Winter Quarter 2018-19 Volume 37 Number 1 Gospel Herald and The Sunday School Times

NONDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIAN QUARTERLY

CONTENTS

FEATURE ARTICLES DEPARTMENTS 4 Singing “Christmas” by Brian D. Doud 3 From the Editor’s Desk by Don Ruff 6 The Man Behind Handel’s Messiah by 3 Our Doctrinal Statement James Parry 8 Christian Psychology by A. Koshy 12 Shechem: Archaeological Discovery Muthalaly from Abraham to Abimelech by Larry V. 9 What’s in a Word? by Darrell W. Mckay Crutchfield 15 Bible Bookmark by Martin Dahlquist 19 Training to Failure: Spiritual Strength by 20 Missions by Jed N. Snyder Anastasia Wilson 22 Counseling Corner by David W. Wilcox 22 Book Reviews by Robert P. Lightner WORD OF LIFE 23 Timely Tips for Working with Teens by 10 Sermon: Jesus: Forgiver of Sins by J. James P. Eckman A. Littler 24 Noah’s Ark by Kelly Hawver 14 Biblical Snapshots of People Who 25 Wit and Wisdom by Donna Poole Prayed by Phil Stamm 25 Quote-ables by Donna Poole 26 Dad’s Den by Philip J. Lesko TESTIMONIES OF FAITH 27 One Mother to Another by Paulette 16 Walking the Walk by C. Ramsey LeBlanc 18 The Children’s Friend: Jesse Overholtzer 28 Christian Education by John G. Crowder by James O. Baker 30 The Pastor’s Study by Reed Waggoner

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2 From the Editor’s Desk

Hark! This Herald’s About Christmas Music Our BY DON RUFF Doctrinal Statement

1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are verbally inspired by God, are inerrant in the original writings, are the Word of God, and the final authority in faith and conduct.

2. We believe in one God, the Creator of man and all things, eternally existing in three Persons in a three - fold relationship, that of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. W e believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and is God incar - nate, the God-Man.

4. We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is sepa - ration from God; that Adam’s sin is imputed to the whole race of mankind; that all human beings are born with a sinful nature; and that when they reach the state of moral responsibility become sinners before God in thought, word, and deed.

5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins ac cording to the Scriptures as a substitutionary sacrifice, and that all who believe on Him are freely jus - tified before God and stand before Him accepted in the character and merit of Jesus Christ.

6. W e believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, in His ascension into heaven, and that in His present glorified body He is the Head of the church, the Lord of the individual believer, the High Priest over the house of God, and the Advocate in the family of God.

7. We believe in the personal, imminent, pretribula - VERY Christmas season, millions teach us about His majesty, holiness, tional, and premillennial second coming of Christ; first to receive His own to Himself, and later to set up His E of people gather around the mercy, and love (and so much earthly kingdom and to reign over redeemed Israel and world at churches, in homes, and in more). all nations; that is, to bring peace and blessing to the the public square to sing the hymns God’s Word consistently supports whole world. and carols of Christmas. So many of the use of music in worship. Believers 8. We believe that all who by faith receive the Lord are instructed to “let the word of Jesus Christ as Saviour are born again of the Holy the hymns are beautiful and full of Spirit and Word of God, receive the Holy Spirit and a wonderful theology and Christology. Christ dwell in [us] richly in all wis - new nature, and also are baptized by the Holy Spirit Some of the songs we hear are dom; teaching and admonishing one into the body of Christ. catchy and whimsical, but absent of another in psalms and hymns and 9. We believe that God is the spiritual Father of only spiritual songs, singing with grace in those who trust His Son, Jesus Christ, as Saviour, and anything about Christ and His mis - that only those saved through faith in Christ are spiri - sion (despite that, many are still fun [our] hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16). tual brothers. to sing). Further, when we gather together we 10. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just Part of the focus of this issue of the should speak “in psalms and hymns and the unjust; the everlasting blessedness of the GOSPEL HERALD AND THE SUNDAY and spiritual songs, singing and mak - saved and the everlasting punishment of the unsaved. SCHOOL TIMES is on the music of ing melody in [our] heart to the Lord” —Union Gospel Press Division Christmas. Music is such an integral (Eph. 5:19). part of every culture throughout the Christmas is a perfect time of the world. year to fulfill those instructions from In the Bible, from beginning to end, God’s Word. “Sing we now of Christ - there are many references to music. mas ,/ Noel sing we here !/ Hear our The longest book of the Bible is the grateful praises/to the babe so book of Psalms (Songs). Music is dear ./ Sing we Noel, the King is born, God’s gift to mankind. Hymns and Noel !/ Sing we now of Christmas, sing songs of the faith bring Him glory and we now Noel!” H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 3 Singing “Christmas” BY BRIAN D. D OUD

HRISTIANITY has been called every word” sticks in my mind. With all the “law of the jungle,” “might makes C “the singing religion.” We who the distractions in our lives today, all right,” and all the ugliness of people op - believe in the Lord Jesus sing our way the contradictions to His Godhood pressing and taking advantage of each through the year with psalms, hymns, and His glory, all the commercial inter - other. Our Creator loves us and has and songs every week. We have songs ests attached to the season, it is won - arranged for good things to be ours for special occasions such as Christ - derful to have “every word” about the both now and in a perfect heaven with mas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Mother’s Lord Himself and His entrance into our Him later. His creation is wise and com - Day, Father’s Day, and patriotic days. troubled world to save us from it writ - plete. His purposes for His creation are But no time of the year is more song- ten on our hearts. eternal, and we are blessed in the filled for Christians than Christmas. When people look at all the prob - meantime. How wonderful that we be - From my earliest childhood memo - lems in the world and say, “Why long to our Creator! He is our “God for ries, I have loved the songs of that sea - doesn’t God do something?” we can ever and ever” (Ps. 48:14). son. Today, I love and remember those confidently say, “He has done some - songs from the perspective of a life - thing!” He became one of us to res - O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM time of devotion to the Lord and His cue us from everything that is sinful, Of course, it is not that the town of faithfulness to me. He has answered harmful, and negative in our experi - Bethlehem was important in and of it - prayer and arranged the circum - ence and to give us the living hope of self (and there was another town of the stances of my life in countless mirac - sins forgiven and a life forever with same name back then), but it was its ulous and encouraging ways. Much of Him in heaven. relationship to our Lord that made it what He has come to mean to me is significant. The Prophet Micah fore - embodied in the songs of Christmas. DOWN FROM HIS GLORY told that Jesus’ birth would happen in For fifty-seven years, my family and My next favorite Christmas tune Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). The record of I have sung the songs of Christmas, would be the song “Down from His God’s fulfillment of that prophecy is read the Christmas story from the Glory” (Booth-Clibborn). My wife, found in Luke 2:1-6. Fulfilled prophe - Bible, and prayed together to mark the Ruth, and I sang it as a duet during our cy is a sure sign that we can trust the occasion of the Lord Jesus’ birth and Christmas Eve services. The song ex - promises of God. When we sing, “The to thank our Heavenly Father for the presses something of the same hopes and fears of all the year s/ are miraculous gift of His Son. thought as “Tell Me the Story of Je - met in thee tonight” (Phillips Brooks), sus,” but adds, “The great Creator be - we can rejoice in that fact. TELL ME THE STORY OF JESUS came my Savior ,/ And all God’s full - Singing this hymn always brings me One of my fondest memories is from ness dwelleth in Him.” With all the great hope that the same God who my many years as a pastor, when I attacks on God’s identity as the Cre - was at work in the conception and played “Tell Me the Story of Jesus” ator of all by the claims of so-called birth of the Lord Jesus was at work in (Crosby) on the violin to begin our can - scientists, it is so refreshing to re - His crucifixion and resurrection. God dlelight Christmas Eve service. The member that God is our Creator. Our will also be at work in His return to service included much participation Creator gives us a reason to exist. earth to set up His millennial kingdom. from the congregation. They did Scrip - Those who deny God’s existence Our hopes and fears were being an - ture readings and shared testimonies want no one to whom they must an - swered in His birth in the little town of of what the Lord meant to them and swer, but without the Lord, there is no Bethlehem. Once He was born, the their families. one who really loves us without reser - salvation of mankind began to unfold. In the hymn “Tell Me the Story of Je - vation. Without our sovereign God, His wonderful, sinless, and miraculous sus,” the phrase “write on my heart there would be no right or wrong; only life on earth had begun in Bethlehem! 4 HARK! THE HERALD ANGELS SING stars (and possibly contact with Jewish attempt to legitimatize their reign. They I learned from a young boy in my Sun - exiles) that a king had been born to the do not rule with truth but with lies and day school class in Munising, Michigan, Jews (cf. Num. 24:17; Mic. 5:2-5). All falsehoods. However, we can look for - that angels do not sing; at least, they are this is recorded in Matthew 2:1–12. ward to the day when the Lord Jesus not mentioned in Scripture as singing, They may not have been believers at all, will rule the earth truthfully and gra - but “saying” (Luke 2:13). We could but they felt that it was important to go ciously. All the frustrations of the com - speculate that angels speaking with and worship this special king. It is ap - mon person with unjust, manipulative, great joy over the Saviour’s birth would parent that God had given them this and corrupt rulers will be subject to the be so beautiful that it would sound like special knowledge and wisdom (cf. Isa. Lord Jesus’ rule. Our futures are not de - singing. All creation is said to sing the 60:2-6). He continued to speak to them pendent on what human rulers do and praises of God (Ps. 19:1; 66:4), but it when He warned them to avoid King think but on the Lord’s love, truth, and seems to be redeemed people who Herod and return to their home country graciousness. have the most joy in their hearts and by “another way” (Matt. 2:12). thus sing for joy to the Lord. Many of the The wise men worshipped the Lord THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE songs of unsaved mankind are sorrow - Jesus, presenting to Him gifts meant This song mentions key points of the ful and gloomy, but the Lord gives us a for a king. The gift of gold signified His story of Jesus coming to earth, His sac - new song to sing. Many of the most joy - kingship and His reign over all the rificial death for us, and His imminent re - ful songs are Christmas songs. earth. The gift of frankincense speaks turn to take us home. It includes the in - The phrase from “Hark! The Herald of His deity and the worship due Him. vitation to come to Him since there is yet Angels Sing” (Wesley) that still bless - The myrrh they gave Him related to His room at His side for us. My favorite es me yet today is “Born to raise the life of sorrow, suffering, and death. phrase from this song (lyrics by Emily El - sons of earth ;/ Born to give them sec - They were overjoyed at seeing Him liot) is the reply to this invitation, “O ond birth.” I am born again into God’s and then began another long journey come to my heart, Lord Jesus ,/ There is home. My “take away” from this song family, raised to life as a child of God room in my heart for Thee.” The good (words by John Henry Hopkins) is that if because of His birth. news is that I can respond in faith to His these wise men who may not have even invitation and welcome Him in faith into been believers felt this way about the I HEARD THE BELLS ON my heart. How blessed that I do not Lord Jesus, certainly I, as a believer who CHRISTMAS DAY have to earn salvation or merit His favor has been saved by this marvelous King, but can simply receive Him and all that We hear melodies played on bells must rejoice in Him and bring Him my He chooses to give me of Himself and and enjoy the tunes they play. This par - devotion and all that He impresses on His salvation. ticular tune contains the words “God is me to give of myself. How striking that not dead, nor doth He sleep ;/The God would reveal so much to these WHEN HE SHALL COME wrong shall fail, the right prevail ,/With wise men and allow them to confirm peace on earth, good will to men.” what we know from Scripture about the This may seem like a strange choice This carol has sad lyrics but a hope - Lord Jesus. These men went to a lot of to put in with Christmas songs, but ful end. It is based on the poem “Christ - trouble and expense and faced the haz - one of the end results of the Lord Je - mas Bells” by poet Henry Wadsworth ards of travel in those days. They are sus’ coming to earth as one of us will Longfellow, written in 1863. The author great examples of faith with the little be the time when He comes again. It writes of despair and hope upon hear - they knew about Him and their resultant was prophesied that He would come ing church bells ringing on Christmas action on His behalf. With what I have the first time, and He did! And not only morning. They affirm renewed hope learned from the Scriptures, I must wor - was it prophesied by others that He and peace for him. What a great en - ship and adore Him. This is most cer - will come again, we also have the couragement it is to know this glorious tainly the course of wisdom for me. promise of the resurrected Christ truth in today’s troubled and often Himself that He will come again! In my chaotic world! It so often seems that JOY TO THE WORLD heart, these two comings are closely wrong is in control and prospering while The joy that we have in the coming of linked. We who love Him love His sec - truth and right are relegated to the the Lord Jesus is for the whole world! ond appearing and long for it. wastebin of the impractical or irrele - Without the coming of the Lord Jesus, The unsaved people of the world vant. This song reminds me that God’s there would be very little joy in the world may say they believe in the Lord Je - plans to bless us and put evil in its place because there would be no hope of the sus, but they really do not even know are sure and ongoing. Thank God that world’s problems being solved. There who He is. They either mostly ignore “wrong shall fail, the right prevail.” would be no forgiveness for sin, no Him or try to use Him and the events Bless God that He has put us on the hope of eternal life in heaven, no heal - around Him (like Christmas) for their side of the right, which will prevail, and ing of damaged minds and emotions. own ends, usually when seeking fi - gives us His peace! Another great and highly memorable nancial gain or to satisfy some emo - phrase from “Joy to the World” is “He tional “need.” WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE rules the world with truth and grace” In John 15:18, Jesus reminds us, “If Traditionally, these wise men were (Watts). All over the world, we see gov - the world hate you, ye know that it hat - understood to be kings, and there were ernments and “strong men” arise to rule ed me before it hated you.” Let us love three of them, but exactly how many their portion of the world, mostly by Him and His people and love those and whether they were actually kings is might and lawlessness. They are cer - who hate Him, just as He did. The pre - uncertain. They were students of the tainly not gracious. Their rule often is cious songs of Christmas help us do stars and had determined from the characterized by a false narrative in an that. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 5 The Man Behind Handel’s Messiah BY JAMES PARRY A MAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS gious output, this would have meant Jennens had a sincere motivation for When t he final notes sounded at the that an immense amount of music was assembling a libretto based on the premier performance on April 13, catalogued in his private collection. theme of Christ as Messiah. He was be - 1742, of George Friedrich Handel’s or - Jennens’s connection to Handel be - coming increasingly alarmed at the em - atorio Messiah, those in attendance gan early in life. A ticket is known to brace of rationalism that was sweeping knew that they were witnessing some - exist that he bought in 1725 to a con - the intellectual world. In response, he thing extraordinary. What Handel had cert of Handel’s music. He would have sought to make an unambiguous state - accomplished was not merely the cre - been twenty-five at the time. ment that would reiterate the biblical ation of sublime music, but the mating It is not clear how Jennens initially proclamation of Jesus’ messiahship. of music and Scripture in a way that came into contact with Handel, but over An oratorio with the theme of Jesus as had never been done before. the course of time, the two became Messiah was the perfect vehicle with While many know that the compos - friends. This led to Jennens’s first col - which to make such a statement. er of the music of Messiah is Handel, laboration with Handel, the creation of few are aware that the composer him - the libretto for the oratorio Saul (1735). ASSEMBLING THE LIBRETTO self did not compile the biblical text Many may be surprised to learn that Jennens’s genius lay in his skillful as - that forms the libretto (the text used in Messiah is by no means Handel’s only sembling of a libretto based on biblical an extended musical work), or know oratorio on a biblical theme, nor his prophecies into a seamless narrative the name of the man who did. That first composition with Christ as the that exalts Christ as Messiah. The bib - man is Charles Jennens. subject. He had previously written La lical text moves so smoothly from one Resuruzione (1708) and the Brockes Charles Jennens was born into Scripture to the next that listeners may Passion (1715-16). Jennens’s collabo - wealth in 1700 in Leicestershire, Eng - be surprised to learn that the libretto ration with Handel also produced li - land, the son of Charles Jennens and encompasses biblical writers separat - brettos for Belshazza r (1744, which his second wife, Elizabeth Burdett. A ed by centuries, connecting passages Handel began immediately upon the person of independent means, Jennens both in the Old and New Testaments. completion of Messiah ), and, although was free to pursue a career as a literary Most of the prophetic passages in the this is not certain, Israel in Egypt critic. He became a patron of the arts oratorio come from the book of Isaiah, (1738-39). All told, Jennens may have not surprising since Isaiah is the and a Shakespearean scholar in his worked with Handel on five composi - prophetic writer most often cited in ref - own right. His goal was to produce an - tions. What led to the creation of erencing Old Testament passages notated editions of all of Shakespeare’s Messiah was a confluence of events. concerning Israel’s Messiah. plays. The five that he produced during Handel, although German by birth, With Jennens’s biblical libretto in his lifetime set the standard by which had been making his living in London. hand, Handel composed Messiah in annotated editions of literary works are Despite being a very successful com - still produced today. poser of operas and oratorios (he an astounding twenty-three days, a Jennens was a nonjuror, which composed a staggering forty-two of composition more than two hours in meant that he could not hold public them combined), Handel’s fortunes length and running more than two- office. A nonjuror in England at the had begun to change. hundred pages in manuscript. It is a time was someone who refused to Italian-style opera, at which he ex - tour de force of musical composition swear allegiance to the crown, in Jen - celled, was beginning to fall out of fa - that has never been equaled. nens’s case, the House of Hanover. vor with the English public. Handel’s Because of their close relationship, He remained loyal to the House of own opera company had gone bank - Handel invited Jennens to suggest Stuart, whose monarch, James II, had rupt in 1737. To make matters worse, changes to the manuscript when he been deposed in the Glorious Revolu - his health was suffering. Then in 1741, sent it to him, and Jennens did. In par - tion of 1688. James’s protestant Handel received a commission from a ticular, Jennens disliked the overture, daughter Mary and her husband, group of Dublin charities to write a a lively allegro in B minor preceded by William of Orange, were installed as piece for a benefit concert to help re - a brief opening adagio. He apparently joint monarchs by Parliament. lease men from debtors’ prison. felt that the overture was not worthy of Because of his independent wealth Several years earlier, Jennens had the gravity of the subject matter. He and limitation on public employment, communicated to Handel the news that also felt that Handel had rushed the Jennens was freed, in a sense, to de - he had assembled a libretto whose composing of the work (he had!). He vote himself to those endeavors he subject was Christ and had encour - suggested changes to the composer, truly loved. aged him to begin work on the project. some of which Handel did incorporate Jennens became a lover of the music Handel put off beginning work on the into the final composition. of George Friedrich Handel. It is said composition even as Jennens contin - that his own personal library contained ued to encourage him. Once receiving INSPIRED SCRIPTURE INSPIRES A a copy of every note Handel ever the commission for the work from the LIBRETTIST penned, not just the scores to Handel’s Irish charities, though, Handel began What makes Messiah such a power - compositions but many individual parts work in earnest. A devout Lutheran, he ful work is not only Handel’s masterful as well. Considering Handel’s prodi - became engrossed in the work. music but Jennens’s libretto. Jennens 6 The libretto then fo - (sinners) and the dreadful conse - cuses solidly on the quences for Messiah. birth of Christ. The alto Many may be surprised to learn that recitative “Behold a the chorus “Hallelujah” is not the finale Virgin” quotes the fa - to the oratorio but only the end of Part mous prophecy of the II. Messiah concludes with the tri - virgin from Isaiah 7:14. umphal chorus of Part III “Worthy Is This is followed sever - the Lamb,” which quotes Revelation al numbers later by the 5:12-14. chorus “For Unto Us,” quoting another well- THE PREMIER OF MESSIAH known prophecy of Messiah premiered April 13, 1742, in the birth of Christ, Isa - Dublin. The first performance was not iah 9:6. Then follow without a certain amount of intrigue five numbers drawn accompanying it. from the familiar Jonathan Swift, dean of the Anglican Christmas narrative of Cathedral in Dublin (yes, that Jonathan Luke 2, culminating in Swift, the biting satirist of A Modest the chorus “Glory to Proposal and Gulliver’s Travels ), threat - God,” which repeats ened his choir members with expulsion the words spoken by if they participated in Messiah . Swift the angelic host in thought that having the performance in Luke 2:14. a theater rather than a church was de - If Jennens’s genius meaning of the subject matter. He lay in a command of eventually relented on his threat. Swift Scripture that allowed also opposed the selection of Susan - him to choose the pre - nah Cibber as soprano soloist because cise passage for the he felt her moral character was sus - purpose needed (this Portrait of Charles Jennens (painting by Thomas Hudson, pect. At the premier, however, her ren - was before any Bible public d omain ©) dition of “He Was Despised” so moved study aids, such as a conceived of the oratorio in three sec - concordance), Handel’s lay in creating a clergy member in the audience that tions. Part I centers on the Old Testa - the right musical vehicle to express the he stood up and proclaimed, “Woman, ment prophecies of the coming Messi - message of Scripture. This is seen thy sins be forgiven thee!” ah, Part II focuses on Christ’s passion, throughout the oratorio but is particular - Several days before the perform - and Part III concerns the resurrection. ly evident in Part II, the passion section. ance, notices were run in the press en - couraging men to leave their swords at Other than several minor changes in This portion of the work begins with wording, the entire libretto is taken from a chorus sung in a very slow tempo and home and women to refrain from wear - the King James translation of the Bible. minor key—“Behold the Lamb of God,” ing hoops in their skirts so that more Jennens compiled a text drawn from drawn from John 1:29. The Scripture people could fit into the concert ven - both the Old and New Testaments. The verse becomes almost a lament. Even ue. The premier was hailed as a tri - very first words sung in Messiah are more striking is the chorus “He trusted umph, and 173 men were released from Isaiah 40:1: “Comfort ye, comfort in God,” drawn from Psalm 22:8 and from debtors’ prison through the funds ye my people, saith your God.” Matthew 27:43. The rapid tempo, mi - that were raised. Jennens’s libretto in Part I reminds nor key, and staccato vocal phrases us that the prophecies of a coming capture the mocking, even satiric atti - BREAKING NEW GROUND Messiah in Scripture point to both His tude of the religious leaders as they be - Messiah is a thoroughly Christian first and second advents. This is ac - hold Christ on the cross. work, and not surprisingly it has been tually the proper way to view the Ad - Perhaps the most masterful exam - performed largely in Christian parts of vent season itself. Accordingly, the ple of Handel’s word painting occurs the world—Europe, and North and fifth number of the oratorio, the bass in the chorus “All We Like Sheep,” South America. But what would be the solo “Thus Saith the Lord,” quotes which quotes Isaiah 53:6. The vocal effect of this masterpiece if performed Haggai 2:6-7: “Thus saith the Lord of line of the first two parts of the verse in places not subscribing to a Christian hosts; Yet once . . . a little while, and I (“All we like sheep have gone astray; worldview? A Chinese Christian con - will shake the heavens, and the earth, we have turned every one to his own ductor has already performed the ora - and the sea, and the dry land; and I way”) is in a major key, very lightheart - torio in Beijing. What would be the ef - will shake all nations, and the desire ed, suggesting an almost childlike in - fect of a performance in Riyadh, Saudi of all the nations shall come,” words nocence. But when the last statement Arabia, for instance, or Mumbai, India? that refer to Christ’s second advent. is sung, “and the Lord hath laid on him One thing is certain. Those in atten - This is followed by the alto air “But the iniquity of us all,” the vocal line dance would very clearly experience a Who May Abide” (Mal. 3:2) and the abruptly changes, becoming very presentation of the gospel of Jesus chorus “And He Shall Purify” (vs. 3), slow, drawn out, and in a minor key. A Christ. And for that we have a very both in a minor key, reflecting the stark contrast is thereby created be - dedicated servant of the Lord, now in gravity of the subject matter. tween the unwitting actions of sheep glory, to thank: Charles Jennens. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 7 Christian Psychology

