| Topic: |
Religions > Atheism |
| User: |
"Null" |
| Date: |
27 Jun 2007 07:44:46 PM |
| Object: |
The Spiritually Mature |
The Spiritually Mature
Hebrews 6:1-2
The Spiritually Mature[1]
The Peril of Falling Away
1 Therefore ?a?leaving ?b?the ?1?elementary teaching about the
?2?Christ, let us press on to ?3??c?maturity, not laying again a
foundation of repentance from ?d?dead works and of faith toward
God,
2 of ?a?instruction about washings and ?b?laying on of hands, and
the ?c?resurrection of the dead and ?c?eternal judgment.[2]
Introduction
Spiritual Infancy is lack of growth after the new birth.
The spiritual infant is concerned with self rather than service.
The spiritual infant is concerned with argument rather than action.
The spiritual infant looks to people rather than the Master.
God wants you to leave the elementary principles of Christ -- to leave,
(not abandon), the elementary principles about Christ. He wants you to
progress beyond them.
What are the elementary principles?
They are mentioned as repentance, faith, baptism, the laying on of hands,
the resurrection, and eternal judgment. In short, these are basic doctrines.
The Greek in Hebrews 1 says literally, "Therefore leaving the word of
Christ of the beginning" The word 'beginning' in Greek is 'arche.' It
means beginning, or origin.
Christ's teachings on the basics are what the author of Hebrews is getting
at. The basics are to be studied, fed upon as an infant would feed upon
milk. Once the foundation has been laid you are to improve not only in
your understanding but also in your practice and attitudes concerning
spiritual things.
Doctrine is important, very important.
Without it, we cannot be saved.
It defines whom we believe in, what we believe concerning Him, and
what He requires of us.
There are essentials to the faith that the Bible states are non-negotiable:
The deity of Christ, the resurrection, salvation by grace.
It could be said that doctrine is of the mind because the answer to
doctrinal questions often involves nothing more than memory.
What does it mean to repent?
What is baptism and is it necessary for salvation?
What is the Trinity?
What are the two natures of Christ?
What is the Bible about?
Are the Spiritual gifts still around?
Who is the author of faith?
What is the significance the laying on of hands?
What are the resurrection and the final judgment?
What purpose does the Law serve in guiding our Christian lives?
What will happen when Jesus returns?
These all are important questions and the answers guide our
understanding. Our understanding is what guides our actions and words.
Doctrine is of the mind. It is, in one sense, easier than those teachings of
Christ that deal with the heart.
With the mind, you only need to understand.
With the heart, you need to obey.
Maturity is when your understanding of truth and your action are the
same.
God wants you to mature in Christ.
He wants you to grow. He wants you to mature.
Verse 1 says, "Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about
Christ and go on to maturity"
The KJV says, "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ,
let us go on unto perfection..."
NASB says, "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ,
let us press on to maturity..."
The word for 'perfection' or 'maturity' in the Greek is 'teleiotes.'
It means "a perfecter" 2) one who has in his own person raised faith to its
perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith."
This is the level of maturity that God wants from you: A perfect faith. The
only way to perfect your relationship with God and improve your walk in
holiness is do it by faith and obedience to His word.
God does not command where He does not provide or empower.
God works faith in the believer (John 6:29).
29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is ?a?the work of God,
that you believe in Him whom He ?b?has sent."[3]
God has given everyone a measure of faith (Rom. 12:3).
3 For through ?a?the grace given to me I say to everyone among
you ?b?not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but
to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to ?c?each
a measure of faith.[4]
"But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who
delude themselves," (James 1:22).
22 ?a?But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely
hearers who delude themselves.[5]
You can mature and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
As I said, the word in Greek for maturity or perfection here is 'teleiotes.'
It comes from the Greek word 'telos' which means 1) to make perfect,
to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end, to
accomplish.
Phil. 1:6 says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a
good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."
6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good
work in you will perfect it until ?a?the day of Christ Jesus.[6]
By doing a study of the word 'telos' in the Bible we discover some
interesting points about its usage.
It is used in the context of doing the will of God
Col. 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus,
sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may
stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured."
12 ?a?Epaphras, ?b?who is one of your number, a bondslave of
Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always ?c?laboring earnestly for
you in his prayers, that you may ?1?stand ?2??d?perfect and ?3?fully
assured in all the will of God.[7]
It is used in the context of being able to distinguish good from evil.
Heb. 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have
trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
14 But solid food is for ?a?the mature, who because of practice
have their senses ?b?trained to ?c?discern good and evil.[8]
It is used to mean sacrifice
Matt. 19:21 "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your
possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.
Then come, follow me.'"
21 Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be ?1?complete, go and
?a?sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have
?b?treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."[9]
It is used to mean love.
Matthew 5:43-48 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in
heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain
on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you,
what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than
others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your
heavenly Father is perfect."
43 "?a?You have heard that it was said, '?b?You shall love your
neighbor ?c?and hate your enemy.'
44 "But I say to you, ?a?love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you,
45 so that you may ?1?be ?a?sons of your Father who is in
heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and
sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 "For ?a?if you love those who love you, what reward do you
have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than
others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
48 "Therefore ?1??a?you are to be perfect, as your heavenly
Father is perfect.[10]
Perhaps this last one is the most important.
Sacrifice, obedience to God, distinguishing good from evil, all are
perfected in love. All are only possible in love.
Jesus told us what the first and greatest commandment is. He said,
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind.' 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as
yourself.'"
(Matt. 22:37-39).
37 And He said to him, " '?a?You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
38 "This is the great and ?1?foremost commandment.
39 "The second is like it, '?a?You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.'[11]
Jesus also said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I
have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will
know that you ar e my disciples, if you love one another" (John
13:34-35).
34 "A ?a?new commandment I give to you, ?b?that you love one
another, ?c?even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 "?a?By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you
have love for one another."[12]
God wants you to progress beyond the elementary foundations of the
faith, because...
True spiritual maturity is of the Spirit not simply of the mind, which is why
Paul says "...let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on
to maturity... He is saying let us progress beyond the basics and start
living what we claim to know.
It could be said that the level of maturity that is desired by Paul could be
summed up in the doctrine of love. Because that is what Jesus is,
incarnate love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-9)
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not
proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it
keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices
with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres. 8Love never fails.
4 Love ?a?is patient, love is kind and ?b?is not jealous; love does
not brag and is not ?c?arrogant,
5 does not act unbecomingly; it ?a?does not seek its own, is not
provoked, ?b?does not take into account a wrong suffered,
6 ?a?does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but ?b?rejoices with the
truth;
7 ?1??a?bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of ?1??a?prophecy, they
will be done away; if there are ?b?tongues, they will cease; if there is
knowledge, it will be done away.[13]
Love that is other centered.
You've heard me say it a hundred times: "For God so love the world He
gave..." Love gives (John 3:16).
16 "For God so ?a?loved the world, that He ?b?gave His
?1??c?only begotten Son, that whoever ?d?believes in Him shall not
perish, but have eternal life.[14]
Love sacrifices, love considers another more important, love rejoices in
the well being and safety of another, love begets honesty, integrity, and
character. Love unites people together, brings out forgiveness, and even
anoints the hearts of God's people to contemplate on holiness, purity,
forgiveness, humility, patience, and more.
Conclusion
In infancy there is selfishness, quarreling, arguments, divisions,
unreconciled relationships, unforgiving memories, and all such sins.
