Matthew 4: Jesus: A Man of the Spirit, A Man of the Word, A Man of God

                              Jesus: A Man of the Spirit, A Man of the Word, A Man of God


Historical Note: The story of the temptations takes place in summer or autumn of A.D. 29 in the wilderness of Judah.  Christ was just inaugurated by the Holy Spirit to preach the good news.  Considering that the author, Matthew, who was Jewish is writing to Jews about a Jew (Jesus) it is interesting how he artistically composes this story.  It was important to the Jewish audience that Jesus not only fought Satan face to face but also won, because in the Jewish mind set the only one that is able to fight Satan face to face and win was the Messiah.  Proving Jesus Messiahship is the reoccurring motif in the book of Matthew.  Another important thing to keep in mind is that Jesus was raised a Jew.  He, too, memorized the Scriptures along with the rest of society. By the time the average Jewish boy turn 13 years of age, he could quote verbatim the first five books of the Old Testament.  Also, it is interesting to note that Christ did not begin His ministry until after the Spirit came upon Him.  The battle against Satan did not transpire until after the descent of the Spirit.  The Bible gives no account of Jesus ever preaching or teaching the Word of God until after the Spirit's empowerment/enlightenment.

Transition: The Key Center: Matthew 4:10b
 
                     “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

A Man of the Spirit (Matt. 4:1)
 
1Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.


Exegesis: It appears that the sole purpose Christ was "lead" in the desert was to undergo the trials and temptation of the devil.  It is possible that God was demonstrating the humanity of His Son by leading Him out in to desert to undergo and understand fully what the human experience and realities really are.  This paragraph explicitly tells us that Satan tempted Jesus to sin.  Jesus was fully man and therefore would also be operating in free will: the freedom to ability to create and originate His own thoughts and action capable of right or wrong decisions.  Logic dictates that this temptation would not have happen if it were not possible for Him to sin. It was the Spirit of God that was leading Him! He committed himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit in His life.

Transition: The Key Center: Matthew 4:10b
 
                     “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

 A Man of the Word (Matt. 4:2-7)
 
2After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 4Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"  5Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6"If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " 'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" 7Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
 
Exegesis: The  temptation to make bread out of stones was not the "lust of the flesh" as many maintain. For Christ to lust with His eyes would mean that He had a sinful nature (lust) to begin with, and the text does not seem to support such an allegation.  The temptation lies in the nature of the devil's question.  Satan said, "If you are the Son of God tell these stones to become bread" Satan was tempting Christ to prove His Kingship with a miracle and in the process fulfill His physical hunger.  The nature of the temptation was to get Jesus to rely upon Himself rather than on His Father in heaven.  It was this same kind of tempation/question that was hurled at Him later when He was on the cross (27:40).  As Frank E. Gaebelein puts it,  "In light of these parallels, we must conclude that Satan's aim was to entice Jesus to use powers rightly His but which He had voluntarily abandoned to carry out the mission of the Father."  If Christ would improperly make bread that would have been inconstant with the will of the Father, he would have sinned.  Jesus replied, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God;" in other words, His food was to do the will of His Father in heaven.  His strength comes from the authority of God's Word and not His dietetic nature.  The fact that Christ was hungry demonstrates that Jesus was human and had human desires (although not sinful desires).  The  phrase "if you are" dictates that the devil uses, tell us that Christ was the Son of God as a direct result the conditional "If" the devil affirms the opposite of the nature of the original question.   The nature of the question would have been invalid and rejected if Christ was not the Son of God.  Therefore, since Christ did not reject the question He Himself also affirms that He was the Son of God by His silence.  The temptation was over the wiliness to depend upon His deistic nature to supply His physical food.  This second temptation Satan quotes from Palms 91:11-12, in another attempt to persuade Jesus to prove His Deity.  In the context of Palms Satan leaves out the phrase "to guard you in all your ways," it does not directly refer to the Messiah, rather it alludes to everyone who put their trust in the Lord he will guard that person with the angelic host.  Satan is trying to get Christ to play His loyalty and identity ("if you are the Son of God") against God's promise to protection Him (all God's son).  The "pride of life" theory is not possible because this, too, implies that Christ had the some sort of pride in the first place.  Jesus was not tempted in pride; rather He was tempted to play His reliance and identity with the Father against depending upon His deistic nature and divine protection.  Again Jesus (being a Man of the Word) uses the Word as His defense and quotations from Exodus 17:2-7 and/or Numbers 20:1-13, where the Israelite s "put the Lord to test" by demanding Him to produce water.  Knowing that testing God caused His anger to burn with Israel so shall the same happen to Jesus if He would have given in to the temptation.

