was concerned about not having one. Out of nowhere a job seemed to open up here on campus and I was so grateful! Yet, as quickly as that door opened, it closed again. Money was going to be really tight. At first I was worried. Philippians says something about that too. I was reminded of Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So I prayed that a job become available and I prayed that I be content whether or not I made any money that semester.
No matter what state the economy is in. No matter how much school loans anybody has. We can survive through Christ. If we have full bellies after a meal, we can still live for Christ. If we find no food in our cupboards, we can trust Christ. We can do this through Christ, our strength. This verse is not about what we deserve. This life is not supposed to be easy with our vending machine in the sky. Jesus’ blood is not the change we enter into God to get what we want. When that verse is put in the right context, suddenly God is recognized as being on the throne. Suddenly, I may be having some troubles, but I know that Christ is my strength no matter what.
Over the past year I have become more away of wanting to know the context of a verse before accepting whatever whoever was saying. At first, the reason was because people would pull verses out of, say, say the Gospels and Jesus would be talking. I would say, “What prompted Jesus to say that? What had previously happened? What was about to happen?” I began to feel confused if a verse was just pulled out of “thin air.” Coming to a Christian school I am even more aware of when verses seem to show up without explanation.
Philippians 4:13 is an extremely famous verse. You can hear it in any context these days. “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Honestly, when I hear that verse, I always take a step back and try to figure out what the message is. Everyone should do that. “I can get this promotion through Christ who strengthens me.” No. For crying out loud, read the previous verses.
“I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Now that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. In any case, it was kind of you to share my distress.” ~Philippians 4:10-14 (NRSV)
When I first got here I had no job. I was concerned about not having one. Out of nowhere a job seemed to open up here on campus and I was so grateful! Yet, as quickly as that door opened, it closed again. Money was going to be really tight. At first I was worried. Philippians says something about that too. I was reminded of Philippians 4:6-7 which says, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” So I prayed that a job become available and I prayed that I be content whether or not I made any money that semester.
No matter what state the economy is in. No matter how much school loans anybody has. We can survive through Christ. If we have full bellies after a meal, we can still live for Christ. If we find no food in our cupboards, we can trust Christ. We can do this through Christ, our strength. This verse is not about what we deserve. This life is not supposed to be easy with our vending machine in the sky. Jesus’ blood is not the change we enter into God to get what we want. When that verse is put in the right context, suddenly God is recognized as being on the throne. Suddenly, I may be having some troubles, but I know that Christ is my strength no matter what.
Philippians Blog 1
Most scholars believe that Philippians was written by Paul and was possibly his last letter, written in 60 or 62 AD (Tafoya). The NISB says that it could have been written as early as 52 AD (Bassler). Philippians was probably written in Rome while Paul was in prison. This is an epistle written to the Church at Philippi. Philippians was written to “reassure them of his undiminished joy—even in those circumstances—and his confidence regarding the outcome….He also wanted to express his gratitude for their gift and their constant friendship” (Bassler). Paul wanted to encourage the Christians at Philippi to remain faithful to their faith. Craig S. Keener talks of the way the letter is divided by its three chapters. He says that chapter one addresses the commonality of the Church in Philippi and Paul (556). Chapter two shows a “model for imitation” (557). Chapter three includes a digression, which is common for that time (557). Chapter four is the thank-you portion of the letter (557).
Philippians 4:4-9 have been on my heart since reading this letter which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you” (NRSV). This has been the most challenging semester of my college career. I have been growing closer to the Lord on a daily basis. I have learned once again that nothing is worth more than Christ. These verses summarize what God has been telling me hourly. My level of learning has also peaked. This is not just in the spiritual sense, but also academically. I have taken information from all of my classes and applied it to my life. My two English classes have taught me a lot about writing. When it comes to my writing, through prayer and application of what I have been learning, my writing has also improved. I tried in a more conscience effort to do everything for God from reading homework in my English classes and philosophy class to my application homework in my Bible classes to what Pastor Brian has spoken on Sundays.
WORKS CITED
Books:
Bassler, Jouette. “The Letter of Paul to the Philippians.” Pages 2099-2100 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Philippians,” Pages 556-567 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. "Philippians," lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 12 November, 2008.
