Context, Context, Context!

…when they read and study the Bible, they do not give emphasis to the ‘context’ of the text they bring up to propagate their teachings. The Bible is not a codebook from which portions lifted from their respective contexts mean something other than what the same information was intended to convey within its context. The true task of every Bible student is first to ascertain what the original recipients of the Bible text were expected in their day to understand. Secondly, modern students of the Bible must ascertain if the particular biblical instruction first received by people thousands of years ago is something that applies equally to people living today. For instance, though Noah was instructed to build a barge-like lifeboat in his day, no one today is expected to do the same. It is only by examining the context of a passage that one can determine what divine message was conveyed and to whom it applies. The Bible only has meaning within its context, and it does not have any meaning separated from its context. Context can refer to the entire document of the Bible. The Bible does not contradict itself. Were someone to think he had discovered a doctrine that contradicts other portions of the Bible, then he would know that his interpretation is flawed – since the Bible, being divine in origin, does not contradict itself. Context can refer to the particular book of the Bible under consideration. Who wrote the book to whom and for what reason? …

How, Where and When Was the Bible Divided into Chapters and Verses?

Except for the Book of Psalms, the original manuscripts of the Bible books were not divided into chapters and verses. “The Psalms are, by their structure, naturally divided into verses” (McClintock and Strong, “Authorized Version”). Other Hebrew poetic books and Hebrew poetry in the prophets, for instance, may have been arranged in verses, too. The apparent motive for the division of Scripture into chapters and verses was to improve navigation throughout the inspired volume. “The division of the Bible into chapters and verses is altogether of human invention, designed to facilitate reference to it” (Easton). However noble those intentions, sometimes the uninspired division of Bible books into chapters and verses hinders rather than aids comprehension. “We must not forget that the Bible was divided into chapters some twelve or thirteen centuries after it was completed, and the men who made the divisions sometimes put asunder what God had most assuredly joined together, and at other times joined together what God had put asunder” (Barnhouse). The several books of the Old and New Testaments were from an early time divided into chapters. The Pentateuch was divided by the ancient Hebrews into 54 parshioth or sections, one of which was read in the synagogue every Sabbath day (Acts 13:15). These sections were afterwards divided into 669 sidrim or orders of unequal length. The Prophets were divided in somewhat the same manner into haphtaroth or passages. In the early Latin and Greek versions of the Bible, similar divisions of the several books were …

Has Freewill Been Lost?

For about two months now, we are holding a study with some people who believe that man lost his free will after Adam’s fall. ~ Christine, Saudi Arabia The assertion that mankind lost the capacity of freewill when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden is obviously false. The Bible throughout calls upon humans to make choices. Some of the more prominent examples include these following. “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21-22). “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). In addition, uninspired observation confirms the existence of freewill. The very existence of biblical instruction implies the ability to make good or bad choices, for otherwise biblical instruction is useless. In addition, the capacity for humans to make choices is fundamental to the existence of secular law, for otherwise neither could law have …

What Does It Cost (You)?

A certain group of teens wanted to “raise awareness” about the plight of the homeless. They decided that for a week they would live like homeless people live. However, the activity was postponed due to weather! Isn’t that ironic? They said they wanted to live like the homeless, but don’t the homeless get rained on when it rains? Most of us are real bargain hunters, aren’t we? Once, after a run-in a lady literally had with me that totaled my beautiful 1992 Dodge Dakota, which I bought for an amazingly low price, I had to spend State Farm’s money to buy a replacement vehicle. I had pretty big expectations. I wanted a pick-up truck, only 4 or 6 cylinders, with good gas mileage, seating for five, and all for the piddling amount allotted me. Eventually, I revised my expectations. I wanted good value, but I was also cost-conscious. As gas prices go up, with all our economic uncertainties, we all do well to think about how much things cost. As good stewards of our finances, we never want to be wasteful (cf. Luke 16:1). In the spiritual realm, we are faced with a price to pay in order to become a Christian, and then to live the Christian life. Luke records Jesus’ teaching about this in Luke 14:26-35. He says, in essence, that when it comes to following Him there is a cost in terms of our earthly relationships (26), personal sacrifices (27), moral and spiritual endurance (28-32), financial resources …

What’s She Selling?