Historical Parallel: It is interesting to note that there is a historical parallel with the fasting that Jesus did in the desert and the wandering that Israel had in the desert for forty days (Deu. 8:3).


Application: Jesus was a man of the Word:  In this Passage Matthew explicitly teaches that every time Satan attracted Christ, He (Jesus) used the Word against him (Satan); in the phrase, "It is written." "It is written: man does not live on bread along, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of God."  "It is written: do not put the Lord your God to the test."  "It is written: worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only."  Jesus knew the Word and was able to use it to defeat Satan.  Since Christ was our example, how much more should we learn to study the Word of God and be prepared to fight Satan and defend against heresies!   To us as believers as it was with Christ the Word of God is our weapon in which to combat Satan and heresies.  Hebrews 4:11 states, "For the Word of God is living and active, Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow's; it judges the thoughts and heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sights everything is uncovered and laid bare before Him whom we must give an account."  Ephesians 6:10-18, also speaks of this idea.  However in this passage one can not pray on the armor as if one were praying for God to bless someone.  Rather, one lives in the armor as a continuous lifestyle; much like the idea that Matthew is eluding too.  The point in Ephesians is that spiritual warfare must be accompanied by, enveloped by and encloaked by prayer.  Notice verse 17, Take up the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  The sword is the only offensive weapon mentioned in this passage.

Transition: The Key Center: Matthew 4:10b
 
                     “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

A Man of the God (Matt. 4:8-11)  
 
8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9"All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." 10Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Exegesis: The third temptation, or what is commonly referred to as the "lust of the eyes," was that if Jesus would bow down and worship Satan, he (Satan) would give Him (Jesus) all the kingdoms of the earth.  This "lust of the eyes" implies again that Christ had a sinful nature (lust) in the beginning.  The context suggests that Christ was tempted to take a shortcut from that which the Father sent Jesus to do.  The mission that God sent Christ on was to fulfill the Messianic authority of divine rulership of the entire earth.  Satan shows Christ the whole earth and all its glory. However it does not appear that Satan shows the sin that is in the world as well.  For the third time the defense the Messiah gives is the Word of God ("for it is written") and demonstrates His complete devotion and allegiance to it.  The point of the temptation was not the "lust of the eyes" as some conclude; Satan was attempting to get Christ side tracked into worshiping him (commit idolatry) and thus, avoid the suffering on the cross to attain the world rulership.  Christ quotes from Deuteronomy 6:13 and than vanquishes Satan from him demonstrating His (Christ) authority over him (Satan). The really main point is that Jesus demonstrated complete allegiance to the Father when He said "For it is written worship the Lord your God and serve Him only!" He would worship anything else

Transition: The Key Center: Matthew 4:10b
 
                     “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

The importance of this narrative to the individual Christian is quite clear.  Christ being the example for the church today, we as the body should exemplify similar characteristics.  We need to be a man of the Spirit, a man of the Word and a man of God.  Jesus combated Satan with the same resources that Christians have today:  The Word of God, faith in the Father, and the leading of the Holy Spirit.  He also demonstrated the importance of the Holy Spirit in His life, how much more are we to do the same?  Christ was a man of the Word:  He not only knew the Word of God, He obeyed the Word of God.  Christ, God's Son, having learned/memorized the Scriptures at a very young age demonstrates the importance of the Word in the His life, how much more are we to do the same?  Jesus was a Man of God:  He demonstrated complete allegiance to the Father when He said "For it is written worship the Lord your God and serve Him only!," how much more are we to do the same?   We need to be a Man of the Spirit, a Man of the Word and a Man of God.

