Monday 3 March 2014

Why can’t Bible scholars agree on how to interpret the Bible?


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It is true that there is wide spectrum of opinions when it comes to interpreting the Bible. Different opinions are not unique to biblical studies – scholars disagree about how to interpret Plato or Hume – but the disagreement is often far more pronounced amongst biblical scholars. One reason for this is that people have a lot invested in the results of biblical scholarship.

If the Bible is the Word of God, and contains ethical and spiritual instruction, then understanding the message is very important. So no wonder people sometimes disagree. If there are certain things I need to do or believe to be saved then that is a big deal and I will want to make sure I have understood those things correctly.

There is always a danger that we try and interpret the Bible to suit our own beliefs rather than letting it speak for itself. For example, if I believe that Christians need to keep the Sabbath I will put a lot of emphasis on those passages which talk about the importance of the Sabbath, and maybe play down those passages which say that the Law no longer applies.

The other danger is that we bring our own presuppositions to interpreting the Bible. For example, if I believe that miracles our impossible (perhaps because I am a materialist or because I think that God does not intervene directly in the world) then I am unlikely to interpret the miracle-stories in the Bible literally. I might choose to interpret them allegorically or regard them as simply false. But that is not what the Bible is saying, that is simply my interpretation of the Bible. Scholars often disagree about the interpretation of the Bible because their presuppositions disagree.

A good bible scholar should reveal his presuppositions and be consistent. He or she cannot simply pick and choose, saying that bit is literal and that bit is allegorical. First he or she should decide how to tell the difference between what is allegorical and literal, and then apply that principle to interpreting the bible.

In summary, bible scholars disagree because they have a vested interest in certain interpretations being true and because they approach the bible with different presuppositions. This is the position that we all find ourselves in. The best we can do is be honest with ourselves and ask why do I believe such-and-such, and is that actually what the Bible is saying?
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Rob J Hyndman

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Het aardse en het hemelse heiligdom

Het aardse en het hemelse heiligdom worden met elkaar vergeleken en tegenover elkaar gesteld. Het aardse heiligdom was een constructie die onder leiding van Mozes door mensen gemaakt was (Hebr. 8:5), terwijl 'het hemelse heiligdom niet door een mens opgericht werd' (vgl. Hebr. 8:2) of 'met [mensenhanden] gemaakt' is (vgl. Hebr. 9:11,24).

De overeenkomst tussen het aardse en het hemelse heiligdom wordt in Hebreeën vastgesteld door middel van de relatie tussen afbeelding [hupodeigma] en schaduw [skia] van het hemelse heiligdom (Hebr. 8:2-5). 'Noodzakelijk moesten dus hiermede (dierenoffers) de afbeeldingen [hupodeigma] van de hemelse dingen gereinigd worden, maar de hemelse dingen zelf met betere offeranden dan deze. 
 
Want Christus is niet binnengegaan in een heiligdom met handen gemaakt, een afbeelding (SV: tegenbeeld, antitupos) van het ware [alethenos], maar in de hemel zelf, om thans, ons ten goede, voor het aangezicht Gods te verschijnen (Hebr. 9:23-24).  Daarom 'bezitten we volle vrijmoedigheid om in te gaan in het [hemelse] heiligdom door het bloed van Jezus.' (Hebr. 10:19).

Omdat het 'een afbeelding' en 'een schaduw' van het originele heiligdom is, speelt het aardse heiligdom een belangrijke rol in het uitleggen van de details van het verlossingsplan aan zowel eerdere als hedendaagse gelovigen. Bovendien geeft de definiëring van het aardse heiligdom en zijn diensten als een 'schaduw' aan dat deze een voorafschaduwing waren van betere dingen die komen moesten. In feite spreekt de schrijver over de wet met haar rituele diensten als zijnde 'slechts een schaduw [skia]... der toekomstige goederen, niet de gestalte dier dingen zelf.' (Hebr. 10:1; cf. Kol. 2:17)

- Martin Rozestraten

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Saturday 1 March 2014

Bible and Science: Scientific Facts and Theories

There's a lot of conflicting information about both science and the Bible. It will help us find the most useful information if we distinguish between two different fundamental ideas. Firstly we need to think about observable facts. Then we need to think about theories.

Observable facts
Frontispiece of the Rudolphine Tables: Tabulae...
Frontispiece of the Rudolphine Tables: Tabulae Rudolphinae: quibus astronomicae ... by Johannes Kepler (1571–1630). Call number QB41 .K43 1627. Image ID: libr0310, Treasures of the NOAA Library Collection, Photographer: Archival Photograph by Mr. Steve Nicklas, NOS, NGS. Secondary source: NOAA Central Library, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/library/libr0310.htm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)


An observable fact is something that can be proved beyond doubt. These observable facts are tangible, measurable and repeatable. They can be felt through our senses and can be experienced first hand if necessary. Gravity is a good example of an observable fact. We all experience the effects of gravity every day of our lives. Whenever we drop anything it always falls to the ground. Whenever we throw a ball into the air it always falls back to us. Scientists have done experiments and understand gravity enough to launch rockets into space and put satellites into orbit around the earth. So gravity is real and it can be experienced and measured. It is an observable fact.

