ALL THE WEALTH IN THE WORLD

I’m a senior and I tire more easily than you. I tire of prosperity preachers who shamelessly urge people to live right and get rich. I also tire of preachers who teach about money with a controlling agenda to increase your giving to the church. Yet I do believe that an understanding of economy within God’s frame of reference will lead to generous, responsible charitable donations.

THE BIBLE- THE RING OF TRUTH & ALIVE WITH POWER

John Bertram Phillips (J.B.)

What seems like five millennia ago, when I was a young college student, I came across the Philips translation of the New Testament. It was such a refreshing way to read scripture. It was the product of John Bertram Phillips or, J. B. Phillips, who was an English Bible scholar, translator, author and clergyman. He learned that the young people that attended Church of the Good Shepherd in London UK, where he was minister, did not understand the King James Authorized Version of the Bible. During the London blitz of World War II, he spent hours in bomb shelters, time which he used to begin a translation of the New Testament into modern English, starting with the Epistle to the Colossians. His results had great appeal for his young people who found it easier to understand. Encouraged by this, following the war, he continued his rendering of the New Testament into colloquial English, completed it and it was published with great commercial success.

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL

I admit that my estimation about bible scripture is an unoriginal position. I believe that God inspired human authors to write the words that reveal his salvation blueprint for humanity and these words are contained within both the Old and New Testaments. Because they are God’s words they remain the definitive authority for knowledge about God and He is to be believed, trusted and obeyed on the basis of what he says in scripture. I am unapologetic for this position.

An original position would be something akin to this.

JESUS REGARDED THE OLD TESTAMENT AS GOD'S WORD

We are told that Jesus explained his identity and purpose using Old Testament scripture as resource material. Please read this bit of evidence.

According to Luke’s account, there was an occasion soon after Christ’s resurrection from death and the grave, Jesus made an appearance to two of the disciples who were walking on a road that would take them from Jerusalem to Emmaus, seven miles away. They were as yet unaware of the resurrection reality and were discussing everything that had transpired over the past several days.

DEHISTORIZING THE OLD TESTAMENT

Don’t bother reading this unless you have the time and the interest. The theme is, ‘Why would you Ignore the Old Testament?’ Some Christians disparage the Old Testament.

Christians have generally regarded the Old Testament as God’s Word and have often found pleasure in Proverbs and spiritual inspiration in Psalms. Christian preachers worthy of the calling have confirmed their proficiencies by drawing profound applications from Old Testament historical narratives.

Many Christians today are dismissing the Old Testament because they find parts of it morally offensive or quite bluntly, irrelevant.

WHETHER PLAYING OR PRAYING, FOLLOW A GOOD EXAMPLE

Do you want to play? Moe Norman was a Canadian golfer who, some say suffered from autism. It’s possible because he had societal challenges and his speech was sometimes confusing, but on the autism spectrum he was likely a genius, certainly as far as the biomechanics of his golf swing was concerned. He developed a unique uncomplicated swing with a simple grip. He won some Canadian golf championships but never made it in the PGA past a couple of appearances in the Master’s tournament. Professional golfers in any decade including Michelson, Woods, Zach Johnson still today say Norman was likely the most accurate striker of the ball that has ever played. People who have heeded his advice have knocked 20 strokes off their game because they learn to hit the ball straight time after time. What about praying?

ILL-INFORMED ECCLESIOLOGY

With hands together and fingers extended like the spire of a church, the dated rhyme was recited when I was a child. “Here’s the church, and here’s the steeple, open the door and see all the people.” I had no idea that I was quoting faulty theology. Actually, the terms ‘church’ and ‘people’ are not distinct from one another. Academically most of us understand that ‘church’ is people rather than stone, concrete, dry wall and seating. Church is people, each of whom is a living temple in which God’s Holy Spirit lives. Scripture uses the Greek word ekklesia, meaning assembly to convey the idea of ‘church.’ The theology of the child’s rhyme is improve if we change it to, “Here’s the building and on top is a steeple, open the doors and the church is the people.’

BORED AT CHURCH? THINKING OF CHANGING?

Mr. Bean 

I will dish out two credits as I start. One goes to Micah Lang who wrote the article ‘When Good Pastors Preach Boring Sermons,’ that I reference today from the Relevant magazine and the second kudo goes to Drew Unruh, an entrepreneurial nephew who asked me what my thoughts were on the article.

The content struck a chord with me because I have found myself doing the very thing for which I want to indict others.

WEAR YOUR WHITE POPPY TOMORROW

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada. The sentiment expressed by a white poppy is commendable but the employment of it on Remembrance Day in lieu of the red poppy is inappropriate. In a democratic society people should have a choice and not feel vilified if they wear a white poppy. I can concur with that because democracy and that freedom of statement and choice is the outcome of lives laid down by valiant Canadians fighting to preserve it. It is advisable and preferable that a white poppy be worn on any other day of the year than Remembrance Day. It is understandable that a sensitive uproar broke out in Canada when the Royal Canadian Legion accused peace activists of hijacking their red poppy symbol by selling white poppies. Red poppies are not a defense for or justification of war, but a commemoration of the human cost to insure our peace.

DO WE OWN ANYTHING?

'Pop's Cycle,' acrylic 11X14
by Ron Unruh

Were you aware that when I sell you one of my original paintings, I as the artist, retain exclusive rights to the image, unless I have sold duplication privileges to you. Is it that way with God?

In a recent family conversation we expressed opinions about ownership and God, essentially whether we own anything or whether we must acknowledge that God owns everything.

SOMETHING IN CHURCH IS EMERGING ALRIGHT

Some analysts say that colossal transitions in the church occur about every 500 years. They also suggest that we may be in such a time. That implies displeasure in what the church presently is, or how it functions. Something is emerging in the church - dissatisfaction. Do you share this?

CHECK YOUR FACTS OR SOMEONE ELSE WILL

“Really?” I have heard that one word question a few times when discussing with others what they heard from respected pastors in a sermon. And it’s not just millenials who are checking the facts. When preachers tell stories or illustrate key points with anecdotes purported as fact, rest assured, a few people are scrutinizing the evidence. Increasing numbers of churchgoers are living with internet constancy, and that means that when the ear flags a questionable statement, google or Snopes are referenced immediately, and you may have lost that hearer for the duration. Get your facts straight. Don’t spew myths. Don’t fail to do your homework on the stories as well as the bible text. Check your facts so your credibility remains convincing.