Inspired—But not Without Error!

Many folks believe that the Bible is both inspired and without error, and I agree. However, though most folks who believe in the inspiration of Christian literature would say it is not on equal terms with the Bible (i.e. not without error), many of them would bend over backwards to keep from admitting error in Christian literature, as long as that literature says what they have always believed. In other words, the Christian literature that “I” consider inspired is without error. My question would be—is there any difference in saying this and elevating otherwise normal Christian literature to the status of the Biblical manuscripts?

 

Fallen Women and Jesus

Have you ever noticed how Jesus was not afraid to be associated with women of questionable moral character? Mary Magdalene was someone out of whom he had cast 7 demons (Mark 16:9). We don’t know exactly what that meant, but certainly Mary Magdalene was not someone who had graced the lists of high society in her day. Then there was the woman in Luke 7:36-50. Simon the Pharisee was appalled with Jesus’ obvious acceptance of her gestures of affection. Additionally, how can we forget the protection and mercy Jesus offered the woman caught in adultery? When everyone else condemned her, Jesus judged everyone else and saved the adulterous women.

 

How Secret are our Thoughts?

Would you be comfortable in the presence of someone who could read your mind? Some of us go to great lengths to make what we hope would be a good impression on others. Some businesses even employ people whose sole responsibility is to keep a good image of the company before the eyes of the public, and, if for any reason the company is caught doing something illegal or has produced a product that has hurt the public or the environment, these public relations employees try to turn the negative publicity into something positive or at least something less damaging to their company’s image.

 

You Are What You Eat

Is God concerned with our diet? Well, ‘yes & no’ would most likely be the truth. My family doctor is probably more concerned over my cholesterol level than God is. On the other hand God is interested in what I think about Jesus and in my overall spiritual well being.

 

Did Mary Believe in Jesus’ Ministry?

This posting represents another in my ongoing discussion with a gentleman by the name of Arthur. He takes the position that Mary didn’t believe in Jesus’ ministry and withdrew her support for him. While I believe it was difficult for Mary to understand all that was occurring and everything that was said about her Son, I don’t believe she was unsupportive. She did what she could. It would be wrong of us to expect more than that from her. Other posts in this discussion can be found HERE, HERE and HERE. Below you will find Arthur’s words in bold italic to distinguish them from my replies.

 

Was John the Baptist Literally Elijah?

This will be the third posting for the discussion I am presently having with a young man by the name of Arthur. He holds to a teaching that considers the ministry of John the Baptist a failure, and that because John failed to prepare a people for Jesus, Jesus had to go to the cross. Our discussion began HERE, and I have posted my replies in the form of blog postings HERE, HERE and in this posting as well. I will put Arthur’s words in this discussion in bold italic, so that no one will confuse his words with my reply. In my earlier reply I made the statement that when asked whether or not he was literally Elijah, John replied he was not. Arthur responded with:

 

Is John Least in the Kingdom of God?

At the time of this posting I am involved in a discussion with a young man named Arthur who adheres to the teaching that John the Baptist failed in his ministry to prepare a people for Jesus, the Messiah. This post is part two of my reply begun HERE. The claim is that because John failed, the Jews were not prepared for the coming of the Messiah. Therefore, Jesus was rejected and had to endure the cross. This is his stand, as I understand it. His remarks to me will be found in bold italic, so they won’t be confused with my replies. Concerning my original reply that Jesus defended John’s ministry in Luke 7:24-28 [see HERE], Arthur asked:

 

Did John the Baptist’s Ministry Fail?

This post is in response to an ongoing discussion I am having HERE. Since the discussion replies have become quite lengthy I thought I would blog my replies as long as they seem important and may be of an interest to others who come to my blog and may not be aware of the discussion. My partner’s name in this discussion is Arthur, and he has taken the position that John’s ministry was a failure, and, because it was a failure, Jesus had to be crucified. At least this is the conclusion of the speaker in the video[1] presented on Arthur’s website (see link below). Arthur’s words will be in bold italic to distinguish them from what I have to say. The first Scripture under discussion is:

 

An Appointment with Destiny

Few people realize when they wake up in the morning of a particularly fateful day that they will be forever changed before they retire for the evening. Such a day occurred for the Samaritan woman the day she went out and met Jesus at Jacob’s well. Looking back on the scene, we can only marvel over the compassion God has for our condition. What a contrast there is between God and mankind. He created us to be his image, but, if there is anyone mankind does not wish to imitate, it would be God. Whether it is in politics, education, entertainment or even religion, we simply refuse to be like God!

 

Christian Graffiti

Image via Wikipedia

One of the most interesting thoughts concerning early Christian graffiti that I came across has to do with a Latin phrase that can is written in block form. It can be read from right to left, left to right, from top to bottom or from bottom to top and the words say the same thing! It is really wonderful what some people can do with words. Look at this

 

The Gift of Life from the Murdered One!

Before I leave the discussion of Jesus with Nicodemus, I wish to consider again John 1:14. Here Jesus made reference to Numbers 21:4-9. What an odd reference to compare with Jesus! The serpent is often a figure of the Enemy—Satan. It has been since Genesis 3 where man fell into rebellion against God. There God promised that the Seed of the woman would be at war with the seed of the ‘serpent.’ In this battle the ‘serpent’ would receive the death blow (to the head) but the Seed of the woman would be wounded (per the heal).

 

God’s Love Fleshed out in Jesus

Did you ever wonder why John refers to Jesus before his birth as the Word? Many folks think that John was borrowing from Philo the Jew who was a philosopher living in Alexandria, Egypt, about the time of Jesus’ public ministry. However, there is probably a more appropriate explanation that comes out of the Jewish writings called the Aramaic Targums.

 

Commercializing God

The Passover was supposed to be a time of celebration for the Jews’ deliverance from bondage. God humbled the leading power of the ancient world in order to bring his people out from under their authority. The Passover was one of seven annual Holy Days that were to turn the eyes of the people to God in thanksgiving for what he had done for them. Jews from all over the world would journey to Jerusalem to celebrate these feasts. For some, this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

 

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Many critics point to John’s placement of the Temple cleansing and conclude either John has it wrong or the Synoptics do. In other words it is possible for Jesus to do this only once in his life. But, Jesus did many things more than once. He raised Lazarus from the dead near the end of his public ministry and the son of the widow near the beginning of his public ministry. He healed several blind men, several who couldn’t walk etc. So, why couldn’t he cleanse the Temple more than once? The fact is each of the Gospel writers point to a different Temple cleansing. So, Jesus did it at least four times in his public ministry! But for now, I am only interested in what John has to say.

 

Marriage at Cana

The Synoptic Gospels put Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness between his baptism and his public ministry, but not John. John puts the marriage in Cana of Galilee between Jesus’ baptism and public life. Did you ever wonder if there is any significance in this? This is where Jesus changed water into wine and is the first of seven signs or specific miracles to which John refers. John mentions that Jesus did many miracles, but he refers us to seven particular miracles, saying these have special significance and reveal Jesus as the Messiah or Christ in order that we may believe and have life (John 20:30-31) Therefore, what does this first miracle mean, or what significance does it hold in revealing Jesus as the Messiah?