Theories

A scientist then creates a theory about something he wants to look at in a little more detail. This will be based on a set of assumptions. This theory should be the best explanation of the observable facts. He could, for example, have a theory that gravity acts upwards. It would be obvious to anyone that this does not fit the observable facts. Such a claim would be ignored.

But sometimes we have no way of knowing whether the assumptions used in a theory are right. This is often the case when considering what happened in the past. We can't do experiments to test the theory and check the assumption

So it is important that we know what can be proved and what is only a theory that we can't prove.

We want to look quickly at a couple of examples where theories which lacked vital facts were trusted. The consequences were terrible.



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  1. Are Science and the Bible Compatible?
  2. Science and the Bible—Do They Really Contradict Each Other?
  3. The mythical conflict of science and Scripture (1)
  4. Bible containing scientific information
  5. The mythical conflict of science and Scripture (2)
  6. Reconciling Science and Religion
  7. Sharing thoughts and philosophical writings
  8. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
  9. Science, scepticism, doubts and beliefs
  10. Science, belief, denial and visibility 1
  11. Science, belief, denial and visibility 2
  12. Ian Barbour connecting science and religion
  13. Why think there’s a God? (1): Something from Nothing
  14. Why think there is a God? (2) Goldilocks Effect
  15. Book Review: Ann Gauger, Douglas Axe & Casey Luskin, Science & Human Origins. Seattle: Discovery Institute Press, 2012.124pp.
  16. Science and Religion Harmonized (Once and For All…)
  17. How to falsify a religion using scientific or historical evidence
  18. Thomas Aquinas on Wisdom by Robert M. Woods
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Friday 28 February 2014

Oscar Weekend 2014

For Belgium the Oscar Weekend is going to be special.


The Belgians are looking forward to the fourth feature-length film by Felix van Groeningen. After Steve+Sky (2004), With Friends Like These (2007)van Groeningen received international recognition after The Misfortunates (2009) was selected in Cannes (Quinzaine des Réalisateurs, 2009).

The Broken Circle Breakdown is based on the stage play with the same name by Johan Heldenbergh and Mieke Dobbels, with which they filled all manner of theaters, church halls, public houses and cultural centres.
The film was the indigenous hit movie of the 2009/10 season (465,000 admissions) and won several awards and nominations, both nationally and internationally. The admission figures in France and the Netherlands were particularly noteworthy and the producer Dirk Impens and Menuet may be looking forward not only to much Belgian press ineterest, but also lots of American interest.

Christians in America hope many people will turn up for two totally different films, which they would like to see produced more.

Followers of Christ are asked to make Twentieth Century Fox’s Son of God which opens in the American theatres nationwide this Friday. This movie is about the life of Christ and the American Christians would love to see it having a resounding success, sending the strong message to Hollywood that we want more of this kind of entertainment.
They think Son of God is their best opportunity to date to prove that Christians aren’t a niche market but a full-fledged movement of moviegoers.
 
The 22nd Annual Movieguide Awards will air on Reelz on Saturday, March 1, at 2pm ET/ 11am PT, with an additional broadcast on Oscar Day, Sunday, March 2 at 2pm ET/ 11am PT. This ceremony, known throughout the industry as “the Christian Oscars,” celebrates the studio executives, producers, directors, actors and writers who make values-affirming movies and television shows. Roma Downey and Mark Burnett are among those who will appear on the show, along with Andy Garcia, James Denton, Ali Landry, Kevin Sorbo, John Ratzenberger and Corbin Bernsen. Richie Sambora and AJ Michalka will perform. Set your DVR and make sure you tune in.
EP 2013 LUX Film Prize winner is Felix van Gro...
EP 2013 LUX Film Prize winner is Felix van Groeningen’s The Broken Circle Breakdown (Photo credit: European Parliament)
 
Paramount Pictures will release NOAH, starring Oscar-winner Russell Crowe in the title role on March 28. You may have seen some news stories about the film in recent weeks alleging wild deviations from biblical truth rooted in extreme environmentalism and political statements about overpopulation. These allegations have all come from people who haven’t even seen the film!  To help balance the discussion, I thought you’d like to see this recent piece from The Christian Post by John Snowden, NOAH’s biblical adviser.
And he’s not alone in being excited about the opportunities NOAH offers us to have discussions about God in the culture. Ted Baehr, the founder of Movieguide, was interviewed by Yahoo! News about NOAH. Here’s a snippet of that story.

