EXPOSITORY FILES 6.11

Nov. 1999

Edited by

Warren E. Berkley & Jon W. Quinn

 

 

In This Issue …

 

Front Page

Warren E. Berkley

 

Repentance in 2 Cor. 7:11

Warren E. Berkley

 

“I Am the Door,” John 10:9

Denny Diehl

 

The Spirit Himself Bears Witness, Rom. 8:14-16

Jon W. Quinn

 

Straining Out Gnats & Swallowing Camels, Matt. 23:23,24

Ed Barnes

 

Special Series #10

Mark Roberts

 

Plan of Salvation

 

Final Page

Jon W. Quinn

 

 

 

 

The Front Page

6.11;  Nov., 1999

By Warren E. Berkley

 

 

A Book Review and Recommendation …

 

McCort’s Book

 

I’ve known John McCort for about 25 years. We became acquainted when I moved to Mulvane, Kansas. He was there the day I unloaded the U-Haul truck. He lived and preached near Kansas City at the time but his mother was a member of the congregation I was moving to.

 

We became good friends and in 1981 we traveled together to the Philippine Islands, spending 27 hard days preaching on the island of Palawan. It was an experience that cemented our friendship. But in 1982 and a few years following that time, our friendship was challenged and tested. John fell into sin and everybody who knew and loved him and his family prayed and reacted to save him and prevent a divorce. Brethren in Kansas called me late one night, put together the money and sent me to Indianapolis on the next plane out of Wichita. We didn’t entertain any unrealistic hope but some thought I might be able to help. I had a few hours of very strained conversation with John but could work no miracles. His marriage ended and that crisis was followed by years of calamity, heartache and guilt.

 

As far as I’m able to tell, John McCort has repented of all the sins involved in that frightful episode; he has reconciled with his children; is a faithful member of a sound church; makes an honest living; lives alone and is doing all he can now to warn others of THE SHATTERING CONSEQUENCES OF DIVORCE. That’s the name of a book he has written from his own personal experience.

 

The purpose of John’s book is not to deal with all the scriptures that teach us not to put asunder what God has joined. Brethren have written extensively on marriage, divorce and remarriage. John’s book is a comprehensive statement of the many consequences of divorce that he and others have been through. He calls attention to a variety of results that impact all of those involved. It is a chilling and dramatic statement of what can happen in the aftermath of affairs, adultery, divorce and remarriage. I believe this kind of book has its place.

 

If you know someone moving toward divorce, this book may be a useful tool in discouraging an impulsive act or sin. John concludes the book by saying:

 

“I conclude this book with the prayer that all who read this book will use it as a tool to prevent divorce from destroying lives as it has mine. I am baring my soul for all to read so I might prevent others from making the same mistakes I have made. I pray that lasting good might come from my poor example and encourage those who could be tempted to give up on troubled marriages.”

 

Brethren, this is a message many need to hear. And, I have not found anything in this book that offers any justification, loop-holes or sympathy for those who teach error in dealing with this subject. This is plain talk about how bad divorce is. I recommend John’s book, and ask that all who read this pray for John, his children and former wife.

 

-Warren E. Berkley

 

To order this book, visit www.eagleproductions.org

or call (toll free): 1-877-638-4523

 

 

 

 

 

 

            The Benefits Of Repentance

2 Cor. 7:11

 

“For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”

 

This passage is about the elements of repentance; or it might be stated – the products of repentance. And once we become acquainted with this, we understand the importance of this act and the joy it causes in heaven and in God’s kingdom here.

 

In the church at Corinth there was an individual offender who needed specific attention (see 1 Cor. 5). But also, any who were guilty of the misbehavior named in the First Corinthian letter needed to repent. When Paul, through Titus, learned that some had repented, he expressed his joy. And in that celebration he names some of the key elements in genuine repentance:

 

DILIGENCE – one good result of repentance is more diligence. It was carelessness that got us into sin. When we regain a sense of wisdom and humility with godly sorrow, leading to repentance, we are then more careful or diligent about our thoughts and behavior before God. Genuine repentance produces this good fruit – diligence.