In maturity there is unity, reconciliation, healing, and of course, the
manifestation of the love of Christ.
Are you manifesting the true maturity that God wants of you? Are you
seeking to grow in the grace, knowledge, and love of God? It is not mere
doctrine that makes one mature. It is living the love of God in your heart,
words, and deeds.
AMEN.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] From CARM.ORG, Edited by John B. Loiodice, 2006.
?a? Phil 3:13f
?b? Heb 5:12
?1? Lit word of the beginning
?2? I.e. Messiah
?3? Or perfection
?c? Heb 5:14
?d? Heb 9:14
?a? John 3:25; Acts 19:3f
?b? Acts 6:6
?c? Acts 17:31f
[2]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Heb 6:1).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? 1 Thess 1:3; James 2:22; 1 John 3:23; Rev 2:26
?b? John 3:17
[3]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Jn 6:28).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Rom 1:5; 15:15; 1 Cor 3:10; 15:10; Gal 2:9; Eph 3:7f
?b? Rom 11:20; 12:16
?c? 1 Cor 7:17; 2 Cor 10:13; Eph 4:7; 1 Pet 4:11
[4]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ro 12:2).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Matt 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49; Rom 2:13; James 1:22-25; 2:14-20
[5]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Jas 1:21).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? 1 Cor 1:8; Phil 1:10; 2:16
[6]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Php 1:5).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Col 1:7; Philem 23
?b? Col 4:9
?c? Rom 15:30
?1? Or stand firm
?2? Or complete or mature
?d? Col 1:28
?3? Or made complete
[7]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Col 4:11).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? 1 Cor 2:6; Eph 4:13; Heb 6:1
?b? 1 Tim 4:7
?c? Rom 14:1ff
[8]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Heb 5:13).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?1? Or perfect
?a? Luke 12:33; 16:9; Acts 2:45; 4:34f
?b? Matt 6:20
[9]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Mt 19:20).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Matt 5:21, 27, 33, 38
?b? Lev 19:18
?c? Deut 23:3-6
?a? Luke 6:27f; 23:34; Acts 7:60; Rom 12:20
?1? Or show yourselves to be
?a? Matt 5:9; Luke 6:35; Acts 14:17
?a? Luke 6:32
?1? Lit you shall be
?a? Lev 19:2; Deut 18:13; 2 Cor 7:1; Phil 3:12-15
[10]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Mt 5:42).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Deut 6:5
?1? Or first
?a? Lev 19:18; Matt 19:19; Gal 5:14
[11]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Mt 22:36).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? John 15:12, 17; 1 John 2:7f; 3:11, 23; 2 John 5
?b? Lev 19:18; Matt 5:44; Gal 5:14; 1 Thess 4:9; Heb 13:1; 1 Pet 1:22;
1 John 4:7
?c? Eph 5:2; 1 John 4:10f
?a? 1 John 3:14; 4:20
[12]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Jn 13:33).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Prov 10:12; 17:9; 1 Thess 5:14; 1 Pet 4:8
?b? Acts 7:9
?c? 1 Cor 4:6
?a? 1 Cor 10:24; Phil 2:21
?b? 2 Cor 5:19
?a? 2 Thess 2:12
?b? 2 John 4; 3 John 3f
?1? Or covers
?a? 1 Cor 9:12
?1? Lit prophecies
?a? 1 Cor 13:2
?b? 1 Cor 13:1
[13]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (1 Co 13:3).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
?a? Rom 5:8; Eph 2:4; 2 Thess 2:16; 1 John 4:10; Rev 1:5
?b? Rom 8:32; 1 John 4:9
?1? Or unique, only one of His kind
?c? John 1:18; 3:18; 1 John 4:9
?d? John 3:36; 6:40; 11:25f
[14]New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Jn 3:15).
LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
-- +Sig+
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| User: "zach" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 11:56:27 PM |
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"Null" <null_870@NOyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9IGdnRluMaUDmR7bRVnyuwA@giganews.com...
The Spiritually Mature
Hebrews 6:1-2
The Spiritually Mature[1]
The Peril of Falling Away
Do you need a push?
Introduction
Spiritual Infancy is lack of growth after the new birth.
Smoking stunted your growth, right?
The spiritual infant is concerned with self rather than service.
Quit sucking you thumb, dumbass
The spiritual infant is concerned with argument rather than action.
Some folks need a good argument to keep the heart pumping.
The spiritual infant looks to people rather than the Master.
So you are a slave?
God wants you to leave the elementary principles of Christ -- to leave,
(not abandon), the elementary principles about Christ. He wants you to
progress beyond them.
Ah...of course. Progress beyond the need for a sky daddy.
What are the elementary principles?
They are mentioned as repentance, faith, baptism, the laying on of hands,
the resurrection, and eternal judgment. In short, these are basic
doctrines.
Let's see...length, width, height, and time periods within said elements may
be measured.
The Greek in Hebrews 1 says literally, "Therefore leaving the word of
Christ of the beginning" The word 'beginning' in Greek is 'arche.' It
means beginning, or origin.
Cute. So you are going back to your origin, and let us discuss
important adult subjects in your absence?
Christ's teachings on the basics are what the author of Hebrews is getting
at. The basics are to be studied, fed upon as an infant would feed upon
milk. Once the foundation has been laid you are to improve not only in
your understanding but also in your practice and attitudes concerning
spiritual things.
So you would brainwash a child. How pathetic.
<major snippage>
In maturity there is unity, reconciliation, healing, and of course, the
manifestation of the love of Christ.
Are you manifesting the true maturity that God wants of you? Are you
seeking to grow in the grace, knowledge, and love of God? It is not mere
doctrine that makes one mature. It is living the love of God in your
heart,
words, and deeds.
AMEN.
This deed of posting nonsense where it is not appreciated, this will bring
you closer to god? Please, go to your god and leave us alone.
zach #33 the ultimate nonbeliever
.
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| User: "Pt. Lurk Pt." |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 07:47:30 PM |
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"Null" <null_870@NOyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9IGdnRluMaUDmR7bRVnyuwA@giganews.com...
The Spiritually Mature
Bored already...
L.
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| User: "Nobody" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 09:10:40 PM |
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"Pt. Lurk" <Pt. Lurk@renvcom.net> wrote in message news:CyDgi.717$XR.165@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
The Spiritually Mature
.. Dealing With Sexuality
Adultery Exodus 20:14 says, "You shall not commit adultery." Matt. 5:27,
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but
I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has
committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Bestiality Exodus 22:19, "Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put
to death." Lev. 18:23, "Also you shall not have intercourse with any
animal to be defiled with it, nor shall any woman stand before an animal
to mate with it; it is a perversion." Lev. 20:16, 'If there is a woman who
approaches any animal to mate with it, you shall kill the woman and the
animal; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon
them.
Fornication Acts 15:29, "...that you abstain from things sacrificed to
idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if
you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well."
Homosexuality Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with
a female; it is an abomination." Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies
with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a
detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is
upon them." Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading
passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is
unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural
function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men
with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the
due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to
acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do
those things which are not proper."
Immorality Matt. 15:19-20, "For out of the heart come evil thoughts,
murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20
"These are the things which defile the man." 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you
not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do
not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor
effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of
God." 1 Cor. 6:18, "Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits
is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body." Eph.
5:3, "But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named
among you, as is proper among saints." Col. 3:5, "Therefore consider the
members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion,
evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." 1 Thess. 4:2, "For
you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord
Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that
you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you know how to
possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in lustful
passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God."
