Posts

Bulletin for 4-23-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez tests on stomach.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, mini stroke, but doing ok

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Charlie Burda had several stints put in this week

Article:

Are Biblical Giants Real?

by Jeff Miller, Ph.D,

In several places in Scripture, men of giant stature are mentioned1—men like Goliath, who was “six cubits and a span,” or about nine feet, nine inches tall (1 Samuel 17:4). Are such accounts mere tales worth scoffing at, or is there evidence that humans can grow, and have grown, to enormous heights?

According to evolutionists, giants are not a mythical idea. In a science podcast broadcasted by Cambridge University, well-known paleoanthropologist of the University of Witwatersrand, Lee Berger, was interviewed. Berger discovered the australopithecus sediba2 and homo naledi3 fossils. The podcast group had an opportunity to visit the fossil collection at the University where Berger is a professor for a podcast. While there, they discussed the fossils of the museum. In the article following the interview, editor Chris Smith said, “One of the most interesting things that the fossil record reveals is that we went through a period of extreme giantism. These were people routinely over 7ft tall, they were huge.”4 Berger said, “You’ve probably heard the myth that ancient humans were tiny and some of them were tiny. But, as we moved through the period of 0.5 million to 300,000 years ago in Africa…, [t]hey go through a period of giantism.”5 Berger then proceeded to show the group an example of one of the giant femurs from a species dubbed homo heidelbergensis.6 Berger said, “They are huge. That’s so big we can’t even calculate how big this individual was.”7 Berger admitted that he cannot even gage the actual size of the individual and so surmises him to be over seven feet tall. Smith responded to Berger, asking him if the extreme size could just be an abnormality—an exception to the rule. Berger responded, saying, “No, because we found a lot of them. Everywhere we find them we find them enormous. These are what we call archaic homo sapiens. Some people refer to them as homo heidelbergensis. These individuals are extraordinary. They are giants.”8 Notice first that Berger acknowledges that homo heidelbergensis is definitely human (i.e., homo sapiens), just ancient and enormous. Second, notice that, according to Berger, the fossils are not abnormalities. There was a group of these large humans.

In case homo heidelbergensis is not sufficient evidence, Ralph von Koenigswald of the Netherlands Indies Geological Survey discovered enormous jawbones in 1944. Announcing the discovery, Time magazine ran an article titled “Giants in Those Days,” quoting from Genesis 6:4. According to the article,

Koenigswald first found a big jawbone which looked [human]…but was so massive that he thought it could not possibly be a man’s. Then he found a still larger jaw, the biggest ever discovered, which was unmistakably human…. Koenigswald named it Meganthropus paleojavanicus…. Koenigswald’s crowning find dwarfed even Meganthropus…. [H]e found three astounding teeth. They were six times as big as a modern man’s molars…. Weidenreich [of the American Museum of Natural History] is sure, from the pattern of their “biting surfaces, that they are definitely human.” He has named this man monster…Gigantanthropus. The…giants, Weidenreich thinks, were not freaks. Taking a fresh look at the thick-boned fossils of such other primitive human beings as Heidelberg Man, Weidenreich now believes that “gigantism and massiveness may have been a general or at least widespread character of early mankind.”9

So once again, we have evidence of enormous humans, and not merely “freaks,” but potentially a widespread characteristic of humanity. Humans are definitely capable of enormous size.10

Even today, thousands of years beyond the optimal period of human health and life longevity that characterized the pre-Flood world, humans are capable of immense size. According to Guinness World Records, the tallest man alive today is Sultan Kosen who is eight feet three inches tall.11 His immense height seems to have been caused by a pituitary condition which resulted in an over-production of growth hormone, providing scientific evidence of those genetic characteristics that can contribute to great size. Kosen, however, was short compared to the tallest man from the past who was officially measured: Robert Wadlow—eight feet eleven inches tall, just one inch shy of nine feet tall!12 He weighed in at 491 pounds at one point in his life.

Even evolutionists concede that humans are capable of, and have grown to, immense heights. The giants of the Bible were not mythical beings, but real humans—albeit, big ones.

Endnotes

1 E.g., 1 Samuel 17:4-7; 21:19-22; Nephilim: Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:32-33; Rephaim: Deuteronomy 2:10-11,20; Deuteronomy 3:11,13; Joshua 12:4; 13:12; 17:15; 2 Samuel 21:16,18,20,22.