 

A CLEARING OF YOURSELVES – in order to be cleared (forgiven, justified), we must repent. Time has no redemptive value. When the misdeeds of public figures are brought to light, the argument is often made that “it happened so many years ago.” Yet time has no redemptive power at all. In order to be cleared, we must repent. It is a great benefit of repentance to be cleared of wrongdoing.

 

INDIGNATION – disapproval of sin. In sin, we suffer a loss of shame and indignation. But upon repentance, we regain that healthy sense of disdain and indignation toward everything that offends God.

 

FEAR – a healthy fear we need to have about offending God. Do you know one problem today is, people have a fear of fear!! Fear gets a lot of negative, undeserved press these days. Books are written and seminars are conducted to help you eradicate fear. Well, there are some fears we shouldn’t have – but let’s not just get down on fear all together. In the Bible, there is a healthy, godly, constructive fear that pleases God, builds character and is part of saving faith! This kind of fear is renewed in us when we repent.

 

So let us repent when we sin. For repentance works in us these great things. “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication!”

 

 

"I Am the Door"

Denny A. Diehl

(Scanned from Christian Magazine, June 1995)

 

 

 

 

Jesus described Himself as being "the door" (John 10:9). Years ago there was a TV game show called "Let's Make A Deal." Monty Hall would offer the participants the choice of two doors and, depending on the choice made, the player would receive a valued prize or be zapped. Our lives are very much like that game show; life is made up of choices and, depending on which door to life that we choose, we will either receive a blessing or be zapped.

 

Jesus is the door

 

Jesus said, 'No one comes to the Father, but through Me" (John 14:6). The one who enters through Jesus, "he shall be saved" (John 10:9). Then it is Jesus who sets the standard. Monty Hall would give a player some money which he could trade for a door. To get the door, the player would have to follow Monty Hall's instructions. We all recognized that to get the door, the instructions would have to be followed. In the same way, Jesus said, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved" (Luke 16:16). Therefore, to choose the door which leads to salvation, Jesus' instructions will have to be followed, because "he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:2 1).

 

Door of faith open

 

After Paul's first evangelistic journey, "they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles" (Acts 14:27). Paul, during his third journey while at Ephesus, noted, "for a wide door for effective service has opened to me" (1 Corinthians 16:9). Jesus opens the door of opportunity to speak to someone in His name. We need to constantly watch for that open door. First, we need to be praying. . . that God may open up to us a door for the word, so that we may “speak forth the mystery of Christ" (Colossians 4:3). After praying for the door to open in someone's life, we need to watch for it to open. Typically, in anyone's life, there are certain times when the door opens to Christ (perhaps marriage, birth, death, moving, etc.). When I first started preaching at about age 27, an insurance man tried to get me to take out health insurance. Even at the grand sum of $35 a month, that door wasn't open then; but now with a family, I wouldn't dream of being without it. Constantly watch for the door to open in someone's life.

 

But to take advantage of that open door, we must not be distracted with other things. Our job, money, family, hobbies, etc., can distract us from taking the opportunity. We need to be ever vigilant. Even Paul was distracted, when he "came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus" (2 Corinthians 2:12-13).

 

Temptation and the door of escape

 

We need to always know where this door is located. Paul said that no temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Some consider themselves strong. The man who will not ask directions because that makes him look weak is proverbial. We can be strong when we recognize the strength of our weaknesses. Joseph was strong because he knew where the door of escape was located. When Potiphar's wife "caught him by his garment, saying, 'Lie with me!' ", He left his garment in her hand and fled.

 

The door of blessings

 

Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly" (John 10:10). "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father" (James 1:17). Even for Israel, God "rained down manna upon them to eat, and He gave them food from heaven" (Psalm 78:24). Yet they complained about that blessing (see Numbers 11:6). Would we really be thankful for the blessing of many conversions, or would we "complain against one another" (James 5 :9) because of something that we don't like?

 

"We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God" (Romans 8:28). Are we looking for those things that "work together for good," or are our eyes fixed on something else? What makes the following quote so powerful is not only what it says, but who said it: "When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us" (Helen Keller).

