Directly From the Holy Writings (Scriptures)

Throughout this year I am reading This Day in Christian History (William D. Blake) a paperback I picked up in Lynchburg, Virginia in December and The One Year Christian History (E. Michael & Sharon Rusten – authors) to help me review some of the trends, challenges, struggles, blessings, individuals and groups who have had a part in the broad history of what we call “Christianity” during the past 2,000 years.

Today’s reading in TDiCH noted “Dr. Charles A. Briggs delivers an address at Union Theological Seminary in New York City titled “The Authority of the Scriptures,” resulting in a heresy trial.   Briggs was eventually found guilty and was defrocked by his denomination’s general assembly.” (January 20, 1891)

Here’s a quote from an 1876 address given at the inauguration of Dr. Briggs at the same Union Theological Seminary.   In it he makes a useful distinction between various branches of theology.    My question to reflect on is this – “Is only EXEGETICAL THEOLOGY (Biblical Theology) the only branch concerned with dealing directly with the Holy Writings?”

“Exegetical Theology has to do especially with the Sacred Scriptures, their origin, history, character, exposition, doctrine and rules of life.  It is true that the other branches of theology have likewise to do with the sacred writings, in that their chief material is derived therefrom, but they differ from Exegetical Theology, not only in their methods of using this material, but likewise in the fact, that they do not themselves search out and gather this material, directly from the holy writings, but depend upon Exegetical Theology therefore, whilst their energies are directed

- in Historical Theology in tracing the development of that material as the determining element in the history of the people of God, (these are courses such as the Theology of Augustine, Theology of Luther, etc.)

- in Systematic Theology in arranging that material in the form most appropriate for systematic study, for attack and defense, in accordance with the needs of the age; (these are courses such as Christian Foundations and other Doctrinal courses)

- in Practical Theology, in directing that material to the conversion of souls, and training them in the holy life. (these are courses dealing with Pastoral ministry, Preaching – Homiletics, etc.)

Thus the whole of theology depends upon the exegesis of the Scriptures, and unless this department be thoroughly wrought and established, the whole structure of theological truth will be weak and frail, for it will be found, in the critical hour, resting on the shifting sands of human opinion and practice, rather than on the rock of infallible divine truth.

[Rev. Charles A. Briggs, D.D., on occasion of his inauguration as Davenport professor of Hebrew and the Cognate Languages in the Union Theological Seminary, New York City, New York 1876]

I thank God for professors I have had and those now teaching  O.T. & N.T. Biblical Theology, namely Dr. Peter Gentry and Dr. Pierre Constant, as they labour to equip students to rest their faith on the rock of infallible divine truth rather than the shifting sands of human opinion and practice.   Please pray for them and Toronto Baptist Seminary in the strategic work of training men and women for the harvest fields.       K. Edwards – Jan 20, 2012

 

A Tractor Trailer Load of Kleenex – For Whom?

Acts 20:17-38 is one of my favourite leadership passages in the New Testament.    The apostle Paul with his team of foundation-layer church planters stops at Miletus (the coast) and sends word to Ephesus for the elders of that church to meet him.   The Ephesian church receives a lot of ink in the pages of the New Testament.   Here in Acts 20, in 1 & 2 Timothy where this younger leader has been left to work beside the elders, Ephesians – directed to the church body and lastly Revelation 2 where the head of the church communicates through the apostle John strong words of admonition.

The TERMS – In this narrative we have Paul (a foundation layer – according to Ephesians 2:20) dialoguing with elders.   All of these gifted leaders (Ephesians 4:11-16) are Christ’s gift to the church.   The apostles (& prophets) lay the Scriptural foundation by penning letters, God-breathed letters, which establish the church’s doctrine and practice.   The evangelists and pastor-teachers equip the saints to share the faith and to be built up in edifying ministry.

A helpful clarification pointed out to me a number of years ago by another of Christ’s gifts to the body, notes that the office is that of an ELDER.   The ELDER’s task is to SHEPHERD/PASTOR and OVERSEE the flock.  It is decidingly confusing when we use “pastor” as a title, likewise “bishop” as if it were a rank or position to be held.

