I hate doctors. Do we avoid the spiritual Doctor?
"Health is the ability to resist." Rick Kelley asks, "Are you healthy?" http://2.ly/p9cu
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J. Randal Matheny
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J. Randal Matheny
Old couple decide to die, quit eating
What do you think of this story in which the elderly couple, with failing health, decide to quit eating in order to die? The ABC news report makes the headline their expulsion from the assisted-living quarters. Sign of our times. Reactions?
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Mike Riley
Randal, my father often told me he wanted to die in order to be relieved of the physical pain and misery he was experiencing – that he had often thought of some form of suicide, but couldn’t bring himself to act on the thought. I’m thankful that he didn’t act on the thought, for he would have regretted it on judgment day.
If we look at the Bible and its teachings, God never authorizes suicide as a means to end one’s life – no matter what the circumstances: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2011/05/23/is-suicide-ever-a-solution/
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Rick Kelley
Having the power to do something does not provide license to do it (cf. Mic. 1:2). I appreciate brother Riley’s perspective as well, from the opposite side of this. It is noble to allow God’s voice to call the spirit from the body. When we do this to others, it is murder. When we do it to self, it is no different. As for the couple, they were both suffering from degrees of dimentia, according to the article. But it seems that such a degree of dimentia was not present as to thwart them from their logically ordered plan.
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Mike Riley
Good point, brother Rick!
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Rick Kelley
Should have been Micah 2:1-2 :)
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J. Randal Matheny
Hot chocolate and death
The elderly brother in Christ came to our house early again tonight, as has been his habit of late, and ate supper with us. He makes a few comments during our group reading of John 14. Afterwards, our other participants have to leave early, but he stays for hot chocolate and carrot cake. While everybody else is in the kitchen, he and I talk about dying, and people he will miss who won’t be nearby when that time comes.
• I asked the participants tonight, after the reading and some explanation and discussion of the texts, what verse from the chapter — we read all of it — most caught their attention. Of those who volunteered these were mentioned:
- v. 23, the Father and Son taking up residence in the obedient person;
- v. 27, peace that Jesus gives;
- v. 30, about the “ruler of this world.”
• The Way. Either we must ignore Jesus altogether, or confess him as the exclusive way to God. And more, he tells us, “you know the way.” When Thomas protests that he doesn’t know the way and Philip asks to be shown, our Lord gets miffed. After I’ve been with you all this time, he says, how can you say, ‘Show me the Father’? They’re agnostics and he wants them to face up to the Knowledge they have and have had for so long. What must he think of those who have the Bible in hand and deny the ability to know?
• If the following is true, many have been roped and bound. “The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set on high” (Prov 29:25 NET). Isn’t the fear of people the essence of political correctness? Those who live in fear of others’ opinions and reactions are a sad sight to behold. I pray I may not be one.
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J. Randal Matheny
He could not subdue it
• Son #2 is doing his first wedding tomorrow, for his father-in-law. Asked me about wording on some parts, as we skyped tonight. I wasn’t sure, it’s been so long since I’ve done a wedding in English.
• Life is full of disappointments. A time to learn, a time to shrug the shoulders, a time to move on.
• Tolkien wrote in The Silmarillion that “Melkor hated the Sea, for he could not subdue it.” Would that we might hate our uncontrollable tongues! We seem however to love to wag them. Is it a principle that we hate what we cannot control?
• “The Lord cares deeply when his loved ones die” (Psa. 116.15 NLT). What a difference that truth makes to those who remain!
• On Quick Bible Truths, I wrote, “Man makes an idol. God makes a man.” There lies the difference.
Have a great evening, my friends!
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TFRStaff
TFT: The Clock of Life
The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop At late or early hour.
To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed, To lose one’s health is more.
To lose one’s soul is such a loss That no man can restore.(Thirty people died while you read this short verse.)
Every hour 5,417 go to meet their Maker.
You could have been among them.
Would you have been ready?
“Thoughts For Today to Brighten Your Day” by Glenn Hitchcock
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TFRStaff
TFT: A crop to die on
I was browsing through some papers the other day and came across this story that I want to share with you. It concerns "Old Mother Nature", who teaches us in parables each day. It also concerns life’s Final Hours–perhaps the most misunderstood part of our existence.
One fall day, my uncle and I were walking around his farm–just kind of doing nothing. I was fascinated by an old gnarled apple tree, some limbs broken off and obviously dying, but it was Loaded with Apples. How could a feeble old tree like that have so many apples on it? My uncle explained it this way, "Yes, it’s too bad the old tree is dying and old Mother Nature likes to have one good crop to die on."
A crop to die on! Surely there is a fable in this that teaches us great things. The most beautiful colors of nature are at the end of the year. Many times in the fall, I’ve walked among the beautiful colors of the sweet gum tree and the Spanish oak. The sumac tree has little claim for beauty until the autumn, then there is no crimson like that of the sumac tree. (More …)
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John Henson
Here one minute, and then there
My brother-in-law died last Sunday afternoon while my sister was running an errand.His death is a good example of how we’re in the world one minute and the next minute, we’re in eternity.
Some people believe they’ll have 80 or 90 years. In fact, I’ve had doctors brag that, through their efforts, they can assure I’ll reach 90-years old. That is a fool’s bet.
The Psalmist wrote by the inspiration of God, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away,” (Psalm 90:10). Even if we attain to that kind of old age, even all those years are but a fleeting time that fails to provide us the quality of life we want, and then it is over.
Leo Deck was a very good, Christian man who raised his sons training them to love the gospel. His influence will live long and follow him (Revelation 14:13). His death demonstrates all to clearly “so teach us to number our days, that we may present to you a heart of wisdom,” (Psalm 90:12 NASU).
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Mike Riley
Great point, brother John! We never know when our appointment with death will arrive (Hebrews 9:27). We need to always be prepared for that unforeseen event.
May the Lord comfort you and your family during this time of great loss!
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Joy
We are very sorry for your family’s loss. We are thankful to hear that he was a child of God. Truly this ought to remind us to live each day in such a way that we are always ready to meet our Maker. Do you mind saying how old your brother-in-law was?
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J. Randal Matheny
Sorry to hear about your brother-in-law’s sudden death, John. God give your family comfort. That death comes unexpectedly most of the time ought to send us running to obey the Lord.
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John Henson
Thank you all. My sister is the strongest one in our family and is devastated, but understands we’ll see Leo again. It was a great shock. We’re thankful to God and give him the glory for Leo’s life and willingness to follow Jesus.
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Sid Williams
Good post!
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J. Randal Matheny
Missed it again!
I love this, from Brett Petrillo:
About a month ago Julie’s uncle Rick nearly passed away. For most of his life he has struggled with an inoperable brain tumor. As his condition worsened, so have his chances of living. In fact, he has come near to death many times now. In his latest “close call,” Rick was in ICU and was unresponsive for days. The doctors really did not see much hope and it was looking like his time had come. But, as he has done several other times, he made a turn around. He started improving. He began responding. Soon, he was even able to speak again, … Realizing he almost had died again, he said, “Ah man! I missed it again.” Rick was saying that he missed going away to heaven!
