The Best Bible Translation

Gentle Readers, I ran across this and thought it was worth passing on.
The Best Bible Translation

By Gary Amirault
(Rather lengthy but important article)

Probably more than any other question, I am asked “Which Bible translation is the most accurate or the one closest to the original Hebrew and Greek?” Comparing Bible translations and various Biblical texts is something I spend a great deal of my time on. I have hundreds of Bible translations, Parallel Bibles, Hebrew-Greek-English Interlinears, Greek, Hebrew, Latin, Aramaic, Syrian texts and Bible dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, commentaries, etc. My computer is filled with incredible software to aid in determining the wording of the Bible that is most probable of being the original form. These tools are very valuable to me. But even if I had the perfect original, Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek – even if I had a perfect English translation, I believe there is something far more important than either of them. Let me explain:

Many years ago, I was in the middle of a very busy business day, about to enter a printing shop when I saw a street person come to the door of my car. I knew he was going to ask me for money.

Under my breath I said, “Lord, please don’t put him in my life right now. I am too busy.” What a stupid thing to say! Of course the Lord put him in my life.

He was a chronic alcoholic who lived under a bridge and often found himself in trouble. He had no teeth. One of his relatives had them all pulled but never got around to getting him dentures. Although he was in his 50’s, his mental abilities were that of a child.

I ended up spending several weeks trying to get him help with his alcoholic problem and other serious needs. The experience showed me how ineffective our social service programs for alcoholics are. At one point during these few weeks, I took him to a minister in hopes of having him delivered of unclean spirits. We commanded everything under the sun to come out of him, but he just stared at us, annoyed.

We began to quote various Scriptures to him. We hoped “the word of God,” (King James Authorized Version, of course) would set him free. We tried binding and loosing – everything we could think of.

Getting a little irritated with our zealousness, pointing to the Bible in my hand, he said to me, “Did you ever read the @#^*?” As I mentioned already, he had no teeth and I often did not understand what he was saying. I told him I didn’t understand so he repeated himself. I still didn’t understand. He repeated, “Did you ever read the @#^*?!” He was angrily poking the open pages of my Bible with his index finger. Finally, I made out what he was saying. He said, “Did you ever read the white?!” Instantly, those words pierced me with the divine revelation behind his words. Light broke through. Could I read between the lines. The words on pages of a book are black marks on white pages. When we read, we only look at the black ink, but the ink is actually on a white page. Each black letter was surrounded by white. It was the large white page that carried the small black letters. Could I see beyond the black ink -- beyond -- “it is written!?” “THE LETTER KILLS, IT IS THE SPIRIT THAT GIVES LIFE!” (2 Cor. 3:6) Could I read by the Holy Spirit? Could I go beyond the literal word and REALLY get the meaning? That is what this drunk sage was trying to tell me. The words “I love you” for example can have many different meanings depending upon who said that at what time and to whom for what purpose. True meaning goes far beyond the actual spoken or written word. This article is about learning to go beyond the “It is written” Church mentality which has brought legalism, fundamentalism and many other isms which have prevented His people from moving into the Spirit of His Holy Word. There are many forces in this world arrayed against God’s people to prevent them from entering into their inheritance. Bible translating and interpreting has been an area in which the devil has had a field day. In the coming years, this is going to change. Get ready for a mighty outpouring of revelation that will truly set His people free that they may go into the world and into creation itself to set it free from its bondage to corruption.

Reading the White
My drunken friend ended up dying of alcoholism. Before knowing the Lord, I swore I’d never go to a funeral. (Dumb again.) His family asked me to preach his eulogy. Before he died he told me that one time he went to heaven. Somehow, I believe him. After all, where else can one learn to read the white? Have you ever read the white?

Let me give the reader another example of “reading the white” and the profound effects such an experience can have on one’s life and the lives of those around them:

Martin Luther and Righteousness Through Faith

In the early 1500’s a Catholic monk named Martin Luther tried to live a life holy enough to be accepted by God. Unlike most Christians of that time period, he could read the Bible. The Bible was off limits to the common people. Most Christians could not read, but even if they did, the Church forbid them from reading the Bible. Church leaders at that time (like many church leaders today) did not think the average Christian was capable of understanding it – they felt Christians needed priests to explain to them what God demands of them. Actually many Christian do not believe they can really understand the bible on their own. They attend churches who have trained ministers who tell them what the Bible really means. Things haven’t changed as much as we would like to think.

During the time when Christians were not allowed to read the Bible, the Church did not allow it to be translated into common languages such as English, German, Spanish or French. Latin, to the Roman Catholic Church, was the “sacred language.” Therefore, church services were done in Latin. Most people couldn’t understand Latin. In his way, the Church leadership kept laypeople in darkness. Martin Luther, however, was a monk; therefore he had access to the Bible in its Latin form.

He read in Romans 1:17 that “in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed.” He was really struggling with that verse. How desperately he wanted to attain to the “righteousness of God.” He fasted, beat himself, denied himself all sorts of earthly pleasures to gain this “righteousness of God” according to what he thought was the “word of God.” But his conscience was always a witness against him. The more Luther tried to attain the righteousness of God by doing what he thought God’s Law demanded, the further away from God he felt he was. The church of his time was very law-centered. (While most Christians cannot discern it, the modern church is very law-centered too, but in a more disguised form than in Luther’s day. Perhaps the reader can identify with Luther.)

What really troubled Martin Luther about this verse is that it stated that the righteousness of God (which Luther wanted more than life itself), was “revealed” in the “Good News,” that is, the Gospel. But Martin saw no good news in the “Good News.” He saw nothing but condemnation. Luther’s problem is one countless Christians face today as well.

Luther read the words in the Bible through the theological definitions of Dark Age theologians who twisted the meaning of words like grace, sanctification, justification, faith, righteousness, justice, etc. from their true original meaning. This is exactly what the Jewish leadership did with the Scriptures when Jesus came to Israel 2,000 years ago. Jewish Rabbis like Hillel, Shamai, Gamaliel, etc., reinterpreted the meaning of words and concepts in the Bible so that people couldn’t see the truth anymore even when they were reading the Scriptures themselves. Their teachings put scales over people’s eyes preventing them from seeing the truth because the words and concepts were redefine turning the truth into a lie.

Church leaders did the same thing in Luther’s day even as many do today. Even though Luther was sincerely trying to understand God’s will, these traditions and teachings of men prevented him from seeing what was plainly written. (See Matt. 15:6-9)

Every denomination does this. Some key people in the past (usually men) interpret words, phrases, or books of the Bible a certain way, attract disciples which form churches which create institutions to perpetuate that teaching, add more teaching, build centers of education to train men and women to perpetuate this faith, excommunicate those within who deviate from this new system, develop Sunday School curriculum, build publishing houses which publish only books that stays within that system and wholla – a new denomination which locks its members into a mindset invented by some men and/or women long dead.

Luther saw “the righteousness of God” through the lens of the teachings of the “School of Scholastic theologians” of the latter part of the Middle Ages (1100-1500 AD). Scholastics like Duns Scotus, Peter Lombard, and Thomas Aquinas taught that the righteousness of God was God’s means of meting out justice or punishment. To the Scholastics of the Roman Catholic Church, the term “righteousness of God” was simply another word for law – for God’s demands upon man – demands which were really unattainable as Martin Luther or any other sincere person soon found out. Their “righteousness of God” was really the same burden as the pack of rules that the Pharisees, Sadducees, lawyers and scribes put on the backs of the people while unwilling or unable to lift a finger to help them. This hypocritical Pharisaic Spirit has been alive and well in all three of the Western monotheistic religions right up to our own times.

Luther in his writings said that whenever he came across the term “righteousness of God” it “struck my conscience like lightning.” It was “like a thunderbolt in my heart.” His conscience continually told him he was an unrighteous sinner who fell short of what he thought was God’s standard for righteousness. Because of his inability to attain it, his torment and anguish caused Luther to come to the place of utterly hating this righteousness, the God who demanded it and himself. To Luther, God became a fiend who expected from fallen man what he (Martin) was incapable of giving. It nearly drove Luther insane. (Some historians and theologians believe Luther did go insane, at least temporarily.)

After days of meditation in much darkness and great torment of soul, daylight broke through. Luther was given the revelation that true righteousness was actually imparted to us through the faith of Jesus Christ. Righteousness was an imputed gift; it was not something we had to attain through our self-efforts.

After the light broke through, when those very same words “the righteousness of God” were seen through the revelation of the Holy Spirit, Luther said that he “was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates.” Luther had entered the “peace that passes understanding” which Jesus promised to give all those who received His faith. This “peace” is a supernatural peace nothing in this world can duplicate. The true understanding of a handful of words in a corrupted Latin text read by the light of the Holy Spirit completely changed Martin Luther’s life. This is REVELATION. This is what “reading the white” is all about.

It greatly grieves me to know that there are millions of Christians, who go to church every Sunday and yet have never EXPERIENCED the “peace that passes understanding,” the “unspeakable joy” which Jesus promised to bring, the forgiveness which the blood/life of Christ brings to the conscience, the unconditional love of God which brings security that nothing in this world can take away, the Living Word etc. I’ve met so many Christians who have been taught that true faith is not a feeling; that one is just supposed to trust that if they believe that Jesus died for their sins that they will go to heaven and that that should be good enough for them. Go to church regularly, listen to the pastor or priest, sing a few songs, pay your tithes, shut up and wait for Jesus’ return and hope you’re right with Him when He comes. That’s church in a nutshell. Maybe if you’re in a Pentecostal or Charismatic church, they’ll let you shout or dance a little too. Poppycock!

“Being in the Spirit,” “being led by the Spirit,” “being “filled with the Spirit,” etc. floods one with the supernatural; and He greatly affects our feelings, both physical and spiritual. The gifts of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit and the works of the Holy Spirit should explode from our being and should manifest in great expressions of “feelings!” Revelation, like when the light of God touches down on a portion of Scripture brings a delight that is often indescribable – a delight that most literalists, legalists, traditionalists, fundamentalists have not yet enjoyed. Why? Because they are DEAD! The dead have no feelings.

Literalism and Legalism is Joyless

On the day of Pentecost, when the tongues of fire fell upon the 120 disciples, they were DRIVEN into the streets of Jerusalem declaring “the wonderful works of God” in all the languages of the world. Let me tell you, these men and women were FEELING wonderful! When the Holy Spirit moves through a Christian they KNOW it. True faith is not blind. The faith of Christ in a believer brings them into a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ that affects every part of the body, soul and spirit including the emotions. Show me a Christian who says he trusts in the Lord but is not emotional about the things of God and I’ll show you a dead Christian who has swallowed the “traditions of men” and not the Living Word of God!

True faith will bring tears of great joy. True faith will bring an exhilaration that makes what the world calls exciting look quite dull. A Spirit-filled Christian life should be exciting, adventurous, holy, full of compassion, full of joy, full of love and great peace. True, we should not “trust” in our feelings. Feelings can be misleading, but when the faith of Christ truly comes into our hearts, there will be indescribable joy which is a feeling. And if these things are not a part of one’s Christianity, they really should seek Christ again in a fresh way and seek out fellowship with other hungry believers who express the Life of Christ. True faith really gives one the ability to lay down their life for the gospel’s sake.

I’m not talking about ritualized hype. Raising hands, jumping up and down, falling over, etc can be just as much a ritual as standing and rising to sing hymns in more traditional churches. However, when the real faith comes and the Holy Spirit stirs within there will be a natural tendency to want to physically express what is going on on the inside. Raising hands, jumping up and down for joy, screaming “Hallejujah” is as natural to one baptized in the Holy Spirit as it is for a baby to smile.

The Pharisaic Spirit (hypocritical), which is produced through legalism, whether in Jews, Christians or Moslems will produce two conditions in a person; it will produce a blinding pride from self-righteousness – and at the same time it will produce a hidden self-loathing because the conscience will convict the soul that it has fallen short of the standard the person has set up for others. “The law (legalism) works wrath.” “Fear has torment.” When we are in this condition we become tormented and in turn torment others. We turn that wrath towards our perceived enemies. However, as we judge, we judge ourselves and will ultimately reap the bitter fruit of our judgments. (Rom. 4:15) “As you sow, so shall you reap.” (Gal. 6:7) “In the same measure you give out, that same measure will be given back.”(Luke 6:38) If we use “the law” to condemn others (as a self-righteous legalist always does), condemnation will come back to that person but through a different form or person. When we become self-righteous, we exalt and glorify ourselves by putting other people down. That’s one of the short-comings of the Law of Moses. The glory of the Mosaic Law is condemnation. Paul even called the Ten Commandments, which was the highest part of Mosaic Covenant, the “ministry of death” and the “ministry of condemnation.” One might ask how condemnation can be considered glorifying. Lifting ourselves above other people by judging them as below ourselves through standards other than God’s own standard lifts us above them in our own eyes. This is how “glory” is used in 2 Corinthians chapter 3. We temporarily feel good about ourselves when we can put other people beneath us through judging them. I am writing about this nasty judgmental spirit as a person who is personally very familiar with how it works because I have been seduced by it on more occasions that I care to admit. It is a spirit that is constantly looking for an opening in one’s heart. Unfortunately, once we’ve been seduced by it, the first effects of it are blindness. We can’t see how self-righteous we have become. We think we are merely being holy when, in fact, we stink of self-righteousness, legalism and hypocrisy.

“The Law” in the Bible usually refers to the books attributed to Moses, especially the part that contains the Mosaic Covenant. Understand, however, we all really do set our own laws. We pick and choose religious laws from various places to fit our own lifestyle. We pick churches that fit our “comfort zone.” We will also twist or tweak laws in systems we join to fit our own standards. The Jewish Pharisees were experts in twisting the Mosaic Laws in their favor and against others, especially against the poor, women, the sick and Gentiles. Jesus rebuked this behavior more than any other. One does not have to be an adherent to the Mosaic Law or portions thereof to play the hypocrite.

