"The second thing to get clear is that Christianity has not, and does not profess to have, a detailed political programme for applying 'Do as you would be done by' to a particular society at a particular moment. It could not have. It is meant for all men at all times and the particular programme which suited one place or time would not suit another. And, anyhow, that is not how Christianity works. When it tells you to feed the hungry it does not give you lessons in cookery. When it tells you to read the Scriptures it does not give you lessons in Hebrew and Greek, or even in English grammar. It was never intended to replace or supersede the ordinary human arts and science: it is rather a director which will set them all to the right jobs, and a source of energy which will give them all new life, if only they will put themselves at its disposal" (Lewis, Mere Christianity).
I think in the course of this blog it is becoming clear that I am somewhat disgusted by the politicization of Christianity in the current state of affairs in the US. We have a leader, who uses Christianity as a way of garnering votes and favor. That is nothing new or even worse than others have done in the past. His reading of Two Corinthians only showed that he is less comfortable with using the language of Christians to win political favor with them than past politicians. What is worse and a more dangerous situation are the Christian politicization of their faiths. When you try to shoehorn your faith to fit in a box, be it socialism, liberalism, conservatism, libertarianism, etc., you are trying to put in a relationship with the infinite into a finite container. It's just not going to work. You're going to have to peel off a bit here, trim off a bit there to make it work. It isn't even like putting a square peg into a round hole - it's like trying to put the thing with the holes into the square peg. It just doesn't work and the results are divisive inside the Church.
The divisiveness in American politics has seeped into the American conscious so ravenously we can't have polite conversations about anything meaningful. That's sad. It's bad for the country as a whole because it's going to stagnate the country and most of its population. Divisiveness in the Church is far worse. It's going directly against Scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought"
Romans 12:16 "Live in harmony with one another"
Galatians 5:26 "Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another"
I'm not saying that there won't be political disagreements between Christians. There will be because each side has elements that mesh with our Christian faith. Each side has things that are not exactly lined up with Christianity. Furthermore, the art of government has things that must be done that have absolutely nothing to do with our faith in God. Agree with one another on the things of God and the other stuff won't matter. The side that wins in an election should not be boastful. Don't challenge one another on everything. That's the way of the world. We're not supposed to be in the world.
Galatians 5:15 "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other"
We are going to destroy one another in the Church if we get to wrapped up in politics. People living in a modern state are going to have disagreements on what that Modern State should look like. The Modern State is pretty damn complex with thousands upon thousands of issues that could and are debated. But, if we as Christians keep on biting at each other, we're going to destroy ourselves. If we bicker like non-Christians do among ourselves then we are being controlled by the sin nature; we are living just like the people of the world (One Corinthians 3:3). If we can't come to an agreement on everything in the political realm that's ok, so long as we come to live in harmony with one another and agree on the salvation through Christ Jesus. If we can't speak about politics in a peaceful and harmonious way with one another then we ought to just cut political discussions out of the Church. Let's listen to the Proverbs.
Proverbs 17:14 "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out"
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Galatians. Show all posts
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Morality & Guilt in various religions
(Originally written April 11, 2007 in book 15)
Chapter 4 - Morality & Guilt
Some fundamental distinctions
There are many moral concepts that are universal to all religions.
Duties in Religion
1. Moral Norms
2. Religious Norms
A. Obligatory Actions
B. Ritual avoidances
i. Defilement of self
ii. Defilement of the Holy
The Common Core
There are similarities in moral codes from religion to religion, but upon closer examination they can be seriously different.
Some principles may seem similar like Thou Shall Not Kill of Judaism & Christianity and the principle of ahimsa - the 10 precepts of Buddhism. But, "Thou shall not kill" means do not murder, while ahimsa is no harming of life whatsoever.
Other principles are completely contrary from religion to religion. The second commandment, "Thou shall not bow down before any graven images" is contrary to the statues of Buddhas, an integral part of Buddhism. Ahimsa is contrary to the animal sacrifice of the Old Testament.
Religious and ethical considerations go hand in hand. An ethical concept of a religion cannot be isolated from the overall context of that religion.
The Ceremonial Dimension
Sin and defilement are very different. Sin (a breaking of a moral rule) involves intent, whereas defilement (a breaking of a ceremonial rule) completely disregards intent.
Moral, religious, and ceremonial concepts can be isolated only in theory. In practice they work hand in hand and no such distinction is found among practitioners.
Case in point: Christianity
Christianity is not an ethical religion like Judaism or Islam. It is a redemptive religion The heart of Christianity is not its moral code (it does have one) but a historical event leading to the salvation of men.
The Law within Christianity operates in a few ways:
1) It governs life so that life is actually livable.
2) It functions as a "schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24). It prepares us for adoption into God's family. It shows us that we are incapable of earning admittance into God's family and that we can enter only by Grace.
3) The keeping of the law is only possible via the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit.
"Christian ethics apart from a Christian supernatural setting is pointless" (Corduan, 88).
Christian religion and Christian ethics are utterly and wholly intertwined. Without the theological underpinnings of Christianity all that is left is an impossible moral code.
From its inception Christianity ahas been against many of the ritual prohibitions that were integral parts of Jewish and Gentile societies.
The only occurrence of ceremonial purity in the New Testament is Paul's admonishment of the Corinthians' treatment of the Lord's supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
Corduan believes that this admonition is not so much a command for personal holiness prior to partaking of Communion, but a mandate to understand communion correctly and to treat it with proper respect. Linehan feels that this is a ceremonial purity issue right now (subject to change of course).
Side not: It may not be a call to become personally holy before partaking communion because that would in fact deny the nature of communion, but a more inner ceremonial purity in being ready to partake of communion. As for what communion is I am not ready to give it the Catholic transubstantiation status, but neither do I want to reduce it to a mere remembrance of the event. I think it is a true partaking of something holy and not merely a remembrance of something holy.
In various aspects of Christendom throughout history some ceremonial purity has emerged, but is not a part of the New Testament.
Ethics in the religious universe
Judaism & Islam have similar ethical codes.
Judaism has a longer history and a much more detailed set of codes.
The moral codes function differently in Islam and Judaism. Adherence to the moral code in Judaism is an expression of the relationship between the Jew and YHWH whereas adherence to the moral code in Islam is the way to enter Heaven for the Muslim.
The standards of Judaism also apply solely to the Jews whereas the moral codes of Islam we taken as universally binding.
Zoroastrianism's moral code is similar to Islamic & Jewish codes. All three were revealed by God to a prophet (Zoroastrianism - Zoroaster, Islam - Muhammad, Judaism - Moses).
Zoroastrianism however is preoccupied with ceremonial purity more than ethical obligations.
In Indic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism) there is a two-tiered arrangement. Monks have stricter codes than the laity.
