1. "WORD-STUDIES" - PART II :

In issue #9 (July 5, 1998) I wrote about the folly that is sometimes exhibited in so-called "word studies." I offered three examples of such. In my third example I mentioned an article which sought to prove that Jesus is not God by appealing to the Hebrew of Psalm 110:1. This particular item generated some correspondance between the author of that article and myself. While we both stand by our Christology (I am Trinitarian; he is Socinian), nevertheless I felt that a clarification was in order.

While I maintain that the article's author draws erroneous conclusions from his research, he does point out a widely-promoted error among Trinitarians. Simply put, this error is the contention that the "my lord" of Psalm 110:1 is the Hebrew "Adonai," a word reserved for THE Lord, God Himself. Although I am an orthodox Trinitarian, error is error -- and this notion is error. The word translated "my lord" (in reference to Jesus) is a form of adon (that form being adoni), but is not adonai. This idea permeates trinitarian articles and books, being commited again and again.

For instance, one of my favorite Bible teachers writes, "In the most commonly quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, Psalm 110, David says, 'The Lord said to my Lord' or 'Yahweh said to my Adonai' (Ps. 110:1). The New Testament application of this verse saw it stressing the divinity, authority, and sovereignty of Christ when Yahweh, the Father, addressed Adonai, the Son." (R.C. Sproul, Tabletalk, "Adonai, God is Lord," December, 1995). This is simply not true.

The fact that "my lord" in Ps. 110:1 is not adonai can be easily verified by anyone with a Strong's Concordance (although verifying that it is adoni will require a lexicon). Among the lessons here we can glean the following:

1. Even good orthodox Bible teachers make mistakes. Those at Berea checked out even the Apostle Paul (Acts 17:11)!

2. Genuine errors can be made in the name of defending truth. Most importantly, such errors are never justified simply because they are made while defending truth. In fact, the cause of orthodoxy is actually hurt by such error by giving others cause to attack the truth.

In short, the long-standing error involving the idea that adonai is in Ps. 110:1 has probably become so commonplace among evangelicals that all of those employing it no doubt have no idea that it is not true. It's been "handed down." I pray they all start checking their facts. This is just as much a "sloppy word-study" error as any.

2. ARE WE PROGRESSING? :

Many (most?) believers today have wandered away from the Sola Scriptura maxim of Luther and the Reformers. How so? It is not being practiced. Local pastors, televangelists and/or para-church ministries have become the Protestant "popes." Likewise, many are "content" just to "be saved" and "know the basics." If a particular doctrine is deemed "non-essential" it is often brushed aside as if unimportant! (As if the Spirit has inspired "idle words"!)

In Hebrews 5:11-6:2, the author addresses some believers who were clinging to the "milk" (basic doctrines) and would not "go on to perfection" -- that is, there was no progression in what they knew and understood. They could not handle the "meat" of the word.

Are you progressing in the knowledge of God? Or, are you going to church two or three times a week to get spoon-fed by your pastor? Below is a questionaire with Bible references to help get us all back on track.

1. What does Scripture call one who hates knowledge? (Pr. 1:22)

2. Why were the believers in Berea called "more noble" than those at Thessalonica? (Acts 17:11)

3. What was their attitude toward the Word of God? (Acts 17:11)

4. How often did they search the Scriptures? (Acts 17:11)

5. How are we to show ourselves "approved unto God"? (2 Tim. 2:15)

6. Do you have any reason to be ashamed? (2 Tim. 2:15)

7. What portions of Scripture are inspired and profitable for us? (2 Tim. 3:16)

8. Where do we learn our doctrine? (2 Tim. 3:16)

9. Believers are to "go on to perfection" (Heb. 6:1). How is this accomplished? (2 Tim. 3:17)

10. How often should we be "ready" to provide answers about our faith? (1 Peter 3:15)

Going through the simple little quiz above may help to remind us where we are and where we need to go. Selah.

3. MODERN MAN & THE FACT OF DEATH:

There is no escaping death -- it is a fact that we are all heading for it as soon as we are conceived. Science has tried to tell us "why" this is so, but death is still a "mystery" to mankind. That is, apart from what God has revealed to us in Scripture.

