HGO is a forum for Biblical discussion.
We believe there is
ONE GOD - The Father
ONE Lord - Jesus the Messiah, King of the Kingdom
ONE Hope - The Kingdom of GOD
ONE Gospel - The news regarding the coming
Kingdom and it's King
We believe there is
ONE GOD - The Father
ONE Lord - Jesus the Messiah, King of the Kingdom
ONE Hope - The Kingdom of GOD
ONE Gospel - The news regarding the coming
Kingdom and it's King
From: Rhode Island, US
About me: In love with the LORD and my wife. Jesus is coming to take over the world. Are you ready?
More..
Thursday, November 30, 2006,9:27 PM
Another Book Review! The Mystery of the Kingdom of God: The Secret of Jesus' Messiahship and Suffering by Albert Schweitzer (~180 pages written in 1914)
There are several valuable themes in this book. But first I want to get the bad stuff out of the way so we can concentrate on the good. The ending, his conclusion, is entirely self-serving. He declares the end of eschatalogical-focused Christianity because Jesus' death destroyed the Jewish framework of eschatalogy. Thus by examining Jesus in history, we find the worldview he operated in, and subsequently destroyed - "freeing" Jesus from eschatalogically and historically motivated theology. Thus Jesus can be anything he needs to be to anyone in any philosophical position. Like I said, entirely self-serving, and there is plenty of evidence to contradict this idea that Jesus destroyed the eschatalogical worldview.
I think the other bad/questionable action done by Schweitzer is his massive literary reconstruction of the mount of transfiguration. He transplants this scene backward into Galilee before the feeding of the multitude(s?). He maintains that the double record of miracle feedings are actually one and the same record. Also the record was initially Jesus secretly sharing with those people a foreshadowing of the Kingdom feast (Is 25), which Schweitzer then sees Jesus re-applying at the Last Supper. He does this because the current literary form that we have doesn't make sense to him. Ultimately he favors his idea because it creates a better story.
Ok! On to the good! Schweitzer treats the "secret" of Jesus' Messiahship very well I think. He works primarily from Mark. I was always puzzled why Jesus wants the fact of his Messiahship kept secret (he never openly preaches it, he tells those he heals to be quiet about it, and the same with the demons Legion). Schweitzer's position makes sense - his claim to Messiahship is what got him killed. It is what Judas betrayed to the high priest, that Jesus actually claims to be the Messiah, which is blasphemy. Of course one of our immediate reactions is that the entire book of John is written to prove Jesus is the Messiah. But this is written after Jesus, looking back on his life. This is the thrust of the book's point - the secret and how that affects Jesus' preaching and death.
Schweitzer is spot on at pointing out the uncomfortable nature with which the current christian movements are entirely uncomfortable with Jesus' eschatalogical/apocalyptic worldview, that we are entirely unable to make heads or tails of it. He does very well to point out the violence done to the text to remove the eschatalogical sayings from the lips of Jesus. He also points out a very telling fact that "Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand!" is a summary statement of Jesus' preaching. One can see the beginnings of Ehrman's "Kingom Ethics" in Schweitzer's work here also.
He holds repentance in the highest of lights. And likens it to the repentance called on by other prophets of Israel. Not only is repentance "not doing bad", not just stop walking toward the cliff. Not just "focus on God", not just turning around. But consistently walking towards God "doing good" - where "good" is the moral ethics of Jesus. He also made a good point that corrected some things that I had said. He terms Jesus' commands as "interim-ethics", meaning:
"Only he [one who enters the Kingdom] can be the bearer of such authority [in the Kingdom] who has kept himself free from the contamination of earthly rule. To allot it to such [people] as have prepared themselves through suffering is God's affair and his alone" pg. 41
"... inasmuch as they render one meet not merely for entrance into the Kingdom but for bearing rule in it" pg. 55
"The disparagement of the earthly form of existence goes to the length of sacrificing altogether the earthly life for the sake of full assurance of life in the coming age... That is to say, Whosoever, through anxiety about his earthly existence, makes himself unworthy..." pg. 129
I only have two more points to make, and then I'm through so please bear with me. One question that always puzzled me (and the Pharisees) is "How is the Messiah David's son (and therefore subjected to him) yet David calls him adoni, lord?". This brings me to a major realization, the titles Messiah, and Son of Man are titles of role - not identity! Therefore Jesus can refer to the Son of Man in the third person, because while he is the Son of Man, he isn't yet - because he is not acting like that eschatalogical figure. Jesus, before his resurrection was not identified as Messiah, Acts 2 tells us that the resurrection proved he was the Messiah. Now, Jesus sits in the role of Messiah. Therefore there is a huge realization between "Now and Then". There lies a *huge* gap in between (which is filled by the resurrection). This helps us understand Jesus' parables about the mustard seed and yeast in regards to the Kingdom. "Now and Then". Now unleavened bread, Then a full loaf. Now the smallest seed, Then the biggest tree. Jesus' focus is not on process, or slow evolution - the people of the time didn't understand at all those biological processes.
And finally my last point which is slightly controversial. Schweitzer seems to think that Jesus was regarded as "Elijah", the one to come. One reason, as Elijah is tied with miraculous times, Jesus performed miracles, John the Baptist didn't. I don't think this is a big point - I just think it makes more sense of the biblical passages, especially when the characters in the Bible don't know his future identity as Messiah, but believe on him.
There are several valuable themes in this book. But first I want to get the bad stuff out of the way so we can concentrate on the good. The ending, his conclusion, is entirely self-serving. He declares the end of eschatalogical-focused Christianity because Jesus' death destroyed the Jewish framework of eschatalogy. Thus by examining Jesus in history, we find the worldview he operated in, and subsequently destroyed - "freeing" Jesus from eschatalogically and historically motivated theology. Thus Jesus can be anything he needs to be to anyone in any philosophical position. Like I said, entirely self-serving, and there is plenty of evidence to contradict this idea that Jesus destroyed the eschatalogical worldview.
