One of our non-U.S. chatters was asking questions in chat the other night, trying to understand better, what is going on here in the U.S., and how did we get to this place of concern over our markets, economy, and the effects on the global economy. There is plenty of blame to go around, but I won’t bother giving any names of individuals or parties as to where to place the blame. That is not all that productive in this discussion, as it just tends to elevate passions, and that closes the mind. So I will try another approach.

Let’s talk about what we the people do to cause problems and solve problems. First thing to notice and admit, is that no one wanted this to happen, there are no bad guys here. There are only motives, actions and consequences.

I attempted to make the case in chat the other night, that we might be better off if we did not have a system where each person gets a vote, that it might be better to have voters who are qualified to vote, based on their command of the issues that confront us, instead of having a large group of people who are not knowledgeable, making the decisions that affect us all. My point or position was not well received.

We know as Christians, that God judges the heart. If I desire to help someone, and take steps to do so with pure motives, that pleases God. That is a spiritual angle to the elective process that we should all take, and we should not be so concerned with what policies affect us personally, as we should be for how those policies affect our neighbors.

We tend to like to classify people politically as conservative or liberal, or other words that mean the same thing as those words have come to mean. On that scale, I would have to describe myself as conservative. As a conservative, I personally want to thank those who tend to be liberal, who do so out of the belief that liberal policies are good things, things that help people. If that is where you find yourself, I commend you, if you are liberal because you want to help others. Your heart is in the right place, God looks upon the heart. If you are for liberal policies because of how you think those policies will benefit you, that is your right, but you will not hear me applauding that.

Same goes for conservatives. If you are a conservative for selfish reasons, no cheers for you, if you think conservative policies benefit others, then again you have my admiration, and God’s approval I think. Hopefully, wherever you are on the political spectrum, left wing, right wing, or middle of the bird, you are what you are for the love of God and your neighbor.

Let’s assume for the moment, that there are good people on both sides taking their positions for the right reasons. They cannot all be correct in their assessments, or they would all be in agreement. If we all are intending good, then what is going wrong?

I believe the answer to that lies in the different approaches that we use to view life. One person looks at life, and sees how things should be, how things should ideally work. The other person looks at life as how it is, and how things do work. The first is idealistic, the second pragmatic. One from the heart- feels how to vote, the other from the head-thinks how to vote. That is over simplified of course, but I think history will bear that analysis out as mostly true.

One is tempted to think that since God looks at the heart, then God approves of that approach more than the pragmatic approach. I think that is a mistake on a number of levels. An analytical pragmatic person may not be emotionally driven in his/her choices, but if they make those chances, they can be doing so with the same pure motives of hoping to benefit others.

In Matt. 25, Jesus tells a parable of the talents. While His primary point is not about using your resources wisely, that passage and others indicate that wise people do exactly that. In these times we have many resources. We are wealthy by the standards of the world and by the standards of history, though many of us do not feel that we are. Money is a real resource, which can be used for good or for evil. We have free time, because we have so many conveniences to make our life easier, our cars, our washing machines our stoves, you get the idea. If you are reading this, you have access to a computer and the internet, which is a great resource for information. If we have these resources, isn’t it our responsibility to use them for the advantage of our neighbor whom God has commanded us to love?

This is a long lead in to what I want to discuss, the LAW OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. There is a tremendous history of this law in action. Our current financial situation, to a large degree is upon us, because people wanted to make home ownership available to more people. The observation that our brown and black citizens (and other people with lower than average incomes) are under-represented as homeowners, led to the introduction of policies that made it easy for these people to get into houses that they could not afford. To most people, this is obvious now, but to anyone analyzing these policies, if was obvious from the beginning. What was intended to benefit a few people, had hurt a huge number of people.

The Americans with Disabilities Act – the ADA. Another good example of an idea with a big heart, hurting people. Business are forced to close down because they cannot afford to comply with ADA guidelines, opportunistic attorneys sueing companies for violations for no other reason that to fleece them of money, situations where medical care is less available to the disabled, because doctors are afraid to take cases which the ADA makes financial ruinous etc. People with disabilities now find it harder to find work since the creation of the ADA, as employers are frightened of the financial risks and burders that come with ADA compliance.

