Noël, Jésus est né!

 

Big Idea: Diane loves a beautiful Christmas Carol in French that she learned while working in Africa.

This advent Diane would like to reflect on Christmas songs that meant something special to her at different stages of life.

A West African Christmas

Christmas at 75 degrees.

Christmas in West Africa showed me Christmas is celebrated beyond culture, beyond geography. It is about remembering that Jesus was sent to this world.

I worked during a 10 year time span as a nurse and Bible instructor in Guinea, West Africa at the Telekoro Bible Institute. I lived on a campus with several other teaching staff and about 50 students enrolled in pastoral education.

I loved the children! Our pastors in training were often married with young children who were delightful. “Mademoiselle! Mademoiselle!” They’d chant, as I came to their place.

Christmas under the palm trees

Christmas was celebrated in Guinea on Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning in church, which was actually a rather chilly time of year. It was the start of dry season.

The afternoon was spent with a big African meal with classroom tables put end to end under the palm trees lining our campus.

In the evening we sang Christmas songs in their national language to dancing in a circle; the African gourd keeping the beat.

Noël, Jésus est né!

My favorite song from France, sang as hymn, was a great children’s melody. It reminded me of American kids singing “Away in a manger.”

Here are the words by Jaques Blocher with a rough English translation.

 

Here is a link to an online choir singing this beautiful song.

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Previous post: Handel's Messiah 
Upcoming post: Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

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Reflect:

Have you an experience of Christmas in another country, culture or place of very different from what you have previously known? How might that cause you to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas?

Handel's Messiah

Big Idea: Diane reflects on her growing love of “The Messiah” during her college days.

This advent Diane would like to reflect on Christmas songs that meant something special to her at different stages of life.

You Learn Stuff at College

I enjoyed my high school and college friendships. Those days of youthful glee never come again.

I went to University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with opportunities to go attend plays, concerts, lectures and other life enhancing experiences.

One of the events I attended was the Christmas portion of “Handle’s Messiah” with a sing-a-long. I don’t remember who I went with but I remember the joy of the experience.

In high school I played a piano duet in a competition playing the Hallelujah Chorus. Having spent high school years playing song on the piano, playing the violin in an orchestra, singing in choirs, attending this event in a large auditorium was exhilarating!

“Hallelujah”

College is a time for learning, even at events. I learned everyone stands immediately at the first note of the Hallelujah Chorus.

The legend is that George Frederick Handel, who wrote the piece in 24 days, and financially supported by King George II. It is said when the king heard it for the first time he stood at the Hallelujah Chorus.

The words in it include “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” It is thought that King George II recognized Jesus the Messiah is above even him.

Queen Elizabeth once said in a Christmas message,

Whatever role or position we hold in this life, may we always devote ourselves to serve and bow to Him, “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign King of kings and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15 (NASB)  Queen Elizabeth's Christmas address 2000

After college I moved to New York City to work at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center for a couple of years.

"The words pierced my heart"

At my church on 68th Street in Manhattan I recall chatting with the choir director that I love the choral work, “The Messiah.” This talented professional on Broadway told me how the words of Handle’s Messiah affected her.

“As I memorized the words to sing the choral piece, they pierced my heart. I was in a dark place. The words of the songs were powerful about my need for a mighty God to forgive me and give me peace. It changed my life.”

The Bible word for word

The choral pieces alternate between the Old Testament and the New Testament telling the story of Jesus.

It is from the King James Bible different from our language today but poetically beautiful.

Here is a Christmas thought from the Accompagnato (for bass voice)

“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60, vv.2–3 KJV)

If you have the chance to hear parts of Handel’s Messiah this Christmas, reflect on the meaning of the powerful words you are hearing.



Check out a little bit of background and the Bible References at this blog site by Haven Ministries.

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Previous post: Do you worship the babe in the manger?
Upcoming post: Noël, Jésus est né!

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Reflect:

1. Have you ever been to a concert of Handle’s Messiah or sang in the chorus? Did the words have any effect on you at the time?

2. Reflect a moment on how Jesus is light? He himself said in John 8:12 NLT “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

 

 

 

Do You Worship the Babe in the Manger?

Big Idea: Diane sang in church as a 6 year old, “Do you worship the babe in the manger?”

This advent Diane would like to reflect on Christmas songs that meant something special to her at different stages of life.

That curly haired little girl

Though I am an introvert, I willingly sang special music in church as a little girl. 

My mom coached me and played the piano. I memorized the song and she taught me to enunciate the words clearly.


I recall at Christmas being decked in a velvet dress with curly hair. Surely I had pink sponge curlers put into my hair overnight as my hair was straight and thick.

Once after singing, an old man shook my little hand in his massive dry grip and pressed a nickel into mine.

