Question for discussionThere are always doubters, but we can all agree that more attacks, more venom, and more of the world's hatred is directed against Jesus Christ, his gospel, and the Bible than any other potential religious target.
Our discussion topic this week consists of two related issues: (1) Do you agree with the statement above? (2) If so, why might it be true? Does scripture itself give an answer to this question?
Let the comments fly.
Work groups from our class on September 13, 2009
We have been divided into four groups that will explore topics related to the apostacy example of the Exodus generation, and its relevance to us today. The groups will work on these topics next week and present the results of their investigations in the following week.
Group 1. Psalm 95 exercise. (1) Find differences between Ps 95 as in the Hebrew Old Testament and as quoted in Hebrews 3:7ff from the Septuagint version. (2) Does the fact that these differences exist interact with the doctrine of the inspiration of scripture? (3) How is the attitude of the New Testament writers toward prior scripture different from the attitude of Bart Ehrman? (Hint: Did they possess the original manuscripts? How did they view differences between manuscripts/translations?)
Group 2. How can professing Christian believers demonstrate an evil, unbelieving heart today? Brainstorm some specific signals. How can we obey Heb 3:13 in such cases? How might the person react?
Group 3. Discuss the "deceitfulness" of sin. What does this mean? How can we counteract it? From our lesson text, find two characteristics of the hardening of heart displayed by the Exodus generation. Do we perhaps do the same?
Group 4. Investigate the important question: Were the individuals in the Exodus generation eternally lost, or merely a typical example? What evidence exists in scripture?
It seems like there is a growing animosity toward those who follow Christ, but it should come as no surprise. Jesus claimed to be the Light of the world and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil(John 3). He warned that the world would hate us because it hated Him first.(John 15)
ReplyDeleteChristians represent Christ, the LIght, and the world who desire to remain in their darkness would like nothing better than to turn that light off lest their sins be exposed. John 3:19,20
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