The Wrath of God Abides

One may rise to great heights in religion, business and politics by stepping on other people, but there is a spiritual cost. If we become greedy and judgmental, we will not enjoy the love of God, the peace that passes all understanding and the unspeakable joy the Holy Spirit brings to us when we are humble. Yes, we may attain high positions in this world, but we will abuse the power and destroy many people’s lives. We may gain many houses, much money and power and fame, but our inner being will become a living Hell which will spill over into many other people’s lives. We may become presidents, prime ministers, and officials in high places in government, business, and institutions of all kind including educational and religious ones; we may even become dictators ruling almost the entire world. Even though on the outside we may put on the display of absolute confidence, on the inside we will be full of self-loathing. Much of that self-loathing may fester below the conscious level for quite some time – but eventually it will rupture up to the conscience like a boil. Many world leaders go through this experience. They look so confident and righteous in the media, but behind the scenes lurks a self-loathing monster of huge proportions. Romans 1:18 through all of chapter two has something to say about this.

These people are miserable in the inside. “The wrath of God abides on them.” (John 3:36) But his “wrath” is not something God imposes upon them, it comes as a result of not having the love of God in their hearts. To be deprives of the goodness of God is to experience wrath. God is not actively bringing circumstances into these lives to make their life miserable. They bring the misery upon themselves because they are cutting themselves off from opportunities of receiving love and kindness.

Darkness in “Traditional” Christianity

Having been in hundreds of churches in dozens of different denominations, I am convinced that millions of Christians today are in exactly the same condition Luther was in before he got his revelation. Through Sunday School and Bible study material written at denominational headquarters, through training church leaders at seminaries, Bible colleges and text books, every denominational headquarters injects “traditions of men” and “doctrines of demons,” and definitions, creeds, articles of faith, catechisms, etc. which render the word of God of no effect. I have had many scales placed over my eyes through various Christian institutions – but far less than the average Christian who was raised in church because I was an atheist for much of my life. These Christian “traditions of the elders” do the same thing to modern Christians that they did to the Jews 2,000 years ago. The common people couldn’t recognize the Messiah because the leaders taught the Messiah would be a political/military man. When the Messiah showed up, they wanted to kill Him. The “Christ” many Christians have been taught to expect at any moment will be to many modern Christians as different as Jesus was to the image of the Messiah the Jews were expecting.

The very best Bible translation, which may be a perfect transference of the original languages to our own language, may become an instrument of death unless the Holy Spirit opens its truth through the Spirit of Truth which Jesus promised to send to his disciples. Dear friend, please spend some considerable time in prayer and contemplation over what I am stating. It is possible to have an accurate translation of the original and still have a false understanding of the text. Not only is it possible, I submit that this is the norm of the typical Christian in a typical mainline church. The state of Martin Luther’s mind prior to his seeing the light is the state of the average Christian in this part of the twenty-first century. Of course few of us actually believe this because we are quite comfy in our dark little corner. Our pastor is nice, went to Bible college or seminary, the church is well-established in the community – surely we are on safe ground. And as long as we refuse to step outside the boundaries of our church or denomination, we will feel quite secure in our beliefs. In America, there is security in numbers. But remember in the Bible, the “majority” was usually against the Spirit of God.

I have spent a great deal of time in prayer and study learning about the “traditions of men” which have been injected into the minds of the modern Christian which render the “word of God of no effect.” There are countless thousands of them. (The books “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola and “The Way Church Ought To Be” by Robert A. Lund are excellent sources for information about how far the church has strayed from the teachings of Christ and His apostles.) I have been forced to step out of my comfy zones many times. While in the short run it has been very discomforting, in the long run having to be forced to compare teachings and traditions among many different denominations has been extremely beneficial to my spiritual growth. I only gave one example in Martin Luther’s life to illustrate the power “traditions of men” have over our minds and hearts. This one revelation on the “righteousness of God” made Martin Luther one of the most influential men on the face of the planet. This single revelation was a major source of light that began to dispel the Dark Ages. A single person being freed from religious darkness can literally revolutionize the world. Who knows, perhaps you are the next one.

The “Dark Light” of Legalism and Traditions of Men

“Law works wrath!” (Rom. 4:15) When I speak of “legalism,” I mean any human tradition, laws, ordinances, rituals, moral codes, etc. created by human institutions which are joined to the “righteousness of God” found in the Bible. Legalism is much more than just using laws in the Bible mercilessly. Legalism encompasses much more than Bible laws whether found in the Old or New Covenants. God’s true righteousness is in the Living Person of Jesus Christ. Even as the understanding of the Scholastics hindered Luther’s ability to see what was plainly written, even so, many borrowed laws and traditions from societies which Christianity conquered have been brought into the church. Mosaic Law, English Common Law, Teutonic customs, Greco-Roman laws and culture – these and many more have been combined with the “righteousness of God” to create a Western Christian moral code much of which has nothing to do with God’s righteousness.

I was shocked when years ago I attended a huge anti-abortion rally in Washington D.C. Constitution avenue was closed off for the marchers. I lived in the Washington D.C. area for a number of years but never really “saw” the buildings. For the first time, saw the buildings as they really were. They were all Greco-Roman architecture. The Roman Pantheon of gods was on one building. Gargoyles guarded our National Archives building. Almost every major government building copied the styles of ancient Rome and Greece. The Washington monument was borrowed from the ancient Egyptians, the needle of Horus, a Phallic symbol. Americans have no idea how much of our society has been borrowed, not from the Bible, but from ancient pagan societies. What was remarkable to me is that I had never seen this connection until that day even though I drove into that area and visited these buildings for business purposes many times before. This was another one of those “Have you ever read the white?” days.

It is easy to add human inventions to God’s righteousness:
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” “God helps those who help themselves.” “Women should not be ministers.” “Children should be seen and not heard.” In Germany the slogan “Arbeit machts frei” (work makes free) was a slogan often used in Church thus connecting it to God’s demands upon His people. The “Protestant work ethic” has more to do with Northern European tradition than with Scripture even though the Bible does emphasize honest work. Church buildings should have steeples. On and on it goes – thousands upon thousands of traditions and laws which “make the word of God of no effect.” There are scores of traditions and rituals in every church which are not found on the pages of the Bible but were “Christianized,” that is, borrowed from pagan religions and cultures. These all become blinding agents.

It is the doctrines and traditions of fallen men, especially religious fallen men -- that sends us into outer darkness – into ignorance. However, we must be mindful that it is not doctrine that saves, or enlightens or empowers, even true doctrine -- it is the very Spirit of God Who seeks to move through us and teach us all the mysteries contained in Jesus Christ, the TRUE WORD OF GOD. Please understand that there is essentially nothing wrong with many customs and laws created by various societies around the world. It is when these extra-biblical laws and traditions are subtly or sometimes not so subtly joined with God’s righteousness, Holiness or requirements that causes the problem. Of course, in addition to the teachings of men, our own prejudices, racism, bigotry, biases, resentments, anger, jealousies, etc. can have a profound effect on what we think we see in the Bible as well.

Projectionism

“Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you.” (Luke 11:34-36)

After over two decades as a Christian, I have found that a person can and will find whatever they want to in the Bible to justify themselves or condemn or judge others. If a person is a racist, he/she can find a verse or two to justify their racism. Ku Klux Klan literature is full of King James Bible quotes. If a person is a sexist, he can find scores of verses to support his bias. If greedy people want to justify selling or buying slaves, they can find support in the Bible. Jews, Christians and Muslims have throughout the last 2,000 years used the Bible to support countless abominations which they have done in the name of the Lord. But those verses were read with “dark light,” not with the light of the Holy Spirit. An evil person will project their own evil upon those they hate. They will also project their hate onto the pages of the Bible. If we are filled with things like nationalism, racism, prejudice, jealousies, greed, unrighteous anger, blame-shifting, self-righteousness, biases, denominationalism, cultural biases, resentment, unforgiveness, etc. -- these things are “dark light” which will cause us to project onto the pages of the Bible and on other people our own darkness of soul. We will end up forming God into our own image through what psychologists call “projection.” We also project our own short-comings onto perceived enemies through this same technique.

For example, some Jews in former times and even in modern times believe the Bible teaches that they are the only true representatives of God, that the rest of mankind are not true Adamites, they are not true human beings. They say that Arabs and those who think like them or support them are Amalakites who Jews are commanded to wipe off the face of the planet. Where did they get such teachings? From the “tradition of the elders” found in the Babylonian Talmud, the foundation of modern Judaism. The Talmud is a collection of commentaries of supposedly the wisest of Jewish Rabbis of ancient times. Modern Judaism is directly descended from the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. The Jewish Talmud is filled with all sorts of racist and elitist material which lends support to the kind of things carnal minds are filled with.

I have also come across Christians who believe that white Christians are the only true representatives of God, that darker skinned human beings are “beasts of the field,” not really human beings. And they use certain verses and certain interpretations of those verses to prove to themselves they are correct. Neither Jews nor Christians who teach these abominations are correct!

The Holy Spirit: A Doctrine or Life

As I have stated, the Bible, regardless of the translation (or even in its original languages) is NOT the true “word of God.” The true Word of God is a Person. His Name is Jesus the Messiah of the whole world. If we truly have Him and give His Holy Spirit pre-eminence in our life, then we have life indeed. But if the traditions of men and the doctrines of demons cloud our conscience or we live in the flesh and allow our base appetites to have their way, then we will reap from our lives and our Bible reading corruption and death. Remember, “the letter kills, it is the Spirit that gives life.” Again, keep in mind, even the Ten Commandments regardless of how well they are translated are a “ministry of condemnation,” a “ministry of death.” (2 Cor. 3: 7-18) I am purposefully repeating myself here because these false doctrines have been so deeply ingrained in us that it requires repetition to break through the thick crust. Sometimes it takes a jackhammer, spiritually speaking, for breakthrough to occur.

The driving force behind a Christian’s life in the Holy Spirit. But even He has become nothing more than a doctrine or creed in many denominations and churches. Even the best doctrines or teachings or creed about the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, are as dead as fallen trees. The Holy Spirit is alive and must be alive IN US if we are going to be effective in the Kingdom of God. He is not a concept – He is not a doctrine or a statement of belief even if the statement is perfectly phrased. The Word must be quickened, made alive by the Living Presence of the Living Word of the Creator. Inspiration, revelation, impartation, intercession, travailing, quickening, prophesying, manifesting, etc.—these are the manifestations of the Spirit of Truth. It is a great travesty that these very things are often utterly rejected by much of the church world -- and we wonder why the church is so spiritually ineffective. The Holy Spirit must pour out of us in great power like rivers of Living Water in a dry parched desert. Nothing less will do.

“For the Spirit of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of prophecy.” (Rev. 19:10) “Do not despise prophesying.” (1 Thess. 5:20) “Oh foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you…This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:1-3)

In short, Paul was saying that any attempt to try to relate to God via our own efforts, our thinking, our concepts, etc. is utterly foolish, useless and actually contrary to God’s way. God’s way is by HIS Spirit. The love, power, the word, the truth, the gifts, the fruit of a life of righteousness all come via His Spirit – they do not come from our intellect, our efforts, our theology, etc.

It seems natural for man to fall back into the old way even when one has received the Holy Spirit. It is not only possible, but quite probable for a Christian to grieve or quench the Holy Spirit and to miss or bury the things He gives us. To grieve or quench the Holy Spirit is as natural as succumbing to the power of gravity. The very forces of this world are arrayed against the power of the Holy Spirit within a person. Satan does not go after Christians who talk a good talk but are useless in the kingdom of God. Those individuals are already under his power. He goes after those who are still full of the power of the Holy Spirit. Satan is not upset there are Christians in the world. Names mean nothing to him. It is the power of the Holy Spirit residing in a Christian who has learned how to maintain a living vibrant relationship with God through Him that is a danger to Satan’s kingdom. The book of Acts is an example of what every church in the world should look like regarding the power of the Holy Spirit and how He can change things through His Body. To the degree our church does not look like the body of Christ in the book of Acts, to that degree it has grieved or quenched the Spirit.

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30) “Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thess. 5:19)

Paul, nearing the end of his course must have been deeply grieved as he watched much of his work return to darkness:

“Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto you keep by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us. This you know, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.” (2 Tim. 1:13-15)

The “Great Falling Away” Occurred Long Ago

If much of the church was falling away from what Paul termed “my gospel” during his own lifetime, imagine how far the modern church may be from Paul’s teachings which he honestly believed was the only true gospel to be preached. Paul told Timothy to “hold fast the form of sound words” heard from him from which many were turning away. The church plunged into the Dark Ages because it turned from Paul’s gospel. Being led by the Holy Spirit was replaced with thousands of traditions of men and doctrines of demons. Those traditions and teachings have filled the earth. The natural course of human kind seems to gravitate towards religion instead of an intimate relationship with God. It seems the greatest “effort” or “work” on our part once we have received the “faith of Christ” in our bodies is to keep the Spirit of God within us stirred and active. Paul uses the analogy of fire to describe how we can become spiritually ineffective: “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” (2 Tim. 1:6, NIV)

Friends, regardless of how studious and faithful we think we have been, we have all drunk from the fount of religion, a fount of deadly poison. And this poison has polluted our minds. Martin Luther is no exception to the Christian life. The traditions he swallowed prevented him from seeing what was plainly there all along. We all have our filters, our religious baggage, our “traditions of men which make the word of God of no effect” that hinder us from receiving a true word of life from our Scripture reading -- all of us, including you and me.

Translating the Scriptures

All I have shared is not to say there is no need for newer and better translations of the Bible, there certainly is. Most of the popular English Bible translations are still riddled today with Dark and Middle Age theology which entered into the Reformation Bibles. These early English translations still have a negative hold on modern day translators who are still translating according to the “tradition of the elders” instead of being inspired by the Holy Spirit and using sound translation techniques. There are key Dark Age doctrines which have crept into the pages of our modern Bibles through translators whose minds are still bound by false teachings about God and His plan for the of salvation of mankind. This article cannot go into all of that. Suffice it to say, while we’ve come a long way from the time the church did not allow lay people to read the Bible – a time in which the only official Bible was the corrupt Latin Vulgate which Jerome translated in the fourth century AD -- we still have a long way to go regarding purer translations of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek Scriptures into current languages. (The reader is encouraged to subscribe to our “Tentmaker Bible Matters Email List” for helps with Bible translations. Past articles appear at http://www.tentmaker.org/Biblematters/bible-index.htm) Even popular English Bible translations such as the following ones have serious errors in them which greatly misrepresent the God of the Bible and His plan of redemption of mankind: King James Version, New International Version, New Revised Standard Version, New American Standard Version, New English Translation, Complete Jewish Bible, International Standard Version, New Century Version, Good News to Modern Man, Amplified Bible, Living Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, Third Millenium Bible, New King James Bible, Modern King James Bible, Twenty-first Century King James, Scofield Reference Bible, The Message, and many more.

