IT SAID WHAT?

Why pastors tend at times to gray prematurely.....

It is sometimes easy to lose perspective - particularly when in the pursuit or promotion of one's own ideas and understanding. Hence the confusion frequently attendant that which some allege Scripture to affirm. For example:

We were once advised by a totally serious parishioner that Scripture sanctions the cohabitation of unwed couples so long as they eventually marry. In support of his assertion he then quoted from I Corinthians 7:28: "If you marry, you have not sinned." If ever need existed for demonstrating the perils of Scripture removed from context, this had to qualify as a prime example.

There is, of course, no end to distortions of this nature. Thus the persuasion of many during the height of the "wealth and prosperity" teaching that by "leaving one's house, wife, parents, children or farms for my sake and for the Gospel's sake" (Matt. 19:16-24; Mark 10:29,30; Luke 18:29,30) one became entitled to a hundred fold increase. Predictably, this phenomenal return was often avowed and emphasized in association with appeals for financial support in relation to various ministries and endeavors.

In focusing primarily upon financial or material remuneration, the fact that Jesus had included brothers, sisters, parents, wives and children in the resultant enlargement was typically ignored. While personally doubtful as to the interest of many in acquiring another hundred or more children (depending on the number left behind), we did at times tend to wonder as to the appeal an additional hundred wives might have held for some! Well, anyway.....

The whole of Jesus' pronouncement was in answer to that which had taken place immediately prior. Having dealt with a man so driven by materialistic concerns and ambition as to preclude his forsaking all to follow Christ, our Lord had subsequently observed, "How hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God."

At this point Peter drew Jesus' attention to the fact that, in contrast to the preceding individual, "We have left everything and followed you. What therefore shall we have?" It was then that Jesus addressed the theme of multiplied family and resources.

What was the meaning of Christ's pronouncement? Simply that a family relationship so exists within the community of faith that should one's commitment to Christ and divine cause cost him everything in terms of family relationships and temporal well being, he will be neither alone nor impoverished. As a member of the "family of God" (to quote the well known song), he will rather have gained that body's love, acceptance, concern and sense of familial identity - a hundred times over.

One final illustration in relation to context and intent: Lest our frequently exaggerated view of early Christian maturity and perceptiveness indicate a need for for at least minimal readjustment (the New Testament epistles should themselves clarify much at this point), we would here focus upon one prominent individual from the early Church era. The eminent scholar and theologian Origen became so taken with Jesus' metaphoric allusion to those having foregone marriage "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven" as having "made eunuchs of themselves" (Matt. 19:12), that he personally castrated himself.

Simply stated, context and underlying intent will explain many things in Scripture and in so doing contribute much to one's avoidance of confusion or, as Origen later came to recognize - at least with regard to his self inflicted mutilation - profound regret.

Burl Ratzsch

IT SAID WHAT?

It is sometimes interesting to consider the "insights" derivative one's taking of various biblical verses and/or statements out of context.

As children, we were often exhorted to learn our Sunday School "memory verses" and, indeed, were sometimes rewarded for so doing. At the same time, a certain downside exists in reducing Scripture to "sound bite" segments that can, and frequently do, lead to a perception of God's word in terms of isolated, disconnected pronouncements. A few examples - by no means limited to the younger set:

1. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Nocodemus' inability to grasp the full intent of Jesus and his ministry derived from the fact that God's kingdom ("reign") cannot be meaningfully comprehended ("seen") apart from one's having been spiritually reborn. The theme is not one's "going to heaven."

2. "Study to show yourself approved..." (II Tim. 2:15). This is not an injunction to read one's Bible (needful though that is), but centers rather on Paul's exhortation to Timothy that he so apply himself (original meaning of the word "study") in all aspects of life and service so as to gain God's approval and give witness to the validity of his ministry and calling. The subject is not necessarily, nor primarily, that of reading.

3. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). Reference here is to the apostle's ability to remain firm and resolute in all circumstances. God will provide the necessary resources for surviving that which, in accordance with divine will, Paul must endure. It is not the expression of a psychological, religiously oriented "self realization" wherein one becomes persuaded that "I can do, or become, whatever I desire."

4. "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Prov. 23:7). Focus here centers on the deceitful man who translates his thoughts into action. Despite pretentions to the contrary, his nature will ultimately carry through. In other words, "Be warned, be careful and be smart." It has no connection to "thinking one's way to success"

5. And finally...We recall the time one of our deacons, with no small degree of certitude, advise me that, so long as they eventually marry, there is nothing wrong with couples living together outside the bonds of matrimony. Scripture? Why, of course! No less a personage than the apostle Paul had himself stated that, "if you marry, you have not sinned" (I Cor. 7:28)!

Ever wonder why your pastor may have at times been tempted to become a used car salesman?

Burl Ratzsch