Give Me Something Big To Do!

Posted on February 6, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

“My Father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it?” (2 Kings 5:13).

An Observation

As a preacher, I have met those who seem to get excited about doing some “big thing.”  If the church passed out material at the Billy Graham crusade, setting forth the true plan of salvation, they would be there.  If there was some pro-life march going on in town, they would be there.  If there was a gathering of Christians in the nation’s capital holding signs which proclaimed marriage between a man and a woman, they would want to be there.

However, I have seen some of these same ones very negligent in the “little things”.  In truth, such seems to bore them.

Here is an illustration: Some are ever looking for  some exciting program to be in place to reach the lost.  Yet, they do very little to try to reach the people they know.  They travel air, land and sea to do mission work.  Yet, they never speak of Christ to their family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.  They wait for the elders to put a system into place to reach the community.  Yet, they fail to realize that God has already has a system in place.  It is each Christian being like salt and light to others around him (Matthew 5:13-16), and quietly working within his sphere of influence (Matthew 13:33; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).  Remember how Andrew brought Simon to the Lord (John 1:40-42), and Philip brought Nathaniel (John 1:43-46).

Do not get me wrong.  I am not opposed to “big things”.  I have no problem with the use of: mass media (radio, TV, internet, newspapers, billboards); city-wide campaigns (mass mailing, door-knocking); foreign mission trips; Gospel meetings, etc.

However, my personal experience is that most of my conversions in the United States have come from the “little things”.  A member of the church has a family member, friend, coworker or neighbor.  This member is concerned about that person.  The member sets up a home Bible study and asks me to teach it, or help teach it. This is not as flashy as doing “something big”.  However, it is very effective.

In some ways it may be more comfortable to do the “big things”.  Typically, such involves strangers.  While reaching out to a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor involves someone you know and have a relationship.  However, if we love them shouldn’t we reach out to them?

Think about the following passages: “those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4); “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9); “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it give light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” [(Matthew 5:13-18) Note: John Shannon once put it this way: We are hens expected to lay eggs.  If we don’t lay, it is off the Campbell Soup factory!]; “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles… they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” [(1 Peter 2:12) It is the “little things” being emphasized here]; “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” [(1 Corinthians 10:31) It is the “little things” that are in view here]. “…by this time you ought to be teachers…” (Hebrews 5:12)

 Let us each try to reach someone this year.  “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). “He who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

“Excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinary.” 

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The Value of a Wife and Mom

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

It is no secret. Women typically earn less income than men. “For American women twenty-five and older who hold at least a bachelor’s degree and work full-time, the national median income is about $47,000. Similar men, meanwhile, make more than $66,000, a premium of 40 percent” (Super Freakonomics, p. 21). Moreover, the income disparity seems to increase with age. “As young beginning workers, British Women’s incomes were 91 percent that of British men but, as mother, their incomes were just 67 percent of that of men who were fathers … In the United States, a study of graduates of the University of Michigan Law School found a similar pattern: The gap in pay between women and men was relatively small at the outset of their careers, but 15 years later, women graduates earned only 60 percent as much as men” (Sowell, Economic Facts and Fallacies, p. 75).

Some have thought that the disparity can be primarily attributed to employer discrimination. This does not seem a reasonable explanation. (a) Such discrimination would put an employer at a competitive disadvantage. “If employers pay a woman only three-quarters as much as they would pay a man for doing the same work with the same skill, this means that those employers who hire an all-female workforce can get four workers for what other employers are paying for three … Even if discriminatory employers do not think things through this way, the competition of the marketplace will tend to force the higher-cost producers out of business, whether they understand why or not” (Economic Facts and Fallacies, p. 73-74). (b) Gender alone does not explain the statistics. “In 1991, women without children earned 95 percent of what men earned, while women with children earned just 75 percent of what men earned. Moreover, even those women without children need not be in the same occupations as men. The very possibility of having children makes different occupations have different attractions to women, even before they become mothers” (Sowell, Basic Economics, p. 199). Moreover, “As far back as 1969, academic women who had never married earned more than academic men who had never married, while married academic women without children earned less, and married academic women with children earned still less. For women in general – that is, not just academic women —  those single women who  had worked continuously since high school were in 1971 earning slightly more than men of the same description. All of this was before affirmative action” (Facts and Fallacies, p. 77). “Among college educated, never-married individuals with no children who worked full-time and were from 40 to 64 years old – that is beyond the child-bearing years – men averaged $40,000 in income, while women averaged $47,000 (Facts and Fallacies, p. 70).

It seems that the gender wage disparity can be explained by several considerations: (1) Educational choices. Women pursue higher education in greater numbers than do men. In the U.S. there are 140 women for every 100 men enrolled in higher education (Facts and Fallacies, p. 56). The 2010 census indicates that 37 percent of employed women have a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to 35 percent of men (abcnews.com). However, there are significant differences in what degrees are pursued. “As of 2005, for example, women received more than 60 percent of the doctorates in education but less than 20 percent of the doctorates in engineering” (Facts and Fallacies, p. 67). (2) Career choices. (a) Women compose 74 percent of what the U.S. Census Bureau classifies as “clerical and kindred works.” They are less that 5 percent of “transportation equipment operatives” and less than 3 percent construction workers or loggers. While men are 54 percent of the labor force, they are 92 percent of the job-related deaths (Facts and Fallacies, p. 65). (b) Women tend to spend less time at work. “The average female MBA with no children works only 3 percent fewer hours than the average male MBA. But female MBAs with children work 24 percent less” (Super Freakonomics, p. 45). (c) Women tend to choose jobs which are more flexible, and allow them to spend more time with their children. (d) Pregnancy and staying at home with small children has a huge impact on income. “Interruptions of labor force participation … mean that a woman may have fewer years of job experience than a man of the same age … To drop out of some fields and the return in a few years … can mean having fallen significantly behind developments in these occupations” (Facts and Fallacies, p. 66-67).

