Question #1:
Dear Teacher,
Thank you so very much for this encouragement. Will send more updates on things
shortly.
On another note, I was wondering if John 4:10's "living water" can also be read
or understood as water of life à la Revelation 21:6 and Revelation 22:17. What
are your thoughts on that?
Your student in Jesus,
Response #1:
My pleasure, my friend.
Water represents the Word which gives life to all who desire it; in New
Jerusalem, I'm guessing that partaking of the living water will have a
revelatory effect. In John 4:10 the water is then said to be "a fountain
of water springing up into everlasting life" (Jn.4:14), meaning the
truth leading to salvation and all the glories here and now connected to
the truth. So, yes, it's all related as far as I'm concerned, all having
to do with the truth and the life-giving power of the truth and of Him
who is the very truth, our Savior Jesus Christ.
“They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:16-17 NKJV
I pray for all good things for you and your family daily.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Hi Bob,
I read this verse and I was thinking about salvation again.
For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and
in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men
we were among you for your sake.
1st Thessalonians 1:5
So the "word" is the truth of the gospel spoken. "Power" is the power of
God working through Paul and his team as they gave the gospel. (Romans
1:16) The Holy Spirit gives everyone who hears the gospel understanding
in order for them to make a choice for or against God in Jesus Christ
and He convicts of sin. Does "in much assurance" or "deep conviction"
mean that Paul had much assurance in the truth he believed and that came
through as he proclaimed the gospel? Then "what kind of men we were
among you for your sake" is the witness of the life - good fruit.
How did I do there, Bob?
Friday tomorrow! Four in a row for you? Busy one for me at work too.
Keeping you in my prayers, Bob!
In Jesus
Response #2:
Well done, my friend!
The power spoken of here also probably includes the miracles Paul and
co. did as "signs of apostleship" (e.g., 2Cor.12:12).
As to "deep conviction" (KJV "much assurance"), or, better, "great
confidence" I take to be an apo koinou, that is, a phrase which
applies both ways and deliberately so (Paul is rather fond of these).
Rather than saying "confidence which is both mine in giving the gospel
and yours in receiving it", Paul just says it this way so that they will
understand that the confident assurance goes both ways: there is no
doubt about our so great salvation on either end of the equation.
Yup. Four in a row . . . but no meetings! A fairly uneventful weekend
ahead, praise the Lord!
Thanks for those prayers, my friend – keeping you and yours in mine
daily as well.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Hello Professor,
How are you? How is the semester going? I pray all is well with you and
yours! I wanted to write and ask you a couple of questions. I am working
on a presentation for my Adult Bible Study class, that is basically a
"New Testament Overview".
1) Do we know how old John Mark was when he penned the Gospel of Mark,
and do you think he was around to see any of the things he wrote about?
2) Under whose authority did he write, Peter or Paul?
3) Do we know how old Luke was when he penned his gospel, and when he
wrote the book of Acts? Would he and John Mark have known Jesus, or of
him?
Feel free to speculate if the Bible doesn't actually tell us, in which I
don't believe it does. Lol!
4) I have read much of what you have about "Marcan Priority" on your
site, and I am in complete agreement with you. I have a NIV-Life
Application Study Bible, and they have a note in the pre-face of Mark,
"The other Gospels quote all but 31 verses of Mark". Is there any truth
to that? (My note: Thanks to what you have taught me over the years, I
know they are out in left field in much of their commentary, so just
curious!)
Thanks for your great ministry and all you have taught me about the
truth of the Bible. I am eternally grateful!
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Response #3:
Always good to hear from you, my friend! Things are going OK at the uni
and otherwise – thanks for asking. Are you and yours doing OK?
As to your questions, I think you'll also find BB
7: Bibliology a good font of info on these sorts of questions (at
the link).
1) John Mark is almost certainly the "young man" who lost his cloak in
Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion (Mk.14:52). If so, he was
indeed old enough to have personally seen much related in his gospel;
and in that case he would have been somewhere in his mid-fifties when he
was given to write it (assuming he was a teenager in 33; the book was
penned in the mid to late 60's).
2) Mark was eventually reconciled with Paul and become very dear to him
(2Tim.4:11), but the gospel was written after Paul's execution under
Peter's apostolic authority (1Pet.5:13).
3) We don't know that much about Luke, but we do know that he was part
of Paul's team by at least Acts 16:10 (he writes "we"), ca. 50 A.D.
during the "second missionary journey". Luke was called by Paul at
Colossians 4:14 "the beloved physician" (the book being written some
five years or so later), and since it is doubtful that he could have
learned this trade in the intervening time and travels, he must have
been at least in his thirties or forties by this time. It is possible
that he met Paul and converted during the first or second journeys
through Asia. Luke is probably also the "Lucius" of Romans 16:21 (the
Latinized form of Luke).
