We just finished reading and writing about “Redemption: Accomplished and Applied” by John Murray.  Now we are reading “40 Questions About Interpreting the Bible” by Robert L. Plummer.

In chapter 3, entitled “Who Wrote the Bible – Humans or God?” Plummer ends by discussing how the duality of biblical authorship is similar to the dual natures of Jesus Christ.  There are some ways that the union of human and divine natures in Jesus help us understand the union of human and divine authorship of Scripture.  He quotes at length from a book by T.C. Hammond, which I was helped by and will thus reproduce below:

The living Revelation was mysteriously brought into the world without the intervention of a human father.  The Holy Spirit was the appointed Agent.  The written revelation came into being by a similar process without the aid of human philosophical abstractions.  The Holy Spirit was again the appointed Agent.  The mother of our Lord remained a human mother and her experiences throughout would appear to have been those of every other mother – except that she was made aware that her child was to be the long-expected Redeemer of Israel.  The writers of the biblical books remained human  authors, and their experiences appear to have been similarly natural, though they were sometimes aware that God was giving to the world through them a message of no ordinary importance (e.g., “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you…” 1 Cor. 11:23).  Mary, the mother of our Lord, probably brought into the world other children by the normal process of birth.  The writers of the biblical books probably wrote other purely personal letters which were not necessarily of canonical importance.  More important still, no student should fail to grasp the fact that the divine-human personal life of our Lord is one and indivisible by any human means of analysis.  On no recorded occasions can we say that in the one instance there was purely divine  thought, and in the other a purely human  thought.  The two natures were united in one indissoluble Person.  From the manger to the cross, the Lord must always be thought of and described from that point of view.  Similarly, though the parallel is not quite complete, the student will be saved much unsound thinking, unnecessary confusion and, injury to his faith, by observing that in the Scriptures the divine and human elements are blended in such a way that in few cases can we, with any certainty, analyse the record to demonstrate purely human elements.

Praise the Lord for godly scholars who help us see and understand biblical truth!  And praise the Lord for preserving his holy Word and maintaining both divine and human authorship, as he preserved the person of Christ in maintaining his full divinity and full humanity!

“If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.  Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell.  I am hard pressed between the two.  My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.  But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”

In the middle of this passage, Paul says he is “hard pressed” between two options.  First, what are the options?
1. To live in the flesh (v.22).
Why? Because it “means fruitful labor.”
2. To depart and be with Christ (v.23)
Why? For it is “far better.”

Of course, it deserves time to define “in the flesh,” “depart and be with Christ,” and ask about the relationship between “far better” and “more necessary.”  I definitely agree.  But let me ask a different question: Why does Paul go through the trouble of explaining his dilemma to us?  Why does he even inform the Philippians at all that he has two possible options?  We know he chooses to “remain” (v.24-25).  If Paul had made up his mind before he sent the letter to Philippi, why did he still feel the need to include the section where he struggles with the decision?  Why go through the trouble of setting up the dilemma and causing us all to scratch our heads?  Wouldn’t it make more sense to give a firm conviction of the decision and three points of reasoning to get there?  How is it helpful to me to have Paul’s indecisiveness in my Bible?  Why not just say what you think?

I think there are at least four reasons.

1.  To lead the Philippians in showing honesty, transparency, and vulnerability.
It’s true, Paul could have merely stated his conclusion.  But instead of appearing to never struggle with the issue, he gives us a glimpse into his mind to show that he doesn’t have everything figured out.  It’s an encouragement to know that the greatest missionary ever (save Jesus) was unsure about God’s will for him; it means that we’re in good company when we feel the same way!  It means that uncertainty of a decision is not the same as God forsaking us!  And it teaches us to follow Paul’s pattern and be honest about our feelings, doubts, fears, and thoughts about the future.  God wants us to humbly bring those things before him and other people.

2. To show the Philippians that motivation for personal gain is not bad.
Paul is a radical hedonist!  Read verse 21 again!  The reason Paul loves preaching and sharing Christ is because it brings him great joy.  Similarly, the reason he longs for the next life is because he will be in the physical presence of the risen Christ and be thus more able to enjoy him forever.  Since being with Christ is “far better” in Paul’s mind, we know Paul’s motivation here is increased joy and personal satisfaction.  We too should pursue the one thing that will ultimately and most deeply satisfy our souls, namely, personal communion with the Savior of the world.  As Henry Scougal said, “The worth and excellency of a soul is determined by the object of its affection.”  Our souls are most excellent when they are most pleased with He who is the Creator and Definition of excellence.