Philippians 4:4-9 have been on my heart since reading this letter which says, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you” (NRSV). This has been the most challenging semester of my college career. I have been growing closer to the Lord on a daily basis. I have learned once again that nothing is worth more than Christ. These verses summarize what God has been telling me hourly. My level of learning has also peaked. This is not just in the spiritual sense, but also academically. I have taken information from all of my classes and applied it to my life. My two English classes have taught me a lot about writing. When it comes to my writing, through prayer and application of what I have been learning, my writing has also improved. I tried in a more conscience effort to do everything for God from reading homework in my English classes and philosophy class to my application homework in my Bible classes to what Pastor Brian has spoken on Sundays.
WORKS CITED
Books:
Bassler, Jouette. “The Letter of Paul to the Philippians.” Pages 2099-2100 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Keener, Craig S. “Philippians,” Pages 556-567 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. "Philippians," lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 12 November, 2008.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Ephesians Blog 2
For about the past three times that I have read Ephesians, I always take a really close look at the Armor of God. This is Ephesians six beginning in verse ten and ending in verse 18, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against the enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against he authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”
I know people who, at least for a while, physically would put on the armor on a daily basis. They would name the item as they put it on. “This is my belt of truth…my helmet of salvation…” and so on.
Another thing that I have learned is the importance of each item as armor. The helmet protects the head…and so on.
Through this reading I was very clearly aware of the fact that we cannot see everything that is going on around us. This semester I have learned just how much God wants to heal things that have gone wrong in my life. The enemy knows this and has done a lot to counter what God is doing. I went to Church of the Epiphany, a church that I found very wonderful from the service to the décor to the people. Finding the people wonderful was new to me. By the end of that week, I had trouble with just about everyone around me who called themselves ‘Christian’ for different reasons. Then a few weeks ago a group of Christians prayed over me. They meet every Monday and Wednesday night and I happened to attend. I saw how beautiful they were for listening to God and calling out to Him. Then they turned and prayed for me. I did not ask them to. The next week was the most difficult one I have had here at CCU. I went to another prayer meeting a couple of days ago. There were moments that I wanted to leave. I attempted at one point, but a friend blocked my path. By the end of that night people prayed over me and I think I finally let go. God was able to move and change things inside of me that were wrong.
I think my job now is to remember that the armor is for defense except the sword of the Spirit, and remember to remember that there is an unseen war going on.
I know people who, at least for a while, physically would put on the armor on a daily basis. They would name the item as they put it on. “This is my belt of truth…my helmet of salvation…” and so on.
Another thing that I have learned is the importance of each item as armor. The helmet protects the head…and so on.
Through this reading I was very clearly aware of the fact that we cannot see everything that is going on around us. This semester I have learned just how much God wants to heal things that have gone wrong in my life. The enemy knows this and has done a lot to counter what God is doing. I went to Church of the Epiphany, a church that I found very wonderful from the service to the décor to the people. Finding the people wonderful was new to me. By the end of that week, I had trouble with just about everyone around me who called themselves ‘Christian’ for different reasons. Then a few weeks ago a group of Christians prayed over me. They meet every Monday and Wednesday night and I happened to attend. I saw how beautiful they were for listening to God and calling out to Him. Then they turned and prayed for me. I did not ask them to. The next week was the most difficult one I have had here at CCU. I went to another prayer meeting a couple of days ago. There were moments that I wanted to leave. I attempted at one point, but a friend blocked my path. By the end of that night people prayed over me and I think I finally let go. God was able to move and change things inside of me that were wrong.
I think my job now is to remember that the armor is for defense except the sword of the Spirit, and remember to remember that there is an unseen war going on.
Ephesians Blog 1
Scholars debate whether or not Ephesians was written by Paul for different reasons. One reason is that “approximately 90 words in the letter do no appear elsewhere in Paul’s undisputed letters” (Thurston 2089). Early Church tradition claims that Paul wrote Ephesians from prison in 60 AD (Tafoya). However, scholars who do not thing that Paul wrote this letter feel that it was probably written closer to 85-90 AD (Thurston 2089). Taking the traditional view, Paul was probably aware of his “imminent persecution and the need for the church to be a good witness in society….He is also aware of the church’s struggle with its own background in the occult practices of Asia Minor—magic…astrology and attempts to escape the astrological power or Fate” (Keener 539-540). The letter was written either to Ephesus or generally to Christians at that time. Some of the letters do not contain the word “Ephesus” in 1:1. Ephesians is an epistle that may be a sermon of Paul’s (Tafoya). The reason for this letter may have been to prepare Christians for baptism. Scholars consider this letter to be really addressed to new Christians trying to understand and obey the Way (Tafoya).