“Never stop singing,” he whispered.

Heavy lyrics for a 6 year old

My mother liked this Christmas song she taught me. I still have it memorized. The song explains:

The Babe in the manger was God’s only Son,
Who came to the world to die.
The Babe in the manger could never have done
The work of His God on high.

The Babe left the manger and went to the Cross
To pay the wages of sin.
Your way of forgiveness is not by the Babe,
But the Christ who died for your sin. -W.S. and Mildred Dillion

It explains “the reason for the season.”

In my house Santa was a fun story but Jesus was the real thing. The story of Jesus’ love was significant to every part of our life.

At 6 years old I recall praying alone at my bedside one night to be forgiven for my sins, which a precocious six year old knows she has, and asked Him to be my Lord. I’ve never regretted it.

From glorious heaven to a humble place

My father liked Philippians 2:1-6 NLT which explains Jesus emptying Himself of His heavenly glory and becoming a helpless infant, to ultimately later in His life die for our sins on the cross; risen to glory again.

This passage illuminates one of my Dad’s favorite Christmas hymns, “Out of the ivory palaces into a world of woe, only His great eternal love made my Savior go.”

He gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8 NLT

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Previous post: 3 Ways to show kindness this Thanksgiving

Next post: Handel's Messiah

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Reflect:

1. What would you say is “the reason for the season” of Christmas?

2. Can you see a connection between Christmas and Easter? Explain how you perceive it.

3 Ways to Show Kindness This Thanksgiving

Big Idea: Boaz showed kindness to Ruth though a mean spirit was the norm in his day which inspires us this Thanksgiving.

Kindness in Mean Times

This fall I’ve been studying the book of Judges in the Bible. It is a dark book where all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes. Judges 21:25 NLT

It shows lies and deception, abuse of women, betrayal and murder. It is hard to understand how God puts up with these people!

Those God speaks to, such as Gideon and Samson, are very imperfect. God’s patience with them is amazingly merciful.

Enter Boaz and Ruth

Ruth takes place in the time period of the book of Judges.

Ruth is a foreigner. During famine she lost her father-in-law and her husband. She unfathomably chose to move to Israel with her mother-in-law instead of going back home.

Why was that? She chose to stay with her mother-in-law who was bitter about everything!

One day Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me go out into the harvest fields to pick up the stalks of grain left behind by anyone who is kind enough to let me do it.” Ruth 2:2 NLT

She went not as a hired worker but one grabbing little pieces of grain left behind.

The field she went to belonged to a wealthy landowner named Boaz. His visit to the fields tells their legendary encounter.

5 Then Boaz asked his foreman, “Who is that young woman over there? Who does she belong to?”

6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. 7 She asked me this morning if she could gather grain behind the harvesters. She has been hard at work ever since, except for a few minutes’ rest in the shelter.”

8 Boaz went over and said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Stay right here with us when you gather grain; don’t go to any other fields. Stay right behind the young women working in my field. 9 See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to treat you roughly. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.”

10 Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “What have I done to deserve such kindness?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

11 “Yes, I know,” Boaz replied. “But I also know about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband. I have heard how you left your father and mother and your own land to live here among complete strangers. 12 May the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge, reward you fully for what you have done.”

13 “I hope I continue to please you, sir,” she replied. “You have comforted me by speaking so kindly to me, even though I am not one of your workers.” Ruth 2:5-13 NLT

We can glean three thanksgiving lessons of kindness from Boaz.

Three Ways to Show Kindness This Thanksgiving

1. Greet everyone kindly.

At Thanksgiving someone could be of a vastly different background. Someone may have voted differently than the rest of the family. Maybe someone is just out of prison.

Boaz greeted his workers kindly (Ruth 2:4) and was kind to Ruth knowing she was a foreigner.

2. Show interest in another’s story

Engage with others at your Thanksgiving gathering. Learn people’s story by asking kind questions of interest, but not controversial in nature.

Learn something that makes someone tick who is vastly different from you. Learn something about the childhood or youth of an aging relative.

Boaz asked good questions about Ruth that helped him understand (Ruth 5:4-5,11 NLT).

 

3. Be kind and helpful

Showing kindness by helping someone might be as simple as:

• Taking the coat or carrying the plate for an aging or disabled person.
• Learn about someone’s issue that would be easy for you to do, and offer your help.
• If someone is struggling to make ends meet you can send extra food home with them.
• If someone’s car is on the fritz you might look at it together.
• Perhaps others are ganging up on someone in the family with bullying accusations and you can diffuse the conversation or divert it. Say something kind about them. Stand up to a bully.

Boaz told the guys not to mistreat Ruth (Ruth 2:9 NLT) and provided extra food for her anonymously (Ruth 2:15-16 NLT).

