Remember my post about discussions at the beginning of this blog? Well, I thought I would write a little more on the same topic.
Today, I had lunch with a good friend of mine. He is an up-and-coming theology scholar. I am a brand new interpreting and translation researcher. He loves to look at beliefs and compare theories. I love getting my hands dirty in experiments and real-world data.
We come at academia from different angles but somehow, we always manage to inspire each other. He inspires me to keep searching and not to settle for the obvious. He inspires me to never discount theory. He is not only a great scholar but a brilliant friend.
That is the essence of worthwhile discussion. We challenge each other, praise each other and offer opinions. We laugh at the daftness of academia and encourage each other to keep going. If ever discussion was worth something, it is worth something when we meet together.
Maybe I have softened over time, maybe I haven't but I still think that there are few better moments in life than when you really engage with someone and try to work out how to inspire them.
Friday 27 March 2009
Thursday 26 March 2009
Link Thursday
So, I am not feeling all that creative today, so I thought I would just post a good few smart Christian links. Here goes:
Gateway Church: Sermons all free to download and stream! Please note, only one month of sermons at a time are held on the site!
E-sword, the best free Bible package available.
Bible Gateway, just about any Bible translation you can think of, all online!
Tangle, a Christian video, audio, photo sharing and social network site. Well worth a look.
The Pneuma Foundation, home of The Pneuma Review, an excellent journal for Christian leaders. I hear their next issue will have some excellent work in it but two new scholars...
Gateway Church: Sermons all free to download and stream! Please note, only one month of sermons at a time are held on the site!
E-sword, the best free Bible package available.
Bible Gateway, just about any Bible translation you can think of, all online!
Tangle, a Christian video, audio, photo sharing and social network site. Well worth a look.
The Pneuma Foundation, home of The Pneuma Review, an excellent journal for Christian leaders. I hear their next issue will have some excellent work in it but two new scholars...
Tuesday 24 March 2009
Reading the Bible slowly
With writers such as Tony Buzan correctly showing us that the human brain and eyes can take in information at far higher speeds than was once thought possible, reading quickly is in fashion. Why spend hours lingering over every paragraph of a book when you can skim read it in 3 seconds and still recall all the relevant information?
However, we are not called the Bible simply to gain information. Joshua wasn't told to "remember" the Word but to "meditate" on it (Joshua 1: 8). This same verse also shows us that it is only when we "meditate" on the Word that it can really lead to changes in our behaviour. The Hebrew word translated "meditate" in this passage comes from a root meaning "to murmur" and it is also used to mean to "mutter, speak, study, talk, utter." (Strongs: H1897)
If meditation on God's Word means speaking or muttering it, then this is completely incompatible with the fashionable speed-reading approaches. In this case, we are not reading for information but instead we are invited to speak out and ponder the Word of God until it begins to change our behaviour. This is also a form of study. In fact, I personally believe that study by meditation must come before we reach for the commentaries, maps and dictionaries. As a little preview of what we can gain from Biblical meditation, I am going to take two verses from Romans, split them into small, meaningful chunks. By "studying" each of these chunks, we will see just how rich the Word of God really is.
So, let's begin.
Romans 1:3-4 (NLT)
3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let's break these two verses down.
a) The Good News is about his Son [some editions add "Jesus"]
What does this tell us? Speak it aloud to yourself a few times.
Personally, what I see here is that Paul is setting out clearly the focus of the gospel. The Good News is not about joining a church or taking communion or building our reputations. The Good News is all about Jesus. Jesus is the focus point of Christianity. No doctrine outshines Him. No preaching outdoes his. The gospel, the Good News, is all about God's Son Jesus.
b) In his earthly life
God became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14). We do not serve a distant God who imposes rules on us for no reason. God came and lived an earthly life. It might be hard for theologians to explain and for philosophers to understand but God, who is perfect, came to a world full of imperfection. When Jesus calls us to be holy as He is holy (Mat 5:48, 1 Peter 1:16), He doesn't do it from a position distant from our everyday life; He calls out from the position of one who knows what that means. He lived an earthly life but He was not caught up in fleshly sin. He lived among imperfection but remained perfect. Jesus knew fine well what people were like (John 2: 25) but He did not become like them. He could spend time with tax collectors and prostitutes (Mat 9:10) but instead of becoming like them, they yearned to become more like Him (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus knows what earthly life is like, because He lived on earth. He sympathises with our weaknesses but calls us to perfection.
c) he was born into King David’s family line
To understand this line we need to know more about history. We know that David was a great king of Israel and that God promised that one of his descendants would always rule (2 Sam 7:16). We also know that he was called a man after God's heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). He was a wholehearted worshipper of God (2 Samuel 6:12-14).
