Bible Bridges: Part 9

As we get started on the Bible Bridges journey, I want you to actually practice using the tools of effective Bible study. I will encourage you to fill your own tool box with items that will be useful. There will certainly be things that I will encourage you to try. Perhaps you have a few ideas to share with me, too :)

So open your Bible to 1 Peter. We are going to take some steps in a rather challenging book. I selected 1 Peter to stress the need for careful analysis and study. There are times that we are simply too familiar with certain passages (everyone studies Paul). Moreover, there is simply a wonderful mix of theology and pastoral encouragement from the Apostle that some Evangelicals neglect.

The best thing we can do before we open God's Word is to invite the Lord to be with us and open our eyes. I invite you to join me praying some personalized version of this prayer each time you study Scripture:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I am about to open your Word for the purpose of growing in applied knowledge of your ways. My desired outcome, Lord, is to be transformed more and more into Christ's likeness--to be obedient to your will. I confess that I bring many ideas contrary and foreign to the text of Scripture. Father, slow me down in how I handle the biblical text so that I may be confronted by the Holy Spirit in love and gentleness. May I see the Father's unfolding plan of salvation and the gospel of Christ in authenticity and humility. And may Jesus tenderly draw me to the brethren in worship, edification, and service.

I offer this prayer in the name of Christ Jesus my Lord.
Amen.

1 Peter Overview: What is the Theme?

Since the purpose of this journey is to unpack what Scripture says, I will not short-change the process. You are encouraged to discover the theme or overall thrust of Peter's message in the first letter of Peter on your own and in your own words. Then I encourage you to share it with others in response on this blog. That will move this process from isolation to community.

How might one discover the key themes? Read the entire letter in one sitting. Devote 20-25 minutes in just reading the letter. You might try reading it out loud. Or perhaps you have a recording of it being read. Whatever you do, read the whole letter. Don't stop to take notes or dig deeply into any words or phrases. Just read it.

Then as you get read it a few times, write down some ideas you see that perhaps leap out at you. There might be repeated words of which you should take note. Perhaps you will want to do an actual count of them. But remember: you are trying to survey the land at 30,000 feet, not do a deep dive.

Try it this week. I will offer a few other suggested steps and tools to use. Let's go!

Jared

Bible Bridges: Part 8

This is a good time to pause and reflect on the goals of this series. I'm not sure where you are in your Bible reading and study life. The reason I felt I should do an extended and open-ended series like this is to spur you on in apprehending the Bible in greater authenticity. The journey motif is intentional. No matter where you are at, whether novice or experienced, I think we can all use a perspective that pricks us a little bit.

The perspective being offered in this series is my own. Naturally, my approach has developed over many years. It is not perfect, and can still stand improvement. Thus, I invite you to join me in this journey together. I need your help to grow, just as I trust God is using me in a small way to help you!

So I thought that by going into details in my personal methodology, others might benefit. That was the original desire that prompted this series.

I recently discovered a compelling article from the Gospel Coalition: "The Danger of Forgetting How to Read the Bible". It was yet another perspective that speaks to what I am also attempting to promote, namely on becoming "technical, devotional readers". There are some necessary skills in handling God's Word well. The article rightly points that out. Those skills include things I have already introduced, as well as other methods I hope to talk about in future articles: the benefits of understanding Bible translations, "literary, cultural, and historical contexts", using some original language tools, and other resources.

Now, there may be one thing that may seem peculiar to some people reading this blog. As the Gospel Coalition article above puts it, I believe in a healthy "respect [for] the distance between our world and that of Scripture". True, the article properly warns that an excessively academic approach can be spiritually detrimental to us. However, there is a balance between our desire to hear from God for us right now and what was imparted to an ancient audience. There must be an appropriate distance allowed in our study of the Bible. This is why many Bible study guides routinely ask the question of authorship and original audience. Let us not forget: they all died over 2,000 years ago.

The really hard work, then, is to travel the distance to glean application for our lives while retaining the full weight of original context. There is much we can take away from an ongoing study and reading of the Bible. The warning I submit here now is to refrain from a completely isolated approach to your Bible study.

We really should not allow our sense of individuality override the long road already traveled by those who have proceeded us through the centuries. When I confess that "I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting", this statement of doctrinal unity was forged in the messy past of the adolescent bride of Christ. My reading of Scripture must not neglect the "great cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1), and must be subject to reproof. And that reproof may create controversy at times (that's what I mean by a "messy past"). Please do not see this as excuse to create division in the church (God forbid). Rather, let this be an opportunity to learn how to hold to a type of church unity that, while gathering separately, can dialogue and hold a variety of convictions, and yet love God, His Word, and each other!

So again, you are invited to sharpen your Bible skills. Let's get going together, since we all benefit when God's Word is opened and inspected in community--even in an online and informal community as this blog may find an audience.

Blessings,
Jared Tremper

Bible Bridges: Part 7

ה (He)
Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes,
so that I might observe it continually.
Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,
and keep it with all my heart.
Guide me in the path of your commands,
for I delight to walk in it.
Give me a desire for your rules,
rather than for wealth gained unjustly.
Turn my eyes away from what is worthless!
Revive me with your word!
Confirm to your servant your promise,
which you made to the one who honors you.
Take away the insults that I dread!
Indeed, your regulations are good.
Look, I long for your precepts.
Revive me with your deliverance!

