My son attends a small, conservative Christian college, and he's taking a summer class called Encountering the Bible.
Almost daily, he expresses his displeasure with how the textbook and the instructor are interpreting God's Word.
He's complained about teachings such as:
- Heaven and earth existed before God began His work of creation (that God didn't create them).
- Daniel was written around 150BC (not 530BC) because Daniel couldn't possibly have made accurate, historic predictions.
- Luke didn't believe in the atonement.
Also, some students are saying that the course is causing them to doubt the validity of the Bible.
The class appears to be using the historical-critical method of evaluating and analyzing literature. I call this approach the "text can't mean or be what it claims to be, so let's analyze it" method.
I'm aware of some of the thoughts related to higher criticism. However I find these ideas to be subordinate to how the Bible testifies about itself.
It comes down to, "Can we use our human theories and techniques, our own reasoning, to analyze God's Word?"
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8–9
The Lutheran Confessions (The Formula of Concord) puts it this way:
We cannot harmonize God's revelation with our reason, which we have not been commanded to do anyway.
God's Word isn't like any other literature. In reading it, we have to consider God's character and His intent.
1. God wants to give us and show us His love and mercy; that's His nature.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
2. The Bible is all about Jesus; it must be read through that context.
Then he [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:44–45
God's Word is powerful. I struggle with it because it always convicts.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
But His Word also comforts.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
And no matter what we may think about using our own theories, logic, and reason, we don't have it all figured out.
Every man is stupid and without knowledge. Jeremiah 51:17a
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
In July 1980, when I first entered the Naval Academy, I had six weeks of plebe summer, sort of a boot camp on steroids. I went to classes, had physical activities, and memorized Naval facts and songs. And I'm pretty sure that '84 was one of the last classes to have a Black Sunday.
I recently read a list of what the incoming plebe class now experiences for plebe summer, and I saw "No internet for six weeks."
No internet? Could I do that now? Starting today?
I have online banking. I shop online, make medical appointments, and connect with people for both work issues and social events. And I especially enjoy the ability to go online and find answers to most any question I have.
But...I also waste a lot of time. I go online to "find information" and I end up spending an hour just looking around, reading articles.
Lately, my morning prayers have included verses from Psalm 119. As I've been thinking about "No internet" I read:
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things. Psalm 119:36-37a
Wow..."Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things."
Now the internet isn't worthless. It's simplified a lot of my daily tasks. It's given me easy access to needed information, and it's made staying in touch with people effortless.
But, like any good thing, my sinful nature finds ways to abuse these benefits.
And I waste time. I may read useful articles online, but, for the most part, I rarely ingest them or remember them. It's just information overload, looking for something to amuse my brain, and avoiding doing other work that needs to be done.
This "No internet" idea - I could easily turn it into a legalistic duty and make "restrictions" on my internet use. Then I'd feel good about myself and brag about my ability to limit my internet use.
I do have a couple of practical ideas that will help move me in the right direction on this.
But really, it's all about my sinful nature, a nature that seeks my own pleasure and my own wants. And it's about self-control...or rather, lack of self-control.
The answer is...repent. Confess my sin of wasting time and know the forgiveness of the cross, know what Jesus has done for me.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Psalm 51:3–4
And pray, and continue to pray.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Lord Jesus,
Thank-you for the internet and for the many benefits it provides. Forgive me for wasting time every day, in all the ways that I waste time. Help me not to be anxious, but to pray, to meditate on Your Word, and to love others.
Amen.
We spent last weekend in Annapolis, Maryland. The new Naval Academy class of plebes, the class of 2023, had recently arrived and been sworn-in. For my husband, it was 40 years ago that he became a plebe; for me, 39 years.
I was surprised at how hot it was walking around the Academy. It brought back memories of wearing long-sleeved white works with sweat rolling down my back. I don't know how we managed the heat and humidity; back then, the Academy dorm, Bancroft Hall, wasn't even air conditioned!
