Monthly Archives: October 2008

God’s People are Christ Believers!

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Where is God working? Of course this question assumes that God exists, and that He starts and brings to completion, and the question hopes that what He is working will turn out to the good. We assume and hope all that.

But we also believe that some things will turn out miserably. That some people will continue under the original curse and end themselves in hell, away from God and life forever.

So the question is urgent. Where is God issuing the blessing? Genesis 12 helps us refine the question: Who are the children of Abraham, the people inheriting the place, protection and blessing from God?

Out of all the possible answers to that question, there came a consensus. The children of Abraham were those who were under Torah. God was rescuing people who were under the Law, having attained that elite position either by birth or through signing on in detail to the ancient, Divine constitution. Because that’s what Torah was: the Divinely given Constitution of the children of Abraham!

Much like freedom of speech has become the epitome of a democratic society, circumcision was the rite that epitomized Torah observance. So circumcision was an ethnic marker but also signified God’s uncommon blessing begun in Gen 12. And we also note that circumcision was applied to the organ of biological continuity (I’m trying to be delicate!). So built into Torah was the assumption of biological perpetuation of the children of Abraham.

In short, the consensus was that the children of Abraham were Isrealites.

Paul is challenging this belief in Romans 4. Paul was announcing a shift in God’s redemptive purposes. Not an abandonment of an original plan; not a shift that wasn’t without historical causes; but nonetheless a real shift.

We sympathize with the Jewish people in Paul’s day for holding on their belief in Torah as the sign of the people of God, because for a long time Torah was the divinely sanctioned indication that its adherents were the children of Abraham. In fact, the details of Torah were intended to give ethical and spiritual substance to the pronouncement of Jews being Abrahams’ children. So the Jews were wrong, but were understandably wrong.

Today there are still wrong ideas of who are the children of Abraham. We’re looking for signs of connection to Abraham. Surely the sparkling, the drivers of the BMWs, (Just kidding, don’t be so sensitive!) the strong, the wise of the world, the shakers and shapers.

Or more subtly, the westerners or the easterners or the oppressed or the oppressor or those of this church or that. The authentic, the Catholics, the Protestants, those who partake of the Sacraments, the baptized, the moral, the immoral “keeping it real,” those standing in a tradition of godliness

The point is, from either sacred or profane base-line understandings, we’re trying to lay claim to being the “children of Abraham”: Who’s the lucky or who’s the called. And we’re looking for some “bling” or sign to substantiate the claim – bling of power, success, authenticity, spirituality, materialism, anti-materialism…

The 1st century Israelites had historical grounds for their claim to being descendents of Abraham. As I said, they were wrong; they faced horrors for not accepting God’s new word, but we can see why they mis-stepped.

Paul says in Romans 4 – the children of Abraham (concentrate enough to value the term!!) are those who believe in Jesus as Messiah. They hear of Jesus, hear what happened through and to Him, hear what it means, and receive Him as God’s Word.

What joins them in Abraham? Partly they are joined to him because they come into God’s blessing (the reckoning of righteousness) as Abraham did, by hearing God’s word and believing it. This hearing-believing links a person to Abraham more truly than any “sperm-egg reality.” It is the believers who are Abraham’s seed.

And of course the children of Abraham share a look with their father: faith appears the same across the centuries – lived out in hopeless conditions, enduring, even growing, bringing God glory.

And finally they enter into the same promise – but more on that later.

Incredibly, Romans 4 doesn’t mention the Messiah until the end of the chapter. Paul’s task in this chapter was “merely” to link the Christ-believers of today with Abraham and his promise. It will become his task in other places to link Abraham and his promise with Messiah.

An Important Question

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There are many different terms used for the elect people. The sacred writers to emphasize something particular used these distinctive terms. Paul uses one in Romans 4 in addressing the question, ‘Who are the children of Abraham?’

