A Book of Many Authors

I just finished a novel that involved Mormon characters. I often interact with Muslims. Both have gotten me to thinking about divine revelation. Why would I believe a revelation given to one man, confirmed by no other authors? If I wasn't Christian, I'd probably be Jewish.

Hebrew scriptures: 34+ authors
Greek (New Testament) scriptures: 7-9 authors

Islam: 1
Mormonism: 1
Buddhism: 1
Confucianism: 1
Hinduism: various

Interesting Parallels

I've already written about the parallel between 2 Corinthians 5.1 and Hebrews 9.11 regarding the heavenly tabernacle.

There are others, such as:

• internal parallel between the small and temporary troubles in the present that produces an eternal glory that outweighs them (2 Cor 4.17) and in which Paul rejoices (Philippians) and endures everything without complaining or arguing (Phil. 2.14). God comforts us in our troubles (2 Cor 1.4). These small troubles are not worth groaning and sighing (2 Cor 5.4). Their sufferings exhibit the life of Jesus and light shines in their hearts (4.6-10). This doesn't sound like groaning and sighing. What causes Paul to groan and sigh are the troubles within the church because not enough people have put on the 'new man' and letting the 'old man' die (Ephesians 4.24); put on the new nature of righteousness and holiness. 'While we live in these tabernacles [bodies of Christ--note that the Greek does not have the word earthly in this verse], we groan and sigh..." and I might add perhaps for Paul, "it's why I've had to write 3 letters to you and not shown up in person to rebuke you" (2 Cor 1.23).
• being naked and clothed by God (2 Cor 5.3) are similar to what happens to Adam and Eve. God clothes them in leather to cover their shame and show redemption and restoration to righteousness. It seems Paul is talking about our present state, not some future state.
• We want new clothing because we don't want to put a new patch on old clothing. It will leave a bigger tear/hole, exposing more of us (Matthew 9.16). Here Christ is talking about the religious institutions. Later Christ warns about being expelled from those institutions, perhaps leaving us 'naked' (John 16.2) but we want protection within a God-built dwelling (2 Cor 5.3) which might be the temple of God, which the church/ekklesia/congregation is supposed to be (1 Cor 3.16, 6.19; 2 Cor 6.16; Eph 2.21; 1 Pet 2.5). A temple is more permanent than a tabernacle. Righteousness is available because the Holy Spirit is here (John 16.10; 2 Cor 5.5) and is pledged/guaranteed through Him (2 Cor 1.22).
• The early church shared abundantly with each other (Acts 2) as taught by Christ in his parable of the Shrewd Manager. "Here's the lesson: use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your earthly possessions are gone, they will welcome you to the eternal tabernacles" (Luke 16.9). The tabernacles were evidence of God's presence here on earth. Even Peter wanted to build tabernacles after seeing Christ with two prophets (the Transfiguration). 

"So we are always confident [in what we do and/or that God is preparing/building His body of life, his tabernacle]...even though we are not present with the Lord, because we are present here in [His] body [of believers]." (2 Cor 5.6--amplified translation by the author).

Okay, so the first commentator to write extensively (Chrysostom) back in the 380-400 A.D. era deals with 2 Corinthians 5 the same way that modern commentators do. However, Christendom was in the midst of being formalized and institutionalized. Maybe it's a little of 'the emperor has no clothes' attitude to avoid admitting that the early church got it wrong trying to establish its own religious institutions, aka Judaism and every other religion. Perhaps we just didn't know how to have a congregation without all the religious trappings. Interestingly, in none of the letters to troubled churches do the apostles advise them to tighten up the organizational structures, policies and rituals. New wine requires new wineskins--a whole new way of being a body of believers. By interpreting 2 Corinthians 5 as a discussion of our individual, physical bodies, Chrysostom and all those who follow him avoid the institutional, congregational teaching here.

Predestination and Free Will, Redux

I was reading a commentary on Ephesians 1, Romans 9 and Philippians 2 written from the Jewish perspective, citing precedents from the Hebrew Scriptures, Talmud and other rabbinic writings. This would have exactly the precedents that Paul would have had in mind, besides the occasional Greek philosopher. Paul was trained as a Pharisee. He knew the Scriptures intimately. He would have understood the paradox of being chosen and deciding to be obedient. The people of Abraham were chosen but they still had to choose to be obedient to stay in God's grace.

