Bible: March 2008 Archives

The Bible translation debate rages on — which is best? Many argue the “modern” translations are easier to read and we should stop using the KJV and use one of the many newer translations; unfortunately ignoring the textual basis and focusing only on easy-to-read is a grave error.

By that logic, use the NWT (New World Translation).

Obviously, translational differences are important. If they’re not, just make up your own Bible and don’t worry about it — you won’t need Jesus, sin, hell, sanctification, justification or forgiveness either.

We’ll refrain from discussion about the (should be) obvious error of splitting churches over Bible translation, and we’ll leave it at that (which we discussed extensively in our previous article on Bible Translation). However, it also should be obvious insuring what you read is actually what the Bible writers intended is critical.

All the recent flap over the comments of pastor Jeremiah Wright illustrates an important point. It’s not really about his comments, or if Obama himself supported them (or heard them at all), it’s not even about racism — those are all political issues and have been discussed elsewhere ad nauseum without resolution (issues which we will not discuss here as they are irrelevant to the point).

But one issue hasn’t been discussed much and missed entirely by the media. What was Pastor Wright doing spending week after week ranting on political points instead of teaching the Word of God?

There’s nothing wrong with Christians being involved in politics — in fact, as a steward of the country it is your Christian duty to be involved. But that is an individual responsibility, not the church in general. The church in general should teach the Word of God so people can make distinctions themselves. All these groups spending time on matters other than the Word of God distract from the main mission of the Church — preparing the saints for the work of God.

For a pastor as well, being involved in politics is not only acceptable, but encouraged. But that does not mean the main message in church should be political. Pastor Wright could (should) have found other outlets for his political views, not the Sunday pulpit. If going to church becomes a political rally, why go at all?

If a Christian sits in a church which systematically teaches through the entire Bible, no such political discussions are needed — each person will be well-equipped to make political judgments by following what God has to say. But if a pastor neglects the Word of God, nothing else will substitute and his flock will be ill-prepared to perform on the battlefield.

For all those pastors who spend days and weeks on matters other than the Bible we have one question — when did the Word of God become insufficient? Are politics and pot-lucks (and this weekend, easter egg hunts) more important? Pastors need to spend more time teaching the Bible, line by line, verse by verse (through the entire Bible), and less time sermonizing.

It’s a complete failure of many pastors to teach the Word of God which leads to the ignorance of most of those occupying a pew today, and to the impotence of the Church in general. Those pastors will have to give account to God on their stewardship of their responsibility to their flock, and sadly many will fail. And for the failure of many pastors to equip the flock for the work of God, many Christians will be ineffective in their work for Christ.

For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

Whoreable Behavior

That’s the title of Ann Coulter’s article about New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. By now, everyone should have heard the story – the up and coming Democrat Governor of New York (some said he was Presidential material) wasted tens of thousands of dollars on prostitutes and resigned.

Spitzer’s life is ruined. It doesn’t matter if he has defenders who will wail, “It’s his private life!” It doesn’t matter if he fights the charges. It doesn’t matter if this was a political prosecution. As Talleyrand said: “It’s worse than a crime; it’s a blunder.”

Eliot Spitzer, Harvard Law graduate and Fifth Avenue denizen, is forevermore: “Client No. 9.”

Surprising no one, police wiretaps indicate that the “models” were semi-literate, could not learn to swipe a credit card and seemed invariably to be on drugs. That’s what you get for $2,000 an hour in this charming business.

Behold the “victimless” crime of prostitution. Hard to believe these girls would turn to drugs. Having sex with strangers for money, nothing to live for … just thinking about it makes me want to take drugs.

It’s absurd to talk about Spitzer’s problem being “hypocrisy” – as if everything would be fine if only he had previously advocated legalized prostitution.

But beyond the basic case itself (similar stores being repeated among Presidents, Congressmen, and Senators), what does this mean for the Christian? What lessons should (must) we learn from Spitzer’s downfall?

Much of the email we receive is around a few topics which cause the most confusion and argument. Some people send anonymous comments, and unfortunately that means we can't reply. We don't mind anonymous comments, but do believe "to every man an answer", and when a comment is on a heated issue, we believe it merits a reply in case someone else has similar questions.

Recently, someone pointed out Matthew 24:29 as claiming a post-tribulation rapture.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 KJV)

This person then went on to scold us for teaching lies, and filling people with false security, saying we need to be counted worthy to escape the tribulation.

But what does this passage mean in context? Remember, context is Genesis to Revelation. In this passage context is vital, as it tells you who Jesus speaks to -- and it's not Christians.

Matthew 24 starts out with the disciples asking Jesus what will be the end? In verse 20, Jesus says "pray your flight not be on the Sabbath". That's bizarre. Why as gentiles would we care if our flight is on the Sabbath? We won't -- Matthew 24 speaks to the Jews, not the Church.

The confusion with Matthew 24 arises because people don't realize Jesus comes twice. Once in secret for his bride the Church (the rapture), once publicly at the end of Revelation (the Second Coming).

Those two events are not the same. Careful examination of the NT shows one is private, one public. They can't be the same event, and they aren't.

Some people become confused because they mix the Jews and the Church. But those are two different groups, with two different plans. Don't make the mistake the Church has taken the place of the Jews -- the promises to the Jews in the OT are still in effect.

Recent three-year and five-year reports from a NASA program (WMAP) indicate the universe is 13.7 billion years old. Many Christians dismiss those findings, claiming a "young earth" of about 6,000 years. Who is right?

Some try to reconcile both views using theistic evolution -- the idea God created the universe, and then let it go it's own way. These people point to Genesis 1 and note the word for "day" could really mean "age", and thus billions of years could be indicated in Genesis 1.

But they have two problems with that view. First, the garden of Eden was perfect -- no entropy, decay or death -- whether billions of years went by or only a few days would make no difference. No decay, no aging, and no way to tell how long Adam and Eve were in the garden.

But the bigger problem with the "days-as-ages" view isn't found in Genesis, but Exodus.