Well, this will be my last "transmission" till after the 3rd of January. Today I'll be taking my car to get it fixed, so I can drive it back to Ohio on the 19th in time to catch Monk live (Over the Rhine had to cancel their Christmas show this year, so former Otr-er, Ric Hordenski, took over and is putting on his own!), and then spend time w/ Family in Georgetown (near Cincy), and friends through-out Ohio. It looks as thought there might even be an unrehearsed, impromptu Set on Edge (Rieske and Lewis as a duo) show in Painesville on Christmas eve, but it'll likely be at the Rieske household, and be for local friends and family only.

Last night, I performed "Latter Days"(by Otr), "Stoning Stephen" and "I've Gone somewhere to be Alone" at the Campus Christian Fellowship's coffee hour, but due to tuning troubles it wasn't what it should have been.

Well; I pray that each an every one of you have a blessed Christmas...look for God in the small things this year, and try to avoid the big and bombastic...remember, "salvation rips through the surface of time in the cry of a tiny babe."(Bruce Cockburn from 'Nothing but a Burning Light') God often times does His most important work through things that at the time seem insignificant, and sometime completely irrelevant. That is why my favorite quote for the last several years has been, thanks to my old friend Edwin Winzler, "Take long walks and look at things -- things that can not look back."

Seek Christ in the little things this Christmas,
and have a Merry one indeed!

Lastly...I've been occasionally helping lead a Bible study here at U.G.A. -- in case any of you would like to follow along, or use this as a springboard for some of your own personal studies, here's the outline for the first two lessons. Else, just delete this message and read no further. Again...MERRY CHRIST-MAS!

Bible Study - Monday, November 30, 1998

I. Introduction

A. Why Study the Scriptures?

1. We should study the Word to equip ourselves for doing God's work. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. We should study the Word to change our thoughts and attitudes. For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12

3. We should study the Word to mature our faith. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. -- 1 Peter 2:2-3

B. Theology and Doctrine

1. Definitions

a. Theology is the science (or study) of God. 1.) Note; not all theology is Christian, and not even all Christian theology is specifically Biblical (derived from the Scriptures), nor does it need be. The creation, and everything therein is also a source of Revelation from the Lord, and thus a source of data for Theology, although it must be kept in mind that Creation is fallen, so that data must always be checked (not contradict) by Scripture. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. - Psalm 19:1-2 For Since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. - Romans 1:20
Note; everyone does Theology, whether they like to admit it or not. Also note; Bible study IS theology!

b. Doctrine is a principle or dogma derived from Theology. 1.) Note; "If doctrine is not grounded in the truth of God, it is to be ridiculed and rejected" "[Doctrine] is a framework for the interpretation of scripture which claims to be based upon scripture, itself." "_a systematic presentation of the main themes of Christian doctrine is an excellent guide to scripture. It provides a sort of route map by which the various scriptural landmarks may be located and identified, and related to each other." "Doctrine integrates scriptural statements. It brings together the kaleidoscope of scriptural affirmations about God, Jesus Christ, and human nature. It discerns common patterns underlying the wealth of scriptural statements and illustrations. It distills the essence of these statements into as compact a form as possible. Doctrine is thus a summary of scripture." (Alister McGrath from Studies in Doctrine.)

2. Are Theology and Doctrine important, and if so, why?

a. Theology -- "Knowing about God is crucially important for the living of our lives_The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you." (J. I. Packer from Knowing God.) Also note; "Theology is for doxology and devotion - that is, the praise of God and the practice of Godliness." (J. I. Packer from Concise Theology.)

b. Doctrine - "[Doctrine is important because] there was [and is] every danger that an understanding of God or Christ would arise which made some sort of sense, but could not do justice to the richness of the Christian experience of God." "_Christian doctrine seeks to tell the truth about God by exposing false ways of thinking and talking about God." (Alister McGrath from Studies in Doctrine.)