2 Jeff Miller (2015), “In the News: Sediba: Yet Another Paleo-Blunder,” Reason & Revelation, 35[6]:66.

3 Jeff Miller (2015), “Homo Naledi—Kind of Shady?” Reason & Revelation, 35[11]:129-131.

4 Chris Smith (2007), “Our Story: Human Ancestor Fossils,” The Naked Scientists, University of Cambridge, November 25.

5 Ibid.

6 Jeff Miller (2011), “Heidelberg Man: The Evolutionist’s Jawbone of Life,” Apologetics Press, https://www.apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?article=305.

7 Smith.

8 Ibid.

9 “Giants in Those Days” (1944), Time, Science, July 3.

10 It is possible (even likely) that humans, like plants, reptiles, and insects, were, in fact, larger in the pre-Flood era and for some time afterwards due to the optimized nature of the pre-Flood world. Homo heidelbergensis may be representative of many humans post-Flood. However, when the geologic column and fossil record are telescoped to the biblical timeframe, we realize that most homo species are actually just variety within the human kind, living at roughly the same time with each other. Many of the fossils of larger humans that are being discovered, therefore, are possibly representative of a “race” within the human kind, rather than a species representative of all humans over a long period of time.

11 “Tallest Man Ever” (2018), Guinness World Records On-line, http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/tallest-man-ever.

12 Ibid.

link to original article

Bulletin for 4-9-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

4-16 Maksim Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames new doctor, working it out

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, mini stroke, but doing ok

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

The resurrection and the life

We human beings vastly misunderstand death. We think death is the cessation of life. It is only cessation of earthly life. There is a life for all of us after death.

This misunderstanding about death has been common to almost all of humanity. Death is the separation of the spirit from its mortal body. It is not the end of life. Even as we read the pages of the New Testament, we find the misunderstanding.

In John chapter 11, Jesus’ friend Lazarus died. After four days, Jesus and his disciples arrived in Bethany, the town where Lazarus had lived with his sisters Martha and Mary.

The Lord’s discussion with Martha is interesting in terms of what she believed about Jesus and what she didn’t understand about life and death. Jesus told Martha her brother would come back to life again (John 11:23) She told Jesus she knew that her brother would be raised from the dead at the resurrection “at the last day,” (John 11:24).

The Lord made himself plain in the next verse and said, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies,” (John 11:25). A few minutes later, Lazarus was raised from the dead by the one who identified himself as the resurrection and the life.

Mourning the passing of a loved one is natural. Separation is painful and it seems as if it will be permanent, but it is not. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. The Jesus who spoke to Martha will one day speak and the dead of all the ages will be raised from their graves. Paul the apostle wrote,

“Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed – in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed,” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

The one who raised Lazarus will raise us all. He is the resurrection and the life! There is life after death! For those who obey the gospel, there will be eternal life with God. But we must choose to obey him and live for him.

John Henson, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-26-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

3-29 Luis Camacho

Prayer requests:

Emma Reames has severe intestinal problem and adverse reaction to scan meds.

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle, Joe had a growth removed from his scalp.

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez will have a heart procedure soon.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Encouragement and Opportunities

What a tumultuous couple of years Paul had, from being arrested and almost beaten to having assignation plots against him. Finally, to get justice, he had to appeal to have his case heard by Nero himself. Then there was the travel to get to Rome which ended up in his being shipwrecked on Malta. Finally Spring had arrived and travel resumed allowing him to be taken the rest of the way to Rome.

Although Paul knew God was with him, having been encouraged by an angel during the ill-fated voyage, he must have wonder what type of reception he would receive from the Christians – and Jews – in Rome. As they approached Rome he had to have been encouraged by what happened.

“From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they travelled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.” (Acts 28:13-16 NIV)

Puteoli was the nearest port to Rome, although there was still around 150 miles to travel, which would have taken at least a couple of weeks to walk. This would have given the Christians in Rome plenty of time to receive word that Paul was on the way. They travelled to meet him: Appius was about 45 miles from Rome and the Three Taverns (or Inns) was around 33 miles. This means that they travelled for several days to meet up with Paul and be with him as he completed the journey to Rome. That they were willing to do this shows us the love and concern that they had for him. He knew he had their support.