Ps 119.33-40 NET

This is my prayer for anyone who is taking time to journey with me on the Bible Bridges series. There may be times when I share things that appear to be overly sophisticated, off-the-wall, or just plane peculiar. Please hang in there with me! Like reading a road map to plan a route to a far away destination, this series seeks to build in you new skills in handling the Bible. Yet the point of it all is what the Psalmist prayed: transformation. 

God's Word revives. God's Word is powerful. For all the time we invest in things that do not last, let us repent. May God grant to this generation a deep desire for the ways of God, so that we agree that the world's priorities are not to be ours. I pray that we delight to walk in God's prescribed path, according to what He reveals in Scripture.

Bible Bridges: Part 6

Like many journeys, sometimes a short detour is required. If we’re fortunate, the detour actually presents a new perspective on a route that we might have missed going on the main road. In that light, this post is a bit of an excursion, but it is something that may be worth a little time to ponder.

It may surprise you that the Bible is not so easily classified in terms of being a primary or secondary source. “A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event.” 

(https://www.princeton.edu/~refdesk/primary2.html).

There are some compelling reasons to hold that the Bible is a primary source: the original writings were authored by those who had the inside scoop. I would also say they were authorized by God:

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV).

θεόπνευστος theópneustos

“To express the sacred nature of the Scriptures, their divine origin, and their power to sanctify believers, perhaps St. Paul coined the verbal adjective theopneustos, 'breathed, inspired by God.' … the parallel text 2 Pet 1:21—“born along by the Holy Spirit, men spoke from God” (hypo pneumatos hagiou pheromenoi elalēsan apo theou anthrōpoi); Ambrosiaster’s gloss, “divinitus inspirata … cujus Deus auctor ostenditur” (“whose author is shown to be God”)…”^[1]

As witnesses to divine events and the oracles of God, the prophets of old most certainly count as primary source authors. “Thus saith the Lord” clearly denotes first-hand experience. The Gospel writers also reported eye-witness accounts and discourse, and the entire New Testament engaged in situations that were contemporary and immediate. In fact, it is a vital fact to realize the Bible was not written directly to us in our day, but to an ancient audience. In these and other ways it can be clearly argued the Bible is a primary source.

Yet at the very same time, I think an equally interesting argument could made that the Bible contains characteristics of a secondary source. “A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them” (Ibid).

As many Christians would agree, Scripture interprets Scripture (http://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/79/what-does-it-mean-that-scripture-interprets-scripture). Perhaps in that sense, the Bible is a secondary source. The New Testament often quotes the Old Testament. Many passages reference other biblical texts and help give light to their meaning. This has the hallmark of a secondary source.

Moreover, the Bible was written over a vast period of time (http://www.biblica.com/en-us/bible/bible-faqs/when-was-the-bible-written). Some of the writings were collected and arranged to serve as an organized religious curriculum. For instance, it is likely Moses brought some oral and written sources together in the writing of the Torah. He functioned (under the movement of the Holy Spirit) as an inspired analyst and instructor.

Indeed, the Bible a most unique collection. It is unified yet diverse. It is ancient yet relevant. It defies definition and has resisted attacks for centuries. My goal in this series is to deepen the appreciation for the Bible, and to provide a growing ability to engage the text of the holy writ faithfully. By God’s grace, let us proceed to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15 KJV).

---

^[1] Ceslas Spicq and James D. Ernest, Theological Lexicon of the New Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1994), 193–194.

Bible Bridges: Part 5

I recently did some research on emerging trends in how Evangelical Bible scholars are interpreting Genesis 1-2. The recent debate between Bill Nye “the science guy” and Ken Ham of “Answers in Genesis” has stirred up emotions on many sides.

My research concluded that some conservative Christians are approaching Genesis without undue wrangling with modern science. In fact, some contend a better approach is ignore science vis-à-vis Genesis because the ancient reader (and author) simply had no view on our modern scientific questions. This can allow for science to do its own thing without a necessary conflict with Scripture (I’ll leave it at that, since this is not a commentary about science and the Bible).

Instead, some Bible scholars are wrestling with the ancient culture and use of language. I think this is a helpful shift. If we desire to handle Genesis as it was intended, we need to do a little time travel—through ancient culture, customs, and communication.

I bring this up because in part 4 we looked at selecting English Bibles. It should seem obvious: a translation requires a translator. What’s another name for a translator? Scholar.

Some Christians fear Bible scholarship. “Just me and the Bible” is their motto. Don’t get me wrong, I think there’s a real risk of getting lost in the weeds if we depend too heavily on scholarly (secondary) sources (more about that in part 6). Yet if we agree that having different translations are helpful, then we must also agree (at least in part) that Bible scholarship is valuable.

In the book I was reading, Dr. Tremper Longman III (nice name, eh?) took some time to explain why having Bible scholarship is actually ESSENTIAL to Bible study:

Notice that without Bible scholars we would not even have an English Bible to read. I never thought about it like that before, but it’s true! Even if you still exclusively read your King James Version, it took human scholarship to translate it. As he said above, “you cannot read the Bible at all without scholarly help”. Unless you have been trained to read Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, you are essentially relying on other people’s scholarship. He does go on to say that we can, of course, grasp the critical teachings of the Bible without holding the hand of a Bible professor. However, we better be holding God’s hand! Approaching the Bible in purely academic terms apart from God is precisely what liberalism intends.

Thus, Bible scholarship is absolutely necessary if we want to study the Bible. It is one of the most essential bridges we must cross. Of course, we need God’s Spirit to illuminate the biblical text. No doubt I’ll talk about the doctrine of illumination in a future article. I just want to discourage anti-intellectualism in the name of Christianity. In other words, don’t check your brain (and the brains of other Christians) at the door…and let’s open the Bible together!

