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Watch It Drop

Guest Post by Joshua Torrey

As many know, I am in the process of listening to the Bible through in the NASB. This will be my fourth time through the Torah in 365 days. I’m starting to feel like David when I say I love God’s law. However, I’m also beginning to see the foolishness of ignoring the Torah in interpreting the Scriptures.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the further the church has gotten from the time of Christ the further we have gotten from His hermeneutic. So likewise we have departed from the hermeneutic of Peter, Paul and John. For them their writing grew out naturally from the Old Testament. They quote it presuming the church’s acceptance and understanding. The obscure and the common are placed before the church in the epistles and gospels.

With each pass through the law I catch something new. My understanding of the NT grows as the paradigm of apostolic interpretation grows finer and clearer. Most specifically that occurred this time around when I heard a particular portion of Deuteronomy,

6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. – Deuteronomy 6:6 (NASB)

The LXX of this passage is a little clearer when it says ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ σου; the literal rendering meaning “in your heart.” The LXX even goes so far as to say “and in your soul” (καὶ ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ σου). Far from making the commandments of God an external and fleshly thing, this verse is a promise from God that His commandments are a spiritual thing; spiritual things that He places in our hearts because of His covenant. It is on the basis of His covenantal relationship and commandments that these “words” are secured upon our hearts.

Now for some this exposition still does not make this passage stand out. Others might begin to see some similarities with other Scriptural passages that speak about the law being on hearts.

In debate on the new covenant, Jeremiah 31 has quite possibly been the most important passage. This is unfair since texts like Isaiah 59:21 make very clear statements concerning the spiritual nature of the covenant and the inclusion of offspring (infants). To add to the unfortunate nature of this passage’s importance, individuals on all sides have often dipped into the well of modern individualistic interpretations. This has proven disastrous with respect to interpretations of “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it” (Jer 31:33). Many, ignoring the obvious spiritual background of Deuteronomy 6:6, have presumed that this is uniquely spiritual. This presumption has benefited the individualistic interpretation and provided significant groundwork for a Baptistic perspective of the new covenant.

But is this passage truly unique given what we’ve just read in the giving of God’s law? The book of Deuteronomy is ultimately concerned with the hearts of God’s people. God’s law has always been concerned with our hearts. God desires for His people to have a heart that follows Him (Deut 5:29). God has been focused on the circumcision of hearts in the giving of His law (Deut 10:12-16). In fact, He even promises it within the context of His law (Deut 30:6). It is only within this context that God’s law can be considered “not too difficult” (Deut 30:11 NASB). These promises associated with God’s law are not novel to the New Testament or the new covenant, neither is the writing of the law upon the hearts of God’s people.

So what do we learn? When God sends down His Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2), He sent His Spirit upon the hearts of His Covenant people. The promise of Isaiah 59:21 was fulfilled. The promise Jeremiah 31 was fulfilled. The typology of Deuteronomy 6 was fulfilled,

21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit which is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your offspring, nor from the mouth of your offspring’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from now and forever.” – Isiah 59:12 (NASB)

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Sudanese woman on death row for apostasy had her sentence canceled

AP reports and we rejoice over the release of Meriam Ibrahim:

A Sudanese woman on death row for apostasy had her sentence canceled and was ordered released by a Khartoum court on Monday, the country’s official news agency reported.

SUNA said the Court of Cassation canceled the death sentence against 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim after defense lawyers presented their case. The court ordered her release.

Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim but who was raised by her Christian mother, was convicted of apostasy for marrying a Christian. Sudan’s penal code criminalizes the conversion of Muslims to other religions, a crime punishable by death.

Ibrahim married a Christian man from southern Sudan in a church ceremony in 2011. As in many Muslim nations, Muslim women in Sudan are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims, though Muslim men can marry outside their faith.

Ibrahim has a son, 18-month-old Martin, who was living with her in jail, where she gave birth to a second child last month, local media reported. By law, children must follow their father’s religion.

