Category: Reflections Articles
Articles printed in the weekly bulletin of the West Side church of Christ
Law
The concept of obedience to law is rather controversial among the religious today. Because of the Holy Spirit’s teaching regarding the Law of Moses, as contrasted with salvation by Grace through Faith, some equate the idea of obedience to God’s law with the concept of meriting salvation. This is not so.
Uplifted By Inspiration
As we continue our study of our Bible, I would again assert that there are many compelling arguments which contend it was given us by inspiration. In effect, the words are from God, not men.
One very interesting line of reasoning deals with the influence of the Bible over world culture. Though it may not be the most technical of arguments, it is nevertheless strong, and compelling.
Batsell Barrett Baxter, in his book I Believe Because…, states this argument very clearly. Note this paragraph from page 175 of his book.
“Henry Rogers wrote a book, The Eclipse of Faith, in which he imagined that some powerful hand had wiped the influence of Christ out of civilization, as a hand might wipe the chalk writing from a chalkboard in a schoolroom. He dreamed that he went into his library and found many of his law books with blank paragraphs, that he went into his picture gallery and found many of his finest pictures with blank canvases in their frames, and that he examined many of the great anthologies of poetry only to find blank pages where some of the world’s finest poetry had been before. He dreamed that in driving downtown he found great gaping holes where buildings had vanished. There had been on these locations such institutions as schools, hospitals, orphanages, old peoples’ homes and the like. But now, with the influence of Christ removed from the world, all were gone. Then, this lawyer cried out, “I would not want to live at all in world where Christ were not.” We think that Henry Rogers had a very forceful way of conveying an idea which is absolutely true. We would borrow his idea and say that the same can be said for the Bible. Without its great influence for good, our world would be a tragic place in which to live.”
We are living in a time of great unrest, despair, and ungodliness. Men have truly forgotten God, and rejected his missives. If they would only begin to apply the principles of love for God and neighbor, the decay of our civilization would reverse.
When God’s principles, as revealed in Scripture are followed, society always prospers. Now, I realize that much harm has been done “in the name of religion”. Wars, the abuses of the Catholic church, and the sectarian divisions that exist are good examples of this. More recently, the abuse of women, and the bombing of abortion clinics have been in the news as well. But all of these evil things have come from a distortion of what is true, not from the will of God as revealed in the Bible text.
James asked the question, “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh” (James 3:12). The point is simple. Whenever the principles of morality and law as found in the Bible are followed, society is uplifted. The fruits borne by an application of the Word reveal its origin. As Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:16). The Bible is known as the Word of God because of the influence it has on humankind. In fact, its influence shows it could only have come from God Himself.
As Baxter states on pages 175-176 of his book, “…the influence of the Scriptures is of such a nature that it can indicate only that the source from which this influence came was good. If the Bible had been a great hoax or deception, it could not have had the influence toward the uplifting of civilization that it has had…(this is why) I believe the Bible to be a book uniquely given by God.”
The Bible: Product of Providence
In the article Attacks on the Bible, you will recall our mention of the prevalent modern day attacks on the Word of God. Many individuals who claim to be followers of Christ have rejected the Bible as inspired Scripture. It is fashionable in our day to claim this great work as merely the words of men.
The article ended with Paul’s proclamation in Romans 3, “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…” It should not surprise us that many would serve as minions of Satan and attack the inspiration of God’s word. It also should not overly concern us! Their lack of faith does not change the fact that God revealed Himself to us!
The Bible claims inspiration for itself. Both Old Testament scripture and the New Testament writings are included in this claim. For example, Paul in referring to the Old Testament canon, said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In recognizing the inspiration of Old Testament writings, Paul claimed the same for his own writings. He told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 14:37, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.” A careful study of the New Testament reveals that the letters written by the Apostles were received by the first century Christians as inspired. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
This last scripture is, I believe, very significant. Paul very clearly ties our final salvation in with faith in God’s word. The fashionable rejection of Bible inspiration is not without consequence. It “effectively works” only in those who are willing to accept that it is, in truth, “the word of God.” It is easy to set aside the Bible’s condemnation of Homosexuality, adultery and drunkenness; to disregard the Book’s instructions regarding the place of the woman in the home, the raising of children, and the benevolence due one another; to reject as outdated it’s instructions regarding church work, worship and structure; when one looks at the writings of Paul, Peter, John and the others are merely the words of men.
When it is the Holy Spirit that says those who practice sin “will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (cf. Gal. 5:21); or that “…I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” (cf. 1 Tim. 2:12); or that we are to “speak (-ing) to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart ot the Lord.” (cf. Eph. 5:19); it is much more difficult to disregard the instructions.
Another article will deal with outward evidences of inspiration. However, these modern day enemies of the Bible show their hypocrisy in claiming their adoration of men such as Peter, Paul and John and at the same time rejecting their claims of inspiration. As Neil Lightfoot put it in his fine volume, How We Got the Bible, “It is assumed, however, that the men who wrote the Bible were honest men and were of a sound mind. If they were sane and sound-minded, they would not be susceptible to fanciful visions and hallucinations; if they were honest, they would not intentionally deceive” (pg. 119).
To receive Christ necessitates a belief and acceptance of the Bible as “it is in truth, the word of God.”
