Checklist
Then the people of Nineveh believed in God; and they called a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least of them. Jonah 3:5
Believed In – Do you believe in God? More than eighty percent of Americans answer “Yes.” Do you suppose they believe in God in the same way that the people of Nineveh believed? Our text says that they “believed in God.” Do you think that this Hebrew expression is the equivalent of our modern evangelistic message? “Believe in Jesus and you’ll be saved!” we proclaim. Our New Testament translations use the same words when Paul or Peter or John tell about Jesus’ offer of salvation. But maybe we need to take a second look and see what’s beneath the surface of this over-used expression.
The story of Jonah has fascinated believers and non-believers for ages. Without knowing the details, we all have a pretty good idea about the plot of this episode. God sends Jonah on a mission to a great, but wicked, city. In that time, city-states were most likely the equivalent of what we would consider a small country. Everyone knows Jonah’s issue. Basically, he was a racist. He knew God was compassionate and he didn’t want Nineveh to be spared. Of course, eventually he complies. He preaches a message of destruction. And the people repent. They “believed in” God.
The Hebrew expression is ya’aminu, from the verb ‘aman. But the odd thing about ‘aman is that it isn’t primarily concerned with correct information. It means “to be firm, to support, to nurture or to establish.” Only by derivation does it come to mean receiving something as sure, reliable and certain. In other words, the principal meaning of “believe” is manifest reliability. When I “believe” in Hebrew, I alter my life. I depend on what I hear and act accordingly. What did the people of Nineveh do? They called a fast. They repented. They feared what God said and the begged for forgiveness and mercy. What do modern “believers” do? They check the box marked “Religious Preference – Christian.” They recite the Lord’s Prayer. They have a Bible somewhere in the house. They wear a cross necklace. But fast? Or beg for mercy? No longer necessary. “I believe in God” is cognitively good enough.
If Yeshua, Sha’ul, Kefa (Peter) and Yochanan (John) used Hebrew expressions, then they were speaking about ‘aman as well. That means evangelism based on information alone is useless. It has no more efficacy than the idols of Nineveh. If we believe, we have something to do. Unless there is subsequent action, there is no application of the verb ‘aman. As James said, “The demons recognize the reliability of God’s word (believe) and they shudder.” Perhaps we need to make a marginal note in our Bibles each time we read the word “believe.” That note might be something like this: “What behavior does this demand?” In the Greek world, cognitive information is enough to pass the test. In the Hebrew world, information without action condemns us to failure.
Do you believe in God? Of course. So, what behaviors does God demand of you that will manifest your utter dependence of His reliability? And what does it say about you if they aren’t present?
Topical Index: believe, ‘aman, information, behavior, Jonah 3:5
I love this small but HUGE distinction. It was made clear when I participated in Beth Moore’s study entitled, BELIEVING GOD.
The differece became obvious, between BELIEVING IN GOD, and, BELIEVING GOD. I believe Him and it is my passion to learn what He has said (and is saying still), and to believe it to the extent that I do it!
Exactly what you have been teaching us, Skip – thanks again!
What a huge difference when you omit that little English word “in”! It all comes down to whether or not I choose to act on what I hear or just let it hang out in my head.
Gayle, Like the major difference of being IN love with someone/something and falling out of love vs. loving them even when I may not feel like it. This is the staying power within relationship…the reliability factor. IN designates a location, love is a state of being/doing.
“a perfect and transcendent Jerusalem”
Hi John,
Thanks for sharing your excellent piece of writing, it is very interesting.
For me, it raises some issues and questions that are always kicking around in the back of my head.
So now do we have two “non things” up there?
A perfect and transcendent Jerusalem and a perfect and transcendent God.
It is a beautiful vision and I am just wondering.
As I undestand it the Hebrew Doctrine of God contains the following characteristics:
– Unity
– Incorporeality
– Omnipresence
– Omnipotence
– Omniscience
– Eternity
– Justice and Mercy
– Fatherhood
– Holiness and Perfection
– The Ineffable Name
This Hebrew list of characteristics jumps out at me because it is almost identical to what I was taught in grades 5, 6, and 7 by the Catholic Church.
The big difference, of course, is that the Son replaced the Ineffable Name.
The funny thing was that the Catholic Church really didn’t teach much of anything about Jesus Christ, except that God comes in the form of the Son (as well as the Father and Holy Ghost).
When I read the Bible in college, I didn’t notice much of this kind of thinking; it seemed sort of Greek to me.
And maybe a bit like Matthew.
I can’t help but chime in here. The list of attributes is really “Christian” (and it particular, the elaboration of St. Thomas Aquinas), not necessarily Hebrew. In other words, what you have here is a philosophical construction based in logically derived categories from certain assumptions. You will never find the words like omniscient or omnipresent in the Bible. What you find is far more anthropomorphic. What we (men) did is reduce these anthropomorphic statements to a system of philosophy (theology). It’s no surprise that you think this is just like the Catholic teaching. IT IS THE CATHOLIC TEACHING. But go ask a Jew about God and you are likely to get a very different list (like Exodus 34:6).
Skip: “what you have here is a philosophical construction based in logically derived categories from certain assumptions.
Mike: Hi Skip, I agree and was very attracted to the teachings in Catechism class for that reason 🙂
Skip: “You will never find the words like omniscient or omnipresent in the Bible.”
