Vaccinated or Not?

The challenges and costs (personal, corporate, national and global) of the current pandemic are severe enough. But the debate about vaccine types, brands and safety has added another dimension to people's concerns.

However I will use this post to mention another concern: the potential for communities to be divided between the vaccinated and the un-vaccinated.

There is much talk about the freedoms vaccinated people will have compared with those who have not been vaccinated when national and global restrictions are lifted.

There seems to be a fear held by many of the vaccinated about being in close proximity to the un-vaccinated, resulting in certain activities only being available to the vaccinated. Given that data currently available suggests vaccines are of most use to prevent serious disease and death, proximity to others is probably a mute point, especially when mask-wearing is often mandated.

However, I do not wish to discuss the medical side of this, but the social/moral cost that is looming, which is largely being ignored.

Although some citizens are required to be vaccinated by their governments or their workplaces, by and large vaccination is a personal choice - as is remaining un-vaccinated.
People need to make their own choices on their personal circumstances after sorting through the vast range of official and social media advice being offered.

With that choice made, each group has chosen its personal level of protection - and life should open up and return to "normal" with each group needing to respect the freedom of the other group to choose as they have decided.

I find this approach to be consistent with St Paul's instructions to first century Christians belonging to a multi-national church in Rome composed of Jews and Gentiles. Their backgrounds were clearly very different, as were their paths to church membership.

In the disputes that arose, mainly because the Jews wished to impose their path to membership on the Gentiles, there was great pressure on harmony in the church.

Romans chapters 14 and 15 are filled with wise advice on handling that situation. Here are some samples using the NIV translation.

You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgement seat?
(14 : 10)
Therefore let us stop passing judgement on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
(14 : 13)
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
(14 : 19)
Accept one another, then, just as Christ has accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
(15 : 7)

I think we could use this advice as encouragement to accept and avoid being judgemental toward fellow saints who have made a different vaccine choice to us.

And, wherever God gives us the opportunity, to encourage others to adopt the same approach.

Blessings, Barry

Serious Big Picture Distractions

The last post, Keeping the Big Picture in View, was a reminder to keep God's Grand Plan in mind when observing and experiencing life's more challenging circumstances.
However there are sources other than life's sufferings and injustices that might distract us from keeping God's Big Picture in view.

The first is the misleading English Bible translations that most Christians own.

I have discussed this problem in several posts over the years so I won't take space here. But you can find two of them here and here; or just put "translation" in the search box on the right.

The most common and most misleading translation is the use of "eternal" when "aionian" or "eonian" or "of the age" should have been used.
And I have written about this many times too. You can find two posts here and here; or just put "age" or "aionian" in the search box.

However, the "eternal" mistranslations in English were initiated by very early (4th and 5th century AD) mistranslations between Greek and Latin, but the end result is the same. The difference between life in the coming kingdom and genuine eternal life has been hidden. Certainly believers (only) will have kingdom life, but others need to wait until the second resurrection for their preparation into eternity.

These mistranslations and the prophetic theology derived from them has produced doctrine that is so embedded in the mainstream churches that it is considered heretical to challenge it, even with accurate literal translations and the better theology they produce.

The second is the supply of misleading books and websites authored by Christians who don't know or accept God's Big Picture or build their theology on the mistranslations just mentioned.

We are blessed to have access to so much Bible teaching and discussion on the internet, as well as millions of books in print or in digital format.
However, we need to treat that abundance a bit like our shopping at a supermarket - choosing some to read while leaving others on the shelf.

And even after you dive into your selected site, you might still find some articles that appeal and some that don't.
I have some excellent sites that I learn so much from, yet they contain articles or points of view that conflict with God's Big Picture.

For example, the site For What Saith the Scriptures? authored by Shawn Brasseaux contains some excellent material.
Unfortunately, a few articles contain paragraphs that depart from Scripture.
Here is one of them:

God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; however, that does not mean that everyone will eventually go to heaven.
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:10:“For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”
While salvation from sin and hell is being offered to everyone through Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork, the phrase “specially of those that believe” proves that the merits of Christ’s work at Calvary cannot profit each individual until he or she trusts it.

Not only does Shawn fail to appreciate God's Grand Plan, but he actually contradicts it by filtering the verse through his own predetermined position (using terrible grammatical skills) to make his own position sound more Biblical than the Bible's.

You might see the poor grammar more easily with this parallel:
I like ice-cream, especially chocolate.
Shawn's grammar would accuse me of only liking chocolate ice-cream - which I can assure you is incorrect!

1 Timothy 4 : 10 correctly says that God will save all men, and of all the saved, believers have something special about them. Indeed they do. They are the Body of Christ, the Advance Party, through whom Christ administers the coming kingdom age.