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Sin and Consequences in Breaking Bad

Here are couple of quotes that go with my previous post about Breaking Bad.

This first quote is from Maureen Ryan at the Huffington Post.

“But as someone who, like Gilligan, was raised Catholic, I’ve long believed that one of the show’s strengths is its intelligent and even compassionate exploration of sin, guilt, good, evil and the consequences of altruistic and selfish choices. Nothing about ‘Breaking Bad’ offers a moral prescription, yet, as I wrote earlier this year, it offers an exceptionally clear-eyed and honest appraisal of one man’s soul-destroying delusions and ultimate selfishness. ‘Sin’ is a concept that people of many faiths and belief systems have struggled to define for millennia, yet it’s a word you don’t often hear uttered in conversations about challenging art; however you feel about it as a concept, the word simply comes with a lot of baggage.

But sin lives at the center of this show, which, like many great works, has not supplied answers as much as it’s asked fascinating questions.”

Here is another quote by Vince Gilligan, the creator of the show.

“I have to speak for myself, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I like the idea that there’s a point to it all. I like the idea that if you’re really a rotten human being, you don’t prosper for it. Not in the end. Day by day, you might, but there’s some sort of comeuppance, some kind of karma, whatever you want to call it,” Gilligan said. “Conversely, if, as most of us hope to be, you’re a good person, it all kind of works out in the end. But I don’t know that the world is really like that.

“I think it’s a basic human need to want to believe that the world is fair,” he continued. “Of course we live in a world that seems grotesquely unfair… I like that feeling on this show… [that] every action has a consequence. I think I respond to that. I think that feels right to me — that every bad thing Walt does comes back on him, that it has a consequence. … Maybe on some level what I’m intending is to explore a world where actions do have consequences. They do in our real life, we know that. Is there some final tally in which the balance sheet evens out? If it doesn’t exist in this world — I can’t say whether it does or it doesn’t. But maybe it will in this made-up world of ‘Breaking Bad.’

Gilligan gets a lot wrong here from a Biblical perspective. But his evaluation that sins have consequences is Biblical even if his remedy (the tally sheet) is not. Breaking Bad is 62 episode exploration of the effects of sin upon a man and his family.<>online gamesзаполнение ов

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Breaking: PCUSA Votes to Allow Clergy to Marry Same-Sex Couples

The PCUSA, in a continual move to reject the authority of the Word of God, has approved the redefining of marriage.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s highest governing body voted Thursday to allow ministers to perform same-sex marriages.

Presbyterian clergy can now marry gay and lesbian couples wherever same-sex marriage is legal….The same-sex marriage votes come three years after the PCUSA voted to allow the ordination of gay and lesbian clergy.

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Bavinck on the Authority of Scripture

Herman Bavinck’s section on Scripture in Reformed Dogmatics: Vol 1, Chapters 12-14.  is a feast of scholarship and piety. Here are a couple of quotes from his section on the authority of the Scriptures (p. 455-465). In the first quote he is discussing whether or not the descriptive (historical) portions of Scripture have authority or not.

“The authority of history and the history of a norm [law/command] cannot be so abstractly separated in Scripture. The formal and material meaning of the term ‘Word of God’ are much too tightly intertwined. Even in the deceptive words of Satan and the evil deeds of the ungodly, God still has something to say to us. Scripture is not only useful for teaching but also for warning and reproof. It teaches and corrects us, both by deterrence and by exhortation, both by shaming and by consoling us. But the above distinction does make clear that Scripture cannot and may not be understood as a fully articulated code of law. Appeal to a text apart from its context is not sufficient for dogma. The revelation recorded in Scripture is a historical and organic whole. That is how it has to be read and interpreted. A dogma that comes to us with authority and intends to be a rule for our life and conduct must be rooted in and inferred from the entire organism of Scripture. The authority of Scripture is different from the authority of parliament or congress. (Reformed Dogmatics, Vol 1, p. 460)

I love this quote because he shows that the entire Scripture has authority in our lives, not just the commands or prescriptive passages. But then he goes on to say that because of this context is paramount. The Bible is a whole. Therefore it must be read as such. So many Christians, especially in this age of the internet and memes, use bumper sticker theology. They pull out a verse, slap it on and say that is what it means.  They quote a verse without any understanding of how it fits into the context of the Scripture. This often leads to a superficial, wrong, or even heretical meaning of a passage.

