2009 February Clothesline

Greetings to all on 10 FEB 2009

Word for the Day
Eschatology - literally, the study of last things.

Quote for the Day
The people don’t need words, their ears are worn down already by words; they need a listening ear.
From Edward Fudge quoting the message he received from a modern-day prophet.

Website for the Day
http://www.christianchronicle.org/ and check out the article on church growth in the Photo Gallery.

Thought for the Day
I’ve just finished reading Surprised by Hope by N. T. Wright. In this book, Wright explores an alternative view of a “new heavens and a new earth, where righteousness is at home.” [2PET 3.13] Most of us were raised to believe that this earth will be destroyed by fire and that our final salvation will result in our eternal living in an angel-like existence, where we will sit on the clouds and sing non-stop praises. Now, I don’t know about you, but that never really held much appeal for me - other than it’s superiority over the alternative! Maybe that’s one reason men have not been attracted to the American church; the reward offered only eons of sitting around with nothing constructive to do!

What if there was another eschatological viewpoint? What if instead of focusing on the prediction that this old orb will be destroyed by fire, we considered many other scriptures that indicate a new heaven and a new earth? That is what we will explore over the next few issues. I believe the implications of this view will change the way you live each day.

One passage that has always left me puzzled is Romans 8.18-25. How does the “creation wait with eager longing ... [to] be set free from its bondage to decay ...” [v.19-21] Be careful before you quickly dismiss this by saying that we humans are the creation. Paul continues with “and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” [v.23] Is it possible that the “whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now.”? [v.22] I would add that the creation, like us, continues to “groan inwardly as we wait for the adoption as sons.” The difference is that now we look forward with hope, not just blind hope, but one ensured by Jesus as the “first-born among many brethren,” [8.29] the “pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” [HEB 12.2]

The teaching of a new heaven and a new earth is not at all new. “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” [ISA 65.17] I would submit that John actually reinterpreted the phrase from Isaiah when he wrote Revelation 21.1, “for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away ...” I had never noticed that the first heaven would also pass away! The “holy city, new Jerusalem [was] coming down out of heaven ... and the dwelling of God is with men.” [REV 21.2-3] This is one of several verses that speaks of Jesus returning to earth.

Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you, and ... I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” [JOH 14.3] I believe this is the same John who later wrote that he saw a new heaven and a new earth coming down out of heaven. [REV 21] A contradiction? No, just additional insight. The one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” [REV 21.5] What if we will be the caretakers of this new world?
Next time, we’ll look at what Paul says about our new bodies.

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

2008 November

Greetings to all on 22 NOV 2008

Word for the Day
Funk - A depressed state of mind.

Quote for the Day
Gain all you can ... Save all you can ... Then give all you can.John Wesley, “The Use of Money” [sermon, 1744] Later adopted by Dave Ramsey [1]

Website for the Day
http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/4673.htm This is an interesting, and brief, article about Henri Nouwen. If you don’t know who he is, then you should.

Thought for the Day
The temple in first-century Jerusalem is often referred to as Herod’s temple. Herod the Great was responsible for many building projects including the rebuilding of the temple. Today, I’d like to point out one interesting feature of the Jerusalem temple. Did you know that the Court of the Gentiles was about twice as large as the inner court?

It seems that the Jews were looking forward to the day when people from all nations would be welcomed into God’s plan. We don’t normally think of Judaism as being evangelical, but, somehow, people were attracted to the tenants and lifestyle of the Jewish people. Cornelius is identified as a “God fearer” in Acts 10.2, 22. The phrase occurs several times in Acts, especially in chapter 13. It is my opinion that Lydia (ch. 16) and the Ethiopian Eunuch (ch. 8) were also God-fearers. Think about it; a eunuch could never have been a true proselyte and, therefore, it follows that he could never have entered into the temple proper. It appears that these people were friends of the Jews and adherents to Judaism at a level below being full proselytes. So, they would have been relegated to the Court of the Gentiles.

