There are two kinds of people in the world, those who find parables to be powerful lessons and those who view them as incoherent allegories. I used to be a part of the later camp, struggling to understand many of Jesus’ most memorable teachings. I could not find any help even among the best preachers and commentaries. I had to be missing something. No one seemed to be able to structure parables in a way that unlocked their lessons. If Jesus’ followers could understand them, why couldn’t I? The answer lay in a method that is both new and more than two millennia old.
Last week we barely got started, but start we did, a study of Peter’s second letter. The takeaway from our introduction is Peter’s Big Idea, that as we patiently wait for our Savior’s return we combat apostasy be increasing in our knowledge of God. During this study, I’ll be using a free online study tool from Faithlife. At the end of our study I’ll be reviewing the tool and its suitability for use in a group setting. But that comes later, today we are furthering our understanding of 2 Peter and there is no better place to start than with the salutation.
Over the last five years or so the Western world has become increasingly polarized over politics and, in America at least, Christians have become willing participants. I’m not implying this is a good or bad thing, only that we need to make sure our response to the world is properly measured and reflect Biblical thought. Pastor Mark Anthony of Grace Fellowship in York, Pennsylvania recently wrote an open letter (published here) rightly criticizing an unnamed Christian organization’s response to the president’s recent ban on transgender individuals serving in the US military. This is, partially, a response to him.
“Hope” is another one of those words that devolved over time. Today it means little more than to wish, or positive thinking, but this has not always been the case. The Greek word translated as “hope” in the New Testament is elpis, and had many functioning components to its definition. This was true of the English word as well, until modern times. Any Bible dictionary will tell you that “hope” means a confident expectation. This is good, as far as it goes, but if you’re like me it leaves you wanting something more. So here is something more.
Is it an all-original movie, or a reboot of the Brendan Frasier series beloved by many and which spawned a series of B-movies about the Scorpion King? That’s the question I asked walking into the theater, and afterward the question I was still asking. And while the movie stars A-list actor Tom Cruz, is action packed and full of spectacular imagery and special effects, that wasn’t the only point of confusion I walked away with. I’ve watched a lot of supernatural thrillers and horror movies, none have ever left me feeling conflicted at the end. In that regard, this movie is a first.
During his second missionary journey Paul traveled to one of the great cities of his day and what he noticed was a culture in confusion – a culture ripe for the gospel message. The city was a jewel of the Roman empire whose culture, artwork and practices started long before there was a Roman power. The city was full of temples, but none were as great as the acropolis which stood on high ground and was the center of pantheon worship. People came from around the world to worship, and they still do. The city is Athens, and Paul had his work cut out for him.
It was a dark time in Israel’s history. They had a streak of bad kings, leaders who introduced idols and the worship of foreign Gods. They joined the royal house with those of other nations to establish peace rather than depending upon the Lord. But there was one king who went further than the others. King Jehoiakim succeeded his brother, a brother who was exiled to Egypt. Jehoikim didn’t care as long as he held the throne. Yet he didn’t just play with evil as his predecessors had, he purposely suppressed the word of God and advanced a conspiracy to keep it buried.
When it comes to hospitality, the western world has a lot to learn. The dictionary defines “hospitality” as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers, which is fine as an introductory statement but leaves a lot to be desired. Properly understood, the term imposes responsibilities on both the host and the guest. Since we are commanded in Scripture to “show hospitality to one another without complaining” (1 Peter 4.9) and to “pursue hospitality” (Romans 12.13) it is important to understand the concept completely. Not surprisingly, hospitality is all about going the extra mile.
Peter takes a time-out to briefly explain why he is writing not only this letter, but all of that which follows as well. He wrote his letters to remind the readers to think about truth and to live in its light. The authority for truth is, once again (see 1.16-22 for Peter’s previous lesson on who teaches the truth), from God’s holy prophets and the apostles. The truth we have from God through these men is to change both our perspective and our life direction. He uses the judgment of the end times to stimulate obedience to God’s Word.
The story of Abraham and Isaac is a difficult reading (Genesis 21). Why would God ask Abraham to offer up Isaac as a sacrifice? The Bible only hints at one reason, that it was a test of Abraham’s faith. This answer is not very satisfying, however, to most believer’s. After all, God knows every person’s heart does he not? He not only knows our heart, but he can harden hearts (as in the case of Pharaoh) and takes joy when we share his heart (as David did). I believe there are other, better reasons if only we start at the beginning.
Historically, the primary characteristic of Jesus-followers has been called “the mark of the Christian.” It should come as no surprise that this trait is “love”. The first and greatest commandment? Love God. The second? Love others. The greatest of all the gifts God has given man? Love. Love is what defines us. Yet to many, this is just good theology and it has little bearing on how we live out our daily lives. The “mark” has become difficult to see, as if it’s been rubbed away by decades of intellectualism and humanism. That needs to change.
We’ve just finished a series on 12 disciplines of the Christian faith – four are community disciplines, four are private, and another four are simply personal. The Christian practicing these disciplines can expect certain benefits of character as a result. This is by no means exhaustive, and is in addition to a more dynamic and special relationship with God. The first (of four) is “virtue”, which means “moral excellence”. If that is still too vague, it is less about moral philosophy and more about right conduct. Virtue, then, is doing what is right even when you don’t want to