But what reception would he receive from the Jews, his fellow-countrymen? The Jews back in Judea were the reason Paul was a prisoner. When he was settled into his own house in Rome, guarded at all times by Roman soldiers, he sent for the Jewish leaders to explain why he, a Jew, was in Rome to have his case heard against other Jews.

“When they had assembled, Paul said to them: ‘My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.’” (Acts 28:17-20)

Paul assured them that he had nothing against the Jews but had been forced to appeal his case to Caesar to receive justice. This is why he wanted to talk with them and let them know that he was a prisoner because he believed in the hope of Israel.

They had heard nothing from Judea about him or his being a prisoner, but they were interested in learning more about what he believed. This gave Paul an opportunity to tell them about Jesus, using their own scriptures to back up what he said (Acts 28:23-24).

Two lessons stand out in this incident from Paul’s life. The first is our need to give encouragement to those who need it. When Christians go through difficult times we need to be there for them, as the Christians in Rome were for Paul, going out of their way to support him.

We also see the need to take advantage of situations in life where we can tell others about Jesus. Even as a prisoner he was able to let them know what he believed and why he believed it. May we always do the same.

Image by Tip Ro from pixabay.com. Free usage.

Jon Galloway, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-19-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

3-23 Rosibel Mendoza, Bobbie Taylor

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle, Joe had a growth removed from his scalp.

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Gladys Ramirez will have a heart procedure soon.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome. Also a fractured shin.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Why your identity matters

More than ever, Americans are answering the question, “Who are you” through increasingly diverse ways. We might define ourselves based upon our achievements, careers, relationships, ethnicity, positive or negative personal characteristics, gender, athleticism, academics, activism, hobbies, and the list goes on.

We live in a “you-do-you” age where it is assumed that the highest calling is to discover or create your own identity in whatever way you desire. Equally significant is the assumption that whatever you might choose is neither better nor worse than anyone else’s choice. Not so fast! Where we derive our identity matters.

Our identity might provide drive, focus and even happiness. Yet, if we anchor our identity upon something within this world, it will disappoint us sooner or later.

We know the signs of identity failure. Midlife crises raise the question, “Who am I?” Depression sets in when the current situation does not rise up to or align with who I want to be. Personal characteristics, like being humorous or athleticism wane with time. Once again, the list goes on.

And then there is the greatest identity failure of all, death. If you are the over-achiever, the family loyalist, the ethnic activist, the center of the party, or the female executive, who are you the moment you die? Where we derive our identity matters.

The New Testament describes an identity that endures. Unlike many earthbound identities it cannot be earned. It is simply given. Paul describes this identity as being “in Christ.” It is a significant phrase. Paul will use it and phrases related to it over 150 times in his letters.

In fact, it is usually part of the opening words in his letters to identify his recipients. “To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae” (Colossians 1:2).

If Christ is properly embraced, all other identities become secondary at most. While someone might be a plumber, a black woman, an overachiever, an athletic star, a member of the Jones’ family, each will realize that when they entered Christ they put on a new self and gained a new identity, more fundamental and foundational than anything they previously had.

In Paul’s words, “Since you have been raised with Christ …. and have put on the new self … Here there is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:1,10,11).

Death cannot touch this identity. “When Christ, (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him” (Colossians 34). Where we derive our identity matters.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 3-12-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

3-6 Gladys Ramirez

3-8 Dena Weeks

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from back injury.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

To accept or not to accept

Both scripture and American society promote and value acceptance. Yet they both recognize that certain principles should override acceptance. Acceptance is not always the right response.

So why do scripture and society sometimes collide over when acceptance is appropriate? And when culture prescribes acceptance but Christianity does not, does this make Christianity hateful? Or vice versa?

Since some people might doubt whether Christianity values acceptance, a brief review is in order.  Through Christ crucified God exemplified his concern for inclusion, unity and acceptance.  Through the gospel God reaches out to all people inviting everyone into one unified body where acceptance of one another is to be the order of the day.

Whatever social barriers and divisions that might exist in society are eliminated.  Male and female, Jew and Gentile, slave and free, urbanite and hillbilly all have the same status in Christ (Colossians 3:11). Unity and acceptance flourish in Christ.

In the first century when differences of opinion arose on dietary habits causing a rift in social interactions, Paul insisted Christians welcome one another. He commanded those strong in faith to accept the weaker because “God has accepted him” (Romans 14:1,315:1).

