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The Christian Perspective on the Old Testament

Unfortunately, too many Christians have allowed themselves to harbor extreme views with regard to the role which they permit the Old Testame...

Saturday, March 16, 2024

Whose righteousness are you relying on? His or your own?

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word translated into English as "righteousness" is sedaqa. The sense of the Hebrew word is doing that which is good or "right" as defined by God. And, just as in the New Testament, it is understood that human efforts to be righteous will inevitably fall short of God's standard - that righteousness must be attributed to humans. Also, like the New Testament, the Hebrew Bible makes clear that this awareness about human righteousness is NOT to be interpreted as a permission, excuse, or license to indulge in wickedness. Once again, it is simply important to understand and acknowledge that God's righteousness is only attainable by humans with God's help!

In the Garden of Eden, God forbade Adam and Eve to partake of the "Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil" (Genesis 2:17). Of course, the tree was a metaphor for humans trying to define righteousness and sinfulness without God's input - absent God defining it. And, we all know that Adam and Eve chose to eat the fruit of the tree which had been forbidden to them (Genesis 3:1-7). Interestingly, the very first awareness which came to the couple as a consequence of eating that fruit was a shamefulness associated with their bodies. Hence, human notions about sinfulness and righteousness were immediately corrupted/perverted, and it became clear that humans would not meet God's standard of righteousness.

Later, we are informed that God made some stupendous promises to Abraham (Genesis 15:4-5), and that Abraham "believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness" (Genesis 15:6). Indeed, as we shall see, this faith-based attribution of righteousness will figure prominently in the writings of the New Testament. Later still, God told Abraham's descendants that their inheritance of the Promised Land had NOTHING to do with their righteousness - that it was based on that promise made to their believing ancestor so long ago (Deuteronomy 9:4-6).

In the book of Job, we read that Job maintained his own righteousness in the face of many calamities and defended his behavior before the friends who had suggested that he had somehow caused his own misfortunes. However, after God confronted Job and revealed to Job that his understanding of God and his purposes was insufficient, we read that Job repented of his self-righteousness. We read that Job answered the Lord and said: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:2-6) In the end, Job realized that his own righteousness had been an illusion!

The Prophet Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would impart righteousness to many. Isaiah observed that "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6), and he wrote that "he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth." (Isaiah 53:9) God went on to say through the prophet that "by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities." (Isaiah 53:11) Indeed, toward the end of the same book, we read that "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment." (Isaiah 64:6)

In the New Testament, we read that Jesus Christ told his followers "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6) How were they to be satisfied? By their own efforts? OR Does his statement clearly suggest that God would satisfy them with righteousness? Christ also told his disciples that their righteousness would have to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). Now, as the scribes and Pharisees were scrupulous in their observance of the commandments of Torah, it is reasonable to wonder how that (exceeding their righteousness) was to be accomplished. In that same "Sermon on the Mount," Christ went on to elaborate that he expected his followers to be motivated by the spirit of the Law. Indeed, later, in the same Gospel account, he told them that God's Law was comprehended by two "Great" commandments: Love for God and each other (Matthew 22:34-40).

Even so, Christ knew that he was about to do something on their behalf which would ensure that their righteousness exceeded that of the Jewish religious leaders of that day. Indeed, the Lord had told Joseph that his son would someday "save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21) When John the Baptist saw Christ approaching him, we are informed that he said: "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) A little later, in the same Gospel account, we read that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him" (John 3:16-17). Christ, of course, accomplished that by living a righteous life, and then sacrificing himself for all of the sins which we have committed! Our sins were imputed to him, and his righteousness was imputed to us!

In his epistle to the Romans, Paul wrote: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'" (Romans 1:16-17) For Paul, this was the essence of the "good news" - that our faith in GOD'S righteousness would save us from sin and death. Then, after quoting the Hebrew Bible about no one being righteous before God, he wrote: "But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus." (Romans 3:21-26)

Later, in that same epistle, Paul reminded his audience about the example of Abraham. He wrote: "if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.' Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised." (Romans 4:2-12) He finished the thought: "That is why his faith was 'counted to him as righteousness.' But the words 'it was counted to him' were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification." (Romans 4:22-25)

Paul went on to explain to the Romans that "while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." (Romans 5:6-11)

Next, he reminded them of the consequences of Adam's sin in the Garden of Eden and wrote: "if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:15-19)

To be clear, the fact that our righteousness is derived from Christ does NOT excuse Christians from the obligation to live a righteous life. He went on to admonish the Romans: "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:12-14) Still, it is imperative that we understand and acknowledge that NO ONE will be justified by the works of the Law (Galatians 2:16). Paul also told the saints of Galatia that "if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose" (Verse 21). Thus, we ask again: "Whose righteousness are you relying on: Christ's or you own? 

