Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Gratitude

Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB)
6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Characteristics or out-workings of receiving Jesus Christ as Lord:
  • walking in Jesus
  • becoming firmly rooted
  • built up in God (edified)
  • established in faith
  • receiving instruction
  • overflowing with gratitude and thanksgiving.
How do we receive Jesus? By grace through faith.

How should we "walk in Him?" By grace through faith. And overflowing with gratitude.

Gratitude is a response to being saved. Gratitude is the standard operating procedure, hardwired in, of saved people.

Just like bitterness is a standard operating procedure, hardwired in, of the fallen state.

However, gratitude, like bitterness, takes time and discipline.

*****

Word study: Thanksgiving/gratitude (eucharistia)

Strong: G2169

GK: G2374

gratitude, thankfulness, Acts 24:3; thanks, the act of giving thanks, thanksgiving, 1 Cor. 14:16; conversation marked by the gentle cheerfulness of a grateful heart, as contrasted with the unseemly mirth of εὐτραπελία, Eph. 5:4

Eucharist
Middle English eukarist, from Anglo-French eukariste, from Late Latin eucharistia, from Greek, Eucharist, gratitude, from eucharistos grateful, from eu- + charizesthai to show favor, from eu, well, good, true and charis favor, grace, gratitude; akin to Greek chairein to rejoice.

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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Matthew 7:1-2. Judge not...

Matthew 7:1-2 (NASB)
7 “Do not judge [krino] so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 (MOUNCE)
7 “ Do not judge [krinō] others, so that you will not be judged. 2 For by the standard [krima] you judge you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.
[I have pasted the word studies taken from the "Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament" below.]

This passage came up on Sunday, and I decided I wanted to explore it in more depth.

"To judge" has these meanings (see below): to assume censorial power over, to bring under question, to judge judicially, be arraigned [for trial], to pass judgment, to be brought to trial, to govern or to administer government over.

"The standard" has these meanings (see below): a sentence, administer judgment, execute judgment.

Part of judging in this way is to bring an accusation. (See Revelation 12:9-10 below).

Crime  -> arraignment and trial (accusations made)  -> judgment  -> passing sentence (condemnation).

These are legal terms. In the context of Matthew 7:1-2, and the rest of its usage in the New Testament, these mean to bring to trial and to pass a judgment on someone. This is not discern, it is not "exercising good judgment."

Jesus is rebuking a VERY human tendency to judge others.

One way of thinking about these passages is not to seem them solely as commands to not do something (a negative command). But also to see them as positive commands. That is, in the command, God is giving us a gift, empowering us to be able to obey. He says to us, do not judge, and we gain, by grace through faith, the power to obey.

Revelation 12:9-10 (NASB)
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.
Mounce
These two are from Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament edited by William D. Mounce. Copyright ©2011 by William D. Mounce. Via Bible Gateway.

κρίνω (krinō)

Strong: G2919

GK: G3212

pluperfect, κεκρίκει (3 sg), pr. to separate; to make a distinction between; to exercise judgment upon; to estimate, Rom. 14:5; to judge, to assume censorial power over, to call to account, Mt. 7:1; Lk. 6:37; Rom. 2:1, 3; 14:3, 4, 10, 13; Col. 2:16; Jas. 4:11, 12; to bring under question, Rom. 14:22; to judge judicially, to try as a judge, Jn. 18:31; to bring to trial, Acts 13:27; to sentence, Lk. 19:22; Jn. 7:51; to resolve on, decree, Acts 16:4; Rev. 16:5; absol. to decide, determine, resolve, Acts 3:13; 15:19; 27:1; to deem, Acts 13:46; to form a judgment, pass judgment, Jn. 8:15; pass. to be brought to trial, Acts 25:10, 20; Rom. 3:4; to be brought to account, to incur arraignment, be arraigned, 1 Cor. 10:29; mid. to go to law, litigate, Mt. 5:40; in NT to judge, to visit judicially, Acts 7:7; 1 Cor. 11:31, 32; 1 Pet. 4:6; to judge, to right, to vindicate, Heb. 10:30; to administer government over, to govern, Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30

κρίμα (krima)

Strong: G2917

GK: G3210

judgment; a sentence, award, Mt. 7:2; a judicial sentence, Lk. 23:40; 24:20; Rom. 2:2; 5:16; an adverse sentence, Mt. 23:14; Rom. 13:2; 1 Tim. 5:12; Jas. 3:1; judgment, administration of justice, Jn. 9:39; Acts 24:25; execution of justice, 1 Pet. 4:17; a lawsuit; 1 Cor. 6:7; in NT judicial visitation, 1 Cor. 11:29; 2 Pet. 2:3; an administrative decree, Rom. 11:33

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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Should race matter to a Christian?

Article: Does your race determine your biological age? Controversial research claims black people age more quickly - and are up to THREE YEARS older in health terms

Yet another data point in the continuing controversy over race.

One of the first comments:
The term "race" is racist - as you believe that there are different "races" with superior/ inferior qualities - term first introduced to segregate and disempower people - there is only one "race" the human race - articles like this actually prompt division - please research your article correctly - the term "race" is man made. People have differences, and also similarities but we are all the same "race", and there are many different social and environmental conditions that impact on people and their life chances.
Race is. And believing that different races exist is not inherently racist. Believing that they exist AND that one is superior to another is racist. [A comment made a little later, which I will not quote, claims that the black race is obviously superior. And both comments are politically correct on the left side of the political spectrum.]