Methods of Bible Translating

I just want to lightly touch upon an important subject regarding Bible translations. There are several different methods for translating the Hebrew and Greek into common modern languages. Various scholars use different terms to describe these methods. I’ll use John A. Kohler III’s terminology:

1. Concordant method - This is the woodenly literal, word-for-word method. It is based upon the idea that each Hebrew or Greek word should be translated into an equivalent English word. It also attempts to follow the grammatical structure of the original language texts. Examples of translations produced by this method are Young’s Literal Version and Rotherham’s Emphasized New Testament.

2. Mildly Concordant Method - This is the literal, word-for-word method. It is not as extreme as the Concordant Method, but it tends toward a choppy style of translation that does not flow smoothly in the English. Also, it translates Hebrew and Greek idioms very accurately, but they do not always make good sense in English. Furthermore, it makes excessive use of conjunctions at the beginning of sentences, which makes for very poor English. Besides these weaknesses, most translations of this kind are based upon inferior Hebrew and Greek texts. Examples of translations produced by this method are the American Standard Version and the New American Standard Version.

3. Static Equivalence Method - This is the word-for-word, idea-for-idea method. It attempts to follow the original Hebrew and Greek text word-for-word as long as this results in good idiomatic English that accurately conveys the intention of the Biblical writer. It does not always attempt to follow the grammatical structure of the original language texts and is concerned about the readability of the English text. Examples of translations produced by this method are the King James Version and, to a lesser degree, the New King James Version and the Revised Standard Version.

4. Dynamic Equivalence Method - This is the idea-for-idea method. It is not concerned with literal, word-for-word translation in most cases and often paraphrases God’s Word. It does not seek to translate the actual words of Scripture as much as it attempts to employ idiomatic equivalence. Examples of translations produced by this method are the New International Version, New English Bible, and Today’s English Version.

5. Free Paraphrase Method - This is the extreme idea-for-idea method. It simply attempts to restate the “gist” of the Biblical text in the translator’s own words. It is not at all concerned about word-for-word translation of the Biblical text, but seeks to express Biblical content in popular, readable, contemporary language. The leading example of a translation produced by this method, though there are many others, is Kenneth Taylor’s The Living Bible. (Peterson’s The Message is another example.) Endquote.

Personally, I do not believe any of these five methods will produce the best Bible translations. But that subject is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say, there are a variety of ways to translate the Bible, each with its own problems and short-comings. Some methods, however, are clearly more likely to reproduce the meaning the original writers had in mind when they wrote.

The early Reformators had very few resources with which to determine the true meaning of the texts before them. The Hebrew and Greek scholarship at that time was greatly lacking in the Church due to the fact that Latin had become the sacred language of the Roman Catholic Church. As a result, there were many words, phrases, concepts, persons, places and things in the original languages with which translators were unfamiliar. However, even Jewish Biblical Hebrew scholars in modern times have difficulty determining the actual meaning of many parts of the Old Testament. The modern Jewish Publication Society’s “Tanakh” (a recent translation of the Old Testament) notes hundreds of words and phrases of which Jewish Hebrew scholars even today do not really know the meaning. This kind of integrity is greatly lacking in the Christian publishing industry.

The “Inerrant Bible” is a myth that still covers the Christian Bible translating community and prevents them from being as honest as they should be with those purchasing their translations. For example the original 1611 King James Bible contained many marginal readings which revealed their lack of understanding of certain words. These marginal readings have since been removed from modern printings of the KJV to bolster belief in the Biblical Inerrancy Doctrine. The “Translators to the Reader” preface found in the original KJV has also been removed. Why? Because their statements clearly contradicted the idea that their translation was original and without error. (See “The English Bible From KJV to NIV” by Jack Lewis, Baker Publications)

Are Bible translations needful and important? Absolutely! I believe Christian Bibles are the most important literature in the world. But NO translation is “The “Word of God,” especially the “Inerrant Word of God” despite thousands of preachers holding up their favorite translation and saying, “Let’s look into the word of God and see what God says about this.” The True Word of God is a Living Word anointed by the Holy Spirit. It is a word from THE WORD, the Son of God and the Son of Man and Anointed with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

On Hearing Our Heavenly Father

Let me give you another example of how the Anointed Living Word works. Richard Wurmbrandt was an atheist Jew (now deceased.) who was converted to Christ through the love of a German carpenter in Romania. He became a Lutheran pastor.

During the Russian invasion of Romania, Wurmbrandt and his church handed out many Bibles to the Russian soldiers. The demand was so great they ran out of Bibles. So they started tearing apart the Bibles and gave each soldier only one page.

One day Richard considered whether handing out a single page of the Bible in Russian would have any effect on anyone. So he asked a Russian named Ivan whether he gained anything in the reading of his Bible page. Ivan related to Richard that the page he received had the name Jeremiah in the title. He understood practically nothing he read. The page contained information about names and places Ivan knew nothing about. But five words on that page leaped out at Ivan: “And God spoke to Jeremiah.” Ivan thought this to himself as he pondered those words:

“This Jeremiah must not have been a very important man. I’ve never heard of such a man. Stalin, Lenin, these are important men. I’ve heard of them. Now if God would speak to such an unimportant man like Jeremiah, perhaps he might speak to me.”

And from that moment on, he related to Richard Wurmbrandt, he has heard the still small voice of God in his heart which brought him joy unspeakable! This voice within began to teach him the ways of God. When tempted to steal, he would ask the Word within whether it was ok or not and he would hear clearly that it was not ok. He didn’t need to read “Thou shalt not steal” in Exodus. Why? Because the Living Word of Jesus was washing his conscience clean. He was being washed by Living Waters, not dead letters on a page made of a dead tree. He was eating from the Living Tree of Life, Jesus, the Living Word from the Father of all Creation.

Speaking of Washings

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:25-27)

As is often the case, stories in the Bible contain much deeper truths than what one finds on the surface. Jesus washing His disciples’ feet holds a special place in many people’s hearts. (John 13:3-17) The surface lesson is that we should humble ourselves, take the lowly position, and care for your brothers and sister in the Lord. But there is something much deeper here. When Peter realized he made a mistake with his comments, he asked Jesus to wash all of him, not just his feet. But Jesus told Peter that only his feet were dirty – they were what needed to be cleaned. Feet speak of walking. This world, spiritually is dirty. Jesus prayed not that His disciples be taken out of this filthy world, but that they be protected from the evil of it. (John 17:14-20)

We are Jesus’ “feet” in the earth. Jesus must clean His Body, which we are, because we live in a dirty world. Jesus told Peter he could have no part IN HIM, unless he allowed Jesus to wash his feet. In essence, Jesus was saying that His feet (his disciples which we are) must be washed clean by the “washing of the word” every day. Sanctification is connected with being washed by His Word. If we are going to represent Him in His holiness, we must allow Jesus to wash us daily. We are bombarded with sinful images and foul words and ideas every place we go. Watch a couple hours of television while allowing the Holy Spirit to show you what He sees. Our walk, His feet must be cleansed daily for our sake as well as Jesus’ sake.

A Word about “The Word of God”

It is important to note that the “Word” of the Bible is far more encompassing than an audio voice through one’s ears or a still small voice in one’s “heart” or conscience. The Bible begins, “In the beginning, God…” The book of John in what is commonly called the “New Testament or Covenant” begins,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” (John 1:1-4)

Paul, the apostle, adds the following in his letter to the Colossians:

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible, and invisible, whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the ekklesia, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth, or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” (Col. 1:15-20)

As one can see from the above two verses, it is impossible to get a complete handle around the “word of God.” The universe and every book and human being combined cannot hold “the Word.” We must greatly enlarge our understanding of what the “Word of God” found in the Bible is all about especially when it comes to communicating with this “Word.”

Do not think “the Word” of God is limited to hearing Him audibly through your ears and interpreted by your mind. Occasionally, God speaks to someone like that. Often He speaks to someone in a still small voice which seems to come from the conscience or the heart – some inner place. But He uses many other means to communicate even as we, human beings, use many methods of communicating ideas besides written or spoken words. We must open our minds and hearts to the many different ways “the Word” expresses himself to His disciples. These other means of communication are also part of “the Word.” He may enlighten words on a page of the Bible or another book by His Holy Spirit whereas we may normally be reading through our carnal or natural mind which Paul says is at enmity with God. I am touching upon a very sensitive area here. Paul wrote:

“For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ. Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-- mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere men? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-- as the Lord has assigned to each his task.” (1 Corinthians 2:11 - 3:5, NIV)

Paul is stating quite plainly that it is quite possible for someone who calls himself a Christian to still be quite carnal – to think with the natural mind instead of the mind of Christ. Denominationalism (I am of Paul, I am of Apollos, I am of Luther, I am of Wesley, etc.) is NOT spiritual. Therefore, if a Christian is doing carnal things like dividing the body of Christ into denominations and sects or participating or supporting such behavior can they possibly be using the mind of Christ? What would Paul say if he were alive today about the tens of thousands of different denominations of Christianity in the world today? Can anything “spiritual” come from such carnal divisions? Can such sectarianism handle the “solid food” of which Paul speaks? Judge yourself before He has to make the judgment.

Other Means of Communications

He may use an angel. He may use a jackass if He so desires as in the case of Balaam. God often sends us dreams and visions which require interpretation. The dream or vision may or may not contain words. But even if it contained words, God may use them differently than we normally would.

When Peter in his vision of a blanket full of all sorts of unclean animals heard a voice saying, “Peter, arise, kill and eat,” those words were not really referring to actual animals. (Acts 10:9-36) Neither did He expect Peter to actually kill these animals and eat them. When Peter went to Cornelius’ house, Peter received the true meaning of that vision and the words. Jews considered gentiles unclean animals. They often called them “dogs.” The Holy Spirit was telling Peter that God had cleansed the gentiles – He had broken the wall of partition. It was acceptable not only to eat with them, but to communicate with them, to exchange words, to receive from one another. When we listen to someone else, are we not taking a part of them and adding that to our being? In that sense, are we not “eating” them? We see here that God was not using the words “kill” and “eat” in the natural human sense of those words. Under the Old Covenant sense of warfare, they literally killed their enemies with the sword. They took territory through putting to death the inhabitants. But under the New Covenant, we conquer by laying down our lives and winning our enemies with love. And we do not plunder them -- we win them into the kingdom of God through love and thereby “inheriting” the heathen. Every natural type and shadow of the Old Covenant many of which seem almost barbaric and gross become beautiful realities of God’s love and mercy.

Under the New Covenant, we do battle with spiritual warfare, not with natural weapons. Nor do we physically kill. Jesus “destroyed” the works of the devil through His own death. Through His own death, Jesus killed death.

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades (Hell), where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:54-56)

Jesus “killed” so to speak the works of the devil. Jesus “spoiled,” that is, conquered and took possession of Satan’s possessions, and gave them to His body. In that sense, we may now “kill and eat.” (Col 2:10-23) The heathen are our inheritance (Psalm 2:8; 79:2) We are to plunder Satan’s kingdom of souls lost in darkness. However, if we interpret verses like this with the carnal mind, we may think, (as some modern Jews and Christians believe today) that God is saying to kill unbelievers and take their physical possessions. In Israel today, there are many Jewish settlers who feel Biblically justified in killing Palestinians and stealing their land because certain verses of Scripture command them to do so according to their fleshly interpretations. And tens of millions of Christians support these Jews in this endeavor.

The Bible is full of many verses which are often taken literally and turned into total nonsense as a result. This sometimes affects millions of Christians as well as the world we are called to influence. For example, Jesus said,

“Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor. 11:24-25)

In another passage, Jesus says,

“Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” (John 6:53)

From a semi-literal interpretation of these verses, some denominations of Christianity teach that when Christians eat the bread and wine/grape juice at the Eucharist or Communion, they are actually eating the very flesh of Jesus Christ and drinking His blood. While most Christians do not carry their literalism to this extreme and do not fall into this gross misinterpretation of the meaning of these verses, there are many other passages of Scripture which ARE taken too literally and not understood by the true Spiritual meaning. Millions of Christians today still don’t understand the import of “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:33)

Much more needs to be said regarding literalizing things, words, visions, etc which really must be seen spiritually. However, that is beyond the scope of this article. Suffice it to say in regards to spiritual eating; crackers and grape juice doesn’t cut it. Neither does a lamb chop, bitter herbs and salt water (modern Jewish Passover ritual). The Father gave Jesus food to eat, “My food is to do the WILL of Him Who sent Me and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) As we can see, the food from heaven is much more substantive, spiritually speaking, than the rituals religionists substitute for it. (for more information on the food from heaven, read our “The Bread of Life” booklet.)

God may speak to us through the gift of speaking in an unknown tongue. There are many different teachings about this gift and I can’t cover them all nor go into what I believe. Suffice it to say, in church this speech must be interpreted.

He may give impressions. He may use one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit or one of the “gifts of men” spoken of in the book of Ephesians. His Presence may rest upon a person in such a way that they actually feel His weight, His glory upon them. He may communicate through unutterable groanings. (Rom. 8:26-27) While we may not understand what He is saying or doing, we know God is active in us as we participate in His intercessions through us. He may use symbolic actions like the man who took Paul’s belt, bound himself with it and prophesied that Paul would be imprisoned if he went to Jerusalem. (Acts 21:11) He may briefly open one’s spiritual eyes and allow one to see something others can’t see as in the case of Elijah and the armies of the Lord in the clouds. Those who seek to truly be led by the Holy Spirit must open their hearts and minds to being spoken to by any of these means as well as others. There are many Christians today, who will not allow God to use them in many of these ways. This limits God’s “Word” in them. This is the sin of unbelief which is very prevalent in the church. Being led by the Holy Spirit requires great trust – a trust which many Christians do not have. People love rituals, ruts, rote, regulations. Many of the rituals in religion, I believe, are demonically inspired. It is the demons who love these things. And when one tried to take these empty forms away from people, one will often notice a violent reaction. Try taking Easter, Christmas, Mass or Rosary beads away from some folks and you’ll see violent demonic reaction.