Questions

• What might be some reasons we fear Bible scholarship? Are some of those fears worth facing?
• How would you define "conservationism" and "liberalism" as it relates to the Bible and Christianity?

Prayer

Our Father, we are such frail and finite creatures. While creating us in your image, we still are so limited in faculty and faith. Grant that we would wrestle with our fears in this area of Bible scholarship so that we come to a place where we can see our need for others. May we discern unwholesome attempts to derail our faith through unbelieving scholarship, and hold to that which affirms sound doctrine. In Christ's holy name. Amen.

References

Averbeck, Richard E., et al. Reading Genesis 1-2: An Evangelical Conversation. Edited by J. Daryl Charles. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC, 2013.

Bible Bridges: Part 4

There was a time not many years ago when English speaking congregations had but one Bible to choose. The venerable King James Bible (KJV) has indeed stood the test of time as a much loved and revered translation. When it is read aloud, even today, it generates respect and elevates the public reading of Scripture.

I personally grew up with a slightly modified version of the KJV: the Scofield Reference Bible (ca 1917) not only helped render some words in a bit more contemporary gloss for modern readers (e.g. 1 Corinthians 13 "charity" became "love"); C. I. Scofield's famous notes jump-started my Bible study as a young person. Today, I'll admit I'm a bit more cautious about Mr. Scofield's notes, but it was nice to have a commentary right there in my Bible! Many people have Study Bibles -- that is a mixed blessing, and we'll talk more about that soon.

Anyway, when I graduated from High School, my church gave me a New International Version (NIV). I began to use that version along side my trusty Scofield KJV. Then as I attended Moody Bible Institute in 1992, I was required to procure the New American Standard (NAS) for "serious study in the inductive method". More on inductive study on another installment!

My journey has since taken me to the New Living Translation (NLT 1996 and NLT second edition 2004), the English Standard Version (ESV), the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), the New English Translation (NET), and the Lexham English Bible (LEB). To learn more about these and other translations, check out BibleStudyTools.com. I will refrain from commenting on the quality of these English translations. Perhaps I will offer my evaluation down the road. I eschew a competitive or superior attitude about English Bibles.

The take home point today: the value in Bible study (whether in groups or on your own) is in the comparison and contrast that one can do between the translations. In seeing why one Bible differs in a gloss (a word choice) can spark deeper reflection in the study. A good method for personal study would be to take two Bible translations (say ESV and HCSB) and use them side-by-side. Observe carefully how the word choices and even word order impacts how you understand a passage. It's really thrilling to engage in this kind of study!

Questions

1. Why would Bible translators use different words when translating from ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek? What does that tell you?
2. What have you heard about so-called "word studies"? Why do you think pastors often talk about that in their sermons?
3. How might we evaluate modern (or classic) English translations? How might you handle it if a fellow Christian criticizes your favorite English Translation?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we bless your name for revealing to us your great plan of redemption in the Bible. Thank you, Lord, for protecting your Word despite criticism, attacks, and attempts to destroy the Bible. May we so revere your precious letter to us by humbly approaching the issue of Bible translations with gentleness, meekness, and charity. May the life of Christ show brightly in our lives as a result of a proper handling of the Word of God, by whom we approach the throne of grace. Amen.

Bible Bridges: Part 3

Have you ever looked at people's photo albums that are posted on social media? If you really do take a few minutes to scan them, it is likely the ones you pause on for a moment contain people. Photographs grab our emotions best when framed with stunning scenery and staged with people in unplanned, candid sots. That is even truer when it's with our dearest loved ones! As stunning as a rainbow might be, it is more meaningful when shared with other people. It is in living community that our travels yield the most meaning.

As we get a little further on this journey of an interactive Bible study, there is another important aspect about our travel plans: the biblical pattern of Bible study is in with other people. This is precisely why I've described this as interactive. Too often we think of our walk with Christ in isolated individualism. My walk. My devotional time. My quiet time. All these personal moments are not utterly without value, but the early church knew nothing of doing this journey alone.

Allow me to illustrate this:

   “And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:40–47, ESV)

There is so much that could be unpacked here. For now, notice the plural pronouns. The dramatic events leading to Peter's sermon culminated in a mass conversion. This must have been an amazing scene! Can you picture it? 3,000 converts and none of them wanted to do this alone. 

Note that Acts 2:42 shows they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. It is fair to say, given that many of these converts had a strong background in the Hebrew Bible (we call that the Old Testament), that this devotion was an energized and interactive study. As Peter's sermon unpacked the implications of Christ's death and resurrection, they came to realize their need for repentance -- not only from their sins, but from a false view of Jesus. They sought to be retrained in handling Scripture. That interactive study was not done in isolation, but in the growing community founded on the Good News of Christ!

Questions

1. Do you agree that isolated Bible study is not the ideal approach? Are there risks to doing this exclusively by yourself? How far should this be taken? Should we never study by ourselves? Or just augment our time in the Word with others?
2. What are the best memories you have of a group Bible study that really challenged you to examine the Scripture well? Did it confront a presupposition you held? Did you realize there was a sin in your life that needed the public confession that James 5:16 affirms is a normal way of life for believers?
3. How might we reflect and change our extreme individualism that is so common in our day? What do you think would be different in a Christian community that really did some of what Acts 2 talks about?