So, although I learn much from this site, I am very cautious when reading an article that ignores or contradicts God's Grand Plan.

Now I can understand these commentators echoing traditional mainstream church doctrines based on faulty translations, because that's their starting point. But to actually change the text or contradict the text to uphold their doctrinal position is inexcusable.

So how do I avoid these distractions in my personal Bible Study?

I know the English words to watch out for in Bible translations - hell, eternal, forever and ever, torment, annihilation,  - and I am alert to the theology and points of view that deny or oppose God's Grand Plan of universal reconciliation. And I read Bibles and books and websites with these alert flags automatically in place.

But I wasn't always like this.
For many years, whenever I ran into poor Bible translation or interpretation or commentary (or author opinion) that contradicted what God had clearly declared in other parts of Scripture, I would give up reading that site (or that book).

In the case of books, there were many sitting on my shelves for years that I would never open again - and I would not give them away either as that would have me contributing to the distribution of false information (fake news, we call it these days).

But I have now changed my practice.
I now keep reading most authors for whatever sound teaching and commentary they are providing, but ignore or put a line through those parts that I can't align with Scripture or that contradict God's Grand Plan.

I seem to be following the advice given by Charles C. Ryrie in the Foreword of a book on Eschatology on my shelves:

The author's consideration of the Biblical material is thorough and thought-provoking. His conclusions will not always meet with full agreement even by those who share his approach, but those who read this book cannot help but be instructed and stimulated by his work.

Many years ago, I remember being dumb-struck by an author who seemed to be correct in so many areas and yet seemed horribly incorrect in another. I had spoken openly about my amazement of this author's apparent blind spot, when one young staff member said to me, "Barry, if he was correct in everything, you would worship him."

How profound!
I have since believed that God is not going to reveal all of His truth to any single person or group for that reason.
So I don't expect any author or teacher or preacher to have everything sewn up any longer.

And that surely includes me!
I still have many questions to be answered and points of understanding to be resolved, even though I spend many hours a week trying (especially during Victoria's "endless" lock downs).
I always write my theology in pencil. 😀

So I supermarket shop my way through books, websites and Bible translations - taking what is helpful to understanding and appreciating God's Grand Plan to reconcile all things to Himself and leaving other items on the shelf.

Blessings, Barry

Keeping the Big Picture in View

The Bible's Big Picture is rarely mentioned and possibly not even known by many.
So what is it?

For in him (God's Son) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
... and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 16, 20  NIV]

The Big Picture in one sentence: God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, created the universe and will eventually live in harmony with it for ever.

This means that everything that happens between the beginning (creation) and the end (reconciliation) must be contributing to that end result - even bad things like sin and death.

This idea was expressed by the young Indian manager in the movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in his response to complaints about deficiencies in the hotel's amenities, "Everything will be all right in the end. So if it's not all right, then it is not yet the end."

The key players in God's grand plan are named Adam - the first Adam and the last Adam.

The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 45  NIV]

As such, each had a major role to play.

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man.
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 21 - 22  NIV]

So in all our reading of the Scriptures, in all our observation of what's happening in the world around us, it is important to keep in mind:
God created the heavens and earth and is going to live in joyful harmony with all of it in the end;

The first Adam brought death into the world and the last Adam brings life into it.
"Everything will be all right in the end. So if it's not all right, then it is not yet the end."

Let's also not be tempted to think God's grand plan is going to fail because something seems to have gone terrible wrong.
God is in charge of His universe, so will complete His project.
He assures us:

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.'
From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.
[Isaiah 46 : 10 - 11  NIV]

One of the most tragic experiences for a believer is see a close friend or a member of the family die without knowing the Lord.
We need to remember that "is not yet the end".

Sure we would have preferred that person to have known the Lord and have been part of the kingdom in the next age, and we probably worked and prayed for that to happen.

But at the end of the ages, through judgement at the GWT and refining in the LOF, everyone will be reconciled to God and enjoy eternity in harmony with Him.

Let's be assured that believers are just the firstfruits of the crop, and the main harvest is still to come.
If

For he (Christ) must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 25  NIV]

and

The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 26  NIV],

then

there will only be life remaining - which can be also be expressed this way:

For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
[Romans 11 : 32  NIV]

In brief, let's always keep the Big Picture in view.
Trusting God is in control and will complete His grand plan for His creation gives us peace now and hope for the future.

Blessings, Barry
 

Trusting God to Get Through

We are currently going through another statewide lock-down due to a mini surge in COVID-19 cases.
A couple of days prior to a recent Sunday service I received an email from the minister of our church:

I am planning on leading a series of services with themes which fit under the theme of "Keeping afloat as people of faith in today's world."
I wondered whether you might be willing to share a little about "the things" that have helped you remain afloat in the faith?