  


Thursday, March 14, 2024

How to be Christ's Friend

John 15:9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other." (NLT)

Monday, March 11, 2024

A Passage from ONE of the Messianic Psalms

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand — you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, 'Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.' I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. (Psalm 40:6-10, NLT)

"May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, 'The Lord is great!'" (Psalm 40:16, NLT)

Pathocracy in the Armstrong Churches of God

A 2019 Psychology Today article by Dr. Steve Taylor titled Pathocracy, unfortunately, offers us some insight into what has happened within the Armstrong Churches of God. According to the article, the concept of "pathocracy" was developed by a Polish psychologist to explain why people with personality disorders so often occupy positions of power. Indeed, the phenomenon is observed within human leadership in both the political and religious realm.

Dr. Taylor observed that "pathocracy is arguably one of the biggest problems in the history of the human race. History has been a saga of constant conflict and brutality, with groups of people fighting against one another over territory and power and possessions, and conquering and killing one another." Nevertheless, he went on to note that "there is an argument that this is not because all human beings are inherently brutal and cruel, but because a small number of people—that is, those with personality disorders—are brutal and cruel, intensely self-centered, and lacking in empathy. This small minority has always held power and managed to order or influence the majority to commit atrocities on their behalf."

Dr. Taylor went on to observe that "people with these disorders feel an insatiable lust for power. People with narcissistic personality disorder desire constant attention and affirmation. They feel that they are superior to others and have the right to dominate them. They also lack empathy, which means that they are able to ruthlessly exploit and abuse others in their lust for power." Likewise, according to him, "psychopaths feel a similar sense of superiority and lack of empathy, but the main difference between them and narcissists is that they don't feel the same impulse for attention and adoration. To an extent, the impulse to be adored acts as a check on the behavior of narcissists. They are reluctant to do anything that might make them too unpopular. But psychopaths have no such qualms."

Now, most of us are not doctors or psychologists, but we can all read a list of symptoms and have the ability to make connections. According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of narcissistic personality disorder are: Have an unreasonably high sense of self-importance and require constant, excessive admiration. Feel that they deserve privileges and special treatment. Expect to be recognized as superior even without achievements. Make achievements and talents seem bigger than they are. Be preoccupied with fantasies about success, power, brilliance, beauty or the perfect mate. Believe they are superior to others and can only spend time with or be understood by equally special people. Be critical of and look down on people they feel are not important. Expect special favors and expect other people to do what they want without questioning them. Take advantage of others to get what they want. Have an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others. Be envious of others and believe others envy them. Behave in an arrogant way, brag a lot and come across as conceited. Insist on having the best of everything — for instance, the best car or office."

Any of that sound familiar? Anyone with an Armstrong Church of God background should recognize at least some of those traits in Herbert Armstrong, the founder of the Radio and Worldwide Church of God. What about some of the folks who have claimed to be his successors in the movement? What about Garner Ted Armstrong, Roderick Meredith, David Pack, Gerald Flurry, Bob Thiel, Ron Weinland, Jon Brisby, Bill Watson, Adrian Davis, etc.? Indeed, this also explains why so many ACOG folks tend to like and support Donald Trump!

Dr. Taylor went on to note that the phenomenon of pathocracy isn't just confined to personality disorders within the leadership of a group. He noted that "a significant part of the problem is the attraction that many people feel to charismatic demagogues. You can see this in the appeal of President Trump, despite the obvious flaws - his extreme narcissism, lack of empathy and his distorted, delusory view of reality - of his personality disorder. Psychologically, this is very similar to the attraction of spiritual gurus, who often attract the blind devotion of disciples, despite unethical and exploitative behavior. The attraction of gurus and demagogues is a deep-rooted impulse to return to the childhood state of worshipping parents who seem omnipotent and infallible and could take complete responsibility for our lives, and magically solve our problems. At the same time, the paranoia of pathological leaders leads them to demonize other groups and creates an intoxicating sense of group identity with a common purpose."

But why don't the good guys ever seem to end up in leadership? Dr. Taylor noted that "people with a high level of empathy and compassion usually aren’t interested in power. They prefer to be 'on the ground,' interacting and connecting with others. They may even refuse the offer of a high-status position because they’re aware that higher status will disconnect them (although for a non-empathic person, that is part of its appeal). So this leaves positions of power open for people with psychological disorders (or at least with a high level of ambition and ruthlessness, even if not a fully fledged psychological disorder)." In brief, the people who should be in leadership positions don't want to be! Ironically, it is the reluctant ones who are best suited to leadership - the ready and willing are often folks with an agenda or something to prove. In other words, they have little or no concern for the needs of the folks they desire to rule over. They are simply a means to an end.