I think the other bad/questionable action done by Schweitzer is his massive literary reconstruction of the mount of transfiguration. He transplants this scene backward into Galilee before the feeding of the multitude(s?). He maintains that the double record of miracle feedings are actually one and the same record. Also the record was initially Jesus secretly sharing with those people a foreshadowing of the Kingdom feast (Is 25), which Schweitzer then sees Jesus re-applying at the Last Supper. He does this because the current literary form that we have doesn't make sense to him. Ultimately he favors his idea because it creates a better story.
Ok! On to the good! Schweitzer treats the "secret" of Jesus' Messiahship very well I think. He works primarily from Mark. I was always puzzled why Jesus wants the fact of his Messiahship kept secret (he never openly preaches it, he tells those he heals to be quiet about it, and the same with the demons Legion). Schweitzer's position makes sense - his claim to Messiahship is what got him killed. It is what Judas betrayed to the high priest, that Jesus actually claims to be the Messiah, which is blasphemy. Of course one of our immediate reactions is that the entire book of John is written to prove Jesus is the Messiah. But this is written after Jesus, looking back on his life. This is the thrust of the book's point - the secret and how that affects Jesus' preaching and death.
Schweitzer is spot on at pointing out the uncomfortable nature with which the current christian movements are entirely uncomfortable with Jesus' eschatalogical/apocalyptic worldview, that we are entirely unable to make heads or tails of it. He does very well to point out the violence done to the text to remove the eschatalogical sayings from the lips of Jesus. He also points out a very telling fact that "Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand!" is a summary statement of Jesus' preaching. One can see the beginnings of Ehrman's "Kingom Ethics" in Schweitzer's work here also.
He holds repentance in the highest of lights. And likens it to the repentance called on by other prophets of Israel. Not only is repentance "not doing bad", not just stop walking toward the cliff. Not just "focus on God", not just turning around. But consistently walking towards God "doing good" - where "good" is the moral ethics of Jesus. He also made a good point that corrected some things that I had said. He terms Jesus' commands as "interim-ethics", meaning:
"Only he [one who enters the Kingdom] can be the bearer of such authority [in the Kingdom] who has kept himself free from the contamination of earthly rule. To allot it to such [people] as have prepared themselves through suffering is God's affair and his alone" pg. 41
"... inasmuch as they render one meet not merely for entrance into the Kingdom but for bearing rule in it" pg. 55
"The disparagement of the earthly form of existence goes to the length of sacrificing altogether the earthly life for the sake of full assurance of life in the coming age... That is to say, Whosoever, through anxiety about his earthly existence, makes himself unworthy..." pg. 129
I only have two more points to make, and then I'm through so please bear with me. One question that always puzzled me (and the Pharisees) is "How is the Messiah David's son (and therefore subjected to him) yet David calls him adoni, lord?". This brings me to a major realization, the titles Messiah, and Son of Man are titles of role - not identity! Therefore Jesus can refer to the Son of Man in the third person, because while he is the Son of Man, he isn't yet - because he is not acting like that eschatalogical figure. Jesus, before his resurrection was not identified as Messiah, Acts 2 tells us that the resurrection proved he was the Messiah. Now, Jesus sits in the role of Messiah. Therefore there is a huge realization between "Now and Then". There lies a *huge* gap in between (which is filled by the resurrection). This helps us understand Jesus' parables about the mustard seed and yeast in regards to the Kingdom. "Now and Then". Now unleavened bread, Then a full loaf. Now the smallest seed, Then the biggest tree. Jesus' focus is not on process, or slow evolution - the people of the time didn't understand at all those biological processes.
And finally my last point which is slightly controversial. Schweitzer seems to think that Jesus was regarded as "Elijah", the one to come. One reason, as Elijah is tied with miraculous times, Jesus performed miracles, John the Baptist didn't. I don't think this is a big point - I just think it makes more sense of the biblical passages, especially when the characters in the Bible don't know his future identity as Messiah, but believe on him.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006,4:15 PM
Questions About The Gospel
Saw this post on another blog - http://musings-from-the-chariot.blogspot.com/
Thought I would pose the same questions to our bloggers....
Did Jesus Preach a Different Gospel Than What is Preached Today?
When we talk about the gospel, we generally mean the idea that Jesus died to save us from our sins. However, when we read the accounts of Jesus in the four gospels, we find that he preached a gospel of the kingdom of God, and he sent the twelve disciples out to preach about gospel of the kingdom of God. When the disciples asked Jesus when he would come back to establish his kingdom, he told them that the good news (gospel) of the kingdom must be preached throughout the world first (Matt. 24.14; Mark 13.10). He also spoke specifically about the good news being preached to the poor (Matt. 11.5; Luke 4.18; Luke 7.22).
Why did Jesus not go around preaching that he had arrived to die in order to save people from their sins? Why was his gospel different from what modern day Christians consider the gospel to be? When did the gospel change? Did the gospel change? What am I missing?
(Friday, September 22, 2006)
The Real Gospel
A few weeks ago I asked the question "Did Jesus preach a different gospel that what is preached today?" A few days ago I found this:
The Christian Gospel of salvation was proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles. It was (and is) the Gospel about the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43; Mat. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). The death and resurrection of Jesus are essential elements included in the Gospel, but they do not constitute the whole Gospel.
The saving Gospel — “the Message about the Kingdom,” “This Gospel about the Kingdom” (Matt. 24:14) which Jesus stated is the basis of salvation (see Matt. 13:19; Luke 8:12; cp. Acts 8:12) — was the center of all biblical preaching. It is the Message which Satan hates (Luke 8:12; Matt. 13:19). It is called throughout the New Testament “the word,” or “the word of the Lord.” The term “word” is positively not just another way of saying the Bible. “The word” is the core of the Bible and that core is found in the saving words of Jesus — his Gospel of the Kingdom.
