Questions, Questions, Questions
“I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom; preach the word, be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 NASB
Be ready – I have often heard this verse offered as justification for theological study, in particular for those studies that lead someone to become a more effective apologist for the faith, a witness who brings in the harvest. The Greek seems to support such a conclusion. Ephistemi means “to set in place, to stand by, to press with interest,” so it only seems logical that Paul is instructing us to be sure we know what to say when someone asks about believing. Laying emphasis on “preach the word,” we imagine that we must have a ready answer for every inquiry, or more importantly, we must be out there witnessing in order to “save souls.”
I wonder if we interpret this exhortation in its cultural context. That raises some questions; questions that are uncomfortable in our contemporary exegesis. How would you answer these?
If systematic theology is so important for the correct understanding of God, Man and faith, why is there no Jewish systematic theology?
If the proper worship of God is so important to honoring Him, why is there such variety among Christian denominations? Is worship only a matter of the heart?
If celebrating the events of God’s interaction with men is so crucial for the cohesiveness of the community, why does Christianity ignore the required biblical festivals?
If following Jesus is important to a life of discipleship, why do Christians dismiss His Torah obedience, His Jewish cultural view and His Old Testament orientation?
If a closed canon is so critical, why was the Jewish canon still open until religious pressure from Christianity forced its closure in the fourth century?
If all of the Bible is the inspired word of God, why do Christian theologians dismiss God’s instructions found in the Old Testament? How do they know which ones count?
If God created the heavens and the earth perfect at the beginning, why are we convinced that there must be a new heaven and a new earth? Can perfection be improved upon?
Just a few questions rattling around today. I am sure you have more. I do. “Be ready.”
Topical Index: urgent, be ready, ephistemi, questions, 2 Timothy 4:1-2
Shalom dear Skip. I agree whole heartedly with your “Be ready” call. The Bridegroom is standing at the door of our hearts already. Dress properly for His coming. Be ready even today. Then be ready tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that too…
Shalom Shalom!
As I lay sleepless all night in my Sukkah, observing the beautiful full moon and the stars through the loose weave of the green palm branches on the roof my temporary tabernacle, the only theological question I have is the one I’ve literally wrestled with all night…. why did Yah allow mosquitoes
on the Ark! Hag Sameach !!!
From mosquito paradise: Mosquitoes breed in water (swamps, dams, etc); no need for them to have been on the ark, there was enough water to carry their larva all over the world.
Hag Sameach !!!
PS. Do you have a disinfectant called “Dettol” in your part of the world? It needs to be the original and not the new fancy ones. You take 1 part Dettol, 3 parts water and mix it in a spray bottle. You spray yourself and especially your feet with the solution. It confuses the mozzies, because they can’t smell your natural odors. But be careful, certain perfumes and deodorants do the opposite and actually attract the mozzies to you.
Ilze – i don’t know if i would be spraying a toxic chemical all over my body – is “Dettol” a natural deterant??? jan
Dettol is the Australian “fix anything” antisceptic. “Don’t leave home without it!”
Yep. Stings like crazy on grazes and cuts but supposedly hurts the “bad germs” more than it hurts the wound. I still remember it being the standard treatment for playground “battle scars” in primary school. 🙂
Love the questions. Have a few of my own but no time to put them down just now – except for….. If Yeshua is the living Torah and said ‘walk after me’. Why does Christianity walk after the rudiments and traditions of men and call it following Jesus? I will forward today’s word to friends who are still struggling with ‘why Torah’ because we are under grace!!……
These questions are particularly pertinent:-
‘If all of the Bible is the inspired word of God, why do Christian theologians dismiss God’s instructions found in the Old Testament? How do they know which ones count’?
‘If celebrating the events of God’s interaction with men is so crucial for the cohesiveness of the community, why does Christianity ignore the required biblical festivals’?
Hag Sameach to everyone!
