(The Caribbean Pioneer - October 2000)
The following is a list of this month's articles.
Spirit, Soul and Body I Thessalonians 5:23
At the Lord's Table - The Kiss of Friendship
"You Also Must be Ready" Matthew 24:44
Spirit, Soul and Body I Thessalonians 5:23
The Apostle Paul evidently thought of spirit, soul and body as making up the "whole" person, a fully integrated individual. His prayer was that we might be "sanctified wholly" (NIV "through and through") and so appear before Jesus at his return "blameless." Moreover, he envisaged that this is a work of God, not a human achievement at all: "The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonian saints is a pointed echo of Moses’ words: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart (spirit), and with all your soul and with all your strength (of body)" (Deut. 6:5).
The whole person
The biblical doctrine of the "whole" person is a first principle. It
deeply affects our understanding of sin and of holiness. But very few people believe this
basic Bible doctrine, and from very many discussions with brothers and sisters, many of us
Christadelphians do not accept it, or at least we do not face up to its implications for
ourselves.
Before his conversion, Saul of Tarsus found this doctrine very hard to accept, and even after he had become a Christian, the old thinking kept coming back – that in some way the body, with its fleshly appetites, acts separately from the ego, the true self, the part of us that is ashamed of what the body does (Romans 7:14-24). From our own experience we recognize much truth in what Paul says, but in Romans 8 - 10 Paul shows that God’s forgiving mercy and His spirit, through the power of His word working on our regenerated hearts, can and will enable us to be "sanctified through and through," to be "blameless" and even "faultless" when we are presented by Jesus Christ to his Father at his judgement seat. The constant warnings of Jesus about hypocrisy should remind us that not one of us dares approach the soon coming judgement day believing that, because we have not committed a lot of gross "bodily" sins, he will turn a blind eye to unconfessed sins of the "spirit."
"Sin is lawlessness" (I Jn. 3:4)
It is most instructive to examine the teaching of Jesus regarding those who are
rejected at the day of judgement. The sins which will lead to our rejection includes lack
of mercy and an unforgiving spirit (Matt. 18:34-35); an uncaring attitude to those in need
(Matt. 25:41-43); hardness of heart (Matt. 21:28-32); pride and refusal to acknowledge
one’s own sinfulness (Luke 7:40-47) and idle and malicious speech and scandalizing of
others (Matt. 5:22). Even though adultery is clearly considered a sin, it is the lustful
thoughts of the heart that no one can see that most concern the Lord (Matt. 5:28). It is
abundantly clear that, for Jesus, sins of the heart are our paramount danger and far more
likely to lead to our ultimate rejection than any gross immorality of the "flesh."
There is a great tendency among us to emphasize bodily or fleshly, especially sexual, sins. We somehow manage to deceive ourselves that begetting an illegitimate child, getting a divorce, or marrying out of the faith are terrible, inexcusable sins warranting instant and often dramatic expulsion from the body of Christ, whereas grumbling, pride, worldly ambition, financial irresponsibility, laziness, scandalizing, lying, and flagrant misuse of the tongue are completely excusable.
A recent analysis of recorded expulsions from the Brotherhood indicates that 80% were for "fleshly," mainly sexual, sins, and almost all the rest were for doctrinal departure or simply absence from the Lord’s table. Only a minuscule portion (less than 1%) of the recent expulsions were for the deadly sins listed by Paul, "hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy" (Gal. 5:20-21).
Several leading brethren have told us that these are "inevitable" or "not really very serious," and that it is "morbid" of us to concern ourselves with their prevalence in the Brotherhood. We totally disagree.
Four deadly sins
It is instructive to note that in I Corinthians 10:1-10, the apostle Paul picks on four
sins which, he emphasizes, will keep us from eternal life: idolatry, sexual immorality,
testing the Lord (that is, challenging the Lord’s providence), and grumbling. "So,"
Paul continues, "if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you
don’t fall!" (v.12).
We recently had the experience of having to listen to a brother listing a long catalogue of "immoral" sins we Caribbean brothers and sisters are supposedly guilty of to the shame of the Brotherhood as a whole (which we did not attempt to deny), while the "dissensions" and "factions" and "evil speaking" and similar sins of the "spirit" in another part of the world, which have led the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, were whitewashed and completely trivialized. It was a glaring example of the mote and the beam (Matt. 7:3-5).
