Coffee, a Bible, and a Napkin to Scribble On
So the name of the church is going to be Restoration Church, since they decided that nobody really wanted “More!” Church. I thought that was pretty funny. Either way, whatever you call it, church or not, here are my notes. This week I came unprepared, so they are on the backs of my IamDanSullivan.com business cards!
Chapter 1: What is the Bible?
Authority
Critics argue that the Bible’s proof is based upon circular reasoning. Upon what is this accusation based? What do you think about this accusation?
What are some other “authorities” in life that attempt to compete with the supreme authority of the Scriptures?
Why are some things in the Bible difficult for you to believe or obey?
Clarity
How can we say that the Bible is clear, when Peter in the text above (2 Peter 3:14-16) says that some things in it are “hard to understand”?
What are some obstacles Grudem points to that prevent us from understanding Scripture rightly? Which one is most difficult for you personally?
What is the primary cause of your misunderstandings of Scripture?
Compare 2 Timothy 2:15 with your ability to “accurately” handle the word of truth.
At times, experts and seminary professors disagree on the interpretations of Scripture and church members wonder what hope there is to truly understand Scripture. How does the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture help guard against that temptation?
Necessity
List some things you would know about God without the aid of Scripture?
List some things that you would have no way of knowing without the Scriptures?
Explain the difference between general revelation and specific revelation? What texts can you give in support of your explanation?
If food is necessary for physical well-being, the Scriptures are likewise necessary for spiritual well-being. What makes us so spiritually insensitive that we feel physical hunger much more acutely than spiritual hunger? What is the remedy for you personally?
Sufficiency
Grudem says the Bible is sufficient. What three generalities does he cite?
What topic do you wish that the Bible would say more than it does? What is at the root of this desire? How should the teaching on sufficiency affect this desire?
What does Grudem mean by “humble hesitancy?” In what way do you characterize this approach to the Bible?
Here are my notes from 9/9/2012 at Christian Fellowship Church. Dale Beaver is continuing his series on Mealin’ With Jesus. The funny thing about this sermon was that Dale pulled some quotes from some etiquette guide to table manners. The whole thing fit together really neat with the idea of following the host’s lead. The host is the one that provided for you, invited you, and serves you. If that isn’t a great picture of the Living Christ, I don’t know what is!
I just came across these notes & realized that I forgot to post them.
The opening of this sermon was great. I never thought about Lazarus and Jesus talking to each other in Heaven for a bit before Lazarus came back and talked to Jesus at his old house!
Yesterday I bought Paul by Bornkamm at the library book sale.
I got 5 books and the funniest part was that 3 of them were about the apostle Paul. I guess they have served their time at the public library! Here is an interesting quote from the opening pages:
“Temples were still erected for the old gods, priest continued to serve and sacrifice to be offered, but these were obsolete; and the myths about the gods were a spent force, no longer capable of satisfying the individual’s longing fr protection and blessing, salvation and redemption, in this world and the next. Everywhere a process was afoot of syncretizing the old religions with new ones streaming in especially from the east, and the odder and vaguer these were, the greater their attraction. A whole host of mystery cults and doctrines of salvation poised eternal salvation and deliverance from the powers of fate and death. But this was also te time when there was a radical rationalistic criticism of the various religions, which, in the shape of diverse philosophies reaching even the man in the street, strove fora spiritualization of religion and therefore looked down on the rival miracle-workers and alleged purveyors of salvations bustling about in the market place.
“This is the background against which we have to view Judaism with all its differences and strangeness, its belief in the one, invisible God, Lord of heaven and earth, the rigor of its law, its ethical and ritual commandments (observance of the Sabbath, the dietary laws, etc.), its uniform way of life throughout the whole world, the venerable antiquity of its history, its call to turn away from all idolatry and moral confusion, and its proclamation of the judgment about to overtake the impenitent and of the peace and righteousness which the Messiah, soon to come, would bring in his train.” – p.7
It kind of boggles my mind to realize that people were attracted to the rule of law and the moral standards of Judaism. On the other hand, when I think of the spiritual anarchy that would come from being MUCH more diverse and multi-cultural, I can see the draw of moral standards. We are pretty mono-cultural in the United States, as much as we like to think we are a melting pot. Imagine if every state were a sovereign nation with its own language, laws, customs, and religions? That is more like the world around 20 A.D. Traders would pass through from all different nations because they could all travel by land from one nation to another. You put a 10,000 mile-wide moat around a nation and you really close it off. Considering that the god of the Jews is the one true god who wrote His name on the heart & soul of all mankind, it makes sense that people would be drawn to Him wherever the message went.
The other part that surprised me is that Judaism had been made portable. I didn’t realize this either, but I can’t help but have a little conservative/fundamentalist sadness that Judaism had made this turn:
“To all intents and purposes, the temple had been superseded by the synagogue, sacrifice by the exposition of the Torah, and the priests by the scribes and lawyers.” – p.8
You must be logged in to post a comment.