Dive In: Resources I

Your bookshelf is now going to be front and center in our discussion. You may wonder what my delay has been.

In diving deeper in the Bible, the first text you have to use is the Bible. You have to read it, ask questions, see patterns, look for the context and big picture. You have to begin to identify the design of the pericope. Several translations are very helpful.

The second thing you should open, after a Bible, is not a commentary. Commentaries are written by scholars with bias. They can’t help it, any more than you can help your bias. Commentaries are often helpful but never the final word. There is no commentary that can replace thoughtful reading of the biblical text. (We'll discuss them more later because I have some specific advice for them.)

In fact, the first extra-biblical text I’d suggest for your bookshelf is a good Bible dictionary. Don’t buy the two-nine-five paperback at the grocery store. Save up some money, ask for it as a birthday gift, have a yard sale. Do what it takes (short of breaking the law or selling a child) to get a good dictionary

Here are my suggestions for a helpful Bible dictionary:

Dictionary of Biblical Imagery. Edited by Leland Ryken, Jim Wilhoit, Tremper Longman, Colin Duriez, Douglas Penney and Daniel G. Reid. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1998.

Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. Edited by John H. Hayes. 2 vols. Nashville: Abingdon, 1999.

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Edited by David Noel Freedman, Allen C. Myers and Astrid B. Beck. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000.

HarperCollins Bible Dictionary. Edited by Paul J. Achtemeier. Rev. ed. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.

Holman Bible Dictionary. Edited by Trent C. Butler. Nashville: Holman, 1991.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Edited by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. 4 vols. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995. (ISBE)

Remember: always always always read a reference book like you eat a fish: keep the meat and spit out the bones. There are no perfect reference materials. You may be biased or the author may be biased, but the final word comes from the Bible. What does the Bible say about a particular topic?

Dictionaries are helpful in showing us cultural background and context, reminding us of locales and genealogies, identifying people and history. I like to keep one close when I’m reading.

My favorite book in the above list is the Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, although I use it together with the ISBE.

Here’s an example of the help I get from the DBI.

I’ve been puzzling over the Sodom and Gomorrah account. Here’s something I read that gave me a toehold on meaning:

The contrasting of Lot and Sodom with Abraham is highlighted by parallels in the hospitality extended toward the divine messengers (Gen 18:1-8, 19:1-3). But the story in Genesis 19 quickly degenerates into a spiral of sin. The attempt at sexual violation by the entire male population, the offer of Lot’s daughters in the messengers' stead, the mocking of his future sons-in-laws, Lot’s hesitation to leave Sodom and his plea not to have to flee far away, and the fateful backward glance of his wife fill out this portrait of rejection of God’s ways (Gen 19:4-26). All Abraham sees afterward is the smoke of the judgment (Gen 19:27-28).

—Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

Suddenly I was comparing Gen 18 and Gen 19, looking for parallels and for contrasts. The dictionary didn’t give me the meaning, but helped provide information to pry loose the intent of the author. It’s a resource that helps me see comparisons across time and history when I might otherwise miss them.

Another entry tells me that salt is a sign of barrenness or sterility. Lot’s wife becomes a pillar of salt, although she had earlier had children, while Abraham’s wife, who earlier was without child, became the mother of the nation. That certainly gives traction to some ideas in the text.

Would you tell me what dictionary you like and use? Or what other resources you’d like me to discuss in coming weeks?

Keep reading and diving in.

Marriage: the battle

The news was hollow, empty, black and white where we wanted color and song.

“I’ve had enough,” she told her family and walked out the door.

The world looks like carnival mirrors, all distorted and unrecognizable. How could this be?

They are our friends, a couple we have respected for many years. They both have a passion for Jesus and a love for their children.

Their pain haunts me daily. I have no answers, not even a need to analyze my way through to one. I feel their disappointment, the ache in their hearts in this brokenness.

I know another couple thrashing about in the muck of infidelity. Their marriage didn’t fulfill like the lure of other arms. Now they wrestle: can trust be rebuilt?

A young woman has moved in with her boyfriend. There is no desire in her heart to marry, however. She sees the sorrow of marriage as inevitable.

We still value marriage in our culture. Why else would homosexuals be demanding its right? But we have seen the smashed remains so often that many are afraid of giving it a try.

And yet the thought that there really are no permanent covenants looms like a black hole. As we follow Jesus, we embrace the image of unbroken covenant. But even unbelievers want to think that some things are permanent. They are not willing to toss aside marriage as an archaic custom. It is a bond, a permanency that our hearts crave for.

Please pray for marriages. Pray for your own, for your pastor’s, for your friends. This is a battlefield and we must be warriors. What God extended to us must not be plowed under.

Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Matt 19:6

Considering a weed

When it comes to tenacity, it’s hard to beat a weed.

I was pulling the wild things this week, amazed at the depth of their roots and the thickness of the stalk. It’s as if they know winter is coming and time is short.

Their goal is simple: provide for next year. They utilize their resources carefully because no little weeds will be coming in the spring unless they produce seeds.

The harvest is their reason for living.

Usually we consider the weed as an analogy for the persistence of evil, but consider it today as our pattern.