 

Open door to heaven

 

If we miss this door, then we've really been zapped. John looked and saw "a door standing open in heaven" (Revelation 4:1). We need to always be spiritually looking for this door. Jesus is the door. But we won't be able to enter unless we hear, "Well done, good and faithful slave.., enter into the joy of your master" (Matthew 25:2 1).

 

 

The Spirit Himself Bears Witness

(Romans 8:14-16)

By Jon Quinn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

            "For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God... The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:14,16).

 

            One thing we need as disciples is the assurance that we are right with God. We need to know that we are on the right course. We need to have the confidence such assurance brings especially during difficult times. The Lord does offer such assurance, and does so through the Holy Spirit.

 

            What form does this assurance take? Is it a small voice whispering to us in the back of our minds? Is it a special feeling of warmth and security? Is it a receiving of a spiritual gift, such as the ability to speak in a foreign language we have never known before? Will we stumble upon a bush on fire but not consumed and the voice of God will assure us from the bush?

 

            According to the New testament, the Holy Spirit's witness does not take the form of any of these. Understand this: There is not a single person in the Bible that, when offering proof or evidence that he or she is saved from sins and in a right relationship with God,  offered any of these things as evidence. So then, what is this witness the Spirit gives us? It is solid and reliable. It is unmistakable. We can appeal to this testimony of the Spirit and be assured.

 

The Spirit's Witness has been Written

 

 

            First, we understand that all Scripture is given by "inspiration" (2 Timothy 3:16,17). That which has been written is adequate to answer all of our spiritual need for guidance, including the giving of assurance that we are right with God.

 

            "Inspiration"  is the method by which God led the writers of Scripture to record the things they did. This ensured that the things they wrote were what God intended, and was accomplished by the Holy Spirit guiding them in the things they wrote. The recorded words are from and by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13).

 

            The things written are there by God's decree, not man's and give us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:21,3). When we read these words, the words of the Bible, we are told that we "can understand" that which had been revealed "to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit." (Ephesians 3:4,5).

 

Jesus' Promise to Send the Holy Spirit

 

            Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to guide those who had accompanied Him "from the beginning" of His ministry (John 15:26,27). This particular promise concerning the Holy Spirit was given just to the apostles, the ones who had accompanied Him (many do not understand this, but even a quick look at verse 27 as well as the context shows this is so). It was not spoken to all disciples in general. Jesus explains this is necessary so the apostles could be taught "all things" and be led to a perfect "remembrance of all that I said to you." (John 14:26). Simply put, this means that nothing has been left out of the inspired record. "All things" necessary have been revealed and recalled to apostolic memory, and recorded for us in the pages of the New Testament. By the time of the death of John, the last surviving apostle who had been with Jesus, the inspired writings of the New Covenant were complete. Then the only remaining task was to assemble them into one book, the New Testament.

 

            It is too bad that not everyone has faith in God's power and Jesus' promise

concerning this, insisting instead that we must have some sort of extra-biblical guidance. Some say we must have modern day prophets to reveal additional truths. Others say religious leaders should occasionally update the Biblical teachings through creed making. Why is their faith in God so small?  John, speaking in behalf of all the inspired apostles, said, "We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." (1 John 4:6). It is the keeping the commandments given us by the Spirit that the Scriptures link to how we know the Spirit is in us. "And the one who keeps the commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And we know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit which he has given us." (1 John 3:24).

 

The Spirit on Becoming God's Child

 

            The Spirit bears witness that we have become God's children by informing us what is involved in becoming such. If you have done what the Spirit says, then the Spirit says you are a child of God.

 

            The Spirit tells us that we become children of God by faith. We are told this entails being baptized to put on Christ (Galatians 3:26,27). This has to be so because it is the Holy Spirit's testimony. If I, in my spirit, can say, "I have done that." then the Holy Spirit bears witness with my Spirit that I am a child of God.

 

            But if I must say, "I have not done that" then I have the Spirit's testimony that I am not a child of God (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Colossians 2:12, etc.).