“Children of Abraham” -I don’t have to tell you the problem with taking time to listen to Paul. The experts believe that people disbelieve Christianity for three reasons: 1) Christians are weird 2) Christianity isn’t true 3) Christianity is irrelevant. Well, any serious talk about the ‘children of Abraham’ seems to confirm the third allegation! This seeming irrelevance is definitely a hurdle.

But let’s get over it!

Just discussing the fact of Paul’s discussion can impact us with the point: Paul took the Old Testament really seriously. Not just seriously as in, ‘there are some great lessons here for us (about honesty or God’s provision, etc)’ but as in ‘this is where redemption has started.’ He takes the story seriously. 1800 years after the call of Abraham Paul thinks it still as important as the day Abraham received it. The fact that 1800 years has elapsed is actually unimportant.

21st century Bostonians, if we were smart, would grapple with this question too: ‘Who are the children of Abraham?’ The fact that now 3800 years have elapsed since God’s summons of Abraham should be considered hugely unimportant. Long periods of time have always been the enemy of faith (and is there a better evidence that the curse has invaded our habitation with space-time?).

The reason that the question is so important is that the children of Abraham are the inheritors of God’s promise to do something unmistakably good and permanent in the middle of a world that is become unmistakably bad. Everything is defined by God’s curse, His write-off, and His condemnation except for these descendants of Abraham.

The fact is that people today don’t normally think theologically. But they do always think in terms of success and failure. The big question in the secular mind is ‘Who has handled life?’ Who has property? Who has obtained? Who is shaping things? Where is the influence? Who sparkles?

Different questions, and not stated theologically, but still closely related to Paul’s in Romans 4. We’ll never escape the baseline categories of ‘winners’ and ‘losers’; or stated more theologically: ‘blessing and cursing.’

It’s so important that we not let ourselves think of Abraham and his goings on as general religious examples or material for moral lessons. He has to, in our minds, retain his particularity. And what makes Abraham’s call particular is that it was – is! – God’s answer to the human problem: “I will bless.” ‘You and yours [and no one else] will be given a place.’

Can we let this Abram talk come off as a-historic, general, in-the-bad-sense spiritual? May it never be! Who are the heirs of this world? Shouldn’t this macro-question be at least hovering in the background as we see our 401ks heading for the drain? What I mean to say is, ‘this is practical stuff.’

Is Abraham really my ancestor? must take priority of place in my mind. But even as I write that I see how much hard work is in store. I’ll have to shake off the archaic feel that overwhelms when I pose the question. I’ll need to become habituated to thinking of myself as connected with something that began with Abraham. I’ll have to allow the New and Old Testaments a closer association.

It takes a lot of concentration to be a Biblicist in 21st century Boston! (Especially when you know that the Broncos and Patriots are playing next Monday night at Gillette Stadium!)

All these words to stress the importance. But who are the children of Abraham?

Saturday, October 25, 2008

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**I recommend we take a couple of weeks and read Proverbs 25: 1-15 everyday**

Psalm 22

To the lead player, on ayeleth hashahar, a David psalm.

My God, my God, why have You forsake me?

Far from my rescue are the words that I roar.

My God, I call out by day and You do not answer,

By night – no stillness for me.

And You, the Holy One – enthroned in Israel’s praise.

In You did our fathers trust,

They trusted, and You set them free.

To You they cried out, and escaped,

In You they trusted and were not put to shame.

But I am a worm and no man,

A disgrace among men, by the people reviled.

All who see me do mock me -

They curl their lips, they shake their head.

Who turns to the LORD, He will set him free.

He will save him, for He delights in him.

For You drew me out from the womb,

Made me safe at my mother’s breasts.

Upon You I was cast from birth,

From my mother’s belly You were my God.

Do not be far from me,

For distress is near,

For there is none to help.

Brawny bulls surrounded me,

The mighty of Bashan encompassed me.

They gaped with their mouths against me -

A ravening, roaring lion.

Like water I spilled out,

All my limbs fell apart.

My heart was like wax,

Melting within my chest.

My palate turned dry as a shard

And my tongue was annealed to my jaw,

And to death’s dust did You thrust me.