Christianity is amazing because it is an equal-opportunity following. Nobody is more or less likely to be saved. You do not have to be born rich or poor in order to be let in. God does not care how much or little pigmentation that your skin has. You could be any shape or size. You do not have to have all of your limbs and organs in perfectly working condition. It is great like that! Unfortunately, sometimes people get I the way of God’s thinking. Suddenly one person is “better than” another person simply because one had more to give or was born in a higher rank. Maybe the person is just more eager to serve others. Whatever the case is, Paul in Ephesians 2 is very clear that those distinctions are not valid. In 2:8-9 Paul says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works so that no one may boast.” God does not call us “Jew” or “Gentile” as an act of discriminating. Neither one is better than the other. After all, Jew and Gentile both sin. Jesus never sinned. That puts him at the highest point. Nobody can be as high as Christ. Yes, Christianity is beautiful like that!
WORKES CITED
Books:
Keener, Craig S. “Ephesians,” Pages 538-555 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Thurston, Bonnie. “The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians.” Pages 2089-2090 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. "Ephesians," lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 12 November, 2008.
Christianity is amazing because it is an equal-opportunity following. Nobody is more or less likely to be saved. You do not have to be born rich or poor in order to be let in. God does not care how much or little pigmentation that your skin has. You could be any shape or size. You do not have to have all of your limbs and organs in perfectly working condition. It is great like that! Unfortunately, sometimes people get I the way of God’s thinking. Suddenly one person is “better than” another person simply because one had more to give or was born in a higher rank. Maybe the person is just more eager to serve others. Whatever the case is, Paul in Ephesians 2 is very clear that those distinctions are not valid. In 2:8-9 Paul says “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works so that no one may boast.” God does not call us “Jew” or “Gentile” as an act of discriminating. Neither one is better than the other. After all, Jew and Gentile both sin. Jesus never sinned. That puts him at the highest point. Nobody can be as high as Christ. Yes, Christianity is beautiful like that!
WORKES CITED
Books:
Keener, Craig S. “Ephesians,” Pages 538-555 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Thurston, Bonnie. “The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians.” Pages 2089-2090 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
Lecture:
Tafoya, Stace. "Ephesians," lectured on BIB114. Colorado Christian University. 12 November, 2008.
Galatians Blog 2
I think that one of the hardest things that churches struggle with is the balance between keeping order in churches and allowing the Spirit to change plans. This happens both on a corporate level and on an individual level. Churches have become more about the self instead of the Lord. This does not apply to every church out there in the world. However, I feel that many churches in prosperous countries rely too much on their agenda. On an individual level success and deadlines get in the way of what God could be doing. Would I rather sleep now or pray? Would I rather get this exegesis paper done or spend some quiet time listening to the Lord?
How is the relating to Galatians? Well, at CCU there are expectations on every student. Get all of your reading done. Study hard for exams. Make sure you meet the expectations of your instructors when doing papers. You must expect hours of homework to follow a single class. Take five classes, then you have hours of homework to do times five. Do not forget to do ministry hours. Attend chapel at least twenty-five times during the semester. You signed a lifestyle covenant and you are expected to follow it to the letter. Try to get some sleep because 24 hours of no sleep to your brain is like being drunk. Make sure you keep eating. Oh yeah, don’t forget about the Lord….
Follow all of those laws and expectations with the Lord as an afterthought and you are not going to survive your experience at CCU in one piece.
A friend of mine has spent an amazingly large amount of time with the Lord this past week and she said that she was surprised that she was still able to meet the expectations of school. She still got a paper done and did well on exams and quizzes. She says that she has been lead by the Sprit and I think that she is right on. With the Spirit first, she has grown immeasurably in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. She is not perfect by any means, but she has more toleration for everything that she is dealing with.
