Saturday, December 06, 2008

Words About the Word

A year or so ago I had to think a lot about how to describe Scripture's place in the lives of Christians. I sensed something wrong with much of what I was reading about it.

(1) There was an important discrepancy between what what we say we believe about it and what our thoughts and actions showed we really believed about it.

(2) The vocabulary we used was clearly too narrow, and damaged by abuse and misunderstanding.

I had already put up some definitions on Spirithome.com, but they needed to be clearer, more systematic, and the vocabulary needed to be wider-ranging. I have a new appreciation for the limits of using words to describe the Bible, but I'm even more convinced that we need to try.

I'm inviting more comment about this. Read the pages linked through the title of this note. I'm looking for real insight from you-all. Fire away!

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9 comments:

Bob Longman said...

Yes, this feedback method is working.

Anonymous said...

You make some interesting points. I have heard other people make one of your points and that is the one on divination. I am curious about the BIBLE codes and think that there may be somthing to them. Why? First, remember the scripture in Daniel when GOD said seal this up and it will be revealed in a latter time. This points to an un derstanding of which we, of the present, will have that was not given before. Since the BIBLE has been around for quite sometime, what is the difference now, our interpretation? That's illogical. Second, no one is divining. If GOD put messages and "guidance" "HE" is the one divining. GOD can do anything he wants and us finding the messages is not divining. Third, many people will be fooled in the "end of days", notice I didn't say "end of the world" because there will not be an end to the world,"world without end" AMEN. Many people, I'm not pointing the finger at you, do not quote the whole but only the parts of scripture. You, I'm sure believe that since you evidently have more experience in these matters than I. I've heard people say, no one knows when the end or "end times" will be. That's not true, it states that no one will no the exact hour or day, I beleive but people who I beleive have decernment, which is a blessing, know when that period of time is occurring, and that time is now. Interesting article, but I tend to disagree.
J.D.

Bob Longman said...

You're entitled to believe that it's coming in your time. The apostles, or at least Paul and John, believed that too. They were, of course, wrong. But those who discern such things today could be right. I don't pretend to know.

The Kingdom of God, however, has dawned, and like the sun at sunrise, it has barely begun to shed its light.

The point is that these techniques are not derived from Scripture. The Prophetic works sometimes used symbolic language, but they did so to make things clear to those who are paying attention. Not to those who 'know the trick', which is what Bible codes are all about.

Anonymous said...
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bonnie said...

thank-you for someone finally telling us read the bible not mans interpitation of it i'm going back to what JESUS SAID OF THE HOUR OR DAY WE DO NOT KNOW ONLY THE FATHER AND HE'S NOT TELLING

Lisa said...

What a great web site!! the work you have done on this web site is really awesome and inspiring. God has touched my heart with your site!! For me, after reading the Bible then reading or hearing Gods word from another brother or sister only helps the Lords words sink in for me. Helps me recognize good fruit. Thank you for your work here. And for the above comment on end, Today is the day the Lord has made rejoice and be Glad in it!! There is a modern Christian song with that verse in it. Seek it out on the radio or online. We do not know what tomorrow holds but be "Glad" today ( 0 :

Joan said...

Could you please tell me why the Holy Spirit is always presented as a Dove

Anonymous said...

Joseph's global famine (Genesis 41:57) now has been verified! Spread the news! Educate the world to ancient world history.
Shang Dynasty emperor Ching Tang some Chinese historians stated his reign began in 1747 B.C. There are others who believe his reign began in 1675 B.C. Chinese emperor Ching Tang was recorded having a seven year famine verifying Joseph’s seven year famine in Genesis 41:30.This seven year famine occurred 1704-1697 B.C. Emperor Ching Tang must have been reigning during this time in world history.
JOSEPH 7 YEAR FAMINE
Joseph lived for 110 years 1741-1631 B.C. (Genesis 50:26) Joseph age 30 (Genesis 41:40-46) became governor of Egypt in 1711 B.C. There was 7 years of great harvest and the second year of famine Joseph age 39 in 1702 B.C. met his father Jacob age 130 (Genesis 47:9) in Egypt. Global famine 1704-1697 B.C. (Genesis 41:57)

AFRICA

(1) Jacob brought the starving Hebrew people into Egypt settling near Biblical On (Genesis 41:45) Heliopolis, Egypt in 1702 B.C.
(2) Starving Hyksos Canaanite chieftain Sheshi lead his people into Avaris, Egypt trading their horses for bread (Genesis 47:13-17) in 1702 B.C. during the world famine. (Genesis 41:57)
(3) Some Minoans from Crete also settle in Egypt’s delta in 1700 B.C. as archaeologist have found Minoan artifacts in Egypt’s delta.
(4) The Kushite kingdom in eastern Africa arises in 1700 B.C. as Africans fleeing famine come together living in close knit community along the Nile river south of Egypt.
(5) Some Black tribes migrate from central Africa and settle in southern Africa fleeing from famine. These people left their prescience known. Archaeologist dated their artifacts to 1700 B.C.

EUROPE

(6) Other Minoans from the island of Crete migrate to mainland Greece in 1700 B.C. spreading their culture there.
(7) Nordic Bronze culture in northern Europe becomes established in 1700 B.C. where bronze weapons are produced used in hunting wild game.
(8) Starving Indo-Europeans from western Russia migrate to central Europe and produce bronze weapons to hunt wild game in 1700 B.C.

ASIA

(9) People from central Asia-Minor migrate to the coast and build defensive walls around Troy VI to keep the starving barbarians out of the city.
(10) Some starving Hittites move into western Assyria and adopt the Assyrian cuneiform style of writing in 1700 B.C.
(11) Starving Indo-European Sealanders invade Amorite Babylon king Abi-Eshuh 1710-1684 B.C. settling in southern Babylonia in 1700 B.C. Abi-Eshuh dams up the Tigris river trying to starve the Sealanders out.
(12) Starving Indo-European tribes invade Dravidan dominated India in 1700 B.C. Indo-Europeans destroy the Dravidan Mohenjo-Daro civilization in 1700 B.C.
(13) Starving Indo-European tribes invade western China in 1700 B.C. Chinese archaeologist discovered Indo-European mummies in western China. The Indo-Europeans introduced the Chinese to the horse driven chariot. NOTE: Indo-European Kassites were first to use the horse driven chariot attacking Babylon in the reign of Amorite Babylon king Samsu-iluna 1750-1711 B.C. in his 9th year in 1741 B.C. NOTE: Joseph age 30 was given the Egyptian pharaoh’s 2nd chariot in 1711 B.C. (Genesis 41:43)
(14) Chinese Shang Dynasty very early in the dynasty recorded a 7 year famine verifying Joseph’s account of the 7 year global famine in Egypt. (Genesis 41:57) It was Shang Dynasty emperor Ching Tang in Chinese annals these record his seven year famine which matches Joseph’s famine. (Genesis 41:30)

NORTH AMERICA

(15) The American agricultural Indians establish the Poverty Point Mound Culture in Louisiana in 1700 B.C. building their first city in North America during the world famine.
(16) Olmecs migrate into the Yucatan Peninsula in 1700 B.C. Archaeologist state the Olmecs invented plumbing and the Olmecs were interested in water conservation at this time in world history.

Anonymous said...

Really good one!link