Therefore Paul could conclude, “Accept one another as Christ has accepted you, to God’s glory” (Romans 15:7). Christians bring glory to God if they will accept one another!

In his letter to Philemon, once again Paul promoted the principle of acceptance. Regarding Philemon’s runaway slave, Paul insisted that this master should “accept him as you would accept me” (Philemon 17).

Scripture repeatedly promotes acceptance and the healing of relationships. Inclusion and unity are valued. Christianity does not promote hateful actions either toward those within the body of Christ or outside. Jesus taught the second highest command is to love others as one loves oneself. This even includes one’s enemies! Christianity is not the way of hate.

Yet, this does not mean that acceptance is always the rule. Some principles should be valued higher and thus override tolerance and acceptance. Not everything is to be condoned.

Paul chided the Corinthian church for their pride in embracing an immoral man whose immorality exceeded even what Gentiles permitted (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). Paul’s prescription? Expel the evil influence from among them. It would corrupt others.

Paul counseled the church to avoid associating with any Christian entrenched in unrepentant sinful ways such as immorality, greed or being a swindler (1 Corinthians 5:9-11). Similarly other scriptures prohibit socializing with Christians whose unrepentant behavior reveals a rejection of God’s ways (2 Thessalonians 3:6,14,15Romans 16:17Matthew 18:17).

To seek someone’s repentance through withdrawing fellowship does not legitimize malicious activities. Christians are to seek everyone’s wellbeing. For those within Christ, the loving response for those in danger includes withdrawing fellowship to teach them where their path leads.

Switching to our society for a moment, it also values inclusion, tolerance and acceptance. Yet it recognizes some principles trump these values. Acceptance is not the highest value.

Our culture does not accept abusing the weak, nor violence, nor crime, etc. It recognizes it is not loving to condone an abuser – even though he or she might claim, ” this is who I am”. According to our culture, acceptance is not always the right response.

If both scripture and culture promote inclusion and acceptance, why do they sometimes clash? The reason is simple. Scripture and culture are built upon two different standards.

Humanity constructs its short or long lists of what is acceptable. Such lists will vary over time and from culture to culture.

Conversely, Christianity is built upon the standard of God’s final judgment. When God’s word reveals something is destructive and will be condemned, the loving response is to encourage repentance. Otherwise, that person will face the eternal consequences of God’s judgment.

Furthermore, ungodly behaviors are not private. They have a corrosive influence upon the community. Sin matters.

Everyone, whether secularist or Christian, agrees that when a building is on fire the loving response is to try to rescue those inside. The difference between culture and scripture is that sometimes culture does not recognize when God says the house is on fire.

Christianity is not hateful when it refuses to condone what the world might consider acceptable. The question of acceptability is a question about standards and whether those standards are reliable. World history has repeatedly revealed that culture is not a reliable basis for determining what is acceptable. God’s word might not always be popular, but it has endured the test of time.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 2-19-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

2-20 Eleuterio Oviedo

2-22 Lucas Camacho

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Danny Bannister, nephew of Tommy’s, recovering from double pneumonia with complications

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs recovering from surgery.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Timeless teaching

“You have been born anew, not from perishable but from imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God. For all flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of the grass; the grass withers and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was proclaimed to you” (1 Peter 1:23-25 NET)

Last week my boys were talking about missing their Pappaw. I said that I had picked up a book he wrote just that morning, and was thinking how it was nice that I could still sit at his feet. Yesterday was his birthday, and my thoughts again returned to that scene at the table.

These thoughts brought my mind to a book by Rod and Brenda Rutherford,  Of Whom The World Was Not Worthy. This work briefly recounts the efforts of several missionaries over the last 150 years. The lives of men and women like J.M. McCaleb, George Benson, Sarah Andrews, and Otis Gatewood are highlighted. All those honored in the pages of this work have since passed from this life except the subjects of the final chapter, Edwin and Lina Crookshank.

When I was in school at the East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions, it was Rod Rutherford who taught our missions class. On one occasion he invited Ed Crookshank to speak to the students. After a presentation of the work in Malawi, this good brother passionately appealed for more workers to enter the field. The Crookshank’s time was drawing to a close and they hoped to leave their work in the hands of those who shared their passion for — and philosophy of — simple gospel teaching.