Read the whole thing.
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Ron Thomas
The Arrogance of the Catholic Church
“Pope Benedict XVI has made a sweeping exoneration of the Jewish people for the death of Jesus Christ, tackling one of the most controversial issues in Christianity in a new book. In ‘Jesus of Nazareth – Part II’ excerpts released Wednesday, Benedict explains biblically and theologically why there is no basis in Scripture for the argument that the Jewish people as a whole were responsible for Jesus’ death” (Decatur Herald & Review, 3/3/2011, A8).
In case the wording of this story might be suspect, in 1965, the Second Vatican Council document, Nostra Aetate, declared that the death of the Lord “could not be attributed to the Jews as a whole at the time or today.” In fact, according to the pope’s study, it was only a few Temple leaders and a small group of supporters who were primarily responsible for the Lord’s death.
And Peter said, “…this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men)…. Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:23 and 36).
What may be said about this? In one respect it is true that the sins of the individual had brought forth our Lord into this world and He, willingly, went to the cross on our behalf as our Savior. On the other hand, let it not be minimized what Peter said occurred. The “house of David” sent our Lord to the cross as a criminal!
If the report in the newspaper is accurate, the Catholic Church is wrong – as is often the case.
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David
How is it the case that ‘the Catholic Church is wrong-as is often the case’? It was not all Jews who sent Christ to the Cross physically. Spiritually it was all mankind that sent him there-he died for our sins. But physically, it was only some Jews in Jerusalem at the Passover who put the Romans up to it and encouraged them to sentence him to a criminal death.
It’s obvious to me that you’re not looking to make any Catholic friends. Name another way the Catholic Church is wrong…(by the way, I’m speaking of Church teaching, not how an individual Catholic might be wrong)-
Ron
David, this is what I said; I made a distinction between that which our Lord did for man spiritually, and that which the “hose of David” did to the Lord by sending Him to the cross as a criminal. Was it only some Jews? Here is the Kliest & Lilly reading of Acts 2:36 (Imprimatur: Albertus G. Meyer, 1956)), “Therefore, let all Israel know most assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ – this very Jesus whom you have crucified.” The “you” of this verse goes back to the nation “Israel.” That is what Peter said; if you want to take exception to it, you have to take that up with God.
I have no desire to be at odds with Catholic people (individuals), but when the Scripture says one thing and an official opines with something that is contrary to what the Scripture says, well then, I suppose in my opposition to that teaching I might lose some friends.
You asked me to name another way in which the Catholic Church is wrong; ok, I will. In the Scripture, David, where is it recorded that Mary was a perpetual virgin?
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David
If you want to take the Bible literally, you have to take the WHOLE Bible literally. But you don’t. See John Chapter 6 and Matthew 16:18-20. You choose how you want to interpret scripture, and you interpret it differently. So let me ask, do you think that Peter was saying that all Jews got together and decided to hold Jesus up for crucifixion? No, it was some Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.
Regarding Mary’s perpetual virginity, where does scripture say she wasn’t always a virgin? For that matter, where is it written that scripture is the be-all and end-all? You can limit yourself, if you want, but unless you’re using the same materials, you can’t possibly say that the Catholic Church is wrong about it. You can dismiss what proof we have, if you want, but that doesn’t make your point true.-
Ron
David, you’ll have to do better than this. Tell me, how do YOU interpret the phrase the “House of David”? It appears as if you interpret it to be only some Pharisees and the Sanhedrin. Perhaps you can show from the Scripture the propriety of this interpretation; I am interested in a contextual passage where “house of David” is understood to be “some Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.” You also ask me concerning whether I think all the Jews got together to hold Jesus up for crucifixion, and this is supposed to be a serious question? Concerning your remark on John 6 and Matthew 18, I will dismiss this as a smokescreen, for that is all that it is.
So, David, since you are telling me (offering as proof, I suppose) that since Scripture does not explicitly speak against the perpetual virginity of Mary, that it is acceptable to believe. Very well, let me ask whether this is a true or false statement (underlined portion): “I was already fully intent on writing you, about the salvation we share. But now I feel obliged to write and encourage you to fight hard for the faith delivered once for all to the saints” (New American Bible, 1982-83 edition, Catholic Bible Publishers).
I appreciate the spirit in which you reply, David.
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Ron
David, you’ll have to do better than this. Tell me, how do YOU interpret the phrase the “House of David”? It appears as if you interpret it to be only some Pharisees and the Sanhedrin. Perhaps you can show from the Scripture the propriety of this interpretation; I am interested in a contextual passage where “house of David” is understood to be “some Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.” You also ask me concerning whether I think all the Jews got together to hold Jesus up for crucifixion, and this is supposed to be a serious question? Concerning your remark on John 6 and Matthew 18, I will dismiss this as a smokescreen, for that is all that it is.
So, David, since you are telling me (offering as proof, I suppose) that since Scripture does not explicitly speak against the perpetual virginity of Mary, that it is acceptable to believe. Very well, let me ask whether this is a true or false statement (underlined portion): “I was already fully intent on writing you, about the salvation we share. But now I feel obliged to write and encourage you to fight hard for the faith delivered once for all to the saints” (New American Bible, 1982-83 edition, Catholic Bible Publishers).
I appreciate the spirit in which you reply, David.
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David
Well, let me ask you, did Peter just pull out a megaphone and accuse ALL the people of Israel? No, he didn’t. The apostles were Jews, did he accuse THEM of crucifying Jesus? No, he didn’t. Did he accuse himself, even though he denied our LORD? No, he didn’t. Did he accuse Joseph of Arimethea and Nicodemus? Nope. Therefore, He wasn’t speaking to all Jews. He wasn’t using an all-encompassing ‘you’.
Dismiss it all you want, you choose as literal what you choose, and Catholics have always known what was always literal, and what wasn’t. Again, the point is you pick and choose what you want to believe, and dismiss the rest.
Regarding what’s acceptible to believe, we are to believe Scripture, along with Sacred Tradition, interpretted by the Magisterium, the teaching authority. The specific text which shows us Mary’s perpetual virginity is the Protoevangelium of James. Mary was a consecrated virgin, Joseph was her guardian. Joseph was to hold her consecrated virginity in highest regard, because anything consecrated to God is only for Him, in perpetuity.-
Stephen R. Bradd
Greetings David. I am glad you affirm we are to believe Scripture. That is the standard I try to study, understand, & live by.
I would appreciate hearing your thoughts on a Scripture in Matthew–specifically Matt. 13:55,56, which speaks of Jesus’ mother Mary, along with His brothers and sisters. How is it the case that Jesus had brothers and sisters in the flesh if his mother remained a virgin? Such is not possible, unless these brothers & sisters were also conceived miraculously as Christ was. Is this your understanding or is there another explanation? Furthermore, Matt. 1:25 implies that Joseph and Mary had sexual relations after Jesus was born (which is consistent with what 13:55,56 teaches).
