Musing – Are we disputing or arguing?

Hebraic Musing – Are we disputing or arguing?

Paul tells us in 1 Tim 2:8  I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. NIV   This verse does NOT say we cannot ‘argue’ or ‘question’.  After all, Paul also complimented the Bereans because they did question and search – …for they … examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.  Acts 17:11  NIV   Finding the truth was the goal!

The word ‘question’ or ‘questioned’ appears 32 times in both the ESV and NIV.  In almost all cases the truth was being sought; AND many of the ‘questioners’ became believers!  They found the truth!

Now the word ‘dispute’ appears 14 times in the NIV and in each case it clearly implies an angry disagreement frequently requiring a third party to judge between the disputing parties.  Also, there were ‘disputers’ trying to disrupt the Gospel message in order to defend their personal beliefs and interests, disregarding truth in the process.

A similar word study of ‘argue’ resulted in this interesting passage where God wants us to argue with Him!  Isaiah 43:25-26 – "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.” NIV    From other uses of ‘argue’ it is clear that arguing is a methodology to either seek the truth or to attempt to convince another of one’s own belief. So, when we argue with our brothers about Biblical interpretation or theology, are we open-minded enough to be truly seeking the truth?  Or, is the defense of our own preconceived position paramount in our mind?  In a meaningful and fair argument, one should be able to re-state the other party’s position to show that one is listening to and understands the other party’s point.

I’ve mentioned this before, but let’s consider it again.  It has been said that New Christian believers are systemically taught to 1. Come to church; 2. Sit down; 3. Shut up; and 4. Listen.  They quickly learn that discussing, arguing and participating are discouraged.  Passivity is encouraged.  Maybe this is an over-statement, but there is enough truth to deserve attention.  My pastor recently expressed this same concern but used different words. He said he does not want to create “Sit, Soak and Sour” Christians.

The Jews have been known for their Socratic style of Bible or Torah study.  The movie Yentl portrays a yeshiva (school for Talmud* and Torah study) in which the room is full of students in pairs arguing loudly over each verse in the Talmud and Torah.  This style of learning is one of the unique features of the yeshiva, and of the Jewish learning process.  And the purpose of arguing is always to find the truth.

Points to Ponder

When we argue Biblical interpretation or theology are we open-mindedly
 seeking the truth?       Or, are we defending preconceived positions?

Maybe this is why I love interactive Bible studies.                            February 25, 2014

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                  

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”
And weekly “Hebraic Musings”  e-mails
Yosef1@cox.net   or   www.InsightsByYosef.com

* The Talmud, in Hebrew means "instruction, learning, teach, study", is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism comprised of two parts:  1) Mishnah, the written compendium of Judaism's Oral Torah 2)  Gemara, an elucidation of the Mishnah and related writings expounding on the Hebrew Bible.  The Talmud is oft quoted in rabbinic literature and is over 6,200 pages long containing teachings and opinions of thousands of rabbis on Halakhah, Law,  Ethics, Philosophy, Customs, History, Lore, etc.

Musing – How to distinguish between Critical and Arguable ‘Truths’?

Hebraic Musing – How to distinguish between Critical and Arguable ‘Truths’?

Christianity has certain foundational doctrines to determine if a person, church, denomination is truly Christian. I propose that the only critical doctrinal belief issues are – (1) Full deity and humanity of Jesus; (2) Authority of Scripture; (3) Justification by Faith; (4) Triune nature of Our God; and (5) Birth, Death and bodily Resurrection of Jesus.  Folks may disagree with some of these, but I hold these as non-arguable, foundational truths.  They represent the undeniable, unarguable, defining distinctives of Christianity.

However, Denominations, Pastors and even some Churches hold some other distinctive beliefs or tenets that are defended, debated, argued and become strongly held beliefs. These beliefs become known as Denominational Distinctives; and they become cause for division in fellowship among Christians. But should they?  But God has combined the members of the body … so that there should be no division in the body…. 1 Corinth. 12:24-26

Denominations differ on issues of Beliefs, Practices, Social issues, Ethical issues, Theology and Worship Styles. Here’s a sampling of Denominational distinctives. Are any of these worth losing fellowship over?

·         Baptism as infant or adult

·         Baptism by sprinkling or immersion

·         Ordinations of Women pastors

·         Confession to Priests as intercessors

·         Significance of Mother Mary

·         Infallibility--of Pope or Denomination

·         Teachings of a Mega-Church pastor

·         Torah as Law or guide or irrelevant

·         Sabbath or Sunday worship

·         Pre or Mid or Post or Pan-trib

·         Salvation – Secure or worked out

·         Which Bible version is Authorized

·         Role of the Holy Spirit (or Ghost)

·         Nature and role of Angels

·         Views toward other denominations

·         Alcohol consumption

·         Rules of communion

·         And on and on the list goes….

I repeat the question - Are any of these worth breaking fellowship over?  I am not trying to diminish the importance each of the above issues, but maybe we should spend more time understanding where our Brothers in Christ are coming from.  Being multi-denominational myself, it has been an adventure!  If you disagree with someone, can you state their position and reasoning?  It is only fair.

At my Father’s funeral, I became the patriarch of the family. My siblings, seven of them, represent a variety of denominations and sought me out for understanding.  While flying home at 35,000 feet, I thanked the Lord for all the different denominational ways He gave me to bless Him.  The Lord spoke to me almost audibly – “Joe, those are all the ways I have to bless you.” 