The sad thing is, in God's eyes, we are all made in God's image. Different races do occur and can co-exist, if each individual is viewed as important in God's eyes.

It is basic "crooked timber" human nature to group people (tribes, races, ethnicity, religion) AND then place more value on one group over another.

The Old Testament is full of discussion of various tribes and nations. In Genesis, Babel is the story of the tribalization of humanity through the confusion of languages. In Genesis, God choose Abram/Abraham and makes him a great nation of him; a nation of 12 tribes.

In the New Testament, Christ draws all people and all nations to Himself (John 12:32).

Dispersion and tribalization is reversed, and one new people, composed of all people, is the result.

Colossians 3:9-11 (NASB)
9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
Galatians 3:28 (NASB)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
All divisions are reconciled and done away with in Jesus Christ.

Therefore, should Christians accept or deny races? If we do accept them, we cannot say one is inherently better than another.

I think that it is absurd to deny the existence of race/tribe/ethnicity. However, I must treat all individuals I meet as brother/sisters in Christ (actual or potential). In my behavior, I do away with division.

In the current "spirit of the age," the left is very collectivization orientated. That is, the left is highly conscious of divisions due to class, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, yada, yada, yada. And very definitely, the far left views some groups as superior to others.

I have posted a second discussion of this at the Loch Lomond Farms blog: Race and Aging.

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Inside Mars Hill's massive meltdown

Article: Inside Mars Hill's massive meltdown

Mars Hill Church, Seattle. A friend linked to this on Facebook and it started a comment thread.
A recent outpouring of accounts by former church members of Mars Hill, Seattle's own homegrown megachurch, are painting a picture, both fascinating and horrifying, of outrageous and psychologically damaging behavior that's been happening inside the church for many years.
As a friend commented: Power corrupts.

2 Corinthians 11:3 (NASB)
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

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Covenant, Part 1

Covenant, Part 1

From the dictionary definitions, below, one would assume that covenant and contract are mere synonyms. Biblically, they are two different words.

This highlights a problem with translating any work, but especially the Bible. Translators have to use a word in English that only has approximately the same meaning as the word in Greek or Hebrew.

For example, in 21st century English-language, American dialect, and the legal sub-dialect, slander has to be a lie, or spoken with a complete disregard to the truth. In Biblical Greek and Hebrew, slander can be truthful, as long as the slander damages a reputation or causes division.

Covenant, as used in both Greek and Hebrew, specifically refers to a type of agreement called a "one-sided promise" or a "one-sided guarantee." The best analogy in English is the "last will and testament." The author of the will guarantees the beneficiary of the will certain things to occur upon the death of the author. 

Even the conditions placed on the agreement by the granting party (here, God) can be considered as part of the promise or guarantee.

Genesis 17:9 (NASB)
God said further to Abraham, “Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations.

God both places a condition on the agreement; and He also gives to Abraham, and his descendants, the power and ability to carry it out as part of the agreement.

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Covenant: Definition
1: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement: compact
2: a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action

Word origin:  Anglo-French, from present participle of "covenir" meaning to be fitting, from Latin "convenire," meaning to agree, or a coming together (related to the word, "convene")

Synonym: accord, alliance, compact, convention, treaty, pact, contract
 Contract: Definition
1: a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties; especially: one legally enforceable
2: a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price
3: the act of marriage or an agreement to marry

Word origin: from the Latin, "contrahere" meaning to draw together

Synonym: bond, guarantee, covenant, deal, guaranty, surety, warranty
Covenant:
http://www.bible-researcher.com/covenant.html

The Greek word διαθηκη (diatheke), usually translated “covenant” in English versions of the Bible, is a legal term denoting a formal and legally binding declaration of benefits to be given by one party to another, with or without conditions attached. In secular contexts it was most often used of a “last will and testament.” In the Greek version of the Old Testament διαθηκη was used as the ordinary rendering for the Hebrew word ברית.

ברית (berith) is also translated “covenant” in English versions, but, like διαθηκη, it also refers to legal dispositions or pledges which may or may not have the character of an “agreement.” Sometimes a ברית is more in the nature of a one-sided promise or grant.

When English readers see the word “covenant” in the Bible, it is important to bear this in mind, because the true sense is often missed if readers suppose that the word must refer to a reciprocal “agreement” or “contract.” The issue is important because misunderstandings along this line can have some serious consequences for theology.

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Herman Ridderbos, The Epistle of Paul to the Churches of Galatia (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1953), pp. 130-31.

In the Septuagint διαθηκη is regularly used as the translation of the covenant of God (berith), rather than the apparently more available word συνθηκη. In this there is already an expression of the fact that the covenant of God does not have the character of a contract between two parties, but rather that of a one-sided grant. This corresponds with the covenant-idea in the Old Testament, in which berith, even in human relations, sometimes refers to a one-party guarantee which a more favored person gives a less favored one (cf. Josh. 9:6, 15; 1 Sam. 11:1; Ezek. 17:13). And it is most peculiarly true of the divine covenantal deed that it is a one-party guarantee. It comes not from man at all, but from God alone. This does not rule out the fact, of course, that it involves religious and ethical obligation, namely that of faith and obedience (Gen. 17:9-10), and that thus the reciprocal element is taken up in the covenant.

Ridderos also points out that there is a second word for covenant that the translators of the Septuagint and the authors of the New Testament could have used, but did not. This second word implied "the legal equality of the parties."

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