3. Does scripture support them?

a. God calls us to maturity in what we teach - to build a foundation of 'childlike faith', but then mature in our 'teachings'. Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity_And God permitting, we will do so. --Hebrews 6:1 & 3

b.God calls us to be careful in our use of His Word, as a sign of our being his. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. - 2 Timothy 2:15

c. God calls us to be careful, and correct in what we teach. Good theology and its resulting doctrine (understood and used properly) are safeguards to ensure that our teaching is consistent with the whole of scripture. Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. --James 3:1-3

d. Wisdom is good - read Proverbs, especially Proverbs 8!

e. Note; Theology and Doctrine based on the world's principles and not God's are not only of no value, but 'foolish'. Paul, a theologically educated man himself (see Acts 22:3), does not speak harshly of all knowledge, but calls those 'fools' that pursue 'knowledge' without taking God into account. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools_. -Romans 1:21-22 Also note; The knowledge of God (proper Theology and Doctrine) keeps us from sin, and its lack does the opposite. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. -Romans 1:28

C. Interpreting the text - a balanced study of the Scriptures

1. 7 theological steps to a reliable synthesis of doctrine.

a. Study the culture in which, by whom, and to whom it was written.
1.) Often much can be learned about a passage of scripture by taking into account the background of the author, the culture in which it was written, and the ideology and background of those to whom it is immediately addressed. (Remember, the New Testament, first and foremost, before it was compiled into one book, was/is a collection of letters from Apostles [those who knew Jesus personally, and were sent out by him as leaders of the early church] and their immediate disciples.)
2.) One specific application of this idea is encountered when we try to study, as a whole, the story of Jesus as set forth in the 4 canonical Gospels. Some people see their independent 'theological histories' as conflicting, but when each is viewed in the context of their independent cultures, it seems more as though each author simply used the sources of history, all equally reliable, that most appealed to their specific audiences. Sometimes it even seems as though some of the gospel writers acted as 'Bible-translators', by altering the words of Jesus to make them more easily understood by one group or another; carrying the same message, but altering the terminology so the intended audience will more easily understand it. Matthew, a wealthy Jew and former tax collector for the Romans, wrote his gospel to the Jews, explaining why he so emphasizes Christ's kingship and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. John Mark, Peter's disciple, wrote his gospel to the Romans, which explains his use of Latin terminology and frequent explanations of theological concepts which would have been easily understood by Jews. Luke, a well-studied physician and likely the best historian (in the modern sense) of all the writers of the New Testament, wrote his Gospel(s) (including Acts) from Paul's teachings, eyewitness's testimonies, and older written records. Luke seems to act as a apologeticist to the gentile church, showing the passing of authority from Jesus, to Paul and the Apostles, and then to the church. John, a close friend and Apostle of Christ's, often directed his more mystical writings towards exposing Jesus as God incarnate. One can see, in the case of the above books, a correct understanding of the culture, author, and intended audience, could have an important impact on how one interprets a passage.

b. Study the content of the passage in question.
1.) This one is a bit obvious, don't you think?!

c. Study the context in which the passage occurs.
1.) A good example of how context can possibly alter one's interpretation of a text, see the context of Matthew 18:20. Often used as a text concerning corporate prayer, some extract this strange doctrinal idea which basically means that God's spirit must somehow be MORE PRESENT, or present in a different (maybe more mystical way) when believers are gathered together, than when a believer, each one filled with the spirit, is alone. Of course, this sounds absurd, but in the way that the text is often used, this is the clear doctrinal result of its misuse. But when one considers that the phrase For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I with them is immediately following, and in the context of Christ dealing with the issue of church discipline, the possible interpretation of that single line changes, so that no longer can it be used when concerning the issue of prayer, but shows that this verse is more likely to be understood as dealing with church authority. Christ's authority stands behind church disciplinary actions directed towards a sinful individual if the disciplinary actions were agreed upon by a democracy of believers within the church. This idea will also help, to some extent, make sense of the even more vague and confusing verses immediately before vs.20 concerning 'binding' and 'loosing' things in Heaven and on Earth.

d. Compare the passage with other texts dealing with similar issues, both within the same book, and within other books of the Bible.
1.)We'll be doing a LOT of this w/ James. It is important to remember not to create doctrinal absolute from vague or confusing passages of scripture, but to allow them to be interpreted in light of more specific and obvious verses. It is quite likely that the meaning behind some passages of scripture has been completely lost through the centuries, and can simply not be understood - don't let these bother you; we are dealing w/ texts that are anywhere from 2000 to 3000 years old, in some cases based off sources that may be even older -problem like this should be expected. Keep in mind that the most important things are still obvious to even the uneducated reader. (God loves us, though sinners, and sent Christ on our behalf_etc and so on)