Life Is Not Fair BY KOSHY MUTHALALY , P H.D.

FTEN we have heard someone O say, “It’s not fair!” We tend to smirk in response and say, “Get over it! Life’s not fair!” The truth is that it re - ally hurts when others do not em - pathize with us when things go wrong, at least from our own perspective. Par - ents often tell their children that they should be prepared for those times when life deals out what they think is not right, and it lets them down, caus - ing them disappointment. If we examine our lives closely, and even the lives of those around us, we see that life has a way of dishing out some harsh situations. We can look at this in terms of earthly possessions. complain, it was Moses. All his good mankind. When God makes rules for Why is it that some people have plen - leadership and sacrifice for almost us, it is for our good. These rules are ty of earthly goods and wealth while forty years seemed now to go unre - laid out in His Word and revealed to us. others have little or nothing? And con - warded. It seems at this time that God We will be better off in our society and sider the matter of physical health. was unfair to him. The Bible does not in our personal lives when we obey all Many of us often wonder why some explain why God acted this way except of God’s rules for us. people have excellent health while to say, “Because ye believed me not.” Hebrews 11 is considered the “Faith others constantly need medical care. Moses is indicted here for his unbelief Chapter” in the Bible. It details for us Sometimes the most difficult ques - and lack of trust in God. many heroes of faith who stood for tions we face come when really nice It is, however, interesting that previ - God and even ultimately sacrificed people suffer. What makes this harder ously the Word says that Moses did as their lives for Him. This seems very no - to deal with is that their neighbors who “he commanded him” (Num. 20:9). A ble. For a long time, I could not under - do not believe in God never seem to close reading of this text shows us that stand why God would say to such no - face such difficult life situations. It is at Moses gathered the children of Israel ble people, “And these all, having such times that some begin to wonder, together and took his rod and stood obtained a good report through faith, “Is it worth believing in God when He before God. This was what he did received not the promise” (emphasis seems to be unaware of what we are right. Then came the act of disobedi - mine) (Heb. 11:39). It seems unfair that going through?” Hopefully, as you ence of striking the rock rather than they were not rewarded for their sacri - read this article, you will find consola - speaking to it as God had command - fices and their obedience. tion and answers from God’s Word. ed (vs. 11). So along with unbelief, we In reality, I had stopped short of the Some of the greatest leaders in the can safely assume that Moses also full explanation. The next verse reads, Bible had enough reason to say to disobeyed God and took credit for the “God having provided some better God, “It’s not fair!” Moses was one of miracle as well (vs. 10). thing for us” (Heb. 11:40). Again, God them. He had led the people of Israel For some readers, there may still be does not give us any further explana - for almost forty years. Moses was told the lingering question about whether tion, but He opens the door for us to by God to speak to the rock nearby, the punishment fit the crime. The Bible trust Him for what is better. There is a and God would cause it to bring forth does not give an explanation, but it lesson for us here. Our God is ab - water to meet the needs of his people. can be simply explained that a sover - solutely in charge of all our circum - But Moses was so frustrated with the eign God expects His own children to stances, even the unfair ones. When we people and their constant complaining be obedient to Him. Perhaps this will continue to obey Him in simple faith, He and discontent that he struck the rock make more sense to us if we look at will work all things for our good (Rom. instead, contradicting what the Lord how we expect our children to obey 8:28) because we are His children. had told him to do. us. Their protests do not cancel our We need to realize that God is work - We are told in Numbers 20:12 that it demand for obedience from them. ing out a higher purpose for us and the was for this singular act of disobedi - The reality of this truth is that God is world around us. It is sometimes hard ence that God pronounced that Moses in charge and He “is no respecter of for us to look beyond our difficult cir - and Aaron would not go into the Prom - persons” (Acts 10:34; Rom. 2:11; Eph. cumstances. Jesus, being fully human, ised Land. If anyone had reason to 6:9). He has the same laws for all cried out to God in the Garden of Geth - 8 semane and said, “Let this cup pass from me” (Matt. 26:39), speaking of His What’s in a Word? impending crucifixion. It did not seem fair that the sinless Son of God would be crucified to bear the burden of our sins. But only a few days later, the mystery of life being unfair to Jesus seemed clear! When we are tempted to complain Mixed, Tempered about life not being fair to us, we have BY DARRELL W. M CKAY , M.A. to remain steadfast in obedience and simple faith because God has not left HE word to be examined this time text of the verse is where the Apostle us alone or forgotten us. We cannot T is found twice in the New Testa - Paul wrote about the way God fash - see the big picture, but God can. He ment (Heb. 4:2; I Cor. 12:24) and is ioned the human body to be a func - sees everything from the beginning to translated by the two words in the title. tioning organism with the individual the end, and most of all, He has His eye The Greek word is a compound one members working together on behalf trained with caring precision on us and (sunkerannumi), meaning to mix to - of the whole. Each part of the human our painful circumstances. He will gether, to blend, or to combine. Al - body has its purpose, and for the make for us “a way to escape, that [we] though found but twice, the word is vi - whole to be healthy, the various parts may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:13). tally important for us to understand are needed to perform as intended. There is one more thing that we dare and identify as operative within us. Paul used this illustration of the hu - not forget when life seems to be treat - The writer to the Hebrews used the man body to show what God is doing ing us unfairly. Jesus promised that “in term in the context of warning profess - to build His church. He has given spir - the world ye shall have tribulation: but ing Christians to be different than Israel itual gifts to individual Christians to en - be of good cheer; I have overcome the was when at Kadesh-Barnea (Num. able the body of Christ, the church, to world” (John 16:33). This should give 13—14). The people refused to enter function as it should. No believer has us hope. We are also reminded that the Promised Land, choosing to believe all the gifts, but each believer has at God has “given unto us all things that the majority report of the spies rather least one. God gives gifts as He sees pertain unto life and godliness, than trust God’s promise and presence. fit for the benefit of the whole, just as through the knowledge of him that Two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, He did the parts of the human body. He hath called us” (II Pet. 1:3). When life were of a vastly different opinion about tempered (combined together) both treats us unfairly, we are to remember Israel’s chances of conquering the land bodies, the physical as well as the spir - that our God has already equipped us because their faith in God was far itual (the church), that each might per - for our difficult times. greater than that of the rest, and the form as intended. When we get despondent about our Lord’s praise of Caleb and Joshua was The various parts of our physical circumstances, wondering why God that they had a different spirit and fol - bodies usually, and naturally, fulfill their does not do something about them, let lowed Him fully (14:24; 32:12). intended function without our thinking us remember that He is calling us to Even though all Israel had come out much about them. That should also be trust Him in the darkness. Only after of Egypt and had received God’s law at the way in which believers function in the crucifixion came the resurrection! Sinai and promised to obey it, only the local church. God will bring one’s Sometimes we learn to appreciate Caleb and Joshua chose to take God’s gift out for use in building His church what God does for us only when we word seriously and let it determine their for His glory. This should happen nat - have walked through the dark wilder - attitude and conduct. They “mixed” urally, just like with the members with - ness in our lives. We have all heard it His promise of the land with their faith, in one’s physical body. said that it is the darkest before the and the result, though delayed, would A simple illustration showing the im - dawn. So when we think life is unfair, be realized. For them, God’s word was portance of mixing God’s Word with we must remember that God has not very much a vital part of their lives (cf. faith can be found in baking a cake. We abandoned us. Deut. 32:46-47). As a result, they were can place the individual components We usually cannot prevent unfair life the only ones allowed to enter God’s that go into a cake side by side in a circumstances from hitting us, but the rest (the Promised Land), and the re - pan. In one part, we will put the flour, world is watching to see how we react mainder perished while they wandered and beside it an egg. Nearby we will under the microscope through which in the wilderness. put sugar, oil, and cocoa along with they are observing us. Our God is al - Christians to whom the book of He - other desired ingredients. All of the in - ways a just God, and His justice will brews was written, and contemporary gredients might touch each other, but prevail in the larger scheme of things. believers as well, were strongly cau - if we do not mix the items together, we The biblical phrase “Let not your tioned to be sure they do more than will not have a cake, no matter how heart be troubled” (John 14:1) is a just hear the Word, but make it part and long it stays in the oven. good one to remember. When life is parcel of their everyday lives. True dis - Likewise, unless one’s faith in God not fair and you are fearful, remember cipleship is fully following God and al - and His Word is involved in every as - God is already working to relieve us lowing His Word to permeate one’s pect of life, the guidance and promis - of our suffering, and He is never late, thought processes and influence daily es of God are like the elements of a although it might seem like an eterni - decision making. cake left unmixed. We can be effec - ty to us. One day, we will look back The second usage of sunkerannumi tive servants of Christ only when we and rejoice because we chose to is found in I Corinthians 12:24 and is mix our knowledge of Him with our trust Him. H there translated “tempered.” The con - faith in Him. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 9 Sermon

Jesus: Forgiver of Sins Luke 5:17–26 J. A. L ITTLER , M.D IV .