We have no intention of justifying fornication. It is not only abhorrent to God, but with AIDS sweeping the world, it is a dangerous and foolish way of life in the Caribbean, the U.S.A. and everywhere else. But an obsession with carnality to the exclusion of other deadly sins derives directly from the Apostasy. It was institutionalised by "saint" Augustine and perpetuated by John Calvin. Their bias is illustrated by the KJV translation of Philippians 3:21: "our vile body." The Greek word simply means "of lowly status." God created us, including our wonderful bodies, in His own image. It is Platonic and Calvinist heresy to consider our bodies "vile." We have tended to follow this prurient hypocrisy and not the clear teaching -- and practice -- of Jesus as recorded in the scriptures. We can and should "glorify God in our bodies" (I Cor. 6:13,20). Just contrast the attitude of our Lord to the adulterous woman of John 8, to the Samaritan woman of John 4, to the street girl of Luke 7 and to many others guilty of "immorality" with his scathing denunciation of heartlessness, pride, hardness of heart, and lack of concern for others among those who claimed to be religious. To whom did he extend his arms of compassion? To whom did he offer hope and comfort? What worries us is a "double standard," the tendency to be "partial," and to show "respect of persons in judgement," all of which are condemned in scripture.
"Flee from sexual immorality"
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body,
but he who sins sexually sins against his own body" (I Cor. 6:18). Most of our
poor, young brothers and sisters in the Caribbean have no hope of marriage and family
life. A home of their own is just a dream. The temptation for us to be content with a "relationship,"
as we euphemistically call it, is acute. The outside insistence that the solution is to
marry regardless of economic and social circumstances and conditions is certainly not the
answer, as we have found to our cost and sorrow. Caribbean brothers and sisters do not
cover up or excuse less than exemplary behaviour, but neither do we stigmatise it out of
all proportion. Lapses are always regretted and repented of.
"The tongue is a fire"
"The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts
the whole person" (James 3:6). Many brothers and sisters in Europe and North
America, who tend to see defilement as only sexual, just do not accept James’
teaching and certainly fail to recognise that misuse of the tongue (and pen or computer)
is gross immorality. Recently we were shocked at some correspondence on the Internet,
which has become a high-tech use of the tongue. We can say with James, "this
should not be" (Jam. 3:10).
Some sins are worse than others
Although all sin defiles the whole person, in God’s eyes some sins are
undoubtedly worse than others. According to the prophet Nathan, the worst aspects of
David’s sin with Bathsheba were not sexual at all. They were despising the word of
the LORD, ingratitude for divine blessings, secrecy, insensitivity and lack of pity (2
Samuel 12:5-12).
Our sexuality is a precious gift of God, given before sin entered into the world (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:21-25). Like hunger for food, it is a vital and natural part of our make-up. And like hunger, it can be terribly abused. But even when abused, the sin is not predominantly sexual as such. The deep sin in adultery is stealing what belongs to someone else, as Nathan carefully explained to David. The real vice in fornication is in enjoying the ecstasy of sexual union without accepting the attendant lifelong responsibilities of married life and parenthood.
True pleasure requires appropriate responsibility. This is the real reason why, to Jesus, a divorcer is no better than an adulterer. European serial marriage is just socially accepted adultery, just as "de facto marriage" in the Caribbean is socially accepted fornication – enjoyment without responsibility. And as we see in David’s case, adultery can be forgiven by God – and hopefully by ourselves – as can any other grievous sin.
Mercy is what we all need
Finally, let us face the uncomfortable truth that whether we belong to American,
European or Caribbean ecclesias, none of us will ever be in God’s Kingdom without a
generous dose of the forgiveness and mercy of Almighty God. Although we are made in
God’s image, there is one big difference. We learn from medical science that every
act, every word, every thought is imprinted somewhere in our brains. Only when we die are
they erased. But God, who made the brain and the memory, can deliberately "forget."
When He forgives, we are told over and over, it is absolutely unconditional. He remembers
our sins no more. What a grace! What a blessing! How thankful we should be!
Alan Eyre and Gerzel Gordon
It is with deep gratitude that we, the family of Aaron Nathaniel Isaacs – Bro. Glen – address the following sentiments to the world-wide circle of brethren and sisters in our Brotherhood, well-wishers, sympathizers and friends, who have lovingly supported us in our time of bereavement.