Contemplating this brought into stark relief the contrast between what we teach and those who teach. We are bound by time. We have a time of “light” where we can work, but eventually that light grows dim and our time is concluded. It is good to remember those who labored for the Lord. And, as the Rutherford’s say in their introduction, hopefully to once again light “the flame of evangelic fires among the current generation.”

The word taught endures throughout the ages, ever ancient, yet ever new. But the one teaching is like grass which withers in the hot summer heat. Ever is the need for renewal. Each generation must take up the work, understanding that we are but tools to be worn out in the Master’s cause.

Yet there is a way for the work of the past to endure in the present. The wisdom of the Ancient of Days to preserve his mind in the form of written words speaks to us today. These timeless words — collectively known as “the faith” (Jude 3) — produce faith in those who hear or read (Romans 10:17).

Of Abel, the Hebrews writer says, “through his faith he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith he still speaks, though he is dead” (Hebrews 11:4).

All the faithful work of ages past still speaks to us today. Every time I pick up a book by Wayne Jackson, Thomas Warren, or Guy N. Woods, that man still speaks. Every article faithfully examining scripture, every recording of gospel preaching, and every heart impacted by a faithful mother or Bible class teacher still speaks.

I am thankful for so many who have helped me in my journey to overcome self and embrace the cross. My prayer is that their work will live on in the lives of my children.

While God’s workers come and go, the work endures. But only if it is built upon, and faithful toward, the timeless truths taught in the sacred writings.

Your work, dear Christian, is not in vain.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV).

Link to original article

Bulletin for 2-12-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Rachel Prater, Dena’s cousin, Rodney’s, recovering at home. Prayers please.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in a program in Houston. Keep praying, please!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Bill Grubbs getting another look at his skin cancer on his face.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

Assuming authority or exercising authority? 1 Timothy 2:12

Have you ever encountered different translations supporting different doctrines that promote conflicting practices? One such example can be found in 1 Timothy 2:12 where some translations have the phrase “assume authority” (NIV 2011) while others read “exercise authority” (NASB, ESV, NET) or “have authority over” (RSV, NIV).

What’s the difference? Within the church setting, the first rendering would prohibit a woman from taking it upon herself to step into a role of authority over men. Hence, these versions suggest that if she were to be granted a position of authority by others then this would be acceptable.

However, the latter two translations would prohibit a woman from occupying a role of authority over men within the church. So which is it?

Which do we want Paul to have taught? Our desire might influence how we handle the data.

A number of years ago, it was pointed out that the Greek word authenteō can be or should be translated as assume authority. Is this the end of the matter? Hardly. Let’s look at the evidence.

Authenteō is a rare word within Greek literature. Nevertheless, we can trace its extant usage through the passage of time./1 Our concern is what did this word mean in Paul’s day? This would provide the greatest probability of what he intended to communicate. Any additional meanings which might have appeared hundreds of years later would not be a good candidate for what Paul intended.

  • 1st Century B.C. Philodemus, De Rhetorica 2.133 If Sudhaus’ reconstruction of a fragmentary papyrus that inserts the noun form of authenteō into the text is correct, then either the meaning is “with murderous masters” or “with dominating masters.” Just as race can refer to both competition as well as an ethnic designation, so too authenteō appears to be a homonym for two distinct lexemes.
  • 27/26 B.C. Papyrus BGU 1208.38 “I exercised authority over him, and he consented to provide for Kalatytis the boatman on terms of the full fare, within the hour.” This Egyptian text deals with the Roman government leasing ferrying boats. In this case the Roman official affirms his authority over the tax farmer who dealt directly with the ferryman Kalatytis. The Roman official overturned the tax farmer’s decision.
  • The Astrological Treatise Methodus Mystic “the one who is superior to the former …” Using the planet Mercury to describe a common laborer and Mercury’s position as identifying different laborers’ status, it describes the possibility of the laborer (a slave) being more professionally equipped than the tradesmen previously listed, but who receives no wages.
  • Either slightly prior to or following 1 BC. Aristonicus Alexandrinus, On the Signs of the Illiad, I.694 (9.694) Aristonicus remarks on the critical sign Aristarchus had earlier made in his copy of the Illiad indicating that a line in the Iliad should be deleted. Aristonicus’ note comments that the expression marked by the critical sign is a formulaic one within the Illiad indicating when the originator (authentōn) of the speech had said something shocking. However, in this case nothing shocking has been said and hence Aristonicus’ note concurs the statement should be deleted.