Women make less due to their role in the home. In many ways it is the woman who helps the man bring in the income that he does. Thomas Sowell writes, “The earnings of that income can also be a joint enterprise, regardless of whose name appears on the paycheck. Time that a bachelor spends shopping, preparing meals, or going out to restaurants, taking his clothes to the laundry or dry cleaners, entertaining guests … is available to many married men to put into advancing their careers instead, because their wives relieved them of such concerns. Given these and other ways in which traditional wives have freed up the time of their husbands, it is hardly surprising that married men have usually earned higher incomes than single men of the same age and education … Another way of looking at this is that the traditional division of family responsibilities has meant that wives have sacrificed their own income-earning potential possibilities and enhanced that of their husbands, with the resultive income being jointly spent” (Facts and Fallacies, p. 72).

There may be many reasons that women do not earn as much as men. However, one of the reasons, perhaps the biggest reason, has to do with the fact that women make certain choices and sacrifices to rear their children, and for the well-being of the family.

Do you realize how much a wife and mother sacrifices of her personal income potential to contribute to the well-being of the family?

“He who finds a wife finds a good thing” (Proverbs 18:22). 

“Her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life … She rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household … She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household is clothed in scarlet … Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the lord. She makes linen garments and sells them … She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31).

 

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In The News: How Many Heard?

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

We read in the Bible of Jesus and the apostles speaking before large crowds of people.  Could so many really hear and understand what was said?  This is a question asked by critics of the Bible.  It is also joked about by some.  “In Monte Python’s film, ‘Life of Brian,’ a large crowd showed up to hear Jesus’ sermon, but by the time Jesus’ words made it to the fringes of the crowd some clarity was lost (‘Blessed are the cheese-makers’)” (Fox News, Joel N. Shurkin, How Many People Heard the Sermon on the Mount? Or the Gettysburg Address?, Dec. 10, 2013).  Even sincere Bible students wonder, “How could so many hear?”

Some have suggested that miraculous amplification may have been involved.  This is certainly possible.  [God seems to have so spoken to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai.  “(His) voice shook the earth” (Hebrews 12:6).  “(They) begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore” (Hebrews 12:18-19), “Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die” (Exodus 20:19).  Moses said that God did this, “that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin” (Exodus 20:20)].  However, there is no indication in the Biblical record that this is how Jesus or the apostles spoke to the multitudes.

Some have thought that the answer may be at least partially found in the acoustics of the chosen locations for their sermons.  This seems reasonable.  Some locations form natural amphitheaters.  The hill where Jesus supposedly preached The Sermon on the Mount is one such place.  Jesus spoke from a boat on more than one occasion (Luke 5:3; Matt. 13:2, 3).  Sound is said to travel well over calm water.  Paul once spoke on Mars Hill (or the Areopagus).

However, let’s ask how many under good circumstances could hear a man speak without aid of a public address system?  (1) Benjamin Franklin conducted an experiment.  In the year 1739, he listened to George Whitefield address an audience of 6,000 people in Philadelphia.  He then measured out an area in which one could hear with understanding, about 23,000 square meters.  He concluded that, “More than 30,000” could hear (Fox News, Joel N. Shurkin, How Many People heard the Sermon on the Mount? Or the Gettysburg Address? Dec. 10, 2013).  (2) Two researchers, Braxton Boren and Agnieszka Roginska, at the NYU’s Music and Audio Research Lab replicated the Franklin experiment.  They concluded Whitefield could be heard by 20,000 – 30,000 on a good day, a perfectly still crowd, no wind or carriage clattering” (ibid).

Let us not forget the style of the speaker.  “The style of the speaker was different in the past… the speakers stood up straight and might have raised and stretched their arms so their diaphragms were extended.  Speeches of the past also had an entirely different cadence.  Orators often spoke in bursts of four or five words with considerable emphasis instead of long phrases” (ibid).  Modern speakers have grown dependent on P.A. systems.

Joel N. Shurkin writes, “Have you ever wondered how many people in the audience actually heard the Gettysburg Address?  How about the Sermon on the Mount or Moses at Sinai?  The answer to those questions, according to New Your University researchers, is more than you think” (ibid).

Today, we have the benefits of a Public Address system.  The question is: are we listening as we should? Clearly, the audience has a responsibility to discipline themselves to carefully listen, be attentive and engaged, and not be thoughtless or lazy in their hearing. Consider: “Speak, LORD, for your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:9, 10).  “The ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law” (Nehemiah 8:3).  “All the people were very attentive to hear him” (Luke 19:18).  “The common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37).  “We are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God” (Acts 10:33).  “Take heed what you hear” (Mark 4:24).  “Take heed how you hear” (Luke 8:18).  “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).  “The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise” (Proverbs 15:31).  “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him” (Proverbs 18:13).

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Document Difficulties

Posted on January 29, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

One does not need to expose the Mormon documents to refute them as being from God. All one needs to do is establish that revelation was completed with the New Covenant Canon.