Without thinking, I immediately replied "yes".
But when I began to think about it, I realised what a challenge I had given myself.
Why?
Because I'd never thought about it before - my faith just seems to happen, just seems to be there.

Clearly, it must be a gift from God as it doesn't need me to rouse it into action, and it doesn't seem to be affected by the circumstances I am in.

Certainly there have been many challenges over the years that God has used to stretch my faith, often making me wait until the last minute to show His hand in some situation, but never to weaken it, or cause me to doubt Him.

To condense my response to just the one thing that helps me most is my belief in the sovereignty of God.
Indeed, I devoted a whole chapter to that topic in The Really Good News About God, so I won't repeat any of that discussion here.

I believe God created the world and is in full control of His creation.
So whatever He causes or permits, I trust God knows what He's doing, no matter how it looks from down here.

When God arranged for His Son to be brutalised and murdered, it looked like a disaster and tragedy from down here, but God knew what He was doing to guarantee the salvation of the world.

Even in the current COVID climate, there is disaster and tragedy down here, but God seems to be using it. More people seem focused on God, more are praying, more are demonstrating neighbourly love, care and support, and more are looking for the real purpose in life.

This position seems to agree with Paul's view in his letter to the church at Corinth.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13  NIV]

This verse makes more sense, and shows an even stronger connection to what I have shared above, using two translation options.
First, the Greek for "temptation" and "tempted" can just as accurately be translated as "testing" and "tested".

Second, the NIV (and most other translations) doesn't make logical sense.
How can providing "a way out" enable you to endure the testing?
Surely "a way out" enables you to escape the testing, not endure it.

If we replace "a way out" with "an outcome" the verse demonstrates that a planned outcome is provided with the testing.
In other words there is purpose in the testing.

Let me confess that I have only been able to find a couple of translations which include this optional translation: "outcome" for "a way out".
However, it is interesting to note that the Greek word from which "a way out" is translated is used only one other time in the New Testament.

Here it is:

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
[Hebrews 13 : 7  NIV]

And most translations agree, either literally or in meaning.
Clearly, in Hebrews "outcome" is the correct English translation and makes perfect sense, but "a way out" or "a way of escape" is used in Corinthians to produce an illogical statement.

So here is my translation of our verse:

No testing has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested, he will also provide an outcome (purpose) so that you can endure it.
[1 Corinthians 10 : 13  BV = Barry's Version]

And this thought is supported by the familiar encouragement given by Paul to the church at Rome:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
[Romans 8 : 28  NIV]

Interestingly, Robert Frost, one of America's best-loved poets, has a similar statement to these from Paul.

 "The best way out is always through."

This quote also reflects a famous Yiddish proverb, "If you're going through hell, keep going".

So, how do I keep afloat in the faith?
By trusting God is in full control and uses all my circumstances, good and bad, easy and tough, for a purpose or outcome He has already prepared for me, even when it mightn't look like it.

Just ask Jesus.
His view from "down here" was very similar to ours during tough times ...

"My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death."
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
[Matthew 26 : 38, 39, 42  NIV]

... but knew His Father had a planned outcome that He was able to submit to.

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
[Hebrews 12 : 1, 2  NIV]

That's another way of saying how to "remain afloat in the faith" - follow Jesus ! - because He trusted His Father was in full control of His circumstances.

Blessings, Barry

This is My Son

I read my Bible in various ways.
Sometimes while looking for something in particular, I skim through chapter after chapter until I find the targeted reference or event.
Other times I read very slowly and often pause for quite a long time while the truth of what I've read sinks in, soaks through my mind and meshes with other truths already stored there.

Here's an example of a long pause today.
Matthew 3 : 17 records:

And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

This declaration came after Jesus became a man and was baptised by John in the Jordan river.
God was saying that this Jesus, in His humanity, was His beloved Son.
The human Jesus fully identified with Adam and his descendants so He could take away our sins.

For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
[Hebrews 2 : 17   NIV]

Matthew 17 : 5 records:

... and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

This identical declaration came after Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John on the mountain.
God was saying that this Jesus, in His divinity, was His beloved Son.
The divine Jesus fully identified with the realm and glory of heaven.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
[John 1 : 1  NIV]

Jesus was indeed the "Son of Man" and the "Son of God".

This immediately meshed with a statement from Paul in the introduction of his letter to the Roman church.

... the gospel of God ... regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
[Romans 1 : 1 - 2  NIV]

This conjunction of "Son of Man" with "Son of God" in one person really pushes the minds of us mere creatures to the limit, doesn't it?

