7/22/14

From Jim McGuiggan... War (1)


War (1)

Every major issue in life is complex and even wise and good people take different views of them because there is so much to see. Here's my present sense of things. Our sinfulness affects our reasoning (Romans 1:21, Colossians 1:21) and it’s no surprise that we end up giving more weight to one argument than another or playing down some critical point against the view we incline to. We still know that 2+2=4. It isn’t that we have become incapable of using rational faculties but our vested interests blind us to truths we care not to see. (Compare John 5:44.)

But our sin is not the whole story. If Paul can speak of the Jewish Torah and say it is holy, righteous, spiritual and good and in the same place speak of it as a torah of sin and death (Romans 7:12-14,23 and 8:2) we need to recognize that there’s more than one perspective to a complex reality. In light of Romans 13 we might think that governments are all pro-God but when we bear in mind that Rome was the fourth beast of Daniel 7 and the 4th kingdom of Daniel 2 we know we have a complex situation on our hands.

But God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ through the Spirit speaks an eternal judgment against our warlike ways. When I say "our" I mean the human family and no one segment of it or individual in it. So when Paul says the works of the flesh include divisions, factions, enmities and strivings he goes on to say that those who are Christ’s have crucified all these (Galatians 5:19-24). If giving ourselves to Christ means we crucify all these things then it must mean that Christ indeed came to expose and condemn them all. Since the Christian’s conduct is not mere morality but the commitment to Christ-likeness then he or she would have to be opposed to war. And beyond the individual it would mean that the whole church, as the body of Christ, living out and rehearsing the whole gospel about the Christ would be opposed to war.

We may not be able to settle what it is precisely that James 4:1-2 is getting at but there’s no mistaking the central thrust. War, or what is warlike, arises out of our selfish drives. [I’m one of those that think James is writing to Christian and non-Christian Jews so that his words would take in the rich oppressors of chapter 5 as well as those who wear the name of Christ.]

I would have thought that the business of the lives of members of the body of Christ would be to proclaim the reign of God as the reconciling of the world to himself and consequently to one another. I don’t see how a Christian can pursue that goal in taking (or trying to take) another person’s life in war.

Since the day we plunged ourselves into the darkness of rebellion against God we’ve been warlike and warring, at the individual, national and international levels. God came in Christ and continues in the body of Christ to condemn all that and more. It appears to me that Christians, if they are true to their calling, should do the same in life and teaching.


The Stone that Rocked the World by Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M.Div.



http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=384

The Stone that Rocked the World

by  Garry K. Brantley, M.A., M.Div.

Juma became increasingly apprehensive as he watched several of his goats climbing too high up the cliffs. Being a conscientious shepherd, he decided to retrieve the strays. As he climbed, he noticed two small openings to a cave. Thinking that one of his goats might be hiding inside, he tossed a stone into the opening. Much to his surprise, he heard an unusual cracking sound. His younger cousin and fellow shepherd, Muhammed adh-Dhib, investigated the cave the following day and discovered that Juma’s stone had broken open a pottery vessel containing ancient documents. Little did Juma realize that his fortuitously cast stone on that afternoon in 1947 eventually would rock the world of biblical scholarship for decades to come.
The cave (called cave 1) housed the first seven manuscripts of the now-famous Qumran materials commonly known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. Subsequent expeditions in the 1950s and 1960s uncovered a vast cache of ancient Jewish writings from ten other caves in the forms of well-preserved scrolls and fragments that represent an entire library of over 800 volumes (Shanks, 1990, p. 1). Unfortunately, after nearly five decades large portions of these documents have not been published, which has caused considerable controversy over the last few years.
Some Qumran material has been published, however, and analyses of these manuscripts have produced some interesting developments in biblical studies. For example, these documents have radically altered mainstream Johannine scholarship. The gospel of John purports to have been written by one who was a contemporary and close companion of Jesus (John 21:20-24). Extrabiblical and biblical evidences suggest that John, the son of Zebedee, authored his Gospel during the latter part of the first century (see Thiessen, 1943, pp. 162-170). Obviously, it would be physically impossible for one of Jesus’ contemporaries to live much into the second century.
Prior to the Qumran discoveries a popular belief among more liberal theologians was that the Fourth Gospel was a mid-to-late second century document whose author was influenced heavily by Grecian philosophy (see Guthrie, 1970, pp. 277-279). This view, which clearly repudiated the biblical implication that an eyewitness wrote the narrative, was first espoused in 1847 by F.C. Bauer, and persisted into the 1950s (Charlesworth, 1993). Linguistic parallels between John’s Gospel and Grecian literature formed the basis for this perspective. These scholars argued that such terms as Logos, truth, light, and darkness appearing in the Fourth Gospel corresponded to Grecian thought but were foreign to common Judaistic concepts. Thus, John was regarded as the latest Gospel and, because of its late date, historically unreliable.
Texts from Qumran, however, demonstrate the usage of such terminology in Jewish literature during the first century. One manuscript called the Rule of the Community contrasts the “Sons of Righteousness” with the “Sons of Deceit.” This document states that the former walk in the “ways of light,” but the latter walk in the “ways of darkness.” Further, it declares that the “nature of truth” emanates from a “spring of light,” and deceit emerges from a “well of darkness.” This language is strikingly similar to many phrases in John’s Gospel. For instance, John 12:35 states: “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going” (John 12:35; cf. John 1:1-9; 3:19-21). Due to this information from the Dead Sea Scrolls, most scholars now “...agree that [John] dates from around 100 C.E. [A.D.] or perhaps a decade earlier” (Charlesworth, 1993, 9[1]:20).
This does not necessarily mean, (as some scholars suggest) that John was influenced directly by the Qumran community, but it does demonstrate that these were terms commonly employed by Jews both earlier than, and contemporary with, John (see Charlesworth, 1993, 9[1]:25). Thus, as Charlesworth further admitted, almost all the scholarship that denied John as a first-century Jewish composition “...must be discarded” (9[1]:19). That small stone thrown forty-seven years ago continues to rock the biblical world of liberal scholarship.