I was also surprised to find a stained-glass window in the Rotunda of Bancroft Hall. It's a picture of Jesus in a boat with his disciples. I lived there for four years, and I'd never noticed it.
While at the Academy, we made the trek up Stribling Walk, a walk I made many evenings going from the library back to my room. On Stribling, one can see Bancroft's open front doors, all the way up and into Memorial Hall. And at night, even from a distance, one can see that flag - "Don't Give Up The Ship."
At the Academy, I had both good days and bad days, and I was often overwhelmed. But those words, "Don't Give Up The Ship" were always there as an encouragement, as a reminder that the work and the effort were worth it.
And last week, when I saw that flag, I thought the same thing. The words still apply. Don't give up. The work and the effort are worth it.
But those words are also convicting. Life is hard, and words given as encouragement can provide tremendous comfort to those in need.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11
However, my own tendency is to get caught up in my work, worries, and issues, and to forget that everyone is in need, that everyone needs encouragement, support, truth, and love.
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Encourage one another.
...because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Fight the good fight of the faith. 1 Timothy 6:12a
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Encourage one another and keep encouraging one another.
Don't Give Up The Ship. Captain James Lawrence, 1813
When I was first married, my husband insisted that I read Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life. Since then, I've read other books and articles on evangelism. I've also attended classes and conferences to help "equip" me to share the gospel.
I've decided that all these evangelistic "tricks of the trade" fall into two categories: 1) making relationships with people and 2) following certain "steps" to present the gospel.
A third often discussed topic is apologetics, being able to defend the Christian faith.
Recently I was at conference, and in the midst of listening to ideas about community and creation science, I suddenly wrote this question:
Biggest part of Evangelism - with our own hearts? Yes.
Just maybe, our idea of evangelism is wrong. Just maybe, focusing on relationships and learning techniques is off base. Just maybe, we should rethink this.
I regularly try to read my Bible, and I'm always working to establish good prayer habits. Most importantly, and especially since becoming a parent, I do my best to attend weekly worship services.
Over the years, God has worked on my heart. He's given me an inkling of the depth of my own sin, and He continually turns me to Jesus and to the cross.
And these days, when Christianity comes up in a conversation, I'm able to talk about the love of Jesus. And I'm surprised at how often this happens.
When I consider my own faith journey, I remember the apostles and the early church. The apostles spent time with Jesus, hearing Him teach, witnessing His miracles, and seeing His love for people.
Then, along with receiving the Holy Spirit, the apostles were equipped to share the gospel with the world.
And what about the early church?
...they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42
What happened...
...the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:47
I think there's value in books and classes on evangelism. They give us ideas, an approach, and a renewed attitude.
But the biggest heart changer, the biggest equipper for evangelism is: God's Word, prayer, preaching, and fellowship with other Christians.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24–25
...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
God's Word says:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. 1 Timothy 2:1-3
Recently, Franklin Graham asked Christians to make June 2nd "a special day of prayer" for the president. That Sunday, during the worship service, many churches prayed for President Trump.
And I'm shocked at the conversations and reactions that praying for the president have generated. Whether they're for President Trump or against him, people have strong opinions about praying for him.
I don't get it, because praying for the president has nothing to do with politics or supporting a certain political agenda.
God puts leaders on the "throne" to "wield the sword," to keep law and order so that people can live in peace. So we pray for our leaders.
But, over the years, I've noted that most conservative Christians want our country's leaders to be Christians, and want laws to be passed that reflect a Christian culture.
And there's nothing wrong with having Christian leaders or with being a Christian politician, and there's nothing wrong with supporting good and moral laws, with praying for the United States of America.
But...
The evangelical thinking behind this is all wrong.
The Kingdom of God doesn't come through politics. Having good rules and even good leaders won't guarantee that a country and its people will be godly.
As a matter of fact, people can be good and live decent lives, in the eyes of man, and still not be Christians.
Politicians and laws can't change a man's heart.