 Moreover, taking the introduction of The Book of Mormon one does not seem to need latter-day revelation. It reads in its opening paragraph “It is a record of God’s dealing with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fullness of the everlasting gospel.” Grammatically, this does not say that The Bible plus The Book of Mormon equals the fullness of the gospel. Instead, it says that just as the Bible contains the fullness of the gospel, even so, does The Book of Mormon. This may not be what they believe, but it is what their introduction says.

However, in this writing we do want to expose some difficulties with Mormon documents.

1. The Book of Lehi

The Book of Lehi was to be a part of the original collection of books which make up The Book of Mormon. It is missing. Its loss should raise some serious doubts about the genuineness of Joseph Smith’s work as a prophet.

The story goes that in the summer of 1828, Martin Harris (an early supporter of Joseph Smith) asked permission to take the book home to show to his wife and family members, who were skeptics. The request was twice denied by Smith, after prayerful inquiry was made to the Lord. Permission was granted by the Lord on the third appeal. The book disappeared while in Martin Harris’ possession. It was suspected that Mrs. Harris had hidden the book. Her motive? It was thought that she was testing the prophet to see if he could reproduce it word for word. Moreover, it was thought that if he did produce it, she would alter the original and use it to discredit him. She may have been tired of the financial support her husband was providing Smith. Whatever the case, the missing book, 116 pages long, was never found.

Smith did not reproduce the book. In the preface to the 1830 edition of The Book of Mormon, Smith explained “The Book of Lehi…some person or persons have stolen and kept from me…and being commanded of the Lord that I should not translate the same over again, for Satan had put it into their hearts to tempt the Lord their God, by altering the words, that they did read contrary from that which I translated and caused to be written: and if I should bring forth the same words again…they would publish that which they had stolen” (recorded in Don Simpson’s The Golden Myth of Mormonism, p. 87). Doctrine and Covenant reads “Behold, they say and think in their hearts – we will see it God has given him power to translate; if so, he will also give him power again; and if God giveth him power again, or, in other words, if he bringeth forth the same words, behold, we have the same with us, and we have altered them; therefore they will not agree, and we will say that he has lied in his words, and that he has no gift, and that he has no power…Behold , I say unto you, that you shall not translate again those words” (section 10:16-18, 30).

Do you not find this strange? Smith had the opportunity to show himself capable of reproducing the same words, much as Jeremiah and Baruch did (Jeremiah 36), but he didn’t reproduce the words.

What about the possible altering of the original? Don Simpson asked “If such a publication of the altered original be printed could not the original be recalled by experts for examination…? (ibid, p. 89).

2. The Book of Abraham

The Book of Abraham is a part of a collection of books which make up the Mormon book: The Pearl of Great Price. The story of this book should raise serious doubts about the genuineness of Joseph Smith’s work as a prophet.

The story goes that on July 03, 1835, Joseph Smith bought some mummies and papyrus from Michael H. Chandler in Kirkland, Ohio for $2400. Smith, then translated one papyrus which he claimed to have been written by Abraham. At the time of Smith’s translation little was known about translation from Egyptian hieroglyphics. “It was not until 1860 that the science of Egyptology had developed to the point that it could confidently tests Smith’s translation. By this time Smith was dead (murdered in 1844), and the collection of Egyptian papyrus with his notes had been lost. Where they went to, no one seemed sure, though the Mormon church thought they had been destroyed in a fire at Chicago” (The Golden Myth of Mormonism, p. 100-f). What did exist were three facsimiles made by Smith which also contained his interpretation. These were submitted to a scholar named Deveria at the Museum of the Louvre. His interpretation did not agree with Joseph Smith’s (ibid). However, the actual papyrus was still missing. It was found in 1966, in the Metropolitan Museum in N.Y. What was found? “There was no mention of Abraham, the religion of Abraham, nor the God of Abraham…The book of Abraham is nothing more than a common burial…papyri…with the fall of the book of Abraham, Joseph Smith also falls as a translator and a prophet” (ibid, p. 114). Wikipedia even provides the true translation of the Egyptian hieroglyphics next to Smith’s interpretation.

3. The Kinderhook Plates

In 1843 Robert Wiley, Bridge Whitten, and Wilbur Fugate decided to test the prophet. They made six pieces of brass and engraved on them ancient Chinese-type characters. They used acid to give an appearance of age to the plates in and Indian burial mound near Kinderhook, Illinois. In the presence of Mormons, they dug into the mound an unearthed the plates. The plates were brought to Smith to interpret. Smith wrote “I have translated a portion of the history of the person…it was a descendant of them, through the loins of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, and that he received his kingdom from the ruler of heaven and earth” (Smith, History of the Church Vol 5, p. 372 recorded in The Truth about Mormonism: a former adherent analyzes of LDS Faith by Weldon Langfield, p. 59-f). In 1879 Wilbur Fugate told how they had forged the plates (Wikipedia). “In 1980 Professor D. Lynn Johnson of the Department of Material Science and Engineering at Northwestern University examined the remaining plate…and determined that the tolerance and composition of its metals was entirely consistent with the facilities available in a 19th century blacksmith shop, and more importantly found traces of nitrogen in what were clearly nitric-acid etched grooves” (Wikipedia)

4. Salamander Letter

The Salamander letter was created by Mark Hoffmann in the early 1980s. The letter was supposedly the work of Martin Harris and William Phelps (early Mormons). The letter supposedly told a different story of the finding of the Golden plates. Moreover, it indicates that Joseph Smith III and not Brigham Young was to be Joseph Smith’s successor (this would undermine the Salt Lake branch of the LDS). The letters were offered to the church for a price. The church, itself, did not purchase the letter. However, bishop Steven Christensen did for $40,000 and donated it to the church. The letter was later declared a forgery, and a fraud. The fraud was discovered when Utah police were investigating Hoffmann in a bombing investigation. Hoffmann is now serving a life term in Utah for murder and forgery. (Watch the Netflix docuseries Murder Among the Mormons).