Incest Lev. 20:11-12, "If there is a man who lies with his father's wife,
he has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put
to death, their bloodguiltiness is upon them. 12 'If there is a man who
lies with his daughter-in- law, both of them shall surely be put to death;
they have committed incest, their bloodguiltiness is upon them." Lev.
20:19-21, "You shall also not uncover the nakedness of your mother's
sister or of your father's sister, for such a one has made naked his blood
relative; they shall bear their guilt. 20 'If there is a man who lies with
his uncle's wife he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall bear
their sin. They shall die childless. 21 'If there is a man who takes his
brother's wife, it is abhorrent; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness.
They shall be childless."
Marriage Heb. 13:4, "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the
marriage bed be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge."
Transvestitism Deut. 22:5, "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor
shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an
abomination to the Lord your God."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS AND RESEARCH MINISTRY Copyright Matthew J. Slick,
1996 - 2006
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| User: "Nosterill" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 07:29:54 AM |
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On Jun 28, 3:10 am, "Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:
Transvestitism Deut. 22:5, "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor
shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an
abomination to the Lord your God."
Why does the Pope wear a dress?
.
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| User: "Whosoever" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 08:39:26 AM |
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"Nosterill" <fladgate@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1183033794.809300.22440@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 28, 3:10 am, "Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:
Transvestitism Deut. 22:5, "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor
shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an
abomination to the Lord your God."
Why does the Pope wear a dress?
We live in an image-laden age. Logic and reason have fallen in the streets.
Ancient passions and hatreds have replaced ancient ways of knowing. The
rule of personal choice has replaced absolute truth. Social structures
begin to come apart as age-old understandings give way to new definitions
of family and social function.
All of us are waiting; some are like the little boy standing at the
seashore watching the bubbly surf wash over his feet while all the while
the sand underneath gives way. Others are waiting with our eyes on the
horizon watching for the perfect wave to bear us out to sea-on the
surfboard of new prosperity and peace. Some of us only gaze with wonder at
a previously hidden expanse of sand, ignoring the warning sign as the sea
recedes ever further, unsuspectingly taken in as a tsunami rushes back from
the deepest recesses of the sea.
The world we live in-with its self-referential technologies, video games,
and endless material benefits to the few-works against our engagement with
it. Every hour on the hour, our eyes and ears are filled with images of
untold suffering and tragedy. Yet minute by minute we are promised that we
can become more beautiful, wealthier, ever young, and, yes, more sexually
attractive.
At the same time the church stands ready as never before for cultural
engagement. Movies, music and all pop-cultural forms have been tested,
copied, and changed in hopes that their message will be heard. In reality,
however, the church remains more isolated, more self-referential, and
caught within its own sub-cultural world.
I think Jesus and his disciples must have felt the same way in their day.
Everywhere they turned, city to city, they encountered their culture as a
world given over to a worship of the senses. The true temple of God was
compromised by greed, and their world was ruled by lust for power and
societal accommodation. It was into that world that Jesus came.
One day Jesus went to the city of Caesarea Philippi-a city much like our
nation's capital. It was the center of religious and governmental power and
was the cultural center of that region under Roman rule. Near the main
crossroads of the city lay a temple-the site of an ancient pagan spring.
It was here at the "birthplace of Pan" where pagan nuns offered animal and
human sacrifices to the god of the underworld. Temple prostitutes offered
their services to the god of the life force. It was in this setting that
Christ gave us His cultural mandate-a simple question asked to one of his
followers. Jesus said to Peter: "Who do you say that I am?" Peter replied,
"You are the Christ."
With that brief phrase began the greatest cultural revolution the world has
ever seen. Jesus went on to say, "I gave the keys of the kingdom and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it." What are those gates of hell?
It has been acknowledged that when Jesus was speaking, he was referencing
that pagan spring; in the ancient world, the traditional birthplace of Pan
was known as "the gates of hell."
It is always with these powers that the church engages in spiritual
warfare. Centuries later, Celtic Christians struggled against the same
gods. Near Rosscommon Abbey in Ireland lies a series of caves where modern
pagans have revived a celebration of Samshain-locals refer to these caves
as "the gates of hell." It was near here that brave Celtic Christians built
the Rosscommon community, thus declaring Jesus to be the Lord over the
culture.
To engage with change for our culture is to resist ancient evil pathways
that are bent towards worship of the creature rather than the creator.
Jesus' power was understood from the beginning. Early Christians truly
believed that when Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," He
was declaring, among other things, that He was the fulfillment of Goodness,
Beauty, and Truth. That is where we begin, and that is where we stand for
His engagement with our culture.
The arts flow from our worship in every time and place. For the church to
truly engage with culture, it must first re-engage with the reality of God
in the power of the three-in-one Holy Trinity. Whenever a vision of God is
expressed in artistic activity, there follows an increased compassion for
mankind.
Then where do we go? It always is true that high culture informs pop
culture. So how do we expand our vision to include the penetration this
seemingly impregnable citadel of high culture? We must go to first things.
It is true that we are what we worship. It is also a truth that in every
time and place and culture, all art flows from worship of something or
someone-very often of ourselves.
To engage is to worship. To engage with the three-in-one power of Christ is
to liberate our creative power to change the world. Whenever there is a
powerful encounter with God, there will be the dedication and discipline
and hard work of artistic expression of some form. Vincent Van Gogh in his
vision of heaven paints "Starry Night"-a universe filled with the beauty of
Christ's presence. It also is true that when God truly is seen and
experienced, there also overflows a vision of social justice.
In portraiture, Van Gogh changed the world by painting ordinary people with
loving care. For example, the artist believed that his portraits of women
were an artistic offering meant to challenge the place of women in his
time; he viewed their position in society as the same as slaves a century
before-in need of a voice for their dignity. He depicted them with books,
implying a rich inner intellect and sensibility. The loving dedication of
an artist to his discipline and to the world flows from a transcendent
vision of God.
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| User: "Christopher A.Lee" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 08:48:18 AM |
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On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:39:26 -0400, "Whosoever"
<whose_92@shotmail.com> wrote:
"Nosterill" <fladgate@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:1183033794.809300.22440@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 28, 3:10 am, "Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:
Transvestitism Deut. 22:5, "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor
shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an
abomination to the Lord your God."
Why does the Pope wear a dress?
We live in an image-laden age. Logic and reason have fallen in the streets.
Ancient passions and hatreds have replaced ancient ways of knowing. The
Spread by psyhcopathic bullies like you who can't live and let live.
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
24 Jul 2007 05:31:39 AM |
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On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 05:29:54 -0700, Nosterill <fladgate@hotmail.com>
wrote:
On Jun 28, 3:10 am, "Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:
Transvestitism Deut. 22:5, "A woman shall not wear man's clothing, nor
shall a man put on a woman's clothing; for whoever does these things is an
abomination to the Lord your God."
Why does the Pope wear a dress?
And carry a smoking handbag?
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| User: "Christopher A.Lee" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 09:12:30 PM |
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On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:10:40 -0400, "Nobody" <nobody_310@NOTyahoo.com>
wrote:
"Pt. Lurk" <Pt. Lurk@renvcom.net> wrote in message news:CyDgi.717$XR.165@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
The Spiritually Mature
. Dealing With Sexuality
Adultery Exodus 20:14 says, "You shall not commit adultery." Matt. 5:27,
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but
I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has
committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Q: What kind of certifiable lunatic cites the bible as though it
should mean anything to people he knows don't share his beliefs?