That along with the reading of Galatians and challenged me to try to follow in the same footsteps. CCU is a great place and I have learned a lot here. However, I learn more when God is guiding me through each day. I learned this the hard way first. One day I was working on homework for a class that was to start about 40 minutes later. About ten minutes in I felt like I should set the homework aside and spend time with God. Looking back, I wish I had. Instead, though, I continued to read. The words blurred together and suddenly I was incapable of doing anything. I failed a quiz. If I had spent time with the Lord, I probably still would have failed that quiz, but at least I would have had more peace.
So my first challenge failed. At the second one, I saw an improvement. I was doing my exegesis on Galatians 3:5-10 and my thoughts were jumbled. In response to my inability to write the paper, I moved away from the computer and prayed. Once I was able to say “If I get an A on this paper and have learned nothing from the Holy Spirit then the A is worth nothing.” The paper was still very challenging but no matter what happens, that does not change the fact that I learned from the Spirit.
The thing that I am not saying is that school should be blown off. CCU costs too much money to view its education in that way. Should we now go “sin boldly” now that we have been saved? NO WAY!
If we are being watered by the Spirit then the fruits of the Spirit will prosper in us. If the fruits of the Spirit are growing within us then we are probably less stressed out, and an assignment that would have taken us three hours to complete will take less time simply because we are not so concerned about it that our stress causes us to take longer to complete the task.
This goes with churches too in a way. We have seen those checklists.
Ask Jesus into heart
Confess sin
Try not to sin
Pray to God a lot
Pray some more
Read the Bible
Fast if needed
Stay away from bad things
Get baptized
Stop swearing at “bad” drivers
Be perfect and holy
Go to church ever Sunday
Tithe
Take communion
Forgive all offenses
Memorize verses of the Bible
Give extra around the holidays
Pray for people who need prayer
Pray for leaders
Pray for the unsaved
The list goes on and on and on and…ON! While these are all good points, there is a very important thing missing that is too easy to forget: Have relationship with God. Park Church has attempted to show its members that following this list just to please God is stupid. Nobody can do anything to earn God’s happiness or God’s approval.
After we recognize the relationship as the most important part the rest should fall into place. We confess our sin to God because we know that He can and will forgive us. We read our Bible because that is the Word of our precious Yahweh. We realize more often that when others make us angry that they are still loved by God and we try not to swear at them when they make a move on the road that may not have been the right move. Suddenly the checklist dissolves because we act the way God wants us to. Yeah, we still make mistakes, but there is grace deeper than our deepest mistake that we could ever make as we live for God.
Galatians Blog 1
The book of Galatians was written by Paul and nearly all scholars are in agreement on its authorship. Paul wrote Galatians around 57 AD, the NISB says that it was written closer to 55 AD (Matera 2079), to the region of Galatia from Ephesus or Macedonia. Galatians is an epistle that has some elements of apologetics, but Paul is more focused on “‘deliberative rhetoric,’ the kind of argumentation ancient speakers wand writers used to persuade people to change their behavior” (Keener 517).
The reason that Paul was prompted to write this letter was because Judaizers had come to the churches of Galatia and told them that all of the males needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law, along with belief in Jesus, in order to be saved. Craig S. Keener says this about the Judaizers, “Some Judean Christians were now arguing tha tone must become culturally Jewish to become a full Christian, fully righteous; after all, the Bible itself made this requirement for one who wished to belong to God’s people (Gen 17: 10-14)” (518). Paul is stating that if following the law was enough, then Jesus died for nothing (Gal 2:21). In chapter three, Paul states that to live by the letter of the law makes a person cursed by that law (Gal 3:10).
Paul says in Galatians that faith is the requirement. He asks in chapter three “The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by dong the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” (3:2-5). The next few verses talks about how Abraham was justified by faith in what God said and not through the works of the law. Genesis 15:6 says “And [Abraham] believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as rightousness.”
I have spent hours on this book this semester because the church that I am attending has gone through this book this semester. Also, I am taking the class, Interpreting the Bible and my New Testament exegesis paper was on Galatians 3:5-10. For the past two weeks I have spent hours researching and writing the paper that was turned in on November 20th, 2008. My “aha” moment(s) have come in the past three weeks.