Man of the Spirit

• Communion/Prayer with the Spirit (Experience with the God)
• Into all Truth John 16:13, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
• Relationship/Fellowship: Ephesians 5:17-20, "Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.  18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,  19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Transition: Key Center:  Matthew 4:10b
 
                          “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
 
Man of the Word

• Hebrews 4:11, "For the Word of God is living and active, Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow's; it judges the thoughts and heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sights everything is uncovered and laid bare before Him whom we must give an account."
• Ephesians 6: 17, Take up the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  The sword is the only offensive weapon mentioned in this passage.
• 2 Peter 1: 3, "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him." 

Transition: Key Center:  Matthew 4:10b
 
                          “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Man of the God

• Deuteronomy 30:11-16, Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”  13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?”  14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.  15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.  16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
• Matthew 22:34-40, "Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.  35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:  36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  38 This is the first and greatest commandment.  39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Transition: Key Center:  Matthew 4:10b
 
                          “For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"

Wesleyan Quadrilateral

Wesleyan Quadrilateral

(So this is how I determine what I believe to be true or not)

The four sources are:
• Scripture - The Holy Bible (Old and New Testaments)
• Tradition - The two millennia history of the Christian Church
• Reason - Rational thinking and sensible interpretation
• Experience - A Christian's personal and communal journey in Christ

Scripture: Tradition, Reason, and Experience do not form additional "sources" for theological truth, but the Scriptures are the absolute final authority for faith, doctrine and life; therefore, all doctrinal, moral, ethical, and epistemic justification for truth must be formulated from sound interpretation of Scripture. Because the Bible is the inspired, authoritative, infallible, divine revelation of God to man, it is the responsibility of every born again Christian to learn, study, and obey the Word of Truth.

Tradition: Tradition is most often misunderstood as a means of filtering truth. When we as believer use “tradition” we should not being using in way that pull us away from that which has been clearly demonstrated in Scripture. However, to ignore how theologians have hammered out certain theological truths we should embrace to general what has been accepted as truth claims. For example, we (All Believers) accepts the “Solia-Scriptura,” from the reformation meaning Scripture and Scripture alone! This comes from Church history and has been commonly embraced truth by all Evangelical believers. We also believe in the “Five Major Church Councils” from the first century. The council of Nica in 325 A.D, which of course settled the Arian dispute which involved the nature of Christ as God and the nature of the Trinity. The council of Constantinople in 381 A.D, which of course affirmed the humanity and deity of Christ and the personality of the Holy Spirit. The council of Ephesus in 431 A.D, which of course emphasized the unity of Christ personality and rejected and/or condemned/tossed out Pelagius as a heretic. The council of Chalcedon 451 A.D, which of course stated the relationship between the two nature of Christ. The council of Constantinople in 553 A.D, which of course dealt with the person of Christ, his humanity and His divinity. But unlike the Bible, Tradition is not an infallible instrument, and it must be balanced and tested by Reason and Experience. The point being is that we should always look in tradition when we are coming into formulating doctrinal truth, unless it come in direct conflict with clear Biblical teaching.