4) "Quote" would be incorrect in the extreme; "refer to the same events"
would be plausible (I haven't counted). If you read two different
histories of D-Day or any other secular event, odds are, if they were
roughly the same size, they would cover the same events, though one
might have some things the other omits and vice versa. That doesn't mean
that the one is BASED on the other (they might not even have read each
other's works).
There are a lot of similarities in language between the gospels since
they are written about the same essential thing: the earthly ministry of
Jesus Christ. But even if two verses are close to being identical, that
does not mean that a) they are actually quotations of each other (after
all, the Holy Spirit is the one inspiring these works), or b) that,
e.g., Matthew quotes Mark any more than Mark may be reproducing
something in Matthew. So similarities in verses are no proof whatsoever
that Mark wrote first.
As you've probably read, "scholarly" unbelievers who view the gospels in
their entirety as fabrications based upon oral tradition having
something or other to do with stories told about Jesus which themselves
were mostly not true have decided that because Mark is shorter it has to
be the kernel from which the longer books sprouted. Anyone who has
actually read the gospels, even an unbeliever who thinks they are all
fiction, would easily be able to see that this really is a crackpot idea
since there are too many differences for these false theories to hold
any water.
Thanks for your good words, my friend! Best wishes for a great Bible
study.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #4:
Thanks so much Doc! I really appreciate your prompt and thorough answers. Some
of the questions might seem silly, but I have always thought that Christians
have a tendency to have this disconnect between Gods truth in scripture (which
it 100% is) and the reality that the folks who wrote it (carried along in the
Spirit) where humans, and had to navigate life with all the political,
social-economic and cultural issues, that we too must navigate. Even Jesus in
his 100% Deity, took on humanity and was just as human as John Mark, Peter,
Paul, and Luke. The difference was, he was absolutely sinless and perfect in
every respect, something none of those folks, including us, can claim. So,
sometimes I just remind myself about these things! Thanks for being my mentor,
and always being willing to take the time to help me out when I can't find the
answer's I'm looking for in the Mountain of information on your site. (Thinking
Rockies here, lol!)
All is well here. My wife and I have seen God really answering some prayers in
amazing ways lately after years of praying! The words "patience" and "it didn't
turn out like I thought" which you are fond of saying come to mind! Lol!
Retirement is great! Highly recommend it! Only downside is you have to fend of
all those whose seem to know what you should do next!!
Anyway, have a great weekend! I know it's posting day so no worries on getting
back to me! You are daily in my prayers! Thank you again for everything you have
taught me! Keep up the good fight brother! Your reward is immense!!
In our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
P.S. By the time I am done with most of my Bible Study classes, the attendees
know you on a first name basis even though the never met you!! ("What does
Robert say about that?"). Probably didn't know you were that famous!
Response #4:
You're very welcome, my friend! Glad you found it useful. Yes, the
scriptures are "real" and they are about "real people". The more we
immerse ourselves in them, the clearer that gets.
Good to hear you're enjoying your retirement (even if you're getting a
lot of unsolicited advice). Depending on how things go, I may be on the
"feet first" plan here. But one never knows day to day. Looking forward
to THE Day – which is closer every day (Rom.13:11-12).
Thanks for all the encouraging words!
Keeping you and yours in my prayers – and ever grateful for yours!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #5:
Hi Bob,
Just a quick note to alert you that the Alexander Scourby videos of the
KJV on YouTube (audio with the words) had a painting of the 'coronation
of Mary' as part of its presentation of the Bible.
Of course there is no such thing but a Catholic invention but thought I
would let you know about it in case you ever recommended that channel to
any baby Christians.
https://youtu.be/uCkHp_88Sqk?si=U7-kwdQJc8H9w9St
Seems like there is false teaching being sneaked in everywhere these
days. We seemed to be being lumped back in with Catholics again! Someone
on there doesn't know their Bible OR their history given the Catholic
Jesuits tried to assassinate King James as part of the infamous foiled
'Gunpowder Plot"!!
I made a comment of complaint to the channel but doubt it will do any
good.
Have a lot to update you on but things are hectic at the moment..will
write again when things slow down a bit.
Hope you are well.
In Jesus,
Response #5:
Thanks for this. I have recommended this set of recordings by Scourby (I
personally think they're great), but not that particular channel (as far as I
can recall). Can't think of anything more at odds with the RC tradition than the
KJV, so this is odd!
Please take care of yourself with all you've got going on lately. Lots of Covid
flying about over here.