3. To exhibit a logical decision-making process that uses God’s wisdom.
Let us not bifurcate heartfelt affections and the process of logical decision-making.  Paul is clearly steeped in emotion.  And at the same time, we see over and over again that he strings together logical arguments for his propositions.  He gives reasons for what he believes.  He uses the mind God has given him and seeks the most plausible, logical solution to his dilemma.  The pattern is the same for us: our emotions are legitimate, and God also gives us wisdom to think logically about our lives.  Don’t merely ask “How do I feel about this?”  And don’t merely ask “What is the most logical solution?”  The two come together in Paul’s mind, and we do well to follow his example in seeking to follow God’s will for our lives.

4. To set the stage for 2:1-7, that the Philippians might follow Christus exemplar.
Jesus Christ is foremostly our substitute, not our example.  But he is also our example.  The glorious hymn in Philippians 2 shows us the greatest act of humility that has ever been done.  Christ set aside his own desires in order that we may have life.  He said to the Father “Not my will, but yours be done,” as he prepared to make a way for us to be right with God.  Thus, Paul sets aside his own desires (“to depart and be with Christ”) and resolves to “remain in the flesh” for the sake of the Philippians.  Paul is willing to continue his labor in ministry to exalt God by building up the Philippian church.  And we also are to set aside our own personal endeavors for the sake of others.

Where are you following your own wants?  Where is God calling you to “in humility count others more significant than yourself” and “look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others”? We are freed and empowered to love and serve others because Christ first loved and served us.  The cross is the declaration that the chains of our bondage are broken and at the same time the power to give our lives away in humble service.

“The gospel saves from self, to God, for the sake of others.”
-Jon Saunders, who probably stole it from someone else

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Among the many important questions to ask of this text, I think it’s worthwhile to spend some time asking why Paul prays so joyfully.  The answer, of course, is because of his “partnership” with the Philippians.

We know Paul is at least referring to the financial support given him by the Philippian church (Phil. 4:10, 15-17).  But we can also observe the deeply loving relationship that exists between the two parties (1:7-8).  So I think that when Paul speaks of the Philippians’ partnership, he has in mind financial, personal, and ministerial aspects.  This can be seen more clearly by looking at the three prepositional phrases used to explain the partnership.

1. “in the gospel”
Paul founded the church in Philippi.  I assume, therefore, that he not only knew of but was greatly involved in many of the conversions of the church’s members and also the theological foundation of the local congregation.  So he rejoices at the thought that the Philippians are striving together with him to advance the gospel in the world.  They are partnering with him ministerially.

2. “from the first day”
Whether this refers to the beginning of their financial support or that the ‘partnership’ began when the church was planted, Paul is rejoicing in the genesis of the relationship.  And he has great reason to!  Philippians 4:15 tells us that Philippi was at one time Paul’s only supporting church. While I’m unsure of the exact meaning of “from the first day” (especially in the face of the phrase “in the beginning of the gospel” in 4:15), Paul is filled with joy at the opportunity to give to and receive from the Philippian church.

3. “until now”
Since the partnership continues at the time of writing, we can conclude that the Philippians are not only still faithful to and loving the gospel, but that they are also zealous to support Paul’s ministry.  What a joy for Paul to know that dear friends far away are filled with excitement and passion about the work that God is pleased to do through him!

So clearly the Philippians supported Paul financially.  But they also supported him personally and ministerially.  It’s a beautiful picture of biblical community to see believers walking arm in arm to advance the gospel by living sacrificially.  And it brings honor to Christ when we strive together, not for gifts themselves, but for the fruit of ministry which will, in turn, increase our riches in heaven (Phil. 4:17).

I love the vision of support raising as a partnership mostly because I see it in Scripture and believe it glorifies God.  My hope and prayer is that those sending  would feel connected enough to consider this partnership in the gospel a joy and an opportunity.

Sadly, young mothers such as Isatu Turay in Sierra Leone are not an anomaly in the twenty-first century.  Isatu and her husband were living in a refugee camp in Sierra Leone along with their four young children  One morning heavily armed men entered their house and demanded all their possessions.  The rebels became upset when Isatu and her husband had only thirty thousand leones (local currency) to give them.  On the spot the rebels killed Isatu’s younger sister who was also living there and brutally murdered Isatu’s husband right before her eyes.
Isatu gathered her children and fled from the refugee camp into the bush, where she ran into another group of rebels who were lining people up and chopping off their hands.  Isatu says, “I was praying heavily, and then my two-year-old daughter started to cry.  They said the child was causing lots of noise for them.  One of them took her from me while another dug a hole to bury her alive.  I could not do anything, and my baby cried until she died.”

Lord, open my eyes!  Bring me to my knees!