You may have called us on the telephone, cabled or traveled from overseas, sent a lovely card, written personal messages in notes and letters, or visited us at home to spend precious moments in reflection and prayers.
You may have given time in needful service as we prepared to engage in the public final celebrations for the life of our dear departed brother Glen.
You may not have found it convenient to be with us in person, yet remembered us in your prayers and meditations, and reached out to touch us in your thoughts and emotions.
You may have attended the function held on the Friday for "tributes," or you may have been one of more than 2,000 persons who attended the Thanksgiving Service in the auditorium.
You may have paid verbal tribute to Glen’s life of public and fraternal service, as intimately touching and influencing your life and the lives of others.
You may have contributed generously in cash to help defray the funeral expenses, or with cash or pledges to support the Aaron Isaacs Scholarship Fund established in his name.
You may have participated in the preparation of the site of his final mortal resting place.
If you have done any of these things or anything else not included here, be assured that your deed has not gone unnoticed, but instead, has been observed and met with our approval and profound appreciation.
Kindly accept this public recognition and this expression of sincere gratitude. Words are utterly inadequate. There is just no way we could ever reply individually to the deluge of love that has come our way. Your overwhelming support has contributed immensely to our upliftment during this time of sorrow.
We thank God for the brothers and sisters who He has given to us, and we thank God also that Bro. Glen and ten other members of our extended biological family are a part of this wonderful family of God.
As we deal with our loss, we will always be comforted by your love and tremendous support.
We do look forward to meeting brother Glen again in God’s Kingdom.
God bless you all.
The Isaacs Family
Through Sis. Dorothy Isaacs (Port Maria, Jamaica)
At the Lord's Table - The Kiss of Friendship
The king kissed Barzillai and gave him his blessing (II Sam. 19:39).
The kiss of friendship is a wonderful and heartwarming token of our practical fellowship in the Truth. Barzillai was eighty years old. Nevertheless, he could not bear to see a dear friend and brother in distress and not open his heart and wallet to help. He brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery, wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, honey and curds, sheep and cheese from cow’s milk for David and his people to eat. His thought was, "The people have become hungry and tired and thirsty in the desert" (II Sam. 17:27-29).
That is true friendship. That is real fellowship in the bonds of the faith: ample, timely help, given ungrudgingly.
A kiss of gratitude
Friends know our strengths and weaknesses, as Barzillai must have done, but they show love
just the same.
Brother, sister: please ask yourself, "Who has been a Barzillai to me?" Then note how David acknowledged Barzillai’s practical friendship -- by generosity in return; and when, in part, that was impractical, a warm kiss of friendship.
Brother, sister: do you always acknowledge your Barzillais? How do you show it practically? A beautiful greeting card with carefully chosen words? A brief letter of thanks? A visit of cheer at an appropriate time?
To mark his conversion, Levi Matthew threw a party for his co-workers, to introduce them to Jesus, his new friend. What a joyful occasion it was! And the chief and most joyful and appreciative guest was the greatest of all friends (Luke 5:29).
Showing friendship
The kiss of friendship must always have been the typical greeting among Jesus and his
disciples, as it is today among Caribbean Christadelphians. Otherwise Judas would not have
used it in his dastardly way to identify his Master. Are we worthy of our Master’s
friendship?
Five times the New Testament epistles exhort us to greet each other with "the holy kiss." It rises above race, tradition and culture. It symbolizes the bond of a friendship that only the children of God can experience.
Luke 7:45 would indicate that at the Lord’s table, Jesus as the host welcomed each disciple with the kiss of friendship. Matthew 18:20 and Song of Songs 1:1 would imply that even during the absence of our Bridegroom, in a spiritual sense, in heart and mind and in our imagination, at the Lord’s table we will be greeted still with his warm kiss of friendship.
James Samuels, Port Maria, Jamaica
Who was "guilty of a greater sin," Pontius Pilate or Caiaphas? Why?
Why was Esau unable to repent, even though he sought "the blessing" anxiously with tears?
The prophetess Huldah told king Josiah that he would be "buried in peace," yet he was killed by an arrow at the famous battle of Carchemish. Did Huldah make a mistake?
How many times is the wicked city of Sodom mentioned in the Bible? 20, 9, 29, 49 or 69?
Which people are described as "arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy"? What happened to them?
What was the sin of Achan son of Carmi? He made a full confession to Joshua. So why was he stoned to death?
