Redeeming Scripture Archives - Page 56 of 59

I am quite hesitant to begin blogging through my seminary class notes on Bibliology — the Study of the Bible.

Why?

Because Bibliology is dangerous. It lays traps and creates a labyrinth from which it is very hard to escape. I’ve been trapped in a certain Bibliology for about thirteen years, and in many ways, I feel I am just starting to escape. I would hate to trap anybody else. Of course, maybe I’m entering a new labyrinth and don’t even know it…

Let me back up….

The problem with Bibliology (and Systematic Theology in general) is that the questions it asks are loaded questions. In legal terms, the questions would be considered “leading the witness.” This is a dangerous thing to do when the “witness” is the Word of God.

Here is how Bibliology works:

A theologian (like a lawyer) wants to prove a certain point to the judge and jury. So to prove that point, he calls forward a witness which he views as the ultimate authority — Scripture, the very Word of God.

But the judge and jury are not ready to accept the authority of Scripture. They doubt the credibility of the witness. So the theologian has to back up and make an argument for the authority of Scripture. This is what Bibliology is. It is an attempt to prove the accuracy, authority, and credibility of Scripture.

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6 Ways to Pray Like a Leper (Luke 5:12-15)

By Jeremy Myers

3 Comments

Ever struggle with what to pray for and how to pray? Learn a few lessons from the leper in Luke 5:12-15.

This man is full of leprosy, which means he has an advanced case. When he sees Jesus approaching, Luke 5:12 says he implored Jesus, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean.” Here are six things we learn from this simple request:

1. Recognize our condition. You come as a beggar, a leper, a nobody. You are not making an exchange with God. You have nothing to offer. Anything God grants is strictly by His grace and out of His love.

2. Implore. The leper “implored” Jesus. The word is very strong. It is more than a request. It is more than a prayer. It is all out pleading, a tearful and earnest begging. When used all by itself, it can be translated, “Please!” This is not a half-hearted prayer. This leper knows his need, and is not afraid to ask. He asks with all his energy and emotions. This is what it means to implore.

3. Ask Jesus. The leper doesn’t turn to another leper. He doesn’t turn to one of the apostles. He doesn’t even turn to the priest. He knows that none of them can help. He turns to Jesus. When we pray, we must turn to God alone. Jesus instructs us to pray to the Father (Matt 6:9), but this does not mean that we cannot pray to Jesus.

4. Ask humbly. The leper says, “If you are willing.” Though he is imploring, begging, pleading for Jesus to answer, he does not make demands. Again, this is due in part to his stance as a leper. He is not in a position to make demands. Today, when some pray, it seems like they are making demands of God. Some Christians even have the audacity to command God. They think this is praying with faith. I’m not sure God sees it that way.

5. Ask simply. There is no long, wordy explanation of why the leper is where he is at now, no attempt to “soften” Jesus up by telling Him how great and wonderful and awesome He is, no repetition of the name of Jesus. Just a simple, straight-forward, honest request.

6. Obey. After praying, the leper obeyed the instructions of Jesus. Prayer is not an end in itself. You cannot pray and think you have done your part, so now God must do His. No, you must often seek to be an answer to your own prayer. This does not mean we answer own prayers, but neither do we pray, then sit back, twiddle our thumbs, and wait for God to act.

Do you want to pray like never before?

Do you what to talk to God like you talk to a friend? Do you want to see more answers to prayer?

If you have these (and other) questions about prayer, let me send you some teaching and instruction about prayer to your email inbox. You will receive one or two per week, absolutely free. Fill out the form below to get started.

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QuickVerse

By Jeremy Myers

15 Comments

Just as a note to my readers… Don’t buy QuickVerse software. Stay away. This company is greedy and rigs their software so it eventually stops working, and you have to pay for an upgrade.

About seven years ago, I bought one of their Deluxe software packages. I didn’t really care about the “searching” capability or anything like that, I just wanted a great deal on lots of books.

Well guess what? Now I can’t use any of those books unless I buy the new upgrade. I called and complained and they said that if I wanted to access those old books that I purchased, I have to buy the new software. I argued that if I bought a paper book, I could read it as long as I wanted, and wouldn’t have to buy the new edition when it came out. They woman on the phone rudely informed me that they don’t sell books, they sell software, and when the software expires, I have to buy new software if I want to keep reading the books that came with the software.

…Are you kidding me?!

So…Don’t Buy QuickVerse unless you want to keep buying the same books over and over for the rest of your life. If you want Bible Study Software, go with Logos, BibleWorks, or E-Sword. It appears that none of these excellent companies recharge you for books you already bought. The E-Sword software package is always free, so once you buy a book, you should never have to pay to upgrade it.