REFERENCES

Charlesworth, James (1993), “Reinterpreting John: How the Dead Sea Scrolls Have Revolutionized Our Understanding of the Gospel of John,” Bible Review, 9[1]:19-25,54, February.
Guthrie, Donald (1970), New Testament Introduction (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity).
Shanks, Hershel (1990), “The Excitement Lasts: An Overview,” The Dead Sea Scrolls After Forty Years (Washington, DC: Biblical Archaeology Society).
Thiessen, Henry (1934), Introduction to the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans).

From Mark Copeland... Paul's Arrest In Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-40)

                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                Paul's Arrest In Jerusalem (21:27-40)

INTRODUCTION

1. As Paul was traveling to Jerusalem nearing the end of his third
   journey...
   a.  He knew that chains and tribulation awaited him - Ac 20:22-23
   b. That the Jews would deliver him to the Gentiles - Ac 21:10-11

2. Even so, he arrived at Jerusalem...
   a. With the contribution for needy Christians in Jerusalem - Ro 15:25-27; cf. 1Co 16:1-4
   b. Warmly greeted by the brethren, the elders, and James - Ac 21:17-19
   c. Agreeing to reach out to Jewish Christians who had been misinformed
      - Ac 21:20-26

[It was in the course of carrying out the advice of James and the elders
in Jerusalem that the chains and tribulations foretold began to be 
fulfilled with...] 

I. PAUL'S ARREST IN JERUSALEM

   A. THE RIOT IN THE TEMPLE...
      1. Prompted by Jews from Asia who saw Paul in the temple - Ac 21:27
         a. Diaspora Jews were often known for their great zeal for the 
            temple
         b. Paul had already experienced trials from Jews in Asia - cf.
            Ac 20:19
      2. Making false accusations against him - Ac 21:28-29
         a. Similar to charges made Diaspora Jews against Stephen - Ac 6:9-14
         b. But also accusing Paul of bringing a Gentile into the temple
            (a capital offense)
      3. Disturbing the crowd who seized Paul and dragged him out of the
         temple - Ac 21:30
         a. Either the temple itself, the court of men, or the court of
            women
         b. Out into the court of the Gentiles

   B. THE RESCUE BY THE ROMANS...
      1. As the crowd sought to kill Paul, the Roman commander received
         word - Ac 21:31
         a. On the east side of the temple was the Antonia Fortress,
            named after Mark Anthony
         b. Housing Roman soldiers who could quickly assist temple police
            with crowd control
      2. The commander sent soldiers that stopped the crowd from beating
         Paul - Ac 21:32
         a. At least two centurions and their contingents
         b. That would be at least 200 soldiers
      3. The commander bound Paul, sought to determine his identify, what
         he had done - Ac 21:33
         a. Note that Paul was bound with two chains (likely for hands 
            and feet)
         b. Thus fulfilling the prophecy of Agabus - cf. Ac 21:10-11          
      4. Unable to ascertain the truth, he commanded Paul to be taken to
         the barracks - Ac 21:34
         a. The commander wanted to know who Paul was and what he had 
            done
         b. But the crowd did not even agree why Paul was worthy of death
      5. Paul had to be carried up the stairs due to the violence of the
         mob - Ac 21:35
         a. Remember that Paul had already been beaten by the mob - cf.
            Ac 21:32
         b. Together with hustle and bustle of the mob, Paul would need
            assistance
      6. The mob cried out "Away with him!" - Ac 21:36
         a. So the crowd called out when it was Jesus before Pilate - cf.
            Jn 19:15
         b. I can't help but wonder what Paul thought, especially if then
            he had part of the crowd