——— What follows comes after Paul wrote 1 Timothy ———

  • 2nd century A.D. Ptolemy, Tetrabiblos 3.14.10 Saturn “controls Mercury and the moon …” The term for having control over is placed in parallel with house control meaning ruler. Some have understood the aorist tense use of authenteō can communicate gaining control over.
  • 2nd or 3rd century A.D. Morris Atticista, Lexicon Atticum s.v. autodiken. Morris encouraged using an Attic Greek word instead of the substandard “Hellenic” word authenteō. Since his preferred word meant to plead one’s own case in a judicial setting, we can assume authenteō for him could also carry this meaning.
  • Late 2nd or 3rd century A.D. The Papyrus P. Text. 276.28 If this damaged text about astrological ideas contained authenteō, it seems it signified rule.
  • Date uncertain. Somewhere between later 1st century to late Roman period. Scholoion on Aeschylus, Eumenides 42. This is a critical note made on a much earlier classical text. Since the note conveys the kin-murderer meaning of the homonym, it is irrelevant to this discussion.
  • 3rd or 4th century A.D. Eusebius of Caesarea, Eccl. Theology. 3.5.21.1 “The Father being sovereign [authentountos] and bestowing grace.” In Christian writings subsequent to Eusebius, persons of the Godhead are described as having authority [authenteō]. Thus showing once again that this word carried a positive connotation of authority.
  • 371 A.D Basil the Great, Epistle 69.1,3 “he might himself act on his own authority in the matter …” This usage of the verb accounts for almost half of all occurrences after 312 A.D., that is after Constantine legitimized the church.
  • 387-397 A.D. John Chrysostom, Hom. Gen. Homilia 4 “she had control and authority over her son.” Following the time of Chrysostom several examples exist where authenteō conveys being the master of or having authority over.
  • 449 A.D. Pope Leo I Epistula 30 in ACO 2.1.1, 46 “At the instigation of Eutyches …” Eight examples exist of authenteō signifying initiate or instigate with Pope Leo I being the earliest one.

So what does the evidence reveal? The idea that authenteō signified acting on one’s own authority or taking the initiative appears much later than the New Testament. Both before and after the 1st century authenteō signified exercising authority or having authority with such authority being positive. In 1 Timothy 2:12 authenteō is in the present tense not the aorist tense. It would appear Paul prohibited exercising authority, not assuming authority.

This conclusion is further strengthened by ancient translations which convey ideas associated with having authority as opposed to bestowing authority upon oneself. Furthermore, early Christian writings such as from Origen and John Chrysostom also support authenteō as having authority. Then from the fifth century, the voice of the Cyrillic Lexicon rings out in the lexicon of Hesychius where the meaning of authenteō is equated with another Greek work [exousiazō] signifying “to exercise authority.”

Tons of ink have been spilt on this subject. At this point where do you think the evidence points?

______

1/ Secondary resources mentioning one or more of the primary resources cited above include: George Knight, Authenteō In Reference to Women in 1 Timothy 2.12 in New Test. Studies 30, pp. 143-157. Köestenberger and Schreiner, Women in the Church, pp. 65-115. Carroll Osburn, Authenteō (1 Timothy 2:12) in Restoration Quarterly 25:1, pp. 1-12.

link to original article

Bulletin for 2-5-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

2-8 David Mendoza

2-10 Dan & Carolyn Anthony, Sam & Alice Pirozzo

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Chaney Reames is undergoing extensive dental work.

Rachel Prater, Dena’s cousin, Rodney’s, recovering at home. Prayers please.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in a program in Houston. Keep praying, please!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

What’s your calling?

Ephesians 4:1 reads: “I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called.” A Bible study group was asked, “What is this calling you have?”

The first person to answer repeated a persistent problem. Her reply ignored the biblical context. She offered the first idea that popped into her mind.

So what did she think Paul was urging her to fulfill? Her answer echoed what a  host of others might say off the top of their heads. Such answers might include caring for the mentally ill, serving children, tending to the elderly and widows, helping the poor, taking care of my family, providing assistance to the disadvantaged – these speculative responses could go on.

It is true that both Christ and Paul would have us show love to all of these groups of people. However, when Paul wrote, “I urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1) did he have in mind individuals called to different niche areas of service? Not at all!

Unfortunately when she read “calling,” she assumed this referred to some mission just for her. To escape imposing our ideas upon the text, context must be king.