So, what does this section tell us? First, it tells us that God always honours his promises. He told David that his descendant would always reign and Jesus reigns forever in Heaven (Rev 11:15). If God gives you a word or a promise, He will honour it. He is true to His Word.
Secondly, it tells us that, in earthly terms, Jesus was born into a holy inheritance. Just as David was a man after God's heart, Jesus only ever did what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). Just as David honoured the return of God's presence to the nation (2 Samuel 6), Jesus' death tore the veil that separated people from God and God from His people (Mat 27:51, Luke 23:45).
This section alone shows that God is true to what He says and that even Jesus "earthly" inheritance was powerful.
d) and he was shown to be the Son of God
Jesus was fully man but also fully God. I know a talented theologian who is right now researching the ways in which theologians have tried to work this out through the ages. You see, it is very easy to come down hard on one side of the equation. We can easily imagine Jesus as a man, a loving, kind and generous man, with a passion for God's presence and compassion for the poor. We can also easily imagine Him as God: the God who works miracles, sustains the entire universe by His powerful Word and reigns in Heaven at the right hand of the Father.
However, to emphasise the first, makes the gospel a story about a nice teacher who got in trouble. It excuses us from actually taking his message seriously. To emphasise the second distances Jesus love for us from a real understanding of what life on earth is like. It excuses us from taking Him at his Word about holiness and purity
Even people in His day found it hard to accept that He could be both God and man (Mat 16:13-14 and many others). They saw the outward signs and interpreted them according to the logic of their day. Today, the only way for many people to accept what the Bible says about Jesus is to make up theories about "substances" or "natures." Logically, it seems foolish that Jesus could be entirely man and entirely God.
Yet this section tells us clearly that the Father demonstrated clearly who Jesus was.
e)when he was raised from the dead
This is how God demonstrated who Jesus was. And this is why the resurrection is, and will continue to be, the most offensive part of the Gospel to non-believers. For Jesus to rise from te dead forces us to take His godliness seriously. If Jesus is risen from the dead, He was right in what He said.
People might try to make this a spiritual resurrection only, but they conveniently forget that Jesus ate (Luke 24: 42-43) and still had a touchable, feelable body (John 20: 25-27) after his resurrection. The resurrection was a bodily resurrection! That fact alone demonstrates who Jesus really was!
f) by the power of the Holy Spirit
The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in those who believe in and follow Him (Rom 8: 11, Eph 1: 19-20). How much should we then follow Him and walk in His power?!
God dwells in us who follow Him. So incredible, it needs no more words than that.
g) He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we understand all that Paul has written in the previous verse and a half, what other conclusion can we come to? How else shall we respond to the fact of Jesus humanity and deity? How else shall we recognise His place in the gospel? How else shall we honour God for being true to His Word? What other way is there to respond to God's incredible, almost unbelievable, decision to deposit into us the very same power that conquered the grave?
With the Roman officer, we must say "truly, this man [is] the Son of God" (Mat 27: 54). And, once we declare this, we are left with another decision. Acknowledging who God is simply is not enough. He must go from being the Son of God to being "our Lord." The Greek word translated as "Lord" in this verse comes from the Greek word from "supremacy" and so means "supreme in authority." With all we know about Him, Jesus must become supreme in authority in our lives. What other honest response can there possibly be?
--
Now, if those are the riches of only two verses, how much more does the Bible hold? Pick a few verses at a time and go try that for yourself. You will be amazed what you find. And, as you meditate on the Word like that, you will find that you memorise it far more easily.
Until next time.