Christine
Christine, the first thing that came to my mind this morning about the questions you ask – is because hasatan got in there & did his best to twist/counterfeit everything & make it “easier” to follow – gave us all the grace story incorrectly too – grace is empowerment to do what is right not to do what is wrong & think it is covered & right – grace is the empowerment that says as long as you are trying & miss the mark i will understand but if you are just still going your own way & doing wrong/sinning & not giving it one iota of a try to stop doing wrong/sin because i am covered by grace is a lie – it is empowerment strength to help us do right things not do wrong things & think we/it is okay/all right because of grace…
my grace is sufficient for you – in other words it is the power to help you not sin & to do right in the eyes of GOD/YAHWEH – JESUS/YESHUA – seems the word righteous(ness) comes from right…
2 Corinthians 12: 9 http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/12-9.htm GRACE IS POWER TO DO THE STRENGTH THING WHEN YOU ARE WEAK & CANNOT – NOT JUST STOP TRYING WHEN YOU ARE WEAK & GIVE INTO SIN THINKING IS IT COVERED BY GRACE – IT IS NOT – IT IS THE POWER TO BE STRONG & DO RIGHT(EOUSNESS) & STOP SINNING OVER & OVER AGAIN – WE HAVE TO MATURE IN CHRIST & BE TRANSFORMED INTO HIS IMAGE & THAT DOESN’T HAPPEN IF WE CONTINUE TO SIN & NEVER OR DON’T REPENT OR TURN AWAY FROM OUR SINNING – THE GRACE THE POWER TO TURN AWAY FROM SIN & BE VICTORIOUS IN OUR LIVES & A MATURE MAN AND/OR WOMAN IN CHRIST – A GOOD & FAITHFUL POWERFUL SERVANT FULL OF RIGHTEOUSNESS & BLAMELESS BECAUSE WE ARE MORE LIKE HIM/HIS IMAGE – NOT MORE LIKE OUR OLD SELVES – PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SANCTIFICATION THESE DAYS – GRACE BRINGS SANCTIFICATION & MATURITY IN CHRIST… ♥ j
1 Peter 4:15,16 is similar.
But it starts with “In your hearts, set apart Christ as LORD.”
And from my own life I know that this is exactly where things go wrong. When Christ is not Lord of my life, but I treat Him like an idol that can just be moved from one shelf to another, I am free to cover up my sin; free to work out my own theology and manipulate others.
But if Christ is LORD in my heart, then I have to walk as He did – following Torah, keeping the Feasts of the LORD, changing my Greek mindset to that of a Hebrew mindset.
I have often wondered that if Torah was done away with, then what instructions for living do we follow? The cliche’ Christian would answer “we live by love and trust.” While the answer may be true seen from a Hebraic worldview, it leaves “believers” to interpret their own morality…..and in today’s world, “love” does not love its enemies, and “trust” is in one’s self. By the way, thank you Skip for adding even more questions to my “think tank.” 🙂
Jimmy
Well put.
Answers:
All thought is a “system” of thought. Even if you say “I have no systematic theology” this is in effect your “systematic theology.” Judaism just doesn’t call their “system” systematic theology. Remember, the alternative to “systematic” is “unsystematic.”
The critical mistake in understanding the Old Testament, is the mistaken idea that the Torah was given as a way of salvation. When that didn’t work out, God instituted Plan B. This is the “grid” through which Scripture is read, so anything that appears as if it might lead to the Old Testament is dismissed as the outdated Plan A. Alleged interpretations of the New Testament are claimed to “replace” OT teaching. The exception is the “moral” law, usually held to be just the Ten Commandments. As a result, readers “gloss over” passages such as Hebrews 8 and 10 where it clearly indicates the the “fault” God found was not with his covenant, but with his people. Therefore, the New covenant of Jeremiah had been ushered in to deal with the people, not with the Torah. The Torah — now written on the hearts and minds of God’s people (see Psalm 1).
While the Torah speaks of the priesthood of all of God’s people, there was a “special” priesthood, and one of their functions was as a “court of appeal” on matters of dispute — including what the Torah might mean. The idea that religious truth is finally in the hands of religious “leaders” is too much for modern man who claims that he alone is court of final appeal. With that in place, each man is an island, and the real amazement is not that there are 30,000 denominations, but that this number is so small! 🙂
MY ANSWERS TO SKIP’S QUESTIONS IN CAPS… ♥
I wonder if we interpret this exhortation in its cultural context. That raises some questions; questions that are uncomfortable in our contemporary exegesis. How would you answer these?