Minimum wage laws. There have been so many published studies by renowned economists on this, it is a wonder that minimum wage laws have not themselves been made illegal. Among economists, it is nearly unanimous that minimum wage laws hurt the ones they are intented to help. Many jobs which people have traditionally held, do not exist now, because  the wage cannot be justified by the work performed. When was the last time someone wiped your windshield (other than a homeless person) at a gasoline service station? The young and minorities are hurt the hardest by minimum wage laws. Unemployment of these individuals rises each time minimum wage laws are enacted.

Public education. The lack of school  choice, has made it certain, that those children who are trapped in substandard schools, will remain there.  Affirmative action laws on college entrance, place low performing students into schools where they could not compete, so they dropped out, while instead, student who could make the grade, were prevented from attending.

Social security. Another dumb idea whose time has passed. You are force to pay a tax, so that someday, you might receive a pittance in your golden years, instead of being encourage to place than money into investments which would net you millions.

The Endangered Species Act.  Designed to protect enangered species, is succeeding at motivating the destruction of habitats.

There are hundreds of example of these big hearted ideas that have gone wrong. This is the problem with voting with your heart, and not your head.

In any election, think about the problem and the offered solutions. Ask yourself where the money comes from, try to figure out who really pays for it. Is it the rich? The corporations? Or is it realy the consumers and tax payers. The left seems to act as though there is this unending suplly of money to be had, and that the government should just be able to take it, and apply it to what those in power deem best. How have they done so far? Government is wasteful, because it has no competition, private industry has to compete and be efficient, or it fails. Ask yourself if those in power, and those who want to be, have the experience and knowledge, a proven track record at problem solving. Sadly, sometimes you have no choice. Remember when I opined that perhaps most voters are not qualified to vote? I will add to that that most politicians aren’t either!

Omegaman for dictator – 2008

I am Omegaman and I approved this message!

Now, I am about to post this in my blog – and I am going to allow comments for those who choose to, but since my controversial rants tend to draw fire, I a heading for the hills on this one, and may not respond to any – at this moment, I am way too busy to get drawn in to defending my own positions – fire away if you like, but I am going into hiding for a while.

First off, I do three different types of Bible studies. Expository, topical, and word studies.

As I define the terms, an expository study is one were I select  a passage, a chapter, a whole book, or some other contiguous grouping of words from the Bible, and then go verse by verse, looking at the verse, it’s context, the intended audience, the historical setting and any parallel or related passages, to gain an understanding of the grouping of words which I am examining.

I would say that a topical study, would be an examination of a specific subject, such as abortion, the rapture, titheing, marriage, etc.

Finally, a word study is where I begin by looking at a word in a verse or verses in english, where either i am uncertain of it’s useage, or just want to more fully understand it’s significance and nuances, Then look ate the original Greek or Hebrew word that was translated into the spcific English word at the location in question.Once having identified the original language word, I then look at every occurance of that word in the Greek or Hebrew to see the ways the word is used, and also consult works written for the purpose of  original language study, such as Lexicons.

My favorite type is the topical study, but the methods I use are based on principles that can be applied not only in these different studies, but can be applied to other historical literature as well as current literature.

There are rules of interpretation than most conservative theologians agree upon. By and large, they look to me to be good common sense rules, so I try to stick to them. This minimizes the “that’s your interpretation” phenomenon, which is so silly. I prefer to have a good interpretation any day, than MY interpretation. Many of these rules come from traditional Jewish rules of interpretation. Now immediately, we must concede, that there are obviously limitations to these rules, or most Jews would have reckognized their Messiah. The problem is, that we are human, we make mistakes, and we bring our own predjudices and preconceptions to the interpretive table. It is true for me, it is true for you also. So, sound rules are a foundation for understanding the Bible in a consistent manner, they are there to help you see past your own predudices, but they will only work if you are willing to be consistent, and not change the rules to suit an interpretation you prefer.

So what are some of these rules? In no particular order.

Always examine a verse or passage in it’s context.

This means that you look at the verses leading up to that passage, and following, so that you can see what the cubject actually is, being discussed. Ignore the chapter heading and number, these are manmade, it is up to you to determine when a subject begins and ends. Examining a passage in context, also involves not just readin and understanding the nearby verses, but also identify who is being addressed in a passage, for whom is the message intended. Sometimes it is a specific individual, some times Israel, sometimes the church, sometimes it applies universally to mankind, determine this. The historical context is also important, Undertanding things about a time and place, can affect how you understand the passage. Context, is one of the most important aspects of Biblical interpretation.