That's why we have a spirit, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, to extend us beyond our soulish boundaries.

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
[1 Corinthians 2 : 12  NIV]

As a follower of Jesus, I also have an identity in the world and in heaven.
I need to live fully engaged with the world, fulfilling the calling God has given me, while fully engaged with the Spirit, living as a child of God.

Blessings, Barry

Unmodified Scripture Teaches God's Truth

One of my regular privileges is to "attend" various Bible Studies from around the world using Zoom.
Although I enjoy the scholarship presented by Biblical scholars far more educated and experienced than me, I do have some difficulty with the theology they occasionally develop from that scholarship.

Sometimes, they even insert their theology into the actual texts they "quote".
For example, recently, one verse discussed from Chapter 5 of the Book of Romans contrasted the effect of Adam and Christ on the human race.
Here is the verse.

So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.
[Romans 5 : 18  NIV]

That seems a very clear statement to me, and is certainly consistent with many other texts, like:

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Cor 15: 22  NIV]

However, the study leader's notes and words added some of his personal theology to the verse.
This verse became:
So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life if they believe.

But what Jesus did on behalf of all mankind does not depend on our belief for it to be true.

Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 1 - 2  NIV]

It's a bit like the law of gravity on our planet.
It does not require our belief for it to be true.
Yet at some point in our life's experience we will come to believe and appreciate it.

God's Word is truth without our need to modify it - although it is equally true that we need to be reading an accurate English translation of the original languages of the Scriptures to be seeing that truth.

It is also true that we are not all acquainted with this truth, or given the faith to believe and appreciate it, at the same time.
Continuing the 1 Corinthians text from above in a more literal translation:

For just as in Adam all die, so also in the Anointed all will be given life.
And each in the proper order: the Anointed as the firstfruits, thereafter those who are in the Anointed at his arrival, then the full completion when he delivers the Kingdom to him who is God and Father.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22 - 24  DBH]

We are currently in the second stage when God is choosing those to be "in the Anointed at his arrival".
These are the Body of Christ, the advance party.
And between this stage and the "full completion" stage is the Messianic Kingdom or Millennium, in which the Body of Christ is to serve King Jesus in His Kingdom.

With an accurate translation of the Bible, it is not difficult to see God's plans for His creation just as they are recorded.

However, many of our most popular translations leave us second guessing as to what God has in store and whether He is really in charge and can therefore execute His plans successfully.
Modifying what was originally recorded is an unnecessary (and risky) exercise for truth-seekers.

Blessings, Barry

Does God Sin?

Most Christians would be horrified by the thought. Yet these same Christians unconsciously believe that He will, if He hasn't already.
Let me explain.

First, let's remember that to sin means to miss the mark, to not achieve the goal, or to miss the target being aimed at.
So anyone who misses their target has sinned.

Second, let's remember that God's target is to save the world.

God intends all human beings to be saved and to come to a full knowledge of truth.
[1 Timothy 2 : 4  DBH]

So if God doesn't hit His target, He will have sinned.

The Bible describes the progress God has made towards achieving His goal as a consequence of Jesus' first coming:

Jesus paid the death penalty for the sins of all people.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.
[1 Timothy 2 : 5 - 6  NIV]

Consequently, God is no longer at odds with his creation.

God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them.
[2 Corinthians 5 : 19  NIV]
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus), and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20  NIV]

The Bible also describes what has yet to be achieved for God to reach His goal (as a consequence of Jesus' second coming):

Jesus will "round us all up" eventually.

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
[John 12 : 32  NIV]

Everyone destined to die in the natural realm will become alive in the spiritual realm.

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
[1 Corinthians 15 : 22  NIV]
Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people.
[Romans 5 : 18  NIV]

Total peace and harmony will exist throughout the whole creation - it will be returned to its original perfect order.

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"
[Revelation 21 : 5  NIV]
With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 8 - 10  NIV]

To our natural minds, limited by our earthly experience, this looks a most unlikely outcome, doesn't it?
But Christians should not be so limited.
Indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and with God's written Word so readily available, we are equipped to know things beyond the natural.

Without this equipping, we would not believe other unlikely events such as the virgin birth of Jesus, his miracles and his resurrection.
Although most Christians do believe these, they don't believe God will hit His target of saving the world.

Most Christians seem to believe this result will not be achieved - God will miss His target - most of His creation will finish up estranged from Him, and eternally tormented to boot.

They don't realise that by believing that God will miss His target they are actually inferring that God will sin.

I'm not one of them.
God is not a sinner. Nor will He be.
He will achieve everything His Word says He will. Praise God!

Blessings, Barry