As I passed by a show window, my eye was attracted by a charming display of suits in the window. Each was set off to its best advantage and was so placed as to attract attention from every passerby. I gathered that the merchant was trying to sell suits. I passed another building and in the window and around the outside of the building, I saw the latest models of automobiles. Each was attractively placed and each shown to its best advantage. I gathered that he was trying to sell automobiles. As I passed a fruit stand, I was attracted by the glistening beauty of the fruit for the vendor had each one polished and only the most appealing was set out for display. I surmised that he was trying to sell fruit. As I went on, I passed a pretty young woman. She was also very attractive. Special care had been employed to fix her hair in the latest fashion, her face was done just right; even her nails were painted. However, the display didn’t stop there. The latest “form aids” were enticingly used to effectively attract the attention of every male and all hindrances had been removed so as not to obstruct the view of the merchandise, for the pert young miss was hardly more than half-clothed! With her “wares” so openly displayed before everyone, I had to ask, “What is she trying to sell?” For Christian women, it was said, “Whose adorning let it not be that …

What I Know about Myself through Jesus Christ

My knowledge of God in Christ especially has its origin and shape in Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. The following quote from Stott summarizes the core of my understanding of God. “In giving his son he was giving himself. This being so, it is the Judge himself who in holy love assumed the role of the innocent victim, for in and through the person of his Son he himself bore the penalty which he himself inflicted” (159). The apostle Paul makes this point. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:2). As I consider Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected, I learn important truths concerning myself through Christ. Herein, I share with you what I know about myself through Jesus Christ. First, I know I am like the rest of humankind. Of humankind the apostle Paul concludes, “All, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God… There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:9b-11, 18).The way in which God dealt with this reality, Jesus Christ, tells me there is more to it than humankind breaking rules, though that is involved. Sin and rebellion, faith and salvation, are all about relationship with God. We see Jesus crucified and realize how seriously sin disrupts relationship with God. Sin disrupts our relationship with God as Creator, …

In Honor of Mothers

Memories are funny things. They can be very vivid about events and people many years after the events or people are gone. They can start to fade almost immediately. They can be blocked due to some unpleasantness they recall. Many times, though, even if memories cannot be recalled of specific people or occasions, they may still be present, in how those things have helped shape our lives, and the warm feelings that go with us throughout our lives of such, even though the details may not be as clear. The memories we have of our mothers, whether they are still being made, or have been completed, are part of who we are. This is true because of the nurturing aspect that goes with motherhood. One can understand how a special bond exists between a mother and her children, having carried them within her, and caring for them all her life, even beyond the time when they can see to their own physical needs. A child will suffer when such characteristics are missing from a mother, when being a mother is nothing more than a biological function, not an attitude of mind and heart as well. There is something wonderful watching a mother hold a newborn child. There is something that touches your heart knowing how many times she has spent the night without sleep to see to her children who were sick. It is a source of joy to see a mother feed her children, to play with them, rock …

A Spiritual Cup of Coffee

There are millions of people in this country who begin every morning with a cup of coffee. Without it they feel as though something is missing in their morning routine, and the day is left incomplete, or certainly more difficult. From a spiritual perspective, the same should hold true for the Christian when it comes to our lives. Our study of the Scriptures, prayer lives and time spent meditating on the things of God should be such an integrated part of our lives to the point that a day where any of those things does not occur is considered an incomplete day. On Sunday mornings at the congregation here, we have a forty-five minute devotional of songs, prayers and Scripture reading to start off the day. My wife recently commented that this devotional was her cup of coffee on Sunday mornings to get her mind focused and ready for what the rest of the day would bring. In pondering it, I found that it holds the same effect for me. I wish more congregations of the Lord’s church would consider what a powerful asset such a program could be to the attitude and mindset of the Lord’s people beginning each Lord’s Day. However, should such a “cup of coffee” be confined to only the Lord’s Day? Certainly, if time spent with the Word of God and giving honor and praise to Him on the first day of the week is beneficial to the mentality of the Christian, doing the same …

