Lesson 5 Treaty

 Richter mentioned a chart of treaty in last week's video. I'm pretty sure that is in this week's lesson on pages 70 to 71.

• Through this Covenant relationship, through this treaty that Yahweh offers to Israel, Israel is given the Idea of national identity.

• They didn't have a national identity before, as they were a tribal outfit, an extended family.

• The thing that has forged them together is their common suffering, but at the foot of Mount Sinai by means of the Covenant document, Yahweh makes them a nation.

• God is suzerain,  Israel is the vassal. 

• God communicates the idea of monotheism. This is critical, the Israelites don't understand monotheism, and really it's going to take them a while to get this straight. The average citizen sitting in the pew isn't going to get it straight for a long long time, and that's evidenced by all sorts of material, culture, and archaeological evidence. We've still got statues to Ashra dropping into the average citizen's house in 8th century Judah, unfortunately.

• God uses a political form to communicate to this theologically challenged outfit what monotheism is all about, and how it works. “I'm the only one here, yes, you've been taught about other Gods, but I am your suzerain you either give your loyalty to me or there will colloquially speaking, be hell to pay."

Mega Huge Idea!!

This had so many lightbulbs going off in my brain! It was such a huge aha moment for me! The Old Testament is making sense to me more than ever before.

"Matthew 26: 27-28. It is Passover. Jesus and his 12 disciples have gathered to celebrate the ritual meal. Every Jew everywhere was required to gather and commemorate the miracles of The Exodus. To remember that great and terrible night when the blood of a spotless lamb marked, who would live and who would die, when the 10th plague." Passed over" the houses of the Israelites but struck down the first born of Egypt. It was during this" last supper" that Jesus instituted the communion meal. When he had taken a cup and given thanks, he gave it to them saying,' drank from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins." Do you hear the echo of Exodus 24? Moses said," this is the blood of the covenant"; Jesus said," this is my blood of the covenant." This echo is not coincidental, nor was it missed by its first century audience. Rather, on that Passover night, Jesus announced to his disciples that something greater than The Exodus was about to transpire. By means of oath and sacrifice. Another rabble of slaves was about to be transformed into God's covenant people. As Moses sprinkled the blood of the bulls upon the people of Israel in order to ratify the Sinai covenant, so Jesus distributed his own blood that night to ratify a New covenant. And this time the oaths were not sealed by." The blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer," but by the blood of God the son. Moreover, the slaves who were freed from their bondage by this New covenant were not delivered merely from Egypt, but from death itself. In this New covenant, the Lord of the cosmos has served as both suzerain and sacrifice."

The Epic of Eden by Sandra Richter

The Epic of Eden Lesson 4 The Concept of Covenant

Summary

• The biblical writers were theologians who consciously organized their material in a systematic fashion in order to communicate certain Central truths. We need to rediscover their system and allow their system to organize our closets.

• The covenant is a major structuring principle of our scriptures. A covenant was much like a contract 

• Fictive kinship Israel's patriarchal culture in which an individual's privileges and responsibilities within the bêt ’āb, the tribe and larger society were predetermined by their lineage, gender and birth order. This was how the ancients ordered their world.

• Establishing a relationship of privilege and responsibility with someone who was non-kin that person would have to make kin out of non-kin. This was accomplished by means of fictive kinship. Both parties agreed to act like family. (think marriage and adoption)

• Egypt and Mesopotamia were the superpowers who regularly sought for control of Canaan; Israel's territory (Canaan or Palestine) 

• In the days of the divided monarchy, this tiny strip of land housed, the Israelites, Judahhites, Philistines, Phoenicians, Moabites and a dozen other small tribal groups.

• Two sorts of international alliances: the Parity Treaty (made between equals) and the Suzerain/Vassal (treaty made between greater and lesser powers).

• Parity Treaty: responsibilities of both parties typically limited to military alliance against an outsider (covenant partner spoke of each other as brothers)

• Suzerain/Vassal Treaty: One party clearly more powerful than the other had right to demand submission of weaker Ally. (Partners spoke of each other as Father and son or Lord and servant) 

• Make a covenant ("cut a berit") with us (Joshua and the The Gibeonites).