Reason: Rational thinking and sensible interpretation meaning that because error strikes deep into the human mind; men have often ignored sound thinking. The Bible warns against malicious misinterpretation of the Scriptures. II Corinthians 2:17 says, "Unlike many, we do not peddle, the Word of God for profit." The key word in this passage is "peddle," or as the King James Version puts it, "corrupts." The Greek word for "corrupt" is (Kapeleuo). The best rendering of this word can be best ascertained by a comparison and contrast with its verb form in 4:2, which means: to handle deceitfully, or adulterate or pervert the Word of Truth. The only way to avoid adulteration of the Bible is to formulate sound principles for interpretation. Reason is the means by which we may evaluate and even challenge the assumptions of Tradition. Reason is the first means by which we may "trim our sails" and adjust interpretations of Scripture. History shows us that erroneous principles have often spoiled the interpretational work of fine men. This should be a warning to us against carelessness in interpretation. There is no excuse for us because we can profit by the lessons of the past. The possibility to adulterating or misinterpreting the Word of God is tremendous. This must be avoided at all cost! God has given His best by giving and preserving His precious Word for us. We should give our best in interpreting it through all means of reason and thus love God with all of our minds.

Experience: A Christian's personal and communal journey in Christ is the chief test of the "truth and nothing but the whole truth" of a particular interpretation of scripture is how it is seen in practical application in one's Experience. We know in Scripture that Christ suffered and died that we may be “born again” and all throughout tradition (church history) we know that the doctrine of “Solia-Gratia” at the core of the Gospel message. Meaning Salvation is by grace alone! Salvation is God free gift accomplished by the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Salvation is not by any human merit! Forgiveness for sins cannot be bought with money it only comes through the grace of Christ! But it is our experience that reinforces and affirms the truth that we extract from Scripture, tradition and reason. However, history has also proven that sensationalism has had a major impact and has led people astray. Experience does not dictate truth, in so much as, we don’t go to the Scripture to prove our experience rather we must bow our experience to the truth of Scripture. For Scriptures are the absolute final authority for faith and experience.

This how I Determine What I Believe to be True or Not
How I do you determine what you believe to be true or not. I believe that we should all have sold filter before we accept something as true, especially things relating to spiritual matters. I've posted what my filter is, now take few minutes and consider what the "Wesleyan Quadrilateral" could mean to you.

Why Superheroes

                                                                          Why Superheroes

I was asked the other day about Super Heroes and the biblical foundation for them, then in the same breath asked me, "Why Batman" and “Why Spider-Man” (my two favorite fictional heroes of all comics).  I found this question to be one worth exploring.

I've always wondered why we find certain superheroes so appealing. I think, over all, they do represent the best of ourselves and the people we'd like to be.  Take Spider-Man, one of my favorites, for instance. You start with Peter Parker, a normal guy who snaps pictures for the school paper. He sees the world much like we do, albeit through a camera lens. Suddenly the mother of all spider bites sends him climbing the walls battling evil. Oh, he's still Peter Parker. He eats, sleeps and puts on his red-and-blue jumpsuit one leg at a time just like the rest of us. But he's special.

Let’s take about Superman, the “Man of Steel”? While not a native of earth (he was sent here as a baby from another galaxy), he's seems to be mortal, speaks perfect English and looks like a GQ cover boy. Yet mild-mannered Clark Kent also possesses amazing strength, plus the ability to fly and see through things.
Like Spidey, Hulk, Flash, The X-Men and countless other beloved characters, he is simultaneously human and superhuman-a person who can intimately relate to mankind, yet is uniquely empowered to save humanity from its current malaise.  Sound like someone I know, who we serve?