The Hindu code is hinged on the caste system. All ethical and moral obligations are tied to one's caste.
Hinduism also has duties associated with stages of life.
A man must become a sannyasin and renounce everything, his name, his family, his caste, etc. in order to achieve moksha (release, liberation).
The monks in Buddhism and Jainism are the only ones capable of release from the cycle of reincarnation. The laity can work to have a better rebirth, but cannot achieve nirvana.
Jainism is harshly ascetic. Eventually a monk will starve himself to achieve his goal.
Buddhism considers itself the "middle way" and is not as ascetic as Jainism.
Buddhism teaches that harsh asceticism can be a hinderance to spiritual enlightenment.
Confucianism is above all else a code of behavior.
Confucianism came to exist within other religions (Daoism/Buddhism in China, Shinto in Japan), not along side it.
Confucianism focuses on human behavior and teaches that proper individual behavior will alleviate societal problems.
Confucianism does not possess within itself any religious doctrine.
Violations and their Consequences
There are two major trajectories in the world's religions:
1) Western/Abrahamic Traditions
- Judaism
- Zoroastrianism
- Islam
- Baha'i
- Christianity
2) Eastern/Indic Traditions
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Sikhism
- Daoism
These two groups differ radically on the conception of sin.
In Abrahamic religions sin is an offending of God and breaking the human-God relationship.
In Indic religion sin is a negative Karmic effect.
God is the source of moral rules in monotheistic traditions.
The character of moral law is prescriptive and proscriptive, not descriptive in Abrahamic traditions.
Punishment occurs after sin in the West. It could be a warning, salutary, or be a making of an example out of the person.
Punitive action results out of a decree of a personal God. A personal God can also provide mercy or grace to the sinner.
Sin in the Indic traditions is similar to breaking a natural law.
Indic religions have the concept of Karma, which is not tied to a personal God.
In Hinduism, Karma is tied to Samsara, the cycle of rebirths. One's present life is the result of one's previous life.
Karma is not deterministic or fatalistic in Hinduism. One controls one's karma.
Karma is automated in Hinduism. It is not (usually) a judgment passed by a deity.
Karma is negative and pessimistic. It is viewed as perpetual suffering.
The goal of Hinduism is not to accumulate good karma, but to escape the samsara cycle.
There can be a divine intervention in samsara and karma. This is what the Bhagavad Gita tells Hindus.
The negative aspect of karma is even more noticeable in Buddhism and Jainism.
Buddha taught that there is no individual soul and that each person's an aggregate of effects.
Good karma in Buddhism is karma nonetheless and must be balanced out in another life. The goal is to have no karma at all.
In Jainism, Karma is a dust that accumulates on one's soul.
Only a complet abnégation of life leads to release from samsara.
The goal of a Jain monk is to do nothing and to starve himself to death.
Sin belongs within the framework of a system with a personal God. Karma fits into a framework without a personal deity much better.
Christianity alone possesses the notion of "original sin". At first blush this can appear similar to karma in that everyone is born into a state of condemnation through no fault of our own.
The major misunderstanding with original sin is to tie it to finitude. Our finitude makes it impossible not to sin is a common erroneous belief.
Christ proved that human being can live a sinless life.
Original Sin describes the broken relationship between man and God, not the introduction of finitude.
Healing the Breach
Ronal M. Green distinguishes between four senses of reason
1) Theoretical reason - our conceptualization of the world around us
2) Prudential reason - our capacity for living successfully in the world as we understand it
3) Moral reason - places our priorities in order
4) Religious reason - attempts to reconcile the conflict between prudential and moral reason
Response to the World Parliament Statement
Only the most minimal code seems to be fairly universal (truth-property-life-sex) and even these must not be abstracted from their religious context lest they become equivocations and meaningless.
The statement, originally by Hans Küng calls for an end to prejudice and hate. This is all well and good unless it denies objective truth on matters like abortion and homosexuality. Many Christians are labeled as bigots for their stances on these issues.
Likewise, Küng demands that religions denounce their fundamentalists because they deny peace among religions and without religious peace there can be no world peace. But this world be a denouncement of objective truth on many vital issues.
The 1997 Declaration of a Global Ethic affirms an universal moral code and locates it where it ought to be, within a religious context. But, it does not give any implementation strategy and leave evangelical Christians in a place where they cannot agree with it without giving away too much.
Chapter 4 - Morality & Guilt
Some fundamental distinctions
There are many moral concepts that are universal to all religions.
Duties in Religion
1. Moral Norms
2. Religious Norms
A. Obligatory Actions
B. Ritual avoidances
i. Defilement of self
ii. Defilement of the Holy
The Common Core
There are similarities in moral codes from religion to religion, but upon closer examination they can be seriously different.
Some principles may seem similar like Thou Shall Not Kill of Judaism & Christianity and the principle of ahimsa - the 10 precepts of Buddhism. But, "Thou shall not kill" means do not murder, while ahimsa is no harming of life whatsoever.
Other principles are completely contrary from religion to religion. The second commandment, "Thou shall not bow down before any graven images" is contrary to the statues of Buddhas, an integral part of Buddhism. Ahimsa is contrary to the animal sacrifice of the Old Testament.
Religious and ethical considerations go hand in hand. An ethical concept of a religion cannot be isolated from the overall context of that religion.
The Ceremonial Dimension
Sin and defilement are very different. Sin (a breaking of a moral rule) involves intent, whereas defilement (a breaking of a ceremonial rule) completely disregards intent.
Moral, religious, and ceremonial concepts can be isolated only in theory. In practice they work hand in hand and no such distinction is found among practitioners.
Case in point: Christianity
Christianity is not an ethical religion like Judaism or Islam. It is a redemptive religion The heart of Christianity is not its moral code (it does have one) but a historical event leading to the salvation of men.
The Law within Christianity operates in a few ways:
1) It governs life so that life is actually livable.
2) It functions as a "schoolmaster" (Galatians 3:24). It prepares us for adoption into God's family. It shows us that we are incapable of earning admittance into God's family and that we can enter only by Grace.
3) The keeping of the law is only possible via the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit.
"Christian ethics apart from a Christian supernatural setting is pointless" (Corduan, 88).
Christian religion and Christian ethics are utterly and wholly intertwined. Without the theological underpinnings of Christianity all that is left is an impossible moral code.
From its inception Christianity ahas been against many of the ritual prohibitions that were integral parts of Jewish and Gentile societies.
The only occurrence of ceremonial purity in the New Testament is Paul's admonishment of the Corinthians' treatment of the Lord's supper (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
Corduan believes that this admonition is not so much a command for personal holiness prior to partaking of Communion, but a mandate to understand communion correctly and to treat it with proper respect. Linehan feels that this is a ceremonial purity issue right now (subject to change of course).