Previously in Ephesians Paul had outlined God’s audacious plan to unite all things in heaven and on earth in the Messiah. He had also explained how Christians are a part of God’s grand project and how as God’s workmanship they have been raised up with Christ to do good works. God has given his people a purpose to fulfill!

Thus after providing an overview of God’s plan and how God’s holy people fit into his plan (Ephesians 1-3), Paul wrote “Therefore”  (Ephesians 4:1). In other words, it is in view of all that Paul had just taught about God, Christ and what God desires to do through his people that Paul focused his readers upon their proper response to God! God’s people need to fulfill their purpose, that is their calling, that God has given them.

This aligns how in other texts Paul identified the calling to who God had made his people to be, namely holy (1 Corinthians 1:2Romans 1:7). In this particular text “calling” points to being God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus in the likeness of God to do good works (Eph. 1:182:104:24). To live worthily of this calling involves fulfilling the general purpose/mission God has for all of his people. Calling does not refer to some individualized or niche task. The remainder of Ephesians unpacks the details of how to live worthy of this calling that God has for all of his people.

How does someone live upto this calling? Paul provided a brief summary. It involves living as those filled “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3). God has created oneness in Christ. By our behavior and attitudes we are to maintain the unity God has created; not grieve the Spirit by working against him with the sinful tools of the devil.

The latter part of Ephesians, chapters 4-6, outlines various practical ideas regarding this lifestyle which God’s community should exemplify. In chapter 4 Paul began by explaining the foundation God has provided for oneness as well as Christ’s gifts promoting maturity and unity in Christ (Ephesians 4:4-16).

Then Paul pressed forward into affirming both general principles (Ephesians 4:17-5:21) as well as details for specific social roles (Ephesians 5:22-6:9) that are appropriate for those created in the likeness of God. God’s ways, not sin, should permeate Christ’s unified community. Thus maintaining the unity God has created will entail living in godly ways instead of giving the devil a foothold.

As Christians God has given us a new identity with clear marching orders. We are to be people who live up to being his handiwork who promote and maintain God’s work in Christ. To do this, we must live as people of light.

Barry Newton, link to original article

Bulletin for 1-29-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Dominic Reames has been fighting strep

Rachel Prater, Dena’s cousin, Rodney’s, recovering at home. Prayers please.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in a program in Houston. Keep praying, please!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Sympathy: Please remember the family of Kathy Teeter, grandmother of a close friend of Emma Reames.

Also remember the family of Marilyn Buckley, Steve’s sister’s sister-in-law. She passed away yesterday.

Article:

Christ Jesus to us

What is Jesus to you? Savior? Lord? Teacher? Friend? Yes, he must be all these and more.

The Christians at Corinth had a mistaken notion of wisdom. This gave rise to pride which resulted in divisions. Paul sought to disabuse them of the notion that worldly wisdom was preferred.

“For it is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart’” (1 Corinthians 1:19).

Messiah crucified was an obstacle too massive for some Jews. That a god would care about mankind to the extent that he would come and become one of them was foolishness to the Greek world.

“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Yet it is this stumbling block, this foolish thing, which is the power and wisdom of God. Jesus’ incarnation and crucifixion demonstrate the wisdom of God’s plan to save man.

Read again 1 Corinthians 1:30 quoted above. As the ESV renders it, God’s wisdom is further explained by three terms: “righteousness,” “sanctification,” and “redemption.”

Righteousness

God’s righteousness is revealed in Jesus (Romans 3:21, 22). Man sinned, the law was broken, and Jesus satisfied the punishment due us. His sacrificial gift on the cross allowed God to account us as righteous. Thus God can be both just and the justifier.

Sanctification

Those who are in Jesus have been set apart by the Father. Why would he do that? Isaiah offers us a preview of what sanctification in Jesus partially is. When Isaiah is given a view of the One who is “Holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6:3), he despairs for he is tainted by his sin and the sin of his people (Isaiah 6:5). But God cleanses Isaiah (Isaiah 6:6, 7) and then sets him on a task (Isaiah 6:8-13).

When Jesus prayed to His Father concerning his disciples, he requests that the Father, “sanctify them in the truth” (John 17:17), and ties that to Jesus sending them into the world (John 17:18).

We are sanctified not to sit but to strive and struggle for the Savior’s kingdom.

Redemption

We sold ourselves into slavery. When we choose to sin, we allow sin to reign over us.

