Concerning the Scriptures II

1. God, who is Himself Truth and speaks truth only, has inspired Holy Scripture in order thereby to reveal Himself to lost mankind through Jesus Christ as Creator and Lord, Redeemer and Judge. Holy Scripture is God's witness to Himself.
2. Holy Scripture, being God's own Word, written by men prepared and superintended by His Spirit, is of infallible divine authority in all matters upon which it touches: it is to be believed, as God's instruction, in all that it affirms, obeyed, as God's command, in all that it requires; embraced, as God's pledge, in all that it promises.
3. The Holy Spirit, Scripture's divine Author, both authenticates it to us by His inward witness and opens our minds to understand its meaning.
4. Being wholly and verbally God-given, Scripture is without error or fault in all its teaching, no less in what it states about God's acts in creation, about the events of world history, and about its own literary origins under God, than in its witness to God's saving grace in individual lives.
5. The authority of Scripture is inescapably impaired if this total divine inerrancy is in any way limited or disregarded, or made relative to a view of truth contrary to the Bible's own; and such lapses bring serious loss to both the individual and the Church.

-The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy (1978)

Concerning the Scriptures

“Although the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable [Rom. 1:17-20; 2:14]; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of His will, which is necessary unto salvation [John 17:3; 1 Cor. 1:21; 2:13-14]: therefore it pleased the Lord, at sundry times, and in divers manners, to reveal Himself, and to declare that His will unto His Church [Heb. 1:1-2]; and afterwards, for the better preserving and propagating of the truth, and for the more sure establishment and comfort of the Church against the corruption of the flesh, and the malice of Satan and of the world, to commit the same wholly unto writing; which maketh the Holy Scripture to be most necessary; those former ways of God’s revealing His will unto His people being now ceased.”

-The Westminster Confession of Faith (1643-1646)

Was Jesus a High School Pastor?

I realize that Jesus ministered to all ages of people but it seems that those with whom he spent most of his time and teaching on were younger.

Consider this:
The common age of primary education was from 6/7 years old until the age of 15. After which the exceptional and bright students would continue in their secondary education learning at the feet of a rabbi in one of the academies. Those who did not continue on in their education would look to their fathers to learn the family trade. This is were Jesus finds at least some of the men that he eventually calls to follow him or “learn” from him. Peter, Andrew, James and John were all doing the family business when Jesus calls them to be his disciples. How long had they been out of school? Perhaps only for a few years.

There is an interesting passage in Matthew 17:24-27 in which Jesus and his disciples travel to Capernaum were they run into those whose job it was to collect the temple tax. What follows is a crazy miracle about a fish with money in it’s mouth and a lesson that Peter would not soon forget regarding family and taxes.

What is interesting, however, is that it is only Peter and Jesus who are approached about the temple tax. Now it could be that the other disciples had already paid, or that the Gospel writers simply focus on Jesus money-fish miracle. It must at least be considered that the other 11 men who were following Jesus were simply under the taxable age, which according to Exodus 30:13 was 20 years old. It is quite possible that the disciples of Jesus, with the exception of Peter, were between the ages of 16 and 19.

In the words of Paul to a young man. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe,” (1 Timothy 4:12).

In the words of goz, “it is possible that being a high school pastor is more noble and strategic than many really even consider.”

The Purpose of Jesus

I read recently the statement, from a self-proclaimed spokesman for a new kind of church, a statement regarding Jesus that concerns me greatly.

He was asked in an interview, "You're pretty critical of many Christians' focus, emphasis on personal salvation after death. Why is that?"

His response,
"The church has been preoccupied with the question, "What happens to your soul after you die?" As if the reason for Jesus coming can be summed up in, "Jesus is trying to help get more souls into heaven, as opposed to hell, after they die." I just think a fair reading of the Gospels blows that out of the water. I don't think that the entire message and life of Jesus can be boiled down to that bottom line."

So perhaps I have not given the Gospels a fair reading. In just a cursory reading of the Gospels Jesus himself says, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

This is dangerous thinking. Let's not be enamored by the "new" because we are rightly frustrated with the "old." Let's be cautious to seek biblical reformation of the church and not put our words in the mouth of our savior.

Please save me from the Church Incorporated!

Words (reprinted)

Words are God's primary means for communicating truth to his creation. There is a movement away from words in recent times, a movement to images and music and experience. While all of these are powerful in effecting emotion, it is the word of God that communicates the life changing truth that saves us.

I am not suggesting that we ought not communicate with creativity or visually. I desire that students come to worship and experience God. However, Jesus said that those who worship the Father must worship him in spirit and TRUTH. Truth is communicated with words. Let us not neglect the public reading of the Word of God. Let us be diligent in the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. For it is the Word of God that judges our hearts.

It is true that we are more and more a visual society. Pictures and movies are powerful communication tools to pluck the heart strings of this people. This is all the more reason for to teach the truth with words. People need to understand who they are worshipping. People need to understand the truth before they can accept it.

Our ears have become dull to words. We use them so wastefully. There has been no economy in our use of language. We are deaf then to the Words of God unless the Spirit of God makes our hearts alive to listen and be changed.