King David said to Gad the seer, "I have done a very foolish thing"? What was it, and why was it foolish?
Which first-century brother was told, "Repent of this wickedness!" What wickedness was it, and did he repent?
Who "prayed and confessed, weeping and throwing himself down before the house of God"? What sins was he confessing?
Why was king Saul rejected even though he twice repented and confessed, "I have sinned"?
Elihu said that Job added something to his sin which made it much worse. What was it? Was Elihu right?
Answers will be provided in next month's edition.
"You Also Must be Ready" Matthew 24:44
In Yellowstone National Park in America there is a famous geyser called the Great Steamboat. A geyser is a fountain which suddenly blasts out a tall column of boiling water and steam at intervals. It is truly a spectacular sight when it happens. Great Steamboat is the biggest geyser in the world. The scientists who try to predict an eruption are called vulcanologists, and they study the signs that herald its coming. The time periods of previous eruptions are analysed carefully to see if there is a pattern of prior events which may give a warning that an eruption is imminent. Their predictions are posted in the Park Visitor Center. They are honest enough to admit that it is hard to be accurate in predicting an event the timing of which is variable. Even "Old Faithful," another famous geyser in the park, is, so they say, often off-schedule for no apparent reason.
On this day in August, 2000, there was great anticipation. Most of the signs indicated that a really big eruption of the Great Steamboat was imminent. Expectant crowds gathered on the boardwalks around the sulphurous geyser pool, waiting. The temperature was 96 F° and the sun was hot. There were many families with infants, including a pair of tiny twins wrapped up in a shawl to keep off the fierce sun. The park rangers had indicated some final signs that could herald the coming event. One was a particular type of water movement on the surface of the pool. Another was the behaviour of the steam. All eyes were glued to scrutinize every bubble and swirl.
When I arrived at the pool, some watchers had already been several hours on the boardwalk. I stayed and watched intently like others for three hours, and the crowd thickened at first. But as the delay lengthened, many drifted off disappointed. Deciding that not all the expected signs were yet in place, I wandered off to look at some other curious volcanic features. Suddenly, a great cry went up, and I rushed back to the pool to see some violent activity in progress in the pool, just as predicted. Hearing the cry, many other people ran too, in eager anticipation. We watched the turmoil in the pool for half an hour, and to our great dismay it subsided, and the expected geyser eruption did not follow.
Thoroughly disillusioned, and baked by the sun, the crowds drifted off until the boardwalk was finally deserted.
The great eruption
Just before dawn, at the cockcrowing, while I was in bed, two early risers were
walking hand in hand along the boardwalk when, with a thunderous roar, the great geyser
erupted, firing a column of boiling water 150 feet into the air, and then a fierce jet of
steam twice that height. I was asleep. I missed everything. By the time I had rushed to
the scene, it was all over. I was too late.
The vulcanologists were right. They knew there would be an eruption. But they were also wrong. They did not know the day or the hour.
A valuable lesson
Which things are an allegory. As students of prophecy we know all the signs, or at
least we think we do. We know the scripture time periods: 430 years to the end of Amorite
wickedness, then deliverance; 70 years of captivity, then restoration; 490 years to
Messiah the Prince, then the bringing in of everlasting righteousness; 40 years to the
destruction of Jerusalem, then Israel’s scattering; 1000 years of millennial reign in
Jerusalem, then God all in all.
I have been reading several confident predictions of the great eruption. Bro. John Thomas was sure of one date, Bro. Robert Roberts even more convinced of another. I have just read through a book by Bro. Walter Carter. His scriptural reasoning is very convincing. I can understand why his readers in the 1940’s and 50’s would have been on tiptoe with expectation.
Why did we all drift away from the pool? We knew the geyser eruption was a certainty. Yet only two lovers were there to see it in all its majesty! The rest of us had gone to sleep.
Jesus knew why we lost interest. "Keep watch, because you do not know when the time is – whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping" (Mark 13:35-36).
Of all God’s time periods specified in Scripture, the only one which Jesus said even he himself was uncertain about is the time of the biggest event of all, his second coming. Why?
Ever since, to my chagrin, I missed that big eruption a few weeks ago, I have been troubled about the answer to that question. The only possible conclusion must be that the time of the Big One really has never been fixed immutably by our Father at all, for reasons that He knows best. Is that why Jesus over and over and over again urged his followers to be "ready," to be "watching," to be "awake"?
A brother