Side not: It may not be a call to become personally holy before partaking communion because that would in fact deny the nature of communion, but a more inner ceremonial purity in being ready to partake of communion. As for what communion is I am not ready to give it the Catholic transubstantiation status, but neither do I want to reduce it to a mere remembrance of the event. I think it is a true partaking of something holy and not merely a remembrance of something holy.
In various aspects of Christendom throughout history some ceremonial purity has emerged, but is not a part of the New Testament.
Ethics in the religious universe
Judaism & Islam have similar ethical codes.
Judaism has a longer history and a much more detailed set of codes.
The moral codes function differently in Islam and Judaism. Adherence to the moral code in Judaism is an expression of the relationship between the Jew and YHWH whereas adherence to the moral code in Islam is the way to enter Heaven for the Muslim.
The standards of Judaism also apply solely to the Jews whereas the moral codes of Islam we taken as universally binding.
Zoroastrianism's moral code is similar to Islamic & Jewish codes. All three were revealed by God to a prophet (Zoroastrianism - Zoroaster, Islam - Muhammad, Judaism - Moses).
Zoroastrianism however is preoccupied with ceremonial purity more than ethical obligations.
In Indic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism) there is a two-tiered arrangement. Monks have stricter codes than the laity.
The Hindu code is hinged on the caste system. All ethical and moral obligations are tied to one's caste.
Hinduism also has duties associated with stages of life.
A man must become a sannyasin and renounce everything, his name, his family, his caste, etc. in order to achieve moksha (release, liberation).
The monks in Buddhism and Jainism are the only ones capable of release from the cycle of reincarnation. The laity can work to have a better rebirth, but cannot achieve nirvana.
Jainism is harshly ascetic. Eventually a monk will starve himself to achieve his goal.
Buddhism considers itself the "middle way" and is not as ascetic as Jainism.
Buddhism teaches that harsh asceticism can be a hinderance to spiritual enlightenment.
Confucianism is above all else a code of behavior.
Confucianism came to exist within other religions (Daoism/Buddhism in China, Shinto in Japan), not along side it.
Confucianism focuses on human behavior and teaches that proper individual behavior will alleviate societal problems.
Confucianism does not possess within itself any religious doctrine.
Violations and their Consequences
There are two major trajectories in the world's religions:
1) Western/Abrahamic Traditions
- Judaism
- Zoroastrianism
- Islam
- Baha'i
- Christianity
2) Eastern/Indic Traditions
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Jainism
- Sikhism
- Daoism
These two groups differ radically on the conception of sin.
In Abrahamic religions sin is an offending of God and breaking the human-God relationship.
In Indic religion sin is a negative Karmic effect.
God is the source of moral rules in monotheistic traditions.
The character of moral law is prescriptive and proscriptive, not descriptive in Abrahamic traditions.
Punishment occurs after sin in the West. It could be a warning, salutary, or be a making of an example out of the person.
Punitive action results out of a decree of a personal God. A personal God can also provide mercy or grace to the sinner.
Sin in the Indic traditions is similar to breaking a natural law.
Indic religions have the concept of Karma, which is not tied to a personal God.
In Hinduism, Karma is tied to Samsara, the cycle of rebirths. One's present life is the result of one's previous life.
Karma is not deterministic or fatalistic in Hinduism. One controls one's karma.
Karma is automated in Hinduism. It is not (usually) a judgment passed by a deity.
Karma is negative and pessimistic. It is viewed as perpetual suffering.
The goal of Hinduism is not to accumulate good karma, but to escape the samsara cycle.
There can be a divine intervention in samsara and karma. This is what the Bhagavad Gita tells Hindus.
The negative aspect of karma is even more noticeable in Buddhism and Jainism.
Buddha taught that there is no individual soul and that each person's an aggregate of effects.
Good karma in Buddhism is karma nonetheless and must be balanced out in another life. The goal is to have no karma at all.
In Jainism, Karma is a dust that accumulates on one's soul.
Only a complet abnégation of life leads to release from samsara.
The goal of a Jain monk is to do nothing and to starve himself to death.
Sin belongs within the framework of a system with a personal God. Karma fits into a framework without a personal deity much better.
Christianity alone possesses the notion of "original sin". At first blush this can appear similar to karma in that everyone is born into a state of condemnation through no fault of our own.
The major misunderstanding with original sin is to tie it to finitude. Our finitude makes it impossible not to sin is a common erroneous belief.
Christ proved that human being can live a sinless life.
Original Sin describes the broken relationship between man and God, not the introduction of finitude.
Healing the Breach
Ronal M. Green distinguishes between four senses of reason
1) Theoretical reason - our conceptualization of the world around us
2) Prudential reason - our capacity for living successfully in the world as we understand it
3) Moral reason - places our priorities in order
4) Religious reason - attempts to reconcile the conflict between prudential and moral reason
Response to the World Parliament Statement
Only the most minimal code seems to be fairly universal (truth-property-life-sex) and even these must not be abstracted from their religious context lest they become equivocations and meaningless.
The statement, originally by Hans Küng calls for an end to prejudice and hate. This is all well and good unless it denies objective truth on matters like abortion and homosexuality. Many Christians are labeled as bigots for their stances on these issues.
Likewise, Küng demands that religions denounce their fundamentalists because they deny peace among religions and without religious peace there can be no world peace. But this world be a denouncement of objective truth on many vital issues.
The 1997 Declaration of a Global Ethic affirms an universal moral code and locates it where it ought to be, within a religious context. But, it does not give any implementation strategy and leave evangelical Christians in a place where they cannot agree with it without giving away too much.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The Mysticism of Paul
(Originally written November 12, 2006 in Book 11)
Chapter 2: Christianity: The Formative Years: The Mysticism of Paul
Paul was a Jew of the Diaspora. He was Hellenized, of a well-to-do family, educated and a Roman citizen.
Paul was extremely proud of his Jewish heritage.
He aimed himself to destroy the heretical Christian movement.
Paul's vision
Paul switched from persecuting Christians to spreading Christianity after a vision.
Christians explain this vision as a direct intervention of God, Freudians explain it as a psychotic man suffering from sexual repression and a father fixation. Epilepsy, fatigue and other mental problems have been labeled as the cause of Paul's transformation.
Paul's transformation, whatever the cause, had a monumental effect on the history o the Western world.
Paul interpreted Jesus' teachings in light of familiarity with Eastern mysticism.
Paul interpreted all of Early Christian teaching in a way that the Roman world could accept. His reinterpretation of it led to a cult to become a world religion.
The Letter to the Romans
Paul made the historical Jesus into a savior god and "built up a mythical setting for this god out of the Jewish legends and stories" (Jones, 41).