The difficulty is that the L.D.S. assumed the letter to be genuine until the fraud was uncovered by Utah Police. What’s the big deal. Doctrine and Covenants indicates that the president of the Mormon Church is “A seer, a revelator, a translator, and a prophet having all the gifts of God” (107:91-92). One gift is the “gift of discernment”. How is it that the church could not discern the fraud?

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Justice

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1902-1932. He understood that there were limits on human judges.

He was once exhorted by Judge Learned Hand “Do justice, Sir, do justice.” Justice Holmes replied “That is not my job. It is my job to apply The Law” (Thomas Sowell, The Quest For Cosmic Justice, p. 168) What did he mean by this? He meant, that such was not the function of an earthly judge. “He was not saying that justice did not belong in the Law. He was saying that it was not a judge’s function to put it there, this was a legislative function (ibid, p. 170). Moreover, not all laws are necessarily just.

He also understood that there was a great deal of differences between the judgments of men and God’s judgment. He remarked “The Law takes no account of the infinite varieties of temperament, intellect, and education which make the internal character of a given act so difference in men. It does not attempt to see men as God sees them….If, for instance, a man is born hasty and awkward, is always having accidents and hurting himself or his neighbors, no doubt his congenital defects will be allowed for in the courts of heaven but his slips are no less troublesome to his neighbors than if they sprang from guilty neglect. His neighbors accordingly require him, at his proper peril, to come up to their standard, and the courts which they establish decline to take his personal equation into account” (Thomas Sowell, A Conflict of Visions p. 195-196). An illustration – Remember Lennie in the book “of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck.

 Application

1. The Psalmist said of God “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne” (89:14). Again “The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple; The statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart; The Commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes….The judgment of the Lord are true and righteous together” (19:7-9). Not all laws of men are just. Men sometimes pass laws to defraud others and to enrich themselves and their cronies (e.g. Isaiah 10:1-2). God’s laws are not like this.

Moreover, it is evident that for a system to be just there needs to be “Rule of Law”. Such is defined as “a government of laws and not men” (The quest for cosmic justice; p. 151). That is, the law does not exempt certain favorites. Moreover “By ‘Rule of Law’ is not meant simply that edicts are enforced but that only laws set forth in advance can be used to punish” (Thomas Sowell, The Vision of the Appointed, p. 220). God does not play favorites (cf 1 Pet. 1:17; Acts 10:34-35). Furthermore, it has revealed his standard to man long before judgment.

2. God’s judgment takes into account man’s abilities (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; Luke 12:41-48, Mark 12:41-43; 2 Corinthians 8:12). It takes into account man’s motives (Matthew 6:1, 5, 16; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3). It takes into account our thoughts (Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28). He knows us completely (Psalm 139:1-4)

Will you be ready for that great day?

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Miracles Of The Cross

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Jesus worked miracles. Jimmy Jividen lists 35 specific miracles performed by Jesus, not counting the miracles connected with the cross, resurrection, and ascension (Jimmy Jividen, Miracles from God or Man, p. 17-18). Halley’s Bible Handbook classifies Jesus’ miracles under the following headings: 17 Bodily cures; 9 miracles over the forces of nature, 6 cures of demonics, 3 raised from the dead (ibid, p. 16). Concerning specific miracles: 20 are recorded in Matthew (ibid, p. 26); 18 are recorded in Mark (ibid, p. 31); 21 are recorded in Luke (ibid, p. 38); and 8 are recorded in John (ibid, p. 43). Moreover, there are many general, non-specific, references to Jesus working miracles (e.g., Mark 1:32-34. For complete list see Jividen, p. 23). Furthermore, Jesus may have done other miracles which are not recorded in the New Testament (John 20:30; 21:25).

The purpose of these miracles was to demonstrate that he was (is) the Christ (John 20:20-21). The miracles showed that he was a man approved of God (Acts 2:22; John 3:1-2; John 10:25; cf. 5:36).

Our subject concerns miracles associated with the cross. While Jesus was dying, God tried to get humanity’s attention with 3 miracles.

1. The Darkness (Mark 15:31-33).

The sky was darkened from 12 noon until 3 p.m. This darkening of the sky may have been mentioned by a couple of secular historians. A Second Century A.D. historian, Phlegon, is quoted by Jerome as saying, “In the fourth year, however, of Olympiad 202, an eclipse of the sun happened, greater and more excellent than any other which happened before it; at the sixth hour, day turned into dark night, so that the stars were seen in the sky, and an earthquake in Bithynia toppled many buildings of the city of Nicea” (www.neverthirsty.org). Unfortunately, the text of Phlegon has been lost. Another historian from the same period, Thallus, is quoted by Julius Africanus (221 A.D.), “On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the 263 third book of his history, calls … an eclipse of the sun” (Julius Africanus, Chronography, 18.1). Again, the actual text has been lost.

It is not physically possible to explain this as an eclipse of the sun, by the moon passing in front of it. Oliver Green has commented, “It has been suggested by some that this darkness was just an eclipse of the sun, but this is an impossibility. The Passover was always celebrated at the time of the full moon (Leviticus 23:5 cf. The Hebrews reckoned each month to start with the new moon), and the moon is opposite the sun, so there could be no eclipse” (The Gospel According to Matthew, Vol. 6, p. 259).

