Total Recall
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 NASB
True – Mind control? Is that what Paul is preaching? Are we to imagine that Paul, the Jewish Messianic rabbi, is exhorting us to shape our faith by the power of the mind? It would be easy to read this verse as if that’s what Paul is saying, but how does it read if we think of the Hebrew equivalents of these common Greek terms?
Let’s start with “true.” In Greek, alethe (alethia), a word constructed from not and to forget. We immediately see that the Greek idea is cognitive. In fact, it seems to be connected to the Socratic idea that the mind of Man already contains Truth, resident in the spark of divinity that makes us human, and that all that is necessary is that the clouds of deception be removed for this truth to shine forth. We find the same thought present today when we assume that all men are in essence reasonable and that all that is needed to have the utopian Greek society is to properly educate and remove impediments to correct thinking. Pour money and resources into education and you will achieve the noble society. That ancient idea is just as much a part of our culture today as it was when Plato wrote about Socrates.
But it isn’t Paul’s thinking.
The Hebrew idea of “true” rests in the word emet. This word is about reality that is firm, stable and binding. In other words, it is about conduct, not cognition. In translation, it is connected to the Greek words for “faith,” “peace,” “simple” (i.e., without ulterior motive), “grace,” and “justice.” The Hebrew idea comes from a legal environment where it means something that is confirmed by the facts. It is connected to observable reality. For Paul, “whatever is true” is the same as whatever is in conformity to God’s reality. To be true is to be aligned with what God reveals. In Hebrew thought we might say that 2 +2 = 4 is correct, but we wouldn’t say that it was true. “Thou shall have no other gods before Me” is true. “Honor the Sabbath and keep it holy” is true. But the fact that my Zip code is 34756 is merely correct. By the way, if the Ten Commandments are true, then that means you can see me practice them. If I do not practice them, then I undo what God has put in place. I falsify His instructions. Obviously, my behavior shows that I am not dwelling on these things.
Are we Greek or Hebrew? There’s a really simple test. If I believe that what is required for “faith” is correct thinking with or without behavioral alignment, then I am probably employing the Greek idea alethia. But if I see the truth of God’s words present in my daily behavior with or without understanding all the cognitive consequences, then I am probably employing the Hebrew emet.
Topical Index: true, alethe, emet, Philippians 4:8
I am amazed at how twisted, wrinkled and confused I have been for so many years in my Greek mindset. I have contained all my ‘Christianity’ within the confines of my cerebral matter. I don’t really pass blame to those that taught me such things, as I am surely responsible for the sin I’ve exercised. However, I do feel somewhat betrayed in being taught how to think in a manner not aligned with biblical truths. With each simple explanation wrapped in a Hebrew thought/understanding, my mind is unraveled and set on the clear and simple axioms of behavior that aligns with His instructions.
Previously, I’ve had to struggle with mind warping explanations that were convoluted, bent, and difficult to understand and grasp realistically. Yet, somehow I created a home for these contorted ideas, labeled them my religion and trudged along.
Now, slowly but steadily, I’m beginning to grasp and understand the straightforward and mostly simple biblical concepts from their Hebrew worldview.
Life is joyful, easier, simpler, and more straight forward. Torah. Just do it. Just follow it. Just digest it via my actions in life. Simple. Straight forward. To the point and bottom line. When I hear and see the explanations from this Hebrew mindset, my mind relaxes, my heart jumps and my burdens are relieved even in the midst of turmoil.
How dark my mind and life have been while captured in the jail of wrongly understood truths. How in light and de light full my life has been comparatively when walking in the simple truths of His rightly divided word.
Amazing.
Thank you, Skip, for clarifying truths in a simple and understandable manner. More valuable than fine gold.
Truly.
Well stated Michael. This is exactly my testimony as well. This seems to be a theme for me these days. I just read the following in a newsletter this evening.
“In the theologies that maintain a wide separation between the righteous and righteousness, there is considerable confusion as to the responsibilities of the righteous. A question to ask an adherent of such a theology might be, “Because I am declared to be righteous, and because whatever righteousness I have is imputed to me, are you saying that I am not ‘obligated’ to live a righteous life?” Of course, they would immediately backtrack and declare the righteous must become more “sanctified” over time – which is simply a theological construct to distance the righteous from righteousness, and yet somehow maintain the standard that we must not continue in sin (Romans 6:1). What a confusing mess such theologies have foisted upon unsuspecting congregants, and what a mess they have made as they struggle to be able to even define sin in a way that negates the “Law of Moses” (to their liking) and yet still allows them to pretend to care about the righteous standard of HaShem. In other words, it is theological gobbly-gook that cannot stand the test of logic, much less the support of the Scriptures.
