Passing The Test

26 November 2008

Archaeologists Discover Oldest Hebrew Text Ever
Archaeologists Prof. Yossi Garfinkel and Sa’ar Ganor of Hebrew University have discovered what they say is the oldest Hebrew text ever found. It is being hailed as one of the most important finds in Israel since the Dead Sea Scrolls. The text, written in ink on a pottery shard, dates (according to carbon-14 dating as well as chemical analysis of the pottery) from between 1,000 and 975 B.C., the time of King David’s reign. The writing, therefore, predates the Dead Sea Scrolls by about 1,000 years.

Israelnationalnews.com 10/31/08
Just today I came across this brief article and it got me thinking. What difference does it make to our faith if we find it is historically based? Does history hold any type of grip on our ever quickening lives of today? Does the past validate our future? I believe when it comes to our faith it most certainly does. Besides all of us living at such a break neck speed the criticisms of Christianity still seem to be in vogue. Jesus and those who choose to follow Him are still very much in the cross hairs of our society. From political pundits to leading Hollywood directors Christianity and its followers all seem to have a bulls-eye on them for potshots from every angle. One that is heard often is that Christianity is not intellectual much less logical.

Yet a discovery like the one mentioned above is significant to our faith and the authenticity of scripture but how often if ever did you hear about this finding in the same media that so quickly criticizes our faith? Our Biblical faith is very much grounded not just on faith but also facts. For instance in regard to the accuracy of New Testament manuscripts did you know…?

To discover the accuracy of copying for the New Testament material and see whether or not it has been “changed,” you have to look at two factors: One, the number of manuscripts existing today; and two, the time period between the original document and the earliest manuscripts still in existence today. The more manuscripts we have and the closer the manuscripts are to the original, the more we are able to determine where copyist errors happened and which copies reflect the original.

For example, the book Natural History, written by Pliny Secundus, has 7 manuscript copies with a 750-year gap between the earliest copy and the original text. The number two book in all of history in manuscript authority is The Iliad, written by Homer, which has 643 copies with a 400-year gap.

Now this is a little startling: the New Testament has currently 24,970 manuscript copies, completely towering over all other works of antiquity. In addition, we have one fragment of the New Testament (NT) with only a 50-year gap from the original, whole books with only a 100-year gap, and the whole NT with only a 225-250-year gap. I don’t think there is any question from all of these early copies that we know exactly what the original documents said. Josh McDowell

Our faith is historically accurate and can stand up to the severest of tests and criticisms and that should give each of us hope and comfort for today and the days ahead. Remember that great old hymn that has been sung through the years is NOT Blessed Insurance (just in case) but Blessed Assurance (without a doubt).

As significant as the historical data is equally compelling is the life changing message of the gospel. No one can refute what Jesus Christ has done in your life and in the long run that is really what gets most people’s attention, changed lives. People who are questioning the faith are not so impressed in what we know but more so what difference Jesus makes in our life. We have a story to tell and may we continue to be bold in telling it.

Bruce

Comment

Not My Fault!

20 November 2008

If you’ve followed the news closely, you have seen a trail of beggars coming up to Capitol Hill lately, to plead with Uncle Sam to bail them out of their financial woes. Once great financial giants like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler have recently joined AIG and Wall Street behemoths with their hands out for you and me to fill them up with more and more money.

Now, regardless your opinion or mine about whether bailouts for America’s one-time captains of industry are good or not, it should not be lost on any of us what this says about responsibility.
Whatever became of responsibility? Whatever happened to accepting blame and personal responsibility for one’s actions, choices and foolishness? Whatever became of bad consequences for bad behavior? Try to name one corporate CEO or politician who has admitted personal guilt of any kind. Go ahead. I dare you. Try to name just one.

But, then, we’re in the age of no-fault living. What people do isn’t their fault. They’re “victims” of other people’s actions. And, so, the parade of the latest “victims” march up to Washington for handouts because their problems are all somebody else’s fault.

Roll all of this over into the spiritual realm.

Listen carefully. Grace only comes to those who admit their guilt and ask God to be forgiven. To such people he will give forgiveness without limit and grace unending. But don’t waste your time pointing your finger of blame at somebody else when you stand before God. He won’t buy it and you’ll never find forgiveness. But there’s a better way.

The best way to get rid of guilt is to admit guilt. Do that and you’ll know how good it feels to be free and forgiven.

Food for thought.