   C. THE PERMISSION TO SPEAK...
      1. Paul asked to speak with the Roman commander - Ac 21:37
         a. Paul spoke in educated Greek which surprised the commander
         b. Paul also spoke with great politeness, also surprising given
            the circumstances
      2. The commander assumed Paul to be an Egyptian insurrectionist 
         - Ac 21:38
         a. Three years before, an Egyptian led a large band of assassins
            out to Mt. Olivet
         b. He predicted the city walls would fall flat; Felix sent 
            troops to disperse them
      3. Identifying himself as a Jew from Tarsus, Paul asked to speak to
         the people - Ac 21:39
         a. Tarsus in Cilicia was not an insignificant city
         b. Again, Paul's request to speak is made with politeness
      4. Granted permission, from the stairs Paul begins to speak - Ac 21:40
         a. Motion with his hands, silencing the people
         b. Speaking to them in Hebrew (or Aramaic)

[Paul's speech before the mob continues into the next chapter which we
hope to examine in our next lesson.  But in reflecting on the events we
have just studied, allow me to offer some...]

II. OBSERVATIONS ABOUT HIS ARREST

   A. THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST PAUL...
      1. Were made by Jews from Asia - Ac 21:27
         a. Who had possibly clashed with Paul in Ephesus - cf. Ac 20:19
         b. Who likely were biased against Paul and his doctrine - cf. Ac 19:8-10
      2. Who misrepresented what Paul actually taught - Ac 21:28
         a. That he taught against the Jewish people, the Law of Moses,
            and the temple
         b. When he taught Jesus was Israel's hope and fulfillment - cf.
            Ro 9:1-5; 10:1-4
      3. Were false, based on faulty assumptions - Ac 21:29
         a. Paul had been seen in the city with Trophimus the Ephesian
         b. His accusers assumed that Paul brought Trophimus (a Gentile)
            into the temple  
      -- Those with bias and an agenda often resort to half-truths and 
         mistruths to mislead and manipulate others

   B. THE MOB MENTALITY AGAINST PAUL...
      1. The reaction of the people is a perfect example of mob mentality
         a. Also known as herd mentality, or the bandwagon effect
         b. When people are influenced by their peers, or what they see
            others doing
         c. Especially in large gatherings, such as political rallies, 
            concerts, sporting events
         d. They are swayed by reasoning, "if many believe so, it is so" 
         e. Also known as "appeal to the people" (argumentum ad populum)
      2. Some well known examples of mob mentality
         a. The French Revolution's Reign of Terror
         b. Hitler's rise to power and the Holocaust
         c. Popular urban legends spread via the Internet
      -- People are easily swayed when they are in large crowds, or
         give credence to the idea that the majority is always right

   C. THE COMMANDER'S SEARCH FOR TRUTH...
      1. Later identified as Claudius Lysius - cf. Ac 23:26
      2. In the midst of the turmoil, he determined to know the truth
         - Ac 21:33
      3. He was willing to give up first impressions upon learning the
         truth - Ac 21:37-39
      4. He was willing to let Paul tell his side of the story - Ac 21:40
      -- Like Cornelius (Ac 10:33), Claudius was willing to listen before
         passing judgment

CONCLUSION

1. Paul's arrest in Jerusalem shows people at their worst, and at their 
   best...
   a. The worst - allowing religious prejudice and mob mentality to
      attack the innocent
   b. The best - allowing search for truth to change one's opinion and 
      open to more information

2. How can we avoid mob mentality, being misled and manipulated by those
   with bias...?
   a. Be more like the Jews of Berea than the Jews from Asia - Ac 17:11
   b. Seek to understand what others believe, or are saying
   c. Make truth your priority, think for yourself, don't just follow the
      crowds
   d. Remember what happened in the flood, in the wilderness, and in the
      holocaust

The likelihood is that the majority is always wrong, for as Jesus said...

   "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the
   way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
   Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to
   life, and there are few who find it." - Mt 7:13-14

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2013

From Gary... A reflection of the heights of infinity


Today's NASA picture (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/) is from Iceland; from within a cave formed by a lava flow. To my mind, the cave is NOT THE FOCUS OF THE PICTURE; The aurora visible just above the center is. After that, the man becomes the focal point. Why? To show that even though human beings consider themselves "on top" of things (and he is in this picture), ultimately both his perception and position are tiny in comparison to God and the lofty place of his abode. God, through the prophet Isaiah puts it this way...

Isaiah 55:6-11 NASB
(6)  Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near.
(7)  Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
(8)  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.
(9)  "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.

(10)  "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
(11)  So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

Humans have come a long way since being cave dweller, but can we even create one small planet. What about a solar system or a galaxy or something greater?  I think not!!!  And yet, there are those who will arrogantly say that God does NOT and CAN NOT EXIST.  Why? Because in their pride they fail to see beyond the power of their own mind (like the reflection in the photo).  They can not accept what they can not see and therefore it obviously can not exist!!!  What hubris!!!  Somehow, the words of a hymn (whose title eludes me) echo in my mind when I review the Isaiah passage... Humble yourself in sight of the LORD and HE WILL LIFT YOU UP!!! Look up to God and not at yourself to truly understand greatness and follow the words of verse six above. You will never, ever, be sorry you did- I promise!!!