All men have inherited sin from the sin of Adam. Because of sin man's doomed, but Jesus was a savior for all.
Paul was ascetic, holding that the functions of the body were low.
Sin in Paul became associated with flesh and much wider than mere incontinence.
Paul adopted a dualism battle between flesh and spirit for his metaphysical base.
He held that the will was divided unless God intervenes to make it a unity.
This dualism was markedly different from Jesus' teachings.
Paul's asceticism was also much more severe than Jesus' mind-set.
Jesus took for granted that man was capable of working at his own problems, whereas Paul held man to be incompetently helpless.
Jesus held salvation to be obtainable by taking care of one's inner life. Paul believed man needed transcendental help.
Paul's dualism was two-fold:
1) Man was body and spirit
2) Jesus was God and Man
Each dualism had a battle between higher and lower principles, the only difference is that Jesus' higher principles was out unaided by God.
Paul placed emphasis on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus more than any other part of Jesus' life.
Jesus' suffering for us became Paul's chance to give all men hope to achieve the higher principle of life.
Like the Mystery cults, Paul emphasized the union of God and men. According to Paul, this happened through the salvation of man through Christ.
The Mystical Union with Christ
Paul's focus on the mystical union with Christ was a radical departure from the old worship of YHWH.
Man becomes identical with Christ according to Paul.
Paul regarded the Law as the way for man to live prior to the coming of Christ.
Paul attacked the Judaizing of Christianity. He focused on the ritual of circumcision.
Despite using Jesus as a freeing from the Law, Paul still maintained religious rules so people did not live life as there were no consequences.
Some followers of Paul abused the freedom from the Law, but Paul corrected them, especially in Galatians.
Paul maintained that those who truly live in spirit will no longer want to do evil deeds.
Paul held love as the ultimate virtue; knowledge, beauty, strength and wisdom are nothing without love.
Love was the source of all other virtues. Paul also added to love the virtues of faith and hope as important virtues.
Paul's mysticism
Paul was eloquent and a phenomenal missionary.
Paul was brought before the Roman leadership in Jerusalem by the Jews. He was then imprisoned in Caesarea, transferred to Rome, had a long imprisonment and was executed in 62 AD.
Pauline Christianity
Paul was a mystic, not a philosopher. Paul's views have however persisted to be a part of philosophy since the Middle Ages.
Paul's unique cultural background is what enabled him to turn Christianity into a world religion.
The synthesis of Paul's views into a systematic view was a difficult task for Paul's followers.
Paul's view of salvation freed contradicting theses in his own works:
1) Salvation is magical (through ritual acts)
2) Salvation is spiritual (through mystic inner changes)
Paul was contradictory in faith and works to salvation.
Paul's doctrine of original sin was almost problematic. How did men inherit the sin of Adam? If man inherited sin how is he responsible for it? Why did God allow Adam to sin? These questions plague theologies still today.
Another major problem for Paul is Jesus is son of God, but monotheism has to be maintained by now.
Chapter 2: Christianity: The Formative Years: The Mysticism of Paul
Paul was a Jew of the Diaspora. He was Hellenized, of a well-to-do family, educated and a Roman citizen.
Paul was extremely proud of his Jewish heritage.
He aimed himself to destroy the heretical Christian movement.
Paul's vision
Paul switched from persecuting Christians to spreading Christianity after a vision.
Christians explain this vision as a direct intervention of God, Freudians explain it as a psychotic man suffering from sexual repression and a father fixation. Epilepsy, fatigue and other mental problems have been labeled as the cause of Paul's transformation.
Paul's transformation, whatever the cause, had a monumental effect on the history o the Western world.
Paul interpreted Jesus' teachings in light of familiarity with Eastern mysticism.
Paul interpreted all of Early Christian teaching in a way that the Roman world could accept. His reinterpretation of it led to a cult to become a world religion.
The Letter to the Romans
Paul made the historical Jesus into a savior god and "built up a mythical setting for this god out of the Jewish legends and stories" (Jones, 41).
All men have inherited sin from the sin of Adam. Because of sin man's doomed, but Jesus was a savior for all.
Paul was ascetic, holding that the functions of the body were low.
Sin in Paul became associated with flesh and much wider than mere incontinence.
Paul adopted a dualism battle between flesh and spirit for his metaphysical base.
He held that the will was divided unless God intervenes to make it a unity.
This dualism was markedly different from Jesus' teachings.
Paul's asceticism was also much more severe than Jesus' mind-set.
Jesus took for granted that man was capable of working at his own problems, whereas Paul held man to be incompetently helpless.
Jesus held salvation to be obtainable by taking care of one's inner life. Paul believed man needed transcendental help.
Paul's dualism was two-fold:
1) Man was body and spirit
2) Jesus was God and Man
Each dualism had a battle between higher and lower principles, the only difference is that Jesus' higher principles was out unaided by God.
Paul placed emphasis on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus more than any other part of Jesus' life.
Jesus' suffering for us became Paul's chance to give all men hope to achieve the higher principle of life.
Like the Mystery cults, Paul emphasized the union of God and men. According to Paul, this happened through the salvation of man through Christ.
The Mystical Union with Christ
Paul's focus on the mystical union with Christ was a radical departure from the old worship of YHWH.
Man becomes identical with Christ according to Paul.
Paul regarded the Law as the way for man to live prior to the coming of Christ.
Paul attacked the Judaizing of Christianity. He focused on the ritual of circumcision.
Despite using Jesus as a freeing from the Law, Paul still maintained religious rules so people did not live life as there were no consequences.
Some followers of Paul abused the freedom from the Law, but Paul corrected them, especially in Galatians.
Paul maintained that those who truly live in spirit will no longer want to do evil deeds.
Paul held love as the ultimate virtue; knowledge, beauty, strength and wisdom are nothing without love.
Love was the source of all other virtues. Paul also added to love the virtues of faith and hope as important virtues.
Paul's mysticism
Paul was eloquent and a phenomenal missionary.
Paul was brought before the Roman leadership in Jerusalem by the Jews. He was then imprisoned in Caesarea, transferred to Rome, had a long imprisonment and was executed in 62 AD.
Pauline Christianity
Paul was a mystic, not a philosopher. Paul's views have however persisted to be a part of philosophy since the Middle Ages.
Paul's unique cultural background is what enabled him to turn Christianity into a world religion.
The synthesis of Paul's views into a systematic view was a difficult task for Paul's followers.
Paul's view of salvation freed contradicting theses in his own works:
1) Salvation is magical (through ritual acts)
2) Salvation is spiritual (through mystic inner changes)
Paul was contradictory in faith and works to salvation.
Paul's doctrine of original sin was almost problematic. How did men inherit the sin of Adam? If man inherited sin how is he responsible for it? Why did God allow Adam to sin? These questions plague theologies still today.
