Monday, July 18, 2011

Thoughts on Coveting


My son, Yuri, and I are doing regular reading from Bob Schultz “Boyhood and Beyond: Practical Wisdom for Becoming a Man” as part of his homeschooling. There are a lot of insights from that book about real “practical wisdom” that are worth reading, re-reading and applying in daily life. This morning we came to that chapter on coveting or greed that really struck me as we read it. I would like to share some of Bob’s thoughts here. I hope it will help you fight against this idolatry which is very “rampant” among us and which we should "put away" and replace it with the precious word of God (James 1:21).

“When man covets, he is unable to enjoy the presence of God. Foremost in his mind is the item he wants. He dreams about it. He schemes about how to get it. He becomes so full of his desire that his heart has no room to experience God's presence. The man has lost his trust in God to supply his need ["according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 4:19)]. His focus, his attention, is getting the item he wants. Sometimes he will resort to whining, to deception, and even to outright theft. That is why the Bible says that covetousness is idolatry [Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5]. It is having something in your hearts that holds more of our attention and desire than God holds….

If something doesn't belong to you, don't covet it and don't possess it. If you find an item that was lost or stolen, locate the owner and return it. The usefulness and happiness of a man does not depend upon what he acquires. Fullness of joy depends upon the awareness of God's presence ["You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~ Psalm 16:11]. Anything that threatens that awareness is not worth having.”

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Some Helpful Principles in Hermeneutics


(this is based on an email message by Dr. Rowland Ward in one of those discussion groups, which I forgot)

Montgomery Boice's little work - "Standing on The Rock" (Tyndale). Not only is it written in layman's terms, it also does a fine job of discussing problems with scientific (so-called) evidences, and has a great section on the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy, and the Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics. It's 157 pages, paperback and an excellent resource all around.

He includes a very quick and cogent section he calls "ten principles of proper Bible interpretation." I cover these with my congregation at least once a year. Perhaps Boss Stamper will forgive the length in consideration of the fine help it is. They are worth repeating here.

1 - The Principle of Unity. Since the Bible has one author, namely, God, the parts of the Bible must go together to form one overall story and present one consistent theology. If they do not seem to do this, we are misinterpreting.

2 - The Principle of Non Contradiction. Since the Bible has one author, one part of the Bible will not oppose or contradict the other.

3 - The Principle of The Analogy of Faith. The best interpreter of Scripture is Scripture itself. Less obscure passages will throw light on obscure ones.

4 - The Principle of Context. Bible statements are not unrelated oracles; therefore, they are not to be torn from their context. They must be interpreted within the context of the chapter, book and eventually the entire Word of God.

5 - The Principle of Style. The style of a passage must be taken into consideration. Poetry must be considered as poetry, parables as parables, historical material as historical and so on.

6 - The Principle of Didactic material interpreting Historical material. Historical happenings are sometimes right and sometimes wrong, sometimes normal and sometimes abnormal. Teaching material shows how historical is to be interpreted.

7 - The Principle of Purpose. The chief end or purpose of a passage's being written should govern our interpretation. It cannot be used to teach what it was not written to teach.

8 - The Principle of the Importance of Words. Thoughts cannot be conveyed without words. Therefore, it is important to study words and know their exact (and sometimes changing) meanings.

9 - The Principle of Obedience. The deep things of the Bible are hidden from those who refuse to obey its teachings.

10 - The Principle of Prayer. It is easy to err in interpreting any document, but this is especially so when we are dealing with one presenting spiritual matters. We must ask God to send His Holy Spirit to guide our understanding.

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Without devaluing these points I wonder if they lack sufficient recognition of the fundamental purpose of special revelation, and its redemptive/historical nature. They do sound a bit Western analytical to me.

So without being at all original I would say,

1. God's plan as revealed in the Old and New Testaments is consistent and a unity, and is based in the historical process which God has ordained in order that the goal of creation may be reached.

2. The Biblical narrative is not an exhaustive history but a selective one providing certain facts together with their interpretation. A correct interpretation of Scripture will respect the interpretations of one part of Scripture in another part.

3. God's appointment of the course of history is reflected in redemptive re-enactments of creation until fulfilled in a new beginning which has no end.

4. In this manner there is a distinct relationship between the narratives of Genesis and the climax of redemption in a new heaven and a new earth, and a ready application to the present of narratives belonging to a earlier historical time.

5. The context, nature and intention of each particular part of God's revelation must be duly considered in order to right interpretation, and the need for saving enlightenment coming from the Spirit of God by and with the word must be recognised.

Looking forward to further contributions.

Rowland Ward


Rev Dr Rowland Ward,
Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia,
358 Mountain Hwy, Wantirna, Victoria 3152 Australia
Tel/Fax Int + 61 + 3 + 9720 4871

Friday, July 8, 2011

Thank You for all Your Prayers and Assistance


July 9, 2011

Dear friends and prayer partners,

Thank you for all your prayers and assistance to our members and attenders who were hit by the flash flood on the night of June 28, 2011. Thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. For sure that means a lot already for the families who are trying to recover from their loss and the trauma caused by the flood.

We took turns in going to the flooded place to bring food and help in any way. Cathy also did some shopping for their immediate needs. The members gave some gifts and relief stuff – cash, clothing, kitchen wares, etc.

Our deacon and I went to their place again Sunday afternoon (July 3) after church to bring some stuff – mats, blankets, pillows, towels, mosquito nets, etc. – which they said they need. They told us that some of them were sleeping on towels the previous nights. Hopefully with some financial assistance you're going to send we could buy some mattress and extra blankets to keep them warm in the coming days.

The cleaning of the house is not yet done. Besides, the rain keeps on coming almost every night, causing them to worry at times. Anyway, one of the church members who live closest to them has hosted some of the children and women in their place. This church member has been blessed with a hut by their house and so it was just perfect for some flood victims to have some privacy. The church member also offered to lend one of their cars to the families flooded to be used during the aftermath of the flood.

I could see that the brethren in the church are responding so well in terms of helping the affected families. Our denomination and the UCRCP in San Carlos City in Pangasinan have sent cash already to help the family. We'll keep you updated of the situation here. Another friend from the US also sent us some assistance for the families. Thank you so much once again for taking the time to pray and gather some help for our church and our church members. I really appreciate your effort.

The families are actually planning to move to a safer place and they are thinking of buying a lot, where they could build a new house. Just several nights ago the river near their place overflowed because of heavy rain and the water has reached their floor again. They're having some trauma, especially when it's raining hard or there's a thunderstorm which is normal in Davao City at this time of the year.

Thank you so much for your concern and assistance. May the Lord continue to bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you!


By His grace,

Pastor Vic Bernales

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