In Isaiah 56 we read, “Do not let the foreigner joined to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people,’ and do not let the eunuch say, ‘I am just a dry tree.’ For thus says the Lord: To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant ... And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord ... all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it ... these I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer ...Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.” [v.1 - 8]

Now I think I know why Luke included the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in the Acts of the apostles. It is an important piece of Luke’s message to ensure Theophilus that the gospel is for the non-Jew as well as the Jew. And you might remember that the eunuch was reading from Isaiah 53; perhaps Philip led him through chapter 56 also. Luke again relies upon Isaiah (49.6), “I have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.” [ACT 13.47]

Ray Vander Laan asks, “What if we made a part of our buildings just for the unchurched - and made it twice as large as our own sanctuary?” You already know I’m not a proponent of getting people “to the building,” however, the principle is undeniable. Are we preparing a place for welcoming the foreigner, the stranger? Are we expecting God to break into our world and offer salvation to the stranger and the alien just as he promised thousands of years ago?

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

P.S. You might have noticed there was no October issue. I’ve not run out of ideas yet, but do have less time with my new job and have been in kind of a funk lately. I’m doing much better now and my intention is to continue in 2009 on a quarterly basis. Thanks for the support over the past several years.

1. Christianity Today, Reflections on Thrift, September 2008, Vol.52, Number 11, p.67

2008 September

Greetings to all on 11 SEP 2008

Word for the Day
Teleos - At its most simple, it means arriving at a goal, but it hints at maturity, completeness, even perfection. It encompasses a sense of arriving at an inescapable conclusion, an uttermost limit. [1]

Quote for the Day
He meant what he said. Those who put themselves in His hands will become perfect, as He is perfect - perfect in love, wisdom, joy, beauty, and immortality. The change will not be completed in this life, for death is an important part of the treatment. How far the change will have gone before death in any particular Christian is uncertain. [2]

Website for the Day
www.tokensshow.com
This is Lee Camp’s website.

Thought for the Day
In Matthew’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, there is a puzzling verse that calls for us to “be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” [MAT 5.48] In my upbringing, this verse was typically explained away by saying that the word perfect (teleos) meant complete or mature. While that is true, I always wondered if we conveniently explained away too much of what this verse said. This month, we’ll look at two authors’ perspective on accepting a more life-changing interpretation of this verse.

Ray Vander Laan’s teaching has led me to conclude that Jesus led his life as a model for us. While we would all readily accept that concept; most of us have stopped far short of actually acting on the belief that we can be like Jesus. Paul said in Philippians 2.5-8 that, “Jesus did not take equality with God as a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” RVL says that if we take those words at face value, then everything Jesus did on earth, he did as a fully human being.

Now, of course, the Ruach HaKodesh counseled and comforted Jesus. But, as we saw last month, that same spirit also dwells in us. What if Jesus’ ability to read the hearts of others was because he was such an ardent student of human nature? What if his ability to say the right words was because he was so tuned in to the feelings of others? What if his source of inner strength was not supernatural but came from his close relationship through prayer with his Father? What if the reason we can’t do some of these things is because we have convinced ourselves that we can’t? And we can’t - based on our own power.

Think of it this way. Do you believe that there were instances where Jesus knew that (as a human) he could not face the task or trial of the moment? Did he, in those cases, reach back and grasp some of that “equality with God?” He either did or he did not. Your answer makes all the difference in how you view Jesus’ life on earth. I was brought up to believe that Jesus was 100% human and 100% divine. I guess as an old math teacher, that never did add up. Neither does it square with the passage in Philippians. Now I believe that he showed us the ideal - as a human who could lead a pure life. He expects us to do the same.

These thoughts originated years ago when I read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Hopefully, you read the quote at the top; here’s the paragraph just before that one.

“The command Be ye perfect is not idealistic gas. nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said that we were “gods” and He is going to make good His words. If we let Him - for we can prevent Him, if we choose - He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or goddess, dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly His own boundless power and delight and goodness.” [3]

My favorite phrase is “idealistic gas;” try working that into the conversation sometime! Lewis begins this section with one of my favorite illustrations, which he admits borrowing from George MacDonald.

