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One of my idosyncracies is to search for just the right words when trying to express myself. When I am talking, I speak much more simply than I write. This is vanity, I know, because what one word means to me is not always what it will mean to the person reading it, and often times a simpler phrasing is powerful enough to get the point across, and indeed may be more powerful because more people can easily understand what I am saying. I think Christ spoke simply. So maybe I should.
In places, there are references to other scriptures that are not verbatim quotations but rather a paraphrase of God's Word elsewhere. This used to bother me quite a bit, for I must hold that God's word is perfect, and this seems to fly in the face of that. Part of the problem lies in the fact that I was trained, guided, persuaded even that memorization of scripture was centrally important to my growth as a Christian.
Now there, it is not that I am saying that such does not have value. However, I have come to believe that understanding is more important than knowledge in the form of memorization. I don't know how many times it has happened that I have read a scripture that I know I have read before, perhaps many times, and yet there is still some new secret that is suddenly revealed to me in the reading of it anew. If I were to expend the energy to memorize a verse, I would be remiss to not spend at least as much time contemplate its meaning, being willing to go back and examine the context again, to really understand.
There is a certain scripture passage that is a favorite for those who memorize scripture. I think it is a good one to use for illustration. It is Philippians 4:13:
13I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
On the face of it, this one scripture is seeming to say one thing when taken out of context; it seems to be saying something similar to what is said in Matthew 17:20b:
20bI tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Look at the context of both and you will see that one does not mean the same as the other. I don't know how many times I have heard that scripture from Philippians misquoted to say what is being talked about elsewhere and it bothers me that such would be so. The message being supported by such misquotations are still at times correct, but still it bothers me, nonetheless.
We make things overly complicated and layer our own understandings upon the Word of God, and it blinds us to meanings that even the simple minded could understand. I am guilty of this. Does this mean I should not search for the deep meanings? No! but I must constantly remind myself of what it is all about, and humble myself before God to allow his understanding seep into me.
Be like children, like my darling daughters who are little sponges. You will be more greatly rewarded with understanding than with simply knowledge. The Teachers of the Law had knowledge of the scriptures that I would wish to have and may seek to a fault. What was the opinion that Christ expressed about many of them? I say opinion, as if you or I could be so bold to challenge his assestment so that it is easier for you to see. We have this problem about not wanting to be judgemental, and that slipped in there, I am afraid.
In His Love,
Mel
2005-11-20 22:18:52 Posted by Mel ()
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Tell me Mel do you think Christ would desire us to not evaluate what he said to approach it through logic, to study and no for certain that what he said is truth. otherwise all we have is blind faith based on nothing more than educational manipulation. No free will really involved at all. Maybe it is just my misguided perception, but I do believe that Christ would desire us to approach even his word with a certain amount of hesitance so that we will study it and know for ourselves what the truth is. If given a fair chance his word will always stand up to the test.How can you know the truth unless you first question what is truth?I guess what I'm trying to say we need to truly discern truth not just follow blindly.know the truth,walk the narrow path and find your way because only then you will not be blinded to the way
Be blessed
2005-11-20 23:54:50 Posted by Ross ()
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Just wanted to clarify a little what I said. I don't mean to go at the word with doubt, maybe more with desire to develop a complete understanding. and not so you can claim to know more than others and be an expert, but to know in no uncertain terms the truth of jesus Christ
2005-11-21 01:58:53 Posted by Ross ()
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When I was a little kid, I never questioned how electricity got into our house. I never thought about bills that needed paid. I never asked why daddy wasn't a doctor instead of just a mechanic. Maybe I asked why the sky was blue, why was my hair blonde, where do babies come from and could I have a baby sister.
SIMPLICITY, I think, is the key. Do we make the gospel more complicated than it was ever meant to be? Does every "deep" sermon or lesson that we hear have a simple theme? Is it the job of the teachers and preachers, not to complicate the message, but to make it easier to understand?
I have often been told that people enjoy my preaching (sorry, Mel) because it is easy for them to understand, it's on their level. When you study homiletics, one of the main lessons is to not speak so high that people can't grasp what you're saying. Keep it simple enough to mean something to everyone.
In His Service,
2005-11-21 06:04:24 Posted by Teri ()
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I think I am in agreement with both of you on this. I get frustrated when I can't make the little esoteric points fit quite right in my head. At the same time, I believe that I have a firm grasp on the 'Big Picture', which I consider the fundamental core of the Gospel of Christ. I continue to search out the little things and at the same time keep revisiting the basics.
As for doubts, Ross, I see Faith as an activity overcoming doubt in the same way as I see Courage as an activity overcoming fear. One does not mean the lack of the other, rather it means the opposite.
Mel
2005-11-21 15:23:50 Posted by Mel ()
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