• A berit always involved oaths, ratified by  of animals ("May what has happened to these animals happen to me if I fail to keep my oath")

• Genesis 15:9 Abram participating in a covenant with Yahweh: " oh Lord God, how may I know that I will possess the land?"  Genesis 15:8 Yahweh answers in a way that he knows Abram will understand - cow, goat, ram, dove, pigeon for sacrifice as when people cut a berit.

• Abram supernaturally induced sleep - A great darkness fell upon him (an appearance of the deity in physical form) What happened at Sinai when God descended upon the mountain in material form to communicate with his people. Genesis 15:18 God passed between the torn and bloodied parts of the sacrificed animals.  "May what has happened to these animals happened to me if I failed to keep my oath" 

• Abram didn't fail his promise, but the children of Abraham did. Whose flesh was torn to pay the price for this broken covenant? The God man, Jesus Christ, the representative of humanity and the embodiment of Yahweh whose flesh was torn to appease the broken stipulations of the oath taken.

• Covenants are the terminology associated with the international politics of the ancient near East, and the Bible is describing Israel's relationship to Yahweh in terms of a berit. Suzerain and Israel has become his vassal.

• Yahweh has become Israel's sovereign Lord and Israel His servant. Israel will demonstrate this three times a year, every year, when every male was required to appear before Yahweh with his tribute in hand. If Israel fails to obey the stipulations of the covenant, their sovereign Lord will surrender Israel to her enemies. But if Israel is faithful, Yahweh will defend her against all military and economic afflictions. In this manner, the nation of Israel will retain the land grant of the Great King.

• In sum, we see that the word covenant carries more semantic cargo than most Bible readers would ever guess and Yahweh, the great teacher, selected this well-known secular image in order to teach his chosen people about himself. So significant. Is this concept of covenant to the Bible that the biblical writers utilize it as a major structuring principle for both the history and theology of redemption. 

The Epic of Eden Lesson 3

The Bible in Real Time and Space

Richter acknowledges the complex geography in the Old Testament, but she clearly points out its importance. She suggests streamlining all the locations into three main areas: Mesopotamia, Israel, and Egypt, which is a great way to manage what's important and organize it all.

" We are organizing the story of redemption as the biblical writers have, around five major eras. Each of these five eras is associated with one key player (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and David) organize the plotline of the Old Testament. Three general areas (Mesopotamia, Israel and Egypt, set the stage."

Adam God offers Adam and Eve everything a human could desire. He installs these two, made in his image, as the stewards of his perfect world. But as we all know, humanity rejects God's plan, choosing autonomy instead and they are evicted from Eden. Thus Adam's world is birthed with all of its pain and chaos. So too is the story of redemption birthed. For with Adam's choice, God's plan of rescue begins.

Noah

The flood served as a period of history that divided the Adamic Age to the current one. Noah's chosen Shem was the salvation of our fallen race.

Abraham

Abraham is the offspring of Shem and the next step in God's redemptive plan. He is known as "the father of the Jews" because his descendants will become the nation of Israel. This is where we step into datable history. He brought his bêt āb to Canaan (which would later become Israel). His son Jacob took his bêt āb and followed Joseph into Egypt.

Moses

Moses the child of a Hebrew raised with Egyptian royalty. Driven from Egypt because of his loyalty to his own people. Moses leads God's people out of slavery and into a new life. When the sea parts, tens of thousands of the offspring of Abraham step into freedom. At Sinai this group is transformed into a nation and the journey to the Promised Land begins.

David

David was born into an era in which Israel has not yet evolved into a centralized government. This new nation is still governed through its tribal leaders. The people's first choice was Saul the Benjaminite who turns out to be a horrid disappointment. Yahweh removes him and appoints David, with whom the actual dynasty begins.

Space

Some basic geographical information will transform the way we read and understand the Old Testament. Remember, we are going to organize ourselves around three general regions: Mesopotamia (which housed the nations of Assyria and Babylonia), Israel (which is also known as Canaan and Palestine) and Egypt. All of these regions may be found in the Fertile Crescent. What made this region fertile was water. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers toward the east, the Jordan in the center and the Nile in the west transformed desert and stone into farmland and pasturage. This swath of habitable and arable land served as the backdrop to the peoples and narratives of the Old Testament.