Another major problem for Paul is Jesus is son of God, but monotheism has to be maintained by now.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Ordo Salutis & Justification by Faith
(Originally Written April 24, 2006 in 3 Subject Book)
Historic Christian Thought
Ordo Salutis (Roman Catholic - Sacramental "ex opere operato")
1) Baptism - baptismal regeneration, gives grace
2) Confirmation - completion of baptismal grace
3) Eucharist - (communion) completes Christian initiation
4) Penance - Indulgence (Luther's bane!)
5) Extreme Unction - Last rites/anointing of the sick
Lutheran: Justification by Faith
1) Repentance - turn from sin
2) Faith - Notitia fiducia assensus
3) Good Works, Faith works its self out in love (Galatians 5:6)
Historic Christian Thought
Ordo Salutis (Roman Catholic - Sacramental "ex opere operato")
1) Baptism - baptismal regeneration, gives grace
2) Confirmation - completion of baptismal grace
3) Eucharist - (communion) completes Christian initiation
4) Penance - Indulgence (Luther's bane!)
5) Extreme Unction - Last rites/anointing of the sick
Lutheran: Justification by Faith
1) Repentance - turn from sin
2) Faith - Notitia fiducia assensus
3) Good Works, Faith works its self out in love (Galatians 5:6)
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Class notes on Sexual Morality
(Originally written March 14, 2006 in Book 1)
These are notes from Contemporary Issues of Philosophy on 03/14/06
Sexual morality
Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander - fundamental defiling things of humans
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality"
These are notes from Contemporary Issues of Philosophy on 03/14/06
Sexual morality
Matthew 15:19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander - fundamental defiling things of humans
Galatians 5:19 "Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality"
Monday, January 23, 2006
The Colossian Heresy
(Originally written January 23, 2006 in Book 20)
Paul's Prison Epistles
Acts: Paul was imprisoned twice:
1) Caesarea
2) Rome - house arrest some say Paul was imprisoned also in Ephesus
Philemon: Plea for a runaway slave
Philemon was a wealthy Christian slave owner who lived in Colossae (100 miles East of Ephesus)
The church met in Philemon's home (Philemon 1:2)
Onesimus was a profitable slave who stole money from Philemon and ran off to rome.
The name Onesimus means profitable and useful.
He ran into Paul and converted under Paul's ministry in Rome.
Philemon is an excellent example of how the gospel will undermine unjust social structures in the world. (Galatians 3:28)
Colossians: Christ as the head of the church
(Colossians is parallel to Ephesians)
Situation: an un-bliblical philosophy distorting Christian faith
Purpose: Paul writes to refute the Colossian heresy
What did it consist of?
Colossians Heresy:
-Ceremonialism: held to strict rules about food and drink, religious festivals and circumcision
Colossians 2:16-17, 2:11, 3:11
-Asceticism: "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch", Colossians 2:21, 2:23
-Angel worship, Colossians 2:18
-Deprecation of Christ, Paul has to stress the supremacy of Christ, Colossians 1:15-20, 2:2-3,9
-Secret knowledge: Gnostics boasted of this, Colossians 2:2-3, 18
-Reliance on human wisdom and tradition, Colossians 2:4,8
-The heresy is a mix of extreme Judaism and early gnosticism
Acts 28: Colossians/Ephesians
Church = Universal Church vs. Local churches (house churches)
Themes:
1. Complete adequacy of Christ over against emptiness of mere human philosophy.
2. Practical implications of supremacy of Christ for every day living.
Structures:
Chapters 1-2: Doctrine, Christ is "the head"
Chapters 3-4: Practical, Follow Christ, "the head"
Philippians
A friendly missionary thank you letter
-Church at Philippi - Paul panted it on his second missionary journey
-Lydia, a wealthy God-fearing gentile
-slave girl with a spirit of divination
-Paul and Silas were stripped and flogged and imprisoned, where they sung songs all night
-Paul's Roman citizenship vindicated him
-Church met in Lydia's house
Perhaps Paul's favorite church.
-Regularly assisted Paul financially
Dominant Emotional tone: Joy
-The word Joy appears 16 times in various forms
What prompted Paul to write: Philippians had sent Epaphroditus with their gift to Paul
Being filled with the Spirit
1) Understand God's will
-Devotional
2) Be filled with the Spirit (v.18)
-a decision of the will (not something forced on you)
-controlled and empowered
3) Step out and obey
Paul's Prison Epistles
Acts: Paul was imprisoned twice:
1) Caesarea
2) Rome - house arrest some say Paul was imprisoned also in Ephesus
Philemon: Plea for a runaway slave
Philemon was a wealthy Christian slave owner who lived in Colossae (100 miles East of Ephesus)
The church met in Philemon's home (Philemon 1:2)
Onesimus was a profitable slave who stole money from Philemon and ran off to rome.
The name Onesimus means profitable and useful.
He ran into Paul and converted under Paul's ministry in Rome.
Philemon is an excellent example of how the gospel will undermine unjust social structures in the world. (Galatians 3:28)
Colossians: Christ as the head of the church
(Colossians is parallel to Ephesians)
Situation: an un-bliblical philosophy distorting Christian faith
Purpose: Paul writes to refute the Colossian heresy
What did it consist of?
Colossians Heresy:
-Ceremonialism: held to strict rules about food and drink, religious festivals and circumcision
Colossians 2:16-17, 2:11, 3:11
-Asceticism: "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch", Colossians 2:21, 2:23
-Angel worship, Colossians 2:18
-Deprecation of Christ, Paul has to stress the supremacy of Christ, Colossians 1:15-20, 2:2-3,9
-Secret knowledge: Gnostics boasted of this, Colossians 2:2-3, 18
-Reliance on human wisdom and tradition, Colossians 2:4,8
-The heresy is a mix of extreme Judaism and early gnosticism
Acts 28: Colossians/Ephesians
Church = Universal Church vs. Local churches (house churches)
Themes:
1. Complete adequacy of Christ over against emptiness of mere human philosophy.
2. Practical implications of supremacy of Christ for every day living.
Structures:
Chapters 1-2: Doctrine, Christ is "the head"
Chapters 3-4: Practical, Follow Christ, "the head"
Philippians
A friendly missionary thank you letter
-Church at Philippi - Paul panted it on his second missionary journey
-Lydia, a wealthy God-fearing gentile
-slave girl with a spirit of divination
-Paul and Silas were stripped and flogged and imprisoned, where they sung songs all night
-Paul's Roman citizenship vindicated him
-Church met in Lydia's house
Perhaps Paul's favorite church.