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” [4]

Now that’s the perfect dream house!

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

1. found on www.teleos.net

2. C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Macmillan Publ.Co., New York NY, 1979, p.175

3. ibid., p. 174

4. ibid.

2008 August

Greetings to all on 10 AUG 2008

Word for the Day
agora - Literally, open space, commonly used for the marketplace. Agoraphobia is a fear of open places, such as a shopping mall.

Quote for the Day
It's not what I don't know about the Bible that scares me. It's what I do know. Mark Twain

Website for the Day
www.patrickmead.net
Patrick is a minister with the Rochester COC near Detroit MI. Check it out; he’s not your typical preacher.

Thought for the Day
Last month, we introduced a historical-critical look at the Gospel of John and left you with the question of why only John develops a theology of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). As second-generation Christians, John’s audience would not have witnessed the seminal events of 50 years earlier. Perhaps they knew that the gift of the Holy Spirit was for all generations, but the apostolic age had come to a close and they may have felt like second-rate Christians. The faith of these Christians came from hearing the stories from parents and others and, perhaps, someone who had been taught by an apostle. John said “blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe.” [JOH 20.29] Now I see that this was written to his immediate audience, not just for the future.

The germ of this idea came from a message I heard earlier this year. [1] I always knew some of the trademarks of John as the non-synoptic gospel, but it had never dawned on me to explore why only John had such a lengthy discussion of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). In fact, Matthew, Mark and Luke make almost no mention of the coming counselor. [2]

John begins in chapter 14.16 to comfort the disciples by explaining the advent of the Holy Spirit. If we accept the historical setting posited in last month’s issue, then the recipients of John’s message were subject to economic hardship, at the minimum, and potentially life threatening persecution. Entering the market place (agora) required vowing allegiance to Caesar, thereby recognizing him as a god. When a Pharisee handed Jesus a coin and asked if they should pay taxes, his answer was more than just, “Yes, you should pay your taxes.” [MAT 22.18-22] “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and unto God what is God’s” is really saying that Caesar is not a god. Think about it. [3] If you were shut out from the agora, then you were economically disenfranchised. And, failure to honor Caesar as a god could result in death. Some traditions record that Philip (the evangelist) was executed because he refused to walk through the city gate, which was an implicit acknowledgment of Caesar’s divinity. Philip was forced to watch the execution of all his daughters before he was crucified. The daughters all urged their father to not renounce his faith. [4]

John continues to develop a theology of the Ruach HaKodesh through the next couple of chapters. His audience needs to be comforted with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is with them and within them just as surely as it was with those first Christians. The counselor will lead us to truth [14.26], comfort us in affliction [16.22-24], and guide our path [15.26-27].

For at least a century, many fellowships have denied the Holy Spirit’s power in their lives. Like John’s flock, we need to be assured that we are not left alone. Essentially, we are all second-generation Christians, which means that the Gospel of John is for us too!

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

1. Randy Harris, How to Stay Sane when Everybody Else is Crazy, message presented at the Tulsa ISSW, 26 March 2008

2. See MAT 3.11 and LUK 11.13; 24.49 for a mention of the Holy Spirit but with no elaboration. Let me know if you find other references.

3. This also fits with one of John’s themes, ie. Jesus is God incarnate.

4. Ray Vander Laan, When the Rabbi Says, That the World May Know, 56 W 8th St. Ste. 250, Holland MI 49423, 2004

2008 July

Greetings to all on 10 JUL 2008

Word for the Day
Historical-critical scholarship
The attempt to locate the meaning of a text in its literary and historical context. [1]

Quote for the Day
One reason we do not understand each other ... is that our words mean different things to us. [2]

Website for the Day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ
Watch this poignant video from Hillside Community Church.

Thought for the Day
The Gospel of John is one of my favorite letters, so over the next couple of months, we’ll consider some texts from John. I concur with the scholars who place this gospel around 85 - 90 C.E. Therefore, John would have been written to second generation Christians and was probably written from Ephesus to the church in Asia Minor. If Revelation was written in reference to Rome rather than the destruction of Jerusalem (70 C.E.), then John penned both letters within just a few years of each other and to the same audience.