Attacks on the Bible
The Bible has long suffered the disparaging attacks of men. However, in times past the enemies of God’s word were at least easily identifiable. More and more as of late men who claim to be friends of our Lord are casting aspersions upon the Bible. While they profess a love for the Lord, they disingenuously deny the miracles of the Bible, many of the recorded actions and words of Jesus, and the inspiration of His written legacy to us. An example of this is the Jesus Seminar; a group of liberal, modernistic theologians who, in effect, sit around a table and vote on what words and actions of our Lord, recorded in the gospels, are actually genuine. Predictably, they deny the veracity of recorded miracles, as well as any judgmental language, seeing fit only to accept the gentle and loving side of Jesus nature. In doing so, they seek to remake Jesus in their own image, and do violence to the historical Jesus revealed in the inspired Word.
Contrast this denial of inspiration and general loose attitudes toward the Bible with the words of Jesus and his followers. Jesus promised the disciples in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” Concerning these “things” delivered by the Holy Spirit, Paul said to the Thessalonians, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Further, the Apostle Peter asserts, “knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
To make the claim that the Bible is the work of man is to call Peter, Paul, even the Lord liars. Either liars, or deluded, or superstitious, or some other unacceptable contention. This is something you might would expect from the enemies of the cross, but it is unconscionable that those who profess a friendship with Christ would make such contentions.
Another attack on God’s word has come in the form of certain modern day, English translations of the Bible. The American Bible Society recently released their Contemporary English Bible, which they trumpet as, “the eternal truths of God’s Word in clear, understandable English” (ABS Advertisement). In reality it is a blasphemous attack against the Bible. Imagine the thousands of people who will be buying into this perversion of the gospel of Christ, all the while thinking they are getting a faithful, accurate translation of the original languages. Satan is working rabidly to bring harm to those God would save!
In other articles, we will examine the Contemporary English Bible as well as examining how the Bible has come down to us. In doing so I am convinced that your faith and confidence in the Word of God will be strengthened.
Let the American Bible Society, the Jesus Seminar, and the other enemies of the cross rail against the Bible. When all of their “hammering” is done, and all their “hammers” are strewn over the ground, the eternal and steadfast anvil that is God’s word will remain unscathed.
As Paul said, in Romans 3:3-4, “For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar…”
The Law of Cause and Effect
We recognize that every effect has a cause. The law applies in physics, and it applies in other areas of life as well.
The law of cause and effect is established in the statement of Paul in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death…” Sin is the cause, death is the effect.
The law of cause and effect is behind Paul’s statement to the Galatians, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (6:7).
Sanctification
God is Holy. The Psalmist proclaimed, “Exalt the Lord our God, And worship at His holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9).
Because God is holy, supplicants who approach Him must be holy as well.
Going Along with the Crowd
Our young people are constantly being pressured to go along with the often illicit and inappropriate behavior that characterizes their peers. Dancing, drinking, drug use, immodesty, profanity, and promiscuity are the norm rather than the exception, and teenage Christians are often ridiculed for abstaining from such activities.
Natural “Revelation”
We have preached and written at length about the contention some in the Lord’s church are making that the “days” of Genesis 1 are not to be taken as literal 24 hour periods of time. Those who make such a contention say that God’s other means of revealing himself to man, the “testimony of nature” indicates that the universe is billions of years old, and came into existence with a “Big Bang.” I never thought I would hear it, but some are saying that the “Big Bang” theory is the Christian’s friend.
The Attributes of God
Pagan mythology paints a very unflattering picture of “the gods.” The pagans viewed deity through the filter of their own humanity. In fact, this is a non-technical, but powerful argument showing the difference between the inspired record of Jehovah, and the imaginations of men which led to the pagan superstitions of antiquity. For the pagan, the gods were jealous, petty, capricious, and flawed. Though they had superhuman powers, they were limited, and behaved like corrupt men. War, treachery, infidelity, immaturity and envy are common themes in pagan mythology.
Christianity VS Islam
We are aware of the conflict with Islam, leading the most fanatical of the Muslim sects to engage in acts of terrorism. We have felt their rage against “the infidels.” Their holy book, the Quran instructs them to lash out against those who do not believe as they do in physical battle. Notice the following passage:
The Lord’s Supper Perverted
In recent years, several books have been published which advocate a very different view of the Lord’s Supper than that which has normally been held. F. Lagard Smith, in his book Radical Restoration, advocates the observance of the Lord’s Supper in conjunction with a common meal. On page 135 of his book he writes:
Teaching With Meekness
The apostle Peter wrote eloquently of the need to defend the faith in his first general epistle. He wrote not only of the need to share that defense, but also the demeanor expected of one who makes such a defense. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15).
As we share the precious good news with others, we need to be meek, and fearful.
Christian Worship: The Lord’s Supper
Any discussion of the Lord’s Supper as an act of worship necessitates decisions regarding what aspect of the subject is to be explored. In addition to the institution and observance of the supper, there are questions regarding the emblems, frequency of observance, and to whom it is to be offered. In following our format in this series, the material offered for consideration constitutes a general, cursory view of the topic.
Backsliding
The prophet Jeremiah preached to a rebellious Judah and a small remnant in northern Israel as the southern nation neared the end of its sovereignty. The judgment of God through Babylon was upon the people because of their rebellion against Him. Jeremiah described the rebellious actions of both Israel and Judah as backsliding, and his description serves to teach us a lesson about this dangerous tendency.
Preventive Maintenance
This past week we received a letter from a paving company we have used in the past. The owner of the company was thanking us for our business, and used the letter to remind us not to “let your Parking Lots go unattended too long.” He wrote, “With the rising costs, a little maintenance goes a long way!”
The letter reminded me of the passage in Ezekiel 3 where God instructed the prophet to warn Israel as a “watchman.” Interestingly, Jehovah not only instructed the watchman to warn when Israel was guilty of sin, but also to warn righteous Israel so that she might avoid sin!