The people loved darkness (John 3:19). Now they experienced literal darkness. I wonder if they remembered the Egyptian plague of darkness (Exodus 10:21-23).

There is no light without God. God spoke light into existence (Genesis 1:3). Do we realize that nothing would exist without him?

2. The Destruction of the Veil (Mark 15:37-38).

The veil signified separation. The veil of the tabernacle was designed with cherubim woven on it (Exodus 26:31). The same is true of the veil of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:14). Cherubim signified to man that they could not enter (cf. Genesis 3:22-24). The High Priest alone could enter into the Most Holy Place, and this was allowed only once a year (Leviticus 16:1-ff; Hebrews 9:7). The Most Holy Place figuratively represented the dwelling place of God, heaven itself (Hebrews 9:24-26).

The significance? Sin separated man from God (cf. Isaiah 59:1-2). The destruction of the veil of Jesus’ flesh provided man access to the glories of heaven. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20).

3. The Resurrection of the dead (Matthew 27:51-53).

This account is found only in the book of Matthew. There is much I would like to know that we are not told, for instance: how long did these remain upon earth?

There are a couple of things we should observe in connection with this miracle. (1) The death of Jesus provides spiritual life for us (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13). (2) This should also tell us that God has the power to resurrect us from the grave (John 5:28-29).

*Note: Our study has not been designed to be a presentation of proofs, or Christian evidences. Instead, this study has been designed for believers to consider some things we should learn and consider from these miracles.

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The Message for Sale: Church Merchandising

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Brethren are now doing something that they did not do in times past.  They are charging money for programs done in the name of, and as a work of the church.  I never recall brethren doing this in times past.  I recall brethren on TV and radio when offering tapes, CD’s, tracts and books telling the listeners, “This is offered complimentary and without cost to you.  It is paid for by the free-will offerings of members of the church of Christ” and even, “we are not like other religious groups, you need not make a love offering to receive this material.”  However, brethren now are charging for: (1) marriage enrichment programs done in the name of the local church; (2) Ladies days and men’s retreats; (3) and even lectureships.  Somehow I don’t think this is how Jesus, or the apostles did this.

God’s inspired word tells us where the money is to come from to conduct the work of the church.  It comes from free-will offerings (Acts 4:34-5:4; 11:29-30; Romans 15:26: 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7).  Dave Miller once wrote, “All funds utilized in the work of the church are to be contributed by its members based upon their own inventory of personal finances.  This means that bake sales, bingo games and on-the-air pleas for viewer contributions are unauthorized, inappropriate, and unacceptable to God” (Article: The Fund Raising Furor, Firm Foundation, July 28, 1987).  Brother Miller wrote this in reaction to the practices of televangelists and denominations.  However, the truth equally applies to the current practice of some brethren.

Do we truly love souls?  Consider the example of Martin Luther.  He translated the Bible into German in 1522.  It may have been his greatest accomplishment.  Philip Schaff, the historian, wrote, “Hereafter, the Reformation depended no longer on the works of the Reformers, but on the book of God, which everybody could read for himself as his daily guide in spiritual life (History of the Christian Church, Vol. 7, p. 341).  What did he receive for his work?  “It was from beginning to end, a labor of love and enthusiasm while publishers and printers made fortunes, Luther never asked a copper for this greatest work of his life (ibid, p. 354).  Now, I am not suggesting that it would have been wrong for Martin Luther to have received income for his work.  “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (Luke 10: 7; 1 Timothy 5:18 cf. 1 Corinthians 9:7-11).  However, he did what he did freely out of concern for others.  He wanted the Bible in the hands of the people.  Do we have such live?  Or are we turning the message into just another opportunity for gain?

Let us point out that there is a big difference between a laborer charging for his labor and the church charging for its services.  The church has three areas of work: evangelism, benevolence, and edification. Biblical authority comes from direct statements, accounts of action (examples), and implication.  Please tell me where in the Biblical record does the church have authority to charge for something that is within its area of work?  There are no direct statements or accounts of action which authorize such.  Is it implied?  If so, how?

Here are some common attempts to justify the practice:

1.       It is just a nominal fee to cover materials.

 If the materials are so important, can the local church not provide it?  What is the first day contribution for, if it is not to fund legitimate works of the church?

Do those attend have the option of not purchasing the material from you?  Or is this automatically a part of the cost of attending?

Bible students need Bibles.  Should the church start selling Bibles?  How would such look?  John spoke of missionaries going forth “for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles” (3 John 7).  “Gentiles” is referring to non-Christians.  This does not imply that the church can charge individual Christians for its services.

Personally, I have given away thousands of dollars of Bibles, books, CD’s and other materials over the years out of concern for others.  Can local churches not do the same?

2.  We offer scholarships.

Even so, the issue is still one of authority.  Where do you find your authority to charge for a work of the local church?

Moreover, are you really expecting one who cannot afford your nominal fee to humiliate himself by telling you that he can’t afford it?  Give me a break.

3.  We give out far more free material than the amont we charge to attend.

Can a person attend for free without taking any of your “free material”?

If you are not raising money, or selling material, what is the purpose of your fees?  Give me a break.

4.  It cost us something to rent this facility.

Okay.  It cost us something to cool and heat the building each first day of the week.  Should we charge for such?