Here’s a trivia tidbit. According to most traditions, John was the youngest apostle [MAR 14.51] and the only one to live a long life and die a natural death. If John was only 15 when Jesus was crucified, then he would have been 70 in 88 C.E. [3] Very few people lived to age 70 in the first century.

The text for today is John 15. You will remember this analogy about the vine and the branches. Those of you who grew up in my tribe (fellowship) were repeatedly subjected to a misapplication of this illustration as we used it to beat up on our “denominational friends.” It was also used to scare our own people with the fear of being “cut off” and thrown into the fire if one was not a soul winner.

The word for “cut off” is airo (Greek) and may be translated as lift up or carry away. In Mark 8.34, it is translated as “take up” his cross and in John 11.41 as “lifted up” his eyes in prayer. Ray Vander Laan tells the story of a vine dresser that he met on one of his tours in the Near East. [4] Instead of training the vines to grow along wires, the vines just run along the ground. If the fruit is left touching the soil, it will spoil. To prevent this, the vine dresser props up (airo) that part of the vine with small y-shaped twigs. The fruit can then mature into succulent grapes.

God is the vine dresser and will prop us up when we are at risk of being ruined. David spoke of the Lord lifting him up from the miry clay and putting a new song in his mouth. [PSA 40.1-3] We can grow to maturity, like the grape cluster, with the support of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Now, he could do this directly, and sometimes does, but I believe you’ll often find that he acts through the sister or brother who speaks a word of correction or encouragement to us.

Do you see how this transforms a “God is out to get you” story into a “God loves you” story? Truly, he is the lifter of my soul.

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

Next month, we’ll look at John’s development of a theology of the Holy Spirit. Why is it found only in John’s gospel? Hint: the answer is in what you just read.

1. Carroll Osburn, Women In The Church, ACU Press, 2001, p.xvii

2. John G. Stackhouse, Jr., Making The Best Of It, Oxford University Press, New York NY, 2008, p.28 Stackhouse is actually quoting a remark from Richard Niebuhr directed toward his brother Reinhold.

3. Ray Vander Laan, www.followtherabbi.com, RVL makes a good case that all the disciples (the 12) were between the age of 12-15, with the exception of Peter who was at least 19.

4. Ray Vander Laan, When the Rabbi Says, That The World May Know, Holland MI, 2004

2008 MAY

Greetings to all on 8 May 2008

Word for the Day
Get - Hebrew for certificate of divorce. You are hereby permitted to marry again.

Quote for the Day
We depend on plans, programs, vision statements - but somewhere along the way we have succumbed to the temptation to displace the foolishness of the cross with the wisdom of strategic planning.
D. A. Carson

Website for the Day
http://www.walk-this-way.com/
Visit this site to read some good articles.

Thought for the Day
Last month we considered the possibility of contradictions being an avenue for spiritual growth. It’s such a different mind set to even admit to that possibility rather than default into fabricating an explanation.

This month I will share a final example. [1] In Deuteronomy 24.1-4 we read about the laws for marriage and divorce. If you’re not familiar with this passage, go back and read it sometime. Keep in mind that only recently (in some countries) have women gained equal legal status. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, a woman must have permission from a male relative before she can see a doctor. So, when we read the laws in the Tanakh, they are all male oriented. Actually, the Mosaical Law was very progressive in granting women the right to be free from a husband who divorced her. In some cultures, the man could return years later and demand her back. (This was one of David’s early sins; remember that story?)

Under the Mosaical Law, the divorced woman had a certificate (get) which proved that she was released from the previous marriage and, therefore, free to remarry. The “why” of her divorce was of no consequence and the husband could not take back the divorced wife. She was considered to be polluted from the ex-husband’s perspective. So when Jesus addressed the audience on the mount, they already knew that anyone could remarry. But, I digress; that’s a topic for a future article!