Glean lessons of kindness from this ancient story when everyone seemed self focused and selfish.

Boaz wasn’t. We can learn from him.

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Previous post: How do other religious books compare to the Bible?

Upcoming post: Watch for advent related posts in December!

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Reflect:

1. Is there someone usually at family gathering that you avoid? Who is it and why do you avoid that person?

2. Reflect now to be intentional giving a kind word or action toward that person when you see them. It does not have been a long conversation. It might be without words you are obviously kind.

How Do Other Religious Books Compare to the Bible?

 

Big Idea: Most religious holy books reference the Bible, however the Bible singularly points us to Jesus as God who came to make us right with Him.

Question asked recently by a friend: How does the Bible compare with other religious holy books, such as the Talmud and the Koran?

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“Ask Anything About the Bible” has been the current blog series. From her on, the scheduled weekly blog will be discontinued but there will be an occasional posting. The website, scripturespy.com will contine to be a resource on the Bible. 

What’s Unique About the Bible?

There are a number of religious holy books that have been written. The question of the day is, how does the Bible compare to them?

Here is a quick reference chart of five religious groups that have writings read by their followers for wisdom and instruction.






The Buddhist Tripitaka is the only religious body of writing not considered by their followers as a holy book. Rather it is a reference and compendium of reflections about the teachings of Buddha.

Jews consider the Talmud as lesser holy than the Old Testament, but it is widely read for advice on spiritual and practical everyday matters.

All of the books except the Tripitaka reference the Bible and most even recommend reading at least parts of the Bible.

But only the Bible claims Jesus is God

While Muslims consider Jesus as a good prophet that preceeded Mohammed, and the Book of Mormon promotes Jesus as important for life, neither the Koran nor the Book of Mormon sees Jesus as anything more than a man who is a really good man to be admired and studied.

But the Bible shows us that Jesus is God.  While on earth he was equally God and equally man in substance.

On earth, Jesus was a man who lived a sin-free life who died and sacrificed Himself for our sins. 

Because He was and is God, He demonstrated His victory over death.  He took on our sin and became the antidote for them.

There is no other religious book but the Bible that shows us this powerful reality.

To be made in right standing with God because of what Jesus did for me is mind boggling. I am eternally grateful. 

That is how the Bible compares with the other religious books. 



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Previous: What makes one sin greater than the other Part 2
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What Makes One Sin Greater than Another? Part 2

 

Big Idea: Clarifying degrees of sin and where sin rules are in the Bible.

Question asked recently by a friend: What makes one sin greater than another? In the Bible, there are so many things that are considered sins, even wearing fabric that isn’t natural is blasphemous! So where are the rules of sin laid out?

“Ask Anything About the Bible” is our newest blog series

Speaking plainly about the question

All sin reflects a violation against God’s purity.

Some sins are more serious because they are more damaging to our inner being. The seriousness also ticks up with sins seriously damaging to others.

In our justice system we have tiers of crimes. Causing accidental death is treated very differently than a pre-meditated violent murder.

The second is more damaging to the inner soul, leading one to dwell more on evil, in increasing intensity. It is also more damaging to another person and those around them.

Intentionality and continual contemplation, whether against God or in the human experience, is the difference in degrees of sin.

 

An example

Consider the difference between these two stories. The 1st grader who was told not to eat cookies before dinner, but did and disobeyed his mom.

Man of us remember the news story in August of 2023 of a 1st grader who, angry with his teacher, made a plan to go into the top drawer of his mother's dresser, take her gun to school and shoot his first grade teacher.

One was a careless incident of disobedience. The other was planned with malicious intent.

Where are sin rules found in the Bible?

The Old Testament books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy talk a lot about rules/laws and sins. They also talk a lot about how to be forgiven for sin.

As noted in last week's blog, the Ten Commandments is the ultimate standard and guide for rules regarding God and our fellow man.  But there were over 600 other rules/laws given.

The other rules/laws were for different reasons. 

• Some were for health purposes, especially important for them as nomads in the desert with no hospitals.
•  Some were to prevent problems with their fellow travelers, and take care of the most needy. 
• Some rules were about attitudes toward God, about guarding the value of life, and to keep marriage pure.

Some rules, related to murder and other crimes had stronger punishments.

That was the Old Testament. It was to establish a way to live with God and live with others. And there is no denying sin needed to be addressed. 

Other societies dealt with violations similarly. Other kings and emperors of the ancient near east expected a life for a life, blood for a violation; blood sacrifice for indiscretion against him and his people.

Groups that followed pagan gods used sacrifices of food and blood to appease the gods or for forgiveness.  The problem was, they never were sure what the gods wanted and it seemed never enough. 