It appears that we have abandoned Jesus’ Gospel of the Kingdom. To abandon Jesus’ Gospel is to abandon Him (Mark 8:35, 38; 10:39). We have claimed, by prooftexting from one passage in Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, that the Gospel is a message only about the death of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection. That this is untrue is proved by the fact that Jesus and the disciples preached the Gospel, calling it “the Gospel about the Kingdom” and “the Gospel” long before a word was said about His death for sin and His resurrection!
The “evangelical Gospel” in contemporary America leaves out Jesus’ own Gospel and distorts the Gospel of Paul, dividing the Apostle from Jesus and omitting vital information. Without the right facts, how can we successfully believe for salvation? (Read the rest of the article, "The Amazing Shift Away from Jesus in the Popular Gospel," here.)In the book of Mark, Jesus' first words are, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (1:15). All of his public teaching dealt with the coming kingdom; Jesus didn't mention his death until his disciples had come to understand that he, indeed, was the much anticipated Messiah (Matt. 16:13-23; Mark 8:27-33; Luke 9:18-22), and he seemed to confine any discussion of his death to conversations only with his closest twelve disciples. Since they were the only ones who knew for certain that Jesus was the Messiah--and he told them strictly not to tell anyone else--it seems that Jesus wished to emphasize the message about the coming kingdom above all else. He told his twelve closest disciples about his death and resurrection simply to give them comfort and make them aware that the cause would not be lost just because he had died.Luke 24:13-21 tells of two unnamed disciples who are sad about the fact that Jesus had died. Verse 21: "But were were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel." If these two were part of the twelve, Jesus' message about his death and ressurection didn't sink in very well. If these were other disciples not part of the inner circle, this conversation proves that Jesus didn't spend time talking to the general public about his upcoming death.The conversation also proves that Jesus' listeners were expecting a real overthrow of the forces currently occupying Israel. They were expecting the long-awaited redeemer who would restore Israel to its former glory and rule the world from Jerusalem. They were expecting to finally own the promised land once and for all.Paul preached this gospel as well, but he had the benefit of understanding that Jesus' death and resurrection made it possible for all people, not just Jews, to be part of the kingdom if they choose to believe in Jesus' message. We as believers get to be part of a real kingdom in which Jesus rules the world. We get to inherit this kingdom with him and rule with him; that's our reward for following him. We get to see real justice brought to the world--sick people healed, poor people leaving poverty, oppressed people becoming free--and we get to help bring that justice about. All the things that we want to see happen now, and that we try to make happen and mostly fail in now, we will get to help make happen in the kingdom. That's the essential message of Jesus. That's the good news.
(Friday, November 10, 2006)
Saw this post on another blog - http://musings-from-the-chariot.blogspot.com/
Thought I would pose the same questions to our bloggers....
Did Jesus Preach a Different Gospel Than What is Preached Today?
When we talk about the gospel, we generally mean the idea that Jesus died to save us from our sins. However, when we read the accounts of Jesus in the four gospels, we find that he preached a gospel of the kingdom of God, and he sent the twelve disciples out to preach about gospel of the kingdom of God. When the disciples asked Jesus when he would come back to establish his kingdom, he told them that the good news (gospel) of the kingdom must be preached throughout the world first (Matt. 24.14; Mark 13.10). He also spoke specifically about the good news being preached to the poor (Matt. 11.5; Luke 4.18; Luke 7.22).
Why did Jesus not go around preaching that he had arrived to die in order to save people from their sins? Why was his gospel different from what modern day Christians consider the gospel to be? When did the gospel change? Did the gospel change? What am I missing?
(Friday, September 22, 2006)
The Real Gospel
A few weeks ago I asked the question "Did Jesus preach a different gospel that what is preached today?" A few days ago I found this:
The Christian Gospel of salvation was proclaimed by Jesus and the Apostles. It was (and is) the Gospel about the Kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:14, 15; Luke 4:43; Mat. 4:23; 9:35; 24:14; Acts 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). The death and resurrection of Jesus are essential elements included in the Gospel, but they do not constitute the whole Gospel.
The saving Gospel — “the Message about the Kingdom,” “This Gospel about the Kingdom” (Matt. 24:14) which Jesus stated is the basis of salvation (see Matt. 13:19; Luke 8:12; cp. Acts 8:12) — was the center of all biblical preaching. It is the Message which Satan hates (Luke 8:12; Matt. 13:19). It is called throughout the New Testament “the word,” or “the word of the Lord.” The term “word” is positively not just another way of saying the Bible. “The word” is the core of the Bible and that core is found in the saving words of Jesus — his Gospel of the Kingdom.
It appears that we have abandoned Jesus’ Gospel of the Kingdom. To abandon Jesus’ Gospel is to abandon Him (Mark 8:35, 38; 10:39). We have claimed, by prooftexting from one passage in Paul, 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, that the Gospel is a message only about the death of Jesus for our sins and His resurrection. That this is untrue is proved by the fact that Jesus and the disciples preached the Gospel, calling it “the Gospel about the Kingdom” and “the Gospel” long before a word was said about His death for sin and His resurrection!
The “evangelical Gospel” in contemporary America leaves out Jesus’ own Gospel and distorts the Gospel of Paul, dividing the Apostle from Jesus and omitting vital information. Without the right facts, how can we successfully believe for salvation? (Read the rest of the article, "The Amazing Shift Away from Jesus in the Popular Gospel," here.)In the book of Mark, Jesus' first words are, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel" (1:15). All of his public teaching dealt with the coming kingdom; Jesus didn't mention his death until his disciples had come to understand that he, indeed, was the much anticipated Messiah (Matt. 16:13-23; Mark 8:27-33; Luke 9:18-22), and he seemed to confine any discussion of his death to conversations only with his closest twelve disciples. Since they were the only ones who knew for certain that Jesus was the Messiah--and he told them strictly not to tell anyone else--it seems that Jesus wished to emphasize the message about the coming kingdom above all else. He told his twelve closest disciples about his death and resurrection simply to give them comfort and make them aware that the cause would not be lost just because he had died.Luke 24:13-21 tells of two unnamed disciples who are sad about the fact that Jesus had died. Verse 21: "But were were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel." If these two were part of the twelve, Jesus' message about his death and ressurection didn't sink in very well. If these were other disciples not part of the inner circle, this conversation proves that Jesus didn't spend time talking to the general public about his upcoming death.The conversation also proves that Jesus' listeners were expecting a real overthrow of the forces currently occupying Israel. They were expecting the long-awaited redeemer who would restore Israel to its former glory and rule the world from Jerusalem. They were expecting to finally own the promised land once and for all.Paul preached this gospel as well, but he had the benefit of understanding that Jesus' death and resurrection made it possible for all people, not just Jews, to be part of the kingdom if they choose to believe in Jesus' message. We as believers get to be part of a real kingdom in which Jesus rules the world. We get to inherit this kingdom with him and rule with him; that's our reward for following him. We get to see real justice brought to the world--sick people healed, poor people leaving poverty, oppressed people becoming free--and we get to help bring that justice about. All the things that we want to see happen now, and that we try to make happen and mostly fail in now, we will get to help make happen in the kingdom. That's the essential message of Jesus. That's the good news.