Prayer

Lord, I confess that I have been too isolated from the brethren. I seek your help to better live life together with brothers and sisters in Christ. May the Father grant the church a renewed sense of a family that does this journey together, in Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bible Bridges: Part 2

Have you ever driven on a very long bridge covering more than a mile of ocean blue? It’s exciting to drive over water at high speeds. However, speed on a journey seldom yields the greatest enjoyment. Sometimes the best trips are when we get out of our car and gaze at the scenery, or perhaps even to do a little fishing!

Crossing bridges is an idea I want to apply to approaching the Bible. I think it’s a very helpful concept, and hopefully it will illuminate your path. The idea of a bridge communicates a gulf between where we are and where we are heading. It could be a small stream, the mighty Mississippi, or even coastal ocean waterways. The bridge is a tool to get you to the other side safe and sound. But the bridge can also offer you a vantage point to take in the views and better grasp the landscape. This bridge metaphor as applied to Bible study has a number of drivers (yeah, pun intended):

First, there is a worthwhile destination. Just like driving over that bridge, we want to get somewhere. When getting behind the wheel of a Bible study, we must recognize this is no trip to the corner drugstore. The ultimate destination is the kingdom of heaven.

Second, it will take discipline and commitment. Think Pilgrim’s Progress! There will be a few twists and turns, pitfalls, discouragements, moments of joy, diversions, peril, but ultimately the glorious vision of God: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

Lastly, just like some very tall bridges, when crossing the vast distances of God’s revealed story, there is a story arc. In one real sense, the Bible is a unified story: there is a beginning to the narrative, rising action, climax, and denouement. The Bible is a divinely woven script (perhaps why we call it “Scripture).

Questions

1. What kind of reading strategies do you find would best suit approaching the biblical text? Bible in a year? One Bible book each month? Following a lectionary calendar?
2. How might you benefit from reading from portions of the Bible differently, like you would a book? Think big picture instead of short snippets of Scripture. Could you put together enough of the larger story to explain it to a child?
3. What would it look like to substitute some hours in a week you might currently spend watching TV, reading Facebook, or pouring energies into life’s diversions, and instead devote yourself to the reading Scripture? Is there is 30 minutes in your day you could redeem for the sake of focused Bible time?

Prayer

May the Lord of heaven draw us to His precious Word. May our heavenly Father make the mind of Christ so penetrate us that our loved ones, friends, and coworkers sense there is something changing in us. The Lord grant us a lasting desire to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, and situate our lives in His living presence through the reading of Scripture. And may we ponder afresh the love of God poured out through Christ on the cross, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Bible Bridges: Part 1 of ...

There is something compelling about being free to write a blog, where essentially I am not accountable to anyone about what I write. I suppose that is largely because I don't get paid to do it, so I seek a deeper, intrinsic reward. So I felt that one of the most rewarding things I could write about is what is so precious to me: Bible Study. For those who decided to stop reading now, I ask you to keep with me.

This is the first part of a series of writings that hopes to offer you a more penetrating passion for God's Word. This is motivated by a number of things:

1. Bible literacy is rapidly sinking. For many reason, people simply do not engage the Bible as part of their real life. For many, the Bible sits on a bookshelf along with their over-priced college books. Regrettably, this is even true of professing Christians.
2. Bible study has been so maligned in recent years so that many newer churches refrain from even encouraging it. Today it is more popular to form groups that gather for "living life together" (nothing inherently wrong with that). Christians have a role model in Acts 2:42 of a more powerful reason to gather: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (ESV). That devotion was exemplified in the Bereans (Acts 17:11), as "they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
3. My own desire to see people engage the Bible fruitfully. As a follower of Christ, I know that being transformed in Christ -- to develop the "mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16) -- is an essential element of gospel-saturated discipleship. Yes, the Holy Spirit assists us to understand Scripture (this is called the doctrine of illumination). Yet our skills in handling the text of Scripture has tremendous bearing on how well we do this: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV). Bible study is indeed work. I know it pays better than any job for which we can be hired on this earth. And talk about fringe benefits!

This series is called Bible Bridges. The concept of crossing bridges in studying the Bible is not a unique concept. Duvall and Hays book Grasping God's Word uses the metaphor of a bridge to describe journeying over the distance between the Bible times and our own world:

"Principilizing Bridge" from Grasping God's Word

This is a helpful concept, and I may return to this sometime soon. I have linked to an excerpt from their book above if you want to learn more. You will find Zondervan has shared a considerable portion of their book if you want to get started.

The purpose of this series is to provide a variety of tips and suggestions for getting more out of your Bible study. This will combine a bit of technique, advice, and a little pastoral encouragement. True, I'm not a pastor these days, but I am motivated to see believers be molded by Christ and live out their faith.

The design of this series is seeking interaction with you, the audience. I may have questions and will encourage a response. Who knows, your question could be on the minds of many others. As I would like to see a community interaction, someone else may supply an answer. This is dialogue. I will share what I have learned in my years of study, but I don't have all the answers. So let's cross the bridge together and see what God has for us on the journey!

Writing Bug - Am I a pest?

Lately it seems that I've caught a bug -- the writing bug. I was recently asked to write a short paper for church leadership on the Genesis 1-2 "origins debate". There has been quite a bit of research associated with this project, and with good reason: there is a prolific number of scholarly treatments on the topic. Now it isn't like I need to add to the choir. Yet as I started the paper, I found I missed the process of doing research papers. The fact that my introduction exceeded six hundred fifty words showed that I have rediscovered a passion.