For the Hebrews, God made the rules and the way for forgiveness very plain. It had a lot to do with blood sacrifice, though there were other kinds of sacrifices and offerings. The blood of an animal was considered a covering over sins. Death for what deserves death. (Leviticus 17:11 NLT, Hebrews 9:22 NLT)

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By the way, all the verses in my articles are Bible references. If you hover over the references with your mouse you should be able to see the verse hover in the article even if it is not written.  

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What about the New Testament?

By New Testament times some Israelites, most notably the Pharisees, were very vigilant sticklers about the rules and laws of the Old Testament.

Jesus acted in ways that seemed to the Pharisees like he didn’t care about those laws. He healed on the Sabbath, which Jewish laws would consider work, for example.

But He explained He did not come to do away with the laws, but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17 NLT).

Jesus talked about sin being more than what we do, it starts with what we think and dwell on in our heart. (Mark 7:15 NLT)

He also plainly stated that He came to serve others and give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20: 28 NLT, Mark 10:45 NLT).

To give one’s life implies death. To ransom implies a rescue.

His death on the cross was the sacrifice in place once and for all.  (See below Hebrews 10:10 NLT) His resurrection from death as God was the final victory over sin and death. (I Corinthians 15:56-57)

Romans and Hebrews

Two New Testament books that talk a lot about sin are the Epistles to the Romans and to the Hebrews. There are so many clear verses of God’s solution to sin, it is hard to narrow down examples!

No one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.  Romans 3:20 NLT 

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.  Romans 3:23-24 NLT

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 NLT

I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:19-20 NLT 

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Romans 8:1-4  NLT

Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.  Hebrews 9:13-14 NLT

For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time. But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. By that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.  Hebrews 10:10, 13a-14 

In last week’s blog I mentioned that our sin is like a toxin in our body, and we need a toxic cleanse from God. This is it. The pure unselfish blood sacrifice of Jesus who represented God Himself, given freely for the benefit for us of being cleansed from our sin once and for all.

This is His gift to us. The rescue, saved as it were, from our sinful separation from Him and inner darkness. We just need to accept the gift.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT

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Previous: What makes one sin greater than another Part 1
Up next: How do other religious books compare to the Bible?
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1. Can you think of an example from your own life with two different levels of wrong? Perhaps something your mother dealt with or at work or in your own family now?

2. Does this help you understand better the idea of Jesus dying on the cross? This is a lot to take in and sometimes takes a while to process. You can also ask God to give you understanding.  Also please feel free to write to me with questions or thoughts dianewido@scripturespy.com.

What Makes One Sin Greater Than Another Part 1

Big Idea: Sin, a major Bible theme, is a flawed relationship with God firstly, but with our fellow man too. All sin pollutes us but some are worse.

Question asked recently by a friend: What makes one sin greater than another? In the Bible, there are so many things that are considered sins, even wearing fabric that isn’t natural is blasphemous! So where are the rules of sin laid out?

“Ask Anything About the Bible” is our newest blog series

Sin at the Core

Human rebellion and separation from God is at the core of the Bible message.

Sin shows up very, very early in the first book of Genesis (Genesis 3).

It is mentioned quite often in the Bible, in some books more than others. See this chart for where the word “sin” is used the most.

Where are the sin rules laid out?

The early chapters of Genesis up through the flood address the beginnings of sin. Then God starts laying out a plan to reestablish the partnership relationship He wants with human beings that began in the Garden of Eden.

From paradise lost God works to communicate and lay out a plan that will eventually connect with all the ethnic groups of the world.

God begins again in a sense, with the man, Abraham.

Abraham’s family is established and the ensuing nation (later called Israel) will represent an example of a people group’s special relationship with God, whether it is deserved or not.

The Ten Commandments and the other 613 laws

Through Abraham’s offspring, rules get established how to live with a holy powerful deity who resides in the middle of their camp. Think Charlton Heston and the pillar of fire in the encampment in the movie, “The Ten Commandments.”

The Ten Commandments (1956)

These commandments and the following 613 rules are not only about a right relationship with Almighty God, but also for a right relationship with those living around us.

Referring to the above chart, notice a lot about sin in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. The Ten Commandments are found in both of them.

Also, that rule my friend, who asked the question, mentioned, about being blasphemous to wear mixed woven cloth instead of natural fiber, is found in both Leviticus (Leviticus 19:19 NLT) and Deuteronomy (Deut. 22; 9-11 NLT).

That which is most important

A Jewish person recently said the Ten Commandments are really the core, the most important instruction.

The first four commandments are about our relationship to God, and the last six are about living right toward mankind.

Jesus pretty much summed this up too in the Gospels. Love God, love others.

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 36-40 NLT

Is one sin greater than another?

Sin can be in the eye of the beholder. When I lived in West Africa I discovered that a Christian’s idea there of terrible sin was a little different from the way my American friends perceived it.