(Friday, November 10, 2006)
Monday, November 27, 2006,12:13 PM
Family.
I am thankful to have a family. They have all added and provided so much for me throughout my life. Lessons learned, experiences shared, memories made. As you grow you share qualities with each other which so often you adopt as your own mannerisms. I can remember the first time I sat a certain way or spoke a particular phrase which reminded me of something my father did in the same way. We have all heard the expression "I'm turning into my mother/father." Often we will look at this startling revelation as a negative quality but at the same time we adopt the characteristic as our own without a fight. We have good and bad memories of our family and exemplify positive and negative attributes from our parents and siblings. Much of this is the basic make up of who we are as an adult.
For those fortunate to have had a strong family system in place during their childhood, a family means a great deal. For those without the "ideal" situation, to belong to a family is a special desire. A family is designed to support, teach, encourage, correct, mourn, and rejoice together.
As I mentioned above, I am thankful for my family. As of late, my gratitude for this family has shifted from my "earthly" family to my Christian family. The most important thing in my life is no longer the same as my earthly family. The things I want to spend my day talking about are no longer the same as my earthly family. The things I live for are no longer the same as my earthly family. The things that shape my morals, standards, and values are no longer the same as my earthly family.
Sadly, many people share this situation in common. Our parents, siblings, spouses and extended families are not like-minded. They do not share our focus on living in light of the coming Kingdom. This breaks our hearts. We are challenged to share the gospel with them over and over again. We pray for the courage to speak about the things with love while battling the fear of rejection from those we love and will visit again on a birthday or holiday. We fight to remain separate from worldliness and sin while at the same time do not always enjoy sitting in our rooms alone while the rest of the family watches a movie.
It is especially after times like these when I appreciate my true family, those who share the great hope of the coming Kingdom salvation. I am so thankful for the fellow truth-seekers and truth-lovers who long for time together with me as well. We all come from different backgrounds in our past but since we have met at the cross, we now are pursuing paradise together. Often we have little in common but that which is most important which seems to cause the smaller quirky differences to fade away.
Consider what it must have been like for the Jews and Gentiles to get together. Completely different backgrounds, traditions, practices, beliefs, morals, standards - yet now because of repentance and faith in Christ in light of the Kingdom - unity.
In the future my wife and I will have children and our family will grow. Though we have learned lessons and taken traditions from our earthly familes which we will pass on to them - it will be their true family which will be the model and standard for our own family. Our Father in heaven has designed it to be that way. In the church we can see a glimpse of the bond of family and community that God's people will have with Him in His Kingdom forever.
I am thankful to have a family. They have all added and provided so much for me throughout my life. Lessons learned, experiences shared, memories made. As you grow you share qualities with each other which so often you adopt as your own mannerisms. I can remember the first time I sat a certain way or spoke a particular phrase which reminded me of something my father did in the same way. We have all heard the expression "I'm turning into my mother/father." Often we will look at this startling revelation as a negative quality but at the same time we adopt the characteristic as our own without a fight. We have good and bad memories of our family and exemplify positive and negative attributes from our parents and siblings. Much of this is the basic make up of who we are as an adult.
For those fortunate to have had a strong family system in place during their childhood, a family means a great deal. For those without the "ideal" situation, to belong to a family is a special desire. A family is designed to support, teach, encourage, correct, mourn, and rejoice together.
As I mentioned above, I am thankful for my family. As of late, my gratitude for this family has shifted from my "earthly" family to my Christian family. The most important thing in my life is no longer the same as my earthly family. The things I want to spend my day talking about are no longer the same as my earthly family. The things I live for are no longer the same as my earthly family. The things that shape my morals, standards, and values are no longer the same as my earthly family.
Sadly, many people share this situation in common. Our parents, siblings, spouses and extended families are not like-minded. They do not share our focus on living in light of the coming Kingdom. This breaks our hearts. We are challenged to share the gospel with them over and over again. We pray for the courage to speak about the things with love while battling the fear of rejection from those we love and will visit again on a birthday or holiday. We fight to remain separate from worldliness and sin while at the same time do not always enjoy sitting in our rooms alone while the rest of the family watches a movie.
It is especially after times like these when I appreciate my true family, those who share the great hope of the coming Kingdom salvation. I am so thankful for the fellow truth-seekers and truth-lovers who long for time together with me as well. We all come from different backgrounds in our past but since we have met at the cross, we now are pursuing paradise together. Often we have little in common but that which is most important which seems to cause the smaller quirky differences to fade away.
Consider what it must have been like for the Jews and Gentiles to get together. Completely different backgrounds, traditions, practices, beliefs, morals, standards - yet now because of repentance and faith in Christ in light of the Kingdom - unity.
Galatians 3:26-29 - "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."I love spending time with my true family. Things are not always perfect but our shared hope, big brother and Almighty Father challenge us to "make up and play nice." The love from them warms my heart. The time spent with them is what I long for. The memories created with them are the ones I think back on with joy. The encouragement and correction from them is what helps me grow.