Regarding interpretation and whether a word, phrase, or sentence should be understood literally or figuratively, I believe a simply rule is sufficient (and it is a rule we all use in everyday discourse): Everything should be understood literally UNLESS there is something in the immediate or wider context that would REQUIRE a non-literal meaning in order to avoid a contradiction.
I look forward to your reply.
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David
As does the Catholic Church, we just have our teaching office, which Jesus gave us, and Sacred Tradition, that Jesus gave us also. John himself said that scripture could not contain all that Jesus said and did. Besides, the early Christian Church was more about doing than about writing and reading.
Regarding Jesus and his ‘brothers’, the Bible is replete with examples of the use of ‘brother’ to mean something other than blood relative. Lot, for example, is called Abraham’s “brother” (Gen. 14:14), even though, being the son of Haran, Abraham’s brother (Gen. 11:26–28), he was actually Abraham’s nephew. Similarly, Jacob is called the “brother” of his uncle Laban (Gen. 29:15). Kish and Eleazar were the sons of Mahli. Kish had sons of his own, but Eleazar had no sons, only daughters, who married their “brethren,” the sons of Kish. These “brethren” were really their cousins (1 Chr. 23:21–22).The terms “brothers,” “brother,” and “sister” did not refer only to close relatives. Sometimes they meant kinsmen (Deut. 23:7; Neh. 5:7; Jer. 34:9), as in the reference to the forty-two “brethren” of King Azariah (2 Kgs. 10:13–14).
But it’s less proper to say “Jesus didn’t have any brothers” than it is to say that Mary had no other children, in other words, she was always a virgin. Those named in Scripture are clearly shown not to be birthed by Mary, but others. We know that James the younger’s mother was named Mary. Look at the descriptions of the women standing beneath the cross: “among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee” (Matt. 27:56); “There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome” (Mark 15:40).
Then look at what John says: “But standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (John 19:25). If we compare these parallel accounts of the scene of the crucifixion, we see that the mother of James and Joseph must be the wife of Clopas. So far, so good.
An argument against this, though, is that James is elsewhere (Matt. 10:3) described as the son of Alphaeus, which would mean this Mary, whoever she was, was the wife of both Clopas and Alphaeus. But Alphaeus and Clopas are the same person, since the Aramaic name for Alphaeus could be rendered in Greek either as Alphaeus or as Clopas. Another possibility is that Alphaeus took a Greek name similar to his Jewish name, the way that Saul took the name Paul.
So it’s probable that James the younger is the son of Mary and Clopas. We can study the other named brothers of Jesus in the same way.
Regarding scriptural interpretation, Catholics believe it is better to look at those closest to Jesus, whose writings tell us what was meant when it was said. We believe the Holy Spirit prevents errors from creeping into scriptural interpretation. So we believe that, in John 6, when Jesus tells the disciples that they must eat his flesh and drink his blood, that it was literal. And also when Jesus, in Matthew 16:18-20 and the verses surrounding that text, Jesus literally made Peter the cornerstone of His Church, and that he promised that his church would last until the end of time. That’s the Catholic Church.
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David
Your interpretation of what “until” means is flawed. If you and I meet on the street, and after our conversation, I use the phrase “Until we meet again…” does this mean we are definitely going to meet again? Consider this line: “Michal the daughter of Saul had no children till the day of her death” (2 Sam. 6:23). Are we to assume she had children after her death?
There is also the burial of Moses. The book of Deuteronomy says that no one knew the location of his grave “until this present day” (Deut. 34:6, Knox). But we know that no one has known since that day either.
Also, first-born does not imply that there will be a second-born.
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Ron
I am currently out of town, David. When I return, is about a week, you will get a more thorough reply. That which you offered, I expected. This is a standard reply and one that refuses to accept language at it basic level of understanding.
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David
Ron, of course, you know that this is what I expected from you, as well. The ‘basic understanding of language’, I think you left out a word…from your point of view, you mean ‘the basic understanding of language today‘. Well, to understand the Bible you need to understand the times in which it was written as well as the context. That’s where the Apostolic Tradition comes in, and the Magesterium. You also have to look at the vast gulf between the time of Jesus’ resurrection and the Protestant reformation, which is the Catholic Church. The fact that Protestantism decided to redefine words and whole established doctrines is pretty telling. It’s also telling that it was secular governments that was on the side of the Reformation. In fact, “Protestant Reformation” ignores the fact that “Catholic Reformation” was happening before Luther ever posted his 95 theses. In fact, the Catholic Church is in a constant state of reformation as we try to conform to the will of God.
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Ron
David, I wont address anything about the protestant reformation; I will only address what Scripture says. You say that I fail to understand language at the time it was written, and only use language as it is used in todays context. Very well, demonstrate what part of anything I said failed to interpret a word accurately, that is, in accordance with how Paul or Peter, or even Jesus used that word. Dont give me your opinion; give me a substantive and authoritative response from a source I can check. Also, David, I am interested in (and still waiting on) your response to the Jude 3 reference I gave you earlier. I gave the translation out of the New American Bible (which is Catholic). My question to you was whether or not this is a true or false statement. I am also still waiting on whether you can show, from Scripture, how the house of David can be biblically interpreted as a reference to some Pharisees and the Sanhedrin.
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Stephen R. Bradd
Hello David. It would be easy for me to get bogged down in the details of this thread, but I want us to focus on the bigger picture first. If we are able to agree on the bigger picture, the smaller details will resolve themselves accordingly.
I accept the Bible as THE standard of authority–period. You affirm that you accept the Bible, but then ADD “Sacred Tradition” and the “teaching office.” The fact that you ADD these other things implies the insufficiency of the Scriptures in your mind. We do not need either of these other things, David. The Bible alone is sufficient. Yes, we are wise to study historical context, etc., to more fully understand God’s word, but no “Sacred Traditions,” “teaching office,” or anything/anyone else needs to be embraced as authoritative.
I fear that you have allowed traditions to form your beliefs (which arose long after Jesus and the apostles [who were led into all the truth by the Holy Spirit] died). The Bible affirms for itself that it is what we need to be guided into ALL the truth God wants us to have (2 Tim. 3:16,17; 2 Pet. 1:3). Additionally, if we ADD to God’s word (via “Sacred Traditions,” “teaching office,” etc.), we fall under God’s curse (Gal. 1:6-9; Rev. 22:18,19). I would like to hear your thoughts on these 4 passages, if you are kind enough to reply. To me, they seem to clearly shut the door to any other sources of authority beyond the Bible itself. I know that Jesus and the apostles did a lot more than what was recorded in the New Testament, but the Holy Spirit saw fit to record & preserve what we need. And certainly nothing left unrecorded would conflict with the teachings that were recorded.