e. Seek wise counsel, and consult traditional interpretations, understandings and applications of the text.
1.) It is likely that other believers, whom you respect and trust, have dealt with some of the same problems that you will likely encounter while studying the scriptures. If they display wisdom and the fruits of the spirit, take into consideration their understanding of the text. That is not to say that one should merely accept at face value another's interpretation of a text, especially if it seems questionable, but wise counsel is helpful as a guide as to where to begin looking, and what to look for.
2.) "To be a Christian was to accept the authority of scripture in the first place, and in the second to accept that it had to be read in certain ways. Scripture and tradition are thus not two alternative sources of revelation_rather they are coinherent. Scripture cannot be read as if it had never been read before. There are certain ways of reading scripture which are more authentically Christian than others_Tradition is a willingness to read scripture, taking into account the ways in which it has been read in the past. It is an awareness of the communal dimension of Christian faith, which calls shallow individualism into question. There is more to the interpretation of scripture than any one individual can discern. It is a willingness to give full weight to the views of those who have gone before us in the faith_.It is possible that the church may occasionally get scripture wrong (as the Reformers believed that it had been misunderstood at a series of points) - and at these points, it is essential that scripture be examined in depth to ascertain its true meaning. But that is a matter for the community of faith, not some private individual acting on his or her own behalf." (Alister McGrath from Studies in Doctrine."

f. Pray and meditate upon the passage, seeking God's leading, particularly with 'problem' passages. (this is in the Psalms)

g. Synthesis and continual re-examination. note; Though Scripture might be believed to be infallable, our interpretations of it are not, so continual re-examination of our doctrine is important.

Salvation

I. The Basics (this is by no means a detailed outline of the basics of the fall, original sin, and salvation by grace through faith, but simply a few verses to remind ourselves of the importance of salvation in our lives)

A. Why do we need "saved"?

1. _There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. - Romans 3:10-12.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us_If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
- 1 John 1:8&10. (note; NO ONE, apart from God's grace working through them, can do anything that is truly righteous or good. Everyone sins.)

2. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do-this I keep on doing. - Romans 7:18-19 (Note; This is the Apostle Paul, post-conversion. If sin is this real to HIM, then sin is still a very real presence in our lives, even after salvation.)

3. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. - James 2:10 (Note; God is a perfectly holy God; Sin doesn't have to be something we humans consider "BIG" - the Greek concept actually mean simply "missing the mark", and was originally a sharp-shooting term.)

B. How are we "saved"?

1. For it is by GRACE you have been saved, through FAITH - and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of God - NOT BY WORKS, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8 (Note; This will be a VERY important passage when we approach James' letter)

2. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. - James 2:24 (Question for contemplation; In context, does this passage contradict Paul's letter to the Ephesians quoted above? Can both of these be true?)

II. the Trinity of Salvation; 3 in 1.

A. Non-Protestant denominations often answer when asked, "Are you saved?", by replying, "I am saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved." This is because they do not make a proper doctrinal distinction between Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification - the 3 aspects, or even types of salvation referred to in the New Testament, all of which are closely related, but also distinct from one-another.

1. meaning just that, Justification, and is sometimes referred to by a certain verb tense of Greek word for "to save." Justification in Greek is a legal term, meaning that one, even if guilty, is acquitted of their crimes, or proclaimed innocent. Justification is a one time act, and is eternal. Justification is SALVATION from the condemnation of past, present, and future sins.

a. from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8 (again)

b. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3:4-7

c. _And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. - Acts 2:47b

d. Also see Acts 16:31, Romans 8:24, 1 Timothy 2:4, & 2 Timothy 1:9.

2. Sanctification, like Justification has a term that means ONLY Sanctification, and is also often referred to by a tense of the Greek word for "to save." Sanctification is Salvation from the bondage of sin, and the process of becoming more Christ-like. Sanctification is a continual act, which can only occur AFTER Justification and is usually participatory - we "grow" in sanctification, and we do it with God's help.

a. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. - James 1:21.

b. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not by the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 3:20b-21.

c. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. - Matthew 1:21

3. Glorification, occurs much less frequently in the scriptures, but is also an aspect of salvation, but is a direct result of Justification. Glorification is the "I will be saved" of the Catholic and Orthodox church. It is a future deliverance from the wrath of God's judgement, from hell, and the presence of sin in the afterlife.

a. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. - Romans 8:30 (we'll ignore the other possible implications of this verse, and use it presently just to point out that glorification is direct result, in time, of justification)

b. Since we have been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! - Romans 5:9

4. Sometime various aspects of Salvation appear together in passages of scripture.

a. Since we have been justified (Justification) by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath (Glorification) through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled (Justification) to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been saved (Justification), shall we be saved (Sanctification), through his life! -- Romans 5:9-10

Seriously consider the doctrines of Justification, Sanctification and Glorification when reading the book of James.