If systematic theology is so important for the correct understanding of God, Man and faith, why is there no Jewish systematic theology? BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A THEOLOGY FOR THEM/JEWS – IT WAS A WAY OF LIFE PASSED DOWN FROM THEIR ANCESTORS & THE WORD OF YAHWEH/GOD… METHODOLOGY MAYBE INSTEAD OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY…
If the proper worship of God is so important to honoring Him, why is there such variety among Christian denominations? Is worship only a matter of the heart?
If celebrating the events of God’s interaction with men is so crucial for the cohesiveness of the community, why does Christianity ignore the required biblical festivals? BECAUSE PAGANISM CREPT IN & TWISTED THE JEWISH CELEBRATIONS FROM GOD – hasatan JUST HAS TO TWIST EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE’S COMFORT ZONE…
If following Jesus is important to a life of discipleship, why do Christians dismiss His Torah obedience, His Jewish cultural view and His Old Testament orientation? AGAIN hasatan HAS DONE his WORK HERE ON THIS EARTH – hasatan WAS SENT HERE FOR A PURPOSE – hasatan WAS ALWAYS SET OUT TO DESTROY THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE(S) – THE NATION OF ISRAEL & THEN THE GENTILE AS WE BECAME GRAFTED IN AS THE WILD OLIVE SHOOT… THE DESTRUCTION OF GOD’S PEOPLE HAS “ALWAYS” BEEN HIS PRIMARY MISSION… AND WITH JOB – LOOKS AS IF he/hasatan HAS TO ASK PERMISSION TO SIFT US & DESTROY US IF he can… DON’T WE/YOU KNOW THAT GOD KNOWS THOSE WHO WILL CAVE & THOSE WHO WILL NOT… SO BE A SPELUNKER & DIG FOR THE TRUTH LIKE SKIP DOES & SHARES WITH US – IF YOU SEEK ME YOU WILL FIND ME – WE ALL KNOW THOSE WORDS…
If a closed canon is so critical, why was the Jewish canon still open until religious pressure from Christianity forced its closure in the fourth century? AGAIN – SOME person/hasatan AT WORK TO DECEIVE US & SHUT DOWN THE TRUTH… WE HAVE A REAL enemy THAT IS CONSTANTLY AT WORK TO COMPLETE his mission here on earth…
If all of the Bible is the inspired word of God, why do Christian theologians dismiss God’s instructions found in the Old Testament? How do they know which ones count? WE ONLY KNOW WHAT WE DIG FOR OR LISTEN TO OR READ OR IS POWERFULLY REVEALED TO US BY GOD/JESUS/HOLY SPIRIT & AGAIN SCRIPTURE HAS BEEN TWISTED FOR hasatan’s benefit NOT OURS – SEEK & YE SHALL FIND THE TRUTH/HIM…
If God created the heavens and the earth perfect at the beginning, why are we convinced that there must be a new heaven and a new earth? Can perfection be improved upon? BECAUSE hasatan has corrupted the earth & the heavens – it has to be renewed just like us – transformed from the corrupt to the incorruptible – we only have a portion of the TRUTH OF THE PURE & PERFECT HEAVEN & EARTH – WHY WOULD WE WANT ANYTHING LESS THAN A NEW OR RESTORED TO THE PERFECTION IT ONCE WAS HEAVENS & EARTH & PEOPLE… ♥
Just a few questions rattling around today. I am sure you have more. I do. “Be ready.”
THOSE WHO WAIT UPON THE LORD (READY) WILL MOUNT UP WITH EAGLES WINGS & SOAR…
ISAIAH 40:31 http://scripturetext.com/isaiah/40-31.htm
READY & WAITING:
http://bible.org/article/waiting-lord
Psa. 27:14 Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.