The TASK of these elders revolves around their “being” and “doing.”  Leaders are to “be” humble, diligent, sacrificial and marked (as Christ was) by giving NOT receiving.   Paul cites his own example before these leaders as a guideline.   Leaders in their  “doing” are a) to teach (both publicly and privately), (to Jews & non-Jews), b) to proclaim the gospel calling those who hear to repent and believe.   Some times teaching, other times preaching, they never run out of material as they declare the whole counsel of God.    The priority of self-oversight must not be neglected as they oversee the flock of God.   These TASKS are not for novices!

The TEARS & TRIALS of all leaders (whether apostles or elders or other Christ-gifted men) is evident through this text.   The beach at Miletus is tear-stained and the text gives evidence of huge emotion.   I’m not sure in our leadership training we include this truth.   Perhaps an appropriate graduation gift would be a tractor trailer load of kleenex, since many tears await.

In studying this text again this week I was blessed and challenged.   Had I the gift of being an artist, I would delightfully paint the scene in Acts 20, there on the tear-stained beach as Paul bids these elders good-bye.    They shall meet again but not until God wipes all tears from their eyes and they stand face-to-face in the presence of the Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13) of the sheep, the Good Shepherd (John 10), the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5) whom they have served in vital ministry.

 

Stopped Prayers

In recent weeks I have studied and been wrestling with Mark 10:35-45 where James and John (along with their mother – according to Matthew 20) come to Jesus with a PETITION.   “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”  (Mark 10:35)

They speak to Jesus having just heard the 4th prediction of His upcoming death.   Mark 8:31, Mark 9:12 and Mark 9:31 indicate the unfolding of the gospel to these disciples who don’t yet grasp the “good news” that it really is.   Then in Mark 10:32-34 using a series of verbs, Jesus once again spells out the details of an upcoming Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

How would a genuine Christ-follower respond to such a prediction?   1)  Lord, how may we be faithful to the end?  2) Lord, what would you desire us to do for you?  3) Lord, how does this fulfill the Father’s plan?

Instead, these two “sons of thunder,” the sons of Zebedee have different PRIORITIES.   They are craving honor, authority, power and position.   Before the rest of the band of followers get to Jesus, they state their case.   Their mom, party to their selfish plan, even kneels before Jesus as she takes up their cause.

Before we start throwing stones at the disciples – consider our own praying.   Given the opportunity to approach God with freedom and confidence, given the access into the “grace in which we stand,” how do we pray?   What priorities are reflected in our petitions?  Don’t we cry out for good health, more wealth, peace in our lives and a good life, even when at times we decry the “health, wealth and prosperity gospel?”   Don’t we ask for an easier life – that God would bring on the blessings and reduce the trials so that it is easier?   We’re not coping very well with pressure, so it would be great if God would reduce it.

How gracious is Christ in His response?  Knowing all things, including their hearts, Jesus queries “What do you want me to do for you?”   He allows them to be 100% honest, to ask (even selfishly) what is on their hearts.    But once they have stated their request He corrects them.   “You don’t know what you are asking.”

Isn’t this true of us?   We need help to know what to ask.   As James 4 states when we ask, we ask with wrong motives.    At our core we must be changed.    The psalmist expressed it this way – “Delight yourself in the LORD – that’s FIRST, that’s FOREMOST – and He will give you the desires of your heart.”   Jesus earlier had commanded “Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

This week has been a week of “stopped prayers.”   God’s been keeping the pressure on because He desires me to have a broken and a contrite heart – that is what He will not despise!

 

The New Apostles??

The original apostolic band was made up of men who a) had been with the other followers of Jesus from the time of John’s baptism until the ascension of Jesus Christ; (Acts 1:21-22) and b) were called by Christ and appointed to “be with him, sent out by him to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.” (Mark 3:13-19).   Paul describes himself as one ‘born out of season’ when it came to his own joining this leadership band outside the normal New Testament boundaries.

In recent weeks I have had discussions with current leaders about the new “apostles.”   These are current leaders who seem to have appointed themselves to a special role within the kingdom.   They seem to lack accountability and are unconcerned that their “authority” does not line up with the apostolic role in the New Testament.   They loosely use a term which I believe has strict boundaries.