A: An in-your-face stupid, nasty psychopath.
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| User: "Nobody" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 09:17:28 PM |
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"Christopher A.Lee" <calee@optonline.net> wrote in message news:q46683d9vo1ve236v7k2skr6it8s3amfg2@4ax.com...
On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:10:40 -0400, "Nobody" <nobody_310@NOTyahoo.com>
wrote:
"Pt. Lurk" <Pt. Lurk@renvcom.net> wrote in message news:CyDgi.717$XR.165@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
The Spiritually Mature
. Dealing With Sexuality
Adultery Exodus 20:14 says, "You shall not commit adultery." Matt. 5:27,
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but
I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has
committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Q: What kind of certifiable lunatic cites the bible as though it
should mean anything to people he knows don't share his beliefs?
A: Some Who has the Great Commission.
.. Evil as Evidence for God
The presence of evil in the world is considered by some to be solid
evidence against the existence of God. I think it proves just the
opposite. The entire objection hinges on the observation that true evil
exists "out there" as an objective feature of the world. Therein lies the
problem for the atheist.
To say something is evil is to make a moral judgment, and moral judgments
make no sense outside of the context of a moral standard. Evil as a value
judgment marks a departure from that standard of morality. If there is no
standard, there is no departure.
Evil can't be real if morals are relative. Evil is real, though. That's
why people object to it. Therefore, objective moral standards must exist
as well. This discovery invites certain questions. Where do morals come
from and why do they seem to apply only to human beings? Are they the
product of chance? What world view makes sense out of morality?
We can answer these questions by simply reflecting on the nature of a
moral rule. By making observations about the effect--morality--we can
then determine its characteristics and then ask what cause is adequate to
produce it.
Four Observations about Morality
The first thing we observe about moral rules is that, though they exist,
they are not physical because they don't seem to have physical properties.
We won't bump into them in the dark. They don't extend into space. They
have no weight. They have no chemical characteristics. Instead, they are
immaterial things we discover through the process of thought,
introspection, and reflection without the aid of our five senses.
This is a profound realization. We have, with a high degree of certainty,
stumbled upon something real. Yet it's something that can't be proven
empirically or described in terms of natural laws. This teaches us
there's more to the world than just the physical universe. If
non-physical things-- like moral rules--truly exist, then materialism as a
world view is false
There seem to be many other things that populate the world, things like
propositions, numbers, and the laws of logic. Values like happiness,
friendship, and faithfulness are there, too, along with meanings and
language. There may even be persons--souls, angels, and other divine
beings.
Our discovery also tells us some things really exist that science has no
access to, even in principle. Some things are not governed by natural
laws. Science, therefore, is not the only discipline giving us true
information about the world. It follows, then, that naturalism as a world
view is also false.
Our discovery of moral rules forces us to expand our understanding of the
nature of reality and open our minds to the possibility of a host of new
things that populate the world in the invisible realm.
Second, moral rules are a kind of communication. They are propositions:
intelligent statements of meaning conveyed from one mind to another. The
propositions are in the form of imperatives, commands. A command only
makes sense when there are two minds involved, one giving the command and
one receiving it.
There's a third thing we notice when we reflect on moral rules. They have
a force we can actually feel prior to any behavior. This is called the
incumbency of moral rules, the "oughtness" of morality we discussed
earlier. It appeals to a person's will, compelling him to act in a certain
way, though he often disregards its force and chooses to disobey.[1]
Finally, there is a deep discomfort that is felt when we violate clear and
weighty moral rules, an ethical pain, making us aware that we have done
something wrong and are deserving of punishment. This sense of guilt
carries with it not just the uncomfortable awareness of wrong-doing, but
also the dread of having to answer for our deed. Distraction and denial
may temporarily numb ethical pain, but it never entirely disappears. Only
sociopaths succeed in silencing the conscience completely.
Narrowing Our Options
These four observations provide us with a foundation from which to answer
the question, "Why morality?" We need only determine the possible
options, then ask which option best accounts for our observations.
A word of caution here. At this point our discussion gets personal,
because the ultimate answer to our question has serious ramifications for
the way we live our lives. It's tempting to abandon careful thinking when
conclusions that make us uncomfortable come into focus. Faced with a
limited number of options, no one sits on the fence. When the full range
of choices is clear, rejection of one means acceptance of another
remaining.
Our options are limited to three. One: Morality is simply an illusion.
Two: Moral rules exist, but are mere accidents, the product of chance.
Three: Moral rules are not accidents, but instead are the product of
intelligence. Which option makes most sense given our four observations
about morality?
Some want to argue that morals just don't exist. They're nothing but
illusions, useful fictions that help us to live in harmony. This is the
relativist's answer. This view is not an option for those who raise the
problem of evil. Their complaint about the injustice of the universe is a
tacit admission of morality. C.S. Lewis observed:
Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did not exist--in other
words, that the whole of reality was senseless--I found I was forced to
assume that one part of reality--namely my idea of justice--was full of
sense. Consequently, atheism turns out to be too simple....If there were
no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should
never know it was dark. Dark would be without meaning.[2] [emphasis in
the original]
Some take a second route. They admit that objective moral laws must
exist, but contend they are just accidents. We discover them as part of
the furniture of the universe, so to speak, but they have no explanation,
nor do they need one.
This won't do for a good reason: Moral rules that have no ground or
justification need not be obeyed. An illustration is helpful here. One
evening in the middle of a Scrabble game, you notice the phrase "do not
go" formed in the random spray of letter tiles on the table. Is this a
command that ought to be obeyed? Of course not. It's not a command at
all, just a random collection of letters.
Commands are communications between two minds. Chance might conceivably
create the appearance of a moral rule, but there can be no command if no
one is speaking. Since this phrase is accidental, it can safely be
ignored.
Even if a person is behind the communication, one could ignore the command
if it isn't backed by appropriate authority. If I stood at an
intersection and put my hand up, cars might stop voluntarily, but they'd
have no duty to respond. They could ignore me with no fear of punishment
because I have no authority to direct traffic. If, on the other hand, a
policeman replaced me, traffic would come to a halt.
What is the difference between the policeman and me? My authority is not
grounded. It doesn't rest on anything solid. The policeman, however,
represents the government, so his authority is justified. The state can
appoint legitimate representatives to carry out its will because it is
operating within its proper domain.
We learn from this that a law has moral force when it is given by an
appropriate authority, one operating within its legitimate jurisdiction.
If one violates such a law, he could be punished. The same is true of
moral laws. They have incumbency--force to them--if there is a proper
authority behind them. Moral rules that appear by chance have no such
grounding.
Our second option fails because it doesn't explain three important
features we observed about morality. Chance morality fails to be a
communication between two minds, and therefore, cannot be imperative. It
doesn't account for the incumbency of moral rules, nor does it make sense
of the guilt and expectation of punishment one feels when those rules are
violated.
One Remaining Answer
Only one answer remains as a possible source of morality. If morality is
not an illusion and not the product of chance, then morals must be the
result of an intelligent designer. Universal moral laws that have genuine
incumbency require an author whose proper domain is the universe, who has
the moral authority to enforce his laws, and the power to ultimately mete
out perfect justice.
