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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| 1. AN EXPLANATION AND TESTIMONY |
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 We have looked at 33 different ways in which Greek (our Western inheritance) and Hebrew ways of looking at life and faith differ.
'What does it matter?' you may say.
I have come to understand that it matters a lot! For the Lord has poked and prodded me (I have the bruises!) that, if I wish to understand Him more, I need to know more about the culture in which He lived, in order to understand the nuances of what He is saying to me through the Jewish writers of His Word.
The best way I can explain this is from the point of view of learning another language. I speak English as my first language. At school, I studied French. I could learn the words and the grammar, but no matter how much I learned, I could still not speak like a Frenchman. My accent, my lack of understanding of the idioms, the culture, the slang and the nuances of the language, would always hinder me. The only real way to overcome this would be to interact with born French speakers, in order to learn their ways, as well as how to communicate with them verbally. In New Zealand, here at the far end of the earth, this is not possible, without travelling thousands of kilometres to Europe or another French speaking country, so my, already very poor French, died.
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 This process is seen too, in immigrants to our country, whose first language is not English. No matter how well they speak the language, their culture is different, and mix-ups and misunderstandings inevitably occur. However, the immigrants' children, who attend our schools and grow up in our society and culture, rapidly become 'kiwis'! For they largely think, and speak, like those of us whose families have been here for generations.
When it comes to 'Christianity' and 'church', we have taken an 'Eastern religion' and adapted it to our cultural values, norms, and language. We justify this by saying that the Jews failed God and have been replaced by the 'gentile church'. Hence the term - 'Replacement Theology'.
These writings have not been about the truth, or otherwise, of this way of thinking. You need to read the teachings on our website (http://www.wwj.org.nz/dload.php) to gain my understanding of this.
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 What I have been trying to achieve here is to form a bridge, albeit a tenuous and rickety one, between the Eastern and Western cultural understanding. I have never been to Israel, although I would love to go. Personally I know only a few Jews, and even fewer who have accepted Jesus as Saviour and Lord.
The essential truth the Lord has lain upon my heart and life though, is that a 'whole of life' commitment is necessary in order to become a true follower of Jesus. Over the years, I have become disillusioned with the form of 'easy Christianity', of self-centeredness, of happiness and prosperity that is taught in much of the church today.
When I studied the Bible, even from my Western perspective, I could see that this is not what it says! Jesus made 'disciples' who, all but John, were martyred for their faith! And John was boiled in oil and banished to Patmos, not a pleasant place!
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 The closest I have come to walking in the steps of the disciples was visiting Goa, where the now convinced Doubting Thomas landed in India. There is a Roman Catholic Church on the site and a real presence of the Holy Spirit over the area. Thomas was martyred on the other side of India, in Chennai. I believe you can visit his grave in a cave there.
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 In my reading of Scripture we are called to self-sacrifice, to putting Jesus and others above ourselves. Not the theology that has developed in our Western, Greek based, self-centred culture.
Once I started delving into the Hebraic roots of our faith, the lights of understanding that were dim have started to brighten. I hope they have here for you too.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... as we continue with summarizing what we have learned.
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 I will try and summarize what we have been learning and sharing together. May the Lord help me, help us, better understand and apply His Word, His Life, to our own.
THE BREAD AND THE WINE
Just to think, that when we take the bread and the wine, we are continuing a spiritual observance that has been in place for many thousands of years. Wow! And even more wonderful, to celebrate it in the third and final dispensation of Jesus.
The enjoyment of food is an international experience. Here in the Philippines, my hosts, Boy and Methusula Ramos, are entertaining Filipinos, an American, a Japanese lady, and me - a Kiwi - to a tasty Asian meal!
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
47. I am far from perfect – but allowing God to work on it!
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Eagles Fly High! (Pastors, Teachers and Students): http://www.wwj.org.nz/eaglepts.php
God Facts (A mine of information): http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php
Facts for Fun: http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php
Marriage and Family Facts: http://www.wwj.org.nz/maffacts.php
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