One night I sat at Park Church listening to Pastor Brian speak on Galatians 5:1-12. As I sat in the pew, I realized things that have little to do with the purpose of this blog. One thing that does is the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s plan. I thought that it was interesting that God was speaking along with the pastor, yet what God was saying to me was relatively different than what the pastor was saying. Both were relevant to hear that week. It was a strong message! Pastor Brian talked about how when a person begins working to keep the law s/he has alienated his/herself from the grace of God. At the same time God was saying that while I am not Jewish, He does not make that distinction as something discriminating. Rather, God makes that distinction in me only to more fully embrace who I am.
The following day my New Testament class talked about Galatians. The information presented was mostly facts about the letter. To read those, just reread the first part of this blog. However what was going on in my head was completely different. This is not to say that I was not paying attention in class. No, on the contrary, I think I was probably pondering too deeply everything that was happening around me. What does that have to do with Galatians? It has everything to do with how I had read Galatians the previous Saturday night. Chapter three had been my favorite and I could not stop thinking about verses 1-14. The Spirit was given to the region of Galatia by belief in the Gospel message. Not only was the Spirit present, but it was moving and the miraculous was being seen. What is CCU missing? Oh wait, that looks like a question for blog number two.
For the next two weeks I researched for my exegesis paper and spent hours organizing my thoughts. Combine that with my favorite documentary, Finger of God Film and suddenly there is a whole new passion for God churning inside of me!
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “Galatians,” Pages 517-537 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Matera, Frank J. “The Letter of Paul to the Galatians” Pages 2079-2080 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
The reason that Paul was prompted to write this letter was because Judaizers had come to the churches of Galatia and told them that all of the males needed to be circumcised and follow the Mosaic Law, along with belief in Jesus, in order to be saved. Craig S. Keener says this about the Judaizers, “Some Judean Christians were now arguing tha tone must become culturally Jewish to become a full Christian, fully righteous; after all, the Bible itself made this requirement for one who wished to belong to God’s people (Gen 17: 10-14)” (518). Paul is stating that if following the law was enough, then Jesus died for nothing (Gal 2:21). In chapter three, Paul states that to live by the letter of the law makes a person cursed by that law (Gal 3:10).
Paul says in Galatians that faith is the requirement. He asks in chapter three “The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by dong the works of the law or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing. Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” (3:2-5). The next few verses talks about how Abraham was justified by faith in what God said and not through the works of the law. Genesis 15:6 says “And [Abraham] believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as rightousness.”
I have spent hours on this book this semester because the church that I am attending has gone through this book this semester. Also, I am taking the class, Interpreting the Bible and my New Testament exegesis paper was on Galatians 3:5-10. For the past two weeks I have spent hours researching and writing the paper that was turned in on November 20th, 2008. My “aha” moment(s) have come in the past three weeks.
One night I sat at Park Church listening to Pastor Brian speak on Galatians 5:1-12. As I sat in the pew, I realized things that have little to do with the purpose of this blog. One thing that does is the inclusion of the Gentiles into God’s plan. I thought that it was interesting that God was speaking along with the pastor, yet what God was saying to me was relatively different than what the pastor was saying. Both were relevant to hear that week. It was a strong message! Pastor Brian talked about how when a person begins working to keep the law s/he has alienated his/herself from the grace of God. At the same time God was saying that while I am not Jewish, He does not make that distinction as something discriminating. Rather, God makes that distinction in me only to more fully embrace who I am.
The following day my New Testament class talked about Galatians. The information presented was mostly facts about the letter. To read those, just reread the first part of this blog. However what was going on in my head was completely different. This is not to say that I was not paying attention in class. No, on the contrary, I think I was probably pondering too deeply everything that was happening around me. What does that have to do with Galatians? It has everything to do with how I had read Galatians the previous Saturday night. Chapter three had been my favorite and I could not stop thinking about verses 1-14. The Spirit was given to the region of Galatia by belief in the Gospel message. Not only was the Spirit present, but it was moving and the miraculous was being seen. What is CCU missing? Oh wait, that looks like a question for blog number two.
For the next two weeks I researched for my exegesis paper and spent hours organizing my thoughts. Combine that with my favorite documentary, Finger of God Film and suddenly there is a whole new passion for God churning inside of me!
WORKS CITED
Keener, Craig S. “Galatians,” Pages 517-537 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
Matera, Frank J. “The Letter of Paul to the Galatians” Pages 2079-2080 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.
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