Son Of God | "Prepare" TV Spot

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Wednesday 26 February 2014

Reflect on how much idolizing happens

In several countries people go mad about their stars. In certain countries, like in Belgium, on television they may talk about people who are called "wereldberoemd" ("world-famous") though they might be just some ordinary people who had some more screening on one of the commercial television stations or be spoken of in the gossip magazines.

Today we have the modern equivalents of the feasting in Corinth on the food that had been offered to the idols, especially in prosperous countries in the things that the masses idolize. In Corinth athletic sports were idolized, it is no different today – people call them ‘Stars’ or 'gods' . We better reflect on how much idolizing happens!

The apostle Paul also look at those athletes and recognised
“Every athlete exercises self control …they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable”(1 Corinthians 9:25).
He tells believers,
 “So run that you may obtain it …I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified”(1 Corinthians 9:24,27).
When we look at those athletes and film icons, how do we appreciate their work. How much recognition do we give to the television star or to a footballer, and to the doctor who saves many lives. When we look at the wages the footballer earns and than look at what a doctor or a nurse receives monthly, it show how much life has become worth in our society. A very good barometer to get to know what a human person is worth is looking at the prizes of hitman. the prizes of contract killers have gone down enormously the last few years.
The prize of surrogate mothers kept about the same for the last 5 years.

The policy of looking at human beings has worsened the last few years. Most people got more interested in the car or electric gadgets the neighbour has than in the person himself. World has become so commercialised and so materialistic that there is no place for the common man and certainly not for the Creator of all things.

Not many are interested in getting to know the other human beings and being ready to come to their help. To get to know a Spirit, Which they can not see or hear, is even worse... Why should they show any interest in Such an unreachable Bearing?

Those who love the God of gods, should come out and show the world their love for the Most High of all. They should show the world that That eternal Spirit is One of a kind. In Him they should put all their trust and come forwards to tell people about all His Works and promises.

Being aware of the particular love they received, believers in the Only One God, should be willing to share that love with others.
Love is, above all, an active quality; genuine love causes us to do things: it motivates our heart. Now, the things love causes us to do are not things we do out of a sense of obligation, there should not be occasions when we say,
 “I suppose I had better do …”
especially when it comes to serving the Lord.

Time is at hand that we come in to the public to serve the Most High Almighty.

When Jehovah God, who sees all things through his spirit (Psalm 139:1-6) knows that our professions of love for him come right from our hearts – we are “known by God”. But this is more than a one sided sense of knowing, to truly know God results in a two-way relationship, David’s Psalms show this, we read this morning,
 “Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his”(100:3).
We are the ones who belong to God and are willing to show that to the world.

We read a few days ago in Exodus,
 “Moses said to the LORD …you have said, ‘I know you by name …therefore if I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you…””(33:12,13).

Knowing God comes through knowing his ways; leading to the realization that we are “working together with him”(2 Corinthians 6:1).

One of the wonders of this, Paul told the Corinthians, is to realize that
 “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”(1 Corinthians 10:13).
Let us endure all tribulation which may come over us because we our lovers of God. Let us be brightened by His Glory and pronounce His Name with full dignity.

Not the idols and stars of this world should receive all honour, but title should be given to the Most High, Divine Creator, Jehovah God.



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Please do find additional reading:

  1. The business of this life
  2. Materialism, would be life, and aspirations
  3. Christian values and voting not just a game
  4. Idolatry or idol worship
  5. Worship and worshipping
  6. Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God 
  7. A God between many gods 
  8. Finding God amid all the religious externals
  9. Seeing or not seeing and willingness to find God
  10. People Seeking for God 1 Looking for answers
  11. People Seeking for God 2 Human interpretations
  12. People Seeking for God 3 Laws and directions
  13. People Seeking for God 4 Biblical terms
  14. People Seeking for God 5 Bread of life 
  15. Only worship the Creator of all things
  16. Praise the God with His Name
  17. Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
  18. Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name
  19. “If anyone loves God, he is known by God” (February 25 thought)
  20. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #1 Listening Sovereign Maker
  21. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #3 Callers upon God
  22. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #10 Prayer #8 Condition
  23. Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #14 Prayer #12 The other name
  24. In the death of Christ, the son of God, is glorification

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Friday 21 February 2014

God-Spell - The Bible Story Retold

God-Spell free eBook...
Now available for Kindle and other eBook readers!!
God-Spell -
T
he Bible Story Retold

by W.H. Boulton
In a very real sense the story told in the Bible is God’s Spell, or story. No one else could have told it, for it begins at a time when there was no man to write it down, and it finishes in a future which none but God could foresee.
You can now download this free eBook to read on your Kindle or other e-Reader such as iPad and Kobo.
http://biblequizzes.org.uk/god-spell.php

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Why baptism really matters - e-book

WHY BAPTISM REALLY MATTERS
BaptismWhat must we do to be saved.... how important is baptism and what does it involve?
Here is a free eBook to download on the subject of baptism.
Go to:

http://thebiblestudy.co.uk/ebooks/


to download.




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