In the future my wife and I will have children and our family will grow. Though we have learned lessons and taken traditions from our earthly familes which we will pass on to them - it will be their true family which will be the model and standard for our own family. Our Father in heaven has designed it to be that way. In the church we can see a glimpse of the bond of family and community that God's people will have with Him in His Kingdom forever.
Matthew 12:46-50 - While He was still speaking to the crowds, behold, His mother and brothers were standing outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, "Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside seeking to speak to You." But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother."
Sunday, November 26, 2006,12:47 PM
I just started reading "The Mystery of The Kingdom of God: The Secret of Jesus' Messiahship and Passion" by Albert Schweitzer. I've also read a bit of Ehrman, which I've also written about, and this school of thought (Ehrman speaks highly of Schweitzer) has a similiarity that is very apparent. Their largest problem with scholarship is that they can define the life of person and Jesus however they like. But that definition does not allow for his death. If Jesus is just a good moral teacher, he wouldn't have been killed. If Jesus is just another Jewish prophet, he wouldn't have been killed. Even if Jesus opposed the political and religious order of the day - many many others did before and after him - he wouldn't have been killed. He didn't start a riot, or uprising, or any violence against Herod or Rome. He told the people to pay taxes to Rome - why would Rome do away with that?
So Schweitzer will instead start with the passion and Messiahship claims to define the life and person of Jesus. It should be interesting. I already know a few conclusions that I've heard of - but I'm more interested in the method, and perhaps some tangential conclusions.
Thursday, November 23, 2006,5:48 PM
American tradition usually dictates a time of reflection and remembrance for things that families are thankful for on Thanksgiving Day. Often times people will even take a time around a dinner table to list things that they are grateful for on that day. As the sky grows darker, bellies are stuffed, dishes piled up and couches are occupied. Only hours later lines will be forming by those same people to stock up on needed and un-needed items at after Thanksgiving Day sales at all of the stores. Only hours from now Thanksgiving Day will be a distant memory for most as the shopping for a winter holiday takes over.
Though this is the way for most in the world, the attitude of a Kingdom citizen in waiting is one of live-long gratitude. More than an annual celebration of being thankful for the "stuff" we have and the people we know, our thankful attitudes are dictated by historical events which cannot be erased or changed.
To think that Jesus, the King of the coming Kingdom of God, would willingly be sacrificed so that others could be with him in his Father's Kingdom is more than an amazing thought. All of the wrath of God fell upon him so that others could be spared from it. The righteous died for the unrighteous, the innocent for the guilty, the just for the unjust. Jesus Christ died for me. Thank God.
Beyond that, the future history of the coming Kingdom gives us much to be thankful for. Salvation from death AND the chance to live forever in a perfect age with God Himself. God provides for man's essential need for immortality and offers the return to His original intent for those who are His. For those who are saved from death and keep Jesus as the Lord of their life, a time of unparalleled peace, joy and safety will be their destiny. The Kingdom of God is coming to the earth. Thank God.
Unlike those around us who are thankful for temporal things for but a moment, let us be those who remain thankful because of those things that are eternal. Gratitude inspires one to keep the right perspective on life when things are trying and when things are smooth.
Lets be thankful to God for His Son.
Lets be grateful to God for His Kingdom.
Thank God for God.
Everyday.
Though this is the way for most in the world, the attitude of a Kingdom citizen in waiting is one of live-long gratitude. More than an annual celebration of being thankful for the "stuff" we have and the people we know, our thankful attitudes are dictated by historical events which cannot be erased or changed.
To think that Jesus, the King of the coming Kingdom of God, would willingly be sacrificed so that others could be with him in his Father's Kingdom is more than an amazing thought. All of the wrath of God fell upon him so that others could be spared from it. The righteous died for the unrighteous, the innocent for the guilty, the just for the unjust. Jesus Christ died for me. Thank God.
Beyond that, the future history of the coming Kingdom gives us much to be thankful for. Salvation from death AND the chance to live forever in a perfect age with God Himself. God provides for man's essential need for immortality and offers the return to His original intent for those who are His. For those who are saved from death and keep Jesus as the Lord of their life, a time of unparalleled peace, joy and safety will be their destiny. The Kingdom of God is coming to the earth. Thank God.
Unlike those around us who are thankful for temporal things for but a moment, let us be those who remain thankful because of those things that are eternal. Gratitude inspires one to keep the right perspective on life when things are trying and when things are smooth.
Lets be thankful to God for His Son.
Lets be grateful to God for His Kingdom.
Thank God for God.
Everyday.
Saturday, November 11, 2006,9:35 AM
Saturday Morning Readings: Book Review
I've also read Erhman's Jesus: The Apocalyptic Prophet of the New Millenium and I think it is fantastic. Of course he does not take the position of a believer or theologian, but of a historian. This leads him to say he cannot co-oberate Jesus' miracles (but he firmly says that every witness says Jesus was a healer). He also challenges the traditional view of the writers of the Gospels - stating they are anonymous. He also challenges the "there are no contradictions in the Bible" idea just within the four Gospels. So unless you're willing to overlook, or grapple with these ideas don't bother reading it. However, I find it is immensely valuable!
Ehrman shows that Jesus is an apocalypticist through and through. That his view of the Kingdom, and the present state of the world shape his actions. In short, to Jesus the world is clearly going downhill (historical pessimism), there are clear lines of demarcation between good and evil (cosmic dualism), that God and his true people will get full glory (ultimate vindication), and that it is going to happen soon! (immanence). Add that with the coming judgment of God's righteous Kingdom to restore all creation - and you have Jesus' motivation to his teaching, and healing.
Ehrman's section on "Kingdom Ethics" is perhaps the highlight of this book. That an unbelieving (insofar as I know) scholar can say what Jesus means the best I've ever heard it said by any preacher I've heard - is a miracle (take that Bart!). I'm not going to spoil it (get the book and read it). I'm sure you'll see some more on this blog about "Kingdom Ethics" also.