Now let’s go to Jeremiah 3.1- 10. Here we find ADONAI, speaking through his prophet, lamenting the behavior of his children. They have committed adultery with reckless abandon. To use an old phrase, they have “gone a-whoring.” As we continue to read through chapter three, notice that ADONAI says he will take them back. In case you were thinking that this was just a legal separation, notice in verse 8 that “I had sent her away and given her a divorce document.” Wait a minute, didn’t the Law forbid the husband from taking back the “sent away” wife? Can ADONAI break his own law?

Perhaps the greatest contradiction of all is Jesus hanging on the execution stake. The Law says, “... a hanged man is accursed by God.” [DEU 21.23] Paul reflects on this when he says that “Christ ... became a curse for us.” [GAL 3.13] Apparently, love trumps law.

Remember when you were first in love? We probably all did some things we had sworn we would never do. I had a fear of heights and was sure that I would never fly. Just as my luck would have it, the only way to get to my wedding was to fly. Yes, I got on the plane.

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

There is no June issue; see you in July.

1. Based on a message by Tod Vogt at Christ Journey church, Burleson TX , 6 APR 2008

2008 April

Greetings to all on 10 APR 2008

Word for the Day
sha’ashu’ai - Hebrew for plaything. “If your Torah had not been my plaything, I should have perished in my affliction.” [PSA 119.92] [1]

Quote for the Day
Ultimately, from a Jewish perspective, it may be more important to be in conversation with each other and get it “wrong” than to get it “right” but have the conversation stop. [2]

Website for the Day
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/This is a nice and simple website for all things Jewish.

Thought for the Day
Many of you grew up “in the church” just like me. So you probably remember all the sermons about the harmony of the scriptures. Preachers would painstakingly explain how every passage on a topic agreed with all the related verses. Looking back, we now realize that some of those explanations were, at best, strained and perhaps outright fabrications. Not in the sense of malicious intent, but good people just doing the best they could with the available scholarship. I pray that our kids will also be able to extend mercy as they look back on some of our misguided theology.

As far back as St. Augustine, people have written books that show the harmony of the gospels. These writings set out to bolster the argument that no contradiction can be found in the canon. Now we are realizing that each gospel was written to a community of believers at a certain time and place. Each author selected and presented stories to connect with his particular audience. Most scholars concur that Matthew was written for a Jewish audience, Mark to the Romans and John to Asia Minor. Matthew lists two demoniacs. [MAT 8.28] Mark tells of one named Legion. [MAR 5.8] Matthew and Luke give a genealogy; Mark and John do not. John records no exorcisms and most of the miracles are unique to this letter.

Each author gives a different perspective on the crucifixion and resurrection. Here is a "disharmony" that comes from Jesus last days on earth. Matthew and Mark both have Jesus and the disciples returning to Galilee just before his ascension. [MAT 28.10-16 & MAR 16.7] Now read Luke’s account and notice that he has everyone remaining in Jerusalem. [LUK 24.13-50, esp. vv. 13,35,50] I must say that I’ve never heard a preacher try to harmonize all those verses! Either they weren’t aware of the difference or they were completely baffled by this contradiction.

Ten years ago I might have been deeply disturbed by such a discovery. But since I have been looking at the Word from a Jewish perspective, I’ve learned that “contradictions” are to be expected. In fact, they serve the purpose of forcing us to wrestle with the text (or with God?). Should I be surprised at this? No, for my own soul is full of contradictions. I cannot be harmonized! For I know that there is nothing good housed inside me - that is, inside my old nature. I can want what is good, but I can’t do it! [ROM 7.18 CJB] Read all that chapter and you will see that even Paul battled deep-seated contradictions.

I’m here to tell you that this is not bad news, but good news. We can approach God despite our own convoluted souls and ply him with questions. But beware, he will do the same in return. This mutual tilling of the soil breaks up the hard compacted clumps and returns the leftovers from the harvest back into the soil to enrich it for next year’s crop.

May God Bless
Mike Toole
Lori Moores, ed.

1. Judith Kunst, The Burning Word, Paraclete Press, Brewster MA, 2006, p.63

2. ibid. p.47