An inquiring reader asks: "Why did God abandon the Jews? Were they not his people before the coming of Christ? I suppose they did crucify him (and they don't believe he's the savior) but wasn't that all part of God's plan to sacrifice his son for our sins?"
Dear reader,
Sometimes, in order to answer a question, the question needs to be challanged. The questions we ask have presuppositions behind them. This one has several -- very common! -- presuppositions. To give your question the space it deserves requires us to examine those presuppositions.
First presupposition: "God abandoned the Jews." Did God abandon them? I know this is a common belief among many Christians, and many Christian teachers hint that they believe this even when they don't explicitly teach it -- but is it true? To be honest, I can't think of a single passage anywhere in the Bible that teaches that it is true, even among those passages that most polemically attack "the Jews". Also, I can think of one major passage in the New Testament that teaches something stunningly different. In Romans 11 Paul writes: "I ask, then, has God rejected his people [the Jews]? Of course not! For I too am an Israelite, a descendent of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin...." Paul goes on to say quite a bit in Chapter 11 about Israel and its destiny in God's future plans, including quite a few things that leave Christian theologians stunned and questioning to this day. So, in a straightforward sense, the Bible teaches that God still has a purpose for the Old Israel, even as He has a purpose for New Israel, i.e. the Church of God.
A second presupposition: "Old Israel was God's people before the coming of Christ." This presupposition raises a complex matter, because in one sense it is true -- God had and has, on a straightforward reading of even the New Testament, a plan for Old Israel. But, in another sense, this presupposition is not true, because as Paul puts it in Romans 9:6 "But it is not that the word of God has failed. For not all who are Israel are Israel..." He goes on to talk about how a person could be born physically in a line of blessing, yet miss out on that blessing through a hardness of heart that God nevertheless uses as part of His glorious plan. He gives the example of Jacob and Esau. Both were children of Isaac, so both were in the line of the promise. The blessing became focussed, however, in Jacob only. "Why" is mysterious: you could read the Genesis account over and over again, and always be discovering more layers, I think, in answer to the question "Why?" The key matter, however, is that God was in control, and His grace won out through human obedience and disobedience as He molded his people of promise. When we sit down and read the whole Old Testament, especially in light of the gospels, this picture grows till it becomes huge. God molds his people again and again, seemingly rejecting some and embracing others, working in the agony and the glory of their spiritual adventures and misadventures before Him. He does this slowly, painstakingly, taking hundreds of years till everything comes in to focus on one poor little adolescent Jewish maiden, Mary -- an infinitely unlikely figure who looks like a rejected nothing before the world. You know the rest of story! My point is that the question of who is / who isn't God's people / person is a more complex matter than it seems on the surface. It's not that we can't tell anything at all -- we can. We have Israel in the Old Testament, for example, and today we have (both?) the Church (and Israel?). But within the purview of the Bible "Israel" and "the Church" are not without their own elements of divine mystery.
A third presupposition: "The Jews crucified the Lord Jesus." This presupposition is correct, I'm sad to say. However, it is correct in a way that immediately makes any person who has felt the Holy Spirit's convicting presence shudder. Perhaps you've seen this picture: the risen and ascended Jesus, clothed in brilliant white and outlined is mysterious shadow, lovingly cradles in his arms a weary and wounded modern man in modern dress. But, your vision is immediately drawn from the nail-scarred hands of the Glorified Lord to the weak, limp hands of the man he embraces, for the man's hands carry a hammer in one, nails in the other. "Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John the Baptist said of Jesus at Jesus' baptism. Most every Sunday in worship I pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, holy lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on me a sinner!" Old Israel took its role in crucifying the Savior -- along with blessed Peter who denied Him, his disciples who abandoned him to death, the Romans who did the dirty deed, and even me. As you pointed out, Jesus himself had his place as well, as Great High Priest, making the ultimate sacrifice on the day the sins of us all were atoned for. In making that sacrifice, as the ultimate High Priest, Jesus cried "Father! Forgive them -- for they know not what they do." With that act, Jesus blotted out forever the guilt of those who murdered him, and the guilt of those who, however distant in time and or space, sinned against God and so required for their atonement His sacrifice.
Now, I would write more, but I think this is enough to chew on. (And enough for Pastor Mike to process and throw his immensely valuable two cents in!) So, after questioning the question, instead of giving you an "answer", I'd like to give you a challange: go and read Romans 9 through 11. I think it will answer your original question, perhaps with the presuppositions shaken up just a bit.