Peace,
Jonathan
However, we are not called the Bible simply to gain information. Joshua wasn't told to "remember" the Word but to "meditate" on it (Joshua 1: 8). This same verse also shows us that it is only when we "meditate" on the Word that it can really lead to changes in our behaviour. The Hebrew word translated "meditate" in this passage comes from a root meaning "to murmur" and it is also used to mean to "mutter, speak, study, talk, utter." (Strongs: H1897)
If meditation on God's Word means speaking or muttering it, then this is completely incompatible with the fashionable speed-reading approaches. In this case, we are not reading for information but instead we are invited to speak out and ponder the Word of God until it begins to change our behaviour. This is also a form of study. In fact, I personally believe that study by meditation must come before we reach for the commentaries, maps and dictionaries. As a little preview of what we can gain from Biblical meditation, I am going to take two verses from Romans, split them into small, meaningful chunks. By "studying" each of these chunks, we will see just how rich the Word of God really is.
So, let's begin.
Romans 1:3-4 (NLT)
3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let's break these two verses down.
a) The Good News is about his Son [some editions add "Jesus"]
What does this tell us? Speak it aloud to yourself a few times.
Personally, what I see here is that Paul is setting out clearly the focus of the gospel. The Good News is not about joining a church or taking communion or building our reputations. The Good News is all about Jesus. Jesus is the focus point of Christianity. No doctrine outshines Him. No preaching outdoes his. The gospel, the Good News, is all about God's Son Jesus.
b) In his earthly life
God became flesh and lived among us (John 1:14). We do not serve a distant God who imposes rules on us for no reason. God came and lived an earthly life. It might be hard for theologians to explain and for philosophers to understand but God, who is perfect, came to a world full of imperfection. When Jesus calls us to be holy as He is holy (Mat 5:48, 1 Peter 1:16), He doesn't do it from a position distant from our everyday life; He calls out from the position of one who knows what that means. He lived an earthly life but He was not caught up in fleshly sin. He lived among imperfection but remained perfect. Jesus knew fine well what people were like (John 2: 25) but He did not become like them. He could spend time with tax collectors and prostitutes (Mat 9:10) but instead of becoming like them, they yearned to become more like Him (Luke 19:1-10). Jesus knows what earthly life is like, because He lived on earth. He sympathises with our weaknesses but calls us to perfection.
c) he was born into King David’s family line
To understand this line we need to know more about history. We know that David was a great king of Israel and that God promised that one of his descendants would always rule (2 Sam 7:16). We also know that he was called a man after God's heart (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). He was a wholehearted worshipper of God (2 Samuel 6:12-14).
So, what does this section tell us? First, it tells us that God always honours his promises. He told David that his descendant would always reign and Jesus reigns forever in Heaven (Rev 11:15). If God gives you a word or a promise, He will honour it. He is true to His Word.
Secondly, it tells us that, in earthly terms, Jesus was born into a holy inheritance. Just as David was a man after God's heart, Jesus only ever did what He saw His Father doing (John 5:19). Just as David honoured the return of God's presence to the nation (2 Samuel 6), Jesus' death tore the veil that separated people from God and God from His people (Mat 27:51, Luke 23:45).
This section alone shows that God is true to what He says and that even Jesus "earthly" inheritance was powerful.
d) and he was shown to be the Son of God
Jesus was fully man but also fully God. I know a talented theologian who is right now researching the ways in which theologians have tried to work this out through the ages. You see, it is very easy to come down hard on one side of the equation. We can easily imagine Jesus as a man, a loving, kind and generous man, with a passion for God's presence and compassion for the poor. We can also easily imagine Him as God: the God who works miracles, sustains the entire universe by His powerful Word and reigns in Heaven at the right hand of the Father.
However, to emphasise the first, makes the gospel a story about a nice teacher who got in trouble. It excuses us from actually taking his message seriously. To emphasise the second distances Jesus love for us from a real understanding of what life on earth is like. It excuses us from taking Him at his Word about holiness and purity
Even people in His day found it hard to accept that He could be both God and man (Mat 16:13-14 and many others). They saw the outward signs and interpreted them according to the logic of their day. Today, the only way for many people to accept what the Bible says about Jesus is to make up theories about "substances" or "natures." Logically, it seems foolish that Jesus could be entirely man and entirely God.
Yet this section tells us clearly that the Father demonstrated clearly who Jesus was.
e)when he was raised from the dead
This is how God demonstrated who Jesus was. And this is why the resurrection is, and will continue to be, the most offensive part of the Gospel to non-believers. For Jesus to rise from te dead forces us to take His godliness seriously. If Jesus is risen from the dead, He was right in what He said.