ISEASE is all around us. Each of us and doctors of the law sitting by, which found so great faith, no, not in Israel” D knows someone who has been or were come out of every town of (Luke 7:9). is afflicted with an illness, and in many Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem.” In Luke 5, we read that Jesus parts of the world today, there are dis - The mention of Pharisees should set promptly turns to the paralyzed man astrous mortality rates because of ab - off an alarm in the minds of anyone re - and declares his sins to be forgiven. ject disease. It is a sad but very real motely familiar with their presence in What a declaration! To know that part of our fallen world, and despite all the Gospels or even the modern use of one’s offenses against God, actions the genius of man and his efforts in the term. These men were bad news, that deserve the response of terrible medical science, the existence of dis - exercising misguided authority as judgment and everlasting torment, ease will continue until Christ returns. teachers of God’s Word, twisting the have been forgiven should be one’s Jesus faced this reality, and during Scripture to their advantage, and lead - greatest joy. However, only God could His earthly ministry He healed many ing people astray. They often publical - make such an absolution, essentially through the power of the Holy Spirit. It ly argued with Jesus and earned their showing that Jesus claimed to be is quite evident from our text and oth - status as recipients of His holy re - God. The Pharisees proceeded to in - er parts of Scripture that the motiva - bukes: “Woe unto you, scribes and sult the faith of the men who came to tions for this healing included compas - Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as Jesus, doing so with their own disgust sion as well as a desire to show the graves which appear not, and the men and disbelief. validity of His self-proclaimed identity that walk over them are not aware of as the God-Man. them” (Luke 11:44). JESUS TEACHES (Luke 5:21-24) Scripture then proceeds to explain The disgust that the Pharisees lev - INTRODUCTION: WHY LUKE? that “the power of the Lord was pres - eled at Jesus included an accusation Part of the uniqueness of Luke’s ent to heal them” (Luke 5:17). This of blasphemy. Ironically, by failing to Gospel is that its author mentions al - power was not some random, spo - recognize Jesus’ divine identity as God luding to eyewitness accounts and radic ability Christ possessed but one and accusing the Lord of blasphemy, their testimonies (cf. 1:1-4). This is es - that was subject to God’s will. He al - the Pharisees were actually commit - pecially important to us because it ways maintained the power to heal just ting blasphemy themselves! demonstrates the veracity of the nar - as He always maintains His identity as The reality of Jesus’ divinity is fur - rative we will examine today. God and the Son of God. The mention ther revealed in the following verse, Moreover, Luke shows that Jesus of such power to heal in this opening which shows that “Jesus perceived loves people of all backgrounds, ages, verse shows that He would soon exer - their thoughts” (Luke 5:22). This is a and socioeconomic classes. Certainly, cise such power for a special and di - clear example of Jesus’ omniscience, Jesus demonstrated this love in a mul - vinely appointed purpose. and He responds to the Pharisees’ titude of ways, especially through His This purpose manifested itself claims by challenging them to consid - interaction with the paralyzed man fea - through the strong faith of some men er an interesting question: “Whether is tured in Luke 5. who were bringing their paralyzed easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven An even more important considera - friend to Jesus to be healed. They thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?” (vs. tion, however, is the relationship be - even fought through the crowd and 23). The wording of this question im - tween the paralyzed man’s sin and his lowered him through part of the roof, plies that it is easier to say, but not so disease. Jesus begins His conversation probably “a kind of trap-door, it easy to prove, that someone’s sins are with the man by addressing spiritual seems, by which the members of the forgiven. Forgiving sin is, of course, things, declaring sin forgiven but allow - family could come out upon it to walk, more difficult to accomplish. Such ing the disease to remain. Was Jesus and take the air, or perform their de - was undoubtedly demonstrated by being cold and uncaring? Certainly not. votions” (Benson, The New Testament Jesus and what He endured at the But the order of Jesus’ forgiving and of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, cross. healing, as well as His words to the Nabu Press). In offering this question of compar - Pharisees, hold great application for Jesus was evidently impressed by ing the forgiveness of sin to the our lives. Do we believe and “know that the faith displayed by these men (Luke demonstration of miraculous healing, the Son of man hath power upon earth 5:20). This echoes a theme already Jesus speaks on the Pharisees’ level, to forgive sins” (Luke 5:24)? shown in Luke’s Gospel—namely, that playing by their “rules” in a conflict they of Jesus expressing, or at least ob - began through their clandestine con - JESUS FORGIVES (Luke 5:17-20) serving, the exceptional faith exercised versations. He then acted according to Luke 5:17 introduces the situation by people coming to Him. When the the same thinking: “But that ye may and contextual details of Jesus’ mira - centurion asked that Jesus heal his know that the Son of man hath power cle. We see “that there were Pharisees servant, our Lord said, “I have not upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto 10 the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, serves with a genuine, humble heart claiming to be God Himself. He taught Arise, and take up thy couch, and go is still in need of God’s forgiveness. and demonstrated that He is the only into thine house” (Luke 5:24). Truly, “all have sinned, and come One who can forgive sins. Does this Not only did Jesus exercise His au - short of the glory of God” (Rom. truth figure into how you think about thority to forgive sins based on faith, 3:23). As we have observed already, your relationship with God? Take it a but He also demonstrated to the Phar - the Pharisees were correct in stating step further. You may be relying on isees the proof of that authority that only God can forgive, but they Christ alone for your salvation, but are through His miraculous control over were completely wrong in calling Je - you relying on something other than nature and disease. He was not obli - sus a mortal blasphemer. Christ for how you think about yourself gated to present such an observable The redeemed of the Lord know how compared to others? demonstration of His power, but He did blessed it is to enjoy salvation and a re - It can be all too easy to fall prey to a so according to the divinely appointed lationship with God: “Behold, what legalistic mindset, thinking that if we timing of His miracles (cf. Luke 5:17). manner of love the Father hath be - say just the right things or wear just the stowed upon us, that we should be right clothes or say just enough JESUS HEALS (Luke 5:25-26) called the sons of God” (I John 3:1). It “amens,” we can be considered to be In what might seem to be a surpris - is our joy and privilege to share with more spiritual. Christ alone deter - ingly simply manner, Scripture de - others the good news of Jesus Christ. mines our fellowship with the Father, scribes the paralyzed man obeying Je - We must be sound in doctrine, unlike and it is only through the humble ex - sus to the letter—rising, picking up his the Pharisees, and be committed to ercise of biblically prescribed spiritual mat, and walking home. The man glo - the Scripture’s teachings on Jesus and discipline, such as meditating on rified God the whole way home, and His identity as both Son of God and Scripture and prayer, that we enjoy fel - this attitude was contagious. The on - Son of Man. lowship with God in Jesus’ name. If looking crowd likewise watched in In pursuing such biblical knowl - you are relying on external things or amazement and glorified God. The edge, we will come to appreciate are idolizing spiritual discipline over Pharisees suffered a huge blow to their more and more the utter necessity of the God those disciplines are meant to ego as well as to their attitude toward man’s trusting in Jesus alone for sal - glorify, repent and refocus your heart Jesus. The attention and authority that vation. It is with this selfsame author - with Jesus’ sufficiency at the core of they demanded through their twisted ity that Jesus commands us to “Go ye how you live. teachings completely evaporated in therefore, and teach all nations, bap - Know that Jesus is both God and that moment, and God received glory tizing them in the name of the Father, man. As with most controversial top - not only for a miracle but also for Je - and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ics, there are groups that move toward sus’ declaration of the paralyzed man’s Teaching them to observe all things one extreme and others that live on the sin being forgiven. whatsoever I have commanded you” opposite side of the spectrum. Beware Indeed, people saw extraordinary (Matt. 28:19-20). of emphasizing too greatly the human - things that day (Luke 5:26). The divine The message of the gospel must go ity of Jesus without also recognizing purposes of Jesus’ miracle-working out. With this eminent truth in mind, His claim to divinity. Likewise, do not was realized, and only God received consider ways you can more effec - consider only the divinity of Jesus the glory. One of the core elements of tively and consistently share the without also discussing and acknowl - this passage to always bear in mind is gospel. Ask the Lord to show you how edging His connection with humanity that Jesus declared His ability and to better introduce Jesus and His for - and His experience as a man who “was right to forgive sin. While He had not giveness to neighbors, friends, and in all points tempted like as we are, yet yet borne man’s sins on the cross, the family members. Join a ministry of the without sin” (Heb. 4:15). sovereign will of God was a fixed sure - church that is evangelistic in nature. The reminders we see in this pas - ty, and Jesus had every right as the Work with other believers in the sage of Scripture hold us accountable Son of God to declare the absolution church’s mission to declare that for - to recognizing Jesus as both God and of sin based on someone’s faith. Jesus giveness of sins is a reality as they man. Against the forces of unbiblical held nothing back in identifying who place their faith in Jesus Christ. movements and secular culture, the He was, and He freely assumed His di - Know that only Jesus can forgive Christian must value as supreme the vine position despite what the revered sins. Of course, if you are to proclaim beautiful and inescapable identity of spiritual leaders of Israel thought. the gospel, you must have a right un - Jesus. derstanding of it. Our text today As you consider the Person of Je - APPLICATION shows that only Jesus can forgive sins sus, never forget His words to the Jesus’ declaration of forgiveness, because only the Lord could perform once-paralyzed man. The spiritual His rebuke of the Pharisees, and the such a miracle. Indisputably, prophets cleansing represents an infinitely more subsequent miracle give believers of God such as Elijah and apostles important healing than the miraculous much to consider, especially as it such as Peter performed great mira - healing of the man’s disease. Howev - concerns living out our identity as His cles, but they did so in full recognition er, the healing is still an important re - followers. that such miracles were accom - minder of Jesus’ passion and His pow - Declare God’s Forgiveness. No per - plished in the Lord’s power and that erful ways of confounding the wisdom son has the ability to forgive sins— those receiving or witnessing such of man. He may not be using the same only God Himself. The man or woman miracles needed to place their faith in methods today, but a gospel-trans - who seemingly possesses the most the Lord alone. formed life through faith in Christ is a unstained reputation and loves and Jesus performed a miracle while walking miracle in and of itself. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 11 Shechem: Archaeological Discovery from Abraham to Abimelech BY LARRY V. C RUTCHFIELD , P H.D.

INTRODUCTION German team led by Ernst Sellin. about 1900–1750 BC. MB I was when The Old Testament site of Shechem World War I interrupted excavation Jacob lived by the city of Shechem” was in the hill country of Ephraim, in there, but Sellin started again in 1926, (Hansen). the central region of Israel later known working until 1936. Years later, be - With regard to Abram, Hansen ex - as Samaria. Today, identified as Tell tween 1956 and 1973, an American plains further that “prior to MB I, in the Balata, the ancient site is located team of archaeologists resumed exca - time of Abram’s visit, archaeology has some thirty miles north of Jerusalem. vations at ancient Shechem. This demonstrated that there was a gap in Shechem touched the lives of the pa - Drew-McCormick-Harvard Expedition settlement and an absence of fortifi - triarchs Abraham (Gen. 12:6-7), Ja - worked under the leadership of G. cation walls. Thus, there was no ‘city’ cob (Gen. 33:18—34:3), and Joseph Ernest Wright, Lawrence E. Toombs, for Abram to reference, as the Bible (Gen. 37:12-14; Josh. 24:32). The city and Edward F. Campbell, Jr. (Vos, Ar - correctly infers” (Hansen). was the setting for important events chaeology in Bible Lands , Moody during the conquest of Canaan by Press). William G. Dever oversaw the ABIMELECH AND SHECHEM Joshua (Josh. 8:30-35), and during latest dig at Tell Balata in 1973. The city of Shechem figures promi - the judgeship of Gideon’s son Abim - nently in the biblical account of Abim - ABRAHAM AND JACOB AT elech (Judg. 9). elech’s rise and demise (Judg. 9). SHECHEM In terms of biblical and geographical Abimelech was the son and judicial significance, the site was established Shechem was not only at the center successor of famed judge Gideon and in the very heart of Palestine. Tell Bal - of ancient Israel geographically, it was his concubine, who “was in Shechem” ata sits in an east-west pass between also the focal point of the nation’s ear - (8:31). With assistance from his She - the two tallest mountains in central ly history. The name “Shechem” first chemite relatives (9:1-4), Abimelech Palestine. On the south side of the appears in the biblical record as killed all but one of Gideon’s seventy pass, Mount Gerizim rises to a height Abram’s initial destination on his ar - other sons (his half-brothers) and had rival in the land of Canaan (Gen. 12:6). of approximately 2,800 feet, while himself declared king of Shechem (vss. In answer to God’s call, the patriarch 3,083-foot-high Mount Ebal stands 5-6). Only Jotham, the youngest of the left his Mesopotamian home at Haran opposite on the north. Shechem’s lo - sons, survived. Abimelech’s true ob - and made his way to the ancient site. cation between these two mountains jective was to become king of all Israel, It was there that God appeared to is thought to have given rise to the a position his father had earlier de - Abram and said that his offspring city’s name, which in Hebrew means clined (8:22-23). would possess the land (Gen. 12:7). What can we learn about these and “shoulder.” The Bible implies that when Abram other events from the excavations con - entered the land of Canaan (around EXCAVATION HISTORY OF ducted at this ancient site? Hansen 2090 B.C.), he went as far as the “place SHECHEM states that “Archaeological investiga - [the future site] of Sichem [Shechem]” tions have corroborated much of what Archaeological excavation of Tell (Gen. 12:6), but not the city of the Bible has to say about Shechem’s Balata was preceded by a careful Shechem, for that had not yet been physical and cultural aspects. Archae - study to determine that the tell was in built. However, when Shechem is fact the site of ancient Shechem. In mentioned for the second time in ology has confirmed Shechem’s loca - 1903, H. Tiersch led a team of German Scripture (Gen. 33:18) some two hun - tion, its history, and many Biblical de - tails” (Hansen). This assertion is scholars in an examination of both Tell dred years later, around 1890 B.C., it Balata and the nearby modern city of was to the gated (thus fortified) city of certainly validated by a number of ar - Nablus, also thought by some to be the Shechem that Abram’s grandson Ja - chaeological discoveries directly relat - site of biblical Shechem. The contro - cob had journeyed (Gen. 34:20, 24). ed to the Abimelech narrative. versy was essentially settled by Tier - According to Hansen, archaeology The Fortress Temple. One of the most sch’s conclusion in favor of Tell Balata. answers the question of when the significant structures unearthed at And as David Hansen notes, “Tiersch’s “site” of Shechem became the “city” Shechem is the great fortress temple, identification has never been seriously of Shechem. And, says Hansen, the located on the acropolis of the city. Ar - questioned” (“Shechem: Its Archaeo - evidence “is in complete agreement chaeologists date its construction to the logical and Contextual Significance,” with what the Bible indicates is seventeenth century B.C. In that chrono - Bible and Spade, Summer 2005). Shechem’s early history.” As Hansen logical context, they have identified the Under the auspices of the German explains, “Excavations have revealed building as the temple in Judges 9, Society for Scientific Research, exca - that the earliest urbanization at Tell where it is first called the “house [‘or vation of Tell Balata was conducted Balata was in MB I [Middle Bronze temple’] of Baal-berith” (vs. 4). between 1913 and 1914 by an Austro- Age I] ([in excavation] Levels XXII-XXI), Furthermore, the Shechem excava - 12 tors concluded that there are other names used in the ninth chapter of Judges to identify the same structure. These names include the “house of Millo” (vss. 6, 20), “house of their god” (vs. 27), “tower of Shechem” (vss. 46, 49), and “house of the god Berith” (vs. 46). The Hebrew word “berith” means “covenant.” This temple, then, was dedicated to “Baal of the covenant” (Wood, “Abimelech at Shechem,” Bible and Spade, Summer 2005). Not only was the temple the largest building at Shechem, as Wood states, it was also “the largest temple yet found in Canaan.” In this regard, the archaeologist says the impressive monument “measures 70 x 86.3 ft . . . , and has foundations 17 ft . . . thick that supported a multistoried superstruc - ture of mud bricks and timber” (Wood). Coronation in the Courtyard. Exca - vators found a courtyard in front of the fortress temple. Within this area and 21 feet from the temple entrance, they uncovered a large altar constructed of earth and stone. About 6½-feet south - east of the altar, diggers found an “enormous limestone stela, or masse - bah” (a monumental column or pillar). of Tell Balata. The massive structure, a During Abimelech’s furious attack The monument measures approxi - double-entryway gate with a paved on Shechem, the city’s leaders at - mately 5 feet wide by 1½ feet thick, courtyard between the two entrances, tempted to save themselves by fleeing and it is still approximately 5 feet high is approximately 54 feet wide by 44 into an inner chamber of the fortress even though a portion was broken off feet deep (Garrett, Gen. ed. “Abim - temple (Judg. 9:46). When Abimelech in the distant past (Wood). elech at Shechem,” Archaeological learned of this, he and his men set the Does this ancient pillar have a pos - Study Bible, Zondervan). The gate fortress on fire. According to Scrip - sible connection to biblical events? overlooks cultivated fields where, ac - ture, about a thousand men and Wood offers a twofold answer to the cording to Judges 9, many She - women died in the ensuing inferno question. In the first place, he sug - chemites were slain (vss. 42-44). (vss. 47-49). gests that “since the temple existed in To summarize the conclusions of ar - Joshua’s day, it is possible this was DIVINE FULFILLMENT OF A chaeologists who worked at the ‘large stone’ which he set up ‘un - CURSE Shechem, Wood sites the statement der the oak near the holy place of the Gaal was eventually forced to leave of Lawrence Toombs, one of the Lord’ at Shechem (Jos 24:26).” In the the security of Shechem’s walls with Shechem excavators, who writes: second place, Wood affirms that “the his followers to engage Abimelech’s “The Iron [Age] I city underwent violent stela is undoubtedly the ‘pillar’ where troops in open-field combat. The rebel destruction [about 1125-1100 B.C.], Abimelech was made king ([Judg.] force was soundly defeated the fol - which obliterated its buildings and left 9:6)” (Wood). lowing day. Abimelech’s army then re - the site a wilderness of ruins. . . . The Rebellion at the Gate. After three turned to Shechem and violently “beat end of the Iron I city is almost certain - years of Abimelech’s reign, an “evil down the city, and sowed it with salt” ly to be attributed to its capture by spirit” sent by God caused the men of (Judg. 9:45). Abimelech (Judges 9)” (Wood). Shechem to rebel against his rule Within the context of the general de - Bible critics often challenge the (Judg. 9:22-24). Gaal, apparently a struction of Shechem, the fiery fate of historical reliability of events record - member of Shechem’s aristocracy, the great fortress temple of Baal- ed in the Book of Judges. But as led the rebel forces against Abimelech Berith is specifically and dramatically Wood notes here, the dating of (vss. 26-29). According to Scripture narrated in Judges 9:46-49. From the Shechem’s destruction is “in excel - (vss. 34-40), Gaal and Zebul, the gov - top of Mt. Gerizim, Jotham, Gideon’s lent agreement with the Biblical time ernor of Shechem, watched from the sole surviving son and Abimelech’s frame” (Wood). Yet once again the ar - entrance of the city gate as Abimelech half-brother, had pronounced a curse chaeologist’s spade confirms not and his fighting force advanced on the upon the men of Shechem in which he only the trustworthiness and histori - city. foretold their destruction by fire (Judg. cal accuracy of the Bible generally This gate from the time of Abim - 9:20). God Himself fulfilled Jotham’s but also the events of the Book of elech was excavated on the east side curse (vs. 57). Judges in particular. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 13 Biblical Snapshots of People Who Prayed

