Old Testament
Creation—One
We’ll be endeavouring to craft an OT survey and develop that for lecture-purposes and to remain rooted. It necessarily must omit some sections and attempt to incorporate important themes.
The story is about God and His kingdom through the age. We are reminded of our Saviour in the desert, when all the force of demonic power in Satan’s person, assaulted His majesty, endeavouring to derail the Son of God from His purpose. The glory of God’s kingdom was under assault. Jesus responded with Mt.4.4: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth from the mouth of God.[1] Every step, every thought, every motive, every deed, on Jesus’s view, was to be in conformity to every word from God. Hence, the assignment and duty to teach the Old and New Testaments...and to enter into the God’s Wordwidely as well as deeply.
Occasionally, I’ve had some tell me that when I lecture, I make the Word of God come alive. While delighted by that, the reality is that Word of God--itself--is sharper than a two-edged sword and has a power and vivacity within itself in conjunction with the Spirit’s persuasive and convicting power. It is more accurate to say that the Bible in and of itself is alive; my lectures are not, except insofar as the fire of God's Word impacts me and that becomes visible and audible. But that's derivitive and dependent vivacity.
Be that as it may, many if not most homes will have Bibles on the shelves. The Bible isn’t on a shelf as laziness would suggest. Well-read or not, believed or denied, the Bible is a piece of dynamite that regulates all of human history, irrespective of anyone’s views of it. It's authority is not indexed by the human response to it. Yet, given the Bible's character, we find a widespread illiteracy. We recently saw polls about substantial biblical illiteracy in Britain and, by extrapolation, we believe that to be true about our nation.
We discuss important doctrines like the inspiration and authority of Scriptures. We find tidbits of Scriptural quotations in many modern books at Barnes and Noble or Books-a-Million. The shelves are full of them. We watch and listen to TV-icons like Joel Osteen, Robert Schuler, Robert Tilton, Pat Robertson, Joyce Meyer, Bishop T.D. Jake, Paula White, and others, yet we venture to say that illiteracy informs their national constituencies. We find our children passing through educational institutions without serious survey-work in this book that Jesus said, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
I speak not of specialized or graduate level training in theology or historical knowledge, e.g. the history of the Church. I speak about knowledge of the Bible and its basic contents for the average person in the pew.
Recently, we read a statement from the Dean of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO, a conservative, Confessional, Evangelical and serious Presbyterian Seminary. It is the offical seminary of the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA). It staffs some well-skilled Professors. In over twenty years of service as a Dean at Covenant, he made this observation. Twenty years ago, two thirds of entering seminarians passed the English Bible exam. Today, one third of entering seminarians can pass the test. These future pastors were, largely, the children and sons of faithful covenant families from the Bible-loving, conservative Presbyterian denomination. As we consider this, we will make efforts to secure more statistically solid reports. We saw another few polls citing that students, even regular church attenders, did not know the Ten Commandments. We can see heard that solid catechetizing work is being neglected.
The issue before us is NEGLECT of God's Word, not accessibility as was the issue during the Reformation when Rome kept a lid on God’s Word to the laity.
It is no good to have high and orthodox views of Scripture, but to not be regular students of the Word. Such a contradiction bespeaks and betrays unbelief rather than belief. Many, many in my experience have not read the Bible from cover to cover. They may have read Genesis and Exodus in their maiden journeys through reading, but then they come to the Book of Thud, Leviticus. Discouragement sets in and they quit. Many can’t get through the details—which are so foreign, yet so very rich. We come before the text of 39 canonical books for the whole scope of instruction.
Romans 15.4: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.[2] It is a given in the New Testament that the Old Testament was given by divine inspiration for the benefit of Christian. This text gives an executive summary of St. Paul’s New Testament perspective on the Old Testament; it advances our preliminary point about the primacy and centrality of the Scriptures for family and church life…and the learning of the Scriptures in an age of biblical illiteracy and spiritual inauthenticity.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our father were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well-pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things have became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do mot become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, `The People sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play’ Nor let us commit sexually immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the end of the ages has come. All Christians undergo baptism which stresses, seals, signifies and brings union with Christ for those who are Christ's; Paul uses this as a comparative tool to the ancient Israelite’s being baptized into Moses—a relationship with Moses. It is noteworthy that the Old Testament and New Testament saint at the “same food,” which was Christ. And as the Hebrews were under God’s Word—and served as examples—so are the Christians. Paul would have expected Christian to quarry and research the Old Testament for doctrine and instruction in godly living.