 

The Spirit on Remaining Right With God

 

            What does it take to continue to be in fellowship with God? We are told to live as obedient children; "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy in all your behavior." (1 Peter 1:14,15). We are told to be "servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:16,23). We are told about the characteristics of those who are being "led by the Spirit" as well as the characteristics of those who are not (Galatians 5:16-23) .

 

            Again, the Holy Spirit bears witness through His written testimony, which, as we have seen, He has assured us is adequate for the job.

 

            We can be absolutely sure of the reliability of the Spirit's witness. We are urged to settle for "that which has been written" and not to go beyond it (1 Corinthians 4:6). And, we do not need to go beyond it, because it equips us "for every good work."

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Straining Out Gnats and Swallowing Camels

(Matthew 23:23,24)

By Ed Barnes

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices -- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law -- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel" (Matthew 23:23,24)

 

Given my druthers, I wouldn't swallow a gnat or a camel, but if forced to choose between the two I'd quickly be heading out the door with my gnat trap. The Pharisees, on the other hand, seemed to have a more ambitious appetite. Even though they painstakingly avoided swallowing a tiny gnat, they did seem to enjoy stuffing huge, gangly camels into their mouths.

 

Actually the Pharisees did well to avoid eating gnats as they were unclean (albeit the most minute of the unclean animals). The Pharisees would obey the law to the extent of literally straining their wine or drinking water through a cloth in order to avoid the possibility of swallowing an unclean insect. But they would then turn around and engage in religious activity that was grossly unlawful, immoral and ungodly, not thinking anything about it. And this disorderly activity Jesus likens to the eating of a camel.

 

The ungodliness of the Pharisees is also illustrated in reference to their tithing. One tenth of the harvest was to be given to God (usually going to the priests and Levites - Nu 18:20-24; Dt 14:24-29). The Pharisees would go so far as to pay tithes on a mint, dill, and cummin (three tiny garden herbs grown for seasoning and flavoring their food). To pay tithes on these crops was to be scrupulously obedient. For the tithe was scarcely worth the trouble of removing it from the garden. Jesus did not condemn this tithing, but he did condemn leaving undone the more important matters; an omission of which the Pharisees were guilty.

The Pharisees dismissed as needing no attention at all the more important spiritual parts of the law such as justice (the act of righteously judging our fellow man), mercy (forbearance toward the guilty and compassion for the suffering), and faithfulness (manifesting belief in our lives).

 

Could it be that we too are guilty of the same legalistic attitude which prompted such a stern Messianic rebuke? Is it possible that in our enlightened spiritual environment we could be replacing more important matters of the Lord's work with the less important details? It would be the height of religious arrogance to assume that it could not happen to us.

 

When it comes to justice, we are judging the worth of others based upon the details of clothing, financial status and social position rather than on the eternal value of their soul? Are we more concerned about community gossip and the standards of other religious groups in judging people than we are of the standard of God? Are we reflecting the justice of God when we become upset over the orderliness of worship but not upset over the lost souls of those who may be disorderly?

 

When it comes to mercy, we must follow the example of Jesus who often attended to physical needs such as hunger and sickness, but was primarily concerned with man's spiritual needs. To show mercy by helping a needy person with a handout is certainly commendable, but to assist that same person in obtaining a saving knowledge of the Word of God is even more important.

 

As far as faithfulness is concerned, we all realize the importance of attending worship services and avoiding any public display of ungodliness. But what about when our actions are hidden from the public? How do we treat our spouse and our children in the privacy of our home? What about our thoughts, our true desires? Are we as spiritual inwardly as we appear to be?

The message of Jesus in Matthew 23:23,24 is not that we neglect the details of obedience, but that we also remember the more important matters. Giving perfectionistic attention to the details while neglecting true service to God and our fellow man will only result in our condemnation as one who strains out the gnats and swallows the camel. 

 

 

 

Special Topic Series

 

 

The Battle of Armageddon

Mark Roberts

            “This powerful group of allies will lead an attack on restored Israel. . . The attack upon the Russian confederacy and the resulting conflict will escalate into the last war of the world, involving all nations.”