-Regularly assisted Paul financially
Dominant Emotional tone: Joy
-The word Joy appears 16 times in various forms
What prompted Paul to write: Philippians had sent Epaphroditus with their gift to Paul
Being filled with the Spirit
1) Understand God's will
-Devotional
2) Be filled with the Spirit (v.18)
-a decision of the will (not something forced on you)
-controlled and empowered
3) Step out and obey
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Highlights of Acts, James, Calvinism vs. Arminianism & Galatians
(Originally written on January 17, 2006 in Book 20)
Highlights in the Book of Acts
Acts 2 - Birth of the Church
Church = New Testament People of God
Israel = Old Testament People of God
Acts 6 - Prototypes of Deacons/Elders
The 12 - Prototypes of elders/bishops
Functions of the Elders/Bishops
1) Teaching the word
2) Prayer
The Seven = The prototypes of deacons/deaconesses
Acts 8 - Persecuted church scatters
Acts 9 - Paul's conversion
Acts 10 - Gospel to the Gentiles
Acts 12 - James is Martyred
Acts 14 - 1st Missionary Journey
Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council
-Must Gentile Christians keep the Law in order to be saved as the Judaizers insist?
Acts 15:39-18:22 - 2nd Missionary Journey
Acts 18:23-21:27 - 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 21:27-23:32 - Imprisoned in Jerusalem
Acts 23:33-26:32 - Imprisoned in Caesera
Acts 27-28 - Voyage to Rome
Acts 28:16-30 - Roman imprisonment
The Book of James:
Author: James, brother of Jesus (oldest)
- Did not believe in Jesus
- Jesus appeared to him post resurrection
- Very religious Jew
Galatians 2:12/Acts 21:17-26
Recipients:
-Jewish believers who scattered after Stephen's death
-Only epistle strictly written to a Jewish audience
Date:
- Earliest Christian document
- Josephus records James' martyrdom in AD 62
- Makes no reference to Judaizing controversy (AD 49)
- Approximately written AD 46-47
Focus of James: The practical outworking of Christianity in a righteous lifestyle
Emphases
1) Patience in the face of suffering
2) How the rich treat the poor
3) Judgment and judging
James & Paul on role of works in salvation:
- Both James & Paul affirm good deeds and are against bad deeds
- Both use the Greek word "erga" (works) but use it differently
James 2:14-26 has a particular kind of works in view
- Good deeds like acts of charity, generosity, impartiality, control of tongue, etc
- His opponents were claiming orthodoxy without action
Paul opposes "works" as in works of the Law
- Stops people from attempting to obtain salvation through the Law, which is impossible
Calvinism vs. Arminianism
Total Depravity vs. Free will/human ability
Unconditional Election vs. Conditional election
Limited Atonement vs. Unlimited Atonement
Irresistible Grace vs. Resistible grace
Perseverance of the Saints vs. Can fall from grace
Calvinism justifies Unconditional Depravity by Romans 3:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 4:18 and Ecclesiastes 7:20. We are unable to save ourselves and will never choose Christ on our own.
Arminianism justifies free will/human ability by John 1:9 and Titus 2:11
Calvinism justifies unconditional election by Romans 8:29-30, Romans 9:11-18, Acts 13:48. Foreknew = Forechosen. God chooses man, man does not choose God.
Arminianism justifies conditional election via Romans 8:29. Foreknew = Foresaw. God foresaw who would choose Him.
Calvinism justifies limited atonement with John 10:10, John 10:15, John 17:2, John 17:6, John 17:9. Christ only died for the elect.
Arminianism justifies unlimited atonement with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ died for all men.
Calvinism justifies irresistible grace with Romans 9:19-21. Nobody can resist God's will.
Arminianism justifies resistible grace with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19. God can be resisted.
Calvinism justifies Perseverance of the saints with Philippians 2:12-13, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:38-39. Salvation is secure.
Arminianism justifies can fall from grace with Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-31, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 11:22. Salvation can be lost.
Introduction to Galatians
Dualism: Body doesn't matter, do whatever. Soul is what counts.
Two Extremes of dualism:
Antinomianism - over indulgence
Asceticism - no pleasure at all, minimalism
If Paul was concerned about distortions of the gospel, we should too.
Problem behind letter to Galatians.
Jewish Christian teachers infiltrated the Galatian churches with a message that endangered the Gospel message. They were Judaizers.
Judaizers sought to complete Paul's gospel in two ways.
1) by requiring circumcision
2) by enforcing Jewish food laws
Highlights in the Book of Acts
Acts 2 - Birth of the Church
Church = New Testament People of God
Israel = Old Testament People of God
Acts 6 - Prototypes of Deacons/Elders
The 12 - Prototypes of elders/bishops
Functions of the Elders/Bishops
1) Teaching the word
2) Prayer
The Seven = The prototypes of deacons/deaconesses
Acts 8 - Persecuted church scatters
Acts 9 - Paul's conversion
Acts 10 - Gospel to the Gentiles
Acts 12 - James is Martyred
Acts 14 - 1st Missionary Journey
Acts 15 - The Jerusalem Council
-Must Gentile Christians keep the Law in order to be saved as the Judaizers insist?
Acts 15:39-18:22 - 2nd Missionary Journey
Acts 18:23-21:27 - 3rd Missionary Journey
Acts 21:27-23:32 - Imprisoned in Jerusalem
Acts 23:33-26:32 - Imprisoned in Caesera
Acts 27-28 - Voyage to Rome
Acts 28:16-30 - Roman imprisonment
The Book of James:
Author: James, brother of Jesus (oldest)
- Did not believe in Jesus
- Jesus appeared to him post resurrection
- Very religious Jew
Galatians 2:12/Acts 21:17-26
Recipients:
-Jewish believers who scattered after Stephen's death
-Only epistle strictly written to a Jewish audience
Date:
- Earliest Christian document
- Josephus records James' martyrdom in AD 62
- Makes no reference to Judaizing controversy (AD 49)
- Approximately written AD 46-47
Focus of James: The practical outworking of Christianity in a righteous lifestyle
Emphases
1) Patience in the face of suffering
2) How the rich treat the poor
3) Judgment and judging
James & Paul on role of works in salvation:
- Both James & Paul affirm good deeds and are against bad deeds
- Both use the Greek word "erga" (works) but use it differently
James 2:14-26 has a particular kind of works in view
- Good deeds like acts of charity, generosity, impartiality, control of tongue, etc
- His opponents were claiming orthodoxy without action
Paul opposes "works" as in works of the Law
- Stops people from attempting to obtain salvation through the Law, which is impossible
Calvinism vs. Arminianism
Total Depravity vs. Free will/human ability
Unconditional Election vs. Conditional election
Limited Atonement vs. Unlimited Atonement
Irresistible Grace vs. Resistible grace
Perseverance of the Saints vs. Can fall from grace
Calvinism justifies Unconditional Depravity by Romans 3:10, Jeremiah 17:9, Ephesians 4:18 and Ecclesiastes 7:20. We are unable to save ourselves and will never choose Christ on our own.