Part of the problem with being led by the Holy Spirit is the many counterfeits which also operate which give an appearance of coming from God. Yes, there are false prophets by the train-load. Yes, it is easy to misinterpret dreams and visions. Peter, himself, seemed to have problems in this area. Yes, there are “false” impressions. Yes, there are leaders whose intend is to draw disciples after themselves. Yes, one can hear inner voices that are not from God. These and many more, are reasons countless Christians do not move deeper into being “led by the Spirit.” We do not want to be deceived. But the fact of the matter is, if we do NOT move into being led by the Spirit and open ourselves to the many ways He communicates with us which are not normal to natural human communication, then we are already deceived. The carnal mind is enmity with the Spirit. And if we do NOT use the means of communication God has ordained in the Scriptures, if we default to the natural mindset, if we will not yield ourselves to the means of communication the Holy Spirit employs which are quite unnatural for us, then we are not advancing the Kingdom of God. We are really working for the devil while pretending to be serving God.

The contrast between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant is tremendous (read our “The Pillar Laws of the New Covenant” and “Old Covenant Versus New Covenant”). Literal or natural readings of many passages of Scripture actual cause one to turn evil to good and vice-a-versa. Misreading the Bible can bring spiritual death. Mixing Mosaic Law with the Law of the Life in Christ Jesus has brought spirit death to many Christians. Literal reading of passages meant to be seen in the light of the Holy Spirit often turn the word of God into an abomination. One of apostle Paul’s biggest problem was getting people to see the types and shadows of the Old Covenant by the Spirit, not with natural eyes. At the end of his life, Paul stated that most of his disciples in Asia had abandoned him. Very few Christians, even today, really understand what Paul was saying. That which appears as life in the natural is death in the Spirit and vis-a-versa. In the natural, it is better to receive than to give. Not so in the Spirit. In the Spirit, one must first “die” before they can actually live. “Whoever finds his life, will lose it, and whoever loses (kill, spiritually speaking) his life for My sake will find it.” (Matt. 10:39) See? So much between the natural secular world and the Spiritual world of Jesus are opposites or in reverse. That which the natural world (or religious world) calls good very often is evil in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Getting on Target

“As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith. But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.” (1 Tim. 1:3-7, NAS)

Much could be said about Paul’s admonition to Timothy in this verse, but I want to draw the attention of the reader to a couple of important points. Rather than “furthering the administration of God which is BY FAITH,” these men were getting entangled in “fruitless discussions” dealing with “endless genealogies (which the Mosaic Law concerns itself with), and other aspects of laws of the Old Covenant. They had begun in the Spirit but had “fallen from grace” through mixing natural understandings and speculation of the Mosaic law with spiritual things. (Gal. chapter 3, 4, 5) They were Judaized. Paul was so furious over this issue, that he wished those who were deceiving his disciples with these teachings (such as circumcision) would go all the way and castrate themselves completely so they couldn’t spread their poisonous seeds into Paul’s congregations. (Gal. 5:12, Of course, Paul was speaking metaphorically.) This mixture, which began in the first century, has been going on since then. One need not look for a “great falling away” in our generation, the falling away has happened a long time ago. Today is the time of restoration – the time of putting off all these abominable teachings which the church has been full of for hundreds of years.

We must get back to Love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Now there is a prayer. Lord, give me a heart pure enough and a conscience good enough and faith sincere enough for your love to flow purely and freely. Amen. Anything that prevents us from moving in these waters is probably not from Him. Legalism, literalism, etc. is to flowing in the Spirit like cholesterol is to arteries. We must avoid it at all costs if we are to be 100 percent effective. We must allow our hearts to be enlarged to receive and impart the fullness of all His Word and His Spirit Who God seeks to impart to us that They might flow through us. Truly the world, that is, the heathen, are our inheritance. It is truly a joy -- it is true living to bring the Word of Life to the unbelieving world. THIS is our inheritance! This is what Christians are called to do -- to give Life to a dead world! It IS truly better to give than to receive.

Mount of Transfiguration

In the seventeenth chapter of Matthew (also Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36), we find what Jesus calls “a vision” which He told John, James and John to tell no one until the Son of Man is raised from the dead. In this vision, Jesus is speaking with Moses and Elijah. Then a cloud enveloped them all and “suddenly a voice came out of the cloud saying ‘This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased. Hear Him!’” The disciples fell on their faces in fright. Jesus touched them and told them not to be afraid. There is much to say about this particular passage of Scripture, but I will have to pass over most of it because it would require too much space. Suffice it to say, at the age of thirty in the Mosaic tradition, the son who would take over his father’s business would be taken by the father to the gate of the city where the elders met and say to the elders, “This is my son; today I have adopted him.” This was a Hebrew expression meaning the father has made the son a full-partner in his business. The Son’s word in business was as good as the father’s – they were one. In the natural, Jewish men brought their son to the gate of the city to make that declaration to the elders of that city who then become witnesses to that declaration. In the Spirit, God the Father brought Jesus to the heights of Hermon, a symbolic type of the gates of the kingdom of God and declared to the elders of the Old Covenant (Moses and Elijah) and the elders of the New Covenant (John, James and Peter) that from now on Jesus was a full-fledged business partner with Him. Jesus was now officially God’s Word in the earth.

When Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River, the Father also spoke the words “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” But this time on Mount Hermon, He added, “HEAR HIM!” Under the Old Covenant, the voice the children of Israel were to hear was the Law of Moses and the prophetic utterances of the prophets. Elijah, on the mount of transfiguration represented the Prophets and Moses represented the Law. God the Father overshadowed them all and then Moses and Elijah disappeared – they faded away. This symbolized the passing away of the Law and the Prophets. The letter of the Law was being replaced with the Living Word of the Son of God who is ever at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased. Hear Him!” Oh, if we could just fully embrace the fullness of the import of those words!

Jesus was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun and his clothes were as light. This is one of many types and shadows and scriptural proof that the Mosaic Law was done away. Yet many denominations of Christianity resurrect parts of it thinking it would be beneficial when in fact it only produces death. This scene occurred on Mount Hermon, the snow-covered Mountain north of Israel which represents God the Father. All the waters that give life to Israel whether in the form of dew at night or the Jordan River originate from Mount Hermon. Its strategic placement, it being snow-covered year around, it being the highest mountain in the region, etc., all speak volumes. This vision speaks of the fulfillment of the type of the “Feast of Tabernacles” found in the Mosaic Law. That is why Peter wanted to build three tabernacles, one for each of the glorious beings on the mountain.

In the Old Testament, the Ark of the Covenant, representing God’s presence in the midst of His people, was contained in tents or tabernacles. Peter’s revelation regarding the Feast of Tabernacles and its fulfillment in Christ was not quite complete. In the New Covenant, it is we, God’s people who become “tabernacles” for the Lord. God lives inside of us, and we are truly moving dwelling places for God’s Holy Spirit. Just like God’s glory traveled with the tabernacles of Moses and abode in David’s tabernacle on Mount Zion, a Christian’s body filled with God’s Holy Spirit is the reality of that Old Covenant type. Every born-from-above, Spirit-baptized believer in Jesus Christ is a living tabernacle (tent) in which the very presence of God dwells, moves and has His being. What an awesome truth! How wonderful the Old Testament Scriptures become when seen through a mind cleansed by the Living Word of Christ! The types and shadows of the Old Covenant Scriptures all end up pointing to the reality of those things which are found in Christ, the Living Word.

The Father said, “HEAR HIM!” “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) This is how faith comes – NOT by reading the KJV, or the NIV or any other translation. It must be a Living Word. We are NOT saved by our faith in Jesus Christ – we are saved by Jesus’ faith placed in us. It is the “faith OF Jesus Christ that saves, not our faith. If we receive the faith OF Jesus Christ through hearing His voice, then the process we find in Ephesians 2:8-10 has room in our lives:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Dead Works Versus God’s Works Prepared For Us.

“For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:13-14, NASB)

“Cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” Here is the great battleground of Christians. For most of us, it is not going back to the sins of the flesh – it is being trapped into a life of producing dead religious works that have an appearance of producing life, yet they are dead. Slavery in Egypt represents slavery to the flesh in the Bible “fleshpots of Egypt”, (Ex. 16:3). But slavery in Babylon represents slavery to religion – doing things that appear to be holy, but which produce no life. Preston Eby, in the 52nd part of his series “From the Candlestick to the Throne,” writes:

“’And by the angel of the church in Sardis write…I know thy works, that thou has a name that thou livest, and art dead’ (Rev 3:1). The Holy Spirit says to the church in Sardis, ‘You have a name -- a reputation and recognition by the people – that you are alive. This name that they have relates to their works. They have a name that they live because they are filled with all kinds of activity, but the sentence of the great Judge of all is, ‘Thou art dead!’ Instead of operating in the power of the Holy Spirit who is the life of the body of Christ, like computerized robots they go from the form of flesh-generated programmed activity that appears to the undiscerning eye to be evidence of life. But their works do not originate out of life, but stem rather from a realm of death – the death of the carnal mind and human zeal.” Endquote.

Although few of us would care to acknowledge it, those carnal, dead works characterize most churches and those who attend them. Whether we care to acknowledge it or whether we are even aware of it, the “traditions of men which make the word of God of no effect” have deceived us all probably even as they deceived most Jews in Jesus’ day. (Matt. 15:6-9) What will it take to break this power? Honesty – an honesty that seems difficult to find among God’s people, especially in leadership.

We briefly touched upon the types of the feasts of Israel in the Mount of Transfiguration section. Some denominations and many churches, particularly of the Messianic Jewish variety or those influenced by them spend considerable time reenacting a modern version of the feast days of Israel, particularly the feast of Passover. They will take portions of the Old Covenant requirements, add some extra-biblical traditions the Elders of Israel added to Moses’ commands, then explain the parts of the ritual which point to the Messiah Jesus and do this year after year thinking that something very spiritual was done. Each of the feast days of Israel points to a spiritual reality which a believer is to enter into. The point of the type was not for it to be reenacted as it was commanded in the Old Testament. The type seen through enlightened eyes of the Holy Spirit should bring a person or congregation to the REALITY of the type!

For example, once one sees a sign which reads “To Jerusalem,” is it reasonable or sane to think one has arrived to the city simply by seeing the sign? Should one make a holy holiday around the day on which you saw the sign and turn it into a ritual thinking God would be pleased with that? Or do you think that God might be more pleased if we followed the direction the sign pointed to and actually GO TO THE CITY!

Jesus fulfilled all the types and shadows of the Mosaic Covenant in Himself. The types and shadows are but pointers to spiritual realities found in the Living Christ. We must enter the reality of the types and shadows of the “words” of the Old Covenant, not repeat bastardized reenactments which bring us no closer to the spiritual reality than visiting a road sign annually which points to Jerusalem. Actually, the road sign will never bring the traveler to the destination to which it is pointing until the traveler LEAVES THE ROAD SIGN. Putting the name Jesus into the ritual won’t bring one any closer to the reality of the type than without it. Dead works is dead works with or without the name of Jesus added to it. One can engage in just as much idolatry using the name Jesus as without it.
Idols can’t see or hear yet we follow them much more than we realize. Dead works is synonymous with idolatry. God spoke to Ezekiel about the idols in the hearts of God’s priests. (Ezekiel 14:1-11) These are akin to the “traditions of men” to which Jesus referred in Matt. 15:6-9.

The Pharisees mockingly asked Jesus, “Are we blind too?” Jesus replied to them, “Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:41, NIV) What is Jesus saying? Were they blind? Spiritually, of course they were. But would they acknowledge their sin, their shortcoming? The true meaning of sin is “to miss the mark.” The Pharisees fell far short of God’s righteousness according to the Old Covenant, but they were too proud and self-righteous to see it. If they saw their true depraved spiritual state and acknowledged it, Jesus could have healed them of their blindness. How many of us are in this same condition?

The religious leadership in Jesus’ day could quote Scriptures as well as anyone around. They thought they knew every jot and tittle – and tithed the smallest of seeds. They followed every ritual perfectly. Paul, the apostle to the nations came from this crowd. He could wrestle Scriptures with the best of them. But Paul, one who could write great theological treatises like the book of Romans said,

Gifts of the Holy Spirit Have Ceased?

“And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:4-5, KJV)

Throughout much of the Church Age, this and many other passages of Scripture have had the power of those words squeezed right out of them through false theology -- through “the tradition of men.” I have heard many pastors teach and preach that the power of the early church is no longer needed. They say God gave the early church great power because it did not have the New Testament Scriptures. These also say that when the New Testament Scriptures were canonized, the power of the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Holy Spirit were removed from the church. They say the gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased – gifts such as the word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophesy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

Tens of thousands of ministers have rendered millions of Christians harmless to the kingdom of Satan through a single theological dogma that the gifts of the Holy Spirit belong in the past – they are not for today. These theologians use a single verse of Scripture for their proof text,

“But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.” (1 Cor. 13:10)

They say that “that which is perfect” is the New Testament scriptures. That is an utter lie! There isn’t a single translation that is even remotely perfect. And we don’t have the original writings of the New Testament Scriptures so it is rather dishonest to lead people into thinking we do. And even if we had them, THEY are NOT, “that which is perfect.” The letter killeth” – even a perfect letter can only kill PERFECTLY! It is the Spirit of God that gives life! It is the Living Word that gives life! And He is filled with unbelievable power! But most Christians cannot avail themselves of that power because of so much unbelief in the Church. (Write for my article, “Unbelief, the Christian’s Greatest Sin.”)

Living Words

A perfect translation of the Bible will not bring the truth into our soul if we are filled with traditions of men which make the word of God of no effect nor if we have corruption in our hearts. Some of the most evil men I have encountered in my Christian walk have practically memorized the Bible.

When Jesus was tested of the Devil after the forty day fast in the wilderness, Satan used Scriptures to try to tempt Jesus. I have heard in more than one sermon how Jesus defeated Satan by quoting Scriptures. In two of the three temptations, Satan quoted Scriptures. Jesus replied all three times quoting Scripture. But what was the last Scripture Jesus quoted which ended that spiritual battle?:

"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matt. 4:4, NIV)

“Every word that comes from the mouth of God” is far more than the 700,000 plus words found in most Bible translations. Jesus limited Himself greatly for the first part of His ministry because part of His role as the Messiah was to “fulfill” all that the Law and Prophets spoke of Him. Jesus was born under the Law. He fulfilled all the types, shadows and requirements which the Mosaic Law, Prophets and Writings required of the Messiah. That is why Jesus allowed John, the Baptist, to baptize Him, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” (Matt. 3:15) What righteousness? The righteous requirements of the Law and Prophets which pointed to who the true Messiah would be. This was how Israel could determine who the real Messiah was. The Law and the Prophets laid out many requirements which the true Messiah would fulfill. But once He fulfilled them, then they were abolished – then Jesus could it, “It is finished!” He could then inaugurate the New Covenant sealed with His own blood, not the blood of bulls and goats. The New Covenant was a covenant of Living Words, not words on sheep skins or stones.