If God wanted us to embrace sources of authority outside the Bible, why doesn’t the Scripture tell us of such? Instead it warns us to not be swept away by false doctrines (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
Just today I was reading a bulletin from a church in KY that reminded me of this discussion. I will post the article as a new entry (titled: “Catholic Advice”). It is relevant to our discussion here.
And finally, yes, I am aware of what you say about the generic use of the term “brother” in Scripture. But, to say that it could refer to another relationship is not to prove that it does. What is the natural reading of the verse? I think Mark 6:3 might be the clearest on this point. How else could Mark word this verse to convey what I believe he did convey? If Mark wanted to tell us that Mary had other children (and thus wasn’t a perpetual virgin), what words should he have used? As I affirmed in the earlier post, we should read Scripture literally unless there is a compelling contextual reason not to. There is nothing in the BIBLE to suggest Mary remained a virgin and much evidence to the contrary. I am not interested in “Sacred Tradition” or “teaching office,” but if you can show me something from the Bible itself pertaining to Mary’s alleged perpetual virginity, I will accept it.
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David
Stephen,
If the Bible alone is sufficient, why are there so many arguments about what it actually means? We have adult baptism/infant baptism, Real Presence/ just a symbol, faith/works-in other words, all sorts of interpretation about what the scriptures actually say. And actually, the Bible does tell us, exactly that we are to use scripture and tradition. Paul tells Timothy exactly that, in one of the passages you mention 2 Tim 3:16. It says All Scripture is inspired by God and profitablefor teaching…When read in the context of the surrounding passages, one discovers that Paul’s reference to Scripture is only part of his exhortation that Timothy take as his guide Tradition and Scripture. The two verses immediately before it state: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 3:14–15).Paul tells Timothy to continue in what he has learned for two reasons: first, because he knows from whom he has learned it—Paul himself—and second, because he has been educated in the scriptures. The first of these is a direct appeal to apostolic tradition, the oral teaching which the apostle Paul had given Timothy. So Protestants must take 2 Timothy 3:16-17 out of context to arrive at the theory of sola scriptura. But when the passage is read in context, it becomes clear that it is teaching the importance of apostolic tradition!
The Bible denies that it is sufficient as the complete rule of faith. Paul says that much Christian teaching is to be found in the tradition which is handed down by word of mouth (2 Tim. 2:2). He instructs us to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thess. 2:15).
This oral teaching was accepted by Christians, just as they accepted the written teaching that came to them later. Jesus told his disciples: “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me” (Luke 10:16). The Church, in the persons of the apostles, was given the authority to teach by Christ; the Church would be his representative. He commissioned them, saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19).
And how was this to be done? By preaching, by oral instruction: “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). The Church would always be the living teacher. It is a mistake to limit “Christ’s word” to the written word only or to suggest that all his teachings were reduced to writing. The Bible nowhere supports either notion.
Stephen, if you’re not willing to take what Scripture tells us, above, the way it’s written, how can we discuss anything. The early Christian Church was a religion of the word, not a religion of the book. Written scripture, other than the Old Testament, even some of which was contested as whether it was canonical or not, was a thought a couple decades after Jesus’ resurrection. Furthermore, there is nothing in the Bible, either, to suggest that she had children of her own. The Bible proves that Mary was a virgin at her conception, and a virgin at the time of Christ’s birth. Other writings tell of her earlier life, when she was consecrated to the Lord. You do not take back what has been given to the Lord. Mary is ever virgin. Besides that, we have 1500 years of writings after Christ’s resurrection to show what the universal church believed for all that time. Sounds to me like you want to throw the baby out with the bath water.
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David
Ron, I was wondering where that quote came from. I don’t think it’s the NAB, because here’ what Jude 3 reads there: “Beloved, although I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel a need to write to encourage you to contend for the faith that was once for all handed down to the holy ones. ” Of course there is nothing false in the Bible. I can’t see what you underlined at all, but I suppose you’re asking about “our common salvation”, which, properly understood, means the teachings of the Christian faith derived from the apostolic preaching and to be kept by the Christian community.
I already understood what ‘brother’ means in the Bible, and your understanding of ‘until’ and ‘first-born’.
Regarding Mary having other children, sources: In A.D. 380, Helvidius proposed that Mary had other children because of the “brothers” in Matthew 13:55. He was rebutted by Jerome, who was arguably the greatest biblical scholar of the day. The Protestant reformer John Calvin seconded Jerome: “Helvidius has shown himself too ignorant, in saying that Mary had several sons, because mention is made in some passages to the brothers of Christ” [quoted by Bernard Leeming, Protestants and Our Lady, 9]. Martin Luther agreed with Calvin that Mary was always a virgin, as did Ulrich Zwingli: “I esteem immensely the Mother of God, the ever chaste, immaculate Virgin Mary” [E. Stakemeier, De Mariologia et Oecumenismo, K. Balic, ed., 456].Regarding the word translated ‘until’, heos, cite to me how you come to your conclusion.
Biblically, Mary’s ever virginity:
In the case of Mary’s perpetual virginity, the key to explaining Matthew 13:55 is understanding the Greek word for “brethren” (adelphoi) and its feminine counterpart (adelphe). If the Greek words used in this passage connote only siblings, then the Catholic dogma of Mary’s perpetual virginity is false.However, the word adelphoi has a much broader meaning. It may refer to male relatives that one is not a descendant of and that are not descendant from one (such as a blood brother, step-brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, etc.) or non-relatives such as neighbors, fellow workers, co-religionists, and friends.
Because of this broad usage, we can be sure that the 120 “brothers” in Acts 1:15 did not have the same mother. Neither did Lot and his uncle Abraham, who were called “brothers” (Gen. 11:26-28, 29:15).
The reason relatives were called brothers or sisters was because in Hebrew, there was no word for cousin, nephew, or uncle. So the person was referred to as simply a “brother.” Linguistically, this was far easier than calling the person the son of a mother’s sister. Since the New Testament was written in a dialect of Greek that was heavily influenced by the Semitic culture, many of the Hebrew idioms (like “brother” having multiple meanings) intrude into the Greek text. So, the fact that Jesus had adelphoi does not mean that Mary had other children.
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Stephen R. Bradd
Hello David.
Let’s talk more about “tradition.” You are correct in affirming that the New Testament does speak favorably of traditions from the APOSTLES (e.g., 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:6). However, there is such a thing as traditions of MEN–and they are not viewed favorably (e.g., Col. 2:8; 1 Pet. 1:18).How can we tell the difference between an apostolic tradition or a tradition of men? That’s simple. God preserved the apostolic traditions that are needed by us in the Scriptures! The divinely approved “traditions” taught in the 1st century are precisely what constitues our New Testament today.
This brings our discussion full circle–and back to Jude 3. Ron’s bringing up of that verse was to emphasize (I presume) the phrase – “the faith that was ONCE FOR ALL handed down.” The idea here is that God revealed–once for ALL TIME in the 1st century–what He wanted for Christians to believe and practice. He revealed it via the apostles and other inspired men. They taught it verbally and it was known as inspired tradition AND they wrote down what the Holy Spirit wanted preserved and it is known by us today as Scripture.