Hal Lindsey, The Late Great Planet Earth, 1970, page 60

 

Armageddon is a term that has slipped easily into today’s vocabulary.  One hears of “nuclear Armageddon” and the “final battle” in both political and religious speeches.  What does it all mean?  Are premillenialists, like Hal Lindsey, correct when they tell us the last battle will involve Israel and Russia?  What does the Bible say about Armageddon?

While one might imagine numerous references to Armageddon would occur in scripture, it is only mentioned once.  Revelation 16:16 says “They gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har‑Magedon.”  Here, John is told, the false prophet and beast bring together all the armies of the kings of the earth to fight against God.  Har-Magedon is actually a Hebrew term that means mountain of Megiddo.  Megiddo is a valley that makes a natural pass in the mountains for all traffic between Egypt and points north and east.  Every empire of Bible times tried to control this valley, due to its strategic importance.  Interestingly, while there is a valley of Megiddo there is no mountain of Megiddo.  The place Revelation points to as the site of this great battle does not exist!  What do we make of that?

Armageddon’s symbolic name just points to the nature of the book of Revelation.  It is not a book to be taken literally.  It is apocalyptic, a kind of literature that portrays the battle between good and evil in fascinating signs and symbols (Rev. 1:3).  “Armageddon” type battles are not unusual in apocalyptic literature.  One of the Dead Sea Scrolls offers this picture of a battle between God and Satan: “The rule of War on the unleashing of the attack of the sons of light against the company of the sons of darkness, the army of Satan . . . This shall be a time of salvation for the people of God, an age of dominion for all members of His company, and of everlasting destruction for all the company of Satan . . . .”  (The War Scroll, 1:1-9).  The uninspired work 1 Enoch contains a similar scene (1:9).  Revelation’s battle is no different than these.  It is a “big picture” look at God overcoming all those who oppose Him and His people (19:1).  To make it all literal is to make a fatal mistake that deprives the student of any chance of properly understanding what he is seeing.  Let’s look closer.

The reference to Armageddon in Revelation 16:16 is no more a reference to a real, literal battlefield than the reference to the beast (16:13) is to a real monster.  What do we make of the frogs, the drying up of the Euphrates (16:12), and the context of the entire book?  By what rule of interpretation can we say “figurative, figurative, figurative” to these and then suddenly decide “the geographic place (which does not exist) must be literal?  To say such is poor exegesis in an understatement.

Revelation 19:19-21 is no different.  Yes, there is a battle portrayed there, but is it literal?  Jesus is portrayed as the conquer, but are we to believe He literally has a sword in His mouth (19:15, 21)?  Again, it is a picture in symbols.  The battle that is discussed is a spiritual conflict between right and wrong.  To put tanks and helicopters into Revelation 19 is a travesty.  Christians in the John’s day needed to know that they were not dying in vain, that God had not abdicated His throne, and that the devil would not triumph.  They are reassured when they see these pictures of Jesus conquering by the power of the Gospel.  Of what value would knowing about icbms and a future physical battle be to these persecuted saints?   John’s apocalypse shows that even when it looks like Christians are losing, they are winning the spiritual battle.

Regrettably, extensive efforts are made to find Armageddon not only in Revelation but in Ezekiel 38-39.  Gog and Magog are identified as Russia, and the battle in Ezekiel is said to be the one in Revelation 19.  Really?  The armies of Ezekiel 38 ride horses and carry swords (38:4).  If the battle is literal why isn’t the weaponry?  How can we say “this is a literal battle, but the weapons will be tanks and machine guns?”  Notice that in 39:9-10 the prophet specifically says that when the battle ends Israel will burn their enemies’ weapons as firewood.  This cannot be modern weaponry — one cannot burn an ak-47!  To further confound premillenial uses of these chapters, Gog and Magog are dead and buried in Ezekiel’s battle (39:11-12).  Premillenialists are happy to parallel this to Revelation 19's battle and make it all one and the same conflict, the battle of Armageddon.  But has anyone noticed that in Revelation 20:8 Gog and Magog appear (note: for the first time in Revelation)?  How can Gog and Magog materialize in Revelation 20 if they were already killed in the battle of Armageddon described in Ezekiel 38-39 and Revelation 19?