Psa. 37:9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the Lord, they will inherit the land.
Thank you Ian! I loved your observation on the number of denominations. Plus, every individual and all of the many ‘groups’, each claim that they have more of the ‘truth’ concerning God than everyone else! If this were not so, then we would not have all of these differing groups, including independent assemblies! There would be only one body of Christ.
I also endorse your observation and conclusions concerning the doctrine of Hebrews 8 & 10 (Jeremiah 31:33). So, what is the problem within the Christian community of today? While a professing disciple of HaMashiach may have God’s law written on their hearts and minds, men are still reluctant to read, comprehend, and implement those laws in their lives (Galatians 5:25). It would seem as though the problem with mankind that God lamented over in Jeremiah remains among His people even today. The difference? Today, if one tastes of the Spirit and then rejects God’s offered provision for salvation, there is no Plan C (Hebrews 6).
This topic was the very thing our community of faith here was addressing as we have gathered together for 8-days to observe Sukkot or the Feast of Tabernacles, commemorating and celebrating a time when HaShem will being heaven down to earth and truly tabernacle with us.
As we saw the stream of people driving to work on this Holy moedim, we envisioned the day when all nations would be flowing to Jerusalem to rejoice in the divine order that would finally be resident and present. For now, it is just a remnant.
The biblical festivals are so awesome in that as one lives through them as a community, God brings greater revelation that cannot come through systematic theology (for there was none back in Yeahua’s time) but only tabernacling in the spirit of unity and harmony in the midst of His Presence. The Shekinah glory falls.
Sadly, for many of us, there is no community with which to celebrate. I don’t know anyone in my city that celebrates the festivals, except one and she went to Jerusalem to celebrate (How awesome is that?? I’m sure there is probably a Jewish synagogue here, but I don’t think I’d be much welcomed there, as I’m not Jewish). And, as the only one in my family who desires to celebrate these things, it’s incredibly difficult to figure out how. It would be wonderful not to be part of the stream of people driving to work, and yet, for now and the forseeable future, this seems to be the requirement of the life G-d has given me. I suppose He never said it would be easy, though. 🙂
On another note, these questions are many of the ones that brought me to this site. Truth. Truth seems to be the hardest thing to find today after years of doctrine and denominational tweaking.
Amanda,
I can completely identify with your statements. Never stop longing to be a part of a community of obedient ones! For many years, I have asked the LORD why he put me HERE, in this very rural heartland of the country. And, the only one in my family or local church who considered the Torah and the Feasts of the LORD important to observe. That is changing.
In the last couple of years, several in our church have become aware of what the scripture actually says in the original language. I think that is really a turning point for lots of people, because of the word pictures. The Spirit is moving in the Body of those who Hear and Obey!
This Spring, a group of observant believers, with whom I’d only had a passing acquaintance (or so I thought), contacted me and said the LORD had told them to come to our home and show us how to celebrate Passover. So, four people came from Dallas (2.5 hours away), and celebrated with a roomful of us. It was fantastic.
A few weeks ago, the teacher of that group was having difficulty finding an appropriate location for them to celebrate Sukkot, and he said he had the impression that he should call me and see if I knew of a place. It just so happens this is the ‘off season’ for our local lake, with great camping areas! He had no idea that we had a lake here, but the Father did. They began arriving yesterday, and we had a great evening together. More will arrive today.
I remember this time last year complaining to Skip about not having the proper attitude to celebrate ‘the season of our joy.’ The past year has been different for us.
The Father has a plan. You are in it. He is holding your hand, and others are observing Him through you, as you walk with Him. He is working out his Will in you. I pray that you continue in the Way, and that the blessings of The LORD will fill your life with an awe that no words can describe! Shalom, Sister! 🙂
Gayle, your testimony is a great encouragement. I think many are waiting for YHWH to open doors that only He can. I am one of that number. Relatively few in number compared to status quo Christianity, however, a number that appears to be growing nonetheless.
Skip-
I have a question about your question why we are convinced that there must be a new heaven and a new earth. God’s Word mentions it four times: Is.65:17, Is.66:22, 2 Pet.3:13 and Rev.21:1.