How much better to simply allow the Scriptures to teach us that although we believers are reckoned as righteous (imputed righteousness), we must still live out that righteousness in day-to-day living. Righteousness is not only about rejecting sin – it is about simple obedience; and of course, we cannot obey if we do not know HaShem’s righteous standard, which is the Torah. Such simple obedience is positive and proactive. It emanates from the righteous, like light. It comes from the real thing that sanctifies the righteous, the real thing that sets us apart from the world: the commandments of the Almighty, and our faithfully obeying Him.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
The lamp is the mizvah [the Commandment], the light is the Torah (Proverbs 6:23). Let the Torah shine – live it out! ”
Good Stuff!
Thanks, Pam. Isn’t it amazing the similar results that emanate from individuals separated by time, geography and upbringing? Many of us, though unknown to each other, come to the same conclusions when confronted with the pure, clean, and powerful truths of scriptures. That is, when explained not via roller coaster theology that travels by abruptness, sharpness, and with great shakings, but with simple, easy explanations couched within their original meanings and intent.
When walking through a long, hot, and deadly desert, I don’t really need some convoluted, strained, bent to fit in a pre-designed box theological explanation. All I need is a cool glass of wet water and to be pointed in the right direction. Drink and walk. In doing that, I’ll survive and arrive at the destination. He is the living water to drink while I walk and gather the dust of the Master’s feet.
Death or life. Choose this day. I choose to walk in life. Dissect the Torah. Chew on it and live.
Quite simple. An easy yoke. A light burden.
De. 6:7 and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
If our theology is so complex that we can’t keep this commandment then we need to toss our theology. 🙂
Shalom Michael
That is exactly right, Pam. I greatly regret not acting in this manner as I ‘progressed’ in my christian walk. I have failed miserably in the ‘teaching them diligently unto thy children” department. Although I have, in recent years, begun to make strong efforts and inroads towards creating an atmosphere that allows that with my grown children. It’s a lot slower and more difficult now. They live there and I live here. In the regular but brief moments I get with them presently, I struggle to balance all that could be inserted in our times together.
How I wish I could have been raised in an environment that taught all that stuff.
Ditto Michael. But YHVH knows all that. Walk in piece and demonstrate the truth. Love them and pray for them. My point above is seen in the fruit of my own children as well. I didn’t know this sweet walk of simple obedience until I was a grand mother.
My Grand-kids think I’m weirdly cool. My kids aaaaa….. not so much.
Darn spell check!!! Walk in peace. 🙂 Shalom
Verily! One simple truth at a time! Well put.
“emet” is a four letter word
m = water = 40
t = cross = 400
d = door = 4
YHVH
To understand a literary text requires four levels of interpretation, according to some scholars
This is wonderful (gospel) news. Now we may both “think about” and “observe” the cross of the Chosen One, the LORD Jesus (who is the) Christ.
See His hands, see the cruel marks of bitterness and shame.
See His hands reaching out to take the whole world’s pain.
O, see His hands (O, see His hands)
O, see his wounds (O, see His wounds)
O, see His hands reaching out to the world.
Feel His hands, feel his touch upon your tear stained face.
Feel his hands gently lifting you to beauty and grace.
O, feel His hands (O, feel His hands)
O, feel His wounds (O, feel His wounds)
O, feel His hands reaching out to your pain.
Take his hands in your own, touch those precious scars.
Take the love from His wounds: heal your wounded heart.
O, take His hands (O, take his hands)
O, touch his wounds (O, touch hisHiswounds)
O feel His love flowing into your heart.
Thomas, (one of the twelve talmudim) would not “believe” unless he had proof. And what did our Savior offer to him?
Well worth remembering, -its seems most of us have forgotten .. we walk by faith and NOT by sight..
Abraham also was buffaloed by Esau.. “the voice is that of Jacob, but the hands of those of Esau..”
but here is the story of Didymus- Thomas.. one of the twelve.. “be not faithless, but believing..”
As the Bereans would ask: ~ what do the scriptures say? ~
And would would our LORD say? ~ you do err- not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God ~ (which is His word).
~ Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the LORD!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe it.”
A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (Shalom!) Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”
Thomas said to Him, (said to Who?- and said what?) “My LORD AND my God!”
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~
Blindness (in part) has happened unto Israel.
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, LORD, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
To Christ, who won for sinners grace
By bitter grief and anguish sore,
Be praise from all the ransomed race
Forever and forevermore.