Yes, people do that!

I believe different generations and different eras of time have viewed sin differently too.

The Bible’s different degrees of sin

In keeping with the Ten Commandments and Jesus’ summary, there are sins against God and sins against our fellow man which are considered worse.

In sins against God, willful intentional defiance repeatedly against Him is considered very grave.

Mankind doing atrocities against fellow human beings breaks God’s heart. Honestly, it should break our heart too.

The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. Genesis 6:5-6 NLT

Oppressing defenseless widows, children, and those destitute is considered pretty terrible too.

All sin puts us at odds with God

It is true that any sin, any violation, makes us guilty. It is like a legal moral standing before God.

Sin in the world, the bent toward rebellion that unchecked turns violent, is like a poison.

If you were offered a glass of water and you noticed a drop of a toxin fell into it, would you drink it?

Probably not. It does not take much to pollute. In the same way, it does not take much sin to pollute.

Everyone is in need of a toxic sin cleanse from God.

That is the thing. We are all legally sinners in comparison to a pure God. And I, as good as I try to be, am unable to make myself perfect.

That is why all need God’s cleansing solution. He made a way so we can stand as if we are pure in His presence. That is mind boggling.

Stay tuned for Part 2 for the rest of the story!

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Previous: Bible Stories: Fully written stories or fragments?
Up next: What makes one sin greater than the other? Part 2
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Reflection:

Bible Stories: Fully written stories or fragments?

 

The big idea: Since stories make up 43% of literary styles in the Bible, we can assume stories of Bible characters are important, and that our own story is important to God too.

The question asked recently by a friend: Churches tell stories about the Bible. How are they in the Bible? Are they written there as stories, or has the church put these ideas together from fragments?

“Ask Anything About the Bible” is the newest blog series

The Power of Story

We are a story culture.

• Reality TV shows and talk shows
• Ghost stories around the campfire
• Bedtime stories for kids
• Rant blogging and video blogging

Most cultures around the globe value storytelling. It’s especially important in non-literary societies. In ancient days this is how history was kept alive. Oral historians took their role seriously to get it right as they passed the information on.

Genres of Literature in the Bible

The library and bookstore provide different books depending on need. There are genres like mysteries, history, instructive how-to books, and so on.

The Bible is made up of several genres of literature too. There are narrative stories, legal literature such as laws and genealogies, poetry (think the Psalms), instruction like a sermon or letter or advice, and even a genre almost Sci-fi-ish called Apocalyptic literature about dreams, cosmic battles, etc.

The narrative story-telling style makes up the largest percentage. 43%! The ancient periods of the Bible were predominately non-literate, so it is not surprising that storytelling was used so much in the Bible.

Bible Characters

There are many key figures in the Bible. Key figures may use numerous chapters to tell the story.

For example, the life of Abraham covers thirteen chapters from his calling to his death (Genesis 12-25). It is a long narrative. Smaller stories within the big storyline include other characters woven in.

The four Gospel accounts tell the life of Jesus. Each Gospel has a slightly different approach and includes some different details. They each had a different audience in mind.

The Gospel according to Luke was written by a non-Jewish physician. He wrote especially for non-Jewish people. He included more healing stories descriptive of aches and pains than the other three Gospels.

The Bible on the importance of stories

Here are two examples, one from the Old Testament, and one from the New Testament, about the power of stories in the Bible.

Old Testament Example

1 O my people, listen to my instructions.
       Open your ears to what I am saying,
2 for I will speak to you in a parable.
    I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
3 stories we have heard and known,
    stories our ancestors handed down to us.
4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
    we will tell the next generation
    about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
    about his power and his mighty wonders. 

                                    Psalm 78:1-4 NLT

New Testament Example

Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. Matthew 13:34 NLT

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. Mark 4:33 NLT

Real stories of real people

The Bible is full of stories. They are honest real life portrayals with people who were full of emotion, made mistakes, and ultimately made a choice whether to trust God or go their own way.

I think the raw reality of these Bible characters is a confirmation that these were stories of real people, not fragments doctored up for literary purpose to make a point.

Find an easy-to-read Bible Translation

If you are new to reading the Bible you will find it interesting to read.  Don't start in Genesis with the attempt to read it all the way through. Instead start with the Gospel of Luke or the Gospel of John. It is mostly a storytelling style.

Most people are familiar with the King James Version of the Bible, but it reads like Shakespeare. Most of the big old family Bibles are the King James Version

The Bible is now available in so many accurate easy to read versions. The one I often quote from is the New Living Translation (NLT).

Some think the NLT is someone trying to put it in their own words to make it sound modern, but is not accurate to the original writings. That is not the case. 