What is the best explanation for the existence of morality? A personal
God whose character provides an absolute standard of goodness is the best
answer. An impersonal force won't do because a moral rule is both a
proposition and a command, and these are features of minds. Ethicist
Richard Taylor explains:
A duty is something that is owed....but something can be owed only to some
person or persons. There can be no such thing as a duty in
isolation....The concept of moral obligation [is] unintelligible apart
from the idea of God. The words remain, but their meaning is gone.[3]
Only one option makes sense of each observation about morality: a
personal God, who is the creator of both the material and the immaterial
domain. Moral laws suggest a moral law giver. His laws are a
communication of his desires, imperatives expected to be obeyed.
The existence of God also explains the incumbency of morality. Ethics are
adequately grounded because God is a proper authority for moral rules. The
universe is his possession because he created it, and he has the right to
rule over it.
Ethical pain--true moral guilt--also makes sense. Since morals are not
disembodied principles, but personal commands, a violation is not just a
broken rule, but an offense against the person who made the rule. Danish
philosopher Soren Kierkegaard has pointed out that a man could not have
anything upon his conscience if God did not exist.
Some attempt to argue that they don't need God to have morality. They can
live a moral life even though they don't believe in a divine being. No
one argues, though, that an atheist can behave in a way one might call
moral. The real question is, "Why ought he?" Trappist monk Thomas Merton
put it this way:
In the name of whom or what do you ask me to behave? Why should I go to
the inconvenience of denying myself the satisfactions I desire in the name
of some standard that exists only in your imagination? Why should I
worship the fictions that you have imposed on me in the name of
nothing?[4]
A moral atheist is like a man sitting down to dinner who doesn't believe
in farmers, ranchers, fishermen, or cooks. He believes the food just
appears, with no explanation and no sufficient cause. This is silly.
Either his meal is an illusion, or someone provided it. In the same way,
if morals really exist, as I have argued, then some cause adequate to
explain the effect must account for them. God is the most reasonable
solution.
The Final Verdict
The argument against God based on the problem of evil can only be raised
if some form of moral objectivism is true. Morals, therefore, exist. I
need not give a complete taxonomy of ethical guidelines to make my case.
If there is even one moral absolute, it invites the question, "What kind
of world view explains the existence of this moral rule?"
Atheism can't make any sense of it. Neither can most Eastern religions.
If reality is an illusion, as they hold, then the distinction between good
and evil is ultimately rendered meaningless. Something like the
Judeo-Christian or Muslim idea of God must be true to adequately account
for moral laws.
Morality grounded in God explains our hunger for justice--our desire for a
day of final reckoning when all wrongs are made right, when innocent
suffering is finally redeemed, when all the guilty are punished and the
righteous are rewarded.
This also explains our own personal sense of dread. We feel guilty
because we are guilty. We know deep down inside that we have offended a
morally perfect being who has the legitimate authority to punish us. We
also know we will have to answer for our own crimes against God.
In the end, we're forced to accept one of two alternatives. Either
relativism is true or morality is true. Either we live in a universe in
which morality is a meaningless concept and are forever condemned to
silence regarding the problem of evil, or moral rules exist and we're
beholden to a moral God who holds us accountable to His law.
There are no other choices. As Dr. Francis Schaeffer put it, "These are
not probability answers; [these] are the only answers. It is this or
nothing."[5] If one is certainly false, the other is certainly true.
That's the way rationality works.
by Greg Koukl
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]Some object to the term "moral law" because moral laws can be broken,
while scientific laws are inviolable. I have two responses. First, it's
not obvious that scientific laws can never be violated. Miracles entail
the suspension of natural law, and miracles seem to at least be possible,
if not actual, unless one arbitrarily asserts naturalism. Second, moral
laws are different from natural laws precisely at this point. The nature
of a moral law is that it can be disobeyed by creatures with moral free
will. If it couldn't be disobeyed, it wouldn't qualify as a moral law.
[2]C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Collier Macmillan, 1960,
paperback), p. 45.
[3]Richard Taylor, Ethics, Faith, and Reason (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.:
Prentice-Hall, 1985), pp. 83-4.
[4]Quoted in Phillip Yancy, "The Other Great Commission," Christianity
Today, October 7, 1996, p. 136.
[5]Francis Schaeffer, He Is There and He Is Not Silent, from The Complete
Works of Francis Schaeffer (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1982), vol. 1,
p. 303.
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| User: "Christopher A.Lee" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 09:38:11 PM |
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On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:17:28 -0400, "Nobody" <nobody_310@NOTyahoo.com>
wrote:
"Christopher A.Lee" <calee@optonline.net> wrote in message news:q46683d9vo1ve236v7k2skr6it8s3amfg2@4ax.com...
On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:10:40 -0400, "Nobody" <nobody_310@NOTyahoo.com>
wrote:
"Pt. Lurk" <Pt. Lurk@renvcom.net> wrote in message news:CyDgi.717$XR.165@newsfe4-win.ntli.net...
The Spiritually Mature
. Dealing With Sexuality
Adultery Exodus 20:14 says, "You shall not commit adultery." Matt. 5:27,
"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery'; 28 but
I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has
committed adultery with her already in his heart."
Q: What kind of certifiable lunatic cites the bible as though it
should mean anything to people he knows don't share his beliefs?
A: Some Who has the Great Commission.
A psychopath who is stupid enough to imagine excuses from inside his
religion justify his appalling behaviour towards others outside it.
. Evil as Evidence for God
Idiot.
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| User: "Mark K. Bilbo" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 09:34:26 AM |
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On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:17:28 -0400, Nobody wrote:
Evil as Evidence for God
Ah, so that's why you're evil?
--
Mark K. Bilbo a.a. #1423
EAC Department of Linguistic Subversion
------------------------------------------------------------
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace
alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing
it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."
- H. L. Mencken
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| User: "Mark K. Bilbo" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 09:33:49 AM |
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On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:10:40 -0400, Nobody wrote:
Dealing With Sexuality
As if you'd know anything about the subject...
--
Mark K. Bilbo a.a. #1423
EAC Department of Linguistic Subversion
------------------------------------------------------------
"Behold the foul stench of Skeletor's breakfast burrito!"
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 07:56:57 PM |
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"Null" <null_870@NOyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:9IGdnRluMaUDmR7bRVnyuwA@giganews.com...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
--
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557
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| User: "Nobody" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 09:09:29 PM |
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"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message news:5egfaoF395pv2U1@mid.individual.net...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557 "the bird"
.. Education
One of the most consistent and important influences of Jesus Christ lies in
education. In the first centuries, the church took upon itself the task of
increasing literacy so that every believer could read the words of Jesus.
During the Dark Ages, the church alone maintained schools, founded
universities that became the seats of intellectual activity, and developed
great libraries. Eventually the Reformation brought learning to the masses,
and literacy spread among women. A reconstruction of educational methods
and curriculum resulted. Hundreds of Christian colleges were
established-many of which are listed today among the most prestigious
institutions in the world.
Wherever Christian missionaries settled, a rise in literacy followed. These
devout believers gave written form to hundreds of languages and taught
millions of people to read and write. Today, many mission groups continue
their work in disadvantaged areas of the world.
The influence of Jesus is still revolutionizing our world. Christianity has
spanned cultural diversities, prejudice barriers, and political
differences.
Truly, Jesus Christ is the only answer to our world's needs today and in
the future. Charles Malik writes:
I really do not know what will remain of civilization and history if
the accumulated influence of Christ, both direct and indirect, is
eradicated from literature, art, practical dealings, moral standards,
and creativeness in the different activities of mind and spirit.
Indeed, how dark our world will be if men and women fail to let Jesus rule
their hearts and nations. But how gloriously history will unfold when Jesus
Christ is Lord of all!