2 Timothy 3.14-17: But you must continue in the things which ou have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood that has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Paul refers to the ministry of Timothy’s godly mother and grandmother—they reared him on the Old Testament. The custom for Jewish parents were to “instruct a child in the law when the child reached five years of age.[3] The presence of false teachers is noted in Timothy’s orbit[4] The effectiveness of instruction by parents is highlighted. This again gives us St. Paul’s view of the necessity, place, function and value of the Old Testament.
Under such commendations by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His servant, St. Paul, we turn—we make an effort—at a broad survey. As we proceed, Lording willing, we will be recommending books and websites.
We seek to create “hooks” to “books” to “chapters to verses,” which can give the sense as the student take this Sovereign Book into his or her reading schedule. May we resolve here to light fires to know and use the Holy Scriptures.
[1] We will italicize the Biblical text when quoting it for simple contrast.
[2] We will be using the New King James Version.
[3] New Geneva Study Bible (Atlanta: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 1921. Hereafter and throughout, referred to as the NGSB.
[4] 1Timothy 1.7: “…desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things whidch they affirm.” Titus 3.9: But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law: for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 3.9-11, Paul returns to the issue of false teachers. Disputatiousness and contentiousness was the prominent characteristic of these false teachers, arguing poinits about the Law of Moses (1.10) and being unprofitable; being unprofitable stands in contrast to maintaining good works (Titus 3.8). Church discipline in Paul’s time is demonstrated here and is based upon Christ’s instructions of Matthew 18.15-10.
Creation—One
We’ll be endeavouring to craft an OT survey and develop that for lecture-purposes and to remain rooted. It necessarily must omit some sections and attempt to incorporate important themes.
The story is about God and His kingdom through the age. We are reminded of our Saviour in the desert, when all the force of demonic power in Satan’s person, assaulted His majesty, endeavouring to derail the Son of God from His purpose. The glory of God’s kingdom was under assault. Jesus responded with Mt.4.4: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceedeth from the mouth of God.[1] Every step, every thought, every motive, every deed, on Jesus’s view, was to be in conformity to every word from God. Hence, the assignment and duty to teach the Old and New Testaments...and to enter into the God’s Wordwidely as well as deeply.
Occasionally, I’ve had some tell me that when I lecture, I make the Word of God come alive. While delighted by that, the reality is that Word of God--itself--is sharper than a two-edged sword and has a power and vivacity within itself in conjunction with the Spirit’s persuasive and convicting power. It is more accurate to say that the Bible in and of itself is alive; my lectures are not, except insofar as the fire of God's Word impacts me and that becomes visible and audible. But that's derivitive and dependent vivacity.
Be that as it may, many if not most homes will have Bibles on the shelves. The Bible isn’t on a shelf as laziness would suggest. Well-read or not, believed or denied, the Bible is a piece of dynamite that regulates all of human history, irrespective of anyone’s views of it. It's authority is not indexed by the human response to it. Yet, given the Bible's character, we find a widespread illiteracy. We recently saw polls about substantial biblical illiteracy in Britain and, by extrapolation, we believe that to be true about our nation.
We discuss important doctrines like the inspiration and authority of Scriptures. We find tidbits of Scriptural quotations in many modern books at Barnes and Noble or Books-a-Million. The shelves are full of them. We watch and listen to TV-icons like Joel Osteen, Robert Schuler, Robert Tilton, Pat Robertson, Joyce Meyer, Bishop T.D. Jake, Paula White, and others, yet we venture to say that illiteracy informs their national constituencies. We find our children passing through educational institutions without serious survey-work in this book that Jesus said, Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
I speak not of specialized or graduate level training in theology or historical knowledge, e.g. the history of the Church. I speak about knowledge of the Bible and its basic contents for the average person in the pew.