Here is most of the final paragraph in his section on the authority of the Bible. I like this quote because he asserts without qualification the authority of the written Word over everything and everyone.

“As the word of God it stands on a level high above all human authority in state and society, science and art. Before it, all else must yield. For people must obey God rather than other people. All other [human] authority is restricted to its own circle and applies only to its own area. But the authority of Scripture extends to the whole person and over all humankind. It is above the intellect and the will, the heart and the conscience, and cannot be compared with any other authority. Its authority, being divine, is absolute. It is entitled to be believed and obeyed by everyone at all times. In majesty  it far transcends all other powers. But, in order to gain recognition and dominion, it asks for no one’s assistance. It does not need the strong arm of the government. It does not need the support of the church and does not conscript anyone’s sword and inquisition. It does not desire to rule by coercion and violence, but seeks free and willing recognition. For that reason it brings its own recognition by the working of the Holy Spirit. Scripture guards its own authority. (Reformed Dogmatics, Vol 1, p. 465)

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A few thoughts on the first round of World Cup 2014

Round one finished this evening with a tie between the South Koreans and the Russians. This means that every country has had its debut in the most spectacular soccer tournament in the world. What follows is a brief summary of the 5 best soccer nations in the World in my estimation and then the surprise of this first round:

Since I am Brazilian, and since we are hosting the World Cup for the first time since that disastrous 1950 final at Maracana, it is helpful to start with Brazil. Brazil has now played two games, since they inaugurated Round 2 this afternoon in Fortaleza. Brazil’s chances, in my estimation, of making it past the first three rounds is 90%. Only a solid victory from Cameroon and a combination of results will take Brazil away from making it to the top 16.  Led by Brazil’s superstar, Neymar Jr., Brazil carries the hopes of over 200K fanatic Brazilians into this World Cup. The expectations are high and despite a less than impressive start–thanks for the penalty–Brazil’s draw with Mexico today showed a more efficient Brazilian squad. Marcelo and Fred: Wake up!

Germany made Cristiano Ronaldo’s worst nightmares come true. The camera’s love affair with Ronaldo showed a despondent best player in the world. Pepe’s red card–a combination of stupidity and lack of self-control–made Portugal the perfect candidate to experience defeat by the German powerhouse. And what a whipping they received! Led by Thomas Mueller (3 goals), the Germans could have scored at least a couple more. German’s chances of making it to the round of 16 is  100%. After losing the final to Brazil in 2002, the Germans come with revenge in mind, and they got the team to do it.

Let’s be honest: Ángel di María and Lionel Messi are superstars. Something spectacular happens every time these two touch the ball. Argentina’s 2 x 1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina was not the show we expected from Messi and company, but speaking of Messi, what a brilliant goal. Argentina now plays Iran and Nigeria. No surprises will come from these matches. Argentina will undoubtedly make it to the round of 16.

Holland (Netherlands) came to the 2014 World Cup with a bitter taste after losing their third chance to win a World Cup in 2010. On that occasion, Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain. The Spaniards came to Brazil as World Champions. But after re-engaging Van Persie and Robben this past Friday in what to this point is Spain’s greatest soccer humiliation since the 1950 World Cup when they lost to Brazil 6 x 1, Spain’s new slogan is: humility. With an inspired Chilean team, Spain’s chances of making it to the round of 16 is about 40%. As for the Dutch, they will certainly continue to round of 16.