So far we have seen how the unique birth, life, teachings, death,
resurrection, and exaltation of Jesus prepared the way for our restoration
to God and to our eternal destiny. But one final step remains-one that only
you and I can take.
[1]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]Bright, B. (1992). A man without equal (80). Orlando, FL: NewLife
Publications.
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| User: "Smiler" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
27 Jun 2007 10:48:12 PM |
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"Nobody" <nobody_310@NOTyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Wcadnb08WdvohR7bnZ2dnUVZ8qGdnZ2d@giganews.com...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:5egfaoF395pv2U1@mid.individual.net...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557 "the bird"
. Education
One of the most consistent and important influences of Jesus Christ lies
How true.
Smiler,
The godless one
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 03:32:10 AM |
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"Nobody" <nobody_310@NOTyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Wcadnb08WdvohR7bnZ2dnUVZ8qGdnZ2d@giganews.com...
"Robibnikoff" <witchypoo@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:5egfaoF395pv2U1@mid.individual.net...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
. Education
Troll.
--
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557
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| User: "Hatter" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 07:34:22 AM |
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On Jun 28, 4:32 am, "Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Wcadnb08WdvohR7bnZ2dnUVZ8qGdnZ2d@giganews.com...
"Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:5egfaoF395pv2U1@mid.individual.net...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
. Education
Troll.
--
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#1557
Bot?
Hatter
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| User: "Robibnikoff" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 12:17:34 PM |
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"Hatter" <Hatter23@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1183034062.822368.32930@k29g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
On Jun 28, 4:32 am, "Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote in message
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"Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote in message
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The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
. Education
Troll.
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Robyn
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BAAWA Knight!
#1557
Bot?
Hatter
*****!
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Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557
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| User: "Whosoever" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 08:37:00 AM |
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"Hatter" <Hatter23@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1183034062.822368.32930@k29g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
.. The Spiritually Mature
.. Education
.. Son of Man.
Messianic title used by Jesus to express his heavenly origin,
earthly mission, and glorious future coming. It does not refer
merely to his human nature or humanity, as some church fathers or
contemporary scholars believe. Rather, it reflects on the heavenly
origin and divine dignity of Jesus, on the mystery of his
manifestation in human form, and on his earthly mission which
involved suffering and death but which issued in heavenly glory to
be followed by eschatological vindication.
The background of the term "Son of man" is to be found in the OT.
The Book of Ezekiel is the general source, since this prophet used
"Son of man" 90 times as a cryptic, indirect reference to himself.
For example, God addresses him, "Son of man, stand up on your feet
and I will speak to you." (2:1). Jesus' use of the term "Son of
Man" and numerous themes from Ezekiel suggest his desire to
identify himself as the eschatological prophet who, like Ezekiel
(ch 4, 7, 10, 22, 40-48), had the last word about the destruction
of Jerusalem and the restoration of the kingdom of God to Israel
(Mt 23, 24; Acts 1:6-8).
The specific source of the term is Daniel 7:13, 14, with its
vision of one "like a son of man" who "comes with the clouds" into
the presence of "the Ancient of Days" who gives him the universal
and eternal kingdom of God. Jesus repeatedly quoted parts of this
text in teaching about his second coming (Mt 16:27; 19:28; 24:30;
25:31; 26:64). Clearly, Jesus understood this passage as a
prophetic portrayal of his own person: his incarnation, ascension,
and inheritance of the kingdom of God.
In the Gospels, the term "Son of man" is used by Jesus some 80
times as a mysterious, indirect way of speaking about himself (Mt,
32 times; Mk, 14; Lk, 26; Jn, 10). In all these texts, Jesus is
always the speaker, and no one ever addresses him as "Son of Man."
In some texts the reference is cryptic enough for some
interpreters to insist that Jesus is speaking about another
person. Such uncertainty is recorded in only one text in John,
where the crowd asks Jesus, "Who is this 'Son of Man'?" (12:34).
In most texts, the identification is clear; in some it is
explicit: "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" . "Who do you
say that I am?" (Mt 16:13, 15). The conclusion generally drawn is
that Jesus used the term as a messianic title for himself, so that
he could speak modestly about his person and mission, yet convey
the exalted content he wished to reveal about himself. He could do
this with considerable originality because the term was not
fraught with popular misconceptions concerning messiahship.
The term occurs only four other times in the NT. In Acts 7:56,
Stephen says, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at
the right hand of God." Hebrews 2:6 quotes Psalm 8:4 as applying
to Jesus. Finally, Revelation 1:13 and 14:14 record visions of
someone "like a son of man" who is undoubtedly the glorified
Jesus.
In the synoptic Gospels, the first theme in Jesus' self-revelation
with his use of the title "Son of man" concerns his coming to
earth to accomplish his messianic mission.
A general comparison of Jesus' present earthly condition with that
of his previous heavenly glory is expressed in the logia: "Foxes
have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has
no place to lay his head" (Mt 8:20; Lk 9:58). Some scholars
believe this text refers merely to the poverty of his earthly
situation. It is too simplistic for Jesus to mean that, unlike
birds and foxes, he accepts the lifestyle of a drifting vagabond.
This logia really means that the Son of Man gave up his heavenly
home to suffer all the humiliations of his earthly ministry (Phil
2:5-11).
Some interpret Matthew 11:19 and Luke 7:34 to be a mere comparison
of John the Baptist as an ascetic, with Jesus as the Son of Man
who "came eating and drinking." This view is entirely too
earthbound, because even John was a heaven-sent messenger (Lk 3:2;
Jn 1:6). Thus the "coming" of the Son of Man ought to be seen as
an allusion to his heavenly origin and to his mission in this
sinful world.
Jesus uses the title to claim divine prerogatives, saying, "the
Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath" (Mt 12:8; Mk 2:28; Lk 6:5). The
Sabbath, a divine institution, may not be revised by ordinary men.
But, since Jesus is the Son of Man from heaven, he is free to rule
as Lord even of the Sabbath, because he alone is in filial harmony
with the same Lord who instituted the Sabbath (Gn 2:2; Ex
20:8-11). Indeed, the Lord of the Sabbath is also the creator of
all things (Jn 1:3, 10).
After healing the paralytic at Capernaum, Jesus claimed that he as
"the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mt 9:6;
Mk 2:10; Lk 5:24). Previously, forgiveness of sins came from
heaven and from God; but now forgiveness comes from Capernaum and
is given by Jesus.
This group of texts clearly reveals the heavenly origin and divine
authority of Jesus for his earthly mission.
A second aspect of Jesus' use of the "Son of Man" title concerns
his suffering, death, and glorious resurrection as the mysterious
method he would use to fulfill his earthly mission as the Son of
Man.
Jesus began expounding this passion theme after Peter confessed
him to be Messiah and Son of God (Mt 16:16). Jesus' prediction of
his passion as the Son of Man begins in Mark 8:31, 32, and is
repeated in several other texts. The Gospels expand the theme to
include his suffering of mockery and scourging (Mt 17:12; 20:18;
Mk 8:31; Lk 9:22), betrayal by Judas (Mt 17:22; 26:24; Mk 14:21,
41), rejection by the Jewish leaders (Mt 20:18), death by gentile
crucifixion (Mt 20:19; Mk 9:12, 31; 10:33), burial for three days
(Mt 12:40; Lk 11:30), and resurrection after three days (Mt 17:22,
23; Mk 8:31).