Keeping you in my prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #6:
Dr. Luginbill;
It has been about 6 months since I last emailed you. That email was
centered around my son's issues and our heartbreak about the whole
situation. At the time, I told our son that someday, somehow he would
thank God that this came to light - regardless of what the discipline
would end up being. Well, we can't express the joy we have experienced
watching God work during these last 6 months. The trials and tests that
we have been through have strengthened our faith and made us so much
more aware of God's love and concern for us, His actions which are
working everything together for good in our lives. I won't go into
detail here, but we have seen so many things happen that we would have
previously considered highly improbable, unlikely, even next to
impossible. Yet, with God all things are possible. We are in awe,
honestly. And seeing these things take place before our very eyes keeps
strengthening our faith bit by bit, reinforcing the truths that we need
not worry about anything - just trust and be thankful.
Our son has been staying with us these past 6 months and we have seen a
huge change in him during that time. We have been having regular family
bible studies. We went through the Peter series from front to back, and
are currently going through the Gospel of Luke. Our son is an active
participant with plenty of questions and comments, and looks forward to
each new study time.
My preparations for our current study has raised some questions in my
mind that I would like to get settled before teaching chapter 9,
particularly verses 23 - 26: "And He was saying to them all, 'If anyone
wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily,
and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for My sake, this is the one who will save it.
For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but loses
or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son
of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory
of the Father and the holy angels.'"
In my studies and research on these verses, it seems to be the consensus
of many that Jesus is giving us the requirements for salvation - how to
become a Christian, how to be saved, redeemed, born again. One has to be
100% committed to the cause of Christ, forsaking all previous plans and
dreams (denying himself), and take up his cross daily. This is how
extreme our devotion has to be. This is willingness to endure
persecution, hatred, hostility, rejection, reproach, shame, suffering,
even death. Without this commitment, one cannot be saved.
I get spiritual indigestion about comments like that. What happened to
the process of spiritual growth? Spiritual growth takes time - studying,
learning, applying, passing tests to grow our faith, and then becoming
fruitful and helping others. These comments seem to insinuate that one
must achieve spiritual maturity before one can be truly saved. Or am I
reading this wrong? What about John 3:18 - "He who believes in Him is
not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because
he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Does
"believe in Him" mean spiritual maturity? The New Testament is full of
verses that say salvation is a result of believing in Him, but I don't
know of anyone (including myself) who was born again into an instant
spiritually mature Christian. There was always a period of growth,
learning spiritual truths and learning to apply them.
I am certainly no proponent of "easy believism" - saying the magic
prayer to get our "fire insurance". I completely understand that 100%
commitment to the work our Savior did for us is the only way to
salvation - forsaking all our so-called "good works" as nothing but
rubbish and relying on Jesus's sacrifice alone as payment for our sin
and making possible a relationship with the Father. I guess I always
looked at those verses in Luke 9 as requirements to follow Jesus (become
a disciple), to grow spiritually and become fruitful, not about how to
be saved, but I could certainly be wrong. Did any of the apostles or
Paul have that instant maturity? Peter was ashamed to be associated with
Jesus in the courtyard even after following Jesus for over 3 years and
learning from the Master Himself. So stating that one must be 100%
committed to the cause of Christ or salvation is not possible seems to
me to be leaving out the whole "growing up" period.
And verse 26, "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man
will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the
Father and the holy angels" does seem to be talking about salvation, so
now I am confused and unable to teach this passage. Could you please
shed some light on this whole issue for me?
Response #6:
That is wonderful news, my friend! I have been praying about this too, so thanks for keeping me in the loop.
(23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (24) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. (25) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (26) For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels."
Luke 9:23-26 NKJV
On your question, your spiritual common sense instincts are right on the
money. The second passage is indeed about salvation (Lk.9:25-26); the
middle verse distinguishes between believers and unbelievers (Lk.9:24);
Luke 9:23 is about our Christian life – how we should be living it. Of
course, all of these things are interrelated. We "are saved" but we are
also "being saved" and that will continue until we are "saved once and
for all" when we have won the final victory in this life. Until then,
how we are living is critical because sloppy Laodiceanism can lead to
apostasy or the sin unto death, and that is going to be doubly true once
the Tribulation begins.
Denying oneself is very clearly choosing what the Lord wants instead of
what we might desire in this temporary world. Picking up one's cross is
serious commitment to the will of God for our lives. "Following Me" is
following through on our decision and commitment, ideally with
determination all the way to the end. It's no good choosing God's will
for our lives in principle if we're not going to seriously commit to
actually following it and then actually do it as well, and we can't
actually do it unless we've seriously committed to that initial good
intention. So this teaching (also at Matt.16:24 and Mk.8:34) removes all
doubt about what the Christian life properly lived ought to look like.