Mesopotamia

• means "the land between the rivers"
• east of Fertile Crescent
• writing first developed here in c. 3200 BC
• cradle of civilization
• setting for Noah's flood
• biblical writers apparently understand it as the setting for the Tower of Babel
• Abraham leaves Ur in Mesopotamia to find the promised land

Canaan

• Canaan/Israel/Palestine
• served as the only land bridge between to Mesopotamia and Egypt
• Abraham spent most of his life in Canaan

Egypt

• after several generations Abraham's kin found their way to Egypt
• Joseph and his special coat
• for many years Joseph lived in Egypt as a slave, then prisoner and then a political advisor
• Jacob discovers Joseph is still alive, takes his kin to Egypt and stayed, eventually becoming slaves to Pharaoh.
• Moses leads the people out of Egypt to Mt. Sinai, then Moab
• sets up the reformation of the people of God
• Moses transferred leadership to Joshua and Israel began to make preparations for the conquest of the Promised Land

Canaan Revisited

• successful assault on Jericho (books of Judges and Joshua)
• Israel spent next several hundred years wrestling indigenous people for governing control in the land
• Under King David Israel Israel gains control of all the land promised to Abraham
• Under David's grandson, Rehoboam, fissure between northern and southern tribes develops and country torn apart by civil war
• divided kingdom 931 BC Israel in the north (various kings/dynasties), Judah in the south (Davidic dynasty) 1 and 2 Kings
• to avoid divided monarchy confusion see map below and remember that the temple and David's dynasty continue in the south in Jerusalem.

Mesopotamia Revisited

• northern and southern kingdoms eventually became victims of conquest and exile

• in 722 BC the Mesopotamian superpower, Assyria, captures Samaria (capital of northern kingdom) resulting in the 10 lost tribes of Israel never returning home again. 2 Kings 17
• 130 years later southern kingdom suffers same fate at the hands of Babylonia
• David's kingdom swept off into exile by Nebuchadnezzar II
• the remnant of the faithful in Babylonia did return
• 538 BC Jews released to go home rebuilt the community in and around Jerusalem and temple rebuilt. This is the era of the birth of the modern religion of Judaism

How is your closet coming?" 

The Epic of Eden A Christian Entry into the Old Testament. 2008

Chapter 2 The Bible as the Story of Redemption

As we open the Bible, we find that the God of history has chosen to reveal himself through a specific human culture. To be more accurate, he chose to reveal himself in several incarnations of the same culture. And, as the evolving cultural norms of Israel were not without flaw. (there was a mixture of the good, the bad and the ugly), God did not canonize Israel's culture. Rather, he simply used that culture as a vehicle through which to communicate the eternal truth of his character and his will for humanity. 

• He teaches us things in adversity. We don't learn any other way.
• Hosea  2:14-15 therefore, I'm going to allure her. I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her. There. I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the valley of acor a door of Hope. There she will respond as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. 
• God uses even our negative experiences to create opportunities to turn back to him. As you face problems and trials, remember that God speaks to you in the desert, and not just in times of prosperity.

Ruth and Boaz 

• Naomi marries Elimelech from Bethlehem
• A famine causes them to move to Moab 
• Naomi's husband and two sons die leaving her with no means of support 
• Naomi returns to Bethlehem, tells her daughter-in-law's to to stay.
• Ruth 1:11-13 we often hear Ruth's words quoted in marriage ceremonies, but these words are in reality plain spoken statements of tribal solidarity. Ruth is announcing that her tribal affiliation is with Naomi. Regardless of the patrilineal culture of their society, Ruth has chosen Naomi as her kin, and she's not leaving
• Ruth met Boaz  (clan of Emimelech) Ruth seduces him, he buys back the family land of her deceased husband, marries Ruth, and takes Naomi into his household.
• From this story, we learned that the tribal law of redemption had to do with a patriarch rescuing, a family member who, due to crippling life circumstances, had been lost to the kinship circle, to protect their legal rights. The law demanded that the patriarch protect the individual's legal rights and resolve her debts.
• This is another expression of redemption in Israel's world.

