Tag Archives: faith

Why we should study the Bible (Part 3)

Posted on September 26, 2012 by | Comments Off on Why we should study the Bible (Part 3)

STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH (II TIMOTHY 2:15).

Continuing the study of II Timothy 2:15 and with the sole independent clause discussed in yesterday’s post, the next part of the verse, grammatically known as a dependent clause, is structured to define the subject of the independent clause. In this verse, as translated in the Elizabethan English of the King James Version of the Bible, the subject of this command by the apostle Paul — you, the person being directed — is left out of the sentence and is technically the “understood subject.”   It is this understood subject – you – that the dependent clauses serve to further clarify and define.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed…

Although I am using my basic knowledge of English grammar as one of the many tools when I study the Bible, one of the best things about Christianity and a true personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is that none of us has to possess the same tools and skills when it comes to studying the word of God.  I did not gain new tools when I decided to seriously study the Bible; I simply used the tools that I had already developed as a professional historian.  We all have talents and skills that could be used to help us in our studying of the Bible if we would only determine to make it a priority in our lives.  

Paul, being led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, used a term that has been preserved in Greek as τεχνίτης (tekhnitēs, Strong’s Greek Dictionary #5079) and translated in the King James Version as “workman.”  Although today we think of a workman as being just anyone with a manual labor or blue collar job, at the time the King James Version was being translated, a workman was actually someone who was considered a highly skilled craftsman or artisan in their trade. They started as apprentices and went through a rigorous training program until they had gained the knowledge and techniques of their master, then as time progressed, they became master craftsmen and would continue to develop their own skills, techniques, and application of skills.

Paul is calling for Timothy and the countless other Christians that would later read his letter to study the scriptures as if it were our vocation to study them.  I know that many will correctly point out that Timothy was serving as the pastor of the church at Ephesus; however, Peter wrote that as Christians, we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light (I Peter 2:9). In other words, since we are all to proclaim the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, we all need to study the scriptures as if it were our vocation.

Although Christians are to be set apart from the world, we still have to live within the world.  We still have to support our families, hold down jobs, and meet our obligations to our family.  We take our vocation – how we earn our living – very seriously.  We do not hesitate to take additional training courses, to buy new gadgets, to even uproot and relocate our families in order to satisfy our employer.  At the same time we are willing to do this for an earthly employer, it never crosses our mind to take our daily Bible reading and personal discipleship that seriously.  None of us would ever think of missing a training session where we work; however, churches all across the nation are discontinuing Wednesday night prayer meetings and Bible studies because of a lack of interest by Christians. Where are our priorities?

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Posted in Chrisitian Philosophy, Christian Responsibility

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Preparing the path of a young person

Posted on August 29, 2012 by | Comments Off on Preparing the path of a young person

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me (Ezekiel 3:17).

I am not in any way comparing myself or my spiritual calling to that of the Old Testament prophet Ezekiel.  And as a further observation, I am far from the perfect parent; I have made my share of mistakes as a father and as a Christian.  With that said, a combination of my own life experiences while growing up and the past nine years as an adjunct at various community colleges and four-year universities has let me to understand how important it is that Christian parents “get it right” when preparing their children for adulthood.

Earlier this morning I was checking my email and found that a former student of mine had sent an email asking me for some academic and personal advice.  As an adjunct, I cannot formally advise students about their academic career but do offer advice on how to make the most of even the most difficult class.  As far as the personal advice, I do offer it with the understanding that I am coming from a Christian perspective and for the most part, when I tell a student that, it opens the door for them to ask more questions about my faith.  Almost all the students that ask me either for personal advice or to discuss issues of faith were not prepared by their parents to face adulthood; some come from homes a lot like what I grew up in while others come from what they described as a “Christian” home.

One of the most important things that parents do for their children is to Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it, as written by Solomon (Proverbs 22:6).  Nearly ten years ago and while attending a church revival meeting at a small country Baptist church in southeastern Missouri, I heard a preacher twho opened my eyes to the extent it has changed forever my understanding of this verse.  he discussed how parents have given this responsibility – without any reservation – to the lost world!  Unfortunately, he is right.

