Preview of class December 20, 2009

Our text in Hebrews presents the somewhat surprising admonition to make every effort to enter God's rest.  Now, this statement would raise no eyebrows were it not that certain theological systems want to preempt it to mean something its author never intended.  You would understand perfectly well if I said to you "Try to get a good night's sleep."  You might take a relaxing bath or drink milk before bedtime, avoid eating spicy foods, and probably keep the lights down low, all as necessary preparation for the desired end of sweet repose.

Of course the Christian life involves striving to enter in at the narrow gate.  It has from the very beginning:

Jacob found this out quite early, and was never quite the same afterward.  Many Biblical texts instruct us to strive, seek, work out, make every effort, and so forth, and none of them contradict the idea of justification by faith, or the fact of the absolute sovereignty of God in the matter of man's salvation or damnation.  If some people handled tax forms as loosely as they do Biblical texts, the IRS would be all over them.

We hope to move on this week to discuss the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12).  I have a nice graphic organizer ready for you to help you understand the interconnections of the material here.

Well, OK, maybe it is not that complicated.  However, I will strive to introduce at least one surprising twist for everyone.  My home and mind are full of treasures and curiosities some of you do not even suspect.

Preview of class December 6, 2009

TIME

The author of Hebrews sweeps across a remarkable span of time in the fourth chapter.  We will start our class this week reviewing the chronology that serves as a backdrop for the exhortation (urgent pleading) in the passage.  Along the way, we will step back to consider the subjects of time and history from a distinctly Christian point of view.  Of course, every good session needs some personal application.  Prepare for a bit of surprise when I apply this subject to you.

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Sometimes popular culture can help us appreciate Biblical truth all the more.  Are any of us surprised to learn that a prominent "role-model" athlete has been accused of multiple adulteries?  I won't name names.  The vultures are circling.  Apparently, in the minds of some, the apparent hypocrisy is the real sin, while the adultery is simply an accepted fact of life and manhood.  What evolving man would pass up the Darwinian opportunity to spread his genetic material a bit more widely, thereby increasing his reproductive fitness?

When I see this sort of thing (whatever the real truth might turn out to be), my mind reverts to an underlying Biblical reality that we need to hear over and over again, and that is sorely neglected today.  Do not envy those who are rich!  Very few of the wealthy in this world will inherit eternal life (Luke 18:24)!  Thank God that you are not rich, and be certain that you do not want to be so!  Possession of riches, with all the attendant temptations, may be an indication that God has marked out a person for damnation.

"The Rich Young Ruler"

Artist: Heinrich Hoffman