I Thirst! John 19:28

Looking up from the ground, you could see what was left of His weak, bleeding, and torn body. He had been hanging there on that tree in great agony, suffering for hours. If you were there, you heard His words. “Woman, behold your son!” and “Behold your mother!” he said in care of His mother. Then, His innocent lips uttered the words, “I thirst!” Only two words. Two simple words of need. In fact, it’s not really an unusual request for anyone to make. All humans are designed with a need for water, and they will seek it quite strongly. I am certain that you’ve moaned the words, “I’m thirsty!” Or maybe on a burning summer day you’ve cried, “I’m so thirsty!” He had every reason to be thirsty, with the greatly dehydrated tissues within His body sending their urgent messages to the brain, longing for relief. The cry He expressed fulfilled the Scripture. The Messianic 22nd Psalm foretold of His condition, “My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death.” These words come from the parched lips of a Man dying in deep anguish! Have you ever experienced that kind of thirst? Yet, this Man was different. Let us not forget that He was the Son of God (Matthew 3:17). He was and is Deity in the fullest sense (1 Corinthians 8:6; John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-11)! The One hanging on that cross is the …

Dead Beats

A man went to the Sheriff and complained, “I want to find out who owns the house I’m living in.” The Sheriff asked him, “Well, where do you pay your rent?” His reply was, “I ain’t never paid no rent.” He was asked, “How long have you lived there?” He replied, “Nine years.” The Sheriff asked, “What’s your complaint?” The man said, “The roof has started to leak, and if the landlord don’t fix it quick, I’m gonna move!” Every organization (the church included) has its share of folks who don’t pay their rent. Oh, I’m not necessarily talking just about money. Some people do not contribute time, labor or influence. Likewise, they don’t add to the good atmosphere by being encouraging either. What do they do? They just stay until things don’t suit them and then they threaten, “I’m gonna move!” Does that sound like you? I certainly hope not.

What the Rich Man Learned in Hell

Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man in Luke 16 begged Abraham to send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool his tongue because, he said, “I am tormented in this flame” (24). I believe this is a true story. Therefore, the rich man has been tormented in the flames of hell for almost 2,000 years. Notice some lessons the rich man learned in Hell. The Rich Man learned… The meaning of eternity. Jesus said, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.”Notice the word “everlasting.” There are no second chances after death. Death seals our destiny. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” One cannot leave the torments of Hell for the comfort of Heaven. The “great gulf”is a definite dividing line. The real meaning of pain. He said, “I am tormented in this flame.” The meaning of accountability. Romans 14:12 says, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” The meaning of Hell. Revelation 20:15 says, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”Revelation 21:9 says that all sinners “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”If we could see sin as God sees it, we would understand why Hell exists! The meaning of Evangelism. He said, “father… send him to my father’s house… for I have five brethren.” He learned the value of a soul, …

A Three-Fold Cord

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) In the next few months (less than six) I will have the privilege, Lord willing, of performing two marriage ceremonies. Chad and Jessica are getting married in April. Then, in October my son Chris and his sweet fiancée Kari will be getting married. For some reason, as I was thinking of these upcoming nuptials, this passage popped into my mind. I do not imagine that Solomon, speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, was talking specifically about marriage, but I do believe that these verses apply very aptly to a discussion of marriage. In looking at this passage, I want to examine the very last phrase first: “A threefold cord is not quickly broken.” His point is that an individual can be more easily overcome if he or she is alone. Two together are more likely to overcome. However, ultimately, he says a “threefold cord” is not easy to break. I picture a rope that is three strands intertwined. I cannot think of a more significant point for marriage: …

Bought with a Price

There was a common ritual in much of the Roman and Greek world during the first century. It was one of the ways that a slave could be set free. A master would take his slave to a temple. There he would sell the slave to a god. The temple priests would give the master the price of the slave from the temple treasury. The slave became the property of the god, but he was not a slave of the god. Instead he was considered a protégé of the god. This meant that he was to live the rest of his life in service to the god. He could never be made a slave to man again. This pagan ritual is properly used as a reference point by Paul in 1 Corinthians. In 6:19-20, we read, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” If pagan slaves were willing to live the rest of their lives for a make-believe god after being bought, should not Christians willingly live their lives for God after being bought with the price of Jesus’ blood? The pagan slave was considered free from slavery. How much more should a Christian be thankful for being set free from the slavery of sin? In 7:23, Paul …

