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Can we pick and choose what is Truth – Socratic Method?
Luke is one of my more favorite authors within the bible. Being a fairly pragmatic and logical man, I appreciate that Dr. Luke provides facts up front in his description of the resurrection. Two women had come to the tomb – found the stone rolled away – Christ’s body was not there – the women were perplexed even though this fulfilled prophecy.
It appears that the women knew who Jesus was and were aware of the prophecy. Yet, they were still surprised when Jesus was not there. Why were they looking for the living among the dead?
Do most of us read or listen to scripture and sermons in an unengaged manner? Is the Word a story or is it real, should it direct us? Do we take it to heart and apply in our daily lives, as Pastor Alan teaches and supports? Or, do we read and listen absent mindedly? Does the “message” go in one ear and out the other? Do we find ourselves irritated and off message after fighting parking lot traffic leaving Sunday service?
During Easter and Christmas scripture is easy for us to understand, absorb and believe. The story of Christ’s birth and the resurrection is our central truth and directly impacts our earthly and eternal lives. But, what about the scripture we read or listen to the rest of the year? Are there not important messages from God for us there as well? Are the words associated with Christ’s teaching any less important to us?
Jesus was born, died to cleanse us and rose on the third day. This is the foundation of our Christian faith. If you are reading this, you surely believe this within your heart and mind. Should we not accept the other teachings within the Bible as readily? Should we not apply those principles to our lives with the same conviction throughout the year to truly serve and honor God and each other?
Hey Michael, it is good to have you and another musician at CCC. It’s interesting to me just how many engineering type folks are also musicians -just an informal observation over many years. God solders some crazy wires together.
Yeah, it is hard for me to understand what the “begats and begots” and regulations on ephods and tunics have to do with me personally. I appreciate what Alan does to explain backgrounds and meanings. I have a lot better understanding and can make personal application as a result. When I dig deep or more often, when Alan digs and explains it to me, I can get excited about reading OT prophets, for example, when a thousand years before Jesus was crucified God foretold it in Psalm 22, and His resurrection in Psalm 16 and Hosea 6.
We have the benefit of hindsight. The women may have known the prophecies, but they weren’t prepared for personal, in-your-face, real life fulfillment.
We know Jesus is coming back. That’s what the prophets say and what He promised. But Jesus returning in Glory is just something we’ll have to experience. Maybe dreaming and imagining the Return happening to us will help us live it out better.
Michael I like your discriptions of non living and active Christions. Unengaged, absentmindedly, walking through life. God’s word is living and active. I think I don’t listen at times because I am too busy or self absorbed to care. Yesterday it was asked in our Easter chapel has the resurection lost its amazment, or wonder for us as Christians as students who have been going to church for our whole lives. Are you still moved when you consider what God did for us that day? I thank God that I am not dead but alive and although sometimes absentminded mostly engaged in God’s living and active word. I ask the same question I heard yesterday Have you become bored with Christ and what He did for us?
It is a simple as this – the Bible is a story about me. The Bible is my compass, both to judge the truth and to get me back on the right path. The way, the truth, one and only, there is no other.
I am one in the crowd, a believer, willing to go through the fire for my beliefs. I am the woman at the well, knowing she wants to be near God and still ashamed of past decisions. I am the Mother who only wants teh best for her son. I am one that lost a coin and will turn my house upside down to find it. I am all through the bible. That is my guide, my direction, and my proving ground.
Thanks for the encouragement. It is a challenge to take all the Word of God and not to pick and choose what we want to believe. I am so thankful for my redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
We can’t pick and choose… that is hard. There is so much I don’t really want to have to acknowledge at times, but I have to. I have to forgive, or work at forgiving, even when I don’t want to….. dealing with that right now… so hard.
Good stuff Michael!! Lots to think about in your comments and disscusion questions.
It is a constant battle, this human nature we have, to be lazy, to make everything be about ourselves, to only hear what we ant to hear. A battle that will certainly be lost if not taken seriously, with action and support. Oh, let me not forget one the most important if not the most important ingredient, Faith.
I’m glad to have you as a friend and neighbor and brother in Christ and I look forward to years to come as we fight the good fight.
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