Let us “not forget” (alethia) it was Christ, our Savior and LORD who said, ~ Remember Me ~
~ Are you the Christ, or should we look for another? ~
~ So He answered them by saying, “Go, tell Yochanan what you have been seeing and hearing: the blind are seeing again, the lame are walking, people with tzara`at are being cleansed, the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, the Good News is being told to the poor.. ~
~ Some trust in chariots, some in horses- but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God ~
(Psalm 20.7)
Carl,
Thanks for your contributions. It seems you consistently have much to share. Have you thought about starting your own blog? With the regular 700-1000 word essays you contribute, consistently more than than the typical 400-500 words Skip shares on a daily basis, it possibly could be an indication that you might have what it takes to do your own blog. Or do you have one already? If so, would you share where I might find it?
Thanks.
Michael, no I do not have a blog, (nor the “tech-support!” I would need.. lol!) but I do enjoy what brother Skip “brings to the table” for us to feast upon every day and that would be a portion of “our daily bread”- bringing us all together to think about, to meditate upon and then “to do,” to “shema” the words of our Savior and our God. Our Bible declares “every word of God is pure” even down to even the “jots and the tittles..”
~ Your words were found, and I did eat them; and your word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by your Name, O LORD God of hosts ~ (Jeremiah 15.16) I’m no “fitness expert”, but it has been said fitness is eighty percent diet. Skip does an excellent service for us all in providing a wonderful wonderful “meal” for us everyday- all based upon the the life-giving/life imparting words, all found within the book God wrote – our Bible.
God has promised (and all of His promises have and will come into being) ~ if you abide in Me and my words abide in you- you will ask and you will receive ~ but how can this be? If we ask according to His word, we will be asking according to His will for that is where the “will of the LORD” is found – in His word!
~ Casting all you care upon Him- for He care for you! ~ (just do it!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkmpU-_Nvsc
p.s. “700-1000 word essays” lol! – It is better to say more with less.. (more or less!)
Interestingly, this morning I read Psalm 40:4 where it talks about how blessed is the man who trusts in Adonai rather than trusting in those who rely on what is false. This post gave a whole new level of meaning to this verse because, if you apply the definition of truth here and its opposite, it’s no longer about people who rely on lies, but rather about trusing people who do not live by God’s revelations and reality. Cool! Thanks!
Amanda, Psalm 40 has so many thoughts in it, it should be as familiar to the Believer as Psalm 23. I posted that Psalm as a stand alone article in my Blog.
Good thing there is no copy rite. I find many of the videos I use in support of the script in my articles work until a studio disables it over copy rite.
THOUGHTS OF GOD
May 31, 2012
http://ray032.com/2012/05/31/thoughts-on-god/
“it is about conduct, not cognition.”
The Fruit of Faith is Love, and The Fruit of Love is Service.
Mother Teresa
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE – MOTHER TERESA & PRINCESS DIANA
June 12, 2011
http://ray032.com/2011/06/12/all-you-need-is-love/
“it is about conduct, not cognition.”
Hi Ray,
I like your link to Mother Theresa
MOTHER Teresa = emet t
But don’t forget that cognition precedes conduct
You can’t do the right thing, if you don’t know what to do 🙂
I’m glad you liked it, Michael. I agree with Mother on this fundamental Reality; You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.
I agree cognition precedes conduct. This insight acknowledges that;
Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which says, By hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see, and shall not perceive:
For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Matthew 13:13-16
It is in recognizing Christ, the Spirit begins the work of refining and restoring our Spiritual core and essence of Man/Woman made in the Image and Likeness of God. That doesn’t happen in a moment or a month. It is a lifetime of humility before God as Paul wrote, I die Daily and I Resurrect Daily in the Newness of Christ.
The Kingdom of Heaven is within you Christ says. It is there where we must start the search. The Light of Christ exposes the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in us. People believing in their own righteousness do not want to see the bad or the ugly in themselves. Everyone is righteous in their own eyes Christ recognized then and now.
A Sinner dies in their Youth, but a Child of God dies at 100.
Adam, alethia- and abad Adonai. Alelujah! – amen!
“Adam”
Hi Carl,
Hard for me to get away from AA and MD
interesting, this commentary on the Torah portion this week goes along with TW
http://www.aish.com/tp/b/sw/In_the_Eyes_of_God_and_Man.html
A passer-by might mistakenly draw one of the following conclusions:
– That McDonalds is really kosher
– It’s OK to eat there
Hi Robin,
What would I do without McDonalds?
I like their fish burgers and Mexican dishes