Of course, it doesn't spell out the "how" (spiritual growth, progress
and production), but that is abundantly clear from many other places in
scripture. Good intentions and initial commitment are fine, but this
verse tells us that follow-through is absolutely necessary for us not to
fall into the category of the lukewarm. It is also the case that only by
doing things this way, the right way, are we absolutely sure to end up
where we want to end up, with a good report before the Lord. But if we
are behaving as if we don't care, then that is just a hop, skip and a
jump away from an even worse result if we are not careful – which is why
the Lord continues in the vein in which He does. There may be a "middle
ground", but that is a very dangerous place to live as a Christian,
especially in time soon to come.
From a prior posting:
(24) Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to follow Me, let him [first] abandon his own aspirations, [then] pick up his cross and follow Me."
Matthew 16:24 (cf. Mk.8:34; Lk.9:23). . . truly serving God by (1) foreswearing any love for the world; (2) embracing salvation through the cross of Christ; and (3) following after Jesus Christ in spiritual growth, progress and production.
Thanks for your own zealous love for the truth, my friend! And thanks
for sharing this very encouraging set of developments.
In Jesus Christ our Lord,
Bob L.
Question #7:
Apologies for the second email but I also forgot to ask- do you believe
James the Lord's brother was the author of the book of James? That was
my impression but I wanted to see your take since there are multiple
individuals with that name mentioned throughout the New Testament.
Thanks!
Response #7:
Re: the book of James and "It seems you posited it between 45 and 55 AD.",
that is correct. For many of these writings, a range in dating is the only thing
possible to give. Within this range, I have listed the books in general order of
writing as well, so that James and Jude would follow the other books in this
range. In addition to those two links, please see also
BB 7: Bibliology, section 4.d, "Chronological Order and Composition of the Books
of the Bible (at the link). And, yes, I do subscribe to the position that
this James is the Lord's brother (along with Jude: Jude 1:1), the same James who
is prominent also in the book of Acts.
On the length of time in the garden, this is a back-calculation based upon
Adam's life span when plugged into the putative chronology of the Seven
Millennial Days (see
the link).
I'll let you know if I hear anything more about our friends – please will you
also do the same?
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #8:
Hello Dr.,
In your DropBox you should find the following audio file:
BB1-Pt.1:
The Essence of God – The Persons of God pt1.
Finally got my new-ish computer up and running this past week. Also obtained a
one-year membership to an AI voice platform, it’s the same company where all
this started years ago with Ryan the Robot. The voice I’m using now is the exact
same voice I’ve been using for the audio file re-mastering for the last year
(all the AI companies seem to pull from the same pool), so there’s consistency.
Since this company has been around for years and they boast of clients such the
U.N. I don’t expect any problems with the platform becoming unstable. I think
I’m to the point now where I’ve got a handle on the new PC and the speech
platform so I should be able to get into a groove and supply you with a somewhat
consistent turnout. God willing, I plan to have all your major books finished by
the one-year expiration date.
Things have been interesting here. The Lord recently delivered me from some
difficulties at my place of employment, however, things are still a bit strange
around the office. [omitted] . . . prayers health and my job (especially for
this Wednesday) will be greatly appreciated. I’ll get you caught up on details
in a future email.
How are you Sir? I’ve been keeping up with my studies here and life in general.
Hope you are well. Got you in prayer here daily I’ll be in touch soon.
All the best,
Rev.22:20
Response #8:
I'm glad to hear from you! And thanks for the new file. Sorry to learn that
things didn't work out for __ in trying to fix up something usable. The contrast
between this file and the old "Ryan" is pretty amazing!
Sorry to hear about __. I'm praying for you.
I'm hanging in there. One third of the way through the new semester already.
Most of the home improvement did get done before the visit. It was expensive but
not as bad as it could have been. Got a bad foot/ankle which is limiting my
exercise. Going to have to find a way to eat less I guess.
Thanks for those prayers, my friend! They are always needful. I came within a
hair's breadth of having my Greek program cancelled (by accident) and a lot of
my Latin one (through loss of my PTL and then by the administration on account
of low enrollments in the upper level classes), but with the Lord a hair is as
wide and thick as one of those cables on the Golden Gate bridge . . . with the
help of your prayers. So keep 'em up, and I'm keeping 'em up on this end too.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Thanks, Bob, for reaching out .I continue to be challenged while reading
your work in combination with the scriptures. I can't thank you enough
for your articles and Bible studies.
God bless.