My difficulty lies in keeping what I write accessible...err, easy to read. I don't intend to write with big words as though I'm some erudite...err, well-read smarty pants. Yet the words just flow out, which often shows my writing to be more elusive for the majority of readers out there. Indeed, I would much prefer to produce perspicuous...err, clearly understood text that benefits more people. I really don't set out to impress people -- at least I don't think so. Perhaps I have a blind spot here. If so, I ask forgiveness from those who see me as their friend.

I realize I need to keep sentences shorter. After all, inserting several commas in a thought, noting that multiple clauses in a sentence, in which confusion might emerge, is a fairly outdated mode of discourse (or should I say writing?), which no doubt loses the readers' attention in this fast-paced, video-driven culture, by which finally the reader has long since given up gleaning anything useful. See my point?

In watching a recent video lecture by Dr. John H. Walton (Wheaton College), I learned about communicating in "high context" and "low context" settings. A high context setting is where the author and reader share many things and explanations are not needed. For instance, when talking to a computer technician, I do not need to explain how layer 1 works in the OSI networking model. They should generally grasp that it is the physical layer. However, in a low context setting, I would have to explain that it's the connection via an Ethernet cable or wireless signal that is the foundation for establishing a working network. In the context of my Genesis research, the ancient Israelites would have a shared history, culture, and language and no explanations were needed. We live many thousands of years later. Not only do we need translations of the language, but also of the cultural situation that shapes their very thought life. Of course, this is an example of hermeneutics (something I will post on in future writings).

The take-away for me is simple: I need to do a better job of knowing when a target audience for me is in high context or low. There's very little to be gained for writing myriad...err, a lot of words if no one values from the experience.

I'm getting older as I get older

As we were making dinner I decided to turn on iTunes Radio station Peter, Paul, and Mary. It struck a chord with me (yes, pun intended). I started singing along to songs I knew and some I didn't. The Kingston Trio came on, and I found I really resonated with the simple folk songs of the 1960s.

It occurred to me and I even said it out loud to my wife: I'm getting older as I get older. That is to say, my tastes are de-progressing. I'm finding it true my own hairstyle and clothing. I've embraced my wavy hair instead of chopping it all off. Not only that, but I noticed a 1987 BMW 7 Series for sale on Algonquin Road - "make an offer". What's going on? (Don't worry, I'm too frugal to waste money on that).

Of course, I'm just old enough to know when a mid-life crisis hits. I thought it hit two years ago. Perhaps it did. However, I've sensed a greater need for nostalgia and a sense of the past. One can try to analyze these things. However, it's deeply personal and has a hint of sadness attached to it. While I have a strong biblical theology that settles my heart on the assurances of Christ, I still find how vulnerable I am to reminiscing. 

While it's not all sad, I think a recent trigger was when a high school marching band video clip was posted. It was 29 years ago and was right near the point that a lovely girl had lost her life just shy of 17. Aimee Colleen Thompson was a smart and beautiful young woman. She was driving home with her sister, Allison and her cousin Stacy when a tragic accident took their lives. I have generally kept to myself just how deeply I cared for Aimee. For a moment I thought she was in the video. I couldn't really tell. I decided to do a Google search for "Aimee Thompson Mainland" (that's the high school). I was floored to see the funeral notice in the local paper with her picture. 

This technology where old music can be piped in also offered a window to the past--a powerfully personal past. I sometimes don't know what to think about it. I make my living by technology. Yet there are days I long to divest of this digital wardrobe and embrace a simpler, older life. But it's not available to me except in my memories. This can be a trap. 

It is best to see God's purpose in the progress of time. Perhaps I will find ways to simplify my life. There's also nothing wrong with a little nostalgia. Yet the promise of the realized kingdom of Christ awaits fulfillment, and will be content to look forward and live in the assurance of such a grand finale to history -- and a resolution of my personal pain.

Unfinished Work

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me. Lord, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands (Psalm 138:8, HCSB)

As we progress through the autumn ritual where farmers plow their fields to prepare for winter, I am reminded that there are seasons in our lives. These seasons provide a rhythm that paces our journey. God built that into the fabric of time; we are all bound to the clock and the tasks we must accomplish. Sometimes we're planting - developing new beginnings; other times we are harvesting and enjoying the fruit of our labor; and then there is a time to plow the field to start the process again.

Lately I have been wrestling with a sense of unfinished work in this season in my life. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given. Yet now after more than a year has passed since I resigned as an associate pastor, I find I am unable to let go the desire to serve Christ in some way that in the pastoral office. This desire corresponds to 1 Timothy 3:1: 

"This saying is trustworthy: 'If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.'" 

If I am honest (transparency was something I promised), I do aspire to this noble work. 

I can't seem to shake the desire, but I also recognize this is not going to be something I can manufacture. I have spent hours reflecting on the past years: the mistakes I made, the challenges I faced, and the doubts I still have. I have tried to study again with some intentional force - a drive that I am retooling for ministry. Yet the only way this will blossom is if God is in it. I am willing for the Lord to do what HE will do in my life - and YES, that scares me. For those who understand all of this, I ask for prayer. I also pray that the Lord be the master farmer in my life and in those with whom I am in relationship / community - my friends and family - and most importantly my wife, whom has been a bulwark of support through all these difficult seasons. 

The Road to Godliness with Contentment

At the risk of jinxing myself, I have taken great care not to get a speeding ticket since 1987. It’s not that I’m the safest driver on the road or that I am excessively careful about speed limits. I just learned my lesson in ’87 (like the rhyme?), and I don’t wish to pay for new roads via petty traffic citations.

