INSIGHT

On Religion, History & Society:

A Forum for Conservative Christian Thought

Volume 2, No. 2, July 1996

In This Issue:

• ELECTION 1996: Voting Christian In a Secular World: Scriptures to Vote By
• Ephesians 4:7-16 - an Exegesis (Part 2)
• Poem: "Life to Live (A Minimalist Testimony)"
• News
• Quotations

ELECTION 1996:

Voting Christian In a Secular World: Scriptures to Vote By

Compiled by Rev. Paul A. Hughes

(Editor's Note: This collection of scriptures was first published during the 1992 presidential election. A few additions have been made.)

As another crucial election approaches, it is important to emphasize the need for Christians to vote according to their Christian convictions.

Some Christians think it is somehow "unspiritual" to participate in molding and influencing our nation through politics. Others have bought the secular line that Christians should keep their religion separate from their politics.

However, it is not only the right but the solemn responsibility of all Christians to exploit every means to influence the world, including electing men of truth, justice, and character to their government, calling all their leaders to accountability, and punishing those who violate the public trust.

Now I cannot tell anyone else for whom to vote. But I would like to offer a selection of scriptures we should all ponder before we vote. These scriptures speak for themselves.

Seek the Nation's Welfare

"Seek the peace of the city to which I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in its peace shall ye have peace" (Jeremiah 29:7).

"Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way" (1 Samuel 12:23).

"I exhort, therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Seek Freedom of Worship

"Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will entreat the LORD. . . but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD" (Exodus 8:29).

"For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem" (Ezra 9:9).

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith" (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

"Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds" (Colossians 4:3).

The World is Ignorant of God's Truth

"The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them who believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them" (2 Corinthians 4:4).

"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).

"Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).

Choose God, Not Self-Interest

"No man can serve two masters . . . . Ye cannot serve God and mammon (i.e., money)" (Matthew 6:24).

"If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served . . . or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).

"See I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. . . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live" (Deuteronomy 30:15, 19).

"Seek not what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Luke 12:29-31).

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).

Declare a Public Testimony

"Ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles" (Matthew 10:18).

"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matthew 24:14).

"For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ" (Acts 18:28).

"For a long time, then, they abode there, speaking boldly in the Lord, who gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands" (Acts 14:3).

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Timothy 4:2).

"And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word . . . And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:29, 31).

"And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region" (Acts 13:49).

Do Not Aid Sinners in Their Cause

"Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them who hate the Lord? Therefore, there is wrath upon thee from before the Lord" (2 Chronicles 19:2).

"If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 1:10-11).

"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever, therefore, will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" (James 4:4).

"He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth" (Luke 11:23).

Stand Against Evil

"Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him" (Luke 17:3).

"Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (1 Timothy 5:20).

"This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith" (Titus 1:13).

"These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee" (Titus 2:15).

Beware of Deceivers

"Let no man deceive you with vain words; for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience" (Ephesians 5:6, see also 4:14).

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

"For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect" (Mark 13:22).

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

Distrust Human Counsel

"For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly toward you" (2 Corinthians 1:12).

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness" (1 Corinthians 3:19).

"My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water" Jeremiah 2:13).

"Woe to the rebellious children, saith the lord, who take counsel, but not of me; and who cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin" (Isaiah 30:1).

"We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold, trouble!" (Jeremiah 8:15).

"They say still unto those who despise me, The Lord hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you" (Jeremiah 23:17, see also Ezekiel 13:10, 16).

Seek God for Guidance

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk in it, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it" (Jeremiah 6:16).

"Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13).

"If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).

LIFE TO LIVE

(A Minimalist Testimony)*

I stood on the brink
Of life
And realized
'Twas death I'd lived
Apart from God
From birth till then.

I saw my dreams
As waste and want--
Of hours, years
Self-seeking;
Now wishing so
To live anew.

My life I give
Christ Jesus,
Atoning Lamb
For sinners slain;
Choosing daily now,
Life to live In Him.

*(Minimalism is an attempt to reduce something to its simplest, most concise form, omitting any superfluous details.)