What about the surprise of this first round? You guessed it! Despite Ghana’s overwhelming control of the game, the U.S. revealed what they do best: persevere. With a fascinating header at the end of the game, John Brooks gave hope to Klinsmann’s squad in the hot afternoon in Natal. I think Portugal is still favored to take that second spot, but U.S.’s determination may send Ronaldo’s team back home much earlier than they expected.<>allsocialgames.netпоисковая оптимизация а продвижение а

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The Most Entertaining Jerk in Soccer

Slate describes the most entertaining jerk in modern soccer. He is known for scoring goals, biting opponents (plural), racism, using his hands, and diving.  According to Slate:

Why he might be a jerk: So many reasons. In the video at the top of the page, we’ve put together a lowlight reel of some of Suarez’s most hilariously egregious offenses. In the 2010 World Cup, he famously earned a red card by punching the ball off the line to prevent fan favorites Ghana from scoring a game-winning goal in their quarterfinal match. After Asamoah Gyan tragically rammed the ensuing penalty off of the crossbar, Suarez—who had been sent off for the violation—could be seen punching his fists in the air like a criminal who was caught robbing a bank and then told he could keep the money.

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Norms & Nobility: Knowledge is a Sword

NORMS AND NOBILITY1Good quote from David V. Hicks’ Norms & Nobility with a great metaphor at the end:

“Purged of pagan complexity and Christian mystery, modern education’s habit of considering everything analytically as a physical datum fails to inspire change in the learner. Philosophy, religion, history, literature–all become mere physical data. This posture of analytical value-free learning diametrically opposes the wisdom of both pagan and Christian paideia. It methodically strips our cultural inheritance in the arts and letters of its normative richness and encourages modern youth in the deadly presumption of amoral action. The way a modern youth learns does not admit, let alone emphasize, the connection between knowledge and responsibility. Yet to paraphrase Bacon in a context he now deserves: to give man knowledge is to give him a sword. To teach man the devastating science of swordsmanship and not the moral implications and responsibilities that come with wielding a sword is to unloose upon the world both a murderer and a victim. This is a tragedy in both instances, since modern man’s eleventh hour plea of ignorance in regard to his responsibilities will be–despite his vast stores of piecemeal knowledge–quite useless to save him.”

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East and West Set to Celebrate Nicaea

The Huffington Post report:

Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Barthlomew I prayed together in Jerusalem at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in a beautiful act of unity.

Now, they’re taking a further step to heal the centuries-old schism between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches by holding a gathering together to commemorate the Council of Nicaea, which took place in 325. Seventeen centuries later, Francis and Bartholomew will come together in 2025 to celebrate the historic meeting, reports Vatican Insider.

“We agreed to leave as a legacy to ourselves and our successors a gathering in Nicaea in 2025, to celebrate together, after 17 centuries, the first truly ecumenical synod, where the Creed was first promulgated,” Bartholomew told Asia News.

Nicaea, now known as Iznik, brought together over 300 bishops from the Eastern and Western traditions in 325. While the next planned gathering is eleven years away, both leaders can use that time to continue to work towards friendship and cooperation between their churches.

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Happy 140th Birthday to G.K. Chesterton (Famous Quotes)

Relevant Magazine did us a great favor and provided 15 great quotes from the man who influenced C.S. Lewis:

The Nature of God

“The riddles of God are more satisfying than the solutions of man.” – Introduction to The Book of Job.

Creativity

“Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. Mathematicians go mad, and cashiers; but creative artists very seldom. I am not, as will be seen, in any sense attacking logic: I only say that this danger does lie in logic, not in imagination.” – Orthodoxy

Mystery

As long as you have mystery you have health; when you destroy mystery you create morbidity. – Orthodoxy

Individuality

“A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.” – The Everlasting Man

Humility

“It has been often said, very truly, that religion is the thing that makes the ordinary man feel extraordinary; it is an equally important truth that religion is the thing that makes the extraordinary man feel ordinary.” – Charles Dickens: A Critical Study

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