The Sinner’s Prayer BY PHIL STAMM

HEN people visit the city of cans were the most despised of men. measure up. They seek mercy. The pub - W Jerusalem, they invariably find They were considered to be the most lican came to God, seeking mercy be - their way to the Wailing Wall. There, on sinful, deplorable, and wretched of hu - cause he had arrived at the realization any given day, they will witness hun - manity. They were employed by the that he was a sinner. He did not consid - dreds of Jewish men in black robes, Roman government, and their success er himself to be a minor offender. His heads covered and bowed, chanting was predicated on how much revenue evaluation of himself caused him to view prayers before an ancient wall of large they were able to raise. Methods of his condition as extreme and hopeless foundation stones, the only remains of fund-raising were unimportant as long unless God would forgive him. Until a Herod’s Temple Mount. Visitors notice as the government was satisfied with person understands that he is the worst small papers rolled up and tucked into the amount received. A successful of sinners, he will never feel guilty cracks in the wall. Those notes contain publican used extortion, threats, and enough to cry out to God for mercy. prayers and supplications written by bribery to coerce the hapless taxpayer. Men like to set up comparisons and those earnestly seeking God’s help. I imagine that this man walked into the state, “I’m not as bad as my neighbor,” This daily ritual has taken place for temple one day with his head down and or “I know someone worse than me.” over a thousand years. his eyes fixed on the cold stone floor. Or they parrot the words of the Phar - During the life of Jesus, the temple The noise of the praying multitudes filled isee, “I am not an extortioner, or unjust was the daily gathering place for the pi - his head as he slowly wandered through or an adulterer. I am better than most.” ous and seeking Jew. Crowds of men the throng of praying men. His mind and Jesus concluded His teaching by ex - mingled and prayed, discussed poli - his heart were fixed on a definite goal. plaining that the terrible sinner was the tics, and debated the latest rabbinical His spirit had been touched by the one who was justified (Luke 18:14). Jus - teachings. The Lord Jesus loved the Almighty, and his soul cried out in re - tification is akin to righteousness and car - temple and defended it against com - pentance for reconciliation. As he stum - ries the thought that the one who prayed mercial abuse and unfair religious bled along, he heard the religious phras - the sinner’s prayer was as he ought to be. practices. He boldly declared, “My es being uttered by other worshippers. The tax collector, because of his person - house is the house of prayer” (Luke He was familiar with some of the words. al assessment, realized his true position 19:46). After all, he would have been raised in and condition before the God of heaven The Gospel of Luke records a parable the faith and had listened to the great and confessed openly and honestly. He of the Lord mentioning the temple fo - stories of Moses, Joshua, and Gideon in was declared righteous. cusing on the prayers of two unnamed the Holy Book. But the years had Our Lord taught that in order to be worshippers. The first was a holy man caused the publican to fall away from raised up by God, one must never at - who thanked the Lord for his station in the training of his childhood. tempt to raise himself. Self-exaltation is life. The other was a recognized sinner The volume of the praying men not the remedy for righteousness. On who considered himself unworthy to be seemed to increase as the troubled sin - the contrary, everyone who exalts in the presence of God (cf. Luke 18:9-14). ner slipped deeper and deeper into the themselves shall be humiliated. We are On this certain day, Jesus was pass - very center of activity. His heart felt like taught by the world that we need to love ing through the temple, totally aware of it would burst. Suddenly, he stopped ourselves, for if we could only love our - each person in attendance. Jesus had and felt the shame and failure of years selves, then we would be able to love the unique ability to look inside the well up and begin to drown his soul. others. Jesus teaches that we must heart of every person and determine Head bowed, eyes focused on the floor, have a right appreciation for who we are motive and purpose. In His parable, he cried in a loud voice, “God, be mer - in Him. He is the perfect one. He is our the Pharisee’s self-evaluation pro - ciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). model. He is our Saviour and our King. duced an air of superiority as he ex - He cried out to the God of his re - One day we will stand in the pres - amined the other participants present. membrance, the God of Israel, the ence of the Lord and experience the “God,” he spoke, “I thank thee, that I God of the universe. And his cry was glory of a full reunion with Him. That am not as other men are, extortioners, not for justice or recompense or re - day will be possible because at some unjust, adulterers, or even as this pub - ward—it was for mercy. A guilty man point in time we recognized and ac - lican. I fast twice in the week, [more can only request mercy. He had come knowledged our sinful state before a than the law required], I give tithes of to the end of himself. His request indi - holy God and in humility and unwor - all that I possess” (Luke 18:11-12). cated that all of his resources had thiness prayed the sinner’s prayer— As the holy man looked around the been depleted, and he had nothing to “God be merciful to me a sinner.” temple area, he was able to compare offer to placate a guilty verdict. Perhaps you have not prayed the himself quite favorably with others. The self-righteous and the hypocrite prayer of a sinner. May God convict Jesus then introduced another man seek to be compared with others. Re - your heart today and cause you to be - to His audience—a publican. Publi - pentant sinners know they can never come as you ought to be. H 14 Bible Bookmark

God’s Unfailing Love BY MARTIN R. D AHLQUIST

Q. To what extent does a believer re - more than just kind affections for ceive and use God’s unfailing love, them. Jesus’ love is action more than and can a nonbeliever receive and ex - mere feelings. He commanded, ercise it? “Love ye your enemies, and do A. According to Jesus, love can be good ” (Luke 6:35, emphasis added). considered the central theme of Scrip - It is easy to love those who love ture. He taught that the entire Old Tes - back, but Jesus’ love means treating tament could be summarized by the one’s enemies with the same respect idea of love: first, a love for God, and one would desire—that is, by doing second, a love for those people good deeds for them. around us (Matt. 22:37-40). In Matthew 5:45, Jesus used the ex - Love is such an important aspect of ample of God the Father, who causes our relationship with God. Love is the the sun to shine on the evil as well as core aspect of God’s being. His love is the good. Jesus calls on His disciples not just an emotional, warm and fuzzy to imitate God’s love. To love one’s en - feeling. God’s love is a powerful force. emies indicates that Jesus is one’s What is amazing is that His love is also Lord. “This is possible only for those a choice. He chooses to love us, to who give themselves fully to God, be - show us mercy. In the Father, we see cause only he can deliver people from absolute love manifested in the giving natural selfishness. We must trust the of His most precious Son. Holy Spirit to help us show love to God will not let anything stop His those for whom we may not feel love” love. The love He has shown believers (Life Application Study Bible, Tyndale). in Christ will never depart from them How is it possible for a believer to Seek His Love love others, even those who are diffi - The men of old followed the star (Rom. 8:31-39). John 13 contains some of the last cult to love? Paul indicates in Romans And traveled miles from lands afar 5:5 that love is not something the be - To see the One who was born on earth, words of Jesus to His disciples be - fore He went to the cross. In verse 34, liever must work up on their own. Who left heaven’s glory for a lowly birth. He says, “As I have loved you, that ye When a person comes to faith in Jesus May we leave all to which we cling also love one another.” Because this Christ, he or she receives the Holy And seek to worship our heavenly King. love is so different from His contem - Spirit with His gifts (fruit) (Gal. 5:22- poraries, Jesus will call this com - 23), including love. But “no,” we say, “not today.” mand to love “new.” Like any other divine gift, love must We’re far too busy, too busy to pray. Jesus’ love for this group of men is be developed by use. Many times, “There’s so much yet for me to do. indeed the supreme example of un - God will bring specific situations into “I’ll wait a while—a year or two!” conditional love. In the Gospels, we the believer’s life to challenge and strengthen his or her love. As the gift But the years grow into six or eight read that one would betray Him (Ju - is faithfully used, God can providen - While Jesus Christ is made to wait. das), one would disown Him (Peter), and all the rest would desert Him. Yet tially bring even more challenges into the Apostle John tells us He loved one’s life to strengthen love. Oh, friend of ours, if you could know To summarize the answer: Non-be - them to the end (John 13:1). God loves How much our Lord does love you so! lievers can indeed love as part of God’s us knowing full well what we are. If you would listen, you’d hear Him say creation (Luke 6:32-33). But only be - The Apostle Paul tells us that the How much He loves you today. lievers can experience and manifest Holy Spirit gives believers nine impor - He’ll forgive your sin and set you free God’s love, due to the Holy Spirit, who tant gifts, or spiritual fruit. Love is the is received at salvation. And make you His own for eternity. first on the list (Gal. 5:22-23). H In His teaching about loving others, If you have a question about the Forget the things that call so loud. Jesus pointed out the fact that any - Bible that you would like us to an - Forget the rush—the push of the crowd. one, regardless of personal faith in swer, please send it to: Bible Book - Listen to the voice of Christ today; Jesus, is capable of demonstrating mark, Union Gospel Press, P.O. Box Give Him your life to lead His way. reciprocal love (Luke 6:32-33). 6059, Cleveland, Ohio 44101, or e- Along with our poem this year we send The challenge that Jesus gave to mail us at theoed@uniongospel - Our love and prayers for you, our friend. H all His disciples is to love one’s ene - press.com (subject line: Bible —Lloyd and Virginia Doyens. mies (Luke 6:27). This kind of love is Bookmark). WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 15 Testimonies of Faith