Mike: I understand, but one could argue that the transcendent view of God in the first creation story appears to be much closer to omniscient and omnipresent, than the anthropormorphic God of the second creation story.
Skip: IT IS THE CATHOLIC TEACHING
Mike: I understand. That’s why it blew my mind when I found the “checklist” in The Major Teachings of the Rabbinic Sages 🙂
Yes, good points. Except that what you are reading in the sages is also influenced by 400 years of Hellenism. Ah, it’s so complicated.
Hi Michael!
Thanks for reading my paper and for leaving a comment about it. Thank you even more for your kind words. 🙂
I too found it quite interesting, in fact I was amazed as I did the research on this and saw the pieces all fit together… It blew me away!!
Our God is so big and mysterious… It is truly awesome as we continue digging and learning more of His truth and His ways.
“Faith” is only as good as the object it is based upon. “Believe” in what? or “Who?”
If I utter these words to Skip, “I’m going to give you one million dollars (American money),” (remember the “if!”), the first thing you’re going to do is a quick determination and analysis of my character. “Is he able and is he actually willing to do what he says he will do?” My character, integrity and ability will be called into question. Will you have “faith” in me? Will you “believe” in what I have offered?
Now for some news. (just the facts ma’m!). Good news and bad news. Let’s go over the facts. Fact #1. I cannot give what I do not have. Even though I might even be willing to give this money to you as a gift, I first must have it, in order to give it. The bad news dear brother is… -I ain’t got it.. I’m sorry if I have disappointed you, but it seems I have promised more than i am able to deliver. You were wise not to trust me and not to “believe” in me or these false words. Now for some “good news.” (turns the page..)
The Good News is: G-d IS able! We may believe “in Him” because He will never lie, and He will never let us down. He will never abandon us or forsake us. When G-d says He will do something, He always follows through. His words are completely and totally reliable. Every time. (please notice, that was a period at the end the sentence..) We can have “faith”, what He says will come to pass.
Let’s do a little review. It goes something like this.. (the pattern). “And G-d said.. and it was so.” or “And G-d said and … it came to pass” “When He says “My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do,” -we can “rest assured”, it will be so. Happens every time..
Our behavior is a by-product of our belief. If I “believe” my house is an easy target for the burglars lurking in my neighborhood, I’ll do something about it and install an alarm system. (if I “believe” this will be a deterrrent!). If I “believe” someone is offering a plate of food to me (usually indicated by the outstretched arm), I will “respond” and reach forth mine own hand to “receive” the proferred provender.
Belief is not- “mental assent.” It is not a tip-of-the-hat bob-of-the-head nod toward G-d. It is not, “yeah.. I hear ya.” No, no, and no. Listen again to James- the “demons believe and tremble”. You gonna let a demon out-do you? At least they “tremble.” Our behavior is a by-product of our belief. If we believe G-d’s word is true (and it is) then why,-(oh why?) are we not doing what He asks us to do? What is the hold-up?
What are we waiting for? – (I dunno..)
It’s “unbelief.” We suffer from the sin of “not believing.” We do not believe His words are true and we do not believe in the character of a loving and holy G-d. Our ears have become “dull of hearing” and our eyes blinded to the truth of G-d’s word. “Unbelief” is the unpardonable sin. If we do not believe in G-d or do not believe His words are true, our future is dim indeed. We are walking in darkness with a future darker still.
‘aman? -Amen..
Amen brother , ,,You see in the physical world when a person BELIVES in something they do it. The beleive is followed by an action that reflects the belife thus the peson needs not to even utter words. Their action reflects what they belive. For example , if a person belives that they can swim, they go swimming and a person can say they beleive but until they actually get into the water their action reflects what they truley beleive, not their words. The same applies to beleiving in the saving power of the death and resurection of Jesus. If a person beleives in what that means then thier life would reflect that. Jesus’ sacrifice was to enable us to walk in righteousness and be holy and stay pure. If a person beleives this then they would walk accordingly……….
Shalom Michelle,
I of course agree with what you have stated … 🙂
Now the rub and the problem(s):
The reduction of “belief” to a cognitive act is not the conjuring of this (our) generation by any means; our culture sits upon a long history of this convention!
The folks who should be combating this convention unfortunately propagate it while spinning “being under grace” as “being kadosh” … thereby removing the obligation of acting upon the grace gifted to mankind …. and consequently removing the herds from being purposeful and thriving in unity as the community that is Israel! And when the truth is spoken … legalism is often invoked as a primary argument! 🙁
Ultimately Skip asks: [“Do you believe in God? Of course. So, what behaviors does God demand of you that will manifest your utter dependence of His reliability? And what does it say about you if they aren’t present?”]
Another big question … “What do you do when your heritage of faith fails to address such a rudimentary issue?” Does one stay or get out of Dodge?
Thank you for your comments, were the questions at the end retorical or meant to be answered?
Hi Michelle,
Like many folks that have moved away from the heritage handed down to me … the question is actually a tactical one for anyone inclined to address the issue. I have found the proposition to be difficult and usually find the responses that folks at TW provide to be pretty interesting!
To stay or to leave? SInce we have a biblical record of both behaviors, my guess is that the answer is “do what God asks.” The geography is not important. The obedience is.