Last Sunday my son suggested that each denomination reflects the different characteristics and nature of Our Almighty God.  So in the multi-denominational church service that afternoon we had each person share their denominational background – and we identified the strength, blessing and Godly nature of each denomination.  How uplifting it was to experience God’s perspective!

Points to Ponder

Can we have Christian Unity while discussing non-critical, non-salvific differences?

Do any Denominations or Churches live in ‘glass houses’? 
Besides ‘Crystal Cathedral’    :<)

I really would like to hear your opinion on these points!

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                   February 18, 2014

Musing – Can we argue and still have Christian Unity?

Hebraic Musing – Can we argue and still have Christian Unity?

Yeshua argued a lot with the Pharisees.  Why?   They were seeking the truth.  In Luke 14:3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?"  Arguing was the interactive teaching method used by the Jews and especially the Pharisees. 

Yeshua dealt with Sadducees quite differently.  (I recommend studying or ‘googling’ the differences between Pharisees and Sadducees)  What did Yeshua say to the Sadducees?  Matt. 22:23-24  That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry .....  They were asking a trick question; they were not seeking truth. But Jesus did answer and in vs 33-36  When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them … tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  The Pharisees were questioning to seek the truth!  And many Pharisees became believers. 

Do we as Christians question or argue to seek the truth?  Or are we trying to convince others that our personal belief is correct?  Are Christians engaged in Bible study environments that encourage discussion, arguments, disagreements, pondering, musing, meditations, etc.?

I recently heard a description of what happens to a ‘new believer’ in traditional church settings.  “New Christians are taught to 1. Come to church; 2. Sit down; 3. Shut up; and 4. Listen.  They learn that discussing, arguing and participating are discouraged. Passivity is encouraged.”  To the extent there is truth in this statement then truth-seeking is being discouraged early in the Christian’s walk. 

A respected pastor recently said he does not want to create “Sit, Soak and Sour” Christians.  

Points to Ponder

Do we encourage Christians to question or argue to seek the truth? 
Or do we argue to convince others that our personal belief is correct?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                   February 11, 2014

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”
And weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings” 
Yosef1@cox.net  or  www.InsightsByYosef.com

Musing – What is the role of the Torah?

Hebraic Musing –  What is the role of the Torah?

We’ve been musing about whether God expects us to follow His Laws; and we contemplated the problem of trying to interpret His Laws so we can only follow the ‘Spirit of the Law”.  Let’s look more carefully at the role of the Torah which is the Hebrew word directly translated as “Law” in our English versions.

Here is a Messianic Jew’s explanation of the Torah * – The Hebrew root of the word Torah is the verb yarah, meaning to throw, cast or shoot.  The noun of the same root is moreh meaning teacher.  A teacher throws out the instructions and the pupil is expected to receive.  The letter hei at the end of Torah implies God Breathed.  Thus, the understanding of Torah in scripture carries no taint of legalism. Admittedly, what man has done to Torah has all too often become legalistic.

In Greek translations, Torah was translated as Nomos.  Its definition goes beyond codified statutes and includes "a procedure or practice that has taken hold...a custom, rule, principle or norm.”  So the English translation of the ‘Word breathed of God for our guidance’ has unfortunately been translated to the word ‘Law’ which overtly conveys ‘legalism’.  Which is the better understanding? 

Torah represents a Covenant from God, a Mosaic Constitution, with four distinctly unique elements:

1.   The Moral element consists of the “Ten Words” too often referred to as Ten Commandments. The ten Words (Devarim in Hebrew) represent the spoken words of a loving Father God as the ultimate moral standard for His children.  Those Words inform man of his ‘sins’, as-well-as providing man with guidance for a godly moral lifestyle.

2.   The Sacrificial element describes five basic offerings (a topic of its own!). The Sin and Trespass/Guilt offerings were/are required of everyone when they come to worship in the sanctuary or temple. As Christians we can relate to the salvific need for these two offerings. The other offerings are optional – 1. Burnt/Life; 2. Meal/Grain; 3. Peace/Fellowship – optional, but certainly worthy of participation.

3.   A Juridicial element deals with the necessary civil and criminal governance issues required of the Nation of Israel that God created.  Deut. 16:18-19   Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. NIV

4.   Worship and Lifestyle Models appear throughout the Torah in the form of Feast days (Moedim), Sabbath customs, dietary rules, cleanliness, care for the poor, etc.  Some of our best bible stories come from the lives of real characters serving as behavioral models.  Abba wants the best for His children!

All and each of these elements are necessary to complete the Mosaic Constitution.  Could this be what James had in mind when he said   For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  James 2:10 NIV

How does this perspective/understanding of the purpose of Torah relate to Christians?  From our Salvific Christian perspective we who have accepted the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua HaMashiach have become a new creation as evidenced by your answer to the Point to Ponder from the January 21^st musing:  “Do we follow the law (Torah) because we have to, or because we want to?”  I/we used to try to follow the “Ten Words” because I/we had to; now as Christians I/we obey Father God’s Word because we want to.  Each of the “Thou shall not…”’s in His Ten Words have become “I shall not want to…” in my new life in Christ.  And we reference WWJD as our guideline. What did Jesus do?  He followed Torah.

Points to Ponder (again!)

Do we have salvific faith if we willfully ignore what our Triune God told us to do?

Is the adopted child expected to live according to the House rules?

Shalom

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                             February 4, 2014

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”

And weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings” 
Yosef1@cox.net  or  www.InsightsByYosef.com

* Inspired and excerpted from God, Torah, Messiah – The Messianic Jewish Theology of Dr. Louis Goldberg. Pp 10-17