Walking the Walk BY C. R AMSEY

NE of the biggest issues facing ple within the body of Christ, she was have celebrated the birth of seven O the church today is believers unable to trust people in the church. children and (as of this writing) three who speak one way and live another. She stopped attending, so all of grandchildren. Those years were any - There have been many times I have Randy’s childhood memories of going thing but smooth sailing for them. found myself speaking with someone to church are with his father, and it was He found his faith tested again when who has professed a relationship with during one of those times that he his family was beginning to grow and Christ, yet when we get into the meat found himself humbled by the Lord. the company he worked for an - of the discussion, there is only a vague He was thirteen at the time, and the nounced that they were losing a large understanding of what it truly means only young person at the evening serv - client. He found himself facing possi - to be in a relationship with Christ. ice. As the pastor spoke, God revealed ble unemployment. It was a time that Although we all have access to the to him for the first time the depth of sin could have taken him right back to his same Scriptures, the difference is how in his life. It was so overwhelming that chronic anxiety, but both he and Vera much time is spent in them, whether or he broke down under the weight of the put their trust in the Lord, and God not we respond to the conviction guilt and shame. The pastor speaking blessed them when that same client found when we are there, and how well that night noticed and called him to took the time to interview him. They we are being led by our shepherd in the altar. Those in the room surround - not only offered him a position but the pulpit. I cannot tell you how thank - ed him and prayed over him. In that gave him a promotion and relocated ful I am for ours. He is a man of in - moment, he trusted in Christ, and the them to Northeast Ohio. tegrity, for which I am grateful. tears of shame instantly transformed His new position had him spending a We are a small congregation led by to tears of joy. That day God not only lot of his time traveling while Vera fo - Pastor Randy Spurlock. He is an ex - delivered him from the weight of his cused her time on running the house - pository teacher (he teaches through sin, but He delivered him from the hold and homeschooling the children. an entire book from start to finish, chronic anxiety he wrestled with for so Even with all of the travel, they always sharing the truth, the whole truth, and long. It was also a moment in time that made time for the Lord and each other. nothing but the truth). His style of he and his father would cherish for As their family and faith continued to teaching is like feasting at the table of many years to come. grow, they faced another test when the Lord every Sunday, even when the Randy could not wait to share his they lost their daughter Hannah to conviction of the Holy Spirit cuts deep. newfound faith with others; however, SIDS in 1990. She was just seven He encourages his flock to be in the every time he did, it was not met with months old. It was a time of great pain, Word daily and to be digging deep to the same enthusiasm that he had ex - sorrow, and grief. But instead of driv - find the hidden treasures of Christ perienced. Eventually, he decided it ing them further from God and each buried within it. would be better to keep it to himself other, it only strengthened both rela - It is not just his teaching that sets and shifted his time into what most tionships as the Lord revealed Himself him apart; it is his integrity, and I am young men do in their teenage years— as the God of all comfort in ways they not the only one who has witnessed academics, sports, and any other had never experienced before. this. As part of the research for this ar - games that would indulge his compet - He recalled yet another testing that ticle, I polled people within the con - itive nature. During this time, he contin - came when the search committee at gregation and asked them to give ued to enjoy Sunday services, espe - the church where they were attending words that they would use to describe cially those where he got to listen to his decided they wanted to hire a youth his character. Here are the top ten an - father speak. pastor. He sensed that God was call - swers: faithful, humble, honest, kind, From the time he came to Christ to ing him to step into the position. It joyful, wise, devoted, compassionate, the moment his calling was made would require a drastic cut in his salary trustworthy, and enthusiastic. clear, God continued to grow his faith to do so, but the Lord would not give His path to the pulpit began when and trust in Him. An early test of his him peace until he did. On the night be - he was young. He was born and raised faith came when his first serious rela - fore he decided, he found himself un - in southern Ohio, and as a young man, tionship ended after two years. His able to sleep. He tossed and turned all he was prone to chronic worry that led girlfriend had broken up with him be - night wondering how he would support to much anxiety. Although his father cause she was not willing to wait until the household and put the kids through spent much of his time at work, Randy he finished college and had steady college. In that moment, God washed never felt neglected or distant from employment before they could marry. over him with peace in the knowledge him. His mother was a strong woman Even though his heart broke deeply, that He would provide. There was no who was devoted to God, her hus - he sees it now as a blessing because turning back. Looking back, he is still band, and her children; however, due God brought him to Vera, his wife of amazed at how God provided not only to some hurtful experiences with peo - forty years. Over those years, they for college for his children, but He met 16 suicide in 2010 as she lost metamorphosis takes place. No work her battle with addiction. is required other than having a Christ- Any one of those chal - focused mindset. He will do the heavy lenges could have caused lifting.” As I have observed Pastor them to walk away from Randy, I can honestly say I have wit - their faith and leave the nessed over the years that when joys ministry, yet neither one and challenges have crossed his path, wavered in their hope, he truly has been a genuine example of faith, trust, and peace in this kind of transformation taking the Lord. place. They have been true ex - As he has led by example, I have not amples of holding on to only watched other people he has Jesus. Pastor Randy said, touched grow in their faith and steadfast “There is no substitute for a love of the Lord, but I truly have experi - good life partner. Someone enced growth as well. Coming from a you can be intimate and background where my earthly father honest with, and they with was nowhere close to a shining exam - you. A good marriage ple of Christ’s love, I find myself grateful smooths out some of our to God for replacing that example with rough spots and teaches such a faithful leader of our small flock. us how to love another per - Jesus always took the time to invest son. In essence, we disci - in those who were hungry for His truth ple one another. Trials are when they were willing to be chal - easier to face as a team, lenged to draw deeper into a relation - and they have a way of ship with Him. He was always con - making the bond stronger.” cerned about the quality of the When I asked Pastor relationship with Him rather than the Randy to share what his quantity that filled the room. That is the favorite life verse is, he type of walk seen in Pastor Randy. found it challenging be - Keeping that in mind, here is what he cause throughout his life there have been different said when asked what advice he would give to those in ministry: “Don’t make Pastor Randy and Vera Spurlock verses that God has used at different times to guide mountains out of mole hills. What every one of their needs and even him, comfort him, and protect him. He seems gigantic today will not seem as threw in some “wants” along the way. did, however, find two in particular that overwhelming as time passes. Trust Pastor Randy was approached one have always brought him peace and God’s heart for you and take the long day by the lead pastor and challenged focus. The first is Romans 8:28, “And view, remembering that II Corinthians to take the next step from youth pastor we know that all things work together 4:17 says, ‘For our light affliction, to lead pastor. This came about at a for good to them that love God, to which is but for a moment, worketh for time when the lead pastor was being them who are the called according to us a far more exceeding and eternal called to plant another church. He his purpose.” weight of glory.’” worked closely with Randy, who even - With regard to this verse, he said, I do not believe Pastor Randy realizes tually took his spot in the pulpit. “This verse settles my heart when go - the kind of light that emanates from his It was in the early days of his leading ing through a confusing or difficult faithfulness to the Lord. He is an en - that the new youth pastor leveled false time. It gives me confidence that even couragement to many, and, I am accusations against him and caused a though I can’t see the good yet, it is ashamed to say, we neglect to tell him division in the church. Many families coming. I also like the rest found in this how much he means to us as often as left the church, and this tested his faith verse. God is at work for my good; we should. I do not believe this is done greatly. Eventually, God brought to therefore, I don’t have to struggle and on purpose, but out of complacency light the truth, and Pastor Randy’s faith wear myself out. That doesn’t mean I similar to that of a child and parent re - solidified even more. don’t do anything; it just means He is lationship. Through the years that followed, the driving force in my life.” It is my prayer that we in the body Pastor Randy and Vera faced many The other verse is II Corinthians learn to take better care of those who challenges with their children that most 3:18, “But we all, with open face be - nurture us and care for us. They are the marriages would not have survived. holding as in a glass the glory of the first responders when we are hurting The onset of type 1 diabetes in one of Lord, are changed into the same image and present when we celebrate bless - their children had her hospitalized for from glory to glory, even as by the Spir - ings. We must remember that just be - two weeks in critical condition at a it of the Lord.” He shared these words cause someone is standing in front of young age. They experienced a week- about this verse: “All Christians wres - us, teaching the truth of God’s Word as long search for another child when she tle with becoming more like Jesus, and the Lord has gifted them, that does not disappeared as she struggled with this one sentence simplifies the whole mean they do not carry burdens of their overwhelming depression. They also process. As we turn towards Him, con - own. Let us purpose today to make it a faced the loss of another daughter to template Him, and listen to Him, the priority to minister to our ministers. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 17 Testimonies of Faith

The Children’s Friend: Jesse Overholtzer BY JAMES O. B AKER OUNG Jesse Overholtzer lay on send Jesse to college if he returned. Af - old could be born again, so he looked for Y the floor of his family’s home, en - ter a while, Jesse relented because he an opportunity to explain the plan of sal - chanted by the pictures in the large wanted to be a lawyer. True to his word, vation to a nine-or ten-year-old. The re - family Bible. The year was 1881, and his father sent him to a Christian college sults changed the course of his life. the pictures made God’s Word come in the West, where he had to take Bible Sonny was a nine- year-old boy alive for Jesse. Soon many questions instruction along with his other classes. from a non-Christian home. After Mr. O developed in his mind, but sadly, his However, Jesse made sure everyone explained the steps to salvation to the highly religious family never told him knew he had no time for church. young boy, he was thrilled when Son - Bible stories. Evangelistic meetings were being ny immediately knelt down and Once while reading “Foxe’s Book of held in the college chapel, and Jesse felt opened his heart to Christ. Martyrs,” he was inspired by the mar - compelled to attend a service. When he A girl named Ruby was next. She tyrs’ faithfulness to Christ. He won - did, conviction of sin became strong, knew Mr. O as a pastor in the area, and dered, How can I have the faith they and all the excuses he had for rejecting she respected him. When he asked her had? He asked his mother many ques - Christ disappeared under the evange - if she was saved, she replied that she did tions. Finally, in exasperation, she list’s preaching. When an invitation was not know. He then asked her how a per - replied that he was not old enough to given, Jesse made his way forward and son can get saved. She answered that it understand. begged for God’s mercy. He was born is by being good, “awful good” (Rohrer). When he was eight his conviction of again and surrendered himself to Chris - When pressed for an answer, she admit - sin increased. He later wrote, “How I tian service. The young man who had ted that she was not that good. Pastor O longed to be right with God, to be before pursued pleasure was now con - then stated that he was not that good ei - ready to die! The way of salvation was sumed with Bible study and witnessing. ther! Finally, she asked, “How then do never made plain to me, for I was con - After graduation, Jesse married and you get saved?” With joy, he was able to sidered too young . . . I lost interest in served as a lay minister. As he studied, explain God’s plan of salvation through play. . . . What should I do? What could two books besides the Bible highly in - the finished work of Christ on the cross. I do?” (Rohrer, The Indomitable Mr. O , fluenced him. In a box of books he had Ruby became a Christian that day. Child Evangelism Fellowship, Inc.). bought at an auction, he found a copy It was not long before Mr. O had won With no one to guide him, young Jesse of The Life of Moody. He threw the book twenty children to Christ! One day a became discouraged and gave up his down and determined not to waste time woman received Christ. He asked her quest for salvation. He reasoned, “If I’m reading about whom he called the “de - what influenced this decision, for he lost and can’t get saved, then I can’t get luded evangelist” (Rohrer). had failed in the past to win her. Her an - any more lost. I’ll just sin if I want to” Later, this book helped him to un - swer caused him to never doubt the re - (Rohrer). This path brought much derstand that not only are we saved by ality that children can indeed be con - heartache to himself and his parents. faith alone, but we are also kept by verted. “I came because of the changed The prodigal son finally left home faith alone. He had been caught up in lives of my two girls,” she said. Those when he was eighteen. However, legalism as taught by his denomina - two girls were sisters that he had per - something deepened in his mother’s tion. As he studied and came to clear - sonally led to the Lord. Mr. O now knew faith. Her letters to him were filled with ly understand God’s Word, the assur - Spurgeon was right. Scripture and the things of Christ. Her ance of salvation returned. He soon launched a ministry that words answered the questions which Mr. O, as he came to be known, sat would reach around the world, win - he had longed to have answered. at his desk, reading the sermons of the ning and discipling children for Christ. While Jesse was living as a prodigal, famous Charles Spurgeon. Every That ministry became known as Child God was faithful in calling him. Once, message clearly explained the way of Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). while swimming on the Pacific Coast, salvation by grace through faith. One Presently CEF has representatives in he almost drowned. He believed God sentence seemed to jump right off the more than 170 nations and provides had delivered him. page: “A child of five, if properly in - children’s Bible lessons, visual aids, While he was gone from home, his structed can as truly believe and be re - and child evangelism teacher training brother received Christ. His brother generated as an adult” (“Our History,” (www.cefonline.com/about/partner then convinced their father that a fam - www.cefonline.com). He thought to ships). ily altar was necessary. Bible reading himself, “This just can’t be.” On August 6, 1955, Mr. O went and prayer were a daily occurrence in Somehow, he could not get away home to meet the Lord he had served the Overholtzer home, and prayers from those words. If it were true, then for many years. His legacy lives on to - were going up for Jesse. why was the message of salvation not day in the many dedicated Christian Mr. Overholtzer pleaded with his son explained to him as a child? workers who have been inspired by his to come home. He promised he would Mr. O did not have faith that a five-year- example to win children for Christ. H 18 Training to Failure: Spiritual Strength BY ANASTASIA WILSON

HE weight on my shoulders was chastity whatever your marital status. 55: “As for me, I will call upon God; T crushing. Knees bent, eyes fixed But little is said about handling and the Lord shall save me. Evening, ahead, hands holding the bar across deeper spiritual struggles, such as lov - and morning, and at noon, will I pray, my shoulders in place, I puffed out an - ing a difficult neighbor, be they at and cry aloud: and he shall hear my other deep breath as I sank down into home, work, or elsewhere; guarding voice. . . . Cast thy burden upon the a squat. It was not very far to come your tongue from gossip, slander, and Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he back up to a standing position, but it general badmouthing; confessing to shall never suffer the righteous to be felt like forever. Once my back was God and repenting of envy or jealousy; moved” (vss. 16-17, 22). straight, down I went again. overcoming fears and doubts in one’s King David cried out to God regular - Weight training is not the same as walk with God; learning to be content ly. Serious weight lifters train regularly weight lifting. Weight machines are in every circumstance, and many oth - throughout the week, stopping in be - rarely used, and free weights are pre - ers. How do we serve God and do tween for necessary times of rest. As ferred. These include barbells, dumb - good when our motives are mixed and for the lifting itself, Charles H. Spur - bells, kettlebells, and more. Compar - our hearts are not trustworthy guides geon describes how it works in his ex - ing lifting on weight machines to lifting (Jer. 17:9)? position on Psalm 55. “What thy God free weights is like comparing a bicy - Spiritual strength comes from the lays upon thee, lay thou it upon the cle with training wheels to a bicycle struggle to develop correct habits Lord. His wisdom casts it on thee, it is with ten speeds: a good way to get of “lifting” more weight than we can thy wisdom to cast it on him. . . . He started, but you should eventually carry—our daily burdens—to God. shall sustain thee. . . . He shall never move on to better things. Spiritual fit - These habits include vigilance and re - suffer the righteous to be moved. He ness is no different. straint to avoid habitual sins, perse - may move like the boughs of a tree in This view of spiritual discipline verance in doing what is good, gain - the tempest, but he shall never be comes up in the book of Hebrews, ing the proper perspective (that is, moved like a tree torn up by the roots” where the author gives his audience a God’s perspective) on perplexing sit - (“The Treasury of David,” archive clear picture of both their progress uations, regular thanksgiving, and .spurgeon.org/treasury/ps055.php). and goal: “For when for the time ye taking the initiative to do what is nec - Peter also wrote of this truth: “Hum - ought to be teachers, ye have need essary to grow in Christ. ble yourselves therefore under the that one teach you again which be the These habits must be reinforced by mighty hand of God, that he may exalt first principles of the oracles of God; regular Scripture reading and prayer. you in due time: casting all your care and are become such as have need of When a weight trainer lifts a heavy upon him; for he careth for you” (I Pet. milk, and not of strong meat. For weight properly, it stretches his mus - 5:6-7). There is a much-debated prac - every one that useth milk is unskilful cle fibers until they tear just enough to tice in lifting known as “training to fail - in the word of righteousness: for he is require rebuilding without causing sig - ure,” which means that the lifter repeats a babe. But strong meat belongeth to nificant injury. This is what makes the the lifts until his muscles grow weak, or them that are of full age, even those lifter stronger than he was before. fail. This practice is debated by trainers, who by reason of use have their sens - However, he needs to eat a lot of pro - but the reason it is used is because it es exercised to discern both good tein to rebuild his muscles. Regular brings about greater muscle growth. and evil” (5:12-14). time spent with God through reading Reaching the point where you feel There are many differences be - the Bible and praying rebuilds a be - weak spiritually is not the end; it just tween a novice and a professional liever’s faith and strengthens it. means you are poised to grow stronger. weight trainer, especially the food they A weight lifter’s biggest threat is lift - Of course, no advice for spiritual eat. How does a person move from ing with improper form. Some lifts re - growth is useful apart from spiritual re - being a helpless infant to a strong, quire the back to remain completely generation. Without a personal knowl - physically fit adult? Through develop - flat without any curve, or the ears, edge of God and the indwelling of the ment, training, and discipline. So too hips, and heels to stay in a straight line Holy Spirit, Bible reading and prayer does a spiritual infant become a spiri - throughout the lift. Some injuries may are empty rituals. Without genuine be - tual adult who knows his Bible, his happen immediately, but the greater lief, they are performed infrequently God, and the hope he has for life in risk is that the lifter can push through and out of guilt, or else out of a foolish eternity with Him. “bad pain”—the kind that cripples hope of gaining something from God, rather than builds—and set himself up as though He were a vending machine SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT for debilitating injuries later in life. or a genie. He is never fooled and will Many have probably heard advice So how does a Christian lift his bur - not accept less than our best. “Be not about how to develop spiritually: read dens properly? The answer is that he deceived; God is not mocked: for your Bible, pray, memorize Scripture does not; God does. David knew this whatsoever a man soweth, that shall and meditate on it, fast, and practice secret, which he wrote about in Psalm he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 19 Missions