Here are a few questions on my “So you think you’re an apostle” checklist -

a) Read Ephesians 2:20 – In what way do you serve a “foundation” purpose in God’s household that is not already established in Scripture by the apostles called directly by Christ?   Does the New Testament closed canon of Scripture not provide sufficient foundation for any church in any culture?

b) Read Romans 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Colossians 1:1.   When you write letters to churches are they being added to the inspired text of the New Testament?

c) Read 2 Corinthians 12:12 Do signs, wonders and miracles ‘mark’ your ministry, confirming as they did Paul his genuineness as a bona fide ‘apostle?’

d) Read Acts 17:11 Do you encourage those over whom you have ‘authority’ to examine the Scriptures every day to see if what you are teaching is true?

e) Please show in explicit Scriptures the names of other ‘apostles’ who did not meet the Biblical requirements of Mark 3, Acts 2 and 2 Corinthians 12:12.

f) Can you demonstrate “apostolic succession” clearly as a biblical principle?   Read 1 Peter  5 – Why does Peter, who introduces this first letter describing himself as “an apostle” now appeal to the elders as a “fellow elder?”   Is there some kind of transition happening as the church moves forward by God’s grace?

For further study – Romans 16:7 requires consideration, but a hermeneutical principle I was taught was to interpret the not-so-clear passages in light of the clear passages of Scripture.

 

Your Essential Nature is Truth ?

In the Living section of the Toronto Star, July 19, 2011 an article entitled “Yoga instructor to the stars writes about spiritual quest”  caught my interest.   In the second paragraph, Leanne Delap writes “You have to remind yourself that your essential nature is truth….”     I’m grateful to God that He spared me the influence of such teaching.

What a contrast is portrayed in Scripture!    You have to remind yourself that your essential nature is _____________.    How would you fill in the blank?   I’ve opted for the word “sinful.”

Consider these texts:

Psalm 55:5 “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.   Who can understand it?”

Romans 3:11 “….there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.  ….there is no one who does good, not even one.”

Romans 7:18 “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.”

Ephesians 2:3 “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.   Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.”

People whose essential nature is truth don’t see their need for THE TRUTH (John 14:6).   My essential nature is marked by sinfulness.   I need a Saviour.   Your view of yourself hugely impacts your view of the Saviour.

I love the old hymn which states -

“I take Him at His word indeed, ‘Christ died for sinners this I read,’

For in my heart I find a need of Him to be my Saviour!

or another hymn which declares “Sinners Jesus will receive, sound this word of grace to all…..”     This is GOOD NEWS or what we more popularly call the gospel.

 

Malachi – A Snapshot of Sagging Worship

Last Saturday, November 13th, I traced, with a class I am teaching at Port Perry Baptist Church (Durham Bible Insititute), a snapshot of worship as the curtain comes down on the Old Covenant.   What was happening in the reconstructed temple?  How had God’s people altered worship patterns which had clearly been given to them in God’s word (the LAW).

Here is a brief sketch of what I would describe as “Sagging Worship.”

Today’s Blog will focus on MALACHI 1

1:1 WORSHIP begins with a COMMUNICATING GOD

God communicates to people through people.   God has His spokesmen (prophets) who are messengers for Him.   Malachi, which means ‘messenger’ had a message from God to deliver.

Praise God for men and women who speak as those speaking the very words of God (I Peter 4:10-12) whenever they are given the privilege of teaching, preaching or sharing.

1:2-5 WORSHIP involves STRUGGLING PEOPLE

God’s attributes of LOVE and WRATH fill this section.   Those loved by God, namely Israel, do not fully grasp God’s love.   God calls His people to observe His activity – His judgment and His favour and then respond to Him with praise.   Worship is not geographically restricted.   God intended His work to be seen throughout the world.  The LORD Almighty (the LORD of hosts) is not a ‘national’ God – He is  to be known in other nations and He rules over the entire earth.

We may wrestle with grasping God’s love.   We too are called to observe God’s work in our own lives and the lives of others.   Though we live ‘beyond the borders of Israel’ we too may declare God’s greatness.

1:6-14  WORSHIP demands the HONORING of GOD with only the BEST of what we have to offer.

It is natural for a son to honor his father and a servant his master.  God is amazed that His people do not show the honor or respect due His great name.    Even the priests, the leaders in worship, were showing contempt for God.    This was evidenced by second-rate offerings, with second-class sacrifices rather than sacrifices without blemish or spot.  God’s preference was for His people to cease their worship and declares His name will acquire great fame in other nations, even when His own people do not honor Him as they should.

Does familiarity breed contempt in worship?  Can we speak of ‘holy things’ in too familiar a manner?   Are we mystified by God’s accusation of us?  Do we think God does not know all things and is not aware of who we are and what we are doing as we come to worship?    We are called to “Give of our best to the Master….”