Only God can convict a man of his sin, and comfort him with the gospel message. Our only hope is in Jesus.
And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19
It's in Jesus, in His coming, that we see and know the Kingdom of God.
We can pray for our president and our country. But we're ultimately called to share God's Word with people, to tell people about Jesus. Let's make evangelism what it's meant to be.
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14 and 17
And that means telling people about the forgiveness of sins that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
...but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4
...Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:27-28
How about a Day of Prayer, prayer that our hearts, and the hearts of all people will be repentant and be turned to God?
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
As a picture of how Gentiles are brought into the Christian faith, the Bible uses an olive tree. The Jewish people represent the original olive tree, and the Gentiles are the branches that are grafted into that tree.
...and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree. Romans 11:17
We have a tree on our church's property; in early spring, it has small white flowers. One day I happened to see a cluster of pink flowers stuck between the two main branches of the tree. It was right after Easter, and I wondered, "Why did someone put flowers there?"
On closer inspection, I saw that a "branch" was growing between the trunks, and it was blooming pink flowers. How'd that happen?!!!
People are brought into the church in many different ways, although ultimately it's through God's Word and Spirit that faith and new life are given.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
But it's from the olive tree analogy that we picture people being "grafted into the root, along with the original branches."
I look at that tree and think, "That's how it looks when new people are added to the church."
It looks different, it looks unique, and it adds beauty, color, and depth to the tree.
I often greet visitors at our Sunday worship service. There's no "cookie cutter" version of a visitor. Each visitor or visiting family is unique, with their own histories, make-ups, and talents.
But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:18–20
God adds people to His church, and we become this beautiful tree; we have the same faith, but have different gifts, different appearances, just different, but all together we make up His church.
Once
you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not
received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10
He joins us together as His church, and He builds us into His temple, a site to behold.
So
then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow
citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being
the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together,
grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built
together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19–22
Several friends have told me that their daily devotional time consists of or includes reading Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.
The book is
a year of devotionals, and it's written as if it's from Jesus, and as if He's speaking to the reader.
According to the author, the devotionals represent God's words
given to her during her time of "listening" to God.
I don't understand why someone would read a book "supposedly" from Jesus when that person could instead be reading God's Word, the Bible.
But when a friend told me the book was about God's forgiveness, I was intrigued and also convicted enough to borrow a copy.
My thought was - "The readings probably, mostly contain God's truth, just reworded. It's likely not as bad as I'm thinking."
I was wrong.
I read a few devotionals and my impression is, "This is a false version of God's Word."
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of
marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
My pastor likes to say, "God's Word always nourishes. God's Word is never without effect."
Jesus Calling doesn't convict; it doesn't nourish. It just seems fake to me, a cheap imitation, and I wasn't expecting that.
As I read more of the book, I was overwhelmed by the ways I was told to be and to think.
March 13th - Learn to live above your circumstances.
April 26th - Welcome problems as perspective-lifters.
June 21st - Wait patiently with me while I bless you.
October 7th - In order to hear my voice, you must release all your worries into my care.
Many of these devotions are self-help type teachings, mixed with some Bible verses and some truth. I read one page to a Christian friend, and his response was, "Sounds like gobbledygook, psycho babble."
The Christian's life, the Christian's struggle, it's one of daily sinning and daily receiving forgiveness because of Jesus. I'm disappointed that Jesus Calling doesn't direct me to the conviction of my own sin, my need for forgiveness, or the comfort of the cross.
Perhaps,
the devotions represents Sarah Young's prayers, prayers that she's
reworded into messages from Jesus. This book would be best written
as a collection of prayers instead of messages from Jesus.
As someone who's read the Bible for over 45 years, I don't hear the voice of my God in Jesus Calling.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27
I stand by my original thought - "Why read a book supposedly from Jesus when you could be engaging with God's genuine Word?"
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Also, some students are saying that the course is causing them to doubt the validity of the Bible.