If God word’s/apostolic tradition has been revealed ONCE FOR ALL TIME in the 1st century (and it has per Jude 3), then we have no expectation of further revelation beyond the time of the apostles. Thus, by the end of the 1st century, God’s word had been FULLY revealed (“once for all” – Jude 3). God was finished giving us everything He wanted to give us. Anything that claims to come beyond that time (under the guise of “additional revelations” or “ex cathedra”, etc.) is nothing more than the tradition of MEN. It is without God’s authority or approval. It is false doctrine.
This is why I brought up Gal. 1:8,9 earlier – “But even if we [apostles] or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!”
David, the fact that the Catholic church even has a “pope” is a different gospel than what Paul and the other apostles revealed. There is no New Testament authority for a person to claim the type of authority your pope does. Such is a tradition of MEN, not God. Even if the pope were “an angel from heaven,” Paul tells me not to listen to him–since his teachings are different than the apostles!
What we need is the Bible and the Bible alone. The Bible includes all the “apostolic traditions” God wanted us to have–period.
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David
Stephen, the only thing unbiblical about the pope is what we call him. But the Tradition (I’m going to use capital t for apostolic tradition and small t for man-made tradition) of the leader of the universal church is absolutely Biblical-read Matthew 16:18-19. Also, see the preeminence of Peter in the Gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles. Peter made decisions for the Church of his time. He converted 3000 on Pentecost as the leader of the Church. Christ gave him the authority to bind and to loose, which is the office of Prime Minister. As can be seen in Isaiah 22:22, kings in the Old Testament appointed a chief steward to serve under them in a position of great authority to rule over the inhabitants of the kingdom. Jesus quotes almost verbatum from this passage in Isaiah, and so it is clear what he has in mind. He is raising Peter up as a father figure to the household of faith (Is. 22:21), to lead them and guide the flock (John 21:15-17). This authority of the prime minister under the king was passed on from one man to another down through the ages by the giving of the keys, which were worn on the shoulder as a sign of authority. Likewise, the authority of Peter has been passed down for 2000 years by means of the papacy.
It is important to keep in mind what the Catholic Church means by tradition. The term does not refer to legends or mythological accounts, nor does it encompass transitory customs or practices which may change, as circumstances warrant, such as styles of priestly dress, particular forms of devotion to saints, or even liturgical rubrics. Sacred or apostolic tradition consists of the teachings that the apostles passed on orally through their preaching. These teachings largely (perhaps entirely) overlap with those contained in Scripture, but the mode of their transmission is different.
They have been handed down and entrusted to the Churchs. It is necessary that Christians believe in and follow this tradition as well as the Bible (Luke 10:16). The truth of the faith has been given primarily to the leaders of the Church (Eph. 3:5), who, with Christ, form the foundation of the Church (Eph. 2:20). The Church has been guided by the Holy Spirit, who protects this teaching from corruption (John 14:25-26, 16:13).
Paul illustrated what tradition is: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures. . . . Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed” (1 Cor. 15:3,11). The apostle praised those who followed Tradition: “I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you” (1 Cor. 11:2).
The first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching” (Acts 2:42) long before there was a New Testament. From the very beginning, the fullness of Christian teaching was found in the Church as the living embodiment of Christ, not in a book. The teaching Church, with its oral, apostolic tradition, was authoritative. Paul himself gives a quotation from Jesus that was handed down orally to him: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
This saying is not recorded in the Gospels and must have been passed on to Paul. Indeed, even the Gospels themselves are oral tradition which has been written down (Luke 1:1–4). What’s more, Paul does not quote Jesus only. He also quotes from early Christian hymns, as in Ephesians 5:14. These and other things have been given to Christians “through the Lord Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:2).
Fundamentalists say Jesus condemned tradition. They note that Jesus said, “And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matt. 15:3). Paul warned, “See to it that no one makes a prey of you by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8). But these verses merely condemn erroneous human traditions, not truths which were handed down orally and entrusted to the Church by the apostles. These latter truths are part of what is known as apostolic tradition, which is to be distinguished from human traditions or customs.
Finally, the Gospel of John tells us “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. ” John 21:25
So I’ve shown you Biblical truth about the Pope, and how the Bible alone is not enough (even the Bible doesn’t say that it’s enough). What else?
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Mike Riley
“Fear Ye Not” – Matthew 10:31
In the context of Matthew 10, Jesus is telling his twelve disciples what to expect when they go from city to city, preaching the gospel. He explains to them that the world will hate them because of the message they preach – including those of their own household (Matthew 10:16-22). He then tells them to preach the whole gospel without fear (Matthew 10:26-27), the only person to fear is the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28).
In Matthew 10:31, He then goes to to say that the disciples are of far more value than that of mere sparrows, therefore, they are not to “fear” what man can do to them – God will take care of them, even in death (Matthew 10:29-31; cf. Romans 8:28-39; cf. Psalm 116:15; Revelation 14:12-13).
When Jesus rides in our boat, there is absolutely nothing to fear: http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/02/05/when-jesus-rides-in-our-boat-2/
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Ron Thomas
Would we miss them?
I recently wrote (and submitted) two “letters to the editor” in area newspapers. Reading Isaiah 57:1-2, I was unable to go further in my reading without reflecting on those letters I wrote. Isaiah’s words are a lament and a bit of reassurance.
When one passes from this life into the next there is mourning, but does the world lament a righteous man’s passing? No doubt some do, and many will miss the influence of the righteous in this dark world. But in the “world’s bucket” the righteous man who passed is merely a drop in the bucket. Maybe it would be good to ponder on the many righteous people who pass, how much would the world then miss?
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Mike Riley
Ron, the world would only miss those righteous people when they saw God’s judgment coming to pass (Genesis 6:11-13; Genesis 7:21-23). Unfortunately, it would be too late.
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Ron
Mike, I think that is exactly correct. Thanks, brother.
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J. Randal Matheny
Need a chaplain?
This from Dale Jenkins’s Facebook wall:
About 10:40 last night many of us at the hospital gathered around dad’s bed and Jeff led a moving prayer. If you know our family at all, you can imagine there were 7 preachers in the room. About 3-4 minutes later dad drew his last breath. Moments later, a young and compassionate male nurse walked in the room. He was not intrusive and wanting to be so very helpful. In a reverent and tender voice he asked: “Can I call you guys a chaplin?” The room roared with laughter. But I can only imagine the laughter of joy that occurred around the throne and/or among the many who greeted our dad on the other side…
Thank each of you who loved dad and who now weep and rejoice with us.
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J. Randal Matheny
Jeff’s father passes away
We offer our condolences to our friend and good Fellow Jeff Jenkins on the death of his father Jerry. While sorrow is heavy, Jerry’s life and ministry serve as a wonderful witness to the power of God in a man and provide relief from the heavy grief at their loss.
On the BNc site we’ve begun an obituary page that will be updated as we receive further information.
