Bubble, Bubble – Toil and Trouble?

Therefore, be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.  Matthew 5:48 (CJB)

Today’s edition was authored by Ian Hodge

Perfect – In his TW article, “Theological Abuse” (January 22, 2012) , Skip closed the door on a false notion about perfection.  He concluded that to be perfect was “progressing toward godliness.”  I want to explore that concept a little further.

In an evangelical church service one morning the children were introduced to a new song that had them singing about God as Lord of creation.  The song mentioned birds and trees, the sun, moon and skies,  and finished with the sea creatures.  At which time, the children were encouraged to shout loudly, “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble, Bubble.”  Not content with the children making this cacophony, the pastor had the adults stand and sing the same ditty, making the same request that they too shout “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble, Bubble.”  One member in the church was even “threatened” to be pulled out the front because he refused to join in this activity.  Clearly, this was an important activity for this pastor.

If the question is asked, however, what did the children learn from this song, there would be similar answers.  “About God as creator.”  But is that what the children remember?  Does shouting “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble, Bubble” help them remember great theological truths, or is this merely entertainment?  And what does this have anything at all to do with the idea of perfection?

Now a superficial reading of the Bible can easily lead to the notion that when you are commanded to be perfect (teleios)  it means you must be totally sinless. While it is certainly true that you should strive to lead lives in perfect obedience to God, the idea of perfection in the Bible is intimately connected to the idea of maturity. And this is what our text means when it asks you to be perfect.  You are being invited to be mature.

Maturity means, among other things, making right judgments. For the followers of the Messiah, this means making right judgments about how God wants them to live, that is, by applying God-given principles into a myriad of situations.  And those principles, or instructions, are primarily found in the first five books of the Bible.

Is there any wonder we have a crisis in our culture?  When children are taught to shout mindless mantras such as “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble, Bubble” and are never instructed in how to make right judgments according to Torah, something is wrong.  Radically wrong.  I call the problem “Bubble theology.”

And what did the adults learn who also were pressured into the mantra of  “Bubble theology”?  Did they gain any movement towards maturity by shouting, “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble, Bubble”?  Unlikely.

Educationally, this illustration is a bad example of how to teach.  What was taught?  That the significance of the concept of the lordship of Christ is not to be dwelt upon so that the mindless “bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble” can be shouted with enthusiasm? That in the end, “Bubble theology” is the concluding thought of the lordship of Christ? That life is full of opportunities to shout mindless repetitions at the top of the voice? How will the children know what to learn? Unfortunately, the message has been lost in the noise.  In this case, adapting McLuhan, the noise is the message.

The requirement to be perfect, that is to be mature, is an expectation upon all. Too often the contemporary Christian message is reduced to concepts such as this: If you have a problem, take Yeshua as the universal Pain Reliever; if you cannot get enjoyment in life, then Yeshua can become the Great Aphrodisiac, bound to bring pleasure to life if taken in sufficient quantities. If Yeshua is offered as the great Heavenly Aspirin rather than the one who deals with sin and its consequences, then we have an explanation as to why there is so much trouble in the world today. Psychology takes precedence over sin and salvation. Man’s feelings take priority over certain fundamental facts relating to the Fall, sin, and what God has done to satisfy the requirements of the law. Rather than a restoration of God’s absolute moral values, there is a tendency to substitute “feeling good”, as if “feeling bad” is somehow man’s real problem. Treating symptoms rather than causes, however, is not the way to make sick people better.

It is the lack of maturity in the Christian church that is the cause of the deep-seated malaise not just in the lives of individuals but also in broad culture of the nations of this world. Where Biblical principles once governed men in many areas, now anything goes except the laws that God has given us. Where the ability of men and women once existed to take the Word of God and apply it in areas such as education, economics, politics, business, law and philosophy, now such an application does not exist because the followers of the Messiah are incapable of doing it. In other words, we have immature Christianity and immature Christians.

But as I consider these words of the Messiah – to be mature, as my father in heaven is mature – I have to keep asking myself.  Am I growing in maturity, better able to make judgments according to Torah today than I could previously?  Or am I caught in my own deceptive web of “Bubble theology”, where there is a lot of noise and little maturity?

And you?  Are you maturing – making better judgments according to Torah – or also caught up in your version of “Bubble theology”?

Topical Index:  Matthew 5:48, perfect, teleios, Ian Hodge

 

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Roy W Ludlow

Amen, Ian. A very helpful commentary.

Ian Hodge

Thank you.

Ray Joseph Cormier

Love never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be Knowledge, it shall vanish away.

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be no more.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And NOW abides Faith, Hope, Love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE.

1 Corinthians 13

Gabe

Something like this came up in a conversation the other day.

The question asked was something like, “How practical and realistic is the Bible, if Christians themselves are always saying we can’t live up to it?”.

Gabe

BTW, this is an excellent post, Ian. Thank-you.

Ian Hodge

Thank you.