“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

But for those in Jesus, we have, “redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7). This redemption is eternal in nature (Hebrews 9:12).

What is Christ to you? To me, he is the wisdom of God who makes me righteous, sets me apart for his work, and redeems my immortal soul.

Praise God for his wisdom! Praise God for Christ Jesus!

Lee Parish, link to original article

 

Bulletin for 1-22-23

Birthdays and Anniversaries

None this week

Prayer requests:

Tommy & Regena Reames are improving

Stacey Esner has a severely sprained ankle

Dominic Reames has been fighting strep

Rachel Prater, Dena’s cousin, Rodney’s, recovering at home. Prayers please.

Chloe Birdwell, relative of the Weeks’s, great improvement, in a program in Houston. Keep praying, please!

Paul Tyler has a bad sort Parkinson’s. Got stem cell treatments. Pray for their success.

Shirley Weeks, Steve’s mom, continues to have trouble.

Teresa Weeks, Steve’s sister, having age related issues. She has Down’s Syndrome.

Sarah, Chris Girvin’s sister, on hospice care

Robert and Sue Waller, health issues

Darla Nitti, Wendi’s mom, good report

Leta, has a recurring cancer, prayer request from her granddaughter via our website.

Tammy Jones, Weeks’ neighbor, kidney failure/dialysis

Article:

The trembling apostle

Who of us doesn’t love that Bible verse where the apostle Paul reduces the message he preached to a single line? “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” 1 Corinthians 2.2 ESV. Here the gospel is contained in a short and powerful phrase.

But how many times have you heard a teacher expound upon the statement that follows?

And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, v. 3.

How many times have you heard a missionary report, “We are insufficient for this task”?

How often has a preacher said, “I have nothing to offer”?

Did a teacher ever admit, “I know nothing”?

When did an elder ever confess, “God is good and wise, not me!”

We like to hear stories of total victory. We clobber the Pentecostals who preach that God removes all problems and blesses his people with health and wealth. They claim Cloud Nine comes down to earth for us to ride through our earthly journey with no bumps or lumps.

Let us confess, however, that we have a touch of this sickness.

We don’t want to hear about the problems of the messenger or the frailties of his work. We want baptisms, baptisms, baptisms! We want to believe that the gospel is growing and progressing unimpeded in the world.

Maybe we feel our own struggles and want to know that somewhere, somehow, grace is flowing to and through souls in a practically miraculous way. No weeping Jeremiah for our day! But isn’t this exactly when and where grace flows?

Paul will not let us off the hook so easily. He was called to suffer (aren’t we all?). The Lord told Ananias,

But the Lord said to him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” Acts 9.15-16 NET.

Paul went to Corinth in weakness and fear and trembling. The great B.W. Johnson commented on this verse that “In this great center of Greek culture, he felt a human timidity at first in presenting the simple gospel in the face of the splendors of the Greek philosophy.”

But was it in fact human philosophy that cowed him? Rather, was it not the “settled policy” to always preaching nothing but Christ and to demonstrate the nothingness of the preacher? (A.C. Thistleton, NIGTC).

Paul did not decide to do things differently in Corinth, after Athens. Instead of accepting the pedestal the Corinthians wanted to put him on – the great cause of division in that congregation and in many congregations today – Paul insisted on doing what he did everywhere: He would be the suffering, trembling messenger of God. Similar to the resurrection body, the messenger of the News sows in weakness that the power of the Lord might become evident, 1 Corinthians 15.43; 2.4. It is the earthen vessel, whose fragility highlights the glorious power of God.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

Even though the gospel fell flat, mostly, in Athens, Paul refused to consider doing something differently in Corinth. If he exalted himself, if he tried to spar as an equal with the philosophers, if he tried to tweak the gospel to make it more acceptable as the True Philosophy of Christ, he would have created another gospel and sapped the message of its divine power.

Verse 3 must follow verse 2 or there is no message of Christ and him crucified. Paul’s weakness and fear and trembling are the plan of God, the necessity of the teacher, the genius of the gospel.

Paul is saying here, I am nothing, Christ is everything. Because only in this way could faith focus on God, “so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” 1 Corinthians 2.5.

The truth of our weakness must be lived and proclaimed today. It will give us comfort, relief, joy, and hope.

Therefore, let us tremble.

J. Randal Matheny, link to original article