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Paula Harrington
I’m so sorry to hear this.
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Larry Miles
I want to express my sympathy to the Jenkins family also. Up till late August I had not met any of them personally. While attending Polishing The Pulpit, I was blessed to be at worship services Sunday morning Aug. 29th at South Knoxville. Bro. Jerry was the Bible teacher that morning- His lesson was on on “Evangelism – You might be the Missing Link.” I was impresssed with his zeal for evangelism
I also met dale Jenkins at PTP — and have kept up with Bro. Jerry’s progress/lack of for the last few weeks– What I saw was love personified for a father by his children. May the Lord be with them during this trying time.
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Chad Dollahite
I’m reminded of the words of Shakespeare…
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mix’d in him that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world ‘This was a man!’Father, help me to be as soul-conscious and to influence the world for good as do men like bro. Jerry Jenkins. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What a great man! He truly will be missed. My mother is a Christian today because of the evangelistic zeal of Jerry Jenkins. Our prayers are with his family at this time.
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Mike Riley
Original Purpose Lost – The Tree Of Life
What lost its original purpose? Immediately, I thought of the tree of life, which man was barred from in Genesis 1:22-24 because of sin, but will be restored to those in the body of Christ who are “overcomers” [faithful], even when facing certain death (Revelation 2:7,10; Revelation 22:1-2).
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John Henson
When mortality hit
My moment of mortality hit hard just before February 18, 2004, when I was facing open-heart bypass surgery.As a paramedic in the 1970s, much of my training was performed in surgery as I started intravenous lines and endotracheal tubes. Of course, it wasn’t very scary for me then, but the prospect of the body on the table being mine was different.
To make a long story short, the surgery went well and I’m still in the land-of-the-living, but the message that I was not immortal and had an inevitable date with death made an indelible impression on me. Perhaps it is the case we humans don’t think too much about our own mortality until the possibility of death arises.
That may be the reason why the Bible says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth,” (Ecclesiastes 7:2-4 ESV).
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Richard Mansel
Wiliam Woodson
Brother Woodson passed away at 6:00 CST. He was a giant in the faith. Keep the family in your prayers.
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Steve Liucas
Thanks for sharing, Richard. BTW, I am unable to open the writing of RH concerning “they”. Anyone else having difficulty? I tried multiple times, but each time it indicated it was no longer available.
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Richard Mansel
Here is the link to Richard Hill’s article. http://www.forthright.net/guest_writers/since_jesus_is_lord_then.html
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Steve Lucas
For those of us who were @ FHC in the late 70′s and early 80′s, it was such a pleasure to learn from this scholar. May I ask, does anyone recall if Brother Woodson had a son who also attended FHC during that time period? I seem to recall a student with same last name, but I have slept occasionally since then, so I’m apt to be wrong about the linkage.
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J. Randal Matheny
You’re right, Steve, I do believe the Woodsons had a son there around that time. I was in A Cappella Singers with their daughter Melissa, also.
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Richard Hill
It Happened While They Were Still Alive!
My working hours have lengthened as the harvest season approaches. The grain dryer setup requires extra work due to age and it all takes longer. . .due to age! Late Friday afternoon, still out on a mission to scavenge parts I decided to have a non-fast food meal alone. Many years have passed since I had done that, but I was tired and needed to rest. It was a beautiful day and I chose to dine on the patio.
Did I mention that morning I had been inside the grain dryer in the upper heat chamber cleaning out the fines that had slipped through the perforated walls? Well, when I walked onto the patio a table of six yuppies fell silent. Oh, if they had only stayed that way. . .but I’m getting ahead of myself.
A couple of them stared my direction. Not sure why they were looking at me. My father-in-law had blown me off with the air gun, I had wiped the grease off my left pant leg and had changed to a clean farmer cap. I looked a lot better than I usually do when working on the farm, but I can’t fault them for their reaction since they had never seen my really grubby look as comparison.
After a couple of brief awkward moments they continued their boisterous conversations. They started with a discussion of the vegetarian diet. One woman began questioning the waiter as to the exact way the black beans were prepared so as to keep them vegetarian. After he left she went on to explain she had acquired great knowledge of all these things and more at a culinary school. She had also witnessed the way cattle were slaughtered. She was visibly shaken as she relived the event.
One of her eating companions ran for a while on the way kosher animals were slaughtered. He considered it barbaric. She retorted that the slaughter house she visited “killed them while they were still alive!”
Yes, you read that right. “They killed them while they were still alive.” I didn’t snort when I chuckled. An unusual level of self-control for me.
This morning we studied the first few verses of Romans 12. You know, the part about a living sacrifice. Sounds crazy doesn’t it? Since real sacrifices involve dead things, how can there be a living sacrifice?
Well, Christian, we were crucified nevertheless we live. Galatians 2:20. The next verse in Romans 12 tells us “not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world” which means to keep the dead part dead. The old man with his worldly ways needs to be put out of his misery never to be resurrected.
That verse goes on to say, “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It parallels a similar thought in the same Galatians passage which says, “Christ lives in me.” We live now as we had never lived before, revitalized by Christ himself.
Yes sir. We were killed while we were still alive. For the Christian it’s not a misstatement. It’s not a joke. It’s our reality.
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Barbara Ann Oliver
I, for one, and thankful every day for the dusty, dirty, hot and tired farmer who sacrifices his life’s sweat and blood to put bread and meat on my table, and for the Man who was willing to sacrifice his life’s blood to bring me before the Father as an acceptable sacrifice. Thanks, Richard.
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Richard Hill
I appreciate your support, Barb! Their demeanor, as if they were better than everyone else, and the subject matter, a loud discussion of slaughter houses, seemed a bit incongruent. Not that it bothered me. I just had trouble containing myself. Then when the lady made her crazy quote, well, I just felt the need to share.
I liked your tie-in to the greatest of all sacrifices. Amen!
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Richard Hill
The Great Concepts in Romans on Freedom
We are working our way through the New Testament book by book. Presently, we are studying Romans. Today we started and finished chapter 7. A whole chapter in one class session doesn’t happen very often, but it was a short chapter.
So far in Romans we have discussed freedom from wrath, sin, the law and will next delve into freedom from death. We struggle to understand these big concepts, but it is worth the effort.
What a great God we serve! He has taken our punishment. He has destroyed the power of sin and law to dominate our every thought and strangle our service to him. He has set us free to fully dedicate our lives to Him now and throughout eternity!
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Mike Riley
What spiritual freedoms?
The truth makes us free (John 8:32):
1) Free from sin (Romans 6:17-18).
2) Free gift of righteousness (grace) leading to our justification (Romans 5:15-19).
3) Free from the law of Moses (Romans 7:1-4; Gal. 5:1-4).
4) Free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2; 1 Corinthians 7:19-22).
5) Free to be Christ’s servant (1 Corinthians 7:21-22).
6) Free to preach the gospel without charge (1 Corinthians 9:18-19). -
J. Randal Matheny
Daily Nudge: who you miss most — and news
A simple question, though the answer may not be: Who in your life, not present now, that you miss the most?