Lot and Abraham 

• Lot is Abraham's nephew 
• Abraham's bêt' āb split, and Lot went to Sodom 
• Kings from Mesopotamia invade the region and take lot and his household captive Adam, as as patriarch had responsibilities in this society, if a member of his lineage found himself in need of ransom or rescue, (Lot) that patriarch was expected to do something about it 
• Abraham puts his own household and his life on the line in order to rescue his brother's son. This is another expression of redemption

Gomer and Hosea

• Hosea was a prophet to the northern Kingdom of Israel commissioned by Yahweh to live his life as an ongoing visual aid of Yahweh's relationship with Israel 
• Yahweh instructs Hosea " take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry forsaking the Lord." Hosea 1:2 
• They marry and have three children. Gomer's life is transformed, and her world filled with good things
• The brokenness of Gomer's soul was not so easily fixed. She repeats the crimes of her past cheating on Hosea, who was unsure that he is the father of his children 
• Gomer is auctioned off at the city gate
• God tells Hosea to go and buy her back 
• Isaiah buys his wife for 15 shekels of silver and a Homer and a half of barley. This is redemption
• Allegory: Gomer is like Israel Hosea is like Yahweh the redeemer

From the book, The Epic of Eden: " Yahweh is presenting himself as the patriarch of the clan who has announced his intent to redeem his lost family members. Not only has he agreed to pay whatever Ransom is required, but he has sent the most cherished member of his household to accomplish his intent- his firstborn son. And not only is the firstborn coming to seek and save The Lost, but he is coming to share his inheritance with those who have squandered everything. They have been given. His goal? To restore the Lost family members to the bet' ab So that where he is, they may be also. This is why we speak of each other as brother and sister, why we know God as the Father, why we call ourselves the household of Faith. God is buying back his lost children by sending his eledest son, his heir, to 'give His life as a ransom for many' (Mt 20:28). so that we the alienated might be 'adopted as sons' and share forever in the inheritance of this 'firstborn of all creation"

Lesson One

 I recently read  some thoughts that Richard S. Hess shared about The Epic of Eden in the Denver Journal 25 (2022). https://denverjournal.denverseminary.edu/the-denver-journal-article/the-epic-of-eden-a-christian-entry-into-the-old-testament/ 

I really like his summary of the Richter's lessons. I've selected some of his thoughts on the introduction and Chapter One below. Summarizing what we have heard and read is key to remembering and learning it. I hope Dr. Hess' words and a few of my own (which are in blue), help you in learning what we listen to and read this week. 

“Introduction: The Dysfunctional Closet Syndrome?”  Everyone can identify with that closet where our things are in a mess.  It at once both draws in the reader with a relatable word picture and provides a clear connection with the third challenge of why the Old Testament is often unreachable for students.  There are too many disorganized facts and theories in this huge book.  The second reason is also easy to connect with.  The Old Testament seems too far removed in time and place.  'Christians have not been taught that the story of the Old Testament is their story.' " 

Chapter 1, 'The Bible as the Story of Redemption,' begins with the challenge of Jesus as the pale, white man in which he is often encountered."  

Richter teaches that Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture or ethnic group is superior to others. This often leads to  judging other cultures based on our own cultural standards. It's very easy for people in our time and culture to judge the people of the old testament  which was before 4,000 BC. That was so very long ago and the culture vastly, hugely different from ours. Talk about a generation gap!

"Richter seeks to present, with helpful illustrations, that ancient society.  She introduces the bayt ʾab “house of the father” as the extended family headed by the patriarch and as the basic unit of society.  This was led by the eldest male and would be passed on to the firstborn male. 

Richter shines with reflections on the role of a woman’s identity and on the matter of  the practice of marrying the widow of one's childless brother to maintain his line, as required by ancient Hebrew law."

New Study Beginning Sept. 18

Thursday Sept. 18 at 9:30 in room 119, same place and time:)

You can borrow a video study guide book, or if you'd like to keep it, you can purchase it. 

Last spring we talked about a study to connect or bridge the Old Testament to the New Testament. I looked for something to fit our needs and nothing seemed to be "it."  Rev. McClendon to the rescue!! Tim knew just what we needed. He said the author, Sandra Richter, is an expert on the Old Testament and a great writer. He was correct, this book is awesome. 

