Thinking Theology Tuesday

In our family Bible study we have been working through 1 Samuel.  This book focuses on the lives of Samuel, Saul and the early years of David.  We are specifically interested in David’s character, the Psalms that he wrote while being pursued by Saul and the way God handles the sins of Saul and David.  It has proven to be an exciting study and we have all enjoyed learning many new things.

Yesterday, I was going through some of the ‘clutter’ that had accumulated in the back pages of my Bible when I came across a slip of paper with some notes on it about David.  Apparently, I had written down some thoughts concerning David and Saul and had stuck it in my Bible for later reflection. 

             Here is what my notes said: 

David is a ‘type’ of Jesus who was annointed ‘King’ long before he actually took the throne.  While waiting for his reign to begin, David hid from sinful Saul, who is a ‘type’ of Israel. David always stayed just outside of Saul’s reach; he even had the opportunity to kill Saul but chose not to, hoping Saul would stop pursuing him (repenting).  Saul thought he was doing the will of God, but, instead, turned to pagan ways to get his answers when God was silent. 

What fascinating insight! 

           I am sure I must have heard a teaching on the subject.  I wish I knew who I was listening to!

Any thoughts, Ladies?

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Thinking Theology Tuesday

In his letter to the churches of Galatia, Paul exposes false brethren who had secretly entered the church and compelled members to resort back to legalism and deny the ‘liberty which we have in Christ Jesus.’  (Galatians 2)

In the Apostle John’s first epistle, he warns “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”  (v.1)  He continues to list the marks of false teachers:  those that do not confess Jesus Christ, have the spirit of Antichrist, are of the world and the world hears them.

May I propose a question?  At what point does a person become a false teacher? 

Today’s Christian bookstore are chockerblock full of teachers who claim to be Christian.  How are Bible-believing Christians to know which ones to read?  Rick Warren?  Joyce Meyers?  Joel Osteen? Brian McLaren? Rob Bell? Tony Campolo? TD Jakes? Beth Moore?  Are they worthy of your time?  Do they qualify as a false teacher? 

What do you think, Ladies?  I would love to know your thoughts! 

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we my know Him who is true: and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 5:20

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Thinking Theology Tuesday

Lately, I have been reading some discernment blogs on the topic of Dominionism and/or Kingdom Now Theology.  I am not clear on all the details concerning this heresy, but the basic idea is that Christians are supposed to set up the Kingdom of God here on earth now before Christ returns.  Somehow they see this as a type of salvation as it involves ‘christianizing’ government, education, business, all religions, and more.  Every aspect of society/culture is to be ‘taken’ for Christ. 

Reading in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus warns His disciples saying: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.’  (ch. 13 v. 5)  He sets the stage for the end times, ‘…when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.’  (v.7)  This does not sound like a christianized world to me.

He continues in chapter 13 telling them that ‘…the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.’  (v.10)  It would seem that Jesus was not instructing His disciples to attempt to set up the Kingdom of God here on earth, but instead to preach the Gospel to all people. 

Scripture teaches that,  ‘...by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.’  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Salvation is not earned by trying to change governments, businesses or education.  This ‘works mentality’ will leave you spinning your wheels and distorts the Great Commission which commands us to ‘…make disciples…’  not culture.

                                                                     

So….what do you think, Ladies? 

Are you familiar with this type of teaching? 

What other Scripture verses might clarify what God expects of us in this world?

Remember:  ‘As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.’  (Proverbs 27:17) 

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Thinking Theology Tuesday

Many times when I am reading Scripture there are passages that just do not make sense.  Jesus explained most of His parables to His disciples privately so their ‘ears would hear’.  The parable of the cloth and wine skins, however, was one that Jesus did not explain. 

As I continue to work my way through the Gospel of Mark I discovered a passage of Scripture that, at one point, had been boxed with a big question mark next to it.  Apparently, the last time I visited these verses I did not understand this parable.  So….I slowed down a bit to get a better idea. 

Here’s the scenerio:   Jesus has just chosen Levi, the tax collector, to follow Him as a disciple.  In those days, the Jews regarded tax collectors as outcasts.  When Jesus was found later by the scribes and Pharisees eating a meal at Levi’s house they began to question Jesus.  They specifically wanted to know why His disciples were not fasting along with John’s disciples and themselves.  Jesus proceeded to compare His disciples to guests of the bridegroom at a wedding and continued with the parable of the cloth and the wine skin.  (Mark 2:14-22)

This time around, I seemed to get a better idea of the LORD’s meaning.  I wrote my thoughts in the margin of my Bible.  Was the parable like an analogy that the old wine skins (Pharisees) could not accept the new wine (true meaning of fasting)?  Would the Pharisees not be able to understand that Jesus is the Bridegroom? 

            I need my iron sharpened, Sisters! 

                                  Is this what is meant by the parable?

                                                                What are your thoughts?

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