Remember God’s first words to Adam: “Be fruitful and increase in number.” (Gen 1:28)

Are we as determined as that weed? This isn’t just about children but about spiritual increase.

Time is short for those weeds trying to conquer my flowers. They will cling by a tendril of root to life if I let them. They sniff out the pockets of rain and push their way upward to the sun.

The opinion of the flowers doesn’t deter them. (Or for that matter, my opinion!) They aren’t sidetracked by their favorite TV show or a shopping trip. They don’t spend their spare time at the lake or shouting at a baseball team.

They are focused on fruit. Their summer work is the link to the next generation.

I’m not opposed to rest and relaxation. But we’ve made entertainment and personal fulfillment the gods of our generation. What is our goal? Are we concerned for the coming spring or for our own summer? How can we weave fruitfulness into our daily plan?

I know you think this is silly because weeds endure. We fight them but we can’t get them beaten back. They’ll be back next year despite our best efforts. They are frustrating in their resolve, amazing in their concentration.

Isn’t that the point?

“I am going to make you fruitful and will increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples, and I will give this land as an everlasting possession to your descendants after you.”

Gen. 48:4

New poll

Did you notice the poll at the top of the right hand column? It'd help me if you'd fill it in for me. Thanks!!

Friday Five: Names for God's Spirit

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth.

John 14:16-17

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him-- the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD--

Isaiah 11:2

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Romans 8:2

how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

Heb 9:14

Broken joy

Her face was aglow, raised to the sky, her arms embracing the joy of the moment. She was Lisa Smith, providing inspired signing at a Women of Faith conference.

Maybe you’ve seen her.

Joy is personified in Lisa. She blazes with devotion and adoration for Jesus. I have never seen such focused worship, the freedom of passion and commitment.

By the way, did I mention that Lisa has Down’s Syndrome?

Maybe you thought, O-o-o-oh, poor girl.

Don’t say that’s too bad for Lisa. She has what I wish I had. She radiates love and delight. With her arms outstretched, her body glows with zeal and commitment.

God has blessed Lisa with an incredible gift. He has taken a young woman with a condition that we pity and revealed an incredible truth. Who among us is more worthy to worship him than Lisa? We all come broken and humble before the magnificent throne of God but some embrace their worship and some embrace their condition.

Remember John’s description of the throne room? Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." (Rev 4:8)

And this is an incredible picture of worship:

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. (Rev 4:9-10)

Remember Isaiah’s vision? He saw God on his throne, surrounded by worshipping seraphs:

And they were calling to one another:
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3)

I can imagine Lisa someday joining those seraphs and elders in worship. She’ll be an awesome sight because she’s been practicing a long time. She doesn't let brokenness keep her away from the throne.

I think I want to get some practice in, too.

You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being.

Rev 4:11

Comment Circus: Results

I hope you’ve already read the comments to Saturday’s “Comment Circus.” If not, please take a look. I have pulled a few excerpts out for consideration, but that’s not to suggest my excerpts are better than the original comments, for they decidedly are not.

I have been encouraged by your zeal and passion. Here are some things I observed as I read your comments.

For some of you, following Jesus is better than managing your own life. Some of you have tried it your own way. Ann commented, “When I was in the drivers seat I ended up making a huge mess of my life.” Janelle agreed: “my life was a wreck of which I never want to return.”

That practical touch carried over to several other posts. Kittyhox said, “Without Him life doesn't make any sense, have any lasting meaning, and just doesn't work!” Darla added, “because it works, and there are no better ideas!”

Jen agreed: "I know what it was like to be me before I met Him."

Tam added a twist: “Why NOT follow Jesus? The truth about God is known instinctively in our hearts.”

The alternative was unacceptable. Alyson said, “Without him my life is empty.” Leah agreed. “I would be in a pit of sin so fast it would make my head spin if I didn't follow Him.”
Angela added, “He is my everything and I am lost without Him.”

Quoting Peter, Kate continued that thought. "Lord, to whom shall I go? You are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

Maxine remembered Jesus’ work: “He is the author and finisher of my faith; He is the One who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, making intercession for me.”

Christine’s thoughts were of Jesus’ nature. “Jesus is the Vine…the Water…the Light.”

For Susan, the why was one word: “eternity.” Meg added, “my only hope.”

Cicilia highlighted Jesus’ role as mentor and leader. “He shows me how to love, to give hope to the hopeless, how to receive comfort, and how to know I am never, ever alone in this divinely human journey I am on.”

Kara also focused on the leadership: “No one comes to the Father but by Him.”

Jesus’ character attracts Zam: “He exemplifies obedience, and if I were a flower, then He'd be my sun.”

By limited comments to one sentence, I hoped the explanations would reflect the essence of your relationships with Jesus. I think it worked. I am awestruck by the richness of understanding, the tenderness of relationship, the passion of the remarks.

You now have a one-sentence response to those who might ask, “why Jesus? Why follow?” Your mini-testimony is polished and ready to use.

Thank you for your wisdom and grace in sharing. Did you notice, by the way, that we're over 15 comments? I guess the kittens stay home. Thank you for joining in!