In our Bible classes at the University church in Abilene, we’re looking at the book of Hebrews. James Thompson, a man who has studied and written about Hebrews about as much as anyone, is a member of our congregation and has prepared some excellent study materials.
We looked at a long section today, starting in chapter 8 and going through 10:25, the famous “not forsaking the assembling” passage. As we discussed the passage in class, I was struck again by how incongruous an over-emphasis on the weekly assembly is with the arguments presented here. That is, Hebrews is all about encouraging one another daily, finding ways to help each other with the Christian walk. It’s not just about meeting on Sundays.
At times, I’ve shared with others some thoughts based on the hours in a week. We’ve got 168 hours in every week. If we were to sleep 8 hours each night, we still have 112 hours. Now, how many hours do we spend at the church building? Generously, most of us spend up to 5 hours per week: 3 on Sunday morning, and 1 each on Sunday evening and Wednesday evening.
5 hours out of 112. Can you imagine if that were the sum total of our Christian life? That’s not a “life,” that’s barely even a hobby. Most of us spend more time than that watching the news.
We have to realize that all of our time is God’s time, all of our life is our Christian life. The times of Christian assembly are invaluable, but they aren’t our Christian life. In many ways, they are the times that prepare us to go out and live the Christian life.
Don’t forsake “the assembly,” nor the “assembling.” And remember that our duty toward one another and toward God doesn’t stop with those times.
Good stuff, my friend. Cannot focus on one to the neglect of the other.
Interesting study the book of Hebrews. The book of course written to the Hebrews scattered across the Mediterranian. To what end is the writer pointing to. As a reader trying to gain some understanding being a Greek I would need to have some background about the Hebrew people. Of course if I was a Greek Jew, I might know about Abraham and Moses but of course Gentiles didn’t. Of what importance is this.
Who is the writer writing to, in what context was the letter written and what points are being made. Many references are made about the fathers and the prophets, the law and of course becoming Christian and then falling back into the law. One must also remember when reading Hebrews that the temple was still in place. All that is required of the law. I don’t use this book as any reference point for my Christian walk. You mentioned about the amount of time one uses in his Christian walk.
It is obvious to me that so many Christians are NOT students of the bible. I watch a T.V. show called “Ask the Pastor” I find it amusing that people that watch this program and ask questions really have no clue how to study, what to study and understand what they study. They expect the pastors on the program to give them
Gospel truth. Sad in most cases they don’t. I hope we can effectively dialogue about the book of Hebrews and share varying views that is, if you care to.
Frankly, H.B., I’m a bit concerned with where the concept of progressive revelation seems to lead you. Some of what you write sounds like a neo-Gnostic approach: I’ve got this special insight that most Christians don’t have. Maybe I’m reading into what you write; I know that online conversations can easily be misunderstood.
Hebrews was written for Christians, and I consider myself a Christian. I’m not above learning from anyone, least of all an inspired writer. I consider all of the Bible as a reference point for my Christian walk. That doesn’t mean that it all applies to me as it did to those under the Law, for example. When I start saying, “OK, this book applies, this one doesn’t, this one’s in, this one’s not,” I’m on dangerous ground.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
Dangerous ground? A slippery slope? I have heard this many times. But discernment of scripture is one key element to bible study isn’t it? When we apply the whole bible to how we conduct ourselves in everyday life places us in such a bind of self doubt, fear, focusing on ourselves rather than others. It appears to me that the bible was written for me to understand the purpose of God’s plan for salvation for mankind. When people place thier primary focus on anything other than this it serves not as a help but a hindrence.
A tome written 2000 years ago by people that lived during that period to express what God had done for them doesn’t really help people understand their vehicles, i pods and hand held computers. I know that is a silly comment but the reality is
for me God’s grace is sufficient for me in my life and using this book in the 21st century doesn’t effect me much in my everyday life. We all have paths to walk in this life. You have chosen your path and I mine. The bible means something totally different to you than it does for me. As I read and discern the word of God I look at every word as if I am a Jew. Not as a Christian trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Since the bible was written by Jews, about Jews and covers the history of the Jewish people wouldn’t it stand to reason that one, looking at the bible from this perspective would get a new insight? Try it and see if you see the Word in a different light.
H.B.,
I proudly take my place as one of God’s people, descendant of Abraham, heir to the promises. The fact that some people misunderstand the Bible and fall into legalism is no reason for saying it has nothing to say to us.
If we read the Bible for what it is, it says a lot to us about how to deal with our vehicles, ipods and computers. In the end, it’s about people, not things. It doesn’t tell me how to use a computer any more than it told David how to tend sheep. So you’re right, that is an extremely silly comment.
Read the Bible as if you were a Jew? Absolutely. Our first task is to see what the message is for the original readers. But if we stop there, we’ll never hear God’s voice speaking to us. We won’t let God change us from square pegs into round ones.
I’m continuing to grow in how I see the Bible. I hope we’ll all do the same.
Grace and peace,
Tim Archer
As we look at the bible from an authoritative position, I for one think that looking at a book such as Leviticus, one can see that what are rules set for the tribes of Israel are clearly NOT what should be honored for today. Should we pick and choose what to use and what not to? Or are we too look at the book for what it is intended. Does anyone think that the Christian today is “spiritual Israel? Can any particular church claim the promises made to Israel by God “name it and claim it”? Or take Malachi for instance? You have robbed God by not giving the tithe? We as Christians can’t claim what was promised to Israel in the Wilderness. This was a covenant between the people of God and God himself. Not promises made to Gothic tribes, or Egyptians or any other people for that matter. Exactly what is God doing in this age of Grace?
Is he actively working with American Christians? When over 100 million people were killed in the 20th century alone one has to ask this question, just what is he doing in his relationship with humans. The apostle Paul heard it all when Christ said to him,
“My grace is sufficient for thee” Its not rocket science, his grace provides all that is needed thru the love that furnished this grace to us ALL.