People might try to make this a spiritual resurrection only, but they conveniently forget that Jesus ate (Luke 24: 42-43) and still had a touchable, feelable body (John 20: 25-27) after his resurrection. The resurrection was a bodily resurrection! That fact alone demonstrates who Jesus really was!
f) by the power of the Holy Spirit
The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in those who believe in and follow Him (Rom 8: 11, Eph 1: 19-20). How much should we then follow Him and walk in His power?!
God dwells in us who follow Him. So incredible, it needs no more words than that.
g) He is Jesus Christ our Lord.
When we understand all that Paul has written in the previous verse and a half, what other conclusion can we come to? How else shall we respond to the fact of Jesus humanity and deity? How else shall we recognise His place in the gospel? How else shall we honour God for being true to His Word? What other way is there to respond to God's incredible, almost unbelievable, decision to deposit into us the very same power that conquered the grave?
With the Roman officer, we must say "truly, this man [is] the Son of God" (Mat 27: 54). And, once we declare this, we are left with another decision. Acknowledging who God is simply is not enough. He must go from being the Son of God to being "our Lord." The Greek word translated as "Lord" in this verse comes from the Greek word from "supremacy" and so means "supreme in authority." With all we know about Him, Jesus must become supreme in authority in our lives. What other honest response can there possibly be?
--
Now, if those are the riches of only two verses, how much more does the Bible hold? Pick a few verses at a time and go try that for yourself. You will be amazed what you find. And, as you meditate on the Word like that, you will find that you memorise it far more easily.
Until next time.
Peace,
Jonathan
Monday 23 March 2009
Debates: wasting time or digging up truth?
This morning, I was greeted with an interesting contrast. On the one hand, I am translating a Bible school module on being ready to give a reason for the hope that is within us. On the other hand, I talked to someone who had been involved with a debate with someone who was obviously just looking for a fight. So, on one side we have an appeal to be ready to debate and "defend the faith" and on the other, a draining debate that went nowhere.
Unfortunately, the second example is nearer to the way I used to be. As a teenager, I was cocky and headstrong: ready to take on and take down any evolutionist, atheist, racist, sexist or any other -ist person I could find. I saw myself as a champion of truth, a faith-defender and an all-round intelligent good guy.
A few rocky debates on usenet forums later and I re-emerged bloodied, damaged and generally a bit like a boxer after a few rounds with a hungry Mike Tyson. These guys were older than me, ruder than me and had heard all of my "surprise arguments" years before. I got absolutely pounded. On occasion, I would lose so badly that I would retreat from the forums, spend a week or so reaffirming my faith and maybe even come back pretending to be someone else to gain some more credibility.
So, for the longest time, I avoided debates. Yes, I still read apologists like James W Sire but my old fire was gone. If there was a controversial point, I stepped back. I knew that I was capable of: exploding in a ball of debate and then crawling back in tatters. It simply didn't seem worth it.
But then, little by little, I found value in discussion. An off-the-cuff question from my pastor, carefully-guided discussions after Bible studies and even loving disagreements drove me towards the truth. I was encouraged to dig for truth and really think about what the Bible said. A few days ago, a discussion with a good friend helped me to clear up why I kept going back to the same passage. I started with confusion and finished with revelation. Suddenly, discussion and debate seemed far more powerful.
So, maybe there is a balance to be had. The same Bible that tells us to be ready to give a reason for our faith, tells us not to get involved in pointless discussions. The same Word of God that tells us to study and meditate on what God has said reminds us that too much study is wearisome. God cares enough to make sure we don't overdo this debate thing and end up in a mess of minor points and hurt feelings.
So, here is my guide for knowing which debates to jump into and which to leave:
1) Is this a good use of your time?
This is my golden rule. If the argument is never-ending, then step away. I believe that god will ask us to give an account of what we have done with our life. Imagine getting to Heaven and trying to justify to God why you spent six hours arguing over the meaning of a theological term instead of using the gifts He had put in your life. So, if the argument is draining your time and evergy and you are gaining nothing or little in return, walk away.
2) Is anything likely to change as a result of this?