Blessings,
P. Matt
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Why Creation?
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth", and I offer the question, why creation? Why was God compelled to create? He is beyond the instinct of earthly organisms to procreate. Are we comparable to a build-your-own ant farm? because we are mere ants to such a caliber of being. He is beyond needs and wants so could it all quite possibly be pointless? I am hoping there are indications of reasons in the bible and reassurances other than "have faith".
Sincerely,
stray, wavering reader
I find myself chuckling at the build-your-own ant farm analogy. I had an ant farm once. It lasted about a week. I grew bored with it and didn’t give it the care it deserved. The ants died, so I threw it out and moved on to playing with my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Action Figures. So is this what we are in relation to God? Are we nothing more than God’s “hobby,” completely expendable so that if something with this ant farm that we call the universe goes wrong, God can just throw us out and move on to another hobby? I’m sure we all hope not, and moreover, the Bible assures us that this is not the case.
In the beginning of Ephesians 2:10, we are told that we are “God’s workmanship” (NIV). The word translated “workmanship” is the Greek word “poiema.” Poiema is an interesting word. In the Bible, it’s used nearly exclusively to describe the creation of God. In other Greek literature from around the same time period, though, it’s used to describe the work of an artist. (The English word “poem” is actually derived from “poiema”) I think this is a much more helpful analogy. God is artist/poet.
Imagine, if you will, a master painter in his studio. He’s just created a masterpiece. The beauty of it is captivating, so much so that it captures the attention of anyone who catches a glimpse of it. In the painting, one can see the very personality of the painter. He’s put his emotions, his experience, his very being into the work. It’s a masterpiece not to be matched, and it has become the painter’s prize possession. Now the painting obviously is not essential to the painter’s life. He could live with out it. But he nevertheless takes great joy in his masterpiece; he will never part with it.
I think this is a better, more biblical, analogy for thinking of creation. We are God’s masterpiece. By His very nature, God is a creative God. That’s simply who He is, it’s in His very nature to create. So, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God made them beautiful, with just the right balance of color, light, texture, forms, variety and any other aspect of creative expression to make His masterpiece perfect. God could still be with out His creation, but He still takes joy in it and delights in it, just as the painter with his masterpiece painting.
Pastor Matt, your thoughts?
Sincerely,
stray, wavering reader
I find myself chuckling at the build-your-own ant farm analogy. I had an ant farm once. It lasted about a week. I grew bored with it and didn’t give it the care it deserved. The ants died, so I threw it out and moved on to playing with my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Action Figures. So is this what we are in relation to God? Are we nothing more than God’s “hobby,” completely expendable so that if something with this ant farm that we call the universe goes wrong, God can just throw us out and move on to another hobby? I’m sure we all hope not, and moreover, the Bible assures us that this is not the case.
In the beginning of Ephesians 2:10, we are told that we are “God’s workmanship” (NIV). The word translated “workmanship” is the Greek word “poiema.” Poiema is an interesting word. In the Bible, it’s used nearly exclusively to describe the creation of God. In other Greek literature from around the same time period, though, it’s used to describe the work of an artist. (The English word “poem” is actually derived from “poiema”) I think this is a much more helpful analogy. God is artist/poet.
Imagine, if you will, a master painter in his studio. He’s just created a masterpiece. The beauty of it is captivating, so much so that it captures the attention of anyone who catches a glimpse of it. In the painting, one can see the very personality of the painter. He’s put his emotions, his experience, his very being into the work. It’s a masterpiece not to be matched, and it has become the painter’s prize possession. Now the painting obviously is not essential to the painter’s life. He could live with out it. But he nevertheless takes great joy in his masterpiece; he will never part with it.
I think this is a better, more biblical, analogy for thinking of creation. We are God’s masterpiece. By His very nature, God is a creative God. That’s simply who He is, it’s in His very nature to create. So, in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. God made them beautiful, with just the right balance of color, light, texture, forms, variety and any other aspect of creative expression to make His masterpiece perfect. God could still be with out His creation, but He still takes joy in it and delights in it, just as the painter with his masterpiece painting.
Pastor Matt, your thoughts?
Friday, March 21, 2008
Telling the Truth in Love
Anonymous writes:
"Say you and a person you don't particularly like got into an argument.Now I know that I am suppose to love my enemies so I don't want the argument to go on and start offending him/her. But how can I stop the argument without being rude or arrogant sounding. I've played over every imaginable type of way to stop an argument but none of them seem to do it. (The friend I am arguing withis an unbeliever, and Christianity is most likely the thing we will bearguing about.)"