This is the history and legacy of the Armstrong Churches of God. As I have said before, that isn't always cream rising to the top. Sometimes turds float on the surface too! 

Saturday, March 9, 2024

An Act of Faith, Hope, and Love

Some have viewed this blog as hostile to the Armstrong Churches of God, but the existence of this blog is really proof of faith, hope, and love. Over the years, more than a few commentators have perceived many of my posts as "attacks" on individuals and organizations, and I'm confident that it would surprise most of them that I don't see them in the same way. Indeed, ALL of the posts which appear here are intended to help others eschew falsehoods and find their way back to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

This blog is an affirmation that TRUTH matters, and that we should NOT write-off anyone as lost or irredeemable. It is an affirmation of faith in God's ability to correct that which is wrong, to forgive, and to restore. It is an affirmation of faith in the premise that "there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." (Luke 15:7) In short, the outlook of these posts is hopeful and full of compassion, care, and empathy for those who have been deceived into believing in a hateful, spiteful, and small god.

Jesus likened this process to a shepherd recovering a lamb which had strayed from his flock (Luke 15:4-6), finding a lost coin after a diligent search for it (Luke 15:8-9), or the return of an estranged and prodigal son to his father (Luke 15:11-32). In his epistle, James put it this way: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20) I want to be one of those folks who brings back a lamb who has wandered away. After all, true love never gives up! (I Corinthians 13:8)

**Scriptural references were taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

Friday, March 8, 2024

The Gospel of Matthew: Prayer

The Gospel of Matthew informs us that Jesus had a great deal to say about prayer. Indeed, that account has more to say on the subject than the other three Gospels combined! Of course, the most widely recognized teaching of Jesus on the subject is the model prayer which he gave to his disciples. He told them:

Pray then like this:

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV)

Now, rightly, "The Lord's Prayer" has stood the test of time. It is still recited throughout Christendom on a regular basis, and it has been written about in great detail. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ made a number of other points about prayer in this Gospel. He told his followers to pray:

For those who mistreated and persecuted them (Matthew 5:44)

Privately (Matthew 6:5-6)

Concisely and without meaningless repetitions (Matthew 6:7)

For more evangelists (Matthew 9:38)

In solitude without distractions (Matthew 14:23)

For the removal of demonic influences (Matthew 17:21)

For the blessing of children (Matthew 19:13)

In faith - believing that we will receive what we ask for (Matthew 21:13, 22)

Sincerely and without flowery or long-winded speeches (Matthew 23:14)

For favorable conditions when the end is near (Matthew 24:20)

When we are in distress (Matthew 26:36)

That we will not succumb to temptation (Matthew 26:41)

Hence, let us all pray that God will help us to follow Christ's example and teachings regarding prayer!




Wednesday, March 6, 2024

The Road to Hell Is Paved with BAD Intentions!

Although very old, the aphorism/proverb "The road to hell is paved with good intentions" is NOT found in the Judeo-Christian Bible. Indeed, from a Scriptural perspective, I believe that the exact opposite is true! According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the phrase is "said to emphasize that you must not simply intend to behave well but you must act according to your intentions, because you will have problems or be punished if you do not." Of course, the key word in the phrase is "intentions," meaning what a person has purposed or resolved to do - his/her aim or objective. Hence, a "good" intention would be one with a benign or righteous purpose or resolution behind it.

Conversely, a "bad" intention would be one with a malicious or evil purpose or resolution behind it. Indeed, according to Scripture, the flood was the consequence of God seeing "that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." (Genesis 6:5, ESV) Hence, in that instance, the road to "hell" was clearly paved with bad intentions. This, of course, also suggests that "intentions" are important to God.

Moreover, there are a number of passages in the New Testament which suggest that the intentions of our hearts are important to God. In a number of places, Jesus emphasized that his disciples should be motivated by love (Matthew 22:24-20, John 13:34-35). In the anonymously authored epistle to the Hebrews, we read that "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV) In other words, Scripture can help us to see what is motivating us to do something - whether our intentions are good or bad! Indeed, in the epistle attributed to James, we read that "each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death."  (James 1:14-15, ESV) In other words, bad leads to bad!

Even so, no one spoke about the role that intention plays in the Christian life more than the Apostle Paul. In his letter to the saints at Rome, Paul wrote: "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin." (Romans 7:15-25, ESV) Also, in the same epistle, he wrote about the importance of what motivates a person in determining whether or not they remain in the Lord. Finally, in his letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul echoed the essential role that love plays in the Christian life (I Corinthians 13).

Sure, good intentions can become meaningless if the person doesn't make a real effort to put those intentions into practice, but nothing good can follow if the intentions are not good on the front end! Hence, from a scriptural perspective, the road to hell is paved with BAD intentions!