As Solomon put it, training up a child is about preparing the child for adulthood. It is about teaching them to not only how to work and to be productive, but know themselves, know their relationship with God, and to understand their relationship with others.  Yes, traditional education, which is geared for  productivity and work has been yielded to public institutions to the extent that a majority of parents no longer feel obligated to have an active role in preparing their child for adulthood.  No longer are parents teaching their children a work ethic, occupational skills, religious teachings, or even reaffirmation of academic teachings – it has all been left to the realm of “public education.”

We see the results of this after nearly thirty years of abandonment of this important parental responsibility.  We have families that no longer resemble what God had planned, one in two marriages ending in divorce and children in homes with one parent or even  being raised by grandparents, churches across our nation closing their doors for the last time, and souls not being reached for Jesus.  I can tell you that although many of my 18 to 25 year old college students have been raised in a spiritual vacuum, a few are asking questions about God, faith, and how to fit the belief in God into a “science driven” world.  Yes, there are a few who are hungry to learn about God so they can be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you [them] a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear (I Peter 3:15).

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Posted in Discipleship, Our relationship with our children

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Lessons from my daughter

Posted on August 23, 2012 by | Comments Off on Lessons from my daughter

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

My wife and I are proud parents of an almost two year old girl.  As the parent of a toddler at the age of 42, the entire experience has taught me important lessons about myself and my relationship with God.  One of the lessons that she has taught me this week is that we need to seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and help when we face difficulties.

Earlier this week, on Monday morning, my daughter was trying to get one of her toys from under the glider-rocker that is in her room.  Normally, when she tosses a toy and it lands somewhere she can’t reach it, she will come and get me so that I can help her.  Monday was different.  Instead of coming to get me, she managed to get her head stuck between the seat and the base of the glider-rocker. I was getting things ready for my Tuesday afternoon class when I heard her cries and screams for help!  

Since I made the decision to accept Jesus as my personal Savior, I would love to say that I have continually sought his guidance in all areas of my life including the problems I have faced.  Just like my daughter, occasionally I still try my own way first rather than asking for help from God.  When the apostle Paul wrote For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father, he was reminding Christians that at the time of our salvation and afterwards, we have a special relationship with God that allows us to call upon him as a child calls for his or her parents (Romans 8:15).

We all know Jesus’ teaching about the wise man that built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand.  This teaching also applies here – when we turn to our own understanding and reasoning in solving problems, we actually begin to build on sand.  This is why so many times in my own life that I have come up with solutions and quick fixes for problems only to see it all unravel.  The apostle Paul wrote to the early church at Galatia But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage  (Galatians 4:9)? When we pause to consider what this can imply: when we try to solve problems the way we did before we were saved, we are willingly putting ourselves back into bondage.

Consider what David, a man that God describes as being after His own heart, said about the peace that God provides:  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake(Psalms 23:1-3).  If there is ever any passage of scripture where God reveals his desires for his children, it is this passage.  He doesn’t want us to experience difficulties and hardships of our own making, but wants to provide us a place of spiritual comfort and restoration.  Even Jesus taught in his earthly ministry to Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:29).

It’s a hard lesson to learn and even harder to remember when we are standing toe to toe with life’s problems.  One of my favorite hymns, Solid Rock, tells us to “cast our every care on the Lord…” Although my daughter’s loss was only a toy, it was her toy; and in her mind, her solution was going to work. For us, our loss can also seem just as large as a child’s toy is to them – whether it is a financial difficulty, the loss of a job, a family problem, or even a health problem – to God, it is as he reminded Abraham and Sarah, Is any thing too hard for the LORD (Genesis 18:14)?

On a personal note:  My daughter was not hurt and was just fine after I got her out of the glider-rocker.   Since then, she has had a couple of other toys end up under it, and each time, she has come to me and asked for help.  I, too, am doing the same thing with the problems our family is facing – asking God to provide for our needs.  Please keep us in your prayers.  

 

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Posted in Chrisitian Philosophy, Difficulties and Trials

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