Christian Characteristics: Kindness, Compassion and Caring

Surely, we do not need to have these words defined. In fact, we probably know too that God expects these characteristics to be in our lives. However, knowing what a word means and even knowing that God wants us to make kindness, compassion and caring a part of our lives does not guarantee that we have fully put them into practice. Therefore, let me bring this to our remembrance. Love is the basis for all these attributes. God’s Word tells us, “love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Kindness is enjoined/commanded (Ephesians 4:32). We are to put on kindness (Colossians 3:12). So, there is no doubt that kindness should be a trait of every Christian. One good example of kindness is Joseph. In spite of the way his brothers treated him, he was most kind to them and to their families (Genesis 50:21). Because of his love for Jonathan, David sought to show kindness to anyone left in the house of Saul (2 Samuel 9:lff). Even Barbarians showed kindness to Paul and his company while they were on the island of Mileta (Acts 28:1-2). Surely, Christians can show kindness to their fellow man. Compassion was an evident quality of the Son of God. One of many occasions where Jesus is said to be compassionate was on a teaching and healing tour recorded in Matthew 9. The Scripture says, “but when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and scattered, as sheep not having …

Communication — A Continuing Problem

I am constantly amazed, and sometime amused, by our problems in communication. Were it not for the terribly serious nature of the problem, much more of it would be amusing. Although I feel sure that college textbooks, doctoral dissertations and many articles have been written on the subject, I do not remember any of them at the moment, but feel a pressing need to call to our attention some aspects of the problem that have come to my attention recently. Years ago, I heard of an orator who was declaiming on the greatness of womanhood. He may have been a preacher, preaching a “Mother’s Day” sermon. At any rate, he had in his notes the following: “Woman! Without her, man would be a beast!” What he actually said was, “Woman, without her man, would be a beast!” See what one small misplaced comma can do! Since then, I have been impressed many times that a person can quote my exact words and give an exactly opposite meaning to my statement. I have seen it happen in what I thought was a deliberate effort to pervert a statement, but it probably happens frequently through ignorance or inattention. As important as punctuation is in a written sentence, inflection and emphasis are equally important in a spoken sentence. This is why I have said on more than one occasion, “It is almost impossible to tell the truth if you try to repeat verbally what another person says.” A feeble illustration of it might …

Jesus Christ Would Have Made a Decision

This is a very sad but true story of a family of my personal acquaintance that was non-religious and that was afflicted with the curse of alcoholism. We lived in a very large old house on the ridge just out of town. Someone was building a new brick house on the road back of us. My younger brother and I, along with other friends were curious. We found a nice sand pile that tempted us to play in and to enjoy. One day the big man who was laying the bricks told us that someone was scattering his sand that he used in making the mortar and he asked us to watch out for the persons and warn them not to do it again. How wise he was. We never played in his sand again. This was my first acquaintance with Mr. Harold. He and his family soon moved near us and they became good friends with my family. He had a very attractive wife, two handsome sons and a very pretty daughter. The oldest son became a friend with my older brother. I liked the daughter, but she was older than me. I wished her and my brother would like one another. The youngest son and I became friends. We were in the same grades in elementary and Jr. High School. Mr. Harold’s wife died while I was a boy. I don’t remember this family attending any religious organization. I learned also that Mr. Harold had a very bad …

The Future Coming of Christ, the Lord

The return of the Lord was announced as He ascended (Acts 1:9-11). It was not a strange timing, for the disciples standing there would have neglected to take the message the Lord left them. Thus, the angel shocked them into reality, “He will come again.” Mary had acknowledged to Jesus (John 11:24) there is coming a resurrection at the last day. Of course, Jesus was there to call Lazarus back to life on that day. He said, “I am the resurrection.” Notice the use of the words “when” and “then” (Matthew 25:31-41, 46) setting out the time of His return and judgment for setting some on the left hand and others on the right hand for eternal punishment or eternal life. Jesus taught that till that day, we are to follow his Word (John 12:48) because His Word will be the standard of judgment at that day. Are there any signs for the return of Jesus? His disciples asked about such signs (Matthew 24:3). Jesus gave them no distinct sign and said the Father only knows (verse 35-36). Look at the expression of the Lord about who does not know: “no man and neither do the angels in Heaven.” In Mark 13:30-37, Jesus said, “neither the Son,” but the Father only knows. When the disciples asked about signs (Matthew 24:3), Jesus named a number of unsettling things – wars, rumors of wars, natural distresses – which are not the signs of his return. Rather these were signs of the destruction …