The Bible assures us that death is an intruder -- that this destructive factor entered God's creation by way of our first ancestor, Adam (Gen. 3:19; Romans 5:14-18; 1 Cor. 15:21-22). Furthermore, because of this, we are all sinners (Romans 3:9-23) and we are all under the sentence of death (Romans 6:21,23; 1 Cor. 15:22). Since this event is inevitable, how does modern man deal with it?

Today, many live their lives as if they will never see death. The shrewd businessman wheels and deals well into his late 60s, oblivious of the approach of death. The millionaire superstar grows old and becomes concerned about maintaining his appearance and fame, rarely stopping to consider that one day he will go just as he came. The athlete looks forward to the college scout, then the pros, then the endorsements, then retirement -- but what about death? Those of us on the "lower end" of life (materially, that is) are in the same boat; we buy and sell, go to school and work, eat and drink, etc. -- and we prefer not to think about that which must come (cf. Luke 12:16-20).

Some lead a wreckless life with what we call a "death wish." Some embrace death, seeking a release from what they perceive to be a life of pain and heartache. Still others conclude that "all is vanity," given the fact that we die anyway (cf. Ecc. 1:2-11) -- incidentally, this would be a correct outlook if there was no resurrection yet to come (per Paul in 1 Cor. 15:32).

I have noticed recently the extent to which the vast majority of American culture has trivialized death. We have become numb to the whole fact of it. We grow up watching "Wylie Coyote" get crushed under boulders again and again; it is nothing to see a Seagal or a Van Damme snap several knecks in the space of a few seconds -- in fact, it is often regarded as a "cool" scene in a movie. And how many movies have ended with the "bad guy" impaled on something? A thousand maybe? I don't know ... too many to count, that's for sure!

Yet as we are led into contemplation at a funeral (Ecc. 7:2), or viewing the news, or whatever -- it all comes back to this: death is real. Not only is death a reality, it is our enemy (1 Cor. 15:26). As believers, we are put in a remarkable position both mentally and emotionally. We are able to face the reality of death (Heb. 9:27), knowing that it is an enemy whose coming is inevitable (Ecc. 9:2-5) -- and yet have no fear of it whatsoever (Heb. 2:15). Why? Because we have a Lord Who has conquered this enemy already (Romans 7:24-25; 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 2:9,14; Rev. 1:18). Because He did, we will also -- garaunteed (John 11:25; 1 Cor. 15:20-23,49; 1 John 3:14; Rev. 2:11; 20:6). There comes a day when death will no longer exist (Rev. 21:4), when in holy mockery we will shout:

"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)

I can hardly wait : ) But for the time being, like Paul and Timothy, we have "the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God Who raises the dead; Who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver: in Whom we trust that He will yet deliver us ... " (2 Cor. 1:9-10). Amen.

* Winkie Pratney, The Nature and Character of God (Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1988) -

I have used this book for years with some profit. It systematically organizes definitions, quotes, word studies, scripture references, etc. under three main sections covering the being and attributes of God. This organization makes this book invaluable in study. Furthermore, Pratney is a humble writer who obviously tries to be fair with the various theological positions on the various subjects that he treats.

That being said, I must also issue a warning: Pratney's own theology is less than sound. He is a proponent of "moral government" teaching - a theology which embraces heterodox notions held by the late Charles Finney and mixes in some process theism. For this reason, I would not recommend this book for young believers; I recommend it with caution to mature believers. There's plenty of great material collected here -- just be sure to pull out the weeds.

"In that day shall Yahweh defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Yahweh before them." ZECHARIAH 12:8 (KJV)

I believe we have here a prophetic reference to Christ (see v. 10), and at least an implication of His Deity. Christ was born "the Son of David" (Matt. 1:1) and heir to David's throne (Luke 1:32). Yet just as David's throne is more than it would seem (Ps. 110:1; Acts 2:30-33; Heb. 1:8; 12:2), even so the Lord Jesus is more than just a "son of David" (Matt. 22:42-46) -- indeed, more than just a man (1 Cor. 15:47; 1 Tim. 3:16).

"The house of David shall be as God ... " -- indeed, the fulness of Deity dwelled bodily (Col. 2:9) in the very One Who has ascended to David's throne, being both David's descendant and his Lord as well! Christ was and is "God manifest in the flesh" (1 Tim. 3:16 - KJV). This is why Thomas said to the Son of David, "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).