One of the types in the Old Covenant which pointed to this New Covenant was the gathering of Manna in the wilderness. They could only gather what they could eat that day. Only on the day before the Sabbath could they gather enough to last the two days so they did not have to work on the Sabbath. This speaks typically that we are to receive daily instructions from the Lord. Yesterday’s word is represented by yesterday’s Manna – it became rotten. Denominations which are perpetuated today based upon some men who have long died are feeding their members yesterday’s manna – it is dead! Furthermore, the children of Israel who refused to move with the Cloud and the Pillar of fire DIED in the camp at which they refused to go further. Oh, dear Christian, hear the word of the Lord! Remember this: The Old Covenant – dead letter; The New Covenant – Living Word.

Satan knows the Scriptures. So do his “angels of light” who are often in the form of ministers and Bible teachers. Some of the most evil men I have met were pastors who could almost quote the entire King James Bible word for word. It will require something far more spiritual than quoting Scripture verses to defeat the Devil’s devices against us. The average Christian raised in a typical denomination or Christian movement is more than likely to have been subjected and indoctrinated to a host of ideas and definitions which are contrary to the true Spirit of God, even as Martin Luther was.

The true God of the Bible is much more loving, powerful, merciful, forgiving, wise, efficient and just than any denomination or mind of man has conceived of Him. The Dark Light in fallen man still holds a grip upon the minds of Christians even though most will not acknowledge this or take serious steps to come into the true light of the Spirit of the Son of God, the Savior of the world. But I sense a wave is on the horizon which will sweep away a lot of the “traditions of men” in Christianity which have hindered the growth of those who espouse the name of Christ. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Dark Light or True Light

Let us look at a few verses of Scripture through two different sets of eyes. One set is the Pharisaic, legalistic, tradition-laden mind which is quick to use the Scriptures to condemn others while pardoning themselves. The other mind has been renewed by the Holy Spirit. The traditionalist, who likes to sit on the judgment seat, will read 1 Samuel 2:6 and point out that God kills. The person whose eyes are anointed with the Living Word will point out that after “Gods kills” the same sentence reads “and makes alive again.” They are given the revelation that God sometimes uses death the way an anesthesiologist might use a drug to put one under for the patient’s benefit.

The Pharisaic mind will concentrate on “I wound” in Deuteronomy 32:39 while those governed by the Living Word will focus on the last part of that very same phrase, “I heal.” The mind governed by the Living Word has come to understand that God’s harsh measures are but a means to bring healing and restoration.

The judgmental one will see “Jacob I loved, Esau I hated,” (Rom. 9:13) and use the verse to prove that God hates some people even as they are born. According to some theologians some people are born to be eternal enemies of God destined for an eternal burning incinerator. Love filled eyes will go to the end of the Jacob and Esau story and find God took good care of Esau. And after Jacob, the conniver and deceiver whom “God loved” was humbled at Peniel after his wrestling match, he saw Esau in a different light: “I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.” (Gen. 33:10) (Oh, that modern Israel and modern Jews could learn this by the Ruach Ha Kodesh, the Holy Spirit!) Suffice it to say, God blessed both Jacob and Esau. He simply had different plans for them. Part of God’s plan to bring Jacob to maturity was to have Esau as his enemy for a season.

The tradition blinded believer will see the story of Sodom’s destruction in Genesis as the ultimate expression of God’s eternal wrath. Sodom, to them, represents the grossest of sinners. Yet love-filled eyes will see that the self-righteousness of those who condemn Sodom was twice as ugly to God as was the sin of Sodom. In Ezekiel chapter 16, God said the sin of Jerusalem, the city of God’s priests, a type of modern Christians who are to be a “royal priesthood,” was far more repugnant to him than the sins of the Sodomites. As a matter of fact, according to Yahweh, the sins of Jerusalem, the priesthood of the “chosen people” JUSTIFIED the people of Sodom. (Ezekiel 16:51, 52. It would be good for all Christians to read this chapter regularly to help stay humble.) Sodom, according to Ezekiel will one day be restored to her former estate and be given to Jerusalem as a daughter.

A law-minded, legalistic person’s eyes will always be looking for the worst in people. They will create in their own minds a God of wrath and judgment. This god will be hypocritical, just like themselves. Their minds cannot see God’s mercy except for themselves and those in their inner circle – a circle which is usually very small. A legalist (and Judaism, Christianity and Islam are full of them) will place a God of judgment, wrath and punishment upon the throne of judgment instead of the Slain Lamb which takes away the sin of the world found in Revelation 5:6 (see also John 1:29). The law-centered heart is quick to judge; quick to force God’s hand; quick to put a glistening sword into God’s hands to justify their own murderous hearts. But the Christian who is filled with the love of God reads, “Mercy shall triumph over (exalt over, have victory over) judgment.” (James 2:13)

The Pharisaic mind which floods the three monotheistic religions is short-sighted – it can barely see anything, and yet it is quick to kill – it kills both foe and friend alike. At the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD, far more Jews were killed at the hands of other Jews than at the hands of the Romans. (See Josephus’ “War of the Jews.”)

Summarizing

In summary, the true Word of God is not the Bible, it is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of all mankind. John, the apostle wrote,

“Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25, NIV)

For millions of Christians, the Bible has been made into an idol. For them, God has become a set of rules and rituals contained on a couple thousand pages of paper covered with a couple pieces of cow, sheep or pig skin. If you don’t believe it, throw a Bible on the floor in some churches and watch the reaction. Visit a Jewish synagogue and watch the rituals performed around taking Torah scroll out of its special closet.

The Bible is letters on a white page. Jesus is the True Letter, so to speak. He is the Word of God, the Father -- He is the Law of the New Covenant – the Law of the Spirit of the Life in Christ Jesus, as Paul states. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, is the white page on which the True Word is written. (John 4:23-24, 14:16-18, 15:26, 16:13-15) Without the “white” or the light it would all be dark and we could not see anything. It is He, the Holy Spirit, that Jesus said He would send that leads us into all Truth. Remember, Jesus was looking for a people who would “worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth.” (John 4:42) The Truth is an Anointed (Spirit) Word. He did not instruct us to create thousands of institutions with tens of thousands of different ideas about God and how to do things to please Him. To the degree one’s Bible translation, Sunday School, Bible studies, sermons, books, etc. help bring us to the Father through the True Word of God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit, these things are helpful. However, much of the activity in most denominations of Christianity are simply man-made traditions void of God’s power and purpose and therefore not only useless for establishing the kingdom of God, but actually a hindrance to it.

Generally speaking, human beings like to live in ruts, we do not like change. Old habits die hard. The old way is usually considered the best. “Give me the old time religion.” Well, the “old time religion” they speak of brings death, not life. I have heard many Christians tell me they are “dyed in the wool” Baptists, Methodists or whatever and that they are going to die in that condition. Well, they need not go to the grave to die in that condition and they are already quite dead according to Jesus, Paul and others who know something about being led by the Holy Spirit.

How can a sincere believer in Christ get in a stream which leads to truly being led by the Holy Spirit and not by some well-worn traditions of fallen men? In the Gospel of Mark we see a man with a son who was terribly demon-possessed who begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus told him that all things were possible to those who believe. Immediately the sobbing, poor man implored Jesus, “I believe, please help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:20-30) If the reader is quite content and satisfied with the “religious stuff” he or she is presently getting or doing, then that’s what he/she will probably die with unless some rut-wrecking disaster comes along and knocks them out of their rut. Books don’t lead, not even correct Bible translations can lead us unless the Spirit of God uses them to speak something to us. It is only the Holy Spirit, the Living Spirit of Truth sent by the Living Word of God who was sent by the Father to redeem all mankind Who is the only one who can LEAD a disciple of Jesus on the path chosen from the foundation of the world for that unique individual. Paul, speaking to Christians said,

“…we have an obligation-- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD are sons of God.” (Rom. 8:12-14, NIV)

Whether we care to acknowledge it or not, religion, even Christian religion, is mostly of the flesh. The true body of Christ is NOT composed of various denominations which cause believers to divide from one another. The body of Christ is made up of individuals, not organizations whose leadership seek to draw disciples after themselves and perpetuate their system. To the degree one is led by institutions and dead men, he is in the flesh and not led by the Holy Spirit. It has grieved me greatly many times in the past when wanting to share Christ with another person I would meet along the way, to have them only interested in getting me to come to their church or meet their leader or to put their label upon me.

Recently, I met a Christian in a high position with one of the mainline denominations. He had no interest in sharing Christ – he wanted me to join his denomination. This man was as dead to the leading of the Holy Spirit as Martin Luther was prior to his dramatic conversion. This man set himself under the tradition of his denomination – and was dead. “As many as are led by the Holy Spirit…” not dead men like Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, John Paul II, or even living ones for that matter. There is One Spirit, One Word, One Father and One Body of Christ. It would behoove Christians to begin to acknowledge them and begin to walk away from ANY tradition that moves one away from the One Truth. I find it absolutely amazing that this Christian has probably heard about Luther’s conversion many times – could probably write an excellent article on the subject of faith which was Luther’s cornerstone -- and be spiritually absolutely dead. Amazing. What about you? Do you “know” the real Jesus? Or is He just a great character in a great book? Is He just a Sunday School character? A character used in sermons to illustrate good moral behavior?

Which is the Best Bible Translation
What is the purpose of a Bible translation in the first place? Is it not to know the purpose of our being? Don’t we go to our translation to find out Who God is and why He created us and how we are to relate to others? Don’t we go to the Bible to look for direction for our lives and the lives of those around us? Every Bible translation I know describes a Man riding a white horse Who is called "the word of God." (Rev. 19:13) That Man, the Word of God needs to be riding in our hearts. Will you give Him the reins? Is He really reigning in your heart? Is He extending His kingdom on the earth through you in power and glory? Have you become a “living epistle of God to be read of men?” (2 Cor. 3:2-3) Is the Living Word turning you into a Living Word also? – a living epistle to be read by others?

One of the most successful television commercials was one for hamburgers, “Where’s the beef?” The idea behind the commercial was to emphasize their brand had more real beef than their competitors. A Christian seeking fellowship and seeking to demonstrate to the world that God lives in them should not be afraid of the question, “Where’s the power of the Living God in your life?” There should be signs that God is with us if we are truly walking with the Lord of Glory. If not, the world has a right to ask, “Where’s the beef? Where is your God?”

“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” (1 Cor. 4:19-20, KJV)

In our lives, in our church, in our denomination – we should ask ourselves, “Where is the power of the Holy Spirit that is supposed to be bearing witness to the Living Word which is supposed to be living inside of me?” Be sincere. God knows when we are faking it. The important question is, “Do WE know when we are faking it?” From the beginning, Satan was a liar and is the father of all lies. Perhaps the greatest enemy we have is our own ability to lie to ourselves and actually believe the lie. Paul wrote:

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Tim. 1:5, NIV)

The English word “sincere” comes from the Latin and means “without wax.” In ancient days, dishonest potters would sell pots that contained cracks by filling the cracks with wax and they covering the wax with clay dust to hide the wax. When the heat comes, of course, the defect would be revealed by wax melting causing the water to spill out. The only one who can really check our vessel to see if we have been deceived or have deceived ourselves in the fiery Holy Spirit. Sincere faith is a faith that honestly opens itself to the scrutiny of the Holy Spirit. It is not proud. It does not desire to hide anything but to bring it to the light so that it may be properly dealt with by God.

When Jesus told the man with the demon-possessed son that all things are possible to those who believe, he replied, “I believe, help my unbelief!” May we all have a faith this is ever being submitted to God for inspection. Only God knows how corrupt we truly are. Sooner or later, we will go into the refiner’s fire. Everyone will be salted with fire. Why not volunteer to go to the head of the line. From a spiritual perspective, it will greatly improve our quality of life on earth.

In summary, the Best Bible Translation is one that will conform your life to the incorruptible image of Jesus the Messiah, the Anointed One, the One full of the Holy Spirit without measure. If you want to be “translated” into His marvelous kingdom, then let the true Word of God, Jesus, and His Holy Spirit completely have their way with you. They will indeed lead you into all Truth. And your Bible translation, regardless of which one you use, will be transformed right before your eyes.

Do you really understand?

Gentle Readers,

The last time that I wrote about how to engage in theological conversation or controversy, especially on the Internet. In this post I want to take this one step further in talking about our attitude. I have had the sad experience of one of our Brothers and sister who determined that I was attacking them and personally and women in general I tried to explain myself and even suggested that they might want to read my 4 part blog ""Women in the ministry" in which I took an unpopular position of showing from history haw women have been demeaned and slighted by those in power in the "church", Now does that sound like I was hateful toward women? (You can read the 4 part blog on Dr Denis says or one of my other blogs -in fact it my be posted here) In any case this brother, felt I insulted his wife to the point that I recused myself from ever writing for them again. I could have argued with them but if one will not hear after the 2nd warning then leave them alone. In my opinion, one cannot underestimate the importance of having the right attitude. Chuck Swindoll says that life is about one-percent what happens to you and ninety-nine percent how we respond.

I often talk about the importance of having an irenic approach to doing theology. It would seem that this term, "irenic" is suffering because of its overuse and misidentification with those who would choose to abuse it. To be irenic means that we are peaceful in our approach to issues. This does not involve compromise, but a willingness to engage issues fairly.

Here are some of the characteristics to being irenic in theological conversation and controversy:

You accurately represent all theological positions, even when you strongly oppose them.
Your tone of engagement comes from a humble respectful attitude.
Your primary goal is not to win an argument, but to contribute to understanding.
Your defense of your position recognizes that strengths of the opposing side.
You are gentle.
Here are two important Scripture references concerning how we are to engage in theological discussion irenically:

2 Timothy 2:24 "The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will."

Notice the key phrases:

"not be quarrelsome"
"kind to all"
"patient when wronged"
"with gentleness correcting"
This describes the irenic method of theological engagement.