Exodus tells of Pharoah being offered five chances to repent, but he hardened his heart. God gave him up to that hardness and did not put forth any more attempts to soften his heart (Exodus 6 ff.). God says Pharoah will let the people go; indeed, he will insist the Israelites go. Did Pharoah have a choice? Centuries later, did Pilate have a choice?

How do we resolve the dilemma of King David urged by God (2 Samuel 24) to take a census, in order to punish Israel, while Satan did likewise urge King David to take the (same) census (1 Chronicles 21)? Did David have a choice? He was warned not to do it by his right-hand man, and yet he did pursue it. God was displeased and gave David three choices of punishment.

Also, recall Saul/Paul on the road to Damascus. He was confronted, chosen by Christ, and yet had a choice to follow Jesus or not. Didn't he? How about Ananias to heal and teach Saul/Paul?

Pharoah and Saul/Paul persecuted God's people. Both were confronted. Both had choices. The outcomes could still be the same with regard to whichever option they chose: God's people would no longer be persecuted, and God would be glorified.

Lamentations 5.21--Turn us, Adonai, to you and we will turn.
Zechariah 1.3--Turn to me, says Adonai of Heaven's Armies, and I will turn to you.

I was also thinking about demons today. Can God cast demons out of a person's life and lifestyle? Can He, Christ, do it without the person inviting God's power into their lives? I don't see it scripturally where demons were cast out without the person's permission. Even the man imprisoned by Legion approached Christ, seemingly for the help; otherwise, he could have just stayed away. In fact, Legion begged Christ to leave the demons alone still tormenting the poor man.

Romans 10.13--Everyone who calls on the name of Adonai will be saved.

Rabbi Akivah has said, "All is foreseen and free will is given." (Avot. 3.15)

God knows, God can but you will want to ask Him.

Being an Ambassador of Christ's

Do you know what it takes to be Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5.20)? Here's what Paul tells the Ephesians: "live the life worthy of your calling..." Leaders in the church are to equip each of us, prepare us for ministry, help us live a worthy life. How does he describe a worthy life in Ephesian 4?

• Always be humble and gentle
• Be patient with each other
• Make every effort to remain united in the Spirit, bound together in peace
• Spiritually mature, not blown about by every wind of new teaching
• Speak the truth in love
• Grow to be more and more like Christ
• Don't live like heathens/pagans, hopelessly confused, minds full of darkness
• Renew your thoughts and attitudes through the Spirit
• Put on a new nature, truly righteous and holy.
• Stop telling lies; tell each other the truth
• Don't let anger control you
• Quit stealing
• Use your hands for good, hard work to earn money
• Give generously to those in need
• Don't use foul or abusive language
• Speak what is helpful, good, encouraging
• Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, slander--and all types of evil behavior
• Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another

Continuing on, Paul adds:

• Imitate God
• Live a life filled with love

Not only is this list interesting because of what it asks us to do. It's also interesting because of what's not here. If you listen to many sermons on a weekend, preachers might be adding some other things in order to be ambassadors of Christ, such as evangelism and service. The list above could easily be summarized by David Watson using Wesley's 6 ordinances as a starting point--1) acts of [private] devotion, 2) acts of worship [public devotion], 3) acts of compassion, 4) acts of justice. In Paul's list, however, most of the compassion and justice has more to do with our speech than service. "Being mature" might be shortcut for the acts of devotion and worship.

I don't know about you. I think I will be very busy trying to be humble, gentle, mature in Christ. That's a great start to being an ambassador, don't you think?

Are You Chosen or Not?

Recently our men's group had a discussion about Ephesians 1 and the issue of predestination. Of course, we had people on both sides of the issue: yes, God chose us to believe; yes, God put the plan in place for us as a group to believe, predestining the church. A few of us knew the Calvinism versus Arminianism debate: individually, we were predestined to become part of the church, we had no choice; we have free will to believe or not. The saner among us tried to draw the discussion back to the larger themes of Ephesians 1 so we wouldn't get hung up on this minor doctrinal issue for the whole hour.