Response #9:
My pleasure!
Thanks much for the encouraging words.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #10:
Thanks, Bob, for staying in touch. This has been a challenging year. I
had radiation oncology for prostate cancer in January and February with
exceptionally good results. PSA dropped from 8 to 0. Feeling fine and
avoided the dreaded surgery.
The MP3 is indeed impressive. (Is that your voice?) I will listen to it
on my daily walks.
XAPIC KAI EIPHNH
Response #10:
That's good new, any time one can avoid "the knife"!
No, that's not me, LOL! If my voice were on there you'd switch it off
pronto!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #11:
Hi Bob,
I have just got myself a quiet morning to myself and thought it a good time to
write to you now.
I know it will be your posting day today so it's not a problem writing back
later.
Things have been really hectic and very hard at times and very heavy with lots
of conflicting strong emotions. [omitted] It can be very hard Bob and __ helps
me all he can but my __ won't help at all.
[omitted]
Then again I was thinking that we are likely to be plundered by the Antichrist's
minions in the future so it isn't good to have any ties or reliance on money at
all. Again, it wasn't the money, it was the lack of consideration and unfairness
of it all. I would go beyond that and say that it was sheer perversity. It took
longer than it should have done but I have got over that now. I realise that all
these types of things are snares from the enemy designed to trip us but if we
respond faithfully then they have no power over us. The things we can get caught
up in and torn down with are all meaningless anyway.
The Day of the Lord will bring huge fiery judgement over the whole world that
even the elements will melt so there is so little point getting upset by such
pointless and worldly things, as though these are all we have.
__ is getting married a week today.
[omitted]
Will send a separate email Bob with prayer updates. Please let me know if you
have any updates to prayer for yourself?
You can print this one but please redact the personal information. Thanks.
In Jesus,
Response #11:
All updates posted (let me know if anything is amiss or if you want any
changes).
On my side of the pond, I'm just getting over what seems to have been a
mild dose of Covid (based on the symptoms). I would appreciate prayer
for my right ankle which has been out of whack for a couple of months
now and it has gotten to the point where I can no longer jog on it. Even
with just walking it's not healing up entirely. For the sake of my
health I really need to get that extra lick of exercise in, so prayers
appreciated!
I'm praying about the wedding. Also about your entire family situation.
You have certainly been the most outstanding daughter and sister
imaginable – but that doesn't seem to have been appreciated in the
least. Don't know what to advise you going forward, except to say that
in situations such as this it's my opinion generally that we should do
what we are genuinely obligated to do, but set limits at that point,
because we have other things we need to do in this life as well.
Thanks for your prayers too, my friend!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
p.s., very scary cartoons; no doubt that is what a lot of people think
(dream); apparently in reading through the Bible this person never got
to Genesis chapter three.
Question #12:
Dear Professor,
On the first day of my exams, I thought “ Prof Robert is praying for
you, you’ll be fine”. I also remembered that I’m probably not worthy of
your prayers, but I’m very very priviledged and blessed to have them.
Thank you Sir. I usually don’t like to make a big deal of these medical
school exams, making it a do or die affair like some do because med
school is not why I’m here, but I also know that we have a mandate from
the Lord to do everything well and school is part of a process of being
able to work for a living which is also a mandate from him. So, I give
it my best. But I have such a frustrating brain, sometimes I wonder if
the Lord made my brain like that on purpose. I’ll study a topic multiple
times, answer questions on it, connect it to real life situations and
other topics. I’ll do all I can to make it stick and then when I see it
a few weeks later, it’s like I’ve never seen it before.
After spending some years in medical school, my brain does feel like is
getting better at remembering stuff even though I have to work very very
hard at it. And I sometimes get jealous of those who read something once
and can remember it for weeks or those who only need to listen to the
lecturer and they are fine. I’m very very grateful to our Lord because
passing these exams is simply His mercy, definitely not my knowledge.
Thank you very very much once again for your prayers Sir. Thank you. I
have a two month break and then my final six months. I’m excited to be
called Doctor. I also look forward to working as a doctor.
The home front is fine. Everyday I’m reminded that I couldn’t have done
this marriage thing with anyone else. We talk, we trash out anything
before it becomes major. He is very patient and very loving and very
kind. But the best part is that I have a pastor teacher right here with
me all the time. I am beyond blessed. Sometimes I feel like I may have a
very tough time during the tribulation or even in a few months or weeks.
Cause the Lord has given me so much. Why me? I’m very undeserving. Why
me?
[omitted]
Our little family is thriving. I hope you and yours are doing okay?