For the curs came all around me,

A pack of the evil encircled me,

They bound my hands and my feet.

They counted out all my bones,

It is they who looked, who stared at me.

They shared out my garments among them

And cast lots for my clothes.

But You, O LORD, be not far.

My strength, to my aid O hasten!

Save from the sword my life,

From the cur’s power my person.

Rescue me from the lion’s mouth.

And from the horns of the ram You answered me.

Let me tell Your name to my brothers,

In the assembly let me praise You.

Fearers of the LORD, O praise Him!

All the seed of Jacob revere Him!

And be afraid of Him, all Israel’s seed!

For He has not spurned nor has despised

The affliction of the lowly,

And has not hidden His face from him;

When he cried out to Him, He heard.

For You – my praise in the great assembly.

My vows I fulfill before those who fear Him.

The lowly will eat and be sated.

Those who seek Him will praise the LORD.

May you be of good cheer forever.

All the far ends of earth will remember

And return to the LORD.

All the clans of the nations

Will bow down before You.

For the LORD’s is the kingship -

And He rules over the nations.

Yes, to Him will bow down

All the netherworld’s sleepers.

Before Him will kneel

All who go down to the dust

Whose life is undone.

My seed will serve Him.

It will be told for generations to come.

They will proclaim His bounty to a people aborning

For He has done.

Tonight, read Matthew’s account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Then read this psalm. Then look through the names in the church directory. Then pray. That’s my recommendation.

Bible Reading: Romans 16 one more time!

Friday, October 24, 2008

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Proverbs 25:15

With patience a ruler may be persuaded,

And a soft tongue will break a bone.

Just let your eye drift over the previous proverbs in chapter 25. Remember, these were originally given as lessons in court etiquette. These traits will serve you well as you stand before the king. “But as proverbs, these pedagogic universals now serve as paradigms of many other situations and address all Israel.” (Waltke, 302). In other words, proverbs first given to aspiring courtiers have many more general applications.

Humility, caution, confidentiality, appropriateness (a sense of timing), reliability – and now gentleness. Here are things for you to cultivate in your life. Are you frustrated with calls to seek wisdom? Does that sound too general to be worthwhile? Well here are the details of wisdom for you to work on.

“Bone may have been chosen because ‘the bones are the most rigid parts inside of a person, and fracturing the bones here refers to breaking down the deepest, most hardened resistance to an idea a person may possess’…The courtier can bring another to his way of thinking through a patient, open, and warm disposition and through sensitive, tactful speech.” (Waltke, 324-325 – also quoting Garrett).

When you watch a TV show or movie you almost always see a one-time, heated argument where there is a clear winner and a clear loser. KAZAM!! But you have to have this kind of compressed, emotional moment because the show/movie can only last for so long. This discourse doesn’t work in real life – not at all.

In real life you need to engage differences of opinion slowly. And heat and anger should RARELY, RARELY be a part of the conversation. Let gentleness rule the day, even in argument. Don’t put all your eggs into one conversation. You’ll win…but over time. You’ll break the bone…but softly does it! (This not to be confused with ‘soft-pedaling)

Dear people, do you see how much we – YOU- need to change. We need to change our whole disposition. Start that now!

Bible Reading: Romans 16: 25-27

I should memorize this one. Can you follow Paul’s phrasing?

Thursday, October 23, 2008

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Proverbs 25: 13,14Like the cold snow in the time of harvest

Is a faithful messenger to those who send him;

He refreshes the soul of his masters.

Like clouds and wind without rain

Is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

I’ve heard Rudy Giuliani (remember him!) say, “Under-promise and over-deliver.” We are prone to do just the opposite!

We all have our stories: I have a friend who lives in CO who exemplifies this proverb. He’s reliable. What does that look like? Well, he’s not really eager to accept new responsibilities, but once he commits to it – consider it done (and done well)! Brian always comes through.

And then the other stories: I remember a teacher I’ve had. At the start of the semester he wowed us with what we would learn, he hinted that we would come out of his class completely transformed. He threw around some impressive words.