Reaching the Unreached BY DR. J ED N. S NYDER

ARRY AND LINDA DEPUE became of at least twenty to twenty-five lan - drinking too much of their products. L missionaries partly because he guage groups that the Bolivian govern - Whenever missionaries enter new grew up in a missionary family. He ment says are in that small, poverty- territory, they have a strategy for their lived in Bolivia, attending the boarding stricken, landlocked country. Bolivia is work. Larry and Linda’s strategy was to school operated at that time by New named for Simon Bolivar, a South sufficiently learn their language and Tribes Mission. Larry’s father, John American soldier and military leader culture to be able to present the gospel Depue, was one of several from the who was instrumental in the continent’s clearly enough to change the Simbas’ family who served as missionaries. It revolutions against the Spanish empire worldview into a biblical worldview. A was a large family whose motto (“Simon Bolivar,” encyclopedia.com). chronological presentation of God’s seemed to be “If you can’t be a mis - New Tribes Mission initially did not work from Creation to Christ was the sionary, then become whatever you work in these South American areas most effective way of accomplishing would like. Try first to be a missionary.” because so much had been done their goal. In the process, they asked Horace Snyder, Miriam Depue, and there by Bible societies and other min - the Lord to raise up leaders who could John Depue all became missionaries istries. However, in more recent years, become evangelists and teachers. to foreign countries. Wilma Snyder be - since the smaller unreached groups Those prayers have been partially came a Child Evangelism Fellowship have now had at least some evange - answered. There are now three well- missionary in eastern Pennsylvania. lization, there is work going into the educated and spiritually gifted teachers Three others of John’s children and highland tribes. Quechua is an ex - carrying on the work that Larry and Lin - one of his grandchildren—the Joe tremely difficult language to learn, but da pursued; however, many more qual - Depue family—also became foreign progress has been made so that God’s ified teachers are needed to fulfill what missionaries. The family continues to Word is now available to the several Paul told Timothy: “The same commit raise missionaries, pastors, and other million that speak that language. thou to faithful men, who shall be able Christian workers. The tribe that became infamous in to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:2). New Tribes Mission (NTM, now Bolivia is the Ayore tribe. Larry’s father The Simba live in many widely scat - known as Ethnos 360) is an interna - and mother ministered among that peo - tered villages that are difficult and time- tional, theologically evangelical Chris - ple group, providing Larry and his sib - consuming for foreigners to reach. To tian mission organization based in San - lings with good opportunities to under - overcome this difficulty, Larry and Linda ford, Florida. They have approximately stand primitive living in Bolivia. By God’s created a Simba Bible Center to teach 3,300 missionaries in more than twen - grace, that tribe is now sending out the Bible chronologically and to teach ty nations. The organization sends mis - Bible teachers and evangelists to some leaders to teach others in this way. They sionaries from local churches around of the previously unreached villages. also traveled to some of the larger, more the world to Latin America, West Africa, The Simba (a subgroup of the accessible communities and did the Southeast Asia, and the Arctic (“New Guarani people of Bolivia), however, same teaching. The gospel has been Tribes Mission,” wikipedia.org). had been reached by Roman Catholic given to many tribal people in simple “In 1944, five missionaries working missionaries. This people group of terms: we are sinners, Jesus Christ with New Tribes Missions in Bolivia about 7,000 members had received a saves, and by faith we may enter into were killed trying to reach the fierce Ay - syncretized Christianity into their own fellowship with God. ores. The five were probably murdered pagan religion. Sadly, they did not However, they have observed that in weeks before the search party even left have the Bible written in their language. some areas of Bolivia, the gospel mes - to look for them. Their bodies were nev - They were slaves to Spanish-speaking sage has been added to the already ex - er found, and the entire event received landowners and were treated very poor - isting syncretistic religion, making it ap - little notice by the world press. After all, ly. Even today, there is continued wor - pear that Jesus Christ is just one more this news item was buried beneath the ship of many spirits; two primary ones god among their other gods. To be cer - happenings of World War II. Today, if are the “choncho,” a bird god, and the tain that this did not happen among the someone mentions the five intrepid “aguara tumpa,” a fox god. These gods Simba tribe, Larry and Linda took pains, missionary martyrs to the jungles of are feared by the people. They are con - and a much longer time, explaining the South America, few recall the names of cerned that they will not appease them full message of God from the Creation Cecil and Bob Dye, Dave Bacon, properly and will be punished severely. to the Cross and on to our day. George Hosbach or Eldon Hunter.” The Simba people are primarily They use a curriculum called “Firm (Bjorlie, “Five Missionary Martyrs.” Up - farmers. Corn is their major crop. Corn Foundations.” The curriculum helps look Ministries, www.uplook.org). also provides them with an enormous the missionaries to lay a strong foun - Larry and Linda were trained for mis - amount of corn liquor. One large social dation for the advancement of the sionary service and began their min - problem among the Simba is alco - gospel. The vital message is this: there istry together in 1977. They work in one holism that comes from the people is one true God who created the heav - 20 in the story of Moses striking the rock, resulting in water coming forth. The word for this, as understood by males, is a word that females among the Sim - ba use to cause a pregnant woman to have an abortion. Obviously when this was understood, a different word need - ed to be chosen for striking the rock. If after reading this article, you feel interested in the possibility of working to fulfill the Great Commission by join - ing the NIM team, please know that missionaries are still needed. So much has been accomplished, but so much still needs to be done. Do not stifle the Holy Spirit if He is speaking to you. New Tribes Mission, headquartered in Sanford, Florida, has a website at www.ntm.org. Please note that you will be directed to their new site, Eth - nos 360. You can find all the necessary contact information as well as much about the remaining need worldwide. There is also a Missionary Training Institute in Wisconsin that is designed to prepare individuals specifically for ens and earth and who sent His their language to become extinct. The work among tribal people. They have beloved Son to die for our sins. This work Linda and her co-translators are a missionary training institute in Mis - teaching does not permit for any other doing seems likely to last for many souri, and there are two Bible schools, gods. God does not share His glory. years. one in Wisconsin and one in Michigan. The lessons have all been translated The worldview that came from their While there has been relative ease in into the Simba language. The Summer animistic religion, which was previous - obtaining short-term visas, permanent Institute of Linguistics (sister organiza - ly accepted, will no longer be able to resident visas are more difficult to get tion of Wycliffe Bible translators) did control the hearts of all the Simba peo - and much more time consuming. Do the initial translation of stories from the ple. For most Simbas, a God-centered not stop trying. God often honors Old Testament and the entire New Tes - worldview will become their worldview. those who persevere. tament. To accomplish this, they most - This fact includes many who have not With regard to starting a family on a ly used the Spanish alphabet, but be - yet actually become believers. foreign mission field (or taking one), Lar - cause Simba has some sounds that do Larry has been called upon to assist ry and Linda are blessed to be the par - not exist in Spanish, the linguists had with another critical development in ents of four children. This shows us that to make up some nonexistent letters. Bolivia. He will be training Latin Amer - it is possible to be sold out to serve in a Even now they are finding that there ican missionaries to serve in that con - cross-cultural setting, in circumstances are other sounds to be added into their tinent, as well as in other parts of the that may not appear to be ideal, and still alphabet. world where they can enculturate bet - have good success with family. Some Linda is currently translating Bible ter than North American missionaries. “transculture kids” believe that it was a stories for the ladies and children. This is an important part of the fulfill - great blessing being raised among peo - These will be used widely in the Simba ment of the Great Commission. ple who are different culturally. villages to advance the gospel. One of To that end, New Tribes Mission Flexibility is required to be an effec - the wonders of modern technology is (Ethnos 360) has set up a training cen - tive missionary. Things can change that hand-wound MP3 players have ter called ETNOS (Centro de Discipu - rather quickly and often require great been developed. This makes it very lado Misionero Etnos) near Santa Cruz, ingenuity and tenacity to ride the crest easy to carry the Bible and other stories Bolivia. This center has more than a of change. Children who observe de - in an audio format to extremely remote dozen students as of this writing. Its vout parents living with little of the nor - areas of the world, including these ar - goal is to train missionaries sent by mal blessings that American citizens eas of Bolivia (“Getting Resources to their local churches from all over the expect, and yet living that life happily the Illiterate,” ethnos360.org). continent to reach the hundreds of un - and with a deep sense of fullness, are It is appropriate to ask, “Does it ap - reached groups both in Latin America richly equipped to live that same sort pear that the Simba language will dis - and around the world. Larry will teach of life and frequently become leaders appear?” There are, indeed, lan - at this center with the assistance of in their own ministries. guages in Bolivia and around the other dedicated linguists and teachers. Keep the Depue and their God-giv - world that will not continue. Simba is Another factor involved in translation en work in your prayers. Keep praying not one of these. The Simba are gen - is that words in the Simba language for the light of God’s gospel to reach tle but proud people. They are bilin - have differing meanings for the two all of Bolivia, South America, and the gual in large part, but they do not want genders. One vivid illustration of this is rest of the world. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 21 Counseling Corner Book Reviews

Gansky, Alton. 30 Events That Shaped the Church: Learning from Scandal, Intrigue, War and Revival. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Rudeness in a Restaurant Baker Books, 2015. BY DAVID H. W ILCOX , D.M IN . Here is an interesting and helpful study of thirty significant events that Q. A small group of my church verse that even though we do not have have changed the church and the friends enjoy going out to restaurants, slaves and masters in our culture, peo - world. Let us look at a few. but one of our party invariably be - ple are hired to serve us or work for us. The author begins his discussion of comes embarrassingly difficult with If the preacher has it right, all of us these thirty events with Pentecost. It is the servers. Does God’s Word give in - have an obligation to abide by the com - a sensible place to start since there sight concerning things like this? mand of Colossians 4:1. “Masters, give was no church before Pentecost, local A. Yes, God’s Word definitely helps unto your servants that which is just or universal. us face the challenges of life. More - and equal; knowing that ye also have a Gansky also includes the conversion over, this is a legitimate challenge. We Master in heaven.” Every believer of Paul. His missionary work and his all have shared such embarrassing should not only leave a generous and writings formed the Christian world, moments. fair tip, but ought to treat servers with even though he was a persecutor of the Christians have an obligation to kindness and equality. church before he became a believer. honor the Lord at all times and in My son, a building contractor, has The first printed Bible by Gutenberg every circumstance. “Let your received very unfair treatment from a is included in the list. This event took speech be alway with grace, sea - few church people. In one case, after the Scriptures to the masses and soned with salt, that ye may know the order to stop work, he lost a large opened the eyes of multitudes to the how ye ought to answer every man” amount of money already spent for gospel message. (Col. 4:6). This verse makes a con - building materials. Brothers and sis - The Protestant Reformation affect - nection between grace in speech and ters, such things ought not to be. ed and changed the church through - salt being used on food. On the other side of the coin, all ser - out the world. Gansky focuses on how When Jesus said, “Ye are the salt of vants—waiters, contractors, beauti - this event shaped Western civilization. the earth,” He had our everyday cir - cians, mechanics, store clerks, land - He includes the publishing of the cumstances in mind (Matt. 5:13). If scapers, and nursing home King James Version of the Bible in anyone obeys the call to grace in workers—should also obey the Scrip - 1611. It soon became the most loved thoughts, words, and actions, he or tures. Ephesians 6:5 and 8 states, of all English translations. she begins to understand what Christ - “Servants, be obedient to them that Gansky concludes his book with an likeness looks like. John records the are your masters according to the account of the rise of new atheism, heart of Jesus when he writes, “(We flesh, with fear and trembling, in sin - which is a new slant on the denial of beheld his glory, the glory as of the gleness of your heart, as unto Christ; God. It began in the early 1970s. only begotten of the Father,) full of . . . knowing that whatsoever good Gansky’s book is educational and grace and truth” (John 1:14). thing any man doeth, the same shall entertaining. Every church historian’s First, we must deal with the hard he receive of the Lord, whether he be library should include it. part of your question—How should I bond or free.” respond to the difficult person? If I am Since we expect “servants” to do all Montgomery, Daniel. Leadership Mosaic: 5 Leadership Principles for Ministry and full of grace and truth, it will affect my for the Lord, are not those who pay for the service or product obligated to re - Everyday Life. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, responses. Should I drop out of the 2016. turn gentleness, respect, and justice? group? Would it be better to exclude There is a need today for the study the difficult party? How many times Pray for God to show you a loving yet firm way to speak to your friend and presentation of material on the will I be able to forgive bad behavior? complexity of leadership. This book is Ask yourself if your embarrassment about this behavior. Be humble about your own sinfulness, and keep in mind very helpful in meeting that need. causes you to respond with gossip, how Christ saved you and works in The author presents five characteris - judgmental body language, or perhaps your life daily. Speak to your friend in tics of leaders. He supports each with the silent treatment. Would it be worth private and back up your words with Scripture. He suggests how to apply public confrontation and inevitable di - Scripture. Pray before, during, and af - and benefit from each characteristic. vision among believers? The Bible tells ter you speak to them. Then trust He calls on leaders to carry out what us to speak privately to those who sin Christ with the outcome. H they believe and to look forward to against us (Matt. 18:15-17). However, learning how Scripture relates to the the particular offense you mentioned Do you have a question you role of a leader. may not be against you. would like answered? Send it to: The author alerts readers about the Mistreating anyone who works for Counseling Corner, Union Gospel need for good leadership. The book is you dishonors the name of the Lord. Press, P.O. Box 6059, Cleveland, an encouragement to leaders in the Our pastor recently preached on Ohio 44101, or e-mail us at theoed pulpit, on church boards, in Sunday Colossians 4 in a Sunday morning @uniongospelpress.com (subject school, and in the home. H service. He commented on the first line: Counseling Corner). —Robert P. Lightner. 22 Timely Tips for Working with Teens

Blurring the Line Between Humans and Animals BY JAMES P. E CKMAN , P H.D.

EENS in the church today face a deed, one of the most fundamental of If human beings are simply a more T culture that rejects God’s values, all biblical propositions is that humans complicated primate and merely a His virtues, His morals, and His ethical both resemble God (in attributes such cosmic accident, why does it matter standards. One of the glaring exam - as intellect, emotion, will) and repre - how we treat human life at any stage ples of this rejection is the blurring of sent God (for example, as His theo - of its development? ethical lines between humans and an - cratic stewards, see Genesis 1:26). Second, how should we help teens imals, arguing that animals should These truths provide the basis for the think biblically about our pets and have the same rights as humans. worth, value, and dignity of humanity. about animals in general? There are For many years, ethicist Peter Theologian Albert Mohler writes: several biblical principles to aid Chris - Singer served as the Ira W. DeCamp “Human dignity can survive only if we tians in thinking about animal life, the Professor of Bioethics at Princeton commonly believe and commonly af - larger physical world, and about our University. An author of many books, firm that every single human being, at relationship to both. The non-human including his important Animal Libera - every stage of development, is a per - creation is of great significance to tion, Singer has championed ideas son in God’s image and bearing the God. He created the physical world as that are now cherished and central to dignity that is the mark of God’s per - a deliberate act. the organization People for the Ethical sonal possession. The only adequate God also takes pleasure in His phys - Treatment of Animals (PETA). Arguably conception of human dignity rests ical world. This is clear from the Cre - controversial and provocative, Singer upon the biblical teaching that such ation Ordinances (commands God has advocated, among many other dignity is not a human achievement, gave in our unfallen state to bring Him things, the following: but a gift. Human beings do not glory) in Genesis 1 and 2 and from • We must embrace the collapse of an an - achieve the status of dignity by their I Timothy 4:4: “For every creature of cient system of values that has en - abilities or performance or develop - God is good.” If the physical world is shrined the sanctity of human life. ment. Human dignity and the worth of important to God, then it must be to us, • Human life is not necessarily more sa - the human individual are predicated His dominion stewards, as well. cred than a dog’s life. only upon the fact that every human Scripture teaches that God has a • It is probably more compassionate to being is made in the image of God, covenant not only with humans but carry out medical experiments on hope - lessly disabled, unconscious orphans and therefore is to be respected, pro - also with the nonhuman creation. Af - than on perfectly healthy rats. tected, and cherished as a member of ter the Flood, God made a covenant • Human dominion over the animal king - the human community” (“The Brief - with the physical creation (see Gene - dom is “speciesism.” ing.” www.albertmohler.com, Febru - sis 9:9-10). The physical world thus • A severely mentally impaired human be - ary 25, 2014). has dignity, worth, and value quite ing is worth less than a chicken. In this postmodern era, American apart from its service to humanity. However, Singer’s entire ethical par - civilization is currently struggling with Incredibly, God’s redemptive plan adigm has been challenged by a rather how to affirm human dignity without has a cosmic quality to it. Romans common reality of human life—his the biblical premise of God’s image. 8:19-23 demonstrates that at Christ’s mother has Alzheimer’s disease, and This effort is not going well, for without return, the groaning of creation will he has made the conscious decision absolute truth rooted in God’s revela - cease, for the creation will be trans - to spend his money taking care of her tion, we are finding that as a civiliza - formed. The whole created order will “rather than helping chickens” (Ka - tion, we have our feet firmly anchored be part of Christ’s kingdom (and the plan, “Can We Live With Contradic - in midair! We have no absolute, all-en - New Heaven and New Earth). tion?” www.nytimes.com). compassing basis for establishing and We have a sober responsibility to be How should we help teens think affirming human dignity. good and kind stewards of animals as about the value of human life? Here are Further, with the Darwinian hypoth - a part of God’s world. It is our steward - two fundamental comments. First, esis now the widely accepted view, ship responsibility to treat them well, Singer’s entire ethical construct and humans are merely products of exact - and care for them. But, animals are not his seeming inconsistency stems from ly the same force that produced all persons. They do not deserve to have an unwillingness to embrace a central life—natural selection. Thus, life is a the rights associated with personhood. teaching of genuine, biblical Christian - product of vast amounts of time, ran - Only humans bear God’s image, and ity—namely, that humans alone have dom chance, and an impersonal force Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection infinite worth and value because they called natural selection. In such a were accomplished for the justification are created in the image of God. In - worldview, life is a “cosmic accident.” of human beings, not animals. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 23 Noah’s Ark