As I reflect on the chapter, I wonder what Paul would have been thinking when he wrote "God loved us and chose us". What precedents would he have in mind? From the Hebrew scriptures--the only ones available to Paul and the church at the time of the letter--we have many examples of individuals being chosen: Noah, Abraham, Isaac (versus Ishmael), Jacob (versus Esau), Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Debra, Gideon, Samson and the other judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon (versus the other sons of David) and so on. Additionally, we have the nameless others of Abraham's entourage and later the tribes of Israel. They also were chosen by God, though not individually. They were grafted, adopted into the holy (sanctified) nation by their relationship with those that were set apart, sanctified, as individuals.

We have Rahab and Ruth, chosen by God to fulfill the kingly and messianic lineage, but not born into the chosen people. They were adopted into God's family also.

We have the 12 disciples chosen by Y'shua Meschach (Jesus Christ) individually. However, we also know of thousands of others who initially heard his voice and followed him. A hundred or so remained after His death and resurrection but that number quickly grew. Three thousand became believers on the day we call Pentecost. Were each of them chosen by God individually? Saul/Paul was but what about Ananias and Sapphira who sold their property withholding some of the proceeds? What about the other Ananias who healed Paul after his conversion--was he specifically chosen to believe--or would another believer done just as well if Ananias wasn't there? Was the Ethiopian eunuch, to whom Philip preached after Philip was sent to that spot, specifically chosen? Or would anyone traveling to Ethiopia worked to spread the gospel to one of the subsequent strongest Christian nations in history?

It seems like the Hebrew scriptures and the early church experiences would have supported both doctrines.

I'm certain of this though: Christ will not ask me about my doctrinal stand when I see Him face to face. He will ask whether my faith was expressed itself in love (Galatians 5.6). Did my life show the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, against which there is no law (nor doctrinal correctness)?

On Your Own?

It's been said by many that all they need is their bible, and access to a TV or internet preacher's talks. They have no need or desire to be part of a church. They have been hurt by people in the church. Even some refuse to participate in a church because they can't find a perfect one. I recently talked to such a person.

Peter warns us in his first epistle (5.8) that the devil prowls like a lion looking for someone to devour. Who do lions go for? The weak and isolated. They hardly attack a whole herd of weaker animals. They wait till one is separated and then they pounce.

If you're the weak or isolated animal, and you saw a lion staring at you, muscle tension flexing in the haunches, do you worry about what kind of herd is nearby? Most likely, you will look for the closest non-threatening group to hide in. If you're a zebra, you may not be able to hide with the meerkats but you could hide with the wildebeests. They may not be perfect or perfectly accepting of you, but they will hold off the prowling lion.

Share this perspective next time someone says they can grow their faith on their own.

Like Your Idols

Psalm 115 makes a startling statement. First, the psalmist lays out the problem: "..their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands." After describing how the idols cannot speak, see, hear, smell or move, the psalmist says that 'they' will become like their idols, unable to speak, see, hear, etc.

What does he mean? Will they become like stone or metal?

More likely, since the idols make no requirements of their worshipers, the idolaters will not make any effort to see others, speak to others, listen to others, move towards others and so on. They will be locked in their own self-absorbed world waiting for their god of money, fame and other success, religion, sex and other entertainments to tell them to do something different. The idols can't. We who look for personal satisfaction from worshiping these things will continue in the pursuits that seem right to us.

In contrast, we know a God who speaks, sees, listens and hears, and moves and acts. He challenges us to keep up with Him. He challenges us to do likewise: to see the hurting, the least/last/lost and to speak out for them and to them, and to listen when people have joys and griefs to share, to move in care and community with one another. Christ on the earth did just this. We are told to be like Him. And not like the other idols we might worship.

Picket This

Does the church show favoritism? You bet. Probably much to God's dismay. Favoritism was condemned by God in the Hebrew scriptures, Christ and the apostles in the Greek scriptures.

The church will allow certain sinners to remain involved, serve and even lead. All of these behaviors have been condemned in the scriptures such that people who repeatedly commit them should be expelled...if not stoned, but not in the church: adultery, divorce, greed, jealousy, envy, selfish ambition, pride, outbursts of anger, tattoos, shaven faces, thievery, cheating, lying...The list goes on to include idolatry which is worshiping other things as gods, like money, sex, entertainment, success, power, family, romance, nationalism, and anything else which we think will fill our spiritual void. Children, young and old, who dishonor their parents or are stubborn and rebellious should be stoned according to some verses. Irritability can be included as it's based on selfishness--the god of me--as well as favoritism.