Can a church or multiple churches not work together to cover the expenses without charging the individual?  How were things done during Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons at the Ryman Auditorium ( N.B. Hardeman preached in 5 such meetings: March 28 – April 16 1922, April 01- April 22 1923, March 18 – April 01 1928, October 16 – October 31 1938 and  November 01 – November 08 1942)? Was admission charged? Absolutely not. In Hardeman’s Tabernacle Sermons, Volume 1, we read: “The brethren were all agreed that if the work should be undertaken it should be done by local congregations cooperation with each other… The advertising campaign set a new precedent among the churches of Christ. …About 100,000 blotters announcing it were distributed; 65,000 personal invitation cards were sent out; large illuminated signs were erected along the car lanes; a half-page ad appeared in both daily papers on the day before the meeting opened; and also a page or two of the city telephone directory was assigned to different ladies in various churches, who called everybody in Nashville that had a telephone and gave them a personal invitation to attend the meeting… On Tuesday night, March 28 (1922), the great Ryman Auditorium seating 6,000 to 8,000 people was packed, and it is estimated that 2,000 were turned away.”  All of this was accomplished without admission fees! How? “Forty congregations in the Nashville area agreed to combine forces for this effort to ‘preach the word, to convert sinners, and to edify the saints, and to quicken the evangelistic impulse of the church'” (Earl West, The Search For The Ancient Order vol. 4, p.157) Brother C.M. Pullias was considered to be the speaker but was later asked to lead the singing for the event. He agreed saying ” I will be glad to sweep the floors or render any other service, to make possible the proposed meeting” (ibid, p.102). What a marvelous attitude!

5.  We charge a nominal fee to cover refreshment cost. 

Did Jesus or the apostles do this?  I don’t recall where they did. 

I understand that there might be some expense.  Can the local members not absorb these expenses?  Can you not provide the option of a person not eating your food?  Must it be included in the cost of attending?

6.  Charging for this course causes those who enroll to attend more regularly and take the class more seriously. 

This is probably true.  The same would be true of Bible classes.  Should we charge for Sunday morning Bible class?   How about Biblical advice on marriage?  How about Biblical information on money?

7.  Universities charge for their classes. 

True.  However, isn’t there a major difference between a private university and the work of the church?

8.  You buy books. 

True.  However, isn’t there a major difference between an individual publisher, and the work of the church?

9.  Times have changed. 

Truth doesn’t change.  Where is the authority?  We used to criticize the denominations for such practices.

10.  The economy is bad.  

This is an excuse.  If you don’t have it, you don’t have it.  Do not resort to unauthorized practices.

Can not churches work together as they once did in N. B. Hardeman’s day?

Brethren, please, let us not give the appearance that the church is just another money-making machine!

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Liberty

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

So what is Liberty? Many have recognized that: (1) Liberty involves freedom of actions. John Locke has written, “A man falling into water, a bridge breaking under him, has not here-in liberty … For though he has volition, though he prefers his not falling to falling; Yet, the forbearance of that motion not being in his power … Therein he is not free. So a man striking himself, or a friend by a convulsive motion of his arm which is not in his power … nobody thinks he has liberty. Liberty is not an idea belonging to volition (alone B.H.) But to … having the power of doing or forbearing to do” (Human Understanding, p. 223-224). (2) Liberty involves freedom from something, but not necessarily everything. John Locke has written, “Freedom is not … A liberty for everyone to do what he lists (wishes B.H.), to live as he pleases (But) A liberty to follow my own will … when the rule prescribes not” (Two Treaties, p. 283-284). Montesquieu wrote, “Liberty is the right to do everything the law permits … Liberty consists principally in not being forced to do a thing that the law does not order …” (The Spirit of the Law, p. 155, 514). (3) Liberty has limits. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., has remarked, “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins …” (www.brainyquotes.com). Liberty can, and often does, have limits.

The Bible uses the term “liberty” 26 times (KJV), 17 times in the N.T. (KJV). The word is used of: (1) Freedom from debt (Leviticus 25:10 cf. Ezekiel 46:17); (2) Freedom from slavery (Jeremiah 34:8-ff); (3) Freedom to receive friends (Acts 24:23); (4) Freedom from Roman custody (Acts 26:32); (5) Freedom of movement to see friends (Acts 27:3); (6) Freedom from Roman imprisonment (Hebrews 13:23).

However, in this lesson we are focusing in on our liberty in Christ. Consider …

1. Christ came to give liberty (Luke 4:16-21).

He came: (a) To preach the Gospel to the poor. He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). (b) To heal the broken-hearted. He said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). (c) To proclaim liberty to the captives. He has made possible freedom from sin (John 8:34 cf. 8:32).  (d) To recover the sight to the blind. We sing, “I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see” (song: Amazing Grace by John Newton). (e) To set at liberty those who are oppressed. Those oppressed by the devil (Acts 10:38). The reference may be to the year of jubilee (Isaiah 58:6 cf. Leviticus 25: 10, 28). (g) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. This too may be a reference to the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25:10). Today is the acceptable time (2 Corinthians 6:2).

2. Freedom in Christ is freedom from the guilt of sin (John 8:34 cf. 8:32)!

Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say unto you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). In this context, He said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Freedom comes from knowledge of the truth. This truth, of course, must be put into practice (James 1:22).

3. Liberty in Christ is freedom from the old covenant system (cf. Galatians 2:1, 3-4; 5:1-6).

The old covenant system was a very burdensome system. There were 613 commandments (248 positive “do this” / 365 negative “don’t do this”). We are free of this. The specifics of the old covenant are no longer bound (cf. Colossians 2:16-17).