The author has a way of teaching the Old Testament that brings it to life. This study of the Old Testament leads us to a profound understanding of the New Testament and all that Scripture means for your life.

The author teaches quite a bit about the time, place cultures found in the Old Testament and how even though it seems so far away from our culture and time there is great meaning in the OT for us today. It's packed with maps and diagrams that really help readers understand what the author is trying to convey. I've been reading the book as well as the video study guide this summer and I've enjoyed Richter's teaching and learned so much!

The videos are watched after the weekly reading. Under the Schedule tab in this blog's menu bar, you'll find a schedule for this study. You may find it helpful to keep a notebook for jotting questions, answers or other notes as you read, view the videos, or share in the group discussion sessions. Depending on your current time commitments, and the depth to which you want to dive into this study, you can use some parts of the study guide or all of them. It is totally customizable to suit your needs. 

God Bless,

I'm Looking forward to seeing everyone! 

For Your Summer Soul

 

The Truth Project Lesson 3

 Anthropology: Who is Man?

Scripture in this lesson

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

Galatians 5:16-17

Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelations 20:15

 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

Romans 6:12

 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.  Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Colossians 3:5-10

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Hebrews 9:27

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.  For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

Romans 8:5-14

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

Romans 7:24-25

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—

Romans 5:12

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,
because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Revelations 5:9

So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;

1 Corinthians 15:42

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

Genesis 6:5

 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Romans 7:14-20

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 8:13

Dr. Tackett talks about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. All teachers had to learn this. It was on the NTE (National Teachers Exam) required to obtain Teaching Certificate, and it was also on the GRE (Graduate Records Examination) required to enter Graduate programs.

The Truth Project: Lesson 2 Philosophy and Ethics

 

According to contemporary culture, what you see is what you get. Nothing exists beyond the material universe. So the world is a closed box - a cosmic cube that embraces all of reality.

But when God is excluded, philosophy loses its universal reference point and cannot discover true reality. And without God, it makes so sense to talk about right and wrong.

Key Scriptures Mentioned in the Video

Mark 9:2

Romans 12:2

2 Corinthians 3:18

Colossians 2:8

2 Timothy 2:24-26

Themes

Philosophy, according to Dr. R.C. Sproul, is "a scientific quest to discover ultimate reality." This would seem to indicate that philosophical ideas about truth are closely aligned with the biblical definition given in Lesson 1: truth = reality. The 1828 edition of Websters Dictionary included the following affirmation: "true religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same principle." The definition also asserted that philosophy aims "to enlarge our understanding of God." God, of course, has been edited out of subsequent editions of the dictionary. This is consistent with the perspective of contemporary culture, which has been taken captive by the unfounded assumption that "the cosmos is all there is or ever was or ever will be" (Carl Sagan). Another way to say this is that current thought pictures reality as a closed box - a cosmic cube - in which there is no room for anything that cannot be sensually or materially perceived. The problem is that with the lid of the box closed and God excluded, philosophy is deprived of a universal reference point and thus crippled in its "scientific quest for ultimate reality." As a result, it cannot answer the most basic questions about right and wrong behavior.

Points to Watch For

Dr. Tackett persuasively argues that even the most outspoken adherents of "cosmic cube" thinking and relativistic ethics - thinkers like Carl Sagan and William Provine - cannot possibly live by their own reductionist and materialistic principles. On the other side of the coin, he suggests that many contemporary Christians have been unwittingly taken captive by the assumptions of our age ("conformed to this world"). He concludes the lesson by challenging students to think more aggressively about what it means to be "transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12:2).

Key Terms:

Assumptive Language

Powerful and deceptive use of words in which a seemingly simple statement is made, hoping the hearer will buy the simple statement without recognizing the huge assumptions that come with it. When one buys the simple statement, you buy its assumptions without knowing it.

Biblical worldview

A formal worldview based ultimately upon that nature, character, and being of God as it is expressed in His infallible Word and His creation. It becomes the foundation for a life system that governs every area of existence.

Capricious

Impulsive, unpredictable, characterized or subject to whim. Not guided by steady judgment, intent or purpose.