Someone is mixed up, and it is those who are trying to force Ezekiel’s message into John’s book.  Ezekiel’s visions and prophecies were for the people of his day, the captives in Babylon.  He gives them a reassuring message of God’s power and ability to re-establish them in their home land, and to protect them from attack when they get there.  To pick up those symbols and jam them into Revelation, a book written to give confidence and hope to Christians in the first century, makes a giant mess.  Revelation 19’s battle is not Ezekiel’s battle, and Ezekiel is not talking about Revelation’s battle of Armageddon.  These are two separate events, two separate visions, given to two entirely different peoples in entirely different circumstances.  Premillenial ideas just prove to be a “Bible blender” that confuses and contradicts scripture.

The most important lesson to be learned from studying about Armageddon is that God will indeed triumph. Rather than fearfully wringing our hands at “wars and rumors of wars” let us be about the business of teaching the Gospel to the lost and standing for purity and holiness.  This aligns us with the One who is always victorious in every battle.

 

 

 

The Plan of Salvation

By Jon Quinn

 

 

Plan #1

 

    Announced by the apostles, inspired by the Holy

Spirit, to new believers in Christ who had asked what they

must do:

 

     "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name

of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and you shall

receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  (ACTS 2:38)

 

Plan #2

 

    On the back page of a tract, sinner were urged to pray

this prayer to be saved. This prayer is not found in the

Bible; nor were alien sinners commanded to pray for their

forgiveness.

 

The Sinner's Prayer:

 

    "O' Lord, I accept that I am a sinner and that Jesus

died for my sins. I now accept Him into my heart as Lord

and Savior asking for your mercy and forgiveness in His

name. Amen."

 

The editors of Expository Files are happy with plan #1 and

thankful to the God of all grace for it. We cannot

recommend Plan #2 at all, but will change our minds when

this prayer can be shown to us in the Bible.

 

 

Final Page

Final Page

By Jon W. Quinn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

          Thanks for taking a look at Expository Files 6.11. We hope you have found it thought provoking, beneficial and, most of all, Scriptural.

 

          As of this writing, NBC is advertising a soon to be broadcast "made for TV" movie entitled "Mary and Jesus." This kind of news always draws out mixed emotions in me. While I am happy that someone somewhere thinks that there is still enough interest in Jesus that a movie about some aspect of His life might turn a profit in today's society, I am also mindful of the fact that nothing about the Bible comes through Hollywood unscathed. One can find inaccuracies in the movie classic "The Ten Commandments" as well as in the newer "miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth."  Then, last season someone got the bright idea that the story of the flood would work well as a "comedy" (Oh... it wasn't supposed to be a comedy?) At any rate, it was a bungled attempt in about every way imaginable.  I have yet to hear from anyone who was actually pleased with the result.

 

          But this upcoming movie in which it seems the main focus will be on Mary is now being advertised and may already have been shown by the time you read this. I'll refrain from saying anything pro or con about the contents, but I can say something about the advertisement that struck me as a little revealing. The commercial ends with this question: "What if they are right?"

 

          I wonder who the "they" are? Probably that has reference to "those" people who actually believe that Mary gave birth to the Son of God. "They" would be in contrast to the "we" who are airing the movie here at NBC who wish it remain distinct from the "they" who believe Jesus is who He claimed to be.

 

          I don't mind this, and I am not complaining at all about it. In fact, I like it. Its an up front admission that those who are airing this NBC advertisement are not believers. I think it should be admitted if true. But it also suggests that the slants and biases of these people will generally be in the direction on unbelief and that their moral conclusions are also based on something other than Scripture. I think that believers have known that this is so for a long time. It is most certainly the reason that objectivity is many times lost when NBC and other networks deal with Scriptural and moral topics.

          I hope they do a better job than they did with Noah and the flood last season.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~        

 

 

 

 

&