4. Liberty in Christ is not freedom without any standard of conduct (James 1:21-25; 2:8-13).

We are under “the perfect law of liberty”. It is: (a) “law”, because we have a rule of standard by which we’re to live. (b) “perfect,” because it is complete, sufficient to accomplish the purpose intended. (c) “liberty,” because it brings freedom from the guilt of sin (cf. John 8:32). Watch the fact that “the word” is equated with “the perfect law of liberty” (James 1:23 cf. 1:25).

 5. Liberty in Christ does not exclude responsibilities to others (1 Corinthians 8, 10).

 Some think that liberty means that one can do anything he wishes to do. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., indicated that Freedom of Speech had limits saying, “The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting fire in a theater and causing panic” [(Schenck v. United States 1919). Such reckless use of words caused the death of 73 men, women, and children at a Christmas party on Dec. 24, 1913 in Calumet, Michigan in the Italian hall)].

The Bible also teaches limits to individual liberty. We should not only ask if a given action is lawful, but we should also ask how the action will affect others. Just because something may technically be lawful, in and of itself, does not mean that it should be done. We should ask will it help and edify others (1 Corinthians 8:4-13; 10:23-33).

 6. Liberty involves free choice (1 Corinthians 7:39 cf. Numbers 36:5-6).

God hasn’t made all the choices for us. We are at liberty to act/choose where He has granted such liberty.

7. There have been, and still are, those who offer false promises of liberty (2 Peter 2:17-22).

We should each be careful to make certain that liberty promised, is really liberty God has offered. Moreover, we should be careful that the steps to liberty from the guilt of sin are in fact God’s steps and not just the false methods of men.

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Is It in Your Heart?

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

“For all who have sinned without the law will perish without the law,and all who have sinned under            the law will be judged by the law” (Romans 2:12).

The point is “there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11). Two groups of people are mentioned: (1) those without the law refer to gentiles, who lived in pre-Christian times, and who were without the Law of Moses. This does not mean that they were under no law, for one cannot sin without law (Romans 4:15; 5:13; 1 John 3:4). (2) Those under the law refer to Israelites, who lived under the Law of Moses. It was only to the children of Israel that the Law of Moses was delivered (see Exodus 31:16-17; Deuteronomy 5:2-5; cf. 4:37; Deuteronomy 5:15; Nehemiah 9:13-14). 

                               “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be justified” (Romans 2:13).

The point is: The fact that Israel had received the Law of Moses, and heard it read to them week by week (cf. Acts 15:21), did not in itself justify them.

God still wants more. He teaches, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires,they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the works of the law is written on (or “in” in   NKJv) hearts…” (Romans 2:14-15- ESV).

Let us keep in mind that there were common things taught in Patriarchal law and Mosaical law, and even still today.

 

 

 

 

Patriarchal

 

Mosaic

 

New Testament

 

Murder

 

 

Genesis 9:6

 

Exodus 20:13

 

Romans. 13:8-10

1 John 3:15

 

Fornication/ Adultery

 

 

Genesis 38:24

Genesis 39:7-9

 

 

Exodus 20:14

Galatians 5:19-ff

1 Corinthians 6:9-ff

Ephesians 5:3

Colossians 3:5

1 Thessalonians 4:3

Hebrews 13:4

 

Idolatry

 

 

Genesis 35:2

 

Exodus 20:4-5

Acts 15:29

Acts 21:25

Galatians 5:20

1 Cor. 5:11

1 Corinthians 10:14

Colossians 3:5

1 John 5:21

 

Blood

 

 

Genesis 9:4

Leviticus 3:17

Leviticus 7:26-ff

Leviticus 17:12

 

Acts 15:20

Acts 21:25

Paul’s illustration: Some gentiles do by nature (their character, or habit) the things contained in the Law of Moses. They do this not because they are under the Law of Moses, “they do not have the law.” They do this because, “they are a law unto themselves.” (Note: This does not mean that each was left to his own standards. It means that they were a people of law, though separate and apart from the Mosaic system).

The works of the law were written in their hearts. Please observe: This does not say “The law of the heart,” but “the works of the law written on their hearts”. Roy Deaver commented, “When the Gentiles, who did not have the Mosaic Law, but did have divine (revealed law), did by nature the very things which the Mosaic Law demanded… They showed that the very works which were demanded by the Mosaic Law were written on their hearts” (Romans: God’s Plan for Man’s Righteousness, p. 78). Please understand: This wording, “written on the heart”, in no way implies that God directly infused His will into each of their minds. Consider: (1) God’s word was to be in the hearts of the Israelites (Deuteronomy 6:5-7; 11:18-19). (2) God’s word is to be in man’s heart today (Jeremiah 31:31-33 cf. Hebrews 8:8-12; 10:16-17). Furthermore, if such were directly infused, they would have had it better than the Israelites (cf. Romans 3:1-2).

 

“…their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even accuse them”   (Romans 2:15).

These were conscientious gentiles. The word “conscience” means literally “with knowledge”. It is a feeling which comes with knowledge. The conscience is only as good as the information programmed onto it. This information is programmed into man by: (1) external influences and teachings – e.g. parents, society, Bible; (2) internal decisions on how to live. The conscience is not always correct in its assessment. (Proverbs 16:2; 16:25; Acts 25:9; 1 Corinthians 3:3-4; 8:7; 1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15 etc.). However, when properly programmed, it can serve as a helpful spiritual “warning light”.

What is it that Paul wants his audience to understand? Paul is telling all that simply being an Israelite has never been enough. He is warning those who were relying on such. God cares about behavior.

 Thought for Us

The illustration speaks of gentiles, who did by nature the works of the law. The reason they did is that such was written on their hearts.