Friday, November 10, 2006,6:50 PM
Authorial Intent
I don't think we can continue to approach the scriptures from a "word-by-word inspired" view-point. I think we have to recognize the Authors of the Bible as contributing something personal and human. Granted when YHWH speaks - those are his words and his words alone. However in the New Testament we have three large voices - Paul, John, and Luke. They definitely have their own way of communicating the truth. They don't disagree with one another. James and Matthew also have their own style. They don't contradict Paul or Luke or anyone. Peter (and Mark) again have a style - similar to James'. I think that the Bible can come to mean more than words on a page when we look at as a personal writing (most of the NT was letters - very personal). The context means so much to help us understand.
The above link talks (in depth) about these ideas (which some will call "liberal"). I left a large comment. Feel free to comment below or on the Biblical Foundations blog.
I don't think we can continue to approach the scriptures from a "word-by-word inspired" view-point. I think we have to recognize the Authors of the Bible as contributing something personal and human. Granted when YHWH speaks - those are his words and his words alone. However in the New Testament we have three large voices - Paul, John, and Luke. They definitely have their own way of communicating the truth. They don't disagree with one another. James and Matthew also have their own style. They don't contradict Paul or Luke or anyone. Peter (and Mark) again have a style - similar to James'. I think that the Bible can come to mean more than words on a page when we look at as a personal writing (most of the NT was letters - very personal). The context means so much to help us understand.
The above link talks (in depth) about these ideas (which some will call "liberal"). I left a large comment. Feel free to comment below or on the Biblical Foundations blog.
Thursday, November 09, 2006,8:49 PM
If you've been reading things on the internet (I don't have a TV to watch the news on, lucky me!) no doubt you've read a good amount about the Ted Haggard situation. Plenty of Christian blogs are picking up on this and disecting it from all sorts of angles.
Two things that I found wonderful were these:
The first post just goes to show us all that sin is ever present in the world. Crushing sin, so that it won't "master us", should be our first priority. We might not have as much to lose as Mr. Haggard did, but sin is still painful. Any sin that we do not repent of will(!) prevent us from entering God's Kingdom! Sin is an offront, an offense to God - and we need to treat it as such. Our culture, of course, doesn't help us in this regard.
The second post, unfortunately, needed to be said in light of the sin. Joe Hallat's testimony is powerful. Our nature state of being is against God - even if it is homosexual.
I think we would do wise to take a look at sin in our lives - and rid our lives of it - as our Master Jesus the Messiah commands us
Monday, November 06, 2006,11:37 PM
Hello! I'd like to thank Victor for inviting me to post on Higher Ground. I've known him a long time and look forward to working with him here. I hope that we can meet a lot of people, and stir up a lot of discussion (his latest posts seem to do that well). So I invite you all to say hello! Give us an email, listen to some of our stuff, watch our videos - and by all means leave some comments!
,2:00 PM
Now or Later.
I was reading this section this morning and Jesus' words really stood out to me. Thought I would point them out to you also:
Jesus, as an apocalypticist (everything he did, said, thought, preached was in light of the coming Kingdom), I doubt was just thinking that something bad would happen later to the man, that he would get sick again or worse perhaps. His view was in light of the coming judgment day. Only moments later he will tell those who questioned him that "an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who did good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29)." Jesus' perspective was beyond the current situation because he knew the state of the world and mankind itself.
Are we willing to adopt this perspective as well? Are you looking to help someone today and ignore helping them be saved from dying? Are you worried about a person fitting in or about a person escaping fire? Are we concerned about the people around us being comfortable than their current condemnation? Are we fearful of a man or of God?
Mankind has a bigger problem than the trials of this life. Where man stands today is on the wrong side of the wrath of a just God. The Kingdom of God is coming and something much worse than any trial, suffering, illness or problem will hit many. Jesus was concerned with the greater issue, even bigger than healing the man from his illness. Unless a sinner is forgiven of their crimes tragedy awaits. Men need Jesus' sacrifice. Badly. This is what Jesus was speaking about.
That is why Jesus said "do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you/repent because the Kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus had to tell him this because this was the bigger issue. It remains the world's biggest and most critical issue today as well. That is what we must preach the GOSPEL. How will men know they need to flee from their sin unless they are told? Do we expect our good deeds to indicate to them their fate? Will they forsake their evil because of our smiles and handshakes? Will they repent because of the meals they eat in our homes?
Do not stop your good works. Keep smiling and shaking hands. Never cease to be hospitable. But start preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and repentance in light that.
Jesus was obsessed with the age to come. He lived in light of it. He spoke about it. He prayed for it. He died because of it. He was resurrected to be in it. He will return to rule it. This was his purpose, his driving force, his goal. It is what shaped his outlook and worldview. It would seem that his followers should share the purpose of their Lord.
Although it is sad to even have to mention this - the gospel is necessary for salvation. The followers of Christ must heart it, think it, learn it, and speak it. Do not assume you know it already. This might be what is keeping you back from speaking it. Let God teach you as you read and meditate on the words of Jesus and his disciples. Doing this now enables you, like Jesus, to deal with the earnest issue that is facing each man later.
A good question to answer yourself about the people you are around and yourself as well.
Go now and tell them they need to stop sinning.
Before it is too late - please.
For the love of God.
I was reading this section this morning and Jesus' words really stood out to me. Thought I would point them out to you also:
John 5:1-15 - After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk." Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Pick up your pallet and walk.'" They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Pick up your pallet and walk'?" But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you." The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Jesus, as an apocalypticist (everything he did, said, thought, preached was in light of the coming Kingdom), I doubt was just thinking that something bad would happen later to the man, that he would get sick again or worse perhaps. His view was in light of the coming judgment day. Only moments later he will tell those who questioned him that "an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice, and will come forth; those who did good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment (John 5:28-29)." Jesus' perspective was beyond the current situation because he knew the state of the world and mankind itself.