Carl Sagan

An American astronomer and proponent of scientific naturalism who promoted the Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI). Cosmos was the most watched television show on PBS of all time (more than 600 million people have seen it since it first aired in 1980), and his novel Contact was made into a film of the same name in 1997 staring Jodie Foster.

Cosmic Cube

The philosophy that has consciously or subconsciously captured our culture which says the material world is all that is, was, or ever will be; nothing exists outside of the box. This philosophical position has severely damaging implications.

Epistemology

the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of knowledge, its foundations, its presuppositions, and its extent and validity. How we know what we know.

Ethics

Formal worldview

A comprehensive set of truth claims that purports to paint a picture of reality.

Fundamental biblical presuppositions

God is and He has revealed Himself to us through His creation (general revelation) and through His Word (special revelation).

Hollow and deceptive philosophy

Philosophies that are based on human traditions and worldly principles that set themselves up against God's truth claims. See Colossians 2:8

Immanent

Present in and involved in the created universe. God is at work, actively involved with His creation, but separate from it. (see "Transcendent")

Metamorphoo

Greek for "transformation." Root of the word metamorphosis. This is the primary goal of The Truth Project: for individuals to be transformed into the likeness of Christ by gazing on the face of God. This process is not easy and we often struggle with God's Truth claims in the "cocoon." Metamorphoo is used in Romans 12:2Where it is usually translated as "transformed."

Metaphysics

the branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality, existence, and the relationship between mind and matter, time and space, fact and value.

Morality

The rightness or wrongness of conduct; that which is. Habits of life or the practices of an individual or culture.

Naturalism

Truth and reality are derived from nature and natural causes. Rejects all spiritual and supernatural explanations of the world and holds that science is the primary basis of what can be known.

Particulars

Individual truth claims'; the small details that describe "particular" objects.

Personal world view

The set of individual truth claims that you have embraced so deeply that you believe they reflect what is really real and therefore they drive what you think, how you act, and what you feel.

Philosophy

The love of wisdom. The systematic examination of basic concepts such as truth, existence, reality, freedom, etc. Webster's 1828 dictionary definition:"The objects of philosophy are to ascertain facts or truth, and the causes of things or their phenomena; to enlarge our views of God and his works..." True religion and true philosophy must ultimately arrive at the same principle.

Postmodernism

cluster of philosophies with the underlying assumption that no one worldview or belief system (metanarrative) can claim to be the truth, which often results in relativistic thinking and the use of language as a power play.

Pragmatic

more concerned with practical results than with principles or truth.

Primary doctrine

Theology and Anthropology. Who is God and who is man? These are the two basic foundations for a person's and a culture's worldview.

Reductionist

1. considering or presenting something complicated in a simple way, especially a way that is too simple

2. relating to the belief that complex living systems can be explained by the laws of physics and chemistry, or having this belief

Spiritual Naturalism

Truth and reality are derived from nature and natural causes. Accepts a spiritual dimension to this world, but adds spirit inside the Cosmic Cube and, as a result rejects and transcendent creator.

Transcendent

Existing outside, above and independent, of the material universe. God is transcendent, but also immanent.

Universals

Broad "universal" truth claims that provide meaning to the smaller "articular" questions life. "Universals" provide answers to the great philosophical questions we face.

Utilitarian

relating to or advocating the doctrine that value is measured in terms of usefulness, concerned with practicality.

William Provine

A professor of evolutionary biology at Cornell University who is an atheist and adamant opponent of intelligent design.

The Truth Project Lesson one: What is Truth?

Leader's Study Guide

The Truth Project series relies heavily on Scripture as the divine and authoritative Word of God.

According to the Barna Research Group, only 9 percent of born-again believers hold a biblical worldview. In essence, the church as a whole does not believe what it says it believes. Therefore, divorce rates mirror our culture, sexual addiction is on the rise in the church and a large portion of church-goers live a life devoid of purpose. We believe this curriculum , through God's transformational power, can assist in reintroducing the Body of Christ to a life lived with meaning, purpose and value which ultimately makes a difference in our modern world.

What this is about is the opportunity to be a part of what God is doin the lives of His people worldwide, leaving room for the Holy Spirit to work through this curriculum and begin to transform the minds and hearts of each person who participates in your small group.