There is nothing worse than watching two people butt-heads until they are tired. If neither you, nor the other person is likely to change viewpoint or even gain more respect for the other opinion, leave well alone. It simply is not worth it. No matter how right you are, you achieve nothing by fighting a battle that is going nowhere. I have come to the conclusion that only the Holy Spirit can bring someone to salvation. Arguments won't, debating won't. Sometimes the best you can do is care and ask the right questions. Getting angry does not help.
3) Is this about ideas or people?
If the argument is getting personal, it has gone too far. Discussion ideas in a loving, respectful atmosphere is fine; starting a match for who can insult the best is not. As soon as it gets personal, it is time to leave.
I will most likely come up with more guides but they will do for a start. Here's to a future full of fruitful and respectful discussions and exchanges of views.
Peace,
Jonathan
Unfortunately, the second example is nearer to the way I used to be. As a teenager, I was cocky and headstrong: ready to take on and take down any evolutionist, atheist, racist, sexist or any other -ist person I could find. I saw myself as a champion of truth, a faith-defender and an all-round intelligent good guy.
A few rocky debates on usenet forums later and I re-emerged bloodied, damaged and generally a bit like a boxer after a few rounds with a hungry Mike Tyson. These guys were older than me, ruder than me and had heard all of my "surprise arguments" years before. I got absolutely pounded. On occasion, I would lose so badly that I would retreat from the forums, spend a week or so reaffirming my faith and maybe even come back pretending to be someone else to gain some more credibility.
So, for the longest time, I avoided debates. Yes, I still read apologists like James W Sire but my old fire was gone. If there was a controversial point, I stepped back. I knew that I was capable of: exploding in a ball of debate and then crawling back in tatters. It simply didn't seem worth it.
But then, little by little, I found value in discussion. An off-the-cuff question from my pastor, carefully-guided discussions after Bible studies and even loving disagreements drove me towards the truth. I was encouraged to dig for truth and really think about what the Bible said. A few days ago, a discussion with a good friend helped me to clear up why I kept going back to the same passage. I started with confusion and finished with revelation. Suddenly, discussion and debate seemed far more powerful.
So, maybe there is a balance to be had. The same Bible that tells us to be ready to give a reason for our faith, tells us not to get involved in pointless discussions. The same Word of God that tells us to study and meditate on what God has said reminds us that too much study is wearisome. God cares enough to make sure we don't overdo this debate thing and end up in a mess of minor points and hurt feelings.
So, here is my guide for knowing which debates to jump into and which to leave:
1) Is this a good use of your time?
This is my golden rule. If the argument is never-ending, then step away. I believe that god will ask us to give an account of what we have done with our life. Imagine getting to Heaven and trying to justify to God why you spent six hours arguing over the meaning of a theological term instead of using the gifts He had put in your life. So, if the argument is draining your time and evergy and you are gaining nothing or little in return, walk away.
2) Is anything likely to change as a result of this?
There is nothing worse than watching two people butt-heads until they are tired. If neither you, nor the other person is likely to change viewpoint or even gain more respect for the other opinion, leave well alone. It simply is not worth it. No matter how right you are, you achieve nothing by fighting a battle that is going nowhere. I have come to the conclusion that only the Holy Spirit can bring someone to salvation. Arguments won't, debating won't. Sometimes the best you can do is care and ask the right questions. Getting angry does not help.
3) Is this about ideas or people?
If the argument is getting personal, it has gone too far. Discussion ideas in a loving, respectful atmosphere is fine; starting a match for who can insult the best is not. As soon as it gets personal, it is time to leave.
I will most likely come up with more guides but they will do for a start. Here's to a future full of fruitful and respectful discussions and exchanges of views.
Peace,
Jonathan
W00t! First post!
Well, here it is. My new blog. Hopefully, within a few days, I will get it linked up with Facebook so it can be read in both places. I will get topics and things sorted out later but here is a quick preview of what to expect:
Meditating on & memorising God's Word;
Interpreting & translation;
Bible studies;
Previews of upcoming publications;
Book & sermon reviews;
More Christian links than you can shake a stick at;
Other random stuff.
So there you go. Here's to more posts and more discussion!
Meditating on & memorising God's Word;
Interpreting & translation;
Bible studies;
Previews of upcoming publications;
Book & sermon reviews;
More Christian links than you can shake a stick at;
Other random stuff.
So there you go. Here's to more posts and more discussion!
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