Recently, we read a statement from the Dean of Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis, MO, a conservative, Confessional, Evangelical and serious Presbyterian Seminary. It is the offical seminary of the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA). It staffs some well-skilled Professors. In over twenty years of service as a Dean at Covenant, he made this observation. Twenty years ago, two thirds of entering seminarians passed the English Bible exam. Today, one third of entering seminarians can pass the test. These future pastors were, largely, the children and sons of faithful covenant families from the Bible-loving, conservative Presbyterian denomination. As we consider this, we will make efforts to secure more statistically solid reports. We saw another few polls citing that students, even regular church attenders, did not know the Ten Commandments. We can see heard that solid catechetizing work is being neglected.
The issue before us is NEGLECT of God's Word, not accessibility as was the issue during the Reformation when Rome kept a lid on God’s Word to the laity.
It is no good to have high and orthodox views of Scripture, but to not be regular students of the Word. Such a contradiction bespeaks and betrays unbelief rather than belief. Many, many in my experience have not read the Bible from cover to cover. They may have read Genesis and Exodus in their maiden journeys through reading, but then they come to the Book of Thud, Leviticus. Discouragement sets in and they quit. Many can’t get through the details—which are so foreign, yet so very rich. We come before the text of 39 canonical books for the whole scope of instruction.
Romans 15.4: For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.[2] It is a given in the New Testament that the Old Testament was given by divine inspiration for the benefit of Christian. This text gives an executive summary of St. Paul’s New Testament perspective on the Old Testament; it advances our preliminary point about the primacy and centrality of the Scriptures for family and church life…and the learning of the Scriptures in an age of biblical illiteracy and spiritual inauthenticity.
1 Corinthians 10:1-12: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our father were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well-pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things have became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do mot become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, `The People sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play’ Nor let us commit sexually immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the end of the ages has come. All Christians undergo baptism which stresses, seals, signifies and brings union with Christ for those who are Christ's; Paul uses this as a comparative tool to the ancient Israelite’s being baptized into Moses—a relationship with Moses. It is noteworthy that the Old Testament and New Testament saint at the “same food,” which was Christ. And as the Hebrews were under God’s Word—and served as examples—so are the Christians. Paul would have expected Christian to quarry and research the Old Testament for doctrine and instruction in godly living.
2 Timothy 3.14-17: But you must continue in the things which ou have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood that has known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Paul refers to the ministry of Timothy’s godly mother and grandmother—they reared him on the Old Testament. The custom for Jewish parents were to “instruct a child in the law when the child reached five years of age.[3] The presence of false teachers is noted in Timothy’s orbit[4] The effectiveness of instruction by parents is highlighted. This again gives us St. Paul’s view of the necessity, place, function and value of the Old Testament.
Under such commendations by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and His servant, St. Paul, we turn—we make an effort—at a broad survey. As we proceed, Lording willing, we will be recommending books and websites.
We seek to create “hooks” to “books” to “chapters to verses,” which can give the sense as the student take this Sovereign Book into his or her reading schedule. May we resolve here to light fires to know and use the Holy Scriptures.
[1] We will italicize the Biblical text when quoting it for simple contrast.
[2] We will be using the New King James Version.
[3] New Geneva Study Bible (Atlanta: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1995), 1921. Hereafter and throughout, referred to as the NGSB.
[4] 1Timothy 1.7: “…desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things whidch they affirm.” Titus 3.9: But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law: for they are unprofitable and useless. Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned. 3.9-11, Paul returns to the issue of false teachers. Disputatiousness and contentiousness was the prominent characteristic of these false teachers, arguing poinits about the Law of Moses (1.10) and being unprofitable; being unprofitable stands in contrast to maintaining good works (Titus 3.8). Church discipline in Paul’s time is demonstrated here and is based upon Christ’s instructions of Matthew 18.15-10.
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