Okay, suppose we have done all that. We have arrived at what we think the verse is saying and to whom. Remember that the scriptures are devinely inspired. Therefore, they will never contradict each other. We can use that to help us check our understanding of a verse or passage in question. The next rule is:

Compare Scripture with Scripture

Here, we search out other passages on the same topic. For example, let’s say we examined the ten commandments, and saw there: ”
Thou shalt not kill. We have now theunderstanding that it is always wrong to kill. However, as we read in other places in the Bible, we find that God ordains wars, and prescribes putting people to death for certain crimes. Knowing that the God does not contradict himself, we understand that we must have a faulty understanding of “thou shallt not kill”. This brings us to another rule of interpretation.

Examine the Verse in the Original Language

Time was when you had to own quite a library to follow all of these rules effectively. In modern times, there are theological libraries in the form of software, which are substantially less expensive than they would be in printed form, Additionaly, many of these helps are online. Go and experiment with sites such as blueletterbible.org . You will find many things to aid your understanding.

The next ones are not rules, but recommendations. Read a passage in several translations. Translations are not all alike, nor equally good, and none is without error. Most are pretty good for casual reading of the scriptures, but by reading a passage in a different version, you can often uncover some nuance, that you may want to explore further.

Additionally, it is a good idea to to read about a given passage in a commentary or two, or three. In that way, you reap the benefit of the work that someone has already but into understanding the passage you are loking at. Here again, none is without error. In fact, by reading commentaries, you may come across veiws you never considered. Consider them, but stick with the Bible text itself, which brings me to the next rule. another tool which is indispensible is a concordance. A concordance let’s you look up Bible verses by words that exist in english in the verse. For example, if you looked up the word “locusts”, you would discove the word occurs in 17 verses. The concordance would show you part of the verse -  a partial context. This is useful if you want to find verses that have a word in common with a verse you are examining. Seeing the context, lets you see if the verse is related to the topic you are studying, or to the verse you are studying, In the Gospels for instance, the different authors some times have additional details that another Gospel writer left out. Perhaps you are wanting to find a particular verse you are thinking of, a concordance can be useful for that. This can also be done with online Bible search sites.

Let Scripture Interpret Scripture

What do we mean by that. Sometimes a verse you may be considering, is already descussed in another passage in the Bible. Since the Bible is inspired by God, you have to accept the Bible’s explanation of itself. How would you know that a passage is commented on in another section in the Bible? My primary answer is read the Bible until you are familiar with it. I realize than not everyone will follow this advice, so there are other ways. The commentaries I spoke of, will often point such passages out. A good refereanc Bible, such as Thompsons chain referance Bible, will show related passages - a very helpful tool.

When reading a passage, assume it is literal, unless there is a compelling reason not to.

In John 10:9 (NASB) Jesus says:
“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

A literal translation of that would be to think of Jesus claiming to be a slab of wood on a hinge. There is no need to be so literal. The context of the passage will usually indicate what the authow was saying. Parables and visions, similes and metaphors are frequently used in the bible, learn to spot them. Some times it may not be so obvious:

John 11:11-15
after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep.” 12 The disciples therefore said to Him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” 13 Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that He was speaking of literal sleep. 14 Then Jesus therefore said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead,
(NASB) In the passage above, we see that even the disciples took things too literally.

Understand the Historical Background

This takes some digging, but it is most helpful to understand figures of speech, customs and historical circumstances surrounding a passage. Where is the author, why is he there? To whom is he writing and why? These type of things are very useful to stay aware of. For example, some passages are writen directly to a person of a people, and may not apply universally. Strive to avoid interpreting through the eyes of your own experience and culture.

Keep with precedents

Some people love inventing new meanings for words. Understand what the words meant when they were written from the original languages, if you are working in your own language, understand the meaning of the word when they were translated. For example, you may run across the word “quick” in the King James Version. Quick meant ‘living’ or ‘alive’ in 1611, not ‘fast’. Many modern commentators have erred by insisting that certain words mean certain things that they did not mean when written, don’t make the same mistake and don’t make the mistake of assuming that what they say is true, do our own research.

Use Common Logic

This one seems like a no brainer that I should not even have to mention. Ask yourself, if a given understanding of a passage makes sense. Be careful here though, not everyone thinks alike. When I say to ask if it makes sense, I don’t mean does it make sense to you! I mean is the conclusion a rational one given the words used, the circumstances etc. is it where the majority of scriptural evidence points you? Don’t make the mistake of useing you logic to over-rule the plaine revelation of scripture. For example, I don’t like hell. It makes no sense to me that such a place would exist, why punish someone eternally for things done during the short span of a lifetime. However, I must keep in mind, that my thoughts are not His thoughts, and my ways are not His ways, so, I go with what scripture plainly teaches - there is a Hell.