Ephesians 4:7-16 - an Exegesis (Part 2)

No passage of Scripture shows more clearly the connection between Christ's Exaltation and spiritual gifts -- the maturation and edification of the Church

by Rev. Paul A. Hughes

(NOTE: This is the second in a two-part exegetical study of Ephesians 4:7-16. The issue containing Part 1 may be obtained from the publisher on request.)

Christ did not ascend into heaven without making provision for those He left behind. Sending the Holy Spirit to act in his place as Comforter and teacher, Christ took his rightful place in the seat of power and authority at his Father's right hand.

Achieving the Stature of Christ

The assumption often made from superficial study of this passage is that each Christian is to grow up himself to match Christ in stature. Two attitudinal problems seem to stem from this line of reasoning: one is spiritual pride in those who come to feel that they have achieved; the other is a destructive guilt which afflicts those who try, but continually fall short. Either way, the Christian who by his own strength strives to fulfill the perfect standard sets himself up for a fall.

But it is in the plural that this passage is addressed. It is the saints who are to be equipped, the Body which is to be built up. It is "we" who are to attain unity and the stature of Christ, who are to be no longer children, etc. Again, it is the Body which is to build itself up in love.

No individual can achieve the "fulness" of Christ himself. Christ has intended the Church to be his Body, and collectively to form "the mature man": "For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ" (1 Cor 12:12, NASB). To believe otherwise is to deny the sense of the passage, for it is centered upon the maturation and unification of the individual parts, which brings about the perfection of the whole.

The Nature of Christ's Fulness

Just as "fulness" is a general term in English, so also is pleroma.  As Gerhard Delling has remarked, ". . . in different passages several meanings or their totality may be implied."¹²   It can carry various connotations, such as "that which fills, fullness, fulfilling, and [it] is also used as an eschatological technical term for the fullness of time and the fulfillment of the will of God."¹³

The first issue which must be dealt with is whether "fulness" here is used in the Gnostic sense. Some scholars, especially those who dispute the Pauline authorship of Ephesians, consider it to demonstrate an early form of that error. The term was, indeed, later used technically in Gnosticism to describe the spiritual realm which spans between man and God.

"Jesus brought the angels with Him from the pleroma, and they may not return thither without the gnostics. . . . The whole pleroma is the bridal chamber . . . into which enter the pneumatics who have put off their souls, found their angel bridegrooms, and become pure spirits . . . ." (italics mine).¹⁴

However, this interpretation can hardly be said to convey the teaching of Ephesians. While pleroma does occur in Ephesians 4:13, it could not be said to have a standardized, technical meaning in all its Pauline occurrences, or even elsewhere in Ephesians (1:10, 23; 3:19). Delling notes that "The use in Col. follows a single line materially, but this differs from the three lines which are unquestionably to be found in Eph. both formally and in part materially."¹⁵ R. M. Wilson goes further to suggest that the "later gnostic speculation" originated from Colossians 1:19 and 2:9 and Ephesians 4:13, rather than the other way around.¹⁶

A more cogent theory is that, as Moule proposes, "fulness of Christ" is parallel to the preceding phrase, so that "mature man" = "fulness of Christ."¹⁷   Indeed, it is not unlike Paul to say the same thing in two different ways as an emphatic device.   Grammatically, however, the parallelism breaks down, since "man" is set parallel to "measure" (both in the accusative case), while "fulness of Christ" appears in the genitive. Yet the argument is strengthened if one considers "fulness" as descriptive of stature and translates thus: "the measure of the full stature which pertains to Christ" (i.e., the measure [standard] of Christ = the mature [perfect] man).