I attribute any progress in this area of my life from God driving me towards a sense of contentment. This is harder in real life than it is to type it out. Like many people, I am not content by nature. In fact, as previously I confessed my sin of perfectionism, perfectionists are by definition discontented with virtually everything. This is not limited to inanimate objects—things that I own or desire to own—it’s sadly a discontentment (disappointment) with people.

When I drive around town (trying to drive close to the limit), I notice how often people desire that I speed up. Now I confess that I’m the sort that will gently tap the breaks to signal I am not in a hurry. Naturally, this does little to improve my relationship with the driver in my rear view mirror! Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear, both in physical proximity to my rear bumper and also in a shared impatience and discontentment. I am impatient at their impatience, so I traded in my self-deluded notions of contentment for a disguised version of discontent—the variation of perfectionism I had hoped to jettison from my wretched life. The truth as I stand at the mirror of self-examination by means of biblical prodding (see James 1:22-25) is that the Spirit of God has far more work to do in me if I have the courage to act upon it.

If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not devote himself to the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, he is conceited, understanding nothing, but having a morbid interest concerning controversies and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, slanders, evil suspicions, constant wrangling by people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who consider godliness to be a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain. For we have brought nothing into the world, so that neither can we bring anything out. But if we have food and clothing, with these things we will be content. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and a trap and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge those people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all evil, by which some, because they desire it, have gone astray from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains. 1 Timothy 6:3-6 (Lexham English Bible).

Noticing in particular verses 5-6, “…godliness to be a means of gain. But godliness with contentment is a great means of gain…” I see the danger I face whenever I contemplate church ministry as a vocation (i.e. career). Paul is telling Timothy (from the context even back to chapter 3) that Christian character is exceptionally important. Disciples of Jesus face a constant temptation to be discontented with their lot. I reflect on over five years invested in training for church ministry, both in academic training and real-life church experience as an associate pastor. I wish to be quite transparent when I say: I seldom knew contentment and godliness as a cooperative trait in my life. I was mostly discontented with things around me in the church that I felt should change. I arrogantly thought (perhaps not intentionally) that I was the one to inaugurate that change. The ugly truth is that many a minister have manipulated people (once again, the pastor himself may be blind to this ambition), and perfectionism and a lack of true contentment may be a key reason.

I believe that if any ministry awaits me (whether it be a career path or volunteer), Christ must help me put to death the sin of perfectionism. A few steps I believe to be important to this outcome:

1. Confess this regularly to Christ and others. I rest on the assurance that Christ has already paid for this sin (like all other sin) on the cross. Yet the power of confessing this is a reminder of the gospel’s power in my life (cf. Romans 1:16-17, James 5:16).
2. Learn to recognize my emotional state that might point to discontentment, despair, and disillusionment. There are triggers that I need to detect ahead of time - a type spiritual "accident avoidance" (e.g. don’t let the world of consumption and advertising frame my mindset).
3. Find contentment in the simplicity of abundant life granted in Jesus Christ. John 10:10 aptly states: “The thief comes only so that he can steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” If I am discontented, rest assured the thief is at work undermining the truth of the gospel in my life.

So when on the road we should look out for one another, find contentment even when traffic slows (or pushes us), and let perfectionism get off at the nearest exit.

High Maintenance Man

I’m not quite sure how to take this: I was searching for some clip art for the phrase “high maintenance,” and most of the results pictured women in a frazzled state. First, I’m married to the world’s lowest maintenance person. So these skewed Google clip art results came as a surprise. Second, I know plenty of gentlemen who have displayed their fair share of high maintenance behaviors—myself being at the top of the list. The sad truth is that I am only now realizing this fact (and I’m grateful for a wife who is quite understanding and patient): I AM HIGH MAINTENANCE. Heaven knows this is true—just not sure what took me so long to see it.

If one subscribes to Myers-Briggs personality types, as an INTJ it seems that I constantly process stimuli and ponder their implications. This unending thinking has some benefits, but it can also drain the life out of me. I find it very hard to unwind, to enjoy life, and to take things at face value. I half expect I would be diagnosed for OCD if I really cared to go to a doctor about it.

I’m sure all of this is under the umbrella of perfectionism (and yes, I would admit that is a failing of mine). In fact, probably perfectionism and high maintenance are partners in crime.

Now all of that said, perfection is a concept that has its place in biblical theology and the Christian hope:

“I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But he said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NET Bible).

Paul was making a point that weakness is not a failing for the Christian servant, but rather can be a mark of Christ’s work in progress. Notice that Paul (in a very vulnerable moment) directly asked the Lord for the removal of his weakness (the nature of which was not revealed to the reader). Paul did not whine on Facebook or sit around in a coffee bar seeking caffeine consolation from his cronies. He went to Christ and three times petitioned for a solution. Perhaps one lesson I should take is that I cannot find my answers in another person, though certainly having people in my life is essential. Paul appears to model the proper attitude for believers (in the context, the Christians in Corinth were a bit of elitist and looked down on Paul’s weakness). That attitude is a paradox: when I am weak, in Christ I am strong.

So as one who readily admits I am weak, I hope to mirror Paul’s authentic humility as a broken vessel. Truthfully, I don’t feel content with weaknesses. Thus, it seems it is my lack of contentment that is the very weakness through which Christ wishes to demonstrate his power. I do not know what that will look like exactly. Perhaps that is the very first step I need to take – to let go of knowing every step – to discover contentment by telling Jesus every morning this day will not be perfect, and I will fail. Blessed be the Lord, who through my weakness can perfectly show what my life should be: in his grip.