1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence."

Notice a few things about this passage:

The context has to do with a believer "suffering for righteousness"
We are to give an answer (apologetic) to those who ask
This is to be done with gentleness
This is to be done with respect
Many of us only hear the first part of the verse "give an defense," and upon this we justify our apologetic polemic ready to destroy, slander, or misrepresent any who disagree with what we believe to be the truth. We fail to recognize that this defense, in this context, is to be given to people "who ask." This is requested information based upon a life of integrity in the midst of our suffering. As well, this defense is to be done irenically---with gentleness and respect.

I can hear the "what abouts" coming. And in the spirit of this post let me tell you how stupid you are for questioning my . . . ahem . . . Ok, let's deal with them.

There seems to be examples in the Scripture where the prophets, apostles, and even Christ did not engage irenically. In other words, they often seemed to engage people with a fierce resolve, respecting the truth more than the person with whom there is conflict. I admit this is true. I also admit that there are times when such polemics are important. But we need to look at the context in which this type of polemic is brought about.

1. Should we defending the faith like Christ cleansed the temple?

We often think we should speak with the authority of Christ. In defense of our attitude we will appeal to Christ's attitude toward the pharisees or his cleansing the temple. But to refer to the example of Christ in these instances can be problematic seeing as how Christ's actions are not always intended to set examples for us. I know this sounds off, but think about it. He worked great miracles in order to demonstrate his unique authority, he engaged people with a divine introspection knowing their thoughts, motives, and intentions, and he was the ultimate divine judge who has every right to judge all people. As well, this was not the modus operandi of Christ. Do you ever notice that he was only polemic in such a way to the self-righteous who arrogantly believed they had all the answers and were a step above all the rest?

2. Defending the faith like Paul encountered the Galatians.

Many times we will appeal to Paul's example. His polemics, especially to the Galatians, are used to defend our own less than gracious encounters. But this has problems as well.

First, Paul was an apostle who carried the authority of an apostle. Being such, he had both divine authority and the divine ability to speak to a situation with infallible guidance. This is something that most of us we cannot claim. Can we?

Second, Paul primarily only spoke in such a way to those who were under his authority. He was their leader and had the right and obligation as their leader to engage them in a candid way. He was their pastor. Pastor's can and sometimes should speak in such a manner to their flock.

Third, like Christ, Paul did not always engage people in such a way. In fact, as noted above, the encouraged his people to be gracious, humble, and respectful in all their dealing with those with whom there is disagreement. In 1 Thess 2:7 he describes his own ministry as one of gentleness, comparing it to a mother caring for her children.

Sadly, it often seems as if there are people out there who not only think they are an apostle, but also think that they are talking to their own congregation. Some even seem to enjoy polemical engagement in an unhealthy manner. In fact, I think that a lot of ministries would not know what to do if they did not have someone to fight.

Sadly, many times this attitude is found more in my own conservative Calvinistic circles than in any other. For this I am sorry and ashamed. Sometimes Calvinists make the worst Calvinists. But, of course, it can be found in any group. Baptists have a knack for it. Even emergers can display the most angered, discounting, and arrogant spirit that I have ever seen.

Why do we sometimes act this way?

I am not sure.

Maybe its because we are so confident in the particulars of our faith that we feel we have the right to shout the loudest. We have the greatest message. We feel our polemic will force the truth into the mind of those who oppose.

Or . . .

Maybe we think that we have to set an example of the truth to those who are listening from the outside. Like in a debate, we don't really think we are going to convert our opponent, but we hope to solidify our position among those who are listening.

Or . . .

Maybe it is because we are so insecure in our position that we think the louder we are the more true our words are. As I tell students, if you are not confident about what you are saying, you can first speak deeper, second speak louder. And if both of these don't work, speak with a British accent!! In truth, I have found that the most fundamentally uninformed folk believers are often the most polemically militant because they, deep down, don't really know why they believe what they believe. Their only recourse is not a gentle engagement, but a raised voice.

What part of gentleness and respect don't we understand. Ironically, the original title of this blog was going to be "What Part of Gentleness and Respect Don't You Understand." I had to change it in order to keep with the spirit of the post.

I am certainly not perfect with this issue. Believe me. This, as with the last post, is self-therapy. Awww . . . aren't I humble? Let us all try to be more gentle, humble, and respectful when defending the faith. In earnestly contending for the faith, let us be irenic.

For those of you who will respond to this by posting with a sawed off shot loaded with your favorite Scripture, take you proof-texting and shove them . . . Ahem . . . Please deal with the Scriptures in such a way that takes into account their context. So gentle reader, lets us all remember that not everyone is as knowledgeble as you are, nor interested in studying Scripture for what they mean. Let's be gentle out there.
Love,
Denis

Before you Criticize ...

. . . President Obama

Gentle readers,

Before you begin to criticize our newest President just think about the words of Christ "What you have done to the least of these, you have done unto me" . I watched with mixed amusement and consternation as people waved tea bags around with abandon as we as the Governor from Texas claiming that secession is an option "We are spending too much of taxpayer money...spending our children's inheritance (Note: Texas took taxpayer money for floods, firestorms etc. could this just be political posturing)? Sure things look bad but I believe that one person can change the course of a nation (that's why I write) and as always I believe in Grace! read on about one teacher that made a difference.

TEDDY AND MRS THOMPSON

Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie.

Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat on the third row, was a boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkempt and that he constantly needed a bath.

And Teddy was unpleasant. It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest of all. Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's records and put Teddy's off until last. When she opened his file, she was in for a surprise. His first-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon

affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."

By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem but Christmas was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Teddy Stoddard.

Her children brought her presents, all in gay ribbon and bright paper, except for Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children. Jean Thompson paid particular attention to one they all called "Teddy". As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On days there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne.

By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.

A year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favourite. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.

He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favourite teacher of all time. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honours. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favourite teacher.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favourite teacher but that now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that Spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom. You'll have to decide yourself whether or not she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. But, I bet on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled just like...well, just like she smelled many years before, on that last day of school, before the Christmas Holiday began.

You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Sometimes just a smile on the street to a passing stranger can make a difference we could never imagine. Would it be nice if we all could have this impact on people?  And where are the Christians in this country?

 I'm just saying...

Love,

Denis

 

Scars, stars and "tough times"

Gentle readers,

This is Palm Sunday, and Palm Sunday is the day when Christians celebrate the triumphant entry of Christ into Jerusalem as he rode on the back of a tiny donkey. The scriptures record that those who revered and adored Jesus laid palm leaves in His path and cried "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!" (Mark 11:9)

The people were excited about Jesus Christ. They were celebrating His greatness in the streets, but as Jesus rode into town, he knew that the celebration would be short-lived. In the final week of His life, Jesus experienced the highest and lowest moments of His existence. He went from praise and palm leaves to a crown of thorns within a matter of days.

This story is similar to what Americans all over our country are experiencing today. Millions of us have gone from moments of celebration to moments of mourning. Countless families have celebrated weddings, births, graduations, and baptisms in one year only to mourn foreclosures, war casualties, and layoffs during the next year.

If you are reading this blog tonight and this is you, remember that the crucifixion of Christ is not the end of His story. Christ Jesus rose again, and he specializes in helping us to resurrect the things that may appear dead in our own lives. Don’t become discouraged because things look bleak for we have a saying in Irish that translates like this, " I believe that the sun still shines even on the darkest days and behind ever dark cloud is a rainbow coming".

Don't lose your faith in God's resurrecting power this year. He is still all-powerful... even when times are tough.

Remember, " tough times never last tough people do"!

Love, Denis

Paul, Your apostle to the Gentiles

Paul's message understood or just plain ignored?

 Dear Gentle Reader,

When the Apostle Paul preached the good news concerning Christ and His Church, at Ephesus, his ministry continued in Asia for the space of two years (Acts 19:10). We read that the Word of God grew mightily and prevailed, and that "all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus." And yet, at the close of his ministry, and of his life, he writes his last Epistle to Timothy, when he says "I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand" (II Timothy 1:15): "This thou knowest that all they that be in Asia have turned away from me."

We are told, on every hand, today, that we must go back to the first three centuries to find the purity of faith and worship of the primitive church! But it is clear from this comparison of Acts 19:10 and II Timothy 1:15, that we cannot go back to the first century. No, not even to the apostle's own lifetime!

This turning away could not have been merely personal; but must have included his teaching also. For in chapter 2, verse 18, he speaks of those "who concerning the truth have erred." In chapter 3, verse 8, he speaks of those who "resist the truth." In chapter 4, verse 4, he speaks of those who "turn away their ears from the truth" and are "turned unto fables."

It was Pauline truth and teaching from which all had "turned away." It was this turning away from the truth as taught by the Holy Spirit through Paul, especially as contained in the Epistle to the Ephesians, that led necessarily:

To the loss of the teaching concerning the Mystery; that truth concerning the one Body of Christ. The effect of this was at once to put everything wrong ecclesiastically, and to make room for all the various and different "Bodies," so-called, with all the consequent divisions and schisms of the church. Instead of recognizing "the One Body" which God had made, men set about making their own "Bodies" and Sects! and with this ecclesiastical confusion came the loss of the truth as to the Christian's perfect standing in Christ as having died and risen in Him.

Next, after this, went the truth of the Lord's promised return from heaven; and of resurrection, as the one great and blessed hope of the church. Other hopes, or rather fears, came in their place, and "death and judgment" took the place of those lost hopes. Having lost the truth of what God had made Christ to be unto us, and the joy as to our standing thus given, in looking for that blessed hope, preparation for death and judgment was the necessary result, and therefore:
The next thing to go was the truth as to what God had made us to be in Christ; and "justification by faith" and by grace was lost. The way was now open for the full tide of error to come in: and it came in, like a flood, with all the corruption and superstition which ended in centuries which have the significant description "the dark ages."
Everyone is familiar with the term, and with the fact. But what were the dark ages? How did they come? They were not brought on suddenly by some untoward event. There must have been some cause, something that made them possible. The corruption was historical. The Eastern churches today are in similar darkness. And the Western churches, where the Reformation has not removed it, are in the same darkness.

The Reformation itself, what was it, but the beginning of a recovery of these great truths? The remarkable fact is that the recovery of these truths has taken place in the inverse order to that in which they were lost.

Justification by grace through faith was the first great truth recovered at the Reformation. This was the truth over which that great battle was fought and won, though the victory was far from complete. For not until the nineteenth century had well begun did the Lord's return from heaven begin to become again the blessed hope of His church. In later years the subject has become more and more precious to increasing numbers. But this great and "blessed hope" is not yet really learned, because it ought to be the natural outcome of truth received and held, instead of being treated as an independent subject artificially produced. It must come from the heart into the life, and not be merely held and retained in the head, if it is to be productive of the blessed results seen in the Thessalonian church. It must be learned experimentally as a vital and essential part of our standing as Christians, and not be studied as if it were an extra subject, in order to produce Thessalonian fruit. Hence, it is that we more often see prophecy taken up as a study, rather than as the result of waiting for God's Son from heaven.

The last of the three truths to be recovered is the truth taught in Ephesians; and it is only in our own day that we see any real sense of the loss, with any real effort to recover it.

The truth of the Mystery, as it was the first to go, so, it seems, is the last to be recovered.

It is with the hope of doing something to recover this truth that these papers have been written on the Church Epistles. May the Lord use them to bring back vital truths to their proper place, that their power may be felt in the hearts and seen in the lives of an increasing number of the members of the Body of Christ.

The cause of all the confusion around is that thousands of those who profess to be Christians know little or nothing of these Church Epistles. There is no other profession which they could enter without being able to pass a satisfactory examination in the text books set forth for that purpose. There is no position in life that anyone could apply for without being asked how much one knew of its duties and responsibilities. But the Christian "profession" is treated in quite a different manner, and as quite a different matter. Anyone may undertake that, and all the while be totally ignorant of these Church Epistles: -- "The Creed, the Lord's prayer, and the Ten Commandments" are considered as sufficient for Christian position and profession. Hence the almost total neglect of these Epistles. The four Gospels and the Sermon on the Mount are taken as the essence of Christianity, instead of the Epistles specially addressed to Churches. Hence the great ignorance of Christians as to all that God has made Christ to be unto His People, and all that He has made them to be in Him. Not knowing their standing in Christ, and their completeness and perfection in Him, they are easily led into error concerning their state and their walk. Many, who know they are justified by grace, yet seek to be sanctified by works.

Nothing but full knowledge of what is revealed for our instruction in these Church Epistles will effectually deliver us from all the new doctrines and schools of thought which find an entrance into our midst.

May the great Head of the Body the Church, own this effort, and use it and bless it to the deliverance of many from all the variable winds of doctrine, and build them up in their most holy faith.

It's time to get up off our fat Amens and learn what God wanted us to learn, don't you think gentle readers?

I'm just saying,

Denis

Why does Biblical guidance not work?

How many times have you heard someone tell a depressed person, "Cheer up!"? Then the depressed person immediately becomes happy, right? Of course not! It usually brings them down even more! Why? Because "Cheer up" is something we need to tell ourselves when we are down, not others. When others are down, my response should not be to tell them what to do, but rather to ask myself what I can do to bring them a smile. They already know they need to cheer up, and if they knew how, they would have already done so! If I really care, I can spend some time with them so they won't be lonely, or I can take the time to listen to all they are going through. But telling them to "cheer up" is better left unsaid!

I read an interesting article yesterday entitled Pharisees Ancient and Modern. The author points out the following observations about the Pharisees:

They knew their Bibles.
They were disciplined in prayer.
They fasted twice a week.
They gave about a third of their income to their church.
They were moral.
Many were martyred for their faith.
They attended church regularly.
They were evangelical/orthodox.
They were evangelistic. (Jesus said they would even cross the ocean to win a convert!)

So why do the Pharisees get such a bad rap? I submit 2 reasons: 1) They were legalistic, holding the words of the law as their highest authority; 2) They used the Scripture to keep everyone else in line.

Look back at the characteristics of the Pharisees. Were they different from us? It should scare us if they were not, because Jesus was harder on them than on any sinner we have record of him encountering!