But the church doesn't talk about these sins publicly, picket against or take out ads opposing these sinners' rights or prevent them from being leaders in the church. These sins are sometimes hidden, sometimes public but hardly ever are people who practice them held accountable in terms of participating in the church.

But if a person practices love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness and self-control, they should be a part of the spiritual community of believers. Paul says, "against such there is no law." Even though we are worthy of being condemned for we have dishonored our Father in heaven, been rebellious and stubborn, instead of stoning us, He races out to meet our humble selves and welcome us back into His family. This is mercy. This is grace.

Shedding Blood

From many perspectives, King David was successful. He was wealthy, powerful, and had good relationships with the people around him. (Okay, maybe questionable whether his marriages were good, but how would you measure that aspect from the record...) He was blessed by God. God said he was a man after his own heart. But yet, we know David made many mistakes. God denied letting him build the temple because he was "a warrior and had shed blood." (1 Chronicles 28). Near the end of his life, David blows it big time by taking a census at God's urging or because of Satan's deception depending on the version you read (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21) for which God punishes him indirectly. (Read the passage to know about the 3 years, 3 months or 3 days punishment options.)

Maybe our own ministry successes are lacking because we too like David have shed blood. I don't mean literally but figuratively in the spiritual sense of the Sermon on the Mount ("You have heard it said, 'Do not kill' but I tell you..."). There's also the sense of shedding blood from James 5.1-6 when he warns masters/employers against withholding what's due to slaves/employees. Here's my paraphrase of the overlooked sins in Galatians 5, that might be considered 'shedding blood':

     Those of us who are envious, jealous, lie, cheat, steal, squeeze the last nickel out of every vendor and every last 5 minutes out of every employee, hate, shun, impugn, malign, get irritated, get impatient, get angry,  argue, are ambitious, are separatist, are elitist…or worship the gods of food, entertainment, sex or success trying to be the king of the hill or at least feel good about ourselves sacrificing others' well-being in order for these gods to bless us…those will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5.21). 

The only thing that gets us back into a relationship with the Father is to acknowledge that we need Him (Luke 15--parable of the two sons). We cannot earn it or pay for our sins (Psalm 49). David was reassured of an everlasting covenant between his family and God at the end of his life, even though he had angered God, and been denied the last bit of success (2 Samuel 23). 

Likewise, ministry success cannot be measured in numbers or money (the census example), nor should it. The seven churches in Revelation were not criticized because they weren't growing numerically, but because they weren't growing spiritually and in their outpouring of love. Nowhere in the epistles are early churches put down because they weren't big enough. Paul does chasten the Corinthian church in his second letter because they weren't being bold enough as ambassadors, but that was more about attitude, faith and actions than results. We are only measured on the strength of our relationship with the one true God.

S

Diamond God

Too often we are guilty of idolatry. We may not worship other gods--but sometimes we do, like the gods of money, sex, reputation, etc. More often we worship a god different than the one in the Bible yet it's one we call by His Name. I wonder if this wasn't the last straw for YHWH when Aaron said, "Let's have a festival to YHWH" after completion of the golden calf.

How do we worship a different god, even in our churches, our daily devotions, our bible studies? We chop off the characteristics and traits of God that we don't like or understand. Like Tolstoy and Jefferson, we sometimes excise parts of the Bible by not studying them, understanding them or even reading them. We like this part of God and not this part.

We want the God of nature, or the God of people crowds.
We want the God of grace and mercy, or the God of judgment.
We want the God of patience or the God of lightning fast justice.
We want the God of checklists ('just tell me what to do') or the God of laissez faire who loves me no matter what.
We want the God of right and wrong or the God of situational wisdom.
We want the God of forgiveness upon confession or we want the God of forgiveness to the extent we forgive ('forgive us our sins as we forgive others who sin against us' and the parable of the unjust steward, anyone?)
We want the God of safety or the God of adventure.
We want the God of red letters or the God of the whole of scripture. (Why aren't God the Father's words in the NT in red, dear publishers?)
We want the God of this book or this passage, or we want the God of that book and passage.