The Most Disconcerting Experience

We hear so often how short and unpredictable life is. We need to understand that the only requirement for death is that we be alive. We forget or fail to realize that God holds every breath we take in His hands. In the ESV, Psalm 39:5 reads, “Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!” There is a most sorrowful and disconcerting experience for the faithful child of God. That experience is to be subjected to the funeral or memorial service of a person who was unprepared to meet God! Nothing can be more disturbing as you reflect on the lost condition of that person!The feeling that parallels that agony is to watch and hear those attending these services who are fully convinced the deceased is in the bosom of Abraham! In every sense of biblical faithfulness, those who are members of the Lord’s church understand exactly what the Bible says on the subject of how to get and stay saved. One of the most alarming passages of Scripture that addresses who will ultimately be in heaven is Revelation 21:27. It reads, “But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Diligent students of God’s Word do not misunderstand a passage this plain. Another passage that is penetrating to the core of our spiritual …

What Right Do You Have?

None of us were amazed a few weeks ago when the United States Supreme Court ruled that a municipality does not have the right to force members of a religious body, or those who are campaigning for political office, to register with the municipality before going door to door to spread their faith and/or politics. Every thinking person knew that such demands were unconstitutional and violated the first amendment to the Constitution of the United States. The little Caesars in various municipalities throughout the country, in the name of protecting citizens, like to pontificate regarding the freedoms of others. The court struck all such activity down, and rightly so. As Americans, we have the right to say what we want to say, so long as we are not being slanderous or libelous in our speech. In the opinion of this writer, Americans owe the members of the cult who went to court to protect their right of freedom of speech a debt of gratitude. Anything that relates to what most Americans would call proselytizing, is looked upon with great disdain today. If one attempts to convert another to his way of thinking, according to the liberal mind set, that person has committed an immensely arrogant sin. Very often, the person who is attempting to persuade another of the rightfulness of his position is inundated with such questions as: “What right do you have to attempt to convert others to your views?” This question can be answered very simply by saying …

Believing What You Believe

People in general believe what they have been taught to believe. The radical orthodox Islamic believer blows himself up, killing many innocent people with the belief he is doing Allah’s will. With this act of brutal violence, he believes he will enter a heavenly paradise. There are folks that believe they have had an extraterrestrial encounter with beings from other worlds. Further, they believe that life on this earth was started by these outer space beings. Some believe that all life started from non-life, from a slime pit, the big bang or the like. Cultism and an array of extreme and outrageous beliefs run amuck in our world. Examples of such beliefs can be presented over and over again. These belief systems have neither firm foundations nor logic. Yet, people believe what they believe. What I Believe and Why I Believe It I believe in the God of the Bible, because, the Bible, the Word of God, is the only sacred book that carries within it internal and external evidences. “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth,” (Genesis 1:1). “All Scriptures is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the …

Where Have You Been?

Have you ever had your mom take just one look at you when you got home and before you could find the right word, she began the fine tuned interrogative process? One sunny day a young teen came home from play and adventure across his parents’ farm carrying his bolt-action .22 caliber rifle. The boy was hunting in an attempt to find some living creature or dangerous animal that might warrant being fired upon. This particular hunt was turning out to be a disappointment. No bear. No lion. No fox. Not even a groundhog to raise its head. However, on his way home he spotted the slow movement of a skunk, of all things, waddling along a fence line and coming in his direction. Of course, he knew there was potential trouble, but he thought he was clearly at a safe distance. This young man had never come up against a real live skunk before, and he thought, how far can Sweet Sue throw her perfume anyway? Later, on his way to the house empowered by his sensory faculties, he began to sense the heap of trouble he was actually in. His mom took just one look, or perhaps whiff, and the questions came a flying. “Where have you been?” Then, the companion question, “What have you been doing?” The lad tried to explain, “You see mom, I was out there on the farm and along came this little skunk, and uh, uh, well, you know, uh.” There was no …

True Contentment

I have a Bible that was a gift from my parents on my sixteenth birthday. That Bible has been with me through many Bible studies at college, worship services, Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes, devotionals, personal studies, and even on mission trips in two different countries. As the years have passed, I have made notes in the margins or other blank spaces. Some of these notes refer to other verses that have related topics. Other notes are summaries, outlines, cultural or historical notes relating to the verses under discussion at a particular time. One such outline and list of related verses stands out on the page at the end of Philippians. Paul wrote the Book of Philippians while a prisoner in Rome. At the end of the book, Paul takes time to address the generosity of the Philippian Christians toward him. In that discussion of generosity, Paul also addresses the subject of contentment. Matthew 6:25-34 tells us not to worry. Verses like Matthew 6:33 and Philippians 4:6-7 tell us that worry can be taken care of by putting God first and turning to Him in prayer for all of our needs. Another tool to deal with worry is contentment. Consider for a moment Philippians 4:10-13. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, …