When I see the sin of a brother, what is my reaction? I don't believe God calls me first and foremost to admonish him with Scripture. I surmise, rather, that the Scripture is intended to guide me in how to respond to him. Just as it is counterproductive to tell a depressed brother to cheer up, it is equally counterproductive to merely tell a sinful brother (that, by the way, is a description of us all!) to stop sinning. If he saw the need and knew how to stop, he would have already done so.

What were the Pharisees lacking? Love. A word so overused and misused that it has almost become meaningless. Yet it is the key to the entire Gospel. God is love (1 John 4:8). 1 Cor. 13 tells us clearly that we can do all these things perfectly, and yet, if they are not done in love, they are nothing. Do I love my brother enough to apply the Scripture to my own proper reaction to him, rather than sounding it as a gong to him, or as a clanging cymbal? Do I love him enough to lay down my prejudices (prejudice is not just about racism!) and befriend him as an equal? To spend time with him? To take him to a ballgame or go jogging with him?

Why does Biblical guidance not work? Because we are applying it to the wrong person! If applied to my own life, it is transformational, for me and for all those around me!

What America is all about...

Gentle Reader,

I don't know about you but I have had it with those who claim to American Christians (Catholic or Protestant) and yet complain about those 1 in 4 people who live below the poverty level "They take our taxes , because their lazy!" The homeless don't deserve help they just want handouts. I'm a "Republican" and I believe in pulling yourself by your bootstraps" "Those Democrats caused all the problems" There is a expression in Iowa "Hogwash"- look it up!

Let  me once and for all set the record straight! It was the greed of some that has caused the problems that  many of you are now facing. The greed of Wall street, the greed of certain Senators , congressmen, Governors and bureaucrats of all sizes and shapes , War contractors businessmen and women who decided that taking  care of "Number One" was more important that look out for the person who was weaker, less advantaged,  disabled, homeless hungry or in some way needed our help and was ignored. Now we have a president who has come back to where we should have been all along. My Bible tells me that there is enough wealth in the world to feed every man, woman and child, to cure every disease and to eradicate every ill. . . If we would only set aside our petty (yes I said petty) differences and remember what our past president said in 1961 

"To those people in the huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich."

JFK 1961

Comment: It is not a liberal idea or a conservative idea it is a Christian idea!

 If you are so taken to grab all you can get then this country is not for you, If you feel that you have been taxed to death try living in a third world country where the people there would love to make enough to feed their families and have so much left over that they would pay a tax on their excess.

1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Wake up America this is you chance to show what you are made of. Pitch in, help out and don't let the greedy get you down.

Denis  

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day
Originally uploaded by ♥babybee

From Himself and Herself

The coming evangelical collapse

Gentle readers,

This was sent to me and I felt that it needed a much wider readership than it may receive. Please read with and open mind and a prayerful heart. I have been contacted by more than 1500 American church "who want to go in a different direction" No longer is Scripture being held out to the churches and the membership. What do we do as pastors?

An anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin. But out of the ruins, a new vitality and integrity will rise.

We are on the verge – within 10 years – of a major collapse of evangelical Christianity. This breakdown will follow the deterioration of the mainline Protestant world and it will fundamentally alter the religious and cultural environment in the West.

Within two generations, evangelicalism will be a house deserted of half its occupants. (Between 25 and 35 percent of Americans today are Evangelicals.) In the "Protestant" 20th century, Evangelicals flourished. But they will soon be living in a very secular and religiously antagonistic 21st century.

This collapse will herald the arrival of an anti-Christian chapter of the post-Christian West. Intolerance of Christianity will rise to levels many of us have not believed possible in our lifetimes, and public policy will become hostile toward evangelical Christianity, seeing it as the opponent of the common good.

Millions of Evangelicals will quit. Thousands of ministries will end. Christian media will be reduced, if not eliminated. Many Christian schools will go into rapid decline. I'm convinced the grace and mission of God will reach to the ends of the earth. But the end of evangelicalism as we know it is close.

Why is this going to happen?

1. Evangelicals have identified their movement with the culture war and with political conservatism. This will prove to be a very costly mistake. Evangelicals will increasingly be seen as a threat to cultural progress. Public leaders will consider us bad for America, bad for education, bad for children, and bad for society.

The evangelical investment in moral, social, and political issues has depleted our resources and exposed our weaknesses. Being against gay marriage and being rhetorically pro-life will not make up for the fact that massive majorities of Evangelicals can't articulate the Gospel with any coherence. We fell for the trap of believing in a cause more than a faith.

2. We Evangelicals have failed to pass on to our young people an orthodox form of faith that can take root and survive the secular onslaught. Ironically, the billions of dollars we've spent on youth ministers, Christian music, publishing, and media has produced a culture of young Christians who know next to nothing about their own faith except how they feel about it. Our young people have deep beliefs about the culture war, but do not know why they should obey scripture, the essentials of theology, or the experience of spiritual discipline and community. Coming generations of Christians are going to be monumentally ignorant and unprepared for culture-wide pressures.

3. There are three kinds of evangelical churches today: consumer-driven megachurches, dying churches, and new churches whose future is fragile. Denominations will shrink, even vanish, while fewer and fewer evangelical churches will survive and thrive.

4. Despite some very successful developments in the past 25 years, Christian education has not produced a product that can withstand the rising tide of secularism. Evangelicalism has used its educational system primarily to staff its own needs and talk to itself.

5. The confrontation between cultural secularism and the faith at the core of evangelical efforts to "do good" is rapidly approaching. We will soon see that the good Evangelicals want to do will be viewed as bad by so many, and much of that work will not be done. Look for ministries to take on a less and less distinctively Christian face in order to survive.

6. Even in areas where Evangelicals imagine themselves strong (like the Bible Belt), we will find a great inability to pass on to our children a vital evangelical confidence in the Bible and the importance of the faith.

7. The money will dry up.

What will be left?

•Expect evangelicalism to look more like the pragmatic, therapeutic, church-growth oriented megachurches that have defined success. Emphasis will shift from doctrine to relevance, motivation, and personal success – resulting in churches further compromised and weakened in their ability to pass on the faith.

•Two of the beneficiaries will be the Roman Catholic and Orthodox communions. Evangelicals have been entering these churches in recent decades and that trend will continue, with more efforts aimed at the "conversion" of Evangelicals to the Catholic and Orthodox traditions.

•A small band will work hard to rescue the movement from its demise through theological renewal. This is an attractive, innovative, and tireless community with outstanding media, publishing, and leadership development. Nonetheless, I believe the coming evangelical collapse will not result in a second reformation, though it may result in benefits for many churches and the beginnings of new churches.

•The emerging church will largely vanish from the evangelical landscape, becoming part of the small segment of progressive mainline Protestants that remain true to the liberal vision.

•Aggressively evangelistic fundamentalist churches will begin to disappear.

•Charismatic-Pentecostal Christianity will become the majority report in evangelicalism. Can this community withstand heresy, relativism, and confusion? To do so, it must make a priority of biblical authority, responsible leadership, and a reemergence of orthodoxy.

•Evangelicalism needs a "rescue mission" from the world Christian community. It is time for missionaries to come to America from Asia and Africa. Will they come? Will they be able to bring to our culture a more vital form of Christianity?

•Expect a fragmented response to the culture war. Some Evangelicals will work to create their own countercultures, rather than try to change the culture at large. Some will continue to see conservatism and Christianity through one lens and will engage the culture war much as before – a status quo the media will be all too happy to perpetuate. A significant number, however, may give up political engagement for a discipleship of deeper impact.

Is all of this a bad thing?

Evangelicalism doesn't need a bailout. Much of it needs a funeral. But what about what remains?

Is it a good thing that denominations are going to become largely irrelevant? Only if the networks that replace them are able to marshal resources, training, and vision to the mission field and into the planting and equipping of churches.

Is it a good thing that many marginal believers will depart? Possibly, if churches begin and continue the work of renewing serious church membership. We must change the conversation from the maintenance of traditional churches to developing new and culturally appropriate ones.

The ascendency of Charismatic-Pentecostal-influenced worship around the world can be a major positive for the evangelical movement if reformation can reach those churches and if it is joined with the calling, training, and mentoring of leaders. If American churches come under more of the influence of the movement of the Holy Spirit in Africa and Asia, this will be a good thing.

Will the evangelicalizing of Catholic and Orthodox communions be a good development? One can hope for greater unity and appreciation, but the history of these developments seems to be much more about a renewed vigor to "evangelize" Protestantism in the name of unity.

Will the coming collapse get Evangelicals past the pragmatism and shallowness that has brought about the loss of substance and power? Probably not. The purveyors of the evangelical circus will be in fine form, selling their wares as the promised solution to every church's problems. I expect the landscape of megachurch vacuity to be around for a very long time.

Will it shake lose the prosperity Gospel from its parasitical place on the evangelical body of Christ? Evidence from similar periods is not encouraging. American Christians seldom seem to be able to separate their theology from an overall idea of personal affluence and success.

The loss of their political clout may impel many Evangelicals to reconsider the wisdom of trying to create a "godly society." That doesn't mean they'll focus solely on saving souls, but the increasing concern will be how to keep secularism out of church, not stop it altogether. The integrity of the church as a countercultural movement with a message of "empire subversion" will increasingly replace a message of cultural and political entitlement.

Despite all of these challenges, it is impossible not to be hopeful. As one commenter has already said, "Christianity loves a crumbling empire."

We can rejoice that in the ruins, new forms of Christian vitality and ministry will be born. I expect to see a vital and growing house church movement. This cannot help but be good for an evangelicalism that has made buildings, numbers, and paid staff its drugs for half a century.

We need new evangelicalism that learns from the past and listens more carefully to what God says about being His people in the midst of a powerful, idolatrous culture.

I'm not a prophet. My view of evangelicalism is not authoritative or infallible. I am certainly wrong in some of these predictions. But is there anyone who is observing evangelicalism in these times who does not sense that the future of our movement holds many dangers and much potential?

• Michael Spencer is a writer and communicator living and working in a Christian community in Kentucky. He describes himself as "a postevangelical reformation Christian in search of a Jesus-shaped spirituality." This essay is adapted from a series on his blog, InternetMonk.com .

The Secret of the Universe

The Winding Acient stairs at Thoor Ballylee

Nowthat we're almost settled in our house

I'll name the friends that cannot sup with us beside a fire of turf in th' ancient tower,

And having talked to some late hour Climb up the narrow winding stair to bed:

Discoverers of forgotten truth Or mere campanions of my youth

All, all are in my thoughts tonight being dead.

Gentle Reader, come in come in I've been expecting you!

Well good Morning,

If I'm a bit late its because I stayed up until 3 a.m. so I'm not really with it! I want to share with you the true story about love (no not the mushy kind but real true genuine kind of love that men can understand!)

During the U. S. Civil War. there were two friends, George Wyett and Richard Pratt and as the war progressed the army came to George's house because He was a farmer and said "we need every able bodied man " You'll have to come a fight", That night as George was trying to explain to his wife and 6 children that he would have to leave them and in all likelihood would not return. When there was a knock on the door and Georges old friend Richard Pratt came who was just passing by. The old friends talked way into the night and so George had Richard stay the night. Early in the Morning the army banged on the door and the solders said as Richard open the door "You have to come with us right now"

So Richard slipped out and went off to war in the place of the family man George Wyett In time George received news that his old friend had died in battle. And again the army came by and said "Are you George Wyatt?" "Yes" Then you'll have to come with us, every living man is drafted to fight" "I can't go " said George I'm not alive!"
But they hauled him off to the General . When they checked the records sure enough the records stated that George Wyett had died in battle. And since the army only wanted living men and according to the records George was already dead they couldn't call him up again!

You see Gentle Reader, Richard Pratt took George Wyetts place. Richard Pratt (Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.).
Gentle reader, Christ came to die! For you and for me! And we don't have to live in sin anymore (When Christ died He took our place) When God died for our sin we died, When He was buried we were buried, when He arose from the grave we arose with Him! No wonder the Apostle Paul could say " Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,
knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." (Romans Chapter 6 verses 4-6) "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy VICTORY?"

Never forget this little true story Gentle Reader, according to God's records your dead! Don't answer the door anymore to sin and the grave. (You don't live there anymore)

I love you all,

Denis

Ireland and the World

It's all about the Land

Gentle Reader,

In Ireland a man is worth something if he has a bit of land. A wee place that he can call his own. That is the way of the world also. We all need something tangible to call our own. A bit of property that no one can take away, a place we can feel safe, a bit of comfort. But today in America the "land of opportunity" and place of vast expanse. The "Great American dream" has been stolen by the "greed merchants" look around you Gentle Reader! It's a sellers market the price of gasoline, food, everyday items that we all take for granted. They are rapidly disappearing and what hasn't been stolen has been whittled away so that you are in so much debt there is no way out. What will you do Gentle Reader when it is all taken away from you and you are left homeless, hungry, or sick and have no one to care for you ? Who will you count on? Your 401K,? savings account? friends? relatives?

So Gentle Reader, one must decide what is truly important For "For what is a man profited, if he shall GAIN the whole world, and lose his own SOUL? or what shall a man give in exchange for his SOUL?" (Matthew 16:26)

"Now imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your prints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns.

For much of the way it seems to go like this. But gradually, your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true friends.

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: your footprints that once etched the sand next to the Master's are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints is the small 'sandprint', safely enclosed. You and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles. But gradually you notice another change. The footprint inside the larger footprint seems to grow larger. Eventually it disappears altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. Again, this goes on for a long time. But then something awful happens. The second set of footprints is back. And this time it seems worse. Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the and. A veritable mess of prints.

You're amazed and shocked. But this is the end of your dream. Now you speak. 'Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits and starts and so on. I was a new Christian, just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you.'

'That is correct.'

'Yes, and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps. I followed You very closely.' 'Very good. You have understood everything so far.'

'Then the smaller footprints grew and eventually filled in with Yours. I suppose that I was actually growing so much that I was becoming like you in every way.'

'Precisely.'

'But this is my question. Lord.. Was there a regression or something? The footprints went back to two, and this time it was worse than the first.'

The Lord smiles, then laughs. 'You didn't know?' He says. 'That was when we danced'."

Love, Denis

Are you losing your marbles?

Gentle reader,
Excuse me for not getting up but dealing with a family member with lung cancer is not only tiring but wearing as well. I will be back at my blog in time but allow me to share a wee bit of old times. before we had such things as DVDs and HD TVs

Gentle Reader,

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the basement shack with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time.