I’m late today on this one, so we’ll let it serve for today and tomorrow. Unless I come up with another question about fathers …
A couple of obituaries on BNc today and yesterday of sisters in Christ who undoubtedly influenced the world for good. All the news I know for now; how about you?
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Glenda Williams
Ann Moore laid to rest today
Dear, sweet Ann Moore was buried today. She had such a hard life, but she has gone home to be with God now. I wrote an article about Ann for BNc, titled “Opportunity in our Driveway,” several months back. One of her last and greatest works on this earth was bringing her closest friend to the Lord. We are sad, yet rejoicing.
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John Henson
Teach us to number our days…
Through God’s mercy and providence, I began a study of Psalm 90 just prior to my mother’s recent death.
The Psalm strengthened me through the grief process and helped me to understand some lessons I had never before considered. Principally, is death purely a punishment, or did God institute death as a way to teach human beings a valuable lesson?
As I studied, it occurred to me man’s problem has always been to think of himself as God. This began in the garden of Eden when man’s transgression was prompted by Satan’s temptation, “For God knows that in the day you eat from it (the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil) your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil,” (Genesis 3:5 NASU).
When Moses fell by transgression, it was chiefly because he placed himself on a par with God. We tend of make a very big deal about what he did with his rod to bring water to the rebellious Israelites, but what he said in the process is very important: “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?” (Numbers 20:10). God told Moses his mistake was not “to treat me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel.” Moses was guilty of not making a distinction. God is the only God and should be identified as such.
Moses is the author of Psalm 90, and it is interesting that he made its subject God’s eternality and man’s frailty. Moses made the following points:
- “Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (verse 2). This is a significant distinction between man and God. God is immortal, man is mortal. That man lives only a finite time is instruction that there is only one God and man is not such an entity.
- “For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it passes away…” Repeated in 2 Peter 3:8, this simply refers to the truth that time has no meaning with God. It matters a great deal to man, but not to the eternal. This is another distinction.
- “As for the days of our life, they contain 70 years… we soon fly away.” Again, God’s eternality and man’s frailty is made evident. God will be in the world after we’re dust. He exists long after we leave this bodily form.
- “So teach us to number our days…” Here’s the verse that caused me to stop and think about death as an instruction. God doesn’t say that we should consider death as a punishment. We should understand, while we are in this body, the distinction between us and God. If we understand that, we can use that knowledge to keep ourselves from sin. Isn’t it the case, after all, that almost every sin we commit begins with the thought that we should be able to rule our lives as God, knowing both good and evil?
Death was presented to man as a consequence of his own actions. God, however, means death to be a process in our spiritual education. He presents it to us so that he can, “teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
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Daniel Haynes
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Robert Dodson, in his article, The Rich Man and Lazarus, reminds us of two great themes in the Bible: Death and Judgment.
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J. Randal Matheny
Sad note in midst of laughter
Sorry to interrupt the good replies about what makes you laugh. I do hope you’ll continue with the laughter posts, for life insists on proceeding even in the midst of death. Scott posted this last Friday, and I’d asked his permission to post it here. He got back with me earlier today. I’ve edited it slightly.
This has been a sad week in our little town. Last weekend some of the local kids got a hold of a prescription pain patch, Fenandyl, and in smoking it, an 11th grade girl passed out and never regained consciousness.
I spent most of Tuesday at the high school, along with several other preachers, to talk with kids who felt the need. Her funeral was Wednesday. She was 17. Of the other three kids, only one was 18 and he is being charged. The other two, 17-year-olds, may still be charged.
The pain patch contained several days worth of medicine and when smoked is considered to be 100 times stronger than morphine.
A child is dead. A mother is mourning her daughter. A school is mourning a classmate. A community is mourning one of their own. Three young people will live the rest of their lives with the knowledge that they had a hand in her death.
–Scott P. Wiley, Clay City, IN, swileyusa@yahoo.com Blog: http://scotthere.preachersfiles.com
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Laura
Very sad, but thank you for sharing. I plan to share with my 15 and 17 year old sons.
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Mike Riley
Randal, this is indeed a sad story that illustrates the results of poor choices. This is exactly why we, as parents and grandparents, need to not only teach our children and grandchildren to make wise choices, but consider the consequences of the choices we make in life. Some of those choices result in dire consequences as in this case.
We’ll be praying that the God of all comfort will be with the families touched by the loss of their loved ones.
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J. Randal Matheny
Keep the ones you got now
From Ed Boggess, again.
In the little book Children’s Letters To God, Jane wrote: “Dear God, Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t you just keep the ones you got now?” Now there is an idea. But the fact is we don’t live forever; at least we don’t down here! Most of us would like to live longer, so we go to doctors, fill prescriptions, receive inoculations, endure treatments, avoid accidents, and on and on. But still we die. In fact people are dying who have never died before; everywhere and all around us. So in view of this why is it so difficult to get people to stop and think about eternity? If we all want to live forever in heaven, why not make plans? This is Just-A-Minute with Ed Boggess
This study also hopes people will think about eternity.
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Daniel Haynes
Great stuff! Hope these keep coming.
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Randal Matheny
I’ve invited Ed to post the text of his radio messages here. He’s going to consider it. Pray.
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Richard Hill
Facing Death–A Celebration of Transition–from life to life
I look forward to the time I actually pass from this life into the next. That being said, the unknown aspect of all the things that happen after death does give me a funny feeling. Uneasy doesn’t describe it. Neither does unprepared.
A feeling of mental weightlessness is about the best way I can put it. It is a feeling that is both exhilarating and slightly uncomfortable at the same time. It is reminiscent of topping that last huge hill on the roller coaster. As you imagine how it will feel, it’s a bit unnerving. You anticipate how exciting it’s going to be, but there’s no way to simulate the height of the emotion you’re about to experience. Then, in that split second, as you begin to drop–weightlessness. In that split second of weightlessness, you know in yet another micro division of time, you will be experiencing something so tremendous and exilarating!
That’s the way I feel about life now–weightlessness. It’s a funny feeling. More and more I understand the brevity of this earthly existence. More and more I understand it as the “vapor stage” of my existence. Everything is rapidly moving toward this destiny of death. From an eternal prospective, life is short. So short, in fact, it can be said at any stage of life, we stand at the precipice of eternity. Vapor. Weightlessness. Eternity is in sight. The shift could happen at any time. Whether it’s within the next few seconds or the next half century (which would put me at 102!) matters little. It won’t be long.
Now don’t misunderstand me. I’m not eager to die. Richard M presented great insight into the appropriate Christian attitude toward death. I feel my life’s work would be incomplete if the Lord took me now. Nevertheless, I trust the timing of that event to Him. Until then, I’ve got work to do.
Still, I look forward to the moment I exit this earth–to that amazing ride–with great anticipation. Even though I don’t know all the particulars of what will happen, I trust the One who will lead me through. I look forward to living forever with God and all the saints who have gone before and those who will join us later. As the early Christians said, “Maranatha!” or as Tommy Dorsey put it “take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home”!