 

Small Town Spectacular

Over this past weekend I traveled with my daughter Carolyn to Northern Ontario to visit and on Sunday preach God’s word to a congregation very dear to my heart.   This was home base for many years – from birth to age 19 when I headed off to the “South” (read Toronto) for my first round of training.   2 summers during my undergraduate studies I returned to serve that congregation, then came back during my dad’s eventful summer of 1990 and was called to serve this flock from 1991 until June 2004 when God moved us onward to Toronto Baptist Seminary.

I did some thinking about “small” towns as we traveled from Oshawa to Thornloe.    Ontario is filled with small towns, villages and even some hamlets where the “Welcome to” and “Thank You for Coming” are very close.   I listened with keen interest as John Light, Adult Sunday School teacher this past Sunday in Thornloe shared his “angst” with people who describe small communities (such as Charlton where he lives) as ‘quaint’ or ‘bustling.’  He made a few comments, in his preamble to the lesson, about the “Little Town of Bethlehem” portrayed by Philip Brooks in his classic Christmas song.   “How still we see thee lie, above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by…..”

In “The Story Behind the Carol” Rupert Christiansen writes -

On Christmas Eve in 1865, Phillips Brooks (1835-93), a gangling young American Episcopalian, rode the perilous journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, to assist at the midnight service in the Church of the Nativity.

Two years later, back in Massachusetts, he was inspired by the experience to write this carol for his Sunday school. Rev Brooks – 6ft 6in tall and capable of preaching at more than 200 words a minute – was a favourite with children; when one woman told her daughter that he had died, the girl replied: “O how happy the angels will be.”

Brooks’s carol was an instant success in the USA, but only came to England when Vaughan Williams introduced it in 1906, arranging it to the traditional tune Forest Green, which he had collected from peasants in Surrey in 1903.

Consider

Micah 5:2-5 (New International Version)

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans  of Judah, out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.  “

³ Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.

⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.

⁵ And he will be their peace.”

FANTASTIC – don’t you agree?

- a small community, a little town – rather insignificant – with little potential – who can say?

- God’s plan included Bethlehem as the birth place for His Son – amazing!

- out of you will come …..FOR ME…..  For the LORD – one who will be ruler, whose “beginnings” were in eternity – Compare John 1:1ff  “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God….”

Israel abandoned?   Is this indicated in the 400 silent years – did they feel abandoned by God

- The one coming is a SHEPHERD – cf. John 10 “The Good Shepherd” Hebrews 13 “The Great Shepherd” I Peter 5 “The Chief Shepherd”     O that today’s shepherds (pastors) would shepherd the flock with God’s strength and in His majesty.”

His greatness reaches to the ends of the earth – cf. Acts 1:8 as believers testify about Jesus Christ they spread His gospel, they introduce others to Him across the globe so that from the rising of the sun to its setting the LORD’s name is praised.

Small Town – “quaint?” “bustling?” “insignificant?”  Not in the mind of God and in the hearts of true believers as we celebrate again this year the birth in BETHLEHEM of the KING of kings and LORD of lords!

 

To Worship or Not to Worship?

I’ve always wondered how you extract Christ out of Christmas.   Isn’t this indicative of what our culture has been doing for many years – take a “religiously” oriented day and dismantle it so it bears no resemblance to its original design?

Perhaps the Dutch have it right – December 6th is St. Nicholas Day.  Wikipedia references St. Nicholas in this way….

Saint Nicholas (Greek: Άγιος Νικόλαος , Agios ["saint"] Nikolaos ["victory of the people"]) (270 – 6 December 346) is the common name for Nicholas of Myra, a saint and Bishop of Myra (Demre, in Lycia, part of modern-day Turkey). Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nicholas the Wonderworker. He had a reputation for secret gift-giving, such as putting coins in the shoes of those who left them out for him, and thus became the model for Santa Claus, whose English name comes from the Dutch Sinterklaas. His reputation evolved among the faithful, as is common for early Christian saints.^[2] In 1087, his relics were furtively translated to Bari, in southern Italy; for this reason, he is also known as Nicholas of Bari.