The Code Book

Time is running out.  The seconds are ticking away towards midnight.  The human race is about to take the fatal plunge.  Which way shall we turn?  Is there any authority left?  Is there a path that we can follow?  Can we find a code book that will give us a key to our dilemmas?  Have we just been placed here by some unknown Creator or force without any clue as to where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going?  We do have a key, a code book, a source of authority.  It is the Bible!  It has survived all of its enemies. It will be around to judge all men who failed to live by its contents (John 12:48).

Eye of a Needle

In Luke 18:25 Jesus said “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Because the idea of a camel fitting through the eye of a literal needle is difficult to imagine, many people interpret the expression figuratively. I firmly believe that a figurative interpretation is well-intentioned but incorrect. Please consider the following points: First, a fundamental rule of interpretation is that Scripture is to be taken literally unless something demands it be taken figuratively. A close look at the verse and the immediate context favors a literal interpretation; it certainly does not demand a figurative one. Second, we should remember the point Jesus is attempting to make by using this word picture. The rich young ruler (as good as he was) had just turned down the opportunity to follow Jesus Christ because he was unwilling to give up his riches. Jesus used this word picture to illustrate the vast difficulty of a rich man entering the kingdom of God. A literal interpretation is certainly suitable for this illustration. Next, the reaction of those who heard Jesus’ illustration is very important. “And those who heard it said, ‘Who then can be saved?’” The audience understood Jesus’ words to represent a physical impossibility. This harmonizes perfectly with Jesus’ answer to the question in Luke 18:27. “But He said, ‘The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.’” Which interpretation most effectively illustrates the impossibility of a …

Let’s Attack!

I recently read an awesome illustrative story from World War II. In preparation for the Battle of the Bulge, the Allied Forces called every available man to readiness. One unit, consisting of office workers, was hastily converted to infantry and assigned to a section of road that was expected to be under fire within hours. The first order was for the men to dig foxholes. One man, who had spent years at a typewriter, had little success in the stone hard ground. Finally, he approached his commanding officer and said, “Sir, wouldn’t it be easier if we just attacked and made them dig the foxholes?” Wow, what a thought! As Christians, we certainly need to hold our ground (Ephesians 6:10-17), but how often are we barely doing that and failing to advance? How often do those belonging to Christ sit on the sidelines and watch the battle rage on, all the while lamenting the condition of the world and the church! Let’s attach sin! Sadly, the church in many places is being influenced by the world and becoming “tolerant” of sin. How many congregations have couples unscripturally married, worshipping with them each week and fellowship is still being enjoined? Brethren, we have dug fox holes and buried our heads; thus, sin is blemishing the bride of Christ! “Well, we may upset them” or “we may lose some members if we deal with the sin” are often excuses that are heard. Are we no longer worried about “upsetting” God? Have we become …

Mission’s Program Literature

A few years ago, the keynote speaker for a school of preaching lectureship was a brother in Christ renowned for his decades of experience in radio preaching. Doubtlessly, his oratory was well suited for that type of media and was probably effective for him. However, he also expressed the firm and unmovable opinion that radio alone was the media with which the churches of Christ ought to attempt to reach the world’s masses with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As far as he was concerned, other media venues, such as the printed word, were virtually if not entirely useless! Brethren, there is something to be said for confidence in the application of one’s talents for the cause of Christ. Each of us ought to do what we do best, and do it persistently so that God may be glorified and so that souls may be edified. However, unrestrained, abounding confidence can lead to unfounded arrogance, which can stand in the way of effectively evangelizing the world, glorifying God and edifying souls. While radio preaching is an invaluable tool for taking the light of the Gospel to the farthest reaches of planet earth, perhaps into every nook and cranny, the radio alone cannot effectively evangelize the world. Radio is a media of opportunity, as is television and even specific occasions on which preachers and teachers present a Gospel message to a live assembly. Media of opportunity requires listeners to be in the right place at the right time to benefit from the presentation; not listening to …