Theology Exam Question 1 January 29, 2007
Posted by jwilliams2 in Christian Life, Theology Exam.1 comment so far
I am taking a Theology Exam and I plan to post each question along with my answers on here as I progress slowly through. Please read and comment… help out if you think I am missing something important.
1. The Bible is spoken of as “inspired.” What does this mean?
Dictionary.com defines inspired to be of extraordinary quality, as if arising from some external creative impulse; and also to be breathed in. While external sources alone should not be the authority of definition for Christians, this definition does not fall far short of what the Bible speaks of as “inspired”.
(1)II Timothy 3:16-17 says (KJV), “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The phrase given by inspiration above is the word theopneustos in Greek, which literally means (according to Strong’s Hebrew and Greek dictionary) divinely breathed in: -given by inspiration of God. I believe the English Standard Version more accurately translates this verse as, “All scripture is breathed out by God…”
“What is the Excellency of the scripture? It is given by inspiration of God (2Ti_3:16), and therefore is his word. It is a divine revelation, which we may depend upon as infallibly true. The same Spirit that breathed reason into us breathes revelation among us: For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men spoke as they were moved or carried forth by the Holy Ghost, 2Pe_1:21. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what they received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. That the scripture was given by inspiration of God appears from the majesty of its style, – from the truth, purity, and sublimity, of the doctrines contained in it, – from the harmony of its several parts, – from its power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with it, – from the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to things beyond all human foresight, – and from the uncontrollable miracles that were wrought in proof of its divine original: God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will, Heb_2:4.”(2)
For the Bible to be spoken of as inspired we determine that it is literally the word of God, as holy men were used as the mouthpiece of God. We can trust it to be true and reliable as our source of instruction on life and matters of life.
1 All scripture quotes are copied from e-Sword version 7.1.0
2 Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible – e-Sword version 7.1.0
Fools Gold – Superficial Preaching January 26, 2007
Posted by jwilliams2 in Christian Life.1 comment so far
I have been reading the book “Fools Gold” by John Macarthur and wanted to share this particular thought. Please read and comment.
“People who sit under superficial preaching become dependent on the cleverness and the creativity of the speaker. When preachers puntuate their sermons with laser lights and smoke, video clips and live drama, the message they send is that there isn’t a prayer that people in the pew could ever extract such profound material on their own. Such gimmicks create a kind of dispensing mechanism that people can’t use to server themselves. So they become spiritual couch potatoes who just come in to be entertained, and whatever superficial spiritual content they get from the preacher’s weekly performance is ALL they will get. They have no particular interest in the Bible because the sermons they hear don’t cultivate that. They are wowed by the preaher’s creativity and manipulated by the music, and that becomes their whole perspective on spirituality.” (more…)
Is your walk convenient, or inconvenient? January 23, 2007
Posted by jwilliams2 in Christian Life.add a comment
Below I have attached a letter from Steve Hinton of Shoreline Baptist Church that I am convinced needs to be better understood in today’s misconception of Chritianity and all the prosperity theology that is being taught. Thanks Steve!
We are a society of convenience. Think about it. We have everything from A to Z to make our life more convenient. Microwaves, cell phones, remote controls, and the list goes on and on and on. I think you get the picture. We’ve even tried to make our relationship with Christ more convenient. With the continued evolution all kinds of media, we need never to leave the comfort of our own homes to receive the teaching of God’s Word. Don’t misunderstand, I am all for everything we have available to draw us closer in our walk with Christ. My question is “When does it cease to become about Jesus and simply become about a life of convenience?” A. W. Tozer writes: “Every advance that we make for God and His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it.” The cross that Jesus was called to carry wasn’t cross of convenience. It cost him everything. The cross we are told to take up is also not a cross of convenience. Just listen to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24-25 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” Self-denial, loosing one’s life…doesn’t sound too convenient to me. Just the opposite. If we are going to be genuine followers of Christ, if we are going to make advancements for God and His cause, it is going to cost us something. It will not be convenient. It will not be easy. The Apostle Paul has this to say in 1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Allow me to paraphrase as I close. It may not always be convenient to get out of bed and go to church, it may not always be convenient to read you Bible or pray, it may not always be convenient to help someone in need, but when we do we will receive a reward that no one can take away. In other words the reward is worth the cost.
Think about it.
Steve Hinton
For more information about Steve and the ministry God has called him to, please visit http://www.shorelinebc.org/