The historical Saint Nicholas is remembered and revered among Catholic and Orthodox Christians. He is also honoured by various Anglican and Lutheran churches. Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of sailors, merchants, archers, and children, and students in Greece, Belgium, Romania, Bulgaria, Georgia, Russia, the Republic of Macedonia, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro. He is also the patron saint of Barranquilla, Bari, Amsterdam, Beit Jala, Siggiewi and Liverpool. In 1809, the New-York Historical Society convened and retroactively named Sancte Claus the patron saint of Nieuw Amsterdam, the Dutch name for New York City.^[3] He was also a patron of the Varangian Guard of the Byzantine emperors, who protected his relics in Bari.

For his help to the poor, Nicholas is the patron saint of pawnbrokers; the three gold balls traditionally hung outside a pawnshop symbolize the three sacks of gold. People then began to suspect that he was behind a large number of other anonymous gifts to the poor, using the inheritance from his wealthy parents. After he died, people in the region continued to give to the poor anonymously, and such gifts were still often attributed to St. Nicholas.

The Dutch celebrate with gifts on St. Nicholas Day and leave Christ in Christmas – namely they take time to focus their attention on Jesus – the reason for the season – on December 25th.

How can we celebrate Christmas without worship?  Didn’t worship permeate the visit of the wise men in Matthew 2

“…….we saw his star in the east and have come to WORSHIP him.”   Matt. 2:2

“….they bowed down and worshiped him.”   Matthew 2:11

How precise the text is!  The wisemen do not worship Mary, nor do they worship King Herod.  They worship the one “BORN king of the Jews – Jesus who is the Christ.”

Study the theme of WORSHIP – trace the origins of this word and track through the New Testament its usage.   Some years ago in a meeting with some Jehovah’s Witnesses, I was drawn by God to Hebrews 1:6 “….When God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, ‘Let all the angels of God WORSHIP HIM!’

May God enable us as teachers to guide others to worship this Christmas.  To WORSHIP or not to WORSHIP – that is the question!   Really there is no question who understand who really was born in Bethlehem.    O come, let us adore HIM!

 

Nunc Dimittis – Simeon’s Departure Song

In this final of 4 songs from Luke 1 & 2, Simeon expresses his full confidence in God who has kept His promises.

How does Luke 2 describe Simeon?

LESSONS ABOUT SIMEON

A Jewish man – He was part of the Old Covenant.   He knew God has made a promise to provide salvation and now seeing the Christ-child this promise was to be fulfilled.

A righteous / devout man – Were all Jewish men devout?   Not necessarily – but Simeon was.   He walked in God’s ways and sought to live right before Jehovah.

A hope-filled man- He had been waiting and waiting and waiting in expectation.   Guided by the Spirit he came to the temple at the “exact time” when Joseph and Mary brought Jesus.   Simeon’s hopes were about to be realized.

A Spirit-anointed man – What did it mean for him to be filled with God’s Spirit?   O to know this anointing.

LESSONS about GOD

God’s Sovereignty

Have I yielded to God’s Sovereignty over my life?

God’s Servant

Am I serving God with my time, talent and treasure?

God’s Salvation

Have I experienced salvation myself and am I seeking to share it with others?

 

Gloria In Excelsis Deo

The third song from that first Christmas is the shortest of the four.   Here’s a simple consideration of how angels respond to Jesus Christ.

1) They worship him.

“Glory to God” – Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost!”

Hebrews 1:6 “Let all the angels of God worship Him.”   When did God bring His firstborn into the world?   The Incarnation was the special introduction of the WORD to the entire world.   The WORD was becoming flesh – taking on human form.

Revelation 5:11 describes the scene in heaven as John hears the voice ofmany angels, numbering thousands upon thousands , and ten thousand times ten thousand.   They encircle the throne and in a loud voice sing of the “worthiness” of the Lamb.

Application – Am I worshipping Jesus Christ as I should?

2) They serve and obey Him

Satan understood this as Luke 4:10 describes.    This quote from the psalms reminds us of the charge given to angels to guard the Son carefully.

After the period of the temptation, “…the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

Application – Am I serving and obeying Christ?

3) They proclaim Him

The good news proclaimed to the shepherds is about a Saviour!   When the angels sinned in rebellion against God, God did not provide a way of salvation for them.    They were removed from God’s presence and bound in “everlasting chains” for the day of judgment.

What song can angels not sing?   Amazing Grace!    I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.

What response do the shepherds give to this good news?    Share with others the good news they have just heard.   I wonder if they even waited for morning before they started to speak of this new-born Saviour.

Application – Am I proclaiming Jesus Christ?   If I can’t talk about him at Christmas time when can I talk about Christ?