Some equate it with the very popular and helpful Bible of the 60s and 70s, the Living Bible. But the New Living Translation was published 25 years after the Living Bible. 

Ninety Bible Scholars worked as a team over six years time (1989-1996) to faithfully study the earliest manuscripts of the Bible and render them in readable English. That is known now as the New Living Translation. 

Some translations easy-to-read for storytelling are: New Living Translation (NLT), The Contemporary English Version (CEV), New English Translation (NET), the Message (MES) and more.

Read it for yourself!   

You do not need to own one of these Bibles to read it. Go to Bible.com. You can then download the app, or click on the word Bible, next to the title YouVersion on the left to read it on the computer.

 

https://www.bible.com/

Try the Bible in a modern version and allow yourself to be surprised!

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Previous: The DaVinci Code: Why were numerous books not included in the Bible?
Up next: What makes one sin greater than the other? Part 1
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Reflection:

What do you like about what you know of Jesus? What don’t you like about Him?

Would you consider reading one of the Gospel accounts in a modern Bible translation? You can find these free online at Bible.com. Start with the Gospel of Luke or John. The New Living Translation is my favorite for reading the stories of Jesus.

The DaVinci Code: Why were numerous books not accepted in the Bible?

 

Big Idea: The Bible differs from The DaVinci Code in that the Bible claims to be inspired by God and books included need to reflect that premise.

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“Ask Anything About the Bible” is our newest blog series. A friend recently presented this question to me.

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How Do the Assertions of the DaVinci Code stack up with the Bible?

The Bible, a tome of sixty-six books, is in sync within itself with God’s core purpose.

The popular book and movie of the early 2000s, The DaVinci Code, strongly asserts that many more books should have been included in the Bible but church leaders have wanted writings to confirm their own agenda.

It is not a new concept as the question has been asked as early as Bible times before Christ.

The DaVinci Code vs. the historical Bible

The Bible and The DaVinci Code start with very different premises.

 

The DaVinci Code claims the Bible is a man made historical record, totally fragmented by gross tweaking and rewriting through the centuries.

Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code character, the historian Sir Leigh Teabing, says in the book:

“The Bible is a product of man, my dear. Not of God. The Bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a definitive version of the book...” The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

The Bible claims all books in it were written by human beings inspired by God to write in their own style the words of God Himself.

Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT

The DaVinci Code vs. Bible History

1. The DaVinci Code: The book repeatedly says the church through the years has dominated and re-written the Bible to control their belief structure.

Bible History: The Old Testament was a cohesive body of work chosen by holy men hundreds of years before the New Testament. The New Testament was decided by Christians within a couple hundred years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Both Testaments had numerous books debated about for inclusion or exclusion.

Book approval was based on cohesiveness to the rest of the Bible. Synchronization was most important to the Torah, to Jesus’ life and teachings, and that of the Apostles. The process was called Canonization and the final product was called the canon.



2. The DaVinci Code: The book claims the Nicean Council in 325 A.D. narrowly voted that Jesus is God. Before that everyone knew He was only a man. Emperor Constantine considered this an agenda for military dominance so he destroyed these conflicting books.

Bible History: The Nicean Council of 325 A.D. narrowly voted on one aspect of Jesus’ deity. Even Arius, who believed Jesus was created by God the Father and not of the same substance of God the Father, still believed Jesus was holy and divine sent from God. Council attendee records we still have today verify this. Constantine is not recorded to have ordered and carried out a mass destruction of religious books.

 

3. The DaVinci Code: The book claims that the Bible has been changed continually to suit the church’s agenda.

Bible History: The Bible has changed very little even in the early first and second century there was predominantly agreement. The final the New Testament Canon, and therefore the entire Bible, was considered complete and closed to additions by the end of the 300s A.D.

The rules to copy had strict codes in both the Old Testament and New Testament period and well beyond.

The Qumran scrolls which The DaVinci Code referred to verified miniscule changes in the Old Testament books. The writings found were written in the pre-New Testament period so stories of Jesus were not in those writings.

New Testament handwritten scrolls were in monumental number until the advent of the Guttenberg printing press. They are incredibly accurate comparing one text to the other. Examples of existing mistakes are on par with a number with an extra zero or a misspelling.

 

4. The DaVinci Code: The book asserts that many gospels were not allowed because Emperor Constantine and the church intentionally silenced them because of conflict with their desire for power and their desired rhetoric.

Bible History: Many extra gospels were scrutinized by early church leaders. Those that did not get added were not added for various reasons.

Some were not in sync with things Jesus and the Apostles taught. A unified message from God was considered important. Gnosticism was a sect in early church history with a lot of writing that was not in sync with the Bible’s view of Jesus (Arian, referred to earlier at the Nicean Council, was a Gnostic).

