Hermeneutics Challenge

A nice little hermeneutical exercise for you theologians out there:

The idea is this: using only the texts of scripture write out a timeline, and describe a basic order of events, from the moment the shepherds arrived at the stable to the moment Mary, Joseph and Jesus arrived back in Nazareth from Egypt. Describing details like for example, the timeframe for the wise men, the timeframe of the star, and Mary & Joseph’s movements during that time.

Rules: use ONLY the text of scripture particularly Matthew 2 and Luke 2 which deal most with this topic.

Put aside all topical notes, study notes and commentaries etc. for this one as well as, as far as possible previous knowledge and opinions of the subject. The point of the exercise is to EXAMINE THE TEXT, and draw the story from it.

Now granted there are likely to have several variations of the story, probably as many versions as there are people who participate. This is not an issue of any particular importance as regarding our faith. If we disagree it’s no particular problem except unless the problem is an issue of biblical inerrancy.

Have fun and message me your answers. And I’ll post them in one blog post. I’ll also post my answer tomorrow.

Finally remember, use ONLY the text of scripture. Soli Dei Gloria

Note, please comment your answers below, all relevant comments will be collated into a future post.

Examples of the use of King James Version phases in modern speech

Today it is a commonplace to note that the words and rhythms of the KJV and its source translations shape the speech of countless millions who never open a bible or enter a church. Somehow, the language of the 1611 version never falls from grace (Galatians 5.4) even if its message falls on stony ground (Mark 4.5). In a secular age where ignorance of religion goes from strength to strength (Psalms 84.7) among lovers of filthy lucre (1 Timothy 3.8) who only want to eat, drink and be merry (Luke 12.19), we know for a certainty (Joshua 23.13) that these resonant words endure as a fly in the ointment (Ecclesiastes 10.1) and a thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12.7) of the powers that be (Romans 13.1). They can still set the teeth on edge (Jeremiah 31.29) of those who try to worship God and Mammon (Matthew 6.24). But does this ancient book, proof that there is no new thing under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1.9), now cast its pearls before swine (Matthew 7.6), and act as a voice crying in the wilderness (Luke 3.4) – a drop in a bucket (Isaiah 40.15) of unbelief, no longer a sign of the times (Matthew 16.3) but a verbal stumbling-block (Leviticus 19.14) or else all things to all men (1 Corinthians 9.22) while the blind lead the blind (Matthew 15.14)?

I highly recommend that you read the entire very interesting article at the following link: http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/battles-of-a-book-the-king-james-bibles-history-of-dissent-and-inspiration-2171902.html

Free Audiobook

This month’s free audiobook is The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. I have not read this book before but it is considered to be a classic on the subject of holiness. I believe this would be well worth they download (specially because its free this month only.

You can download it from here or here

Market-Driven Christianity

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men--or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men--I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
Religion in America is big business. Scads of money, powerful personalities, huge egos, and positions of prominence, influence, and recognition are at stake in the business of religion, just as they are in any other business. There was a time when the concern of churches and preachers in this country was the glory of God and the truth of God. Today, like any business, the concern is for success.
Christianity today is market-driven. The goal of all marketing is to make both the buyer and the seller satisfied. Consequently, market-driven churches, in utter abandonment of God’s glory and God’s truth, in their insatiable quest for success and recognition--do whatever it takes to win customers and keep them.
Be warned! False doctrine and worldliness always go hand in hand. Worldliness usually leads the way. The early modernists did not aim at destroying biblical Christianity. They simply tried to make Christianity palatable to an unbelieving world. It cannot be done. When Christianity becomes acceptable to unregenerate people--it has ceased to be Christianity!
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing!" 1 Corinthians 1:18

by Don Fortner

Taken from Grace Gems

Accounts of grace

This is a (very) brief overview of Christ's work in my life over the last year.











I have been saved for 8 years now, by God's grace and in that time I have received only good from the Lord. This does not mean that everything was or is pleasant, or nice but it certainly good. This is demonstration of Romans 8 vs 28 which promises the believer that all thing work together for good, to those who are called. God is very good, and from His hand I have received good. I would like to give an account, however, of a particular grace He has given me this last year.

Those of you who know me personally, know that at around August 2009 I moved churches to a Reformed Baptist Church. Within that move, I put myself under sound biblical, expository teaching and preaching, something I had not had before. This truly, truly is an astonishing grace of God. The experience can only be described as a man, who, for his entire life has only eaten only dry bread and stale water, being suddenly given permanent access to a large group of the most rich and toothsome foods and drinks. That He would save me... what love and grace. That He would save me and allow me to be in such a church, grace grace, grace. But God did not stop there, although if He did, He would still be infinitely worthy of all honour and praise.

God also introduced me into a group of brothers and sisters in Christ, many of them in fact but I think now specifically of our young adults bible study, known as Cornerstone. These godly young men and women have impressed me very much. They have been an encouragement to me to be godly, to grow in maturity and to show grace, something they had to show me a lot of this year. The majority of our time in study was spent looking at what the bible teaches on manhood and womanhood. This study and the thought required to apply it rocked my world. This was a subject very much taboo in my old church. It was a big grace of God to see a fair sized group of young godly people, striving to be biblical against the world. And this certainly is an issue where the world has taken a strong stand against biblical principals in recent years. I look forward to growing in grace with this group next year.

I praise God also, that He has grown me in holiness in the year past, and at the same time revealed yet more sin which needs to be warred against. I realise that this struggle will continue until glorification and I both relish and shudder at the thought of it. Truly Phil 2 : 12-13 applies to me.

There are so many graces I could mention. God has provided me with health, a job, ministry opportunity, talent with computers, talent with musical instruments. Godly elders, worthy of double honour, and most importantly Jesus Christ, my substitute on the cross.

I anticipate that 2011 will be as full as the previous one, if the Lord tarries, even so come Lord Jesus.

Sola Dei Gloria

Philippians 2: 12 - 13

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.