Forks in the Road

Not always so obvious

It is very popular to hear people speak of their "journey". It might be a spiritual journey or career path, but most of us speak about direction and making progress towards a goal in life. I find it interesting that most often those moving metaphors speak to the unpredictable nature of life. Most of us are familiar with the concept of a "fork in the road", meaning we are speaking about important decisions that lie in our path. Take one route (to the exclusion of the other), and we think we can expect one outcome; the other road (whether less traveled or not) will yield a different outcome.

How many of our decisions do we find are monumental? Perhaps only after we chose a path did we realize in the rear view mirror that was a really big decision - one that will alter our life's course forever. It sure would be nice to have it all so easily mapped out: every ramification for all our choices laid out in advance so we can intelligently chose the best course. That can be really true with how we spend our money. I look back at all the times we ate out and nothing to show for it except a few extra pounds. It's also true in how we desire to serve the Lord with our time, talents, and treasures.

Yet God does reveal the most important stuff:

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29 English Standard Version (ESV). 

Funny how we really don't believe this to the fullest, for too often I press the gas pedal and miss the signposts warning me that the bridge is out or there is a tight curve ahead. As I speed right on through my 40s, I pray the Lord to intervene when I lose sight of the Word on the road. May the Lord Jesus keep me from injuring others in my life by careless life driving. May God guide me and those around me to the everlasting kingdom of Jesus Christ, through whom our life's engines must be powered. Amen.

Over Analysis or Just Appropriate Critical Thinking?

Do you ever find yourself over-analyzing life? The phrase "analysis paralysis" may accurately describe how I think about life and stuff. I have this working assumption that most people don't suffer from this malady; I assume most people merrily proceed with their lives oblivious to those of us who second-guess the norm. Perhaps that is a bad assumption, but that is how I feel sometimes.

Take church life for example: I have been in church since I was a baby. Ha! I even remember the nursery I was in at the Flomich Avenue Baptist Church in Holly Hill, Florida. Since then I have moved to Church of God as a teen, joined a Presbyterian church for a year while engaged to Bethanne, was in a non-denominational church for over 6 years in Chicago, then another non-denominational church in Park Ridge, Illinois. Then in 2000 we began our life in a Baptist church in Chicago's Jefferson Park neighborhood. Now since 2011 we have been members of Harvest Bible Church in Crystal Lake. In all of these churches I have wrestled with how church is done: the doctrines, practices, structure, and preaching. Yes, even as a youngster I recall thinking and evaluating sermons I heard. I remember the pastor at Flomich always had extended altar calls, singing all 6 verses of Just As I Am.

At my stage in life, having left vocational church ministry in 2011, I find that my formal theological training and my life experience has produced an almost debilitating side-effect: I over-analyze everything. I can't turn it off! I was taught in college how to develop critical thinking skills (as if I needed anyone to teach me how to be critical!). I go over and over things in my head until I almost explode. At least I have matured enough to tone down personal criticism (at least in what I say out loud).

Truthfully, I find great value in reflective observation:

What I fear, however, is that while such a process is invaluable and I encourage people to develop critical thinking skills, it has a downside in Christian discipleship. Why? Because I feel I must test everything. I analyze everything that is said, especially in a sermon. I never take things at face value - I have to test it against what I believe Scripture affirms. It can be exhausting and discouraging to say the least.

Yes, I know that churches of many kinds operate in a belief that they hold to Scripture. Yet so many denominations hold different teachings and positions, even if they have a high view of Scripture. The reason for these differences is hermeneutics: "the study of the principles of interpretation, i.e., the consideration of the theories behind exegesis" (Voelz, James W. 1997. What Does This Mean? [Concordia Scholarship Today] [Kindle Locations 6502-6503]. Concordia Publishing House. Kindle Edition.). In other words, our working theories of how to determine what the Bible affirms are applied within a Christian congregational setting, which has direct bearing on operating systems of belief. It underscores what is taught and what is emphasized by every Bible teacher and pastor who uses Scripture as the basis for their sermons.

Now that I am not in vocational ministry I am taking time to re-examine my personal theories of biblical interpretation and how it is practiced in church settings. My prayer is that God will help me center on Christ and develop a personal discipleship regimen that conquers my analytically-challenged processing. In other words, I hope to re-affirm what is most important and yet come to terms with some developing discoveries I feel God is showing me: He is much bigger than I ever knew! Apparent differences between genuine believers may find the Bible affirms both positions in ways that will blow us all away. I guess what I am saying is: I am not content to hold to the party line of a particular denomination, because I think true Christian unity can be fostered when thoughtful reflection of our hermeneutics are pursued. Assumptions are the enemy of true unity, and authentic Christian growth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NET)

Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

Transparent Journaling

It has been far too long since I have deliberately written my thoughts and reflections. Much has transpired in my life during the recent couple of years, and I find journaling is helpful. What might be even more helpful is to share this journal for anyone to see. So this is my attempt at transparent journaling.

Obviously, I could invite criticism for what I say. I like ponder many things and see myself as something of an independent thinker. What I do not intend to do is attack individuals, whether publicly known or simply private persons with whom I have had an association. No, this is about some personal growing pains I have endured, as well as musings over theoretical and practical theology. I am currently not serving as a pastor in a church, but I am open to that possibility down the road. This time is meant to retool and rethink. Thus, my blog is being resurrected for the purpose of openly expressing my thought journey.