But a couple of weeks into semester we noticed he always arrived late, he always seemed harried. In the back of our minds we thought, “Funny traits for the guy with the goods.” But we still hoped…

Come to the end of the semester, we were squarely disillusioned. His lectures were scattered. He had some rhetorical flourishes, but didn’t really understand the subject. He graded our papers quickly and too high. He moved ahead on flattery and flippancy. Bottom line: he couldn’t control his life; how was he to change ours?

Perhaps the most oft-admired quality of God in the Old Testament is His faithfulness. And this long-standing attention to His plan reached an incredible pinnacle when He sent His Son and gave Him over to be killed. God “endures all things.”

What I want for myself, what I hope my kids manifest, is not mainly a talent for novelty or cleverness: We’re after reliability.

Bible Reading: Romans 16:21-23

Paul asks for his greetings to be sent (1-16) and then sends his greetings (21-23). Do you see what the crucifixion and resurrection has brought about? Civility and brotherly kindness! When you come into the office, don’t just plop in your chair – greet people. When you leave home, say goodbye.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

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Proverbs 25: 11,12

A word fitly spoken

Is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold

Is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

Well, leave it to a commentator to bring in some confusion: “A thorough examination of all the occurrences of [the Hebrew words behind the first phrase] reveals that in general it does not mean simply ‘to speak a word’ but rather ‘to arrive at a decision through bargaining (usually at a gathering).’ -Waltke, 320 quoting Weinfeld

But perhaps the distinction shouldn’t be pressed. Coming to a decision and then articulating it are both crucial and often two sides of one act. The emphasis of this proverb is that there is some actual beauty to be found when that act is executed timely and appropriately.

We all know that reproof is a necessary ingredient in the good life. If we’ve been in Proverbs for any time we’ve heard the emphasis on responding well to rebuke. Nothing new here. But now we hear that the rebuking/listening rhythm is not just helpful, but also exquisite.

No point to giving so much energy to primping our bodies if our deeds have no allure. Will our kids grow up in a grand house with fine decoration but in a home devoid of real beauty? In a world starved for beauty, the important thing for God-followers is to pursue wisdom.

The wise life is the beautiful life. “She will place on your head a graceful garland/ she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

Bible Reading: Romans 16: 17-20

Certain professing Christians you should avoid. If someone purposely turns you against another believer, or handicaps your obedience to Christ, leave them behind. But don’t do this impulsively. Knowing the high value that God places on unity – especially we’ve see that in Romans – we should separate “with tears.”

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

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Proverbs 25: 7b-10

 

What your eyes have seen

Do not hastily bring into court,

For what will you do in the end,

When your neighbor puts you to shame?

Argue your case with your neighbor himself,

And do not reveal another’s secret,

Lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,

And your ill repute have no end.

Do you have something on someone? Did you discover his dirty secret? Do you have a good case against someone? Well, be careful how you carry that business around!

First lesson here: The wisdom of God is to mainly be slow. Caution is usually smart. Consider this, maybe you’ve misunderstood? Maybe your one side of the story has placed you on a false trail and brought you to a wrong conclusion?

Our proverb says, what will happen when your bring your uninformed accusation to court, and your shown up as reckless and spiteful. So quickly the tables can turn!

The other skill in having dirt on someone is holding confidentiality. As an application, let’s bring up a common dilemma of parents: what to do with the tattletale? Brother A (normally the stodgy older brother) comes with all moral earnestness engaged to his parents. Brother B, it seems, told him that he took extra cookies when mom wasn’t looking.

Hear the wisdom of God. Brother A must not lose energy in telling his parents about Brother B. Instead, he should use his moral earnestness to urge his brother to an honest position. But generally speaking, his first responsibility is not to divulge all to his parents, but to retain the confidence of his brother.

Bible Reading: Romans 16: 3-16

 

Would Paul have been on Facebook? These are not only Paul’s friends, but even more it seems that he has an interesting history with many of them. Paul lived!