“Instead of trekking to Africa or exploring Rome alone, why not marry the person of your dreams and take him or her along? What about discovering, as the characters Carl and Ellie in Disney Pixar’s “Up” do, the good of marital friendship?” and “As focused as we young adults are on self-development, what if the path to that development is actually learning to live with and love another person? We may be startled to find that the greatest adventure lies not in knowing oneself as much as in knowing and committing to another person.”

Young marriage is good.  I’ll probably write more about it in the future.

“The gospel is the story of God covering his naked enemies, bringing them to the wedding feast, and then marrying them rather than crushing them.”

When your heart accuses you and says, “You’re so worthless.  Look at the way you’ve failed him again!”  you can confidently answer, “It is true that on my own I am worthless, but he has made me completely righteous in his Son.  He has declared that he loves me and his love is now the most important thing about me.  I believe that he won’t stop loving me until he stops loving his own Son.  I can begin to serve him again because I know he is here, with me, sustaining me and granting me his grace.

Much needed words for me today.

1. Jesus, immaculately conceived, born in the humblest of circumstances.
2. Jesus, raised to know the Scriptures that he might ultimately fulfill.
3. Jesus, raised to work and labor, providing a picture of perfect manhood.
4. Jesus, choosing twelve to be his best friends and give everything to.
5. Jesus, boldly proclaiming who God is, who he was, and why he had come.
6. Jesus, unlawfully betrayed, handed over, tortured, mocked, and murdered.
7. Jesus, hanging dead, ripped, raw, beaten, draining, literally exhausted, as a propitiation of the wrath due sinners like me.
8. Jesus, bursting forth from teh tomb to defeat the power of sin and death.
9. Jesus, returning to those he loved and instructing them to preach about him until all come in.
10. Jesus, interceding at the Father’s right hand, on my behalf, on the basis of his own blood.

Halleluiah, what a Savior!
Halleluiah, what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end!

“Twentieth-century Christian weddings are the vainest, most meaningless forms.  There is no vestige of reality.  The witnesses dress for a show.  The flesh is given all the place.  The songs are absurd, if one paid any attention to the words, but no one does; they simply listen to how it is sung, not what it means.  Candles are useless but expensive trifles.  Ushers help no one, but appear very officious and the ceremony itself is the most meaningless hodge-podge of obsolete grammar and phraseology – sounds like a schoolboy’s translation of something from Cicero.  And the stupid form of asking who gives this bride in marriage.  Who cares?  Everyone knows it is her father or uncle or some such sweating pawn standing before the altar.  Talk of Romanism!  We Fundamentalists are a pack of mood-loving show-offs.  I’m sure the minor prophets would have found subject for correction in this affair.  I must read this to myself on my wedding day (if I have one).”

My favorite part is the sentence about candles.

“It seems that God created the universe, then, to take delight in his creation, for as creation shows forth various aspects of God’s character, to that extent he takes delight in it.
This explains why we take spontaneous delight in all sorts of creative activities ourselves.  People with artistic or musical or literary skills enjoy creating things and seeing, hearing, or pondering their own creative work.  God has so made us to enjoy imitating, in a creaturely way, his creative activity.  And one of the amazing aspects of humanity – in distinction from the rest of creation – is our ability to create news things.  This also explains why we take delight in other kinds of “creative” activity: many people enjoy cooking, or decorating their home, or working with wood or other materials, or producing scientific inventions, or devising new solutions to problems in industrial production.  Even children enjoy coloring pictures or building houses out of blocks.  In all of these activities we reflect in small measure the creative activity of God, and we should delight in it and thank him for it” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, 271-2).

I think that what he’s basically saying here is that we, as humans, being made in the image and likeness of God, are created to REFLECT and ENJOY glory.  Glory is one of those Christianese words we use, but we often fail to recall its simple definition.  A helpful synonym for glory (at least for me) is “beauty.”  What beauty do you enjoy?  What beauty do you enjoy creating and reflecting?  It is all from, through, and for our Creator (Romans 11:36).

A few recent examples of how I have seen and enjoyed glory in my life (not that I do this perfectly by any means):

- The creativity and perfect flow of a hip hop rhyme scheme, combined with smooth instrumentals and a hood swagger that has an attitude that can’t be ignored.
- High performance athleticism (most recently, college basketball), the wonder of what the human body can achieve, and the pure enjoyment of sweet oops.
- I’m nearly embarrassed to say it, but, psychology.

When we begin to understand our stuff and things as opportunities to enjoy and reflect the Lord’s beauty, I think we can understand more fully what it means to be worshiping the Lord in all things.  Then we can begin to do 1 Cor. 10:31 and Col. 3:23.

SDG