Vulnerability means I must trust someone else. As this picture shows, to tackle tough issues requires concentration and a bit of faith. My faith has been tested, but I think it has come out stronger.

Jared reaching up and looking foward

As I start to express some of those issues with which I have been wrestling, I invite the reader to see God's loving providence and untold faithfulness towards a most undeserving fellow. Though what I write about may at times use theological terminology and technical jargon, I will attempt to bring it back down to earth so that others may actually benefit from this.

Godspeed!

Salvation always by grace, but...

Leviticus 9:23b-24: "When they came out, they blessed the people, and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. Then fire went out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat parts on the altar, and all the people saw it, so they shouted loudly and fell down with their faces to the ground."

The NET Bible (the version used above) makes an interesting comment, noting that while other English Bibles suggest shouting for joy, it is more likely they shouted in terror and fell in horror at seeing the glory of God literally burn the offerings right in front of them. This is hardly a time to question one's salvation!

If one were to ask the Israelite congregation at this moment if they believed their salvation was by grace, they would first have to pick themselves off the ground and recover their composure, since they surely must have thought their lives were over. They were not prepared for the display of God's glory, nor the heavy burden of the law. It is easily understood, then, why theologians debate if the Old Testament saints were saved in a different way than how believers are saved in New Testament era: works versus grace.

It is important to realize that grace alone by faith alone has always been the vehicle for salvation (cf. Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23). Though looking forward to the seed of Abraham (i.e. Christ), their experience and understanding of such grace would have naturally been deficient given the demands of the Law of Moses. Theologically, the truth is that salvation is always by grace. Experientially, the OT believers would probably be unable to express any real understanding of it in light of God's overwhelming holiness.

On this side of the cross, NT believers can rejoice without fear and approach with boldness the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). This indeed is much better than falling in terror before the LORD. How wonderful that because of Christ's substitutionary atonement (the once-for-all sacrifice), we who are in Christ can approach the Father and cry "Abba" without fearing our own destruction.

Experience Reflected

I have just completed the Community Analysis course at Moody Graduate School. This course is designed to provide research and analysis experience relating to understanding a local context and making strategic ministry decisions. With my completion of this course, only three courses remain to complete my Master of Ministry program for which I anticipate graduating in May 2010.

A very interesting feature of the class was Dr. John Fuder's dissertation he did in training urban ministry students in field work. His book, Training Students for Urban Ministry: An Experiential Approach, is engaging and convicting. A penetrating analysis of the emotional one takes when experiencing first-hand the tragedy of extreme urban need, the journey from an inward self-absorption to motivated compassion and conviction is palpable. He takes various experiential learning models and customizes it with the ministry training that so often lacks the down-and-dirty.

The process itself incorporates classroom theory and presentation and then moves out of the classroom to enter the street-level reality of urban life. This experience jolts the learner and creates a myriad of emotional responses, which are largely dependent on prior experience and the predisposition of the student. God himself enters the process at various points to draw from the experience a powerful, affective learning response. Extending far beyond theoretical knowledge is the possibility of wisdom and conviction that can be seasoned with the spices of compassion. From this learning experience, the student is now positioned to make conscience decisions to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to a receptive and broken world.

I feel my role as an associate pastor is to help comfortably middle-class believers take a few steps in the journey. With my current educational career in its final stages, I foresee many years of the journey in my current context in Chicago to inculcate a motivated compassion for the lost--a journey centered on the biblical gospel. I know that my own feeble efforts will yield little. I pray God takes this seed and waters it with the Holy Spirit and produce much fruit.

Pastor Jared

My Review of Onkyo 7.1 Channel Home Theater Black Receiver

Abt Electronics

Onkyo 7.1 Channel Home Theater Black Receiver - TXSR876B/ 140W x 7/ HDMI v1.3/ THX Ultra2 Plus Certification/ All Discrete Circuitry/ Optimum Gain Volume/ Audyssey Dynamic EQ/ Dolby Digital Plus Dolby TrueHD DTS-HD Master Audio Decoder/ HDMI Deep Color Capable (36bit)/ 1080p Upscaling Via HDMI/ Ana...

Onkyo 7.1 Channel Home Theater Black Receiver

Strong contender

Jared Tremper Chicago, IL 1/30/2009

 

5 5

Pros: Accurate Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Power, Durable, Clean Sound

Best Uses: Home Theater, Larger Rooms, Smaller Rooms

Describe Yourself: Musically Inclined, Practical, Tech Savvy

While I was not in a position to compare against other units in this class, I believe anyone looking to build a new or improve existing home theater setup should have this on the top 3. For the price it stands on its own as solid mix of power and ease of use. CD music has new life, with an array of surround remix options. High definition audio sources are given every option to do its thing. The built-in HD radio tuner is a very nice extra; HD radio restores enjoyment to over-the-air music playback. As with other features in this unit, it is a compelling future-proofing capability.

The unit itself is beefy, both in weight and physical size. Do not underestimate this; ideally you should have 2 people to physically setup the unit. Some reviews remark on heat generation, and there is some to be sure. I recommend you install it to allow good air movement to radiate the heat.

Simply put, after upgrading from a sub-$300 4+ year old unit, the Onkyo 876 series is an outstanding centerpiece to home theater configurations well worthy of your consideration. I strongly recommend that a home theater configuration not go cheap on the receiver, and this unit gives plenty of bang for the buck!

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