Have a blessed week Dear Professor
Response #12:
You're welcome for the prayers – thanks ever so much for yours! No doubt
my concerns have been answered too because you are praying for me. That
is why we are here as one body, to help each other as fellow believers
in Jesus Christ. I'm very happy that you have passed and that you are
well on your way to being "Dr."! LOL, I wouldn't worry about your brain.
From what you've described, it works a great deal like mine does (here's
hoping that's a good thing or at least not too much of a bad thing!).
We all have our unique blessings from the Lord and we all have our
unique challenges and burdens to bear. That being the case, while I
appreciate what you are saying here, I wouldn't be able to appreciate
your blessings properly or bear your burdens or you mine no doubt. The
Lord deals with each of us perfectly. Our job is to respond to His grace
and mercy with as much faith and faithfulness as we can muster, growing
in that good approach day by day. Keep up that good work for the Lord!
Doing pretty well here (some health issues but that is par for the
course).
I'll be keeping your family in my prayers, my friend.
Best to __!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #13:
Hi Dr L,
A while back you said: "In terms of charity, I have the same basic take
as you. Giving money, if one has it but even more especially if one
doesn't have it, is best done in the actual service of Jesus Christ. And
it is also very, very common for people with money to give to those who
either don't really need it or are otherwise obviously unworthy (from a
Christian perspective) while overlooking those near and dear to them or
otherwise very worthy (from that same Christian perspective)." And I got
that sense from my mentor friend again. If you happen to remember your
thinking then, I was wondering if you had any idea why this dynamic
happens?
The good news is that the Lord brought to my mind verses in the Bible
about loving agape-wise anyways via prayer, and even if I feel like it
is very-fair-weather-companioning-only, I can still practice heating up
a love for brethren in a less than pleasant situation. And I remembered
that even if I am alone from a secular perspective, David was alone too
from a secular perspective at Ziklag, so I may be in good company (or
maybe approaching good company lol).
All this was to say that I think I have made a lot of progress since the
Spirit seems to have brought those earlier things I mentioned to mind,
because ten years ago I think I wouldn't have not been able to handle
anything. He is very patient!
I hope you are well,
Response #13:
I'm very pleased to have seen your wonderful spiritual progress over the
years, my friend!
If you are asking about me personally, I don't remember ever overlooking
someone close to help some abstract/unknown group. I have observed this
MANY times, however, that is, people giving money to charities whose
effects are unknown (and possibly close to non-existent) while good
Christians in need in their own circle go without help, so that was
probably what I was referring to.
I will also say that the Lord always takes care of His own. Even if
those who SHOULD help don't, He has never let the righteous fall. That
doesn't mean there isn't suffering, or testing, or struggle. Indeed
there is, in this world. But we have absolute confidence that our Lord
never, ever lets us down, even when for all the world it looks like we
are going under. We never do. And I have seen THAT many, many times as
well. Praise the Lord!
I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
Psalm 37:25 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Hi Robert,
It is fantastic to hear from you. I do appreciate your work and your in-depth
understanding of God's Word.
The explanations regarding the 'King Epistle' and its author have solidified my
understanding that Paul is the writer. The MP3s are excellent listening
materials to have. Yes, I am impressed!
However, the expressions "... Scripture does not come any closer than this ..."
and "... His spiritual death ..." as referenced in Hebrew 9:13-14 under the
headings Holy and Through the Spirit, seem eisegetical. If your analogous way
means that our Lord Jesus gave up / yielded his spirit (soul, ghost) on the
cross, I agree! (Matt 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 2346). In John 10:18 Jesus states
that he can lay down and take up His life. Scripture does not speak of Him dying
spiritually! Perhaps, and this is my assumption, a separation from God at that
moment, is better than a spiritual death. The soul and the spirit possess an
eternal character from God (... breathed the breath of life into his nostrils,
... Gen. 2:7).
In Him our glorious Savior,
Response #14:
Thanks for the good words.
Re: your observations, on "eisegetical", well, the context verse,
Hebrews 9:14, does say that it was through the Spirit that Christ
offered Himself, and that clearly has to do with His spiritual death
because His spiritual death is the offering. Granted that scripture does
not call it "spiritual death", but I use this term, not coined by me,
because it is necessary to distinguish between our Lord's paying the
penalty for sin and the giving up of His physical life after the
sacrifice had been made. After all, He says, before that breathing His
last breath, "it has been completed!" (Jn.19:30; quoting Ps.22:31).
There is a lot to this absolutely critical point of
how Christ atoned for our sins, and it is generally misunderstood. Best
place to find this at Ichthys is in BB 4A: Christology,
section II.4, "The Blood of Christ", and
II.5, "The Spiritual Death of Christ".