Some writings were obviously fraudulent. Other gospels showed up in the second and third century claiming to be from eyewitnesses, but were obviously written in a later period.

Some writings provided good background to life in Jesus’ day in the first century but were not considered on par as God’s divine message.

Emperor Constantine had no influence over the Old Testament inclusion. That was decided before the time of Christ. Constantine did initiate the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. for the purpose of a resolution of discord in the church regarding Aryanism. That council did not choose Biblical texts for the Bible. None of those original records and eyewitness writings mention Biblical texts being questioned.

The gamut from many other gods to no God at all

People have come up with their own variation of God since the beginning of the Bible.

In more modern times, people have asked if there even is a God. 

Is this God of the Bible a sham or made up to make weak minded people feel good?

Did He really influence human beings to write the Bible? 

Throughout the Bible there have been many, many gods, powers, and angels, often in conflict with the one referred to as the Lord God Almighty. These have also dominated ancient lore.

They have gone toe to toe with God in various stories of the Bible.  These stories have defined for us that God is much greater is much better than any other powers and deities.

There have always been doubters

The Gospel of John indicated that Jesus said several times there would be doubters. Here is an example.

If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?” John 5:46-47 NLT

For many, the journey to understanding the truth and benefits of the Bible has been a process of sincere seeking and serious study of the Bible itself.

Consider spending some time reading the source directly. If you would like to start reading, I would suggest beginning with the Gospel of John, reading in a more modern Bible translation such as the New Living Translation. Consider downloading this free Bible app from Bible.com.

Have a question to submit for a future Blog (or any other questions for Diane)? Email dianewido@scripturespy.com or post it on the Scripture Spy Facebook page. 

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Previous: What is the Purpose of the Bible
Up next: Bible Stories: In the Bible or fragments pieced together?
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Reflect:

What has influenced you most about your opinion of the Bible? Is it what you watch or read from various sources or have you gone to the Bible itself? 

Would you consider reading it for yourself?

What is the Purpose of the Bible?

 

Big Idea: The Bible is written to communicate that God seeks human partnership with those who trust Him, and these are like sign posts toward Jesus. 

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“Ask Anything About the Bible” is our newest blog series. Normally questions are solicited from people I meet. This first question is one I hear sometimes and thought would be a good first question. 

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The Bible is a large, amazing book

The Bible is a huge tome of writings designed to communicate who God is and His desire to partner with human beings who trust Him.

This remarkable book has over 30 different writers of various nationalities and backgrounds covering about a 1000 year period.

As a total work it is mind boggling that its themes and subthemes are in sync with each other in spite of the wide variety of authors covering a wide time frame.

Each book has sign posts that point to Jesus who is in the Old Testament as part of God’s activity, but specifically as God’s Son born into humanity in the New Testament.

The Bible itself claims it was written by human beings inspired by God.

20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT

In the Beginning

Genesis, the name of the first book of the Bible, means beginnings. It introduces God as the creator of the universe.

Man and woman were created, introduced to God, and invited to partner with Him in naming the animals and taking care of the world.

Man and woman walked and talked with God. It set the ideal precedent.

Genesis shows numerous beginnings. 

Those who spurned trusting God and working with Him found themselves free to do as they wish. But that lifestyle led to a lot of heartache and pain. Many became mean and evil without any guardrails of morality.

It became obvious that human beings are stubborn and bent toward badness. We see God’s sadness at how bad things got so quickly after Creation.

The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the LORD was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.  Genesis 6:5-6 NLT

Partnering with People

Throughout the book of Genesis, God reached out to human beings, inviting them to trust Him and work with Him. For example, Adam and Eve, Noah and Abraham.

The people whose stories are featured have real flaws and issues. We see faith as a work in progress, like Abraham for example.

The Bible shows God revealing Himself progressively, coming alongside those who trust Him, and guiding them.

The purpose of the Bible is to show us how to find and appreciate God's love for us.

The purpose plainly stated

This Bible verse tells us plainly how the Bible helps us in this Bible verse.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16 NLT

To follow the list in the verse with a simile:

• It teaches us what is true.
• It makes us realize what is wrong. Like looking in a mirror and seeing the smudge on our face.
• It corrects us when we are wrong. Like looking in a mirror and verifying we are removing it.
• It teaches us to do what is right. Like following a YouTube video how to remove a stain.

The benefit

The benefit of reading the Bible provides great comfort as we bring our problems to God and find all we need for a fulfilled life from reading the Bible.

Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts. Psalm 119: 1-2 NLT

Have a questions to submit? email DianeWido@scripturespy.com or post it on https://www.facebook.com/scripturespy

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Up next: The DaVinci Code: Why were numerous books not included in the Bible?
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Reflect: 

This blog asserts that the Creator of the Universe wants to partner with human beings. It may seem preposterous, but consider this an exercise.  If God came to you and told you that, how would you respond? 

