Religions > Bible > * Sims, Animals & Biblical Teaching: The Power to Shape *
| Topic: |
Religions > Bible |
| User: |
"Pastor Dave" |
| Date: |
08 Nov 2005 11:23:54 PM |
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* Sims, Animals & Biblical Teaching: The Power to Shape * |
Sims, Animals & Biblical Teaching: The Power to Shape
The computer game industry caters well to testosterone.
Want to command the power of an army, fly the world's
most devastating airplane, build a city, manage a world
or expand an empire throughout the galaxy? There is a
computer simulation game that will pander to your drive
for power.
While guys may be drawn more toward command and
conquer, the gals are not without desire to control.
The tempter shinnied up to Eve with a modest proposal.
If you want to be like God, if the idea of possessing the
power to know right and wrong is attractive to you, just
eat this. With a wry smile, a thirty-something wife
recently made the point well when she said, "The perfect
husband says, 'Yes, dear.'".
Suspended in the middle between God and animals aptly
sums up the rightful position of humanity. On the one hand,
God has given us dominion over all the creatures within
creation, and we are to subdue the earth. Yet, we are not
the Creator, but rather the creature. We are to submit our
will to God and obediently serve Him.
What happens when the lure to be in control, to shape
things how I want them, or by what I might think is best
collides with my service to God? I will let you answer that
question. What I am going to do is unveil the three-word
tool which some might use to tame Scripture, twisting it
into their own image. While not a legitimate practice,
anything in Scripture which grates upon someone's ear
can be easily dismissed (at least in one's own mind) by
claiming to know "the reason why."
How many times have you witnessed the following?
1) Someone claims to know the reason why a command
was given or a particular action was taken in Scripture
(Of course you will search in vain within Scripture to
validate that this was the reason).
2) Proceeding to unveil how our context is different, the
conclusion is drawn that the motivation for the command
or practice no longer exists. Now being nothing more
than a curious cultural relic of the past, the imperative
is hamstrung.
3) Having severed the message from necessity, the
creature reins in the Creator's message insisting that
a proper understanding of how to apply the text will be
shaped by his or her own "knowledge" of why it was
given in the first place. Appealing to your pride, the
assertion is at least gently hinted that those possessing
an appropriate sophistication will recognize that the
message as it was originally intended to be heard is
inadequate for today's situation.
The predictable result is that those who embrace the
creature's reasoning will feel no pang of guilt whatsoever
in violating God's clear instructions or altering what God
has spoken. Those who accurately perceive my intention
within this article will understand I am questioning a
method and its accompanying claim of knowledge.
Although the method can be powerful in convincing self
and others, is it reliable? Are there other principles
which must control when and if it is appropriate?
Ponder upon the following examples. Since the first two
ideas will probably be new to most believers, I hope
people will rightfully reject them. But how will they treat
the rest?
The reason why Jesus commanded baptism as an initiation
rite is because he accommodated conversion to his prevailing
Jewish cultural matrix. To achieve the dynamic equivalence
in our cultural setting, we would need to adopt new
initiation rites based upon our cultural rites of inclusion.
But Scripture says, "make disciples of all nations baptizing
them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."
- Matthew 28:19
The reason why the apostles appointed elders within
the early church is because they simply employed a
Jewish cultural form of leadership. Today, our culture
recognizes different forms of leadership and so we
do not need to be limited to just male spiritual leaders
in the form of elders.
But Scripture says, "I left you in Crete, that you would
set in order what remains and appoint elders in every
city as I directed you." - Titus 1:5
The reason why Jesus spoke about evil spirits as though
they were real is because he was communicating through
forms the people of his day understood. Now that our
society is enlightened and has shed such a superstitious
outlook, Jesus would not speak to us of evil as being a
living entity.
But scripture says, "a man with an unclean spirit met Jesus,
.... Jesus responded, 'Unclean spirit, come out of the man.'
.... they begged him, saying, 'Send us into the swine so that
we may enter them." - Mark 5:2,8,12
The reason why the early church worshipped solely with a
cappella music is because singing with instruments at that
time contained a strong pagan association. Today, singing
with instruments does not carry this connotation, so it is
perfectly acceptable to worship with them.
But Scripture says, "teaching and admonishing one another
with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with
thankfulness in your hearts to God." - Colossians 3:16
The reason why God is described with masculine language
in Scripture is because those messages were originally given
to male-dominated societies. Today, our society is more
egalitarian, and thus it is appropriate to use both male and
female language to describe and address God.
But Scripture says, "This is how you ought to pray,
'Our Father who is in heaven.'" - Matthew 6:9
The reason why Paul wrote against homosexuality is because
.... . Today, our situation is different. Therefore, ...
But Scripture says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous
shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived;
neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor male prostitutes, nor homosexual offenders ... will
inherit the kingdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9,10
The reason why Paul told the women in Corinth to be silent
within the assembly of the saints is because ... . Today,
our situation is different. Therefore, ...
But Scripture says, "The women are to keep silent in
the churches ... the things I write to you are the Lord's
command." - 1 Corinthians 14:34, 37
With the bridle and the knife of "I know the reason why,"
anything within Scripture can be tamed and cut down to
a manageable size as the creature makes Scripture jump
through his hoops. The enticement to release our
imagination and intellect to command and conquer
Scripture is an enticing one. But we are to be in the
middle between God and animals, between ruling over
all things and always serving. In relation to God, we are
to learn obedience.
"By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we obey
His commandments. The person who says, 'I have come to
know Him' and does not obey his commandments is a liar
and the truth is not in that person." - 1 John 2:3-4
--
Pastor Dave Raymond
1st Century Church of Christ
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/1stcentury
What shall I render to the Lord
for all His benefits toward me?
I will take up the cup of salvation
and call upon the name of the Lord.
- Psalm 116:12-13
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