Gabe

A favorite passage of mine from “the oldest recorded sermon” (outside of the bible):

“For the Lord saith, “Continually my name is blasphemed among all nations,” and “Wherefore my name is blasphemed; blasphemed in what? In your not doing the things which I wish.” For the nations, hearing from our mouth the oracles of God, marvel at their excellence and worth; thereafter learning that our deeds are not worthy of the words which we speak,–receiving this occasion they turn to blasphemy, saying that they are a fable and a delusion. For, whenever they hear from us that God saith, “No thank have ye, if ye love them which love you, but ye have thank, if ye love your enemies and them which hate you ” –whenever they hear these words, they marvel at the surpassing measure of their goodness; but when they see, that not only do we not love those who hate, but that we love not even those who love, they laugh us to scorn, and the name is blasphemed.”

Luzette

thanks Ian – I agree with you and have been asking this same question – why don’t people want to become or strive to be more mature in their walk? Is it because maturity brings responsibility? Is it because of a wrong definition created by churches of what maturity or holiness is all about? When and why did this backwards slide begin in religion? When we decided that Torah was done away with? Who is at fault? The church or the church goer?
I know maturity has nothing to do with age, but it should. Why are the older people not taking up their responsibilities, but rather have excuses: we have had our changes, now it is the turn of the younger ones? Why are elders in churches unmarried, 22 year olds?

And then I read: ” Therefore, my dear friends, since we have these promises, let us purify ourselves form everything that can defile either body or spirit, and strive to be completely holy, OUT OF REVERENCE FOR GOD.” 2 Cor 7:1

May be it’s because of the lack of reverence for Who God really is?

Ian Hodge

Luzette,

Since the time of Adam and Eve there are always excuses. I have realized over time that it is not other people who are the problem. I am the problem to the degree I refuse to obey God in all things. I am the problem to the extent that I cannot influence my immediate family to walk in the ways of God. And maybe if I am faithful in small things such as this, He may allow me to be an influence in the lives of other people. Today, we are all missionaries, even in our own culture. As the Great Commission says, “. . . as you are going (or in your going) . . .”, make disciples, baptize, and teach “whatsoever I have commanded.”

Luzette

Exactly, and you,Ian and some others at least got me to shut up(a bit) and listen more(which my husband enjoys lol) . Some people see this as a lack in confidence – others as growing in maturity.

Ever since I realized that I also have a crooked theology and i am responsibility for influences on family, friends, one part of me don’t feel like “going” anywhere or saying anything anymore. Not until I get my believes straighten out (major overhaul). Now is when I want the Greek learn-by-Hebrew-definition answers and get it over and done with so that we can get moving!
Luckily I feel like suffocating if I keep still (and quiet!) for too long( like a shark). Then I am forced to take the next step on the Way.

I wonder how much influence the disciples had on their parents?

sharon

Where is maturity?
Is it in the bible?
Was it in the upper room?
Was it on the Mt of transfiguration?
Is it in the sages?
Is it in Solomon’s Temple?
Is it in Abraham?
A martyred zealot?
Joan of Arc?
The High Priest?
The Church of the first born?
What is the real reason Jesus didn’t take Mary Magdalene with Him?
Like Peter recognized Jesus and brought honor to Him through the verbal confirmation stating He was the exalted Christ.
We are all blind sided by our vision, we are not like the living creatures that have eyes all around and spiritually difficult to see Jesus in others unless we have really seen Him ourselves-
This brings up the question of the ages, Who do you say I am? Do you Love me? What do you want?
Credit is attributed when you “see” Christ in others before He is fully made manifest.
Cross pollination will work if it is bathed in humble Honor of our brother”s identity.

Pam

Thank you Ian. Very edifying

Ian Hodge

Thank you.

Michael

44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Hmmm

What strikes me as very funny in Matt 5:47 is the Master’s remark regarding tax collectors

Jesus did not have a very high opinion of them: “Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?”

Regarding perfection, in the context of Matt 5:44

“But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”

Perfection is more like the Zen Buddhist hitting the “eye of the tiger” with her arrow

Than not sinning

That is to say it is extremely difficult to love your enemies

Like our Father does

robert lafoy

“That is to say it is extremely difficult to love your enemies”

Unless of course the intention is to make them a brother or sister, but only by extension. A child of the Father.

But one would guess that doing so would be like hitting the eye of the tiger, perfection, in a word.

Michael

Unless of course the intention is to make (our enemies) a brother or sister

Hi Robert,

But our enemies are in places like the Middle East and Africa

And we kill them and innocent bystanders with drone missiles

robert lafoy

Who told you they were your enemies? What defines them as such?

Michael

Hi Robert,

They were declared my enemy by our military and government officials

We must bear some responsibility for the government that we elect IMHO

Our enemies threaten our allies directly and our strategic interests indirectly

I went to college rather than Viet Nam and was too old to go to Iraq

Thank God

Iraq War Facts, Results & Statistics at January 31, 2012
4,487 US Soldiers Killed, 32,223 Seriously Wounded

robert lafoy

Than perhaps you should look to the governments agendas for the correct perspective. 🙂 I

I find it interesting that for the most part of the last millineum, the peoples residing there got along relatively fine, until the governments got involved. We shouldn’t allow others the opportunity to shape our perspective of reality.

Ecept YHWH, of course! 🙂