Bill

Comment

'tis the Season

12 November 2008

Periodically I will watch the Food Channel and I am constantly intrigued when those preparing a certain dish can either be so regimented or so random upon adding ingredients especially seasoning. At times they precisely measure out a ¼ teaspoon and other times it is simply a pinch or a dash. Obviously these people know what they are doing and what is needed to be added to attain the proper flavor they desire. Without that particular ingredient something will be missing and yet too much of that same ingredient will not enhance but detract from the overall taste. Even to us cooking rookies who do not know the difference between table salt and sea salt ingredients and seasoning are very important. Seasoning then becomes critical.

The concept of seasoning got me thinking as we again approach the Holiday Season and especially Thanksgiving. I have found myself lately asking during this season of Thanksgiving is my life seasoned with thanks. Like you I am thankful when prodded or when I remember. At those moments my thanksgiving is sincere and meaningful. Yet somehow that just does not seem to be the right amount of thanks seasoning if it is simply seasonal. Is my life really seasoned with thanks if I only think to thank when the aroma of turkey and pumpkin pie is in the air? Shouldn’t the scents of pine and holly or sun tan lotion and ocean breezes or azaleas and fresh cut grass be seasonal reminders to give thanks as well?

Is your life seasoned with thanks? I would be interested to know what scents stimulate your thanksgiving regardless of the season.

Bruce

Comment [2]

Election Day

4 November 2008

I write this on Election Day, and the country is in a frenzy of anticipation. In a wildly kaleidoscopic range of opinions, America is on the verge of doomsday prediction. If Obama wins, some say, we’ll all be broke within two weeks. If McCain wins, others predict, we’ll be in Iraq at $10 billion a month until Jesus comes again.

What should we believe? Whom shall we believe? Which candidate is believable at all?

Don’t take this sarcasm to mean I don’t care what happens. I very much do. I feel a lot of apprehension over the direction of this nation and its leaders. But I’ve noticed a disturbing trend among American Christians over the last ten or fifteen years: the more we don’t like a candidate who we think is going to win, the closer we think we are to Armageddon.

Two things are wrong with this. One, we are demonizing political opponents, as if they are miniature satans running around. They’re not. Is it likely Jesus would do this? I think not.

Secondly, we are showing blatant distrust in the Sovereign LORD, acting as if God needs to be briefed about what’s going on down here. We think, “Is God the only one who doesn’t know the danger we’re in because of President-Elect So-And-So?” We are putting our faith and trust where it does not belong.

Have we forgotten who runs the universe? Take heart. I know the answer to this question. So do you.

And that means you can go to bed, get a good night’s sleep, say two prayers and call me in the morning.

Bill

Comment [3]

Running

20 October 2008

For most of us just looking at that word makes us uncomfortable. We see people daily and most of us wonder why in the world are they putting themselves through that type of torture? We all know it is a good form of exercise but that is also another reason they have the Summer Olympics to let other people from around the world do our running for us.

But when you consider the term “running” you realize that at least in our language there are a lot of uses of the word. People today are running for, and running from as well as running to something.

In this an election year there are numerous men and women running for office. Again many of us ask ourselves why in the world are they putting themselves through that type of torture? Regardless of the office there is an enormous amount of stress and you are never right in some people’s eyes and opinion. There are of course some who sincerely desire to serve and want to take an active role in leading our community or country, but about now we are all tired of not only broken campaign promises but of political commercials. (I am Bruce Reynolds and I approve of this statement.)

Then are those who are running from something. Some are running from their past or their present that seems to constantly be gaining ground as they peer over their shoulder. (You will have to take this by faith but in high school I ran track and cross country. My coaches always told me you can never run as fast when you are looking behind.) One can only run from something or someone so far before getting exhausted. Regardless how painful or awful the past was or the present is running from it as attractive as that might initially seem is never the answer. There are those that are running from God which again makes one wonder why in the world are they putting themselves through that torture? Take it from one who has tried to run from God more than once, you can not run far enough or fast enough to escape His pursuit of you. His eternal love for you will not let Him give up on you even if you want Him to.

Finally I hope that we all are getting to the place that we sincerely enjoy running…that is running to God. We need Him more than we can possibly imagine. He is accessible and longs for us to come yes even run into His presence. We run to Him in worship as we praise and magnify His name. We run to Him in need when we are desperate for His shelter and protection. We run to Him in prayer to confess our sin and thank Him for all He has given to us. He makes all of our running worthwhile, may we all quicken our pace toward Him!

“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary…” Isaiah 40:30-31

Bruce

Comment [1]