This series is designed to take a participants on a guided worldview tour, following the points of the worldview compass, a tool designed to direct our thinking with regard to four fundamental issues: Truth, God, Man, and the Social Order.

Veritology: What is Truth?

The cosmic battle, Why was Jesus Born?

Truth as ultimate reality.

Gazing on the face of God.

 Key Terms

Antithesis: The complete or exact opposite of something. The truth claims of God in direct opposition to the lies of the world, the flesh and the devil.

Bifurcation:To divide or separate into two parts, to split or branch off into two parts.

Common Insanity: A sickness we all suffer from. We have bought into the lies of the world, the flesh, and the devil and therefore we live as if the lie is true, denying reality.

Compass Illustration: looking at life from a 360 degree perspective. A graphic means to illustrate that there is no area in life that God has not spoken.

Idol: a false source of salvation, sustenance, or power. Isaiah 44 equates an idol to a lie. These lies lead us into insane notions.

Jewels of the Cave: Specific topics or truth claims that are of particular interest.

Insanity: Losing touch with reality: believing the lie is real. Extreme foolishness or an act that demonstrates it.

Pathology: Any condition that is a departure or deviation from the true design. Dr. Tackett uses "pathology" to describe areas of distortion within the social spheres.

Pernicious Lie: The lie that man is basically good and that his greatest need is to self-actualize and get in tough with his inner desires.

Spheres: Social institutions or systems that we live and interact in (family, church, state, labor, community, and the intimate relationship between God and man). Each sphere has distinct organization.

Worldview: The overall perspective from which one sees and interprets the world. How Christians understand and apply the biblical revelation to the big questions of life.

Upcoming Study

 Our spring study, The Truth Project will begin on March 13. The Author, Dr. Del Tackett, has some interesting articles on his blog. https://www.deltackett.com/blog

The Truth Project is designed to help participants learn to integrate the biblical message with the big questions of life. To develop a biblical worldview and how to apply it to every aspect of life, instead of bringing a secular worldview to bear on the issues of the day.

Biblical foundations are laid for the various important spheres of life: law, politics, economics, history, science, the arts, sociology, education, and the media. All of these crucial areas are examined in terms of the biblical worldview, and participants are taught how to apply biblical principles to all these key fields.

Participants will learn how to organize and evaluate various opposing ideas that all claim to be the truth. But our ultimate goal is not simply to gain knowledge It is to "look upon the face of God" - and be transformed in the process.

Study Guides

Grace

 Dictionary definition of Grace: God's favor toward the unworthy or God's benevolence on the undeserving. 

Grace is free sovereign favor to the ill-deserving. BB Warfield 

Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues. John Stott

Grace is unconditional love toward a person who doesn't deserve it. Paul Zahl

Grace is God's best idea. His decision to ravage people by love to rescue passionately, and to restore justly - what rivals it? Of all his wondrous works, Grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus. Max lucado

Gracious, the Hebrew word channun, in its verb form, means to be considerate, to show favor. That God is gracious would mean that he is favorably inclined toward us. That He wants to show favor to us. and to do what is best for us.

The concept of grace is a fundamental and a vital concept that is central to Christian belief. Grace is often defined as the unmerited favor, kindness, and mercy of God. It is God's freely given, undeserved love and assistance to humanity, particularly in the context of salvation and forgiveness of sins.

Grace is most needed and best understood in the midst of sin, suffering, and brokenness. We live in a world of earning, deserving, and merit, which result in judgment. That is why everyone wants and needs grace. Judgment kills. Only grace makes us alive.

Grace is “mercy, not merit” it is the opposite of karma, which is about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve and not getting what you do deserve. Christianity teaches that what we deserve is death as the price of sin, which separates us from God, Who is life.