Are we willing to adopt this perspective as well? Are you looking to help someone today and ignore helping them be saved from dying? Are you worried about a person fitting in or about a person escaping fire? Are we concerned about the people around us being comfortable than their current condemnation? Are we fearful of a man or of God?
John 3:36 (HSCB) - The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
Mankind has a bigger problem than the trials of this life. Where man stands today is on the wrong side of the wrath of a just God. The Kingdom of God is coming and something much worse than any trial, suffering, illness or problem will hit many. Jesus was concerned with the greater issue, even bigger than healing the man from his illness. Unless a sinner is forgiven of their crimes tragedy awaits. Men need Jesus' sacrifice. Badly. This is what Jesus was speaking about.
That is why Jesus said "do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you/repent because the Kingdom of God is at hand." Jesus had to tell him this because this was the bigger issue. It remains the world's biggest and most critical issue today as well. That is what we must preach the GOSPEL. How will men know they need to flee from their sin unless they are told? Do we expect our good deeds to indicate to them their fate? Will they forsake their evil because of our smiles and handshakes? Will they repent because of the meals they eat in our homes?
Do not stop your good works. Keep smiling and shaking hands. Never cease to be hospitable. But start preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and repentance in light that.
Jesus was obsessed with the age to come. He lived in light of it. He spoke about it. He prayed for it. He died because of it. He was resurrected to be in it. He will return to rule it. This was his purpose, his driving force, his goal. It is what shaped his outlook and worldview. It would seem that his followers should share the purpose of their Lord.
Although it is sad to even have to mention this - the gospel is necessary for salvation. The followers of Christ must heart it, think it, learn it, and speak it. Do not assume you know it already. This might be what is keeping you back from speaking it. Let God teach you as you read and meditate on the words of Jesus and his disciples. Doing this now enables you, like Jesus, to deal with the earnest issue that is facing each man later.
Mark 8:36-38 - "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
A good question to answer yourself about the people you are around and yourself as well.
Go now and tell them they need to stop sinning.
Before it is too late - please.
For the love of God.
Friday, November 03, 2006,2:18 PM
Strangers and Pilgrims.
It seems as if people do not seriously follow what Jesus commands. If people who call themselves “Christian” really followed what he taught, they would be living a lot different than they do now. Jesus was radical. Radical because he taught the words which when followed would cause one to be completely different from the world they lived in. Those who follow Jesus’ teachings should in fact look strange compared to those they live among. The Messiah taught about selling what you have so you could give to those who didn’t have. He told his disciples to love their enemies apart from their conditions. Jesus told them to go into the world and preach the news of his Father’s coming Kingdom. He expected that those who followed after him would stick out in this world as he did. Why isn’t this happening?
“Christians” are fitting in just fine to the world – thinking that by intermingling with the world the world will be more like them.
“Christians” are gaining more wealth while their poor and suffering brothers struggle – thinking that it is God who has blessed them with their wealth and those without it must be doing something wrong.
“Christians” are leading their nations at war, are encouraging others to sign up and are violent and angry – thinking that their nations are Godly nations, wars are just, and meekness is a sign of weakness.
When I think of the idea of a stranger or pilgrim outside of the Biblical idea, I think of one who is different from the people they are living among. I think of someone who speaks a different language. I think of someone who has customs and traditions that are uncommon from their neighbors. They live in their new land but are identified with the land which they came from or were returning to.
Why when these ideas and words are translated into Christianity so few think they are what God has in mind for His people awaiting the Kingdom?
Instead of speaking the language of the Gospel of the Kingdom, few are even speaking and others have tried to change the message to make it “relevant.” Instead of following the words of Jesus and living in light of his return, changes are made to soften the hardness of his words and their implications. Instead of being identified as a citizen in waiting and a king in training, compromises are made in order to look like everyone else.
Jesus’ words are designed to prepare his people for his return. For most, the return of the Messiah to the earth will be a terrible event. Those in power will be overthrown. Those in authority will be made subject. Those who have rejected him will be rejected by him. The servants and the children will be exalted to rule the world with the King of the world. Jesus’ commands are intended by him to ensure those who will follow them entrance into the gates of the city. The implications of disobedience, self-promotion, and pride are alarming.
That is why the words of the Christ are the words of life. When adhered to they transform the doer from being a part of this age to a person living for the next. They were specifically given by the master who knows what characteristics he wants in his everlasting Kingdom. His commandments are good and right and life-giving.
So why change them? Why not follow them as he intended? Is the fear of being looked at as different or foolish in this age bigger than shame and everlasting contempt in your mind? You choose which age you belong to by following the commands of the leader of either one. You will fit in well to the age you belong.
It seems as if people do not seriously follow what Jesus commands. If people who call themselves “Christian” really followed what he taught, they would be living a lot different than they do now. Jesus was radical. Radical because he taught the words which when followed would cause one to be completely different from the world they lived in. Those who follow Jesus’ teachings should in fact look strange compared to those they live among. The Messiah taught about selling what you have so you could give to those who didn’t have. He told his disciples to love their enemies apart from their conditions. Jesus told them to go into the world and preach the news of his Father’s coming Kingdom. He expected that those who followed after him would stick out in this world as he did. Why isn’t this happening?
“Christians” are fitting in just fine to the world – thinking that by intermingling with the world the world will be more like them.
“Christians” are gaining more wealth while their poor and suffering brothers struggle – thinking that it is God who has blessed them with their wealth and those without it must be doing something wrong.
“Christians” are leading their nations at war, are encouraging others to sign up and are violent and angry – thinking that their nations are Godly nations, wars are just, and meekness is a sign of weakness.
When I think of the idea of a stranger or pilgrim outside of the Biblical idea, I think of one who is different from the people they are living among. I think of someone who speaks a different language. I think of someone who has customs and traditions that are uncommon from their neighbors. They live in their new land but are identified with the land which they came from or were returning to.
Why when these ideas and words are translated into Christianity so few think they are what God has in mind for His people awaiting the Kingdom?
