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Army Basic Training, Army of God, Bible Study, Bible themes; Revelation;, BibleGateway, Holy Spirit, Preparedness, Questions, Scripture, Soldier of Christ
I just returned from a delightful trip to Missouri to see my youngest son, Matthew Ippolito, graduate from Army Basic Training. Before graduation there was a “Family Day”, when we got to spend time with him, and hear about all that he had learned. Matthew had high praise for his drill sergeants, and how they taught the new soldiers lessons to help them be ready to face things they might encounter while serving their country.
One story Matthew told was how the drill sergeants would always look for opportunities to grab a soldier’s weapon from them-times when the soldier was paying attention to something else, and was vulnerable to sneak attack. They learned to be very aware of the feel of their weapon, and Matthew said he felt like he was missing a part of himself without it. They were also taught the importance of cleaning and properly maintaining their guns, so that they would work properly when they needed to use them. All valuable lessons designed to keep them alive in battle.
The Bible tells us that we too are to be prepared as Christian Soldiers. Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.(1Peter 3:13-16) What we are told to be prepared to defend is our faith. And knowing how to do this is important, as Peter stresses again in his second epistle. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.(2 Peter 3:17-18)
It is not enough just to know a few scripture passages. Scripture, taken out of context, can be twisted to say something different than God’s meaning. Think of modern media interviews, where things a person says can be edited together to make it seem like they are saying something totally different than what they actually meant. The same is true of the Bible. Pulling a verse or two from the Bible, out of context, and not paying attention to the genre of the writing, nor the audience it was written to, can lead to erroneous interpretations of Holy Scripture.
First, we must remember that the Bible is one book, with one central theme. I recently heard a pastor say that the theme could be summed up in one word- Emmanuel, which means God with us. God created the earth and was with Adam and Eve in the garden, until their sin broke the fellowship and banished them from God’s presence. God rejected man’s attempts to use human methods to restore the relationship at Babble, but began the process of restoring fellowship by calling Abram, and promising renewed fellowship through his offspring. God spoke to his people directly, in Exodus, and was present with them in cloud and fire. He signified his presence with them by appearing as a cloud in the tabernacle and the temple. The Israelites continued to sin, and God sent prophets to communicate His words to them. He even allowed the temple to be destroyed, so the people would recognize that He was not dwelling with them. When the temple was rebuilt, God again rejected this human effort, and did not fill the temple with the cloud of His presence.
Then about 400 years later, God tabernacled with his people again when he became incarnate as the man Jesus Christ. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel”(which means, God with us). (Matthew 1:23) Jesus was the true temple, God with man. Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.(John 2:19-22) After Jesus was raised and glorified at the right hand of the Father, they sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in the hearts of believers. On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)
Proper interpretation of any piece of Scripture must take its place in this metanarrative into account. Those who believe God are gifted with the Holy Spirit, literally “the helper”, who guides us in understanding God’s Word. I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.(1 John 2:26-27) And of course, in today’s world of modern technology, we have reliable commentators and resources at our fingertips. (I use Biblegateway.com when I write this blog- it has notes from The Reformation Study Bible and several commentaries and Bible dictionaries available to easily access from each page you are reading.)
I actually enjoy when someone challenges something the Bible says, because I love the puzzle of putting it into the proper context and understanding. If you have any passages that particularly challenge you, leave them for me in a comment, and I would be happy to search the Scripture for answers.
soli deo gloria,
Diane