Christians live every day by the grace of God. Grace transforms our desires, motivations, and behavior. In fact, God’s grace grounds and empowers everything in the Christian life.

https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-grace.html

 

Prayer Journaling

Have you ever kept a prayer journal? while preparing a presentation at church, I've become an even more ardent supporter of prayer journals. Quiet time in prayer with God teaches you about Him and gives you the opportunity to practice listening to Him. Prayer is a deeply spiritual experience that needs time to grow and mature. Through prayer you learn to distinguish between thoughts that are yours and those that come from God. It's one of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us. Prayers can have a powerful impact on your spiritual life. However, there is something about writing down prayers that can make them feel more real or tangible. Prayer should not just a request line to God. We are dearly loved by God and He wants to spend time with us. That's why He created us, to be in fellowship with Him. By extending our prayer topics to things other than what we want, we are entering into fellowship with God.

A prayer Journal can take many forms, from a simple notebook to a more elaborate Journal with prompts and sections for different types of prayers. It's just up to you to decide what works best for your needs and preferences. Whatever format you choose, using your prayer journal to connect with God and document your spiritual journey is key.

Benefits of a Prayer Journal:

• Enhances & encourages a consistent prayer practice by making your prayer life more meaningful and intentional. This practice can lead to a stronger connection with God and a more fulfilling prayer experience.

• It increases focus during prayer. Writing down your thoughts and feelings helps you stay focused and engaged during prayer time, It encourages a consistent prayer practice by making journaling a part of your daily routine. You are more likely to stay committed to your prayer life.

• It offers clarity. Writing down your prayers and thoughts lets you see them more clearly and objectively. It also helps you organize your thoughts and identify the things weighing heavily on your mind so that as you write, you may also gain new insights or perspectives you might have missed had you not taken the time to reflect and document your thoughts.

• Allows reflection on God's blessings and the expression of gratitude to him. It allows reflection on God's blessing and the expression of gratitude to him. As you record the things you are grateful for, you will begin to see the hand of God at work in your life. Just as Thessalonians 5:18 says give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you.

• Helps you keep track of your spiritual progress and growth. It promotes self-reflection and allows you to reflect on past prayers, see how God has answered them, and recognize growth areas in your faith journey. This helps you identify areas where you have grown and where you need to focus your prayers more.

• Helps you overcome spiritual fatigue when you feel spiritually disconnected, journaling can be a powerful tool to help you process your thoughts and emotions. By reflecting on your relationship with God, you understand your walk with God and renew your faith. Keeping it prayer Journal can also be a helpful way to get out of your spiritual rut and find a new sense of purpose and meaning in your spiritual life.

The Discipline of Prayer

 A Couple Familar Things...

I recently read about the need to renew our minds on how to pray, how little time most Christians spend in prayer, and the reasons behind the lack of time spent in prayer.  After reading that some people feel that prayer is boring and that we just keep repeating ourselves, I realized that my prayer life needs a boost.

I remembered a method of prayer that Rev. McClendon taught it to us a few years ago in church. It involves praying with scripture! 

Turning the Word into prayer includes ACTS, adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, supplication. Using scripture in prayer ensures:

1. You'll never have to say the same ole' prayer about the same ole' things. Always fresh, always new.

2. God will respond, you can interact with God. He can say something and you can say something.

3. Your soul will be satisfied

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Oh Father, I want to thank you today that Jesus is my Shepherd. Thank you for the privilege of being one of your sheep. I pray that you will make me an obedient sheep. Oh God, make me a good shepherd of the the people that you have entrusted into my care. Prayer for other shepherds.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Father I pray today that you might enable me to be led beside quiet waters, may my soul rest in you, Lord, satisfy my soul with you.

He restoreth my soul:

Lord, I know that so often I am prone to wander. I feel prone to leave the God I love, oh Lord restore me.

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Keep me in the path walking righteously. Guide me along the path you would have me follow, not the path the world follows.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Lord, help me feel your presence daily as I walk in the world's shadows. Help me not to fear troubles I encounter.

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Jesus, you are my shepherd, please help me feel your love and comfort. I love you for providing comfort in this world of trouble.

Thou prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

My cup is not just full but runs over with joy at the prospect of what you have prepared for me in heaven

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Lord, as a believer, I know that you will guide and protect me here in earth and when I live in perfect goodness with you in heaven. I'm so thankful to have you with me on my journey through life.

What I've Been Reading:

https://www.valmariepaper.com/7-reasons-prayer-feels-boring/

https://www.toolsformentoring.com/resources/small-group-helps/prayer-ideas.php