The Flowerpecker BY KELLY HAWVER

Male Wakatobi flowerpecker

OLOMON noted that when “the bird ranging from four to seven inches. bi Islands, you will find Sulawesi Island. S flowers appear on the earth; the It weighs less than a half ounce. Like This is home to the crimson-crowned time of the singing of birds is come” other flowerpeckers, they have short flowerpecker. Measuring a little over (Song of Sol. 2:12). One of those tails and a thick, arched beak. God gave three inches, he has red feathers on the singing birds is called a flowerpecker. them a special tube-shaped tongue top of his head, a few above his tail, and You may be familiar with birds called that allows them to feed on the nectar a small patch on his chest. His back has woodpeckers. There are many vari - of flowers. Their diet may also consist of blue-black feathers, and his throat, bel - eties in North America and around the small berries, spiders, and insects. ly, and legs are a light gray. world. But the flowerpecker is a small, The male and female birds do not There is a third type that is on non-migrating bird that lives in the look alike. (This is not the case for every Sulawesi Island. The yellow-sided tropics of the South Pacific and Indian species of flowerpecker.) The male is flowerpecker is the same size as the Ocean region of the world. more colorful. He has dark gray feath - crimson-crowned one. He has very The country of Indonesia is a group ers on his back and tail. White feathers different colors. His back feathers are of more than seventeen thousand is - cover his belly. Then from his chin to his olive-green. The top of his wings and lands. Even though the population of chest, he has red feathers. The female tail are blackish-brown. His sides are a the nation is in the top five of the world, has medium gray feathers on her back bright yellow, and he has a white belly there are many areas of subtropical and tail, and she has light gray or white and throat. forests. Indonesia is home for over a feathers on her belly and chin. The Maluku Islands are southeast of dozen flowerpecker species. All flowerpeckers make their nests to the Wakatobi Islands. There are over On a small cluster of four of the is - dangle from tree limbs. The nest will of - one thousand islands in this province lands, called the Wakatobi Islands, ten be like a felt pouch in the shape of of Indonesia. This is the habitat of the lives a bird that cannot be found any - a pear. It has a slit entrance at the top. flame-breasted flowerpecker and the where else in the world. It is the Waka - The female birds use materials like ashy flowerpecker. tobi flowerpecker. grass, leaves, and cobwebs to build West of the Wakatobi Islands are the A team of scientists from Trinity Col - the nest. They will lay two to four eggs main islands of Borneo, Java, and lege in Dublin, Ireland, studied these in the nest in a season. Both males and Sumatra. The plain flowerpecker, the flowerpeckers. They examined over fifty females feed the young chicks. orange-bellied flowerpecker, and the of the birds to collect measurements, The grey-sided flowerpecker has a scarlet-headed flowerpecker can all weight, and DNA. These detailed stud - wider habitat on larger surrounding is - be found here. ies were to show that the Wakatobi lands. This flowerpecker is actually There even more varieties in the flowerpecker was a distinct species. smaller than the Wakatobi. His col - Philippines, India, and Australia. I would This changed its status from a sub - oration is similar, but the red feathers encourage you to look them up to see species of the grey-sided flowerpecker. are only on his throat. how detailed God the Creator was in The Wakatobi flowerpecker is a tiny If you travel northwest of the Wakato - making these delightful creatures! H 24 Wit and Wisdom Cartoons Quote-ables

Tears and Triumph Thomas Binney (1798-1874): “There will be no Christian but will have a Gethsemane; but every praying Chris - tian will find that there is no Gethse - George Herbert: “Every mile is two in mane without its angel!” winter.” * * * * * * James Montgomery (1771-1854): Anonymous: “Send a horse around “Beyond this vale of tears / There is a the world to acquire learning; when he life above, / Unmeasured by the flight returns, he is still a horse.” of years; / And all that life is love.” * * * * * * William Blake: “It is easier to forgive Brownlow North (1810-1875): “I be - an enemy than to forgive a friend.” lieve there is nothing that honours God * * * more, or that God more honours, than praising Him in tribulation.” “They arrested a fellow for stealing comic books from the newsstand. * * * This was just carrying jokes too far.” Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892): “If * * * we cannot believe God when circum - William Feather: “Some people are stances seem to be against us, we do making such thorough preparation for not believe Him at all.” rainy days that they aren’t enjoying to - * * * day’s sunshine.” Augustine (354-430): “If sorrow * * * makes us shed tears, faith in the prom - William Dean Howells: “Some peo - ises of God makes us dry them.” ple can stay longer in an hour than oth - * * * ers can in a week.” Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015): “Every * * * experience of trial puts us to this test: “Man was given five senses: touch, ‘Do you trust God or don’t you?’” taste, sight, smell, and hearing. The successful man has two more: horse * * * and common.” Catherine Marshall (1914-1983): * * * “Crises bring us face to face with our inadequacy and our inadequacy in “A college education never hurt any - turn leads us to the inexhaustible suf - body who was willing to learn after he ficiency of God.” got it.” * * * * * * Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887): “If you don’t learn from your mistakes, “Troubles are often the tools by which there’s no sense making them.” God fashions us for better things.” * * * * * * “The exercise that wears most people out is running after cash.” Horatio Spafford (1828-1888): “Whatever my lot, / Thou hast taught * * * me to say, / “It is well, it is well with my “Wit is the spice of conversation.” H Copyright © 2015 soul.” H —compiled by Donna Poole. Harper Collins Christian Publishing —compiled by Donna Poole. WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 25 Dad’s Den

Good Advice, Good Sons BY PHILIP J. L ESKO

E will drink no wine,” the Rech- conversed with missionaries and and, like the Rechabites, support each W abite men said in Jeremiah evangelists. My father was a pastor, other in the decisions they have made. 35:6. They went on to explain that it and we entertained such Christian There is an interesting phenomenon was because “Jonadab the son of workers in our home often. I felt the here that is worth noting. The adult Rechab our father commanded us, purpose and import of those discus - men, fathers and grandfathers now, sit saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither sions. Years later, after being in other in a loose group, talking and watching ye, nor your sons for ever.” organizations, sports, education sys - the kids play and interact. The kids It is amazing that they adhered to tems, and the like, I found that nothing know this and are aware of the interest this advice for generation after gener - compared to the weight and value of the men take in them. It affects them. ation. Not only did they not drink wine, the discussions about church work, From time to time, one or several of but they did not farm or plant vine - salvation of souls, and the progress of them will stop and draw near to the yards, and they only lived in tents. the gospel in foreign lands. family elders to hear what they are Of course, it is good advice not to My own son said to me one day, saying or even to ask a question. drink wine, or any alcoholic beverage when he was grown up and had a fam - Without being able to verbalize it, for that matter, but abstaining from ily of his own, “Dad, I remember play - they feel a pressure on them to do what such beverages was not the point of ing in the dirt as you preached to the is right and to follow their elders’ advice. God’s message in Jeremiah 35. The Navajos. I did not know what you were When they go back to their lives at point was that these men could obey saying, but I knew it was very impor - school or with their friends, they retain a father’s command, but the Israelites tant.” He had had the same experi - this feeling that they are being observed could not obey God’s command. ence that I felt so many years ago. and that the advice they received was The Lord is a greater authority than A father’s influence is a continuing good for them. They feel loved, cared any earthly father and should have been factor in a child’s development. The about, and accountable. The mother’s obeyed without question or hesitation. Rechabites referred back to their father brothers are a part of this group of fa - The Lord points out this failure in verse and grandfather. This faithfulness is thers also. The maternal uncles have a 14, “but ye hearkened not unto me.” He very important. Sons in their twenties powerful influence on young boys. then recounts His efforts to persuade and thirties need to be able to trust in For this reason, it is extremely im - them to correct their sinful ways. the faithfulness of their father and to portant to attend family gatherings, Wayward sons seem to be the norm look to him as an example for their own both on happy occasions like holidays these days, and they get encourage - adult values. They need the bedrock of and weddings and for sad ones like fu - ment from the media, both social and the father’s devotion to God and the nerals. The support that a child re - public. Fathers are denigrated and be - love of their mother to give them the ceives gives him strength to face littled. What can we do? confidence to establish a home and temptation successfully and to have Starting when they are infants, we family. It is during these early adult the motivation to achieve in school need to take our sons to church and years that a father’s advice is most ef - and other activities. It is part of the ba - raise them in a godly atmosphere. Be fective because the children will have sic goal of surrounding your child with at every service possible. Get them to gained enough life experience to see good Christian adults, all telling him every activity. Let them see us partici - that things could turn out very badly the same good things that you teach pating in church affairs. They will be no and have turned out badly for so many him at home. more involved and active than we are. of their friends and acquaintances. They say that the strongest influ - We, as fathers, set the example. We It is then that the children come to ence to persuade someone of some - also need to speak of church in a fa - their dad and ask how to avoid the thing is a role model. The men of the vorable way and explain in words the mistakes that could ruin their lives. family—father, uncles, grandfa - importance of church attendance They want advice that earlier they thers—are role models for the boys. even as we act out our estimation of would not have understood or valued. The men of the church are like fathers that importance. Where once the threat of punishment to them also. Sunday school teach - We do not go to church and involve kept them in line and prevented poor ers, youth leaders, pastors, song ourselves in its functions because we decisions, now they take the father’s leaders, and camp counselors all are want our children to be a part of the advice to heart, seeing the wisdom of role models for your sons. You never church. We do it because we feel with it, and they avoid costly errors through know which one they will latch on to, our deepest being that church is truly their own wise choices. so be diligent in engineering it so they God’s agency on earth today, and we It is during these early adult years will have many good men from which want to be a part of God’s plan and that the father and his sons speak to to choose. Good sons will take your purpose. The kids notice this. each other as equals, more or less. advice, and good advice will make I remember growing up and sitting The men of the family can stand shoul - good sons who will one day stand around the dinner table as my parents der to shoulder at family gatherings with you as equals. H 26 One Mother to Another

The Big Let Go BY PAULETTE LEBLANC

HEN my son became an adoles- dren to have a healthy dependence on ly Father, but we cannot believe for W cent, I asked a dear friend for God is key in their lifelong relationship them. We cannot force them to be the advice about how much freedom he with Him. This is where carefully letting adults we think they should be. should be offered. Her answer was dif - go is most crucial. When there was nothing left for me ficult to hear, but very wise. She said The idea of letting my adolescent to do for my adult daughter but pray, I from the moment we have a child, their son go off with his friends for the first prayed. I kept holding on to the hope caretaking becomes a series of letting time was a foreign concept to me up that I had placed enough biblical truth go. We begin to let go the first time we to that point. I explained to him that his inside her that she would one day re - go out and trust our baby to the care father and I were going to construct an turn to God. of someone else. As parents, we en - imaginary fence, and if he did not at - Finally, after years of seeing that the courage a baby to crawl and walk. As tempt to climb it, it would progres - world had very little to offer in the way they take those first steps away from sively get shorter as he grew older. We of peace and contentment, she began us, they are generally monitored pretty told him that we expected him to be - to draw from her childhood faith. closely. have the same way when he was out When, at last, I heard her witnessing to When a child goes off to school for the in the world that he would in front of a friend of hers who was not raised to first time, it can be a difficult adjustment us. Above all, we reminded him that he believe in God, my eyes filled with for some mothers. Now her child will was not only representing our family tears, and I realized the Holy Spirit had have to interact socially and be taught while out in the world but also that he interceded for her. that there are others in the world with was a Christian young man represent - The world will tell us that we need to needs like they have. ing God. each go our own way and do what Each step that our children take I am happy to say that he grew into a feels right for us as individuals, but the away from us throughout their child - wonderful man. We never had to build a Bible teaches that if we instruct a child hood should be proceeded by careful higher fence for him. He is now married rightly, they will return to God and to preparation of their coming adulthood. and on his way to becoming a pastor. us. Sometimes that takes time. Re - It is likely that the child sitting beside This is a case where the story worked member in the story of the prodigal your child in school will spend far more out even better than we had hoped. son, the father did not kick the son time with them than you will, and it is This is not always the case, however. out—he asked to leave and then re - difficult to safeguard that influence. My daughter was given the same turned to the father after seeing that This is why a strong, Christian-based upbringing, the same talk about the the world had nothing to offer. value system must be instilled at home. imaginary fence, and the same free - I am blessed that my daughter final - The Bible says to “train up a child in doms as her brother. The world was ly realized that the same faith she had the way he should go: and when he is shaping her in a very different way, old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. however, and she rarely obeyed as an been running from was the best thing 22:6). We are given very clear biblical in - adolescent. We built an imaginary life had to offer her. I realize that some structions here to train up our children in fence, and she climbed it. We built an mothers never get that day of re - the ways of God. Some parents choose imaginary wall, and she scaled it. We demption with their children. I always to be the biggest influence in their chil - built an imaginary moat around her, encourage mothers to pray daily for dren’s lives by schooling them at home. and she befriended the alligator that their children, whether they are living This is a great way to monitor what it is swam the moat and escaped. in faith or not. We never know what cir - they are learning, but we need to watch As a mother, it can break your heart cumstances God will allow in order to that we do not overly shelter them. This to watch your child make wrong bring our children back to Him. decision should be contemplated with choices. You begin to wonder where The hardest thing to remember prayer and careful consideration. you have failed him. From one mother about raising children is that they are If our primary motivation for home - to another, I encourage you to stay on not ours. In reality, our children belong schooling is to give our child the very best your knees in prayer for your child, no to God. Even though we may not bring education we can, that is a good reason. matter where he or she goes off the them to a temple and offer them to If, however, our primary motive is fear beam. Through the darkest times with God in the same way Hannah did with based, we need to realize that, at some my daughter, I just kept hanging on to Samuel (I Sam. 1:27-28), when we pur - point, that child is going to grow and en - the thought that God never gives up pose to raise a child God’s way, that is ter the world with or without our consent, on me, so I refused to give up on her. exactly what we are doing. Through direction, and instruction. God gives us The hardest thing to do sometimes the darkest times, it was difficult to our children for only a short time. is to realize we are not our children’s imagine that God loved my daughter We live in a world that prizes inde - saviours—Jesus is. We are to instruct even more than I did, but He does. He pendence, not only from one another them and instill in them a desire to - loved her so much that He sent Jesus but also from God. Teaching our chil - ward a relationship with their Heaven - to die for her. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 27 Christian Education