Recognize and determine the validity of inferance

This is similar to the above. You may find it difficult, for example, to discover a verse that indicates God is a triune being. Howevre, you might fine a verse that refers to a person known as the Holy Spirit, and that the person is called God. You might find a referance to the fact that there is a person called the Father, who is also called God. Then you may find a referance to a person who is called the Son, again, He is called God also. You will find verses that indicate the these person are distinct. You will also find versed that categorically state that there is only one God. Putting them all together, we realize that there are three separate persons who are each God, and there is only one God. Therefore, the three persons are the one God. That is inferance. For some, this makes no sense, I have no problem with it. This is a case however, where you may have to suspend what you think is logic, and accept that this is what is revealed in scripture, we have no right to over-ride revelation with our opinions.

Recognize the unity of scripture

The 66 books that make upo the Bible each has it’s own story to tell. However, there is one author behind each of them, and He has His story to tell as well. When you read and study the Bible, be aware that there are themes that thread there way through the various books of the Bible, some books cannot be fully understood without the benefit of the other books. If you have an interpretaion of a passage, that is a contradiction to another passage, then you have not reached a correct understanding, for God does not contradict Himself.

There may be more that I am forgetting, I will add them in if they occur to me, but that is the way that I approach the study of the scriptures, I hope some of these principles, are ones that you will find helpful in your own studies. Be Blessed! Ω

Thanks — George

I saw an inspirational story posted on a Christian forum that talked about a soldier hiding from the enemy in World War II. This soldier took refuge in a cave. He prayed to God and was hidden by a spider web.

This seems like a nice story, but it turns out to be a story from another religion, from their religious texts. That troubled me. To see a mythological event from a false religion find its way into the culture of English speaking Christians. Can a Christian find morality within a false religion? I don’t think one can. All other religions, if they have morals, are a pale shadow of Christ’s way, and those other religions lead to eternal death. Why bother getting moral stories from false religions when we have the perfect and true religion of following Jesus?

As the bible tells us, 1 Timothy 1:4 nor to give heed to fables and endless genealogies (which provide doubts rather than the nurture of God in faith). We should instead keep our eye on the Lord. To do as it says in Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, my brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think on these things. Do those things which you have also learned and received and heard and seen in me. And the God of peace shall be with you.

Today a little 2 year old girl fell into a pool and nearly drowned. This child was under water they say for nearly 5 minutes. Although she was revived she will have permanent brain damage.

Today, a young Christian struggled with the lure of a false dead religion, one she was steeped in for years. She wanted to give into the rituals of this false path and derive security from what she knew and could expect.

Like the girl who nearly drowned, this young believer needs to resist the natural urges. The child couldn’t resist the urge to breathe in and in so doing, breathed in water instead of air. The young Christian finds it hard to resist the natural tendency to follow the ways of the flesh, to derive comfort in false things because they are known to her. Its not natural to resist the lure of the world and to follow the Lord. Yet we can resist, for we are new creatures in Christ. The old man is put away.2 Corinthians 5: 17 So that if any one is in Christ, that one is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We can do this, through Him, through the Holy Spirit changing us. Philippians 4: 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Do we go and do likewise?

Last week, temperatures in Arizona hit the usual midsummer intense heat, around 110 degrees F (that’s around 45 degrees C). We were out driving to a bookstore and passed by a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk with his shopping cart of belongings. It was hot, the sidewalk sunny. There were no open businesses where he was. No trees. Not even a grassy spot. Just hard concrete and compact dirt. It occurred to me to get him a bottle of water from a convenience store about a quarter mile away but my husband didn’t want to. He was afraid of us getting hurt. I have to admit I was too.

Later on I wondered if we should have stopped. After all, wouldn’t the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37) have stopped for this man? How many would have stopped for this man?

Luke 10
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30 And answering, Jesus said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by coincidence a certain priest came down that way and seeing him, he passed by on the opposite side .
32 And in the same way a Levite, also being at the place, coming and seeing him , he passed on the opposite side .
33 But a certain traveling Samaritan came upon him, and seeing him, he was filled with pity.
34 And coming near, he bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine, and set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And going on the next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him. And whatever more you spend, when I come again I will repay you.
36 Then which of these three, do you think, was neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
37 And he said, The one doing the deed of mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.