Let me tell you about it.

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whoever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles".

I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital."

He continued, "let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities."

And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years."

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part."

"It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy."

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear."

"Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away."

"I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. 73 Old Man, this is K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about.

I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."

"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.

"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

Denis

A twice told tale of long ago....

Part 13 Jesus in Syria

Gentle reader,

We have been looking for some time at the 4 Gospels from the perspective of those 1st century believers. For it is my belief that one cannot truly understand what the authors were trying to impart until you try one their sandals.
We were discussing the early persecuted believers reading of Marks gospel and when they might have drawn from these words.

Jesus in the boat not only rebukes the sea and the winds but the disciples also using the harsh words (Greek deiloi) “cowards! Are you still without trust” We find that the disciples are constantly criticized by Jesus for their lack of trust (sound like someone you might know personally?). The kind of truse that He showed when He was sleeping without fear of the storm We need to understand this verse penned by the Apostle Paul to his spiritual son Timothy 2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

On another occasion they fear for the crowds would starve in the desert for the lack of food (as if Jesus could not provide). They ask themselves “What manner of man is this that the winds and the sea obey him?” The disciples are confronted with the frightening prospect that God Himself is their fellow traveler toward Syria.
On His arrival in syria Jesus is confronted by a demoniac who saw Him from afar off. And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, (Mar 5:1-6)
This man was in an “unclean” land of Gentiles, suffers every kind of ritual pollution. He lives an a graveyard, he is uncontrollable, he burst all the chains and challenges Jesus the minute Christ puts His foot on Gentile territory. “And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not”.
The Devil tries to fence with Jesus in this impure land, having failed in the desert. “For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea”. (Mar 5:8-13) The fact that this is a foreign land is emphasized by the name that the demons give themselves. They call themselves “Legion” the title of a Roman military unit of thousands, not only that but the wild boar was the emblem of the Roman soldiers stationed in Palestine. Jesus has gone beyond the realm of the Temple and what he tells the man he freed is strikingly different than what he tells others that He has healed. Normally He tells any cured person not to relate what has happened , but with man who wants to return with Jesus to Judea, Christ orders him to stay in the Gentile area. “Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee” (Mar 5:19). He calls Himself The Lord and makes a beachhead in this territory. Nonetheless the people in this area beg him to leave. They do not want to be caught in this cosmic struggle- they do not believe Christ is acting on His own but must be of the Devil as He could not be the Messiah. This is what confronts the Markean community as they enter Syria. To be continued...

Part 12 The Gospels

Part 12 The Gospels

Gentle reader,
We are back in the study of “What your father never knew and your mother wouldn’t tell you” about the gospels. I remind you that as many ways as there are to study the 4 gospels and this is just another way that perhaps may put things in perspective a wee bit. We are looking at the gospels from the perspective as Paul wrote in Hebrews “ For the word of God is quick, [living] and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart”. (Heb 4:12) describes

Jesus first trip to Syria

The first trip into Gentile territory follows right after the parable the describes the gathering of the Gentiles (remember that it was to the Jew first and then to the Gentile according to Paul: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”. (Rom 1:16). In the parable of the mustard seed, small at first . That grows into a huge bush where “ But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. (Mar 4:32)
This image of birds for gathering nations is familiar in the writings of the Hebrew Scriptures: In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell. (Eze 17:23).
Ezekiel 31: 5-6 describes the Assyrian empire, before pride led to its downfall, as a great cedars in Lebanon Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations.
Daniel 4:21 describes Nebuchadnezzar before he was cursed , as a great tree ‘in whose branches the birds lodged’ The parable of Jesus thus says His reign will gather in the nations. [Note we might point out that this fact was not understood by the 12 nor perhaps those that followed, with the exception of the apostle Paul who received the further Revelation from Christ see Acts “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” (Act 9:15)

So Gentle Reader,
Those passages from the Hebrew Sacred writings would be the kind that Mark’s community would be meditating on as they recalled the parable of the mustard seed, and it’s connection with the Gentiles of Syria.

They would also reflect on other passages having to do with fear and depression when they heard how Jesus crossed to Syria over the Sea of Galilee. When the Storm tosses the little boat, yet Jesus slept peacefully in the tumult, the disciples are panic-stricken. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mar 4:38). This plaintive cry would be familiar to the Markan community , since Levites were required to recite Psalm 44:23-24 every day (which is why they were called Wakers). Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression?
(Psa 44:23-24)

And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea,[‘be bridled’] [To the wind ‘Silence ]Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mar 4:39). What Mark was depicting was the divine act of reining in the sea, what God does in Genesis (And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Gen 1:9 ). And also in Job He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. (Job 26:10-11 ).
Look also at “Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth. “(Psa 104:9) And God speaks in Isaiah 50:2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
Also Psalm 106: 9 we read “He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. “
Which we see that the last two citations are important since there is the EXODUS imagery that runs all through this gospel. Storms are often an image of persecution or of war, or temptation (Augustine, when he prayed for release from temptation, ask God to quell the frothy sea at its shore.[Confessions 2:3].
The disciples expressing fear at the sea are like Mark’s community terrified under persecution, and the rebuke at there lack of trust is like that of Moses when he broke the tablets because of the Israelites’ lose of faith while he was on the mountaintop.

So much for now gentle Reader, just remember to take away from this study that “Faith is what gets you started, Hope is what keeps you going. Love is what get you there’!
Next time,
Love,
Denis

A Brief pause-by way of Explanation

 Dear Gentle Reader,

 From time to time I take a wee break from writing. Not that anything is particularly wrong. Or that there is some emergency,  we are not dying of anything other that what kills us all. that is to say we wear out !  But those of you that read on a regular basis know that thinking is a difficult business, not only that but to be reflective in a world that spends its time on sound bites or being amused by "girls gone wild" or soap operas like "As the stomach turns" they won't miss my small attempt to get one to think as a intelligent person. Those who need to think, perhaps, need to consider this.  

 The Talmud tells that a gentile came to Shammai saying that he would convert to Judaism if Shammai could teach him the whole  Torah in the time that he could stand on one foot. Shammai drove him away with a builder's measuring stick! Hillel, on the other hand, converted the gentile by telling him, "That which is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary. Go and study it." So may I take that quote and change it a wee bit to this "

"Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Matt. 22:36-39) That is the whole of Christianity, the rest is commentary.

 So for a brief pause Gentle reader, if you need me read some of the 1500 + articles that I have left with you to reflect upon while I recharge my spiritual battery and if you hear of me advising the President on matters of state, it';s just a rumor started by the people who would like to start rumors.

 See you a a while Gentle reader, and remember you are accepted, you are valued, you are loved, by God and by me.

Denis  

The Gospel of Mark (Part 11)

What the 4 Gospels meant to early believers

(And what we can learn from them today)

Part 11

Gentle Reader,

We have been looking back at the 1^st century believers understanding of the Gospels. We have begun with Mark as the shortest of the 4. You need to copy the study so that you can refer to the historical insights and my understanding of the issues. Now understand that as Paul said " For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (1Co 13:12) Those who claim to have everything worked out, all the answers, don’t! It’s rather like a jigsaw puzzle in which we worry over one piece of the puzzle when there are other pieces yet to be found (understood).

It’s only when we look closely and then take a step back, consider all the evidence at our disposal with one eye on the possibility that we might be wrong but ‘pressing toward the mark" of the high calling or better the calling upon high to as it were see over the next hill that we will begin to grasp in some small way the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our heavenly father.

So with that in mind lets see if we can’t get a wee better grasp of what the early believers might have thought of Mark’s gospel.

Remember last time I told you to put your self in the sandals of those readers who were being persecuted and having to flee to the gentile country of Syria and then reading about Jesus two trips and why it would have special meaning for them!

Jesus first trip to Syria

The first trip into the Gentile territory follows immediately on Jesus’ use of a parable that describes the gathering-in of the Gentiles (into to Kingdom of heaven). It is the parable of the mustard seed, small at first, that grows into a huge bush where " But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it." (Mar 4:32) this image of birds for gathering nations is familiar in the Sacred Writings. At Ezekiel 17:23, the lord takes a tiny slip from a cedar tree which, planted, grows so large that "In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing [of every kind]; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell". (Eze 17:23)

While Ezekiel 31:5-6 describes the Assyrian empire before pride led to its downfall, as the great cedar of Lebanon:

"Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent out her little rivers unto all the trees of the field. Therefore his height was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his boughs were multiplied, and his branches became long because of the multitude of waters, when he shot forth. All the fowls of heaven made their nests in his boughs, and under his branches did all the beasts of the field bring forth their young, and under his shadow dwelt all great nations. " (Eze 31:3-6)

Daniel 4:21 describes Nebuchadnezzar, before he was cursed as a great tree "Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation

The parable of Jesus thus says that his reign will gather in the nations. These passages from the Sacred (Hebrew) Writings are the kind Mark’s community would be meditating on as they recalled the parable of the mustard seed, and its connection with the Gentiles of Syria.

They would have also reflected on other passages having to do with fear and persecution when they heard how Jesus crossed to Syria over the Sea of Galilee. When the grart storm tossed the boat, yet Jesus sleeps peacefully through it all. The disciples are panic-stricken. Mar 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? That cry would be familiar to the Marken community, since the Levites were required to recite "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression? "(Psa 44:23-24) every day (which they were called Wakers). And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (Mar 4:39)

We find Jesus the wind "silence " and tells the sea "be bridled". Reining in the sea is a divine act, what God does at "And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. "

(Gen 1:9), where He reings in the sea to make land appear. And in Job He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. (Job 26:10-11).

In Psalm 104 "Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth." (Psa 104:9). While in Isaiah "Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst." (Isa 50:2). Psalm 106:9 "He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. "

These last two citations are especially important as we shall see- the Exodus imagery runs all through this Gospel.

Tell next time,

Love,

Denis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Run Into the Hills"

The Gospel of Mark (part 11)

Gentle Reader,

I do apologize for the time that it takes me to post our studies, if things were on a even keel I would be teaching a wee bit each day. However with Marti as sick as she has been and at times all I can do is sit sadly by and watch her suffer as this cursed disease takes its toll. And on the other hand our studies are not for those who are weak kneed, in their faith. As Paul our Apostle to the Gentiles once said Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"

 And as I have pointed out several times we are looking at the 4 Gospels from the point of view of the 1^st century Believer as if the ink was still wet on the parchments.

This is an new study for me as I wish to push your understanding and mine as far as we may go in this direction.

We might point out the Luke takes "the Defilement that desolates" (to bdelygma tes eremoseos) from Daniel 11:31, 12:11 "And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Dan 11:31) And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. (Dan 12:11) which describes the pollution of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes who in 168BCE placed a pagan altar above the altar of sacrifice, which "put a stop to sacrifice and offering (Dan 9:27). This is not parallel to the Romans’ total destruction of the Temple, but it does have a parallel in the Zealots’ seizure of the Temple in 67CE, which escalated the Jewish War. The Zealots maintained their military camp in the Temple until it was destroyed. Josephus, the Jewish historian, calls these Zealots "outlaws" lestai (Jewish War 4.13 ) . The same term Jesus uses in Mark 11:17 " And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves". For those who abuse their roles in the Temple. Which convinces me that the action of the Zealots in 67 CE and the following years is what prompted the Markan community to "run away in the hills" in Syria, escaping the war that would soon destroy the Temple. The Zealots are the Jews who would have been persecuting the Markan community just as the next wave of Zealots would do under Bar Kakhba in 132 CE.

The nearest hills for the persecuted Christians in Judaea ro run toward were in the Syrian Decapolis, a Gentile area where Paul had been active in his preaching. Mark shows that Jesus visiting Syria twice, crossing the sea of Galilee to reach it. If that indeed was where Mark’s listeners had run from their persecutors, both of the times when Jesus entered that territory would be rich with personal meaning for them, and Mark’s emphasis on the two trips would become more understandable.

Now Gentle Reader, for next time re read the 2 times that Jesus crossed into Syria and think about if you were living in that 1^st century what would you have thought and felt and how close would you have felt to the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords?

Till next time then,

Love,

Denis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gospel of Mark

Part 10 The gospel of Mark

Dear Gentle reader,

It has been some time that I have started this study on the 4 gospels (excluding all the other "gospels" that were rejected. The last time we were considering the persecuted "church" as we now can read in the Gospel of Mark. If Mark was written in and for a community under persecution, does he supply any hints about where this persecution was occurring? It was held in past times that the older view was that it was written in Rome, and that Peter had dictated the Gospel to Mark, and that Peter as well as Paul died in the Neronian persecution in Rome (64CE). My own personal view (now under reconsideration) is that the Gospel was written if not published around 43 A.D.

If that older view were historically accurate or the view was sound then this Gospel would hardly show such a lack of sympathy with Peter. Besides, the persecution that killed Peter and Paul on the charge of burning Rome down was a brief spasm not the sort the Markan community undergoes. And while some may argue that Peter was being humble the writing in Mark shows more than humility directed towards Pater. In the light of that fact that it was the (Jewish brethren? ) Who betrayed the Gentiles Christians in Rome.

What does the Gospel itself about and to the plight of those 1^st century believers?

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days." (Mar 13:13-20)

Mark alerts those in his audience that he is talking about them "(let him that readeth understand,) "understand this, reader! And also gives them hope that the time of their ordeal has been aborted (literally "cut back")

What is this defilement that desolates (to bdelgma tes eremoseos)? It has often been taken to refer to the destruction of the temple by the Romans in 70 A.D.. But elsewhere Mart does appear to seem to know the circumstances of that destruction, and he does not refer to it directly . As does Luke in "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto." (Luk 21:20-21). Luke was written around 58 A.D. and seems to have seen the final siege of Jerusalem. Which takes us to the Gospel of Matthew and the questions ask and answered by Christ to his disciples.

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand ) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Mat 24:1-51)

Which could mean, Gentle Reader, that the Parousia of the Lord (better known as the doctrine of the Second Coming could have actually taken place around 70 A.D). which is a whole another study that I will not attempt at this time but just consider what that means to each of us if Christ returned within a generation or forty years of His death.

I’ll leave you at this point to ruminate over this possible event until next time.

Don’t worry we are not alone!

Love,

Denis