In the famous ransom text, "the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many"
(Mt 20:28; Mk 10:45), Jesus teaches that his death was a vicarious
sacrifice for the salvation of his people. This idea of
substitutionary atonement is a new element in the Son of Man
material and derives from Jesus' understanding of himself as the
suffering servant of the Lord (Is 53).
Jesus also used the "Son of Man" title to teach about his second
coming. As the eschatological Son of Man, Jesus will return to
earth from heaven in the glory of his Father with the angels (Mt
16:27; Mk 8:38; Lk 9:26). First, he will be seated at the right
hand of God, and then he will come again (Mt 26:64; Mk 14:62; Lk
22:69), with the clouds (Mt 24:30; Mk 13:26; Lk 21:27). This
coming will be unexpected (Mt 24:27; Lk 12:40), like a flash of
lightning or the flood of Noah (Mt 24:37; Lk 17:24). His coming
will be for the gathering of the elect, the judgment of all the
nations of the earth (Mt 19:28; 25:32), and the restoration of
final righteousness in the world (Mt 19:28; 25:46).
In these passages, Jesus' focus shifts from the provisional
victory in his passion and resurrection to the final victory of
the Son of Man at his second coming from heaven. Here again, the
dramatic emphasis is on the heavenly origin and divine
prerogatives of the Son of Man. This man Jesus, the Son of Man,
will be the final judge (cf. Acts 17:31).
The Gospel of John has its own distinctive material concerning the
Son of Man. The angels ascend and descend on the Son of Man
(1:51), probably signifying that he is a preexistent person who
has come from heaven (3:13; 6:62). His being lifted up (by
crucifixion) will bring about eternal life for all who believe in
him (3:14). The Son of Man (3:14) is also the Son of God (v 16),
his Son (v 17), and God's one and only Son (v 18). The Father has
given authority to raise the dead and to judge the world to his
Son, the Son of Man (5:25, 27). The Son of Man gives food that
endures unto eternal life; this food is his flesh and blood
(6:53). Jesus' passion is the hour of the lifting up and
glorification of the Son of Man (8:28; 9:35; 12:23, 34; 13:31). In
John's Gospel, the "Son of Man" title is equivalent to the title
"Son of God." It reveals his divinity, preexistence, heavenly
origin, and divine prerogatives: it affirms his present earthly
condition for revelation and passion, and his future
eschatological glory.
James C. DeYoung
[1]
(Daniel 8:1)
The Son of Man (vv.13-14)
Daniel 7:13-14,18,22,27 portray the Son of Man's triumphant and
eternal reign. The Old Testament only uses the term '?Son of Man'
in Daniel, and it is clearly a messianic title. Indeed, Jewery in
general recognized this, which explains their reaction to Jesus
who used it as His favorite description of Himself. The title
obviously stresses His relationship to the human race, and thus
His role as the '?goel' of Isaiah, the kinsman redeemer who would
redeem humanity by paying the price of their redemption from
bondage to sin, the price God requires for forgiveness from
sin-sinless blood. The Son of Man will receive His authority from
the Father (v.14), so will rule the creation that belongs to the
Father with His full approval. By contrast, the pseudo-Christ will
attempt to usurp this authority and try to wrest it from the
Father's hand.
Verses 18 and 22 teach that the saints (believers) will be
vindicated and that the people of the saints (v.27- i.e., a
redeemed remnant, a regenerate Israel) will reign eternally with
Christ. Saints from every people, nation, and language will
willingly submit themselves to this glorious reign, and it will
mark the beginning of God's everlasting righteous rule. This,
then, will be the final chapter in man's history-the earth will be
restored to righteousness, the saints (those whom God classifies
as in right relationship with Him, like Adam was at his creation)
will rule over it in fulfillment of the mandate given humanity at
its creation (Gen 1:28). Their ruler-ship will not be independent
of God but in full subjection to the Son of Man, the Son of God.
At last, the world will cease to groan (Rom 8:22); at last
perfection and peace will prevail; the earth will bring pleasure
to its Creator, and man will enjoy his role in this function!
Maranatha!!!
[2]
Wanted: Servants
?Mark 10:45? has been called one of the most important verses in
the Bible, and the central verse in the Gospel of Mark. It
consists of these words of Jesus, and tells the essence of his
life on earth: "?For even the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.?"
He came to serve and to give, and the way in which he did this
comprises the most beautiful story ever told. Sooner or later, all
who believe this story and who follow Jesus today must learn for
themselves how much the Lord wants them to serve and give.
[3]
THE WAY OF ACCOMPLISHMENT
In response to Jesus?' cry of thirst, the soldiers offered Him a
sponge soaked in wine vinegar, but after tasting it He refused to
drink. Instead He said, "?It is finished?" (?Jn. 19:30?).
A few days before His death on the cross Jesus told the disciples:
The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you
the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies,
it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many
seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who
hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also
will be.
-?Jn. 12:23-26?, emphasis mine
Our natural inclination is to seek a way to glory that skirts the
cross. But Paul knew that the two must go together: "?I want to
know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship
of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and
so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead?" (?Phil.
3:10?). We focus on knowing the power of His resurrection, but
reject Paul?'s warning that that comes only by sharing in His
sufferings. If there is no daily taking up of the cross, there is
no daily resurrection and hence no daily power. God does not give
us the option of enjoying only resurrection power without
crucifixion weakness.
[4]
Homage is paid to Jesus Christ, contemporary versions translate
proskuneo? as "worship" in Matthew 2:2, 8, 11 (nrsv, "pay
homage"), the visit of the wise men; Matthew 4:9-10 and Luke
4:7-8, the temptation by the devil; Matthew 14:33; Mark 5:6 (nasb,
nrsv, "bowed down"; niv, "fell on his knees"; ncv, nlt, "fell
down"); John 9:38, explicit recognition that Jesus is the Son of
God and the Son of Man; Matthew 28:9, 17, meetings with the
disciples after Jesus' resurrection.
[5]
Genesis 28:15 (NASB95)
15 "Behold, aI am with you and bwill keep you wherever
you go, and cwill bring you back to this land; for dI will
not leave you until I have done what I have 1promised you."
[6]
You can see that this would be comforting and helpful to a
lonesome, homesick boy who really had to leave home in a hurry. He
is on his way to a far country, and this first night God says to
him, "I'm going to be with you, Jacob, and I'm going to bring you
back to this land."
The vision that God gave to him in the dream was of a ladder that
reached up to heaven. What does that ladder mean? Well, the Lord
Jesus interpreted it when He called Nathanael, as recorded in John
1:45-51. By the way, Nathanael was a wiseacre, and when he heard
of Jesus, he said, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" Our
Lord dealt with this fellow. Nathanael asked, "How in the world do
you know me like that?" And Jesus said, "Before Philip called you,
when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael's response
was, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of
Israel." He was pretty easy to convince, although he was a skeptic
at the beginning. Let me give you the exact quote: "Jesus answered
and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the
fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than
these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God
ascending and descending upon the Son of man" (John 1:50-51).
What is that ladder? That ladder is Christ. The angels were
ascending and descending upon the Son of man. The angels
ministered to Him; they were subject to His command. Nathanael
will hear from the top of that ladder the voice of God, "This is
my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." My friend, God is
speaking to mankind through Christ in our day. We cannot come to
the Father directly. Every now and then I hear someone say in a
testimony, "When I was converted, I came directly to God. I have
access to God." We do not, my friend. We come through Christ; we
have access to the Father through Christ. That is the only way we
can get into God's presence. The Lord Jesus said, ". I am the way,
the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me"
(John 14:6). The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the ladder-not one
that we can climb but one that we can trust.