My question is: Do we have the works of the New Testament written on our hearts? Only then, will we by nature do the things written in it. Let us allow His word to find a home in our hearts (Colossians 3:16; Psalms 119:11).

Posted in Judgment, Old Testament/New Testament, Phrase Study, Textual study | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reading the Psalms

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Bryan Hodge

Reading the Psalms can be a spiritually rewarding exercise. The Psalms contain rich examples of the proper attitude towards: (1) God — “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1). (2) Scripture — “More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is the great reward” (Psalm 19:10-11); and (3) Worship — “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the LORD’” (Psalm 122:1).

The Psalms can also help enrich one’s prayer life. A church in Texas once had a spring series entitled “Prayers of the Heart.” It was based on the following Psalms: (1) Psalm 1 — “Praying our inattention”; (2) Psalm 2 — “Praying our intimidation”; (3) Psalm 3 — “Praying our trouble”; (4) Psalm 8 — “Praying our creation”; (5) Psalm 51 — “Praying our sin”; (6) Psalm 103 — “Praying our salvation”; (7) Psalm 23 — “Praying our fears”; (8) Psalm 137 — “Praying our anger”; (9) Psalm 6 — “Praying our tears”; (10) Psalm 73 — “Praying our doubts”; (11) Psalm 90 — “Praying our death”; (12) Psalm 150 — “Praying our praise!”

The purpose of this writing is to give you a “table of contents” to aid you in your use of the Psalms.

1. Affliction Psalms: 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 13, 16, 17, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 31, 35, 41, 42, 43, 44, 51, 55, 56, 57, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64, 69, 70, 71, 74, 77, 79, 80, 83, 84, 86, 88, 89, 94, 102, 109, 120, 123, 129, 137, 140, 141, 142, 143

2. Didactical (Teaching) Psalms: 1, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 24, 25, 32, 34, 36, 37, 39, 49, 50, 52, 53, 58, 73, 75, 82, 84, 90, 91, 92, 94, 101, 119, 121, 125, 127, 128, 131

3. Historical Psalms: 78, 105, 106

4. Intercessional Psalms:  20, 67, 122, 132, 144

5.  Penitential Psalms:  6, 25, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143

6. Praise Psalms: 8, 19, 24, 29, 33, 47, 50, 65, 66, 76, 77, 93, 95, 96, 97, 99, 104, 111, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 134, 139, 146, 147, 148, 148, 150

7. Prophetical Psalms:  2, 16, 22, 40, 45, 65, 68, 69, 72, 87, 97, 110, 118

8. Thanksgiving Psalms:

A. For goodness to Israel – 21, 46, 48, 65, 66, 68, 76, 81, 85, 98, 105, 124, 126, 129, 135, 136, 149

B. For goodness to mankind —  23, 34, 36, 91, 100, 103, 107, 117, 121, 145, 146

C. For goodness to individuals —  9, 18, 30, 34, 40, 75, 103, 108, 116, 118, 138, 144

 9. Alphabetical Psalms (Based on the Hebrew alphabet):  9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, 145

 10. Imprecatory Psalms:   2, 5, 7, 35, 37, 58, 59, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, 139, 143

Note: I claim no originality for this list. This list was composed from lists produced by others.

Other odds and ends: (1) The term “Selah” appears 71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. This seems to have been a musical instruction. “Many, moderns derive Selah from a root meaning, ‘to raise,’ and suppose it to be a sign to the musicians to strike up with louder accompaniment. Possibly the singing ceased for a moment. A few think it is a liturgical direction to the congregation to ‘lift up’ their voices in benediction. It is unwise to dogmatize as to the meaning of this very common word” (ISBE vol. 4, p. 2488). “While many explanations have been given for this word, the most plausible is that which derives it from the root salal meaning ‘to lift up’. The LXX renders it diapsalms, which means musical interlude. Selah then is not a word to be read aloud …” (Gleason L. Archer, Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, p. 459).

(2) The fact that instrumental music is mentioned in the Psalms (33:2; 43:4; 49:4; 57:8, 71:22; 81:2; 92:3; 98:5-6; 108:2; 147:7; 149:3; 150:3-6) in no way means that such is authorized for use in New Testament worship. Remember animal sacrifice is also mentioned in the Psalms (66:15; 118:27-28).

(3) It is best to regard Psalm 137:9 as a predictive statement. Kyle Butt has said, “This is a predictive statement. He is talking about Babylon. And he says that the Persians are going to come in and take your children and dash them against the stones. The way he uses the word happy is the same way that Jeremiah uses it in Jeremiah chapter 12 verse one” (A Christians Guide to Refuting Modern Atheism, p. 27). Indeed such was to happen to Babylon (Isaiah 13:16-19). The ESV Study Bible points out, “The vile practice of destroying infants of a conquered people is well attested in the ancient word (e.g., 2 Kings 8:12; Hosea 10:14; 13:16; Nehemiah 3:10; Homer liad 22.63), and was therefore foretold of the fall of Babylon (Isaiah 13:16). Further, the Babylonians had apparently done this to the Judeans (as the connection with Psalm 137:8 suggests) and the prophets led the people to await God’s justice” (Isaiah 47:1-9; Jeremiah 51:24). The NIV Study Bible reads, “The author may have known the Lord’s announced judgment (Isaiah 13; 21:1-10; 47: Jeremiah 50-51; Habakkuk 2:4-20). War was cruel then as now; women and children were not spared (see 2 Kings 8:12; 15:16; Isaiah 13:16, 18; Hosea 10:14; 13:16; Amos 1:13; Nahum 3:10)”. I think this to be correct.

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