Another possibility proposed here is this: Paul has in essence drawn together his thoughts upon the maturation of the Church into one phrase, expressing its perfection as the mature man. (One must observe that Paul's metaphors are mixed here -- on the one hand the child/adult theme, on the other the unity-of-the-body theme.) The next phrase is linked, though not necessarily fully thought-out or expressed. "The measure of stature" points back to the previous clause, while "the fulness of Christ" is descriptive of the nature of the One who is perfect in stature. This is related to a recurrent theme throughout Ephesians, as well as Colossians: God has given Christ all authority and power (Eph 1:20-23; cf. Col 1:19, 2:9), which corresponds to "fulness," for Christ "ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things" (Eph 4:10 [NASB]). As the Body of Christ, the Church is "being filled" (pleroumenou, Eph 1:23; plerothete, Eph 3:19; cf. pepleromenoi, Col 2:10) by the One who is already "full." Christ does not have to be "filled" in any sense by the Church, for he already possesses Fulness. Rather, the Church, by growing into the mature man, is to achieve the stature of Christ, which is characterized by Fulness in every way.

Conclusion

This line of reasoning demonstrates continuity in both thought and theme throughout Ephesians and Colossians, and accounts for some of the more obscure and difficult themes and terminology. Hopefully not without success, it has exemplified such continuity, especially in Paul's usage of "fulness" and "filling" -- the former to express the all-encompassing authority and power of Christ given him by the Father (as a state of being), the latter to express the engendered completeness or perfection within the Church by means of providing Spirit-filled leadership in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These leaders are intended almost exclusively for the equipping of the Church for service. Their preparation is to yield results, ultimately the maturation of the Body into the "mature man" -- mature according to the measure of Christ. It is through Christ's own "fulness" that He is able to perfect his Church, the leadership being the instrument by which He "fills" it, thus accomplishing his goal.

Of course, one must take into account that "fulness" and "filling" are general terms, as easily used to refer to "being filled with the Spirit," to the Scriptures "being fulfilled," to "the fulness of time," to the simple act of filling a vessel, and so on. As a general term, the meaning of any form of "fill" depends on the context in which it appears.

The interpretation of Ephesians 4:7-16 proposed here certainly differs from the more established interpretations, which in turn differ one from another. Yet it has been successful if it provokes renewed consideration of the passage in the light of its claims. Perhaps, through challenges to established modes of thought and assumption, "new" truth will be discovered, and "old" truths strengthened.

NOTES

12. Gerhard Delling, "Pleres, pleroo, pleroma, anapleroo, antanapleroo, ekpleroo, ekplerosis, sumpleroo, plerophoreo, plerophoria," in Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, ed. Gerhard Friedrich, trans. and ed. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1968), 6:298.

13. Reinier Schippers, "Fullness, Abound, Multitude, Fulfil, Make Room," in The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology, gen. ed. Colin Brown (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing Co., 1975), 1:728.

14. Delling, p. 301.

15. Delling, p. 304.

16. R. M. Wilson, "Gnosis, Gnosticism and the New Testament," in U. Bianchi, ed., Le Origini dello Gnosticism (n.p., 1967), pp. 518 ff., cited by Schippers, p. 740. See also Craig Evans, "The Colossian Mystics," Biblica 63 (1982):190-91.

17. Charles F. D. Moule, "`Fulness' and `Fill' in the New Testament," Scottish Journal of Theology 4 (1951):81.

A Light to Central America

My good friends and former seminary classmates Bob and Edie LaFon, missionaries to El Salvador, tell me they now have a building permit to erect a pioneer church in San Salvador.

Bob, who is director of the national Assemblies of God magazine Luz y Vida, is also involved in a new radio station. La Verdad, La Voz de las Asambleas de Dios, broadcasts on FM 95.7, and can also be heard in Guatemala and Honduras.

The LaFons now have a web site on the Internet at http://www.mindspring.com/~tentmakr/pphp/L018.html.

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, but of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

"Israel's Supreme Court in 1989 ruted that Messianic Jews cannot become Israeli residents because they are not true Jews."

Lying Is Good?

Many have been shocked by the following outrageous statement:

"Most people think lying is manipulative and exploitative. There is still that element, lying for grades and promotions, et cetera. But those lies are not the most common ones. More often, people lie to enhance their self-esteem, to get others to like them or respect them and to spare others' feelings. There usually has been an assumption that lying is this really awful behavior in pursuit of people's materialistic and crass self-interest. It's often really about feeling better about yourself.

"Being honest all the time isn't a great idea . . . because the truth often hurts."

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