[7]
----------------------------------------------------------------
OT Old Testament
ch chapter (pl. chs)
NT New Testament
cf. compare
v verse (pl. vv)
James C. DeYoung Th.D., Free University of Amsterdam. Professor of
New Testament, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson,
Mississippi.
[1]Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Baker encyclopedia of
the Bible. Map on lining papers. (1983). Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Baker Book House.
[2]Mills, M. (1999). Daniel : A study guide to the book of Daniel
(Da 8:1). Dallas: 3E Ministries.
[3]Discipleship Journal : Issue 10. 1999 (electronic ed.).
Colorado Springs: The Navigators/NavPress.
[4]Discipleship Journal : Issue 100. 1999 (electronic ed.).
Colorado Springs: The Navigators/NavPress.
[5]Manser, M. H., Fleming, N. B., Hughes, K., & Bridges, R. F.
(2000, c1999). I never knew that was in the Bible!. Rev. ed. of:
The Bible word book / Ronald Bridges. 1960. (electronic ed.)
(501). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
a Gen 26:3, 24; 31:3
b Num 6:24; Ps 121:5, 7, 8
c Gen 48:21; Deut 30:3
d Num 23:19; Deut 7:9; 31:6, 8
1 Lit spoken to
[6] New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995. LaHabra, CA:
The Lockman Foundation.
[7]McGee, J. V. (1997, c1981). Thru the Bible commentary. Based on
the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.) (1:ix-118).
Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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| User: "Christopher A.Lee" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 08:47:31 AM |
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On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:37:00 -0400, "Whosoever"
<whose_92@shotmail.com> wrote:
"Hatter" <Hatter23@gmail.com> wrote in message news:1183034062.822368.32930@k29g2000hsd.googlegroups.com...
. The Spiritually Mature
. Education
. Son of Man.
Messianic title used by Jesus to express his heavenly origin,
***** and die, in-you-face psychopath.
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| User: "Mark K. Bilbo" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
28 Jun 2007 09:33:04 AM |
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On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 12:34:22 +0000, Hatter wrote:
On Jun 28, 4:32 am, "Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote:
"Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Wcadnb08WdvohR7bnZ2dnUVZ8qGdnZ2d@giganews.com...
"Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote in message
news:5egfaoF395pv2U1@mid.individual.net...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
. Education
Troll.
--
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557
Bot?
Hatter
Nope. Though Liardice isn't much smarter than one...
--
Mark K. Bilbo a.a. #1423
EAC Department of Linguistic Subversion
------------------------------------------------------------
"Warned you we tried! Listen you did not! Now screwed
we will all be!"
http://www.sequentialpictures.com/moviestarwarsepisode3.html
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| User: "" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
23 Jul 2007 07:57:05 AM |
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On 28 Jun., 04:09, "Nobody" <nobody_...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:
"Robibnikoff" <witchy...@broomstick.com> wrote in messagenews:5egfaoF395pv2U1@mid.individual.net...
The Spiritually Mature
The larch!
Robyn
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557 "the bird"
. Education
One of the most consistent and important influences of Jesus Christ lies in
education. In the first centuries, the church took upon itself the task of
increasing literacy so that every believer could read the words of Jesus.
No it didn't.
snip
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| User: "You Think" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
23 Jul 2007 08:48:22 AM |
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<gudloos@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1185195425.430270.267240@m3g2000hsh.googlegroups.com...
The Spiritually Mature
Robyn "the bird"
Resident Witchypoo
BAAWA Knight!
#1557 "the bird"
. Education
One of the most consistent and important influences of Jesus Christ lies in
education. In the first centuries, the church took upon itself the task of
increasing literacy so that every believer could read the words of Jesus.
.. A Lesson Learned
Related Audio/Video Downloads
http://breakpoint.org/media/dkContent/6512/052307_BP.mp3
When Ego Trumps Accountability
Last week, one of the most brilliant scholars I've known and a dedicated
public servant, Paul Wolfowitz, resigned from the presidency of the World
Bank, ending a scandal that had riveted Washington.
But even if it wasn't a big deal where you live, there are still lessons
about human fallibility we could all stand to learn.
When taking over as Bank president two years ago-a plum job which pays
$300,000 in salary and $140,000 in expenses-Wolfowitz disclosed his
"personal relationship" with his companion Shaha Ali Riza, a Bank
employee. He consulted the Bank's ethics committee but didn't like their
advice, which he said could injure her career.
So he ignored the ethics committee and directed a Bank vice president to
reassign his companion to the State Department, avoiding the appearance of
conflict. But it was at a substantial raise, more than Bank policy would
allow, to $180,000 a year tax-free. Not bad.
But I know Wolfowitz, and I'm certain that he believed that just moving
her out of his sight was safe. He couldn't affect her job, but the fact
is, he didn't clear it with anybody because it probably never occurred to
him that he could do something wrong. He knew what was best, he thought.
Well, that lasted only until-Washington-style-the press got hold of the
story. Then it became a matter of when, not if, Wolfowitz would leave.
It's easy to dismiss this as an "inside the Beltway" story that has
little, if anything, to do with the "real world," and is all about the
corruption of political power. But the truth is, we're all capable of this
same kind of arrogance and folly. Convinced of our own rightness, we don't
often listen to others.
I speak from experience: When I was in the White House, the President and
others sought my advice. I was surprised by my apparent persuasiveness and
how it came naturally to me. Combined with my own self-righteousness and
my belief in the rightness of my cause, I became dangerous, both to myself
and others.
We all have, I discovered, an infinite capacity for self-justification. I
knew I could do no wrong, and I could persuade anyone I was right in any
event. Well, I went to prison.
People who are successful are particularly vulnerable. Nobody tells us
"no," and if we think we're doing the right thing, as Wolfowitz thought he
was, we are really then in peril.
That's why, after I got out of prison I committed to always have a group
of people I respected around me and to submit to them for any major
decision I had to make. For thirty years of ministry, this has protected
me from myself.
I've seen Christian leaders, sadly, without accountability, and often they
fall hard. Everybody, at every level of life, needs an accountability
group-people you can turn to and lean on and trust yourself to. The heart
is infinitely deceitful.
I suspect that the world will continue to produce men like
Wolfowitz-brilliant men who go astray because they're so confident of
their own abilities, they become blind.
The Wolfowitz story is a cautionary tale. Every Christian in authority,
from a parent to a boss in the office, needs to find people who care more
about God than our egos and who will tell us whether what we're doing is
advancing the Kingdom or our vanity-no matter how great we think we are.
By Chuck Colson
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Further Reading and Information
"Wolfowitz to Resign From World Bank," New York Times, 17 May 2007.
Al Kamen, "Little Calm in Wolfowitz's Wake," Washington Post, 23 May 2007.
"The Right: Down, but Maybe Not Out," New York Times, 20 May 2007.
Stuart McKelvie, "By the Book: Lessons from the Enron Scandal," BreakPoint
Online, 19 May 2006.
BreakPoint Commentary No. 060501, "Empty Monuments to Human Ego: The
Scandal of Congressional 'Earmarking'."
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| User: "Michael Gray" |
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| Title: Re: The Spiritually Mature |
24 Jul 2007 05:29:11 AM |
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On Mon, 23 Jul 2007 05:57:05 -0700, | | | | |