What exactly is your question?
Rich
Rich,
You need to look at the words behind the English translations. The Word does not speak of a new heaven and a new earth. The Greek word used in the NT is kainos – renewed; not neos – brand new. Trace the word back to the Hebrew and you find chadash – renewed or fresh. This is the word used in Isaiah. Peter and John are both referring to the prophecies in Isaiah and they fully understood the sense in which chadash is used there; even though the Hebrew term can mean both “renewed” and “new” the Greek text of the NT cannot – if it was “brand new” it would be neos, not kainos.
God is in the business of restoration. He will restore everything back to its original created order. The story begins in the garden and ends in the garden. In between is the story of how we lost the garden and God’s plan for restoration.
The idea of a new heaven and a new earth (replacing that which God saw was very good) comes from Platonism – the physical world is corrupt and inherently evil, the spiritual world is pure and inherently good. In order to “restore” creation, all that was created must be destroyed and replaced with something else. That’s not in the Bible that Yeshua read (nor the Bible that Paul read, or John, or Peter…).
Again, while I VERY often find these inspiring and have no Hebrew so I bow to the authority and I recognize much wisdom here…Still I can’t help thinking that what’s being stated is that one group of people/school of thought (Jews) who don’t believe Jesus was divine have all the approach, outlook and thought correct and another group who think Jesus was God incarnate have the approach wrong. Western philosophy, which is concerned in some cases with logic and what we can know given creation and our reason and which is not always theological also is misleading and to some extent incorrect. I don’t know what to do with this.
Skip, is the “new” heaven the neos -brand new, never existed before – heaven or the kainos – renewed – heaven?
Ian, it is kainos.
“Can perfection be improved upon?”
Or, are there degrees of perfection ? Yeshua thought so. Matt 5:48, but you have to get to the Greek word to appreciate the “perfection” that Yeshua demanded.
Ian,
What you said is Greek to me! 🙂 Can you please explain?
Gayle
The word translated as “perfect” at Matt. 5:48 — teleios — has the meaning of bringing to an end, to consummate, to bring to an ultimate goal . Therefore, to be “perfect” means to grow to maturity. And in this sense, there are “degrees” of “perfection”. 🙂
That does make sense. Thanks, Ian.
What is the Greek and Hebrew word for Ressurection. It would seem to me Christs “new” body was a forshadowing of the new/renewed creation?
Also, my other message to which no one has responded sent before I was finished…
I understand that simply believing Yeshua was the Messiah doesn’t put your life, theology etc in order. It may be true but it doesn’t make you a disciple. But if it IS true and part of God’s creation, plan etc. then why have “Christians” who think it’s true gone off the rails while Jews (those who deny Yeshua’s divinity I mean) who do not think this is true seem to have not stumbled off the path.
I’m putting this very badly but surely someone sees what I’m getting at. Is there any meaning left in the notion of following The Christ?
In order to get to the right answers (that is if we are interested in right answers..) we must ask (and pay attention to) the right questions. When hasatan asked our (not-so-grand) grandparents “hath G-d said..?” What should Adam’s right response to this have been? (and how would have we responded?)
– So, I’ll repeat this same question (years later)- “hath G-d said..?” Did G-d really say that? Surely not..- Let me introduced the element of doubt for you..-
Allow me to answer this question (please). Yes, Yes, -“thank you for asking.” (Let us not forget to be polite.) Yes, now I remember- (thank you for reminding me!)- G-d did say- “don’t eat the fruit!” And we should “shema” His instructions. G-d said, He said, Our Creator said.. ,our Friend and close Companion said, the ONE we fellowship with in the cool of the evening said..- “Don’t eat the fruit.”
Now, let’s fast forward six millenia later. Is the word of G-d still valid? What does the Bible say of itself? “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17.17) Friends, who said this? -Yeshua did and it was a part of His prayer. And friends, when He speaks- life occurs, but when He prays? Has He ever prayed a prayer that was not answered? -And aren’t we glad He is our Intercessor?