Instead of speaking the language of the Gospel of the Kingdom, few are even speaking and others have tried to change the message to make it “relevant.” Instead of following the words of Jesus and living in light of his return, changes are made to soften the hardness of his words and their implications. Instead of being identified as a citizen in waiting and a king in training, compromises are made in order to look like everyone else.
Jesus’ words are designed to prepare his people for his return. For most, the return of the Messiah to the earth will be a terrible event. Those in power will be overthrown. Those in authority will be made subject. Those who have rejected him will be rejected by him. The servants and the children will be exalted to rule the world with the King of the world. Jesus’ commands are intended by him to ensure those who will follow them entrance into the gates of the city. The implications of disobedience, self-promotion, and pride are alarming.
That is why the words of the Christ are the words of life. When adhered to they transform the doer from being a part of this age to a person living for the next. They were specifically given by the master who knows what characteristics he wants in his everlasting Kingdom. His commandments are good and right and life-giving.
So why change them? Why not follow them as he intended? Is the fear of being looked at as different or foolish in this age bigger than shame and everlasting contempt in your mind? You choose which age you belong to by following the commands of the leader of either one. You will fit in well to the age you belong.
Look around you.
Do people speak evil of you…
Do people insult you…
Do people hate you…
Do people ostracize you…
Do people curse you…
Do people mock you…
Do people put you down…
Do people exclude you…
Because you are his follower?
Good.
,1:22 PM
Head-Knowledge.
I hate that word. For a long time now I have been hearing that word used. It isn't used to define the word "understanding." It isn't used to point out an aspect of Christianity that is important to have. That word (and its companions) is used to cheapen the gospel itself. The use of this word draws a line between Bible reading and study/understanding history/learning the words of Jesus/parables/memorizing a passage of Scripture and the so-called "simple" things like "love," "practical application," "the spirit of God," and walking by it. Why has this happened?
I know that there is a genuine concern about people who learn a lot to become conceited or arrogant. I imagine we have met someone in our life that was like that. But why isn't arrogance and pride our common foe? Why instead do we slander doctrine and truth to build our case for humility and simplicity? Why not confront haughtiness and embrace learning instead?
I hear this word used from our pulpits, from our fellowship coordinator armchairs and read it in our writings. But I find it strange that our Lord and his companions didn't speak of this word as evil. Jesus so often was concerned with the motive of the man's heart. However, he never set on one side the knowledge and on the other the application of that knowledge. It was all the same. They were united like faith and works, breath and life. There is no teaching of Jesus that is not practical. There is no proverb or prophecy that should not shape our life. There is no description or genealogy that should not give us vision and breed excitement. God does not separate doctrine and practice, things important amongst things trivial. Why do those who desire to follow that same God make that make a distinction for Him?
I think we understand by now the importance of love and the dangers of its absence. So does there remain a fear that if we learn more we will lose our love? As we know Paul speaks about the situation when knowledge without love "puffs up." But then Peter tells us that we must add to our "moral excellence, knowledge." Jesus told the religious leaders to not get caught up in dividing things into the minutest detail and yet forgetting the weightier matters of the law such as justice, mercy and the love of God. But then he says that one should do the major things while not neglecting the others. I have heard sermon after sermon on the new way to worship God – in spirit and in truth – and have been instructed time and time again to not neglect the spirit that God has placed inside of me while I have never heard one single sermon on the "worship God in truth" part of that same statement.
What are we afraid of? Becoming haughty like our predecessors and former colleagues? There may be good reason to be aware of our history and be on our guard, but let us be on guard against arrogance, pride, haughtiness, egotism, conceit and the like while yearning for understanding, delighting in doctrine, wishing for wisdom, and treasuring truth.
It is the love of the truth that will separate those saved and those not. Hopefully we can get this knowledge in our heads.
I hate that word. For a long time now I have been hearing that word used. It isn't used to define the word "understanding." It isn't used to point out an aspect of Christianity that is important to have. That word (and its companions) is used to cheapen the gospel itself. The use of this word draws a line between Bible reading and study/understanding history/learning the words of Jesus/parables/memorizing a passage of Scripture and the so-called "simple" things like "love," "practical application," "the spirit of God," and walking by it. Why has this happened?
I know that there is a genuine concern about people who learn a lot to become conceited or arrogant. I imagine we have met someone in our life that was like that. But why isn't arrogance and pride our common foe? Why instead do we slander doctrine and truth to build our case for humility and simplicity? Why not confront haughtiness and embrace learning instead?
I hear this word used from our pulpits, from our fellowship coordinator armchairs and read it in our writings. But I find it strange that our Lord and his companions didn't speak of this word as evil. Jesus so often was concerned with the motive of the man's heart. However, he never set on one side the knowledge and on the other the application of that knowledge. It was all the same. They were united like faith and works, breath and life. There is no teaching of Jesus that is not practical. There is no proverb or prophecy that should not shape our life. There is no description or genealogy that should not give us vision and breed excitement. God does not separate doctrine and practice, things important amongst things trivial. Why do those who desire to follow that same God make that make a distinction for Him?
I think we understand by now the importance of love and the dangers of its absence. So does there remain a fear that if we learn more we will lose our love? As we know Paul speaks about the situation when knowledge without love "puffs up." But then Peter tells us that we must add to our "moral excellence, knowledge." Jesus told the religious leaders to not get caught up in dividing things into the minutest detail and yet forgetting the weightier matters of the law such as justice, mercy and the love of God. But then he says that one should do the major things while not neglecting the others. I have heard sermon after sermon on the new way to worship God – in spirit and in truth – and have been instructed time and time again to not neglect the spirit that God has placed inside of me while I have never heard one single sermon on the "worship God in truth" part of that same statement.
What are we afraid of? Becoming haughty like our predecessors and former colleagues? There may be good reason to be aware of our history and be on our guard, but let us be on guard against arrogance, pride, haughtiness, egotism, conceit and the like while yearning for understanding, delighting in doctrine, wishing for wisdom, and treasuring truth.
It is the love of the truth that will separate those saved and those not. Hopefully we can get this knowledge in our heads.