New Blog Series Starting Next Thursday, September 12!

 

Very excited about my new series starting next week!  Ask anything about the Bible!

I have a few great questions I have received to get started....

Questions like: 

• What is the purpose of the Bible?
• The DaVinci Code claimed numerous books were not accepted in the Bible. Why not?
• What about the dinosaurs?
• Why was the Old Testament so violent?

Stay tuned for interesting questions

Is Logos Bible Software Worth the Cost?

https://www.logos.com/

Big Idea: The extensive Bible software, Logos, though expensive, is a valuable tool for pastors, scholars and serious students of the Bible.

I appreciate good value. I shop at thrift stores and garage sales. It’s not surprising that I have been reviewing Bible software that is free or almost free.

Logos Bible Software is not free.

Well, mostly not free.

They have a free base package. There is also a free book, a free audio book and a free book from their parent company Faithlife each month. So that’s three free books a month. That’s a sweet deal!

Logos 10 has 9 levels of Base packages starting at $ 49.95 Fundamentals Package going to $ 9,559.68 for the Collector’s Edition.

Who is Logos Bible Software useful for?

Logos Bible Software can be valuable if you are a:

• Pastor
• Bible Scholar
• In preparation for ministry
• Bible study leader
• Worship leader
• Counselor

There are modules and specific tools available for each of these categories. There are specific paths of tools available for various church backgrounds such as Baptist, Orthodox, Reformed, Charismatic, etc. This makes it extremely useful for Christian workers.

Logos.com

What Logos Bible Software offers

1. An integrated system

Logos Bible software includes Bible texts, dictionaries, commentaries, concordances, and other helps.

Most free programs we’ve looked at use older resources no longer under copyright. Logos has top of the line scholarly recent works.

https://www.logos.com/

2. Numerous Workflow Modules

Logos has created workflow modules for Sermon preparation (of various sermon models), basic Bible study, topical study, inductive study (coordinated with Precept Bible Study), Devotions, prayer and more.

As you learn to use it, it streamlines your preparation time.

3. Useful for various church traditions

Logos can be adapted for various church traditions such as Anglican, Baptist, Pentecostal, Counseling and many other perspectives. The resources can be tailored to the need.

4. Logos can be an app for tablet or phone, or on a PC (see example below)

Logos Bible Software Pros

• Excellent resources
• Streamlined workflow
• All your resources at your fingertips, even on your phone
• Excellent tutorial videos and customer service

Logos Bible Software Cons

• It is expensive
• It has a huge learning curve. Learning to use it takes awhile. (But they have great tutorials!)
• It may have way more than you need (especially if you get a more expensive package).
• Ads. The home webpage is full of ads (though they are really helpful resources that are a good deal on sale or featured).

Computer View vs Tablet view

My Comuter view

https://www.logos.com/

My Tablet View

https://www.logos.com/

Scripture Spy’s recommendation

Logos Bible Software is an outstanding and time saving resource for pastors and those ministering to get people into the depths of the Bible. Taking time to explore its resources and learn how to use them is very useful.

Logos Bible Software can be very expensive.

If you are brand new to the Bible it may not be for you at this time. 

Even if you are newly preparing for ministry, check out free Bible resources first such as the BIue Letter Bible, Bible Hub or e-Sword. Or start with the free package or the $49.95 Fundamentals package. You can always upgrade later.

If you have become a regular preaching pastor, or you lead a Precept or BSF program, Logos Bible Software may be for you. 

 For pastors, consider asking your church to provide for the resource as it is a valuable resource for your ministry. Be sure to look for introductory discounts.

The Word of God always comes first!

There are many great Bible tools around on Logos Bible Software! Just be sure to study the Bible itself the most! Resources can be tantalizing and they are certainly useful, but they are not the very Word of God. They are man’s explanations.

The Word of God always comes first! Read it today!

This is the last post in a series about Bible study tools. There are many types of Bibles and helpful resources like a concordance or Bible dictionary. Information about their book and their electronic version are included. Cost and “how to use” is addressed.

Scripture Spy is taking the summer off from weekly posts. There may be a post time to time over the summer. She will be cleaning up some format and link problems with older posts, and also hopes to put the Inductive Bible Study series into an ebook format.  

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Previous: What is eSword?
Up next: See you in September 2024!

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Reflect:

1. Logos means "word" in Greek. Reflect on why the Bible might be called "The WORD." 

The next Sabbath nearly all the city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. Acts 13:44 NIV

 

2. Consider that the Bible is communicating God's words to you. It is amazing to have the God of the universe communicating with YOU. Think of that!

"Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." Deuteronomy 8:3 NIV, Matthew 4:4 NIV