For the false appreciation of "soul" in traditional
theology, best place is BB 3A,
section II.4, "The Dichotomy of Man". See also,
"The Image and Likeness of God" (at the link).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #15:
Hi Bob,
Thank you for the references regarding "The Dichotomy of Man", "The
Image and Likeness of God', and "The Blood of Christ". It is sufficient
to say that I agree with these exegeses.
However, I would rather emphasize 'paradidomi' (Para: 'from close-beside
and didomi: 'to give') in the latter part of John 19:30 and not 'tetelestai'
as a reference to death. He accomplished the work 'tetelestai' and
refers to this earlier in Luke. Therefore, I can not accept your
rendering of Christ's death spiritually. 1 Peter 3:18 "...He was put to
death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, ..."
By His grace.
Response #15:
On John 19:30, it's not a question of emphasis; it's a question of what the text
says. The statement, "It has been accomplished" comes first; our Lord giving up
His spirit comes after that. The latter means exhaling so that this refers to
the giving up of His physical life unto physical death; however His spiritual
death, His being judged for the sins of the world, came during the three hours
of darkness prior to that.
As mentioned, this is all explained in BB 4A (at
the previous links). Lack of understanding regarding our Lord's death
for our sins is widespread nowadays, but since this is what procures our
salvation, it should be given more attention by the church-visible. Exhaling His
spirit so that His physical body ceased to be alive was not even apparently
painful. The physical suffering He endured before and during crucifixion was
obviously much more intense. But nothing could compare with being judged for the
sins of the world, "being made sin for us" (2Cor.5:21), as He "bore our sins in
His body on the tree" (1Pet.2:24). This Jesus did while physically alive – His
spiritual death; once salvation was accomplished ("It is finished!"), so was His
mission, and then He "gave up His spirit".
In our dear Lord Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #16:
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your openness and expansive layout of Scripture.
I am moved to write a simplistic response regarding your teaching about
Jesus' spiritual death. The use of Scripture to exegete this theory
remains a problem for me.
Therefore my believe that the nature of God should remain the ultimate
truth in the things we are to understand in this life. His eternal
existence and His continuinging sinlessness and His immutability.
Anything that could violate these fundamentals in my view, I would
rather distance myself. Faith in God's Son for salvation and the Holy
Spirit as Helper is life (God's work and will).
Thank you for the opportunity to communicate.
Emmanuel with us.
Response #16:
I certainly don't disagree with anything you've written here.
However, I also don't believe that teaching what is in scripture, even
if it is not obvious to folks reading the English Bible occasionally (as
opposed to studying it diligently in the Spirit from the original
languages over a very long period of time), could in any way "violate
these fundamentals". A teaching is either true or untrue. Clearly, we
should reject anything untrue, but if it is true, we should believe it.
If we refuse to believe any biblical truth, it retards our spiritual
growth and creates a chink in our armor. There is no virtue in such
simplicity for simplicity's sake alone.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2nd Corinthians 5:21 NIV“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
1st Peter 2:21 NIV
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #17:
Dear Teacher,
You didn't forget, Sir, and I did pass them on. Thank you very much,
Sir.
Have you been well? The hurricane didn't come your way, did it?
Just got news that __, a dear friend, just suffered significant damage
to his house from the storm. Could you pray for him? [omitted] Although
I can't be sure, I have a feeling that this is a deliberate push from
the Lord. I am not sure what it will accomplish, but I'll see how we
will walk on the water with Him here.
Always praying for you here,
Your student in Jesus,
Response #17:
I'll say a prayer for __. Apparently, the storm was very nasty all the way to
Atlanta. We are currently getting the aftermath. It rained all day and the winds
gusted very strongly (55 MPH was forecast). They cancelled classes at the
university last night in anticipation. Probably could have gotten through OK,
but grateful to the Lord for the day off. So far no trees down around here and
we didn't lose power, so all is well (the wind should be gone by tomorrow
night).
Praying for things to work out for you in every way, my friend!
Say hello to __ for me.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Hi Bob,
I hope everything is going OK for you after the storm, the squirrel and then the
issues with your server. Pipes here are all sorted and fixed now. Cost a lot but
had to be done.
Very good emails again, thanks Bob. Someone wrote that you said the witness of
the life can only be of use near fertile ground. There doesn't appear to be a
lot (if any) fertile ground around me but inwardly only the Lord knows what's
going on in their hearts. It isn't easy but I don't allow it to weigh me down
and become a distraction. I continue to pray for them and keep a calm and quiet
trust in the Lord. I don't allow it to stop me from focusing on my own walk with
the Lord and growing closer and closer to Him day by day. I continue to seek Him
and to know His will for my life and how he wants me to serve Him and His
Church. I think that's so important.