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Vicki Matheny
Thanks for this perspective! Your anticipation is easy to grasp!
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Richard Mansel
Struggle with the Thought of Death?
We must realize that not being eager to die and not being afraid to die are two separate things. Paul was ready to die for the Lord. But he wasn’t going out of his way to see that it happened. I preach in an Army congregation and I recently discussed this with the retired soldiers. They have a mission to perform on the battlefield and they are all prepared to die for their country. However, they will do all that they can to avoid it happening. If they are all killed, their army and country perishes.
If we fail to differentiate this fact, we may feel guilt for not wanting to die and think that our faith is lacking.
I am not afraid to die. However, like everyone else, I fear the unknown aspect of it. Scripture says little about what happens after we die. Sure, there are broad strokes, but the details are sketchy. I am not eager to die because there is so much left to do. So much writing and teaching that has to be completed.
I want to see my younger daughters have families and to be with my wife as we grow old together. I want to have more grandchildren and see them grow. My biggest concern regarding death right now is that my parents are in poor health and I can’t imagine life without them.
This is a big and complex subject that we need more writing and thinking about. Good suggestion, Randal.
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Mike Riley
Richard, death is a subject that definitely needs to be taught more in the church, that’s for certain.
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Vicki Matheny
Thank you so much for putting into words what I feel. I really appreciated your comments.
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Richard Mansel
I’m thrilled that it benefited you.
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Richard Mansel
Absolutely.
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5kidswdisabilities
I do not worry about death. I know death will come and a peacefulness follows. I am sad, however, at the recent loss of my mom…http://5kidswdisabilities.wordpress.com
Lindsey Petersen-
Richard Mansel
Sorry for your loss, Lindsey.
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John Henson
Do I struggle with the prospect of facing death? To be honest, I used to struggle with it. But, my faith has grown to the point where I know death is not the end; it is only the separation of the spirit from the body (Ecclesiastes 12:7) and there is no place my soul can go where it will be separated from my Lord (Romans 8:38f). There’s a hymn we sing that says, “If Jesus goes with me I’ll go ANYWHERE!” That’s not just in this life, but anywhere! Thanks be to our Almighty Father who loves us and will never leave us!
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jimnewy
Struggling With Death
Do I struggle with death? Not anymore. There was a time when I was scared to death of dying. That was during a time when I was not living according to the will of God. After repenting and returning to living my life for God, I lost that fear. When you are living as a sinner, there should be a fear of dying, because you know what the consequences will be if you should die. At the age of 68and 1/2 I am ready to go be with the Lord. I feel that way especially on days like yesterday and somewhat today when the pains of abused and misused body aches come along in the winter time. Times when they can almost immobilize you. I am ready to leave that all behind. However, God must know there is work left for me to coninue to do. So I wait patiently knowing and hoping for my time to go.
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Mike Riley
Jim, it’s a fact that death is going to claim us, no matter if we struggle with it or not, so we might as well prepare ourselves for that event like God told Hezekiah to do (2 Kings 20:1; Isaiah 38:1).
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jimnewy
Very true. There are a lot of people that go through each day never thinking about death. They don’t want to, nor do they want to talk about it, they are that afraid of it. Peter in his first letter describes us as sojourners, aliens in a foreign land. We need to be ready to go at a moments notice.
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Laura
Do I struggle with facing death? Not any more. Do I want to die now? No. I feel my work here isn’t done yet. My sons still haven’t launched on their own yet. But if the Lord were to call me home now, so be it. I would be better off, and I’m sure He would have something in mind to help my family in my stead.
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Mike Riley
Do I struggle w/facing death? No, because I know that if I’m faithful to the Lord (even in the face of death), these six things will happen to me when I die:
1) The angels will carry me into Abraham’s bosom, a place of blessed peace and tranquility (Luke 16:22).
2) The Lord will be with me when I walk through that valley (Psalm 23:4).
3) I’ll be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; cf. 2 Timothy 4:6).
4) I’ll be blessed with rest from my labors (Revelation 14:13).
5) I’ll receive a victory crown (Revelation 2:10; cf. 2 Timothy 4:8).
6) I’ll receive my everlasting inheritance (1 Peter 1:4; cf. 1 Timothy 6:19).Then I’ll live forever with the Lord (John 14:1-3), with God (Revelation 21:3), and the redeemed of all the ages (Revelation 5:9; Revelation 21:24).
If we are a faithful Christian, and we know these things, why should we have a struggle facing death?
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glendawilliams
I want to use this in our church bulletin this weekend. Excellent!
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Daniel Haynes
Looks like a good sermon to me!
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glendawilliams
Mike, may I have your permission to use this article in our bulletin this weekend? I think it will be such an encouragment to everyone.
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Mike Riley
Glenda, Yes you may indeed use it, but I have just written a more complete article on the subject, if you would like to use it.
http://mbriley.preachersfiles.com/2010/01/23/do-we-struggle-with-facing-death/
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John Henson
Fear death?
Why do people fear death? Is it because it is like stepping into the unknown? Is it because we don’t really know what there is or isn’t on the other side of death?
But in Hebrews 2:14-15, the writer assures us that Jesus has, through death, destroyed him who had the power of death, and “release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” And, in 2 Timothy 1:10, Paul wrote that Jesus had “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,” (NKJV).
Besides, everybody’s doing it, right?
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Mike Riley
Those outside of Christ, have a reason to fear death, for their future is indeed bleak (Romans 2:8-9; Ephesians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13). However, Christians need not fear death, for to die, is to be with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; 2 Timothy 4:6-8), and to rest from their labors (Revelation 14:13).
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Daniel Haynes
Hope Beyond the Grave
Since moving to Utah God has opened my eyes to the many gifts, he gives to his children. I am thankful to have a faithful wife, who loves God and wants to serve him and his people. And while we are both very young, I pray that she will continue to discover and develop the gifts that God has given her. I pray that she will drink deeply from the Spirit. Here is a recent message from her…
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Richard Mansel
It Could Be You
Paula Harrington writes, “Beside a quiet stretch of interstate in southern Kentucky stands a small wooden cross with the words, ‘It Could Be You” in the center. Sadly, it isn’t the only cross that borders I-24. However, it is the only one that proclaims this written message.”
Paula shares a powerful story behind the article at her blog. You will be edified.
Rick Kelley and 
Sid Williams, 
David, 
Larry Miles, and 
Steve Liucas, and 
Vicki Matheny is discussing. 
5kidswdisabilities, and 1 other are discussing. 
jimnewy and 
glendawilliams, and 
Mike Riley 1:53 pm on November 22, 2011 Permalink |
The answer to the question, “Is man’s inclination to avoid the physical doctor typical of his inclination to avoid the spiritual One?” is more than likely, “Yes.” It’s just one of the causes for the lack of spiritual fervor in the Lord’s church today.