The End or the Beginning? Partnering with Senior Adults BY JOHN G. C ROWDER

T had been a picture-perfect event. ful in ministry. Again this is far from the advantage, do not be afraid to give I The decor was excellent, the food truth! When I was in the older adult senior saints a challenge either. Al - superb. As per my custom for our an - ministry, I had many seniors who though we do not always admit it, as nual senior adults Christmas ban - would assist with projects. Those proj - humans, we like to be challenged. quets, I selected a short film starring ects ranged from painting and plumb - Granted, we may get outside of our an individual who had contributed to ing to publication layout to polishing comfort zone, but there is a certain the genre of Yuletide carols and pews. They literally saved the church amount of satisfaction and pride songs. This time it was Gene Autry. I multiple thousands of dollars. when we can step back and say, chose one of his Christmas songs, il - Do not worry about how small a job “Wow! Look what I did!” lustrated by a clip from one of his might seem. Ask them to pitch in with One particular year at our movie movies where he and an entourage little chores and tasks. You would be matinee, I chose a film thematic to the are on horseback, singing the lyrics surprised at the amount of time one time of Easter. With this subject, I cer - and delivering presents. When the can save by asking a retired person to tainly wanted to emphasize the Chris - words “The End” appeared on the lend a hand. What may seem to a tian calendar. There was a senior lady screen, I became concerned that my younger person as a mundane task, who attended church sporadically. I audience might identify with those older adults can usually turn into an really wanted to involve her, so I took words. opportunity for fellowship. the liberty of asking if she would make In dealing with older saints, they of - At one time, our church sent out a Resurrection cookies. She did an out - ten believe they no longer have any - monthly calendar by bulk mail. The standing job. Later, I found out she thing to contribute, and that it is, in person we had in charge would bring had been extremely nervous and had fact, the end. Nothing could be further in reinforcements to fold, affix address agonized over whether they would from the truth! Seniors have a great labels and stickers, sort, and count. turn out right. Well, they did, and she deal to offer. But first, like any other They would have their coffee and use was elated! group, the secret to convincing them the time to catch up on news and dif - Do not think for a moment that at a of this is in discovering what makes ferent events with their families and certain age, someone is washed up. them tick. friends. Do not let the fallback statement “You Start off by getting to know their sto - But be sure not to take advantage of can always pray” become a cliché. ries. Find out what their interests and senior adults. No one likes to be taken The old expression, “More things are hobbies are, and, if retired, what their for granted. Yes, seniors will be more wrought by prayer than this world jobs were. Listen to their narratives. than happy to pitch in, but like anyone dreams of” is not just a bit of poetry Have them share about their children else, they need a pat on the back and that looks nice hanging on the wall— and grandchildren. Get involved in to be shown they are appreciated. it is a reality! their lives. Take them out to lunch. Go out for pie A dear soul in her 90s was once in And do not be afraid—they will not and coffee. Pick up a little gift. By all charge of the prayer chain at church. bite. Many times people have the mis - means, thank them! We would call her, report the need, and conception that seniors are dour and I recall a specific instance where I she would set the wheels in motion. sour, always with a glower on their had several senior adults help me on Another gentleman in his 80s who faces. In other words, just like so many a project and had written individual lived fairly close to the church would fictional characters in books, TV, and notes of gratitude. My handwriting is swing by every evening, making sure movies, once you get to know them, atrocious (be glad you are reading lights were turned off, thermostats ad - you will find there is another side to this in print). Nearly everyone came justed, and doors locked. As he their apparent state of continual up to me and said, “Thank you for the walked the church, he would take that grumpiness. thank you card. I couldn’t read it, but opportunity to pray to his Lord, inter - Often, people look at the older seg - thank you!” ceding for those in need. ment thinking they are no longer use - Even though you should not take When it comes to partnering with 28 senior adults in ministry, remember apprenticed to learn a trade or craft. close the proverbial generation gap? another maxim: Blessed be the tie that More often than not, this would be with Perhaps the reason is found in He - binds. Fellowship is not only impor- a seasoned veteran who had made brews 4:15. Although the author is tant; it is integral! Older people often that particular work their livelihood. comparing the earthly high priest to the feel lonely and forgotten. When you We do not hear much about ap - Heavenly, that is, the Son of God, there present a need or project, inquire if prenticeships these days, yet the is comfort and empathy in knowing they need help, and then ask if they Bible strongly urges older Christians those who have walked this lonesome would like for you to recruit or if they to take younger Christians, whether valley have lived to tell the story and would prefer to choose their in age or faith, under their wings and can exultantly exclaim, “It is no secret partner(s). tutor them in the ways of God. The what God can do ./What He’s done for We had a couple in their 90s who Apostle Paul, in writing to Titus, sums [me] ,/He’ll do for you” (Hamblen, “It would come in each quarter and sort this up nicely: Is No Secret [What God Can Do].”) the Sunday school curriculum books But speak thou the things which be - A great hymn of triumph and assur - and take-home papers. As the take- come sound doctrine: that the aged men ance, “How Firm a Foundation,” ex - homes were bundled in quarterly sets, be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. The aged women presses this beautifully: they would need to be divided out by likewise, that they be in behaviour as be - Even down to old age all My people shall week, which was an arduous task. cometh holiness, not false accusers, not prove This couple then asked another given to much wine, teachers of good My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love; “younger” couple (in their 80s!) to things; that they may teach the young And when hoary hairs shall their temples come and help. They had a blast! women to be sober, to love their husbands, adorn, to love their children, to be discreet, Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be When you are in charge of a senior chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient borne. adults church group, be sure to create to their own husbands, that the word of Ever thought about the expression a friendly and fun environment. When God be not blasphemed. Young men like - wise exhort to be sober minded. In all “hoary hairs” and asked yourself, I assumed leadership of the group at “What in the world is that ?” Simply our church, I was very intentional in things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, put, it means “gray hair.” Note the encouraging members to extend an gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that can - poet’s progression of thought. All invitation to their family, friends, and not be condemned; that he that is of the through the Christian life, even when neighbors. One couple consistently contrary part may be ashamed, having no approaching middle to old age, we are asked their neighbors, who came to evil thing to say of you. (Titus 2:1-8) able to demonstrate the peace and many of our functions. Although the Not only does Paul instruct the eld - presence of Christ. Finally, when the husband rarely attended church, he ers in how they must be about the time comes and we have reached the would escort his wife and, at times, be Master’s business (mentoring), but touched and have tears rolling down also in how they must live. In other end of our earthly existence, we stand his cheeks. On one occasion, they words, before you mentor or disciple on this side of heaven, knowing that brought their granddaughter, who re- another in how they need to live out the Great Shepherd will carry us to vic - marked, “These old people really their faith, you must be sure your own tory and our eternal home. What a tes - know how to have fun!” house is clean. timony to those who are coming up Just because you are old, it does Recently, I heard a sermon where through the ranks! not mean you cannot have fun or that the pastor made the comment, “Thank One of the greatest stories of tri - you are useless. But time after time, if you, Lord, for the scars!” At first, that umph that I shall never forget hap - you mention the term “senior citizen” seems an odd thing for which to show pened in a hospital room. I had re - to a younger person, they think of gratitude. But meditate on this! Al - ceived a call that one of our members mothballs and garish plaid outfits. though we may not be thankful for the was almost slipping away. My wife and Nothing could be further from the battle at the time, once the war is over, I went immediately. As we stood by truth! Put a senior adult in charge of we can proclaim, “Hitherto hath the her bedside with her husband and decorating for an event, and you will Lord helped us” (I Sam. 7:12). It is in Sunday school teacher, someone sug - be surprised at the results! A particu- this spirit that the senior saint can in - gested we sing. I cannot recall the lar event that stands out in my memo- struct their Titus or Timothy with being hymns we sang, but what I do re - ry was a Hawaiian luau we had. The able to point “to the Rock that is high - member vividly is this dear saint— decorations were stellar, not to men- er than I” (Johnson). whose face was covered by an oxygen tion a hoot! The talent show, which In a study by the Southern Baptist mask and who was barely able to talk was a part of the day, was uproarious- Convention a few years ago, they con - due to a stroke—sang along with us! ly hilarious! cluded that 45 percent of unchurched Their son—who was not a Christian— So far what we have talked about is young adults identified the opportuni - sat on the couch and wept. One of us how we can minister to and under- ty to receive advice from people with turned and saw a nurse standing in the stand senior adults. The discussion similar life experiences as very impor - door. Fearing we were too loud, we heretofore, I believe, has been logical tant. They also found that 68 percent apologized. “Oh, no!” she exclaimed. and, I trust, practical. But what do the of churched young adults identified “Keep it up! It might bring encourage - Scriptures say? How does the Bible the opportunity to receive advice from ment to others!” view the role of older adults in the people with similar life experiences as That is what this multigenerational church? very important (www.lifeway.com/Arti - journey to Jesus is all about—sharing I will sum up the answer in one sim- cle/Biblical-model-of-mentoring). and bringing mutual faith, comfort, ple yet multifaceted word—mentoring. Why do these statistics seem to and encouragement to one another In centuries past, young people were point out that young adults yearn to (cf. Rom. 1:12; II Cor. 1:4). H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 29 The Pastor’s Study

The Pastor and Theologica l Study BY REED WAGGONER

DON’T need theology. I just want to with yawns. Preach on having a healthy field. Rather than disciplining oneself I follow Jesus. Theology is impracti - marriage or how to raise children, and to study the things of God, many sim - cal and unspiritual.” Many pastors the pews will be full. People want what ply excuse themselves from it by stat - have heard these sentiments ex - they perceive to be important. ing that it is useless. This is nothing but pressed by well-meaning people with - Second, theology is seen as con - intellectual and theological laziness. in their own churches. These words trary to a relationship with Jesus. “A voice the belief that theology is dull, relationship with Christ cannot be dis - NEGLECT OF THEOLOGY IN THE uninteresting, abstract, and ultimately tilled into a series of systematic doc - PASTORATE dampens spiritual fervor. The kind of trines.” There is some truth to this Many pastors cringe when they hear theology they are imagining is a vain claim, although it is only through right church members say that they have no attempt to identify how many angels doctrine that we can have a personal need of theology, but all too often, the can dance on the head of a pin. It is relationship with Christ. We must first pastor is really hearing a distant echo meaningless and unprofitable. Why come to understand who He is and of himself. It is not unlike the parent waste your time with theology when what He has accomplished if we are who is appalled to hear their child say what we really need is to love Jesus? really to be His disciples. something inappropriate, only to later So where do these ideas come Third, theology is viewed as divisive realize that the child was repeating from? Your church may have an excel - and is thus discarded for the sake of what he or she had heard from them. lent doctrinal statement and practice unity. Doctrine divides; love unites! It is So too, the pastor who is shocked to biblical preaching, but somehow peo - true that the study of theology pro - hear a church member write off the ple still come away thinking that theol - duces division within the Christian study of theology may actually be see - ogy is not worth their time. church, but this should not be consid - ing a reflection of himself. ered a bad thing. We should never be Pastors have also been guilty of NEGLECT OF THEOLOGY IN THE mean or harsh in our theology, but we embracing pragmatism, pursuing uni - CHURCH must also never sacrifice truth for the ty at the cost of truth, and being lazy There are several reasons why peo - sake of unity. Right doctrine ought to in their study of doctrine. Before he ple in your church are quick to cast be studied for its own sake. too quickly judges the church for its aside theology. First is a spirit of prag - Fourth, theology is sometimes lack of theological prowess, the pas - matism. We want what works. Church equated with “liberal theology,” which tor should first examine himself. people imagine a huge gulf between undermines the integrity of Scripture The role of the pastor is varied. He theology and practical Christian living. and denies the basic tenants of Chris - is expected to be a jack-of-all-trades. Theology is the cognitive, speculative tianity. Liberal theology should be re - This is especially true in a small church study of doctrine. Practical Christian jected, but that does not discount an where the pastor may be the only paid living, on the other hand, tackles the honest and truthful study of theology staff. The list of duties includes ad - hands-on, everyday challenges of life. from a sound biblical perspective. ministrative tasks, preaching, coun - The former is viewed as boring and te - Fifth, theology is a mental discipline seling, leadership development, vision dious while the latter is received with that requires a great deal of work. casting, mentoring, and a host of oth - open arms because it has immediate Many are unwilling to invest them - er tasks. I am not aware of any church and practical benefits. Preach a ser - selves in theological study. It seems that includes the title “resident theolo - mon on original sin or the meaning of unattainable for the layperson since gian” on its job description for the pas - the Lord’s Supper, and you will be met they have no formal education in the tor, yet the role of the pastor is one that 30 is distinctly theological. deeper things of God. Bondage of the Will, consider the Church members are constantly be - Theology is not a simple task for points made by the Remonstrance at ing told how and what to think in their church members or for the pastor. It the Synod of Dort, and look at the classrooms, workplaces, on the news, requires diligent effort and hours of in- teachings of John Calvin, John Wes - and through entertainment. Most of tense study to come to terms with ley, and Jonathan Edwards. what is taught through these mediums what the Bible teaches on a specific Third, stop viewing the study of the - is a mixture of truth and error, often topic. Wrestling with theology can be ology as a personal pursuit separated falling more on the side of error. The an exhausting and time-consuming from your ministry endeavors. Some pastor should stand as the voice that task. For that reason, many pastors pastors maintain an interest in theolo - calls church members back to a right relegate the task of theology to acad- gy beyond their school years, but it re - perspective of themselves and their eme. The pastor’s time is already tak- mains strictly a matter of personal in - world based upon the Word of God (cf. en up with other duties. Many of his terest. Do not feel guilty for reading Eph. 4:15). If the pastor is not a voice theology books have not been opened systematic theology even if it is not for of theological reason in the life of the since Bible college or seminary. The sermon preparation. Integrate theo - church, where will members turn for only time he delves into theology at all logical study into your pastoral duties. theological truth? Without direction, is when he is preparing to teach. Fourth, interact with other like- their theology is shaped by the ideas It is possible for the pastor to be- minded pastors who recognize the of the world. come lazy in his theology. Difficult is- importance of theology. If you are a The theological role of the pastor sues are written off as too challenging part of a denomination or fellowship has been severely neglected in light of to understand. Theology is considered of churches, you may already have the other tasks a pastor must accom - a secondary task to the other duties of fellowship with other local church plish. I believe that this neglect has the pastorate. pastors. If not, you may need to do spilled over from the pastorate to the Do we then wonder why the church some searching to find other pastors congregation, causing them to ignore body says that it has no need for the- who share similar beliefs in your area. theology entirely. Almost any legiti - ology? Perhaps they are following the This can be the greatest blessing not mate pastoral duty can quickly dis - lead of their shepherd. only in encouraging you in your min - place the role of theologian from the istry but also in stimulating your theo - pastor’s mind. RESTORING THEOLOGY IN THE logical study. In the role of leadership, the pastor PASTORATE AND THE CHURCH Fellowship with other pastors gives tries to create a sense of unity among Theology has been given the back- opportunity to discuss theological is - the church that will produce good fruit. seat in many good Bible-believing sues with a depth that you might not However, the pastor might know that churches, which is unfortunate. Theol- find in your church. Through friendly one of the deacons or elders holds a ogy can be reclaimed, starting with the discussion and debate, you can help particular or unusual view in some pastor. The following are suggestions each other come to a clearer under - matter of theology. The pastor thus for any pastor who wants to make the standing of biblical truth. avoids speaking too directly on that is - study of theology the heartbeat of his Fifth, raise up theologians from your sue lest he offend that individual. Slow - ministry and of his church. own church. In almost every church, ly the pastor slips into a mind-set of First, make theological study a part there are men and women who crave pleasing people and becomes unable of your schedule. When was the last to understand theological truth even if to address almost any topic of theolo - time you studied systematic theology they are not crying out for it. Collect a gy for fear of offending someone. just for learning and not in preparation small group of individuals in your This also cripples his ability to deal for teaching? Make theological study church and begin a theological study honestly with the biblical text on Sun - a priority. If you believe that part of together. Walk through systematic day morning. If he digs into the mean - your role as a pastor is to bring a the- theology together. This kind of training ing of the text, inevitably it will produce ological perspective to the lives of the will produce great fruit. nuggets of theological meaning that flock, you must be engaged in reading Even if the pastor has a passion for are likely to divide; thus, his teaching and studying theology. theology, it is no guarantee that the at - remains only on the surface. Second, wrestle with difficult matters titudes of the church will change The pastor is also susceptible to the of theology. Do not skip matters that overnight. But be assured, if the pastor lure of pragmatism, which chooses to might be divisive or challenging. Fight does not appreciate and study theolo - focus only on that which seems practi - your way through them. The debate be- gy, neither will the church. The process cal. The pastor desires to see change tween Calvinism and Arminianism is a of restoring a theological emphasis to and growth in the flock that he shep - good example. Wherever you land on a church begins with the pastor and herds. Teaching on the hypostatic union the issue, study it thoroughly. Many spreads to the congregation. or the ordo salutis (order of salvation) pastors seem hesitant to make a com- The pastor may be the only “trained” does not seem to yield the immediate ment on matters of divine election, the theologian that many church members fruit of teaching on biblical principles for role of grace in drawing sinners, and the will ever know. If the pastor has be - the workplace or sexual purity. atonement because they are all chal- come lazy or considers theology unim - It is not wrong to preach on practi - lenging points and potentially explo- portant, he sends the message to the cal matters; however, if this pragma - sive. flock that theology does not matter. tism is taken too far, preaching and But this is no excuse for bypassing Theology does matter, and the pastor, teaching become addressed only to these important issues. Work through more than any other person, has the the felt needs of individuals and never them diligently. Enter into the age-old responsibility to be the best theologian lead the church to search out the debates. Read Martin Luther’s he can possibly be. H WINTER QUARTER 2018 –19 31 SUNDAY SCHOOL CURRICULUM PUBLISHED BY UNION GOSPEL PRESS

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f 13 Part 1 o

1 mber • N u me 2 9—11 Volu A ges ildren For Ch

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F orming Found ations Volum e 2 • N umber 1

For Children Ages 6–8

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