Keeping you in my prayers, Bob.
In Jesus
Response #18:
Thanks! Also the squirrel has been defeated . . . temporarily. Never count those
little darlings out. You know my former colleague; her husband is very handy and
has built a number of very clever devices over the years to keep the squirrels
out of the bird feeders. Eventually, they find a way. Server also seems OK. And
even the ankle is better today. So thanks for those prayers! Glad to hear that
the pipes are sorted. Everything is expensive these days, but when all is said
and done it's nice to have plumbing and electricity.
You're fighting the good fight, my friend – and your fighting it right. We need
a lot of patience down here, and you have it. I like to remember Job who had
proverbial patience and then "lost it" . . . right at the last minute. We can
always hang on and hang in for "one more day", if we rely on the Spirit.
Thanks for the help!
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Doc, I see and hear "self-compassion" and "loving yourself" often given
a leery eye by certain types of Christians. I mean, if it's focused on
"self" it can't really be God-honoring right?
While I feel they have a point there, the other side argues if you don't
have any compassion or love for yourself, how can you show it to others?
If you aren't compassionate to yourself at some level, how are you going
to move on from a sinful failure, or worse, end up pitying yourself and
bringing your spiritual life to a screeching halt in such wallowing?
What do you think on this Doc?
Response #19:
I agree that this is something we need not spend time worrying about. Is there a verse in scripture that says anything like "love yourself?" Scripture tells us to love the Lord with all that is in us and our neighbors (fellow believers) as ourselves. In the history of the world, not loving self enough has never been a problem. Not loving the Lord enough and not loving our brothers and sisters in Christ enough is often a problem. And you are right, that takes spiritual growth – while focusing on self instead of our mission down here is definitely going to retard that growth.
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves . . .
2nd Timothy 3:1-2 NKJV
I will also say that anyone who really is loving the Lord and our brethren as he/she should is experiencing joy that surpasses any such worldly attempts to overcome depression and the like.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Thanks for the insight...another way I hear this put is that true
self-love, not the shallow, self-indulgent kind the world believes in,
is based on the opposite principle of what I talked about.
It's based on acceptance of ourselves as REDEEMED beings rather than
anything within ourselves. Rather than looking inward to the endless
corruption of the human heart, trying to scrounge up reasons to "love
ourselves" from that mud (which either leads to hedonistic delusion or
misery out of there being nothing of true worth there), we look
outwards, accepting the reality of our redemption because despite God
having every reason to cast us straight to Hell, He sent Jesus to die
for us. From what i understand it's not necessarily "I love myself
because God loves me" either (though it's understandable why some would
fall into this trapping), but it's realizing that if we refuse to let go
of the failures of our past, if we keep pitying ourselves because we
can't get over a mistake, as awful as it might have been, there can be
no true progress in our walk with Christ (I know I had this horrid
mindset for a very long time!). We need to fully accept and embrace the
reality of God's ever-renewing mercy and love for us in spite of such
things to go anywhere with Him as a believer. In a way, putting "self"
in the name of the idea isn't really accurate. It's more about loving
God enough to have neither have the arrogance or other pride to diminish
the role of His mercy, nor to accept ourselves and whatever behaviors we
have as is without taking into account the fact that He saved us in
spite of how much we deserved to burn.
Properly accepted, this is supposed to encourage us to truly seek to
cast off that old sin and grow in our relationship with the Lord. Do you
still think there's something off about this though? As far as I can
tell, the only thing wrong is trying to fit "self" into the idea where
the "self" is only tangentially related to this.
Response #20:
Yes, I think there is a LOT that is
"off" about this new age sort of "teaching".
Re: "We need to fully accept and embrace the reality of God's
ever-renewing mercy and love for us". YOU have it right. But what
you are doing is apologizing for this false teaching. Or, better put,
trying to fit it into your correct understanding of things. This is
exactly what believers who know something of the truth end up doing
whenever they go to "church". There are some things there which are not
altogether wrong or quotations that even though not understood or
correctly applied are actual scripture, so believers in Laodicean
churches often end up tying themselves in knots trying to see how some
of what they are hearing might be "OK".
If all you end up doing is affirming
the truth you know, well and good. But if the false ever ends up
shifting us away from what's true, then instead of no damage there is
real damage. Which begs the question: so why have anything to do with
"teaching" which is clearly not Bible-based for which you have to
exercise all manner of verbal gymnastics so as to "understand it" in a
way which is not entirely heretical?
If the teaching is good, you don't have to apologize for it.
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.