Dear anonymous,
Every relationship is unique; yours is, no doubt, unique as well. The dynamics of your relationship with this person play a large roll in how you should respond to him or her. I'm going to make a few guesses as to those dynamics based on the description you've given. First, I know you "don't particularly like" this other person; second, I know that this person is argumentative, and particularly likes to argue with you (knowing you are a Christian) about Christianity. That's my profile.
From that profile, I can guess some of the other relationship dynamics. Now, these are just guesses, but I suspect something like what I'll write below describes your relationship. Some people like to argue. It's a way for them to get attention or respect. Religious people care deeply about what they believe in, and Christian religious people care deeply about others, because they worship the Savior -- i.e. because what we believe in is Love outpoured for the sake of other people, we care about others. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that grilling a Christian is a good bet if you want to get attention by arguing. I suspect this other individual is of that type. He / she likes to argue (for whatever reason), and they've picked you as good target because your passion for God and compassion for people leaves you wide open. This doesn't make them a "bad" person completely. Who knows why they like to argue? Perhaps they have few friends. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is tugging on their heart-strings, or providentially ordering an encounter with you. What it does likely does mean is that you're not in a situation where Christian Truth is up for grabs in shutting the argument down or moving to a more productive mode of discourse. You're in a situation where the other person needs or wants a friend, and argument is their primary way to get it.
So, what do you do? I suggest loving honesty is the best policy. Next time you're with this person, without anger and in a way firm but open, make it clear that you're happy to talk about Christ, but that you're not going to try to prove Him or put Him to the test through argument. Then follow through with it. If the other person insists on being a jerk (and, if you've in kindness refused to argue, then the other person is being a jerk if they insist on making things hostile!), then firmly tell him / her that you're not going to argue, invite them to church, and tell them they know where to find a friend if they want one. Then leave it be. Being firm like this isn't being unkind or un-Christlike -- it's simply offering to move the discussion in to more productive terms, and then letting the other person whether they'll have it on those terms or not.
That's my opinion. Pastor Mike?
"Say you and a person you don't particularly like got into an argument.Now I know that I am suppose to love my enemies so I don't want the argument to go on and start offending him/her. But how can I stop the argument without being rude or arrogant sounding. I've played over every imaginable type of way to stop an argument but none of them seem to do it. (The friend I am arguing withis an unbeliever, and Christianity is most likely the thing we will bearguing about.)"
Dear anonymous,
Every relationship is unique; yours is, no doubt, unique as well. The dynamics of your relationship with this person play a large roll in how you should respond to him or her. I'm going to make a few guesses as to those dynamics based on the description you've given. First, I know you "don't particularly like" this other person; second, I know that this person is argumentative, and particularly likes to argue with you (knowing you are a Christian) about Christianity. That's my profile.
From that profile, I can guess some of the other relationship dynamics. Now, these are just guesses, but I suspect something like what I'll write below describes your relationship. Some people like to argue. It's a way for them to get attention or respect. Religious people care deeply about what they believe in, and Christian religious people care deeply about others, because they worship the Savior -- i.e. because what we believe in is Love outpoured for the sake of other people, we care about others. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that grilling a Christian is a good bet if you want to get attention by arguing. I suspect this other individual is of that type. He / she likes to argue (for whatever reason), and they've picked you as good target because your passion for God and compassion for people leaves you wide open. This doesn't make them a "bad" person completely. Who knows why they like to argue? Perhaps they have few friends. Perhaps the Holy Spirit is tugging on their heart-strings, or providentially ordering an encounter with you. What it does likely does mean is that you're not in a situation where Christian Truth is up for grabs in shutting the argument down or moving to a more productive mode of discourse. You're in a situation where the other person needs or wants a friend, and argument is their primary way to get it.
So, what do you do? I suggest loving honesty is the best policy. Next time you're with this person, without anger and in a way firm but open, make it clear that you're happy to talk about Christ, but that you're not going to try to prove Him or put Him to the test through argument. Then follow through with it. If the other person insists on being a jerk (and, if you've in kindness refused to argue, then the other person is being a jerk if they insist on making things hostile!), then firmly tell him / her that you're not going to argue, invite them to church, and tell them they know where to find a friend if they want one. Then leave it be. Being firm like this isn't being unkind or un-Christlike -- it's simply offering to move the discussion in to more productive terms, and then letting the other person whether they'll have it on those terms or not.
That's my opinion. Pastor Mike?
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