Monthly Archives: May 2023

Arts, Christianity, Culture

New Testament: Master picture for jigsaw puzzlers

MARK’S GOSPEL

– A narrative on Mark 8:27-9:37

THE wonder and delicacy of the ecological balance has only started dawning on the human race. In Panama, for example, the habitat depends on a fig wasp which germinates fruit trees, which support animals, which spread seeds to propagate more trees. No wasp, no forest.

Just as we cannot often see these links clearly, so Peter, James and John can’t yet see how all Jesus’ teaching fits together (8:32 and 9:32). But the transfiguration provides them with the big picture into which they could fit Jesus’ teaching about his forthcoming death.

It is like a resurrection appearance in advance. It is literally a taste of heaven that Peter understandably wants to prolong; just as anyone would wish to remain for ever in some idyllic holiday spot (9:5).

The brilliance of Jesus’ appearance (“No laundry could do anything like it” is C.S. Lewis’s way of correctly interpreting the whiteness of his clothes) speaks of his purity and perfection. His conversation reveals he is also superior to both Moses (the bringer of the law) and Elijah (the prototype prophet) both of whom were revered in Judaism.

So Peter’s confession (8:29) was spot on, but the Christ has an unexpected role; he is to die and rise again. Therefore, instead of prattling or protesting, they should simply listen to Jesus (9:7). The advice, if taken by successive generations, might have saved the church from a few conflicts.

Brought down to earth with a bump by the failure of the other nine apostles to heal the disturbed boy, they are reminded of Jesus’ simple assertion of the primacy of prayer in any ministry (9:29) that they must draw on heaven’s power and glory in order to do God’s will on earth.

The transfiguration suggests a whole new way of seeing things, in which fresh connections make greater sense. Faith is the ability to live with apparent incompatibilities, trusting that when heaven’s windows are opened the light which streams out will reveal a delicate and wonderful balance of otherwise inexplicable events.

Love and trust the LORD.

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Arts, Christianity, Culture

Psalm 14: Foolish people ignore the LORD

OLD TESTAMENT

THE psalms are not gathered in any thematic order, but psalm 14 coming hard on the heels of Psalm 8, helps to keep the biblical view of human nature in balance. People may be special, but they are also sinful.

The essence of sin in Scripture is turning one’s back on God, rather than the specific acts which may then result. Hence someone living a “good life” can still be regarded as sinful. That helps to explain why this psalm declares that no one does good (v 3); as Jesus pointed out to the rich young man, “no one is good – except God alone” (Mark 10:18).

We can never match up to God’s standards of holiness and perfection. And the overtly sinful, the people who do take advantage of others, cause distress; their victims can take some comfort in knowing that the LORD is ready to support them (v 6).

The psalm concludes with a common theme that runs through all the psalms, that of God’s justice. The authors often recognise that all is not well with the world, but they never lose their faith that God is a righteous Judge. So here, David prays for justice, as can anyone who, like him, observes the inequity of life with alarm.

God has honoured mankind

THE aforementioned psalm 8 deserves elaborating upon.

Generally speaking, human beings have too small a picture of God and too big a picture of themselves. This psalm corrects the balance in a context of wonder and praise.

The greatness of God is a common theme in the book of Psalms which often cites the acts of God as evidence for it. Just occasionally, as here, an author looks around at the incredible size and magnificence of the physical creation and praises the Creator who must be even more wonderful.

Compared to the majesty of God, humankind is a miracle. So small and frail, yet given such status and responsibility. This is the true perspective of worship. It does not belittle human ability and life; rather it celebrates it in the context of a great God who has declared himself to love all creatures great and small.

Such an attitude prevents self-centredness, but also avoids any sense of worthlessness and lack of human purpose. It is sorely needed today as on the one hand people exert themselves over others and on the other despair of finding meaning and significance for their lives. God has honoured mankind and inspiration for anything can be found through Him.

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Arts, Christianity, Culture

What is being ‘born again’?

NEW TESTAMENT

THE term “born again” is used only four times in the New Testament. We encounter it, for example by Paul in Titus 3:5 and by Peter in 1 Peter 1:3 and 23. It never features in the apostolic preaching.

It is not unique to Christianity. The first-century mystery religions offered “new birth” into a higher life, often through bizarre rituals. The rabbis thought of the baptised proselyte (convert from another race) as a new-born child, too.

The idea of a fresh start runs through the New Testament, usually described by theologians as “regeneration”. It is a description of the injection of God’s living presence into a person’s daily life. It is illustrated by images such as passing from death into life (Ephesians 2:4,5) and from darkness into light (Ephesians 5:8-11). Christians are also “raised with Christ” (Ephesians 2:6) and the life of the kingdom to come is available to them (Romans 8:11).

However, the new nature isn’t yet second nature. We must “put it on” (and take off the old) constantly, Paul says in Ephesians 4:22-24 and Colossians 3:5-10. The “sanctification” which follows “regeneration” is a life-long process.

God is not a machine, operating in our lives according to set formulae which we can define. He deals with people individually, so there is no biblical justification for claiming a decisive “moment of commitment” or a certain kind of “conversion” experience. Nicodemus’s lack was not so much “experience” as “insight”; he couldn’t see how to relate to God in a personal rather than a mechanical way.

The New Testament test of faith which brings eternal life is not, “Have you said or done certain things?”, but “Are you trusting the LORD now?” (1 John 5:12). The past process is not important; the present reality is. The Bible is clear on this.

However, it is possible to believe the truth of Christianity and to serve, and yet still lack the transforming dynamic of Christ’s energy in one’s inner life. Whether that is a lack of “new birth” or of the fullness of the Holy Spirit, or the “dark night of the soul”, and what effect this has on a person’s eternal destiny, is never speculated upon. Human beings cannot judge the state of someone else’s heart.

What is required of each individual is to ask, am I firing from a distance, or am I embracing the target? If the former, an acknowledgement of guilt and a request to know and trust Christ personally will initiate a closer encounter. But even if the answer points to the latter there is no room for complacency. New birth is not an insurance policy but the launch pad for an often bumpy journey moving forward.

Love and serve the LORD.

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