Arminianism justifies free will/human ability by John 1:9 and Titus 2:11
Calvinism justifies unconditional election by Romans 8:29-30, Romans 9:11-18, Acts 13:48. Foreknew = Forechosen. God chooses man, man does not choose God.
Arminianism justifies conditional election via Romans 8:29. Foreknew = Foresaw. God foresaw who would choose Him.
Calvinism justifies limited atonement with John 10:10, John 10:15, John 17:2, John 17:6, John 17:9. Christ only died for the elect.
Arminianism justifies unlimited atonement with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:19. Christ died for all men.
Calvinism justifies irresistible grace with Romans 9:19-21. Nobody can resist God's will.
Arminianism justifies resistible grace with 1 John 2:2, 1 Timothy 4:10, 2 Peter 2:1, 2 Corinthians 5:19. God can be resisted.
Calvinism justifies Perseverance of the saints with Philippians 2:12-13, John 10:27-30, Romans 8:38-39. Salvation is secure.
Arminianism justifies can fall from grace with Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-31, 1 Corinthians 9:27, Romans 8:38-39, Romans 11:22. Salvation can be lost.
Introduction to Galatians
Dualism: Body doesn't matter, do whatever. Soul is what counts.
Two Extremes of dualism:
Antinomianism - over indulgence
Asceticism - no pleasure at all, minimalism
If Paul was concerned about distortions of the gospel, we should too.
Problem behind letter to Galatians.
Jewish Christian teachers infiltrated the Galatian churches with a message that endangered the Gospel message. They were Judaizers.
Judaizers sought to complete Paul's gospel in two ways.
1) by requiring circumcision
2) by enforcing Jewish food laws
Thursday, January 5, 2006
Notes on the Canon, Textual Criticism and Interpretation of the Bible
(Originally written January 5, 2006 in Notebook 20)
The Canon & Transmission of the New Testament text
Definition of Canon - originally meant measuring reed
Metaphorical meaning - standard
Applied to the New Testament - refers to those books accepted by the Church as the standard with governs our beliefs.
The Precanonical Period
- Oral tradition (25 years worth)
(The passion narrative was probably memorized)
- Early Christian Preaching:
1) No New Testament books at this time
2) Early Church had the Septuagint
- Logica = Sayings (A collection of Christ's sayings compiled by Matthew)
- Perhaps like the "Q" Source, namely the 250 or so verses common to Matt and Luke, not in others
- Testimonia = Collection of Old Testament Passages
- Agrapha
- Literally means "unwritten"
- they are the unwritten things that Jesus said
- unwritten means not in the Gospel
- An example of this is Acts 20:35
- Direct revelation from God through the prophets (Acts 11:27-28, Acts 13:1, I Corinthians 11:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12-14)
The collection of individual documents
- New Testament authors regarded their messages as authoritative (I Corinthians 7:40, I Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:1-2, Revelation 22:18-19)
- Internal testimony: the documents were to be read in the public gatherings of the churches (Revelation 1:3, Galatians 1:1-2, I Thessalonians 5:27, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 4:16)
- Internal testimony: at least two writers cite other New Testament works as "Scripture" (1 Timothy 5:18, 2 Peter 3:15-16)
The influence of that lead to their collection
- Apostles start to die
- A body of truth was needed for teaching new convents
- Influential heretics arise like Marcion of Sinope: Marcion limited the canon to Paul's letters and Luke's gospel. He was anti-semitic and disregarded other books as Old Testament and of the God of wrath.
Formation of the Canon
- The idea: God superintended the collection of the documents via through his spirit in the churches
Tests of canonicity:
1) Apostolic origin (of an apostle or associate)
2) Apostolic doctrine (first oral, then written)
3) Acceptance by the churches
- Canon confirmed the third council of Carthage
Conclusion
- The Holy Spirit superintended the writing, collection and recognition of the canon
- None of the books were accepted by the church because of ecclesiastical compulsion
- Canon wasn't determined by a council or by individuals' judgments. It was the Spirit guidance.
- Church did not determine the canon, it only recognized it
Textual criticism - the study of the copies of any written composition of which the original autograph is unknown
Foundations of Exposition
-Exposition
- Systematic Theology
- Biblical Theology
- Exegesis
- Hermeneutics
How the Bible came to Us
Thoughts in God's mind --> revelation --> Human author's minds --> Inspiration --> Original Manuscripts of the Bible (Collection of 66 Books) --> Textual Criticism --> Modern Greek and Hebrew Bibles -> Translation --> Modern English Versions --> Illumination and Interpretation --> Thoughts in our minds --> Application --> Change in our lives --> Communication --> to others
The Holy Spirit does not help you to interpret the Bible. It prompts you to act on the Biblical passages you read.
Revelation is the wisdom that cannot be known through human methods, it must be revealed by God
Hermeneutics is the science that teaches us the principles, laws and methods of interpretation.
Differing hermeneutical principles and procedures yield different results and is responsible for varying Christian doctrines.
Evangelicals use the grammatical-historical method of interpretation.
Grammatical - considers the meanings of the words in the text
Historical - considers the meaning of the text within historical contexts
Validation - validating your interpretation
Grammatical-historical method seeks to establish the meaning and the intention of the text as it would have been understood by the original readers.
Competent exegesis must be done in the original languages
Interpret literally
Literal - the natural or usual construction and implication of a writing or expression; following the ordinary and apparent sense of words, not allegorical or metaphorical
There are three elements to every word:
1) Symbol - the actual letters
2) Sense - the meaning attached to the symbol (mediator, intercessor, helper)
3) Referent: the actual thing being related to
Interpret the Bible Contextually
Interpret in accordance with the genre of literature
Understand there are figures of speech: metaphors, similes, overstatements, hyperbole, pun, paradox, irony, parables, fables, myths, riddles
Revelation is accommodated.
Revelation is progressive.
The Canon & Transmission of the New Testament text
Definition of Canon - originally meant measuring reed
Metaphorical meaning - standard
Applied to the New Testament - refers to those books accepted by the Church as the standard with governs our beliefs.