Like the car commercial that bemoans the choice of 'or' and applauds the choice of 'and', we should be worshiping the God of 'And'--i.e. the God of right and wrong, and the God of situational wisdom. All of the traits mentioned above (and more) can be found in scripture. There are so many facets to God, He is like a diamond of whom we might take a lifetime to appreciate. We should want to be closer to YHWH, who is jealous for His Name and His holy reputation. He is angry if we characterize Him incorrectly. He is angry if we call a god we've fashioned in our image by His Name. (Imagine the earthly anger of a spouse if you call them by the wrong name or use a pet name for him/her with another person.)

Our challenge is to avoid making God in our image, with a character that we like. Our challenge is to be made in His image, to be transformed. To be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect--hmmm, I think the Messiah exhorted this very thing.

Outstanding in His Field...Alone

There's an old joke that goes, "There's a farmer, outstanding in his field..." That's it. Of course, it's really "...out standing in his field..." Paul compliments the Corinthians in his second letter when he says, "I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles" (2 Corinthians 7.4).

What the source of the encouragement? It comes from the knowledge that Paul and the Corinthians are in this faith journey together; they will "live or die together" (7.3). We see the same sentiment in Proverbs 30. Agur, the writer of that chapter, gives several lists of four things. For most of those lists, he prefaces them with the phrase "there are three things, no four...". God Himself mimics this phrasing through Amos (1.3ff) when He describes three, no four, transgressions for which nation-states cannot be forgiven.  One way to think of this phrase is that three is a symbol of excellence. One is good; two is best and three is 'perfect': "holy, holy, holy"; a cord of three strands in Ecclesiastes, and so on. But a fourth thing throws this excellence or perfection out of balance. It's like hitting your perfect stride while running; you're at a personal-best pace. You're body is in perfect synchronization with the windmilling of the legs and the quick-pendulum swing of the arms. And then you think, "What if I push it just a bit more. I bet I can." And as you lean a little more into the pace, trying to make your legs go another beat per minute faster, you get off-balance, stumble and tumble face-first into the dirt. The lists of four things--the unsatiable, the unchartable, the usurping and the self-reliant.

Only one of the lists of four is not prefaced accordingly by Agur. It is a list of creatures that live in community, are relentless and ubiquitous.

It is Agur's last list of bad role models that intrigues me. At first, they seem like good role models: a lion who won't turn aside for anything; 'one who girts his loins'; a male goat; a king who faces no opposition or knows no resistance. ('One who girts his loins' is not familiar to any of the translators. In fact, Agur uses quite a few words that aren't used anywhere else. Translators have made this phrase into rooster, zebra, greyhound, and so on. The phrase itself, and the connection with pride, makes me think of modern examples like a gangsta rapper who grabs his crotch, and sumo wrestler.) One night in Kenya, we came across a male lion standing in the middle of the road. He didn't know if we had guns or if our Land Cruiser would even stop. He stood there: oblivious, apathetic, confident in anti-poaching laws, whatever. It was foolish. Lions don't turn aside unless there are overwhelming odds against them. Kings who don't have any forces opposing them, whether militarily or in terms of advice become over-confident. They begin to think they'll be successful in everything. They believe their opinions are above reproach. They begin to think they are gods. Humility is not a part of their world. I've seen this in business also. CEO's, presidents, chairpersons who are surrounded by sycophants will fail to see the folly of their strategies until it's too late. Nor will they ever hear about the impact their strategies have on others.

We have a clue to this list when we look at Agur's earlier words: "They are pure in their own eyes, but they are filthy and unwashed. They look proudly around, casting disdainful glances. They have teeth like swords and fangs like knives. They devour the poor [and weak] from the earth and the needy from among humanity." Sounds a lot like lions and arrogant kings. After this last list of four, Agur also says, "If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame."

We cannot go it alone. If we want to be outstanding, we have to be in community. We have to help each other, like ants that store up food for the winter. We have to stay together, like locusts that move in formation. We have to build a place to belong for each other, like hyraxes in the rocks. And like lizards or spiders we will find places to thrive in all areas of the world, even though we're vulnerable. This is weird but wonderful view of the kingdom of God. Wisdom--that is, following God's instructions perhaps as given through fathers and mothers (see Proverbs 1, 30 and 31)--comes from being together and staying together. Looking out for each other and building up one another (Proverbs 27.17). When we're isolated, we're vulnerable. Our enemy, like a prowling lion (1 Peter 5.8), will pick off the weak, the vulnerable and the alone. If you're going to be out standing in your field, make sure you have brothers and sisters with you.