The Precanonical Period
- Oral tradition (25 years worth)
(The passion narrative was probably memorized)
- Early Christian Preaching:
1) No New Testament books at this time
2) Early Church had the Septuagint
- Logica = Sayings (A collection of Christ's sayings compiled by Matthew)
- Perhaps like the "Q" Source, namely the 250 or so verses common to Matt and Luke, not in others
- Testimonia = Collection of Old Testament Passages
- Agrapha
- Literally means "unwritten"
- they are the unwritten things that Jesus said
- unwritten means not in the Gospel
- An example of this is Acts 20:35
- Direct revelation from God through the prophets (Acts 11:27-28, Acts 13:1, I Corinthians 11:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12-14)
The collection of individual documents
- New Testament authors regarded their messages as authoritative (I Corinthians 7:40, I Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:1-2, Revelation 22:18-19)
- Internal testimony: the documents were to be read in the public gatherings of the churches (Revelation 1:3, Galatians 1:1-2, I Thessalonians 5:27, 2 Corinthians 1:1, Colossians 4:16)
- Internal testimony: at least two writers cite other New Testament works as "Scripture" (1 Timothy 5:18, 2 Peter 3:15-16)
The influence of that lead to their collection
- Apostles start to die
- A body of truth was needed for teaching new convents
- Influential heretics arise like Marcion of Sinope: Marcion limited the canon to Paul's letters and Luke's gospel. He was anti-semitic and disregarded other books as Old Testament and of the God of wrath.
Formation of the Canon
- The idea: God superintended the collection of the documents via through his spirit in the churches
Tests of canonicity:
1) Apostolic origin (of an apostle or associate)
2) Apostolic doctrine (first oral, then written)
3) Acceptance by the churches
- Canon confirmed the third council of Carthage
Conclusion
- The Holy Spirit superintended the writing, collection and recognition of the canon
- None of the books were accepted by the church because of ecclesiastical compulsion
- Canon wasn't determined by a council or by individuals' judgments. It was the Spirit guidance.
- Church did not determine the canon, it only recognized it
Textual criticism - the study of the copies of any written composition of which the original autograph is unknown
Foundations of Exposition
-Exposition
- Systematic Theology
- Biblical Theology
- Exegesis
- Hermeneutics
How the Bible came to Us
Thoughts in God's mind --> revelation --> Human author's minds --> Inspiration --> Original Manuscripts of the Bible (Collection of 66 Books) --> Textual Criticism --> Modern Greek and Hebrew Bibles -> Translation --> Modern English Versions --> Illumination and Interpretation --> Thoughts in our minds --> Application --> Change in our lives --> Communication --> to others
The Holy Spirit does not help you to interpret the Bible. It prompts you to act on the Biblical passages you read.
Revelation is the wisdom that cannot be known through human methods, it must be revealed by God
Hermeneutics is the science that teaches us the principles, laws and methods of interpretation.
Differing hermeneutical principles and procedures yield different results and is responsible for varying Christian doctrines.
Evangelicals use the grammatical-historical method of interpretation.
Grammatical - considers the meanings of the words in the text
Historical - considers the meaning of the text within historical contexts
Validation - validating your interpretation
Grammatical-historical method seeks to establish the meaning and the intention of the text as it would have been understood by the original readers.
Competent exegesis must be done in the original languages
Interpret literally
Literal - the natural or usual construction and implication of a writing or expression; following the ordinary and apparent sense of words, not allegorical or metaphorical
There are three elements to every word:
1) Symbol - the actual letters
2) Sense - the meaning attached to the symbol (mediator, intercessor, helper)
3) Referent: the actual thing being related to
Interpret the Bible Contextually
Interpret in accordance with the genre of literature
Understand there are figures of speech: metaphors, similes, overstatements, hyperbole, pun, paradox, irony, parables, fables, myths, riddles
Revelation is accommodated.
Revelation is progressive.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Galatians & prayer
(Originally written July 26, 2005 in Talks With God)
Shall I continue in Paul's letters? Yes, I feel that will please you. Give me a sign if it does not.
Galatians 1:3-5
While this is only Paul's opening to the Galatians it is comforting because it feels like Paul is writing to me. I know Paul was a messenger of God. The words inked by Paul are words written by God. God is writing me through Paul and I feel comforted through this.
Galatians 1:10b "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ"
This verse convicts me. I feel the Holy Spirit working in me. I feel him compelling me to change. This verse spoke to me like this - 'I am still serving men because I am serving myself, therefore how can I be serving Christ?' The Holy Spirit is convicting me and telling me to stop serving myself and to continue to serve Christ. I am here oh God, how may I serve you? Show me what you want me to do and I will rush to do it.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me".
This verse is you reminding me that you died for me. I cannot conjure up the words to express my gratitude and thankfulness for you. All I can say is thank you and I love you Lord. You paid the price for my sin. You picked up my eternal tab. I can never repay in full, but I swear that I will follow you and serve you to pay off as much as I can. I feel led by the Spirit to say these things. Have the Spirit guide me in the right direction to turn His words into action, so that you may be glorified.
Galatians 5:16 "So I say, live by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature".
Even as I ask a second before in my prayer for you to guide me by the spirit, you answer with this verse. Keep prompting me Lord and I will do as you ask. I will stay faithful in your Book, for I know you will stay faithful to me.
As I now have read Isaiah, Daniel, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians and Galatians, you have taught me with each book. You have imparted your wisdom upon me. Help me to retain the wisdom you have given me. Give me the strength to live by the wisdom you have given me in grace. This is my prayer oh God. Hear it and be faithful as you always have. I love you God.
Shall I continue in Paul's letters? Yes, I feel that will please you. Give me a sign if it does not.
Galatians 1:3-5
While this is only Paul's opening to the Galatians it is comforting because it feels like Paul is writing to me. I know Paul was a messenger of God. The words inked by Paul are words written by God. God is writing me through Paul and I feel comforted through this.
Galatians 1:10b "If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ"
This verse convicts me. I feel the Holy Spirit working in me. I feel him compelling me to change. This verse spoke to me like this - 'I am still serving men because I am serving myself, therefore how can I be serving Christ?' The Holy Spirit is convicting me and telling me to stop serving myself and to continue to serve Christ. I am here oh God, how may I serve you? Show me what you want me to do and I will rush to do it.
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me".
This verse is you reminding me that you died for me. I cannot conjure up the words to express my gratitude and thankfulness for you. All I can say is thank you and I love you Lord. You paid the price for my sin. You picked up my eternal tab. I can never repay in full, but I swear that I will follow you and serve you to pay off as much as I can. I feel led by the Spirit to say these things. Have the Spirit guide me in the right direction to turn His words into action, so that you may be glorified.
Galatians 5:16 "So I say, live by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature".
Even as I ask a second before in my prayer for you to guide me by the spirit, you answer with this verse. Keep prompting me Lord and I will do as you ask. I will stay faithful in your Book, for I know you will stay faithful to me.
As I now have read Isaiah, Daniel, Romans, 1&2 Corinthians and Galatians, you have taught me with each book. You have imparted your wisdom upon me. Help me to retain the wisdom you have given me. Give me the strength to live by the wisdom you have given me in grace. This is my prayer oh God. Hear it and be faithful as you always have. I love you God.
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