Naturally, they're the embodiment of the American myth of the lone, rugged individual who comes into a society and cleans it up.  We all want to do it, but we don't know how to do it.  We live our everyday lives that don't allow for this kind of simplistic vision. So we cheer for heroism.  And therein lays the rub for me. An event like Sept. 11 starkly illustrates the difference between fantasy and the real world. No Superman swooped in to prop up the collapsing twin towers. No Batman scoured the caves of  "Tora Bora" for terrorists. For the few months after Sept. 11 we didn't need or want to fantasize about these superhuman people because we had regular citizens doing these extraordinary things.  They don't need a red cape to be a hero in terms of 9/11.  Evidently, audiences are willing to forgive the shortcomings of this fantasy world with its Sept. 10 Manhattan skyline.
I wonder if it’s possible that heroes symbolize the possibility of successful action in the world.  Whether it's the world of politics, business, ministry or whatever else that entangles us, there’s the possibility. Even if we're completely helpless, I believe that we want at least to imagine the possibility of effective action that we read and see on movies and comics. And the hero story is the symbolic way of imagining that. That's mostly likely why I think we try to find common ground between heroes and ourselves and possibly why superheroes movies are a rising trend in our pop culture.

It’s not so farfetched to believe we are wired by our Creator to resonate with that kind of hero.  I think there is the wish fulfillment in us that we can sometimes feel powerless in the world and, if we had these abilities, we could fight back. We are really living in an age of irony, when young people especially are reluctant to commit to anything and are wary of absolute ideals, especially young people.  Young people want to believe in something, but they're afraid of being disappointed, so they stay detached.  "The lion the Witch and wardrobe," and Lord of the Rings;" both C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien recognized as mythopathic creatures, we respond emotionally to mythic stories. We may not always grasp exactly what these stories mean, but we usually find them irresistible, hence their ongoing appeal to succeeding generations. Rather than moralize about virtue in the abstract, it’s possible that we humans prefer to tell stories that capture these moral qualities through engaging tales, legends, and parables for a reason. Lewis said that “myth was the connecting cord between abstract truth and the reality around us.” It is a narrative way of comprehending the world. Throughout history, similar mythic tales seem to recur, such as the tale of the Dying God, which is exemplified in the story of the Norse god, Balder, and the Egyptian deity, Osiris. Heroic story patterns recur throughout various cultures and mythologies and religions, including Christianity, where Jesus answered the call to leave his humble Judean village and face a series of trials and temptations that would demonstrate his stature as founder of a new religion.

But here's where we as believers in Christ "jump ship!" Christ was the only time one of those myths or fairy stories or blockbuster films actually happened in history. In his essay of the same name, C. S. Lewis asserted that, "Myth Became Fact" for the first and only time in Christ's Incarnation (the Word Became Flesh). "We pass from a Balder or an Osiris," he wrote, "dying nobody knows when or where, to a historical Person crucified (it is all in order) under Pontius Pilate." The hero's journey is finally fulfilled as the God-Man: Jesus, in real space time history, goes through the hero's journey, is put to death to rise again and then ascend to heaven. Lewis concludes, "For this is the marriage of heaven and earth: Perfect Myth and Perfect Fact, claiming not only our love and our obedience, but also our wonder and delight, addressed to the savage, the child, and the poet in each one of us no less than to the moralist, the scholar, and the philosopher.”  Good theological prepositions are great, but we aren't as modern or postmodern as we like to think. What we must have is the myth that is historically true. Its story is the key to capturing our imaginations because we are wired to grasp the truth in myth. This one "myth" is true in a way no others are. It grounds our feet to the earth and puts our heart and head in the sky. All other heroic stories from ancient legends to intrepid boy wizards revolve around the core narrative of Jesus Christ.

The ancient myths point forward to it while the heroes of today's blockbuster films, consciously or unconsciously, draw from it. Jesus Christ arrived on this cosmic dirt clod as a baby, fully divine, yet fully man. He got hungry, thirsty and tired, just as we do. He was a blue-collar laborer (a carpenter). He laughed, loved and cried. He knew betrayal and pain. Hebrews 5:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin." At the appointed time, Jesus shed his secret identity-a carpenter whose time had "not yet come" (John 2:4)-and began working miracles, displaying amazing spiritual strength and yes, even seeing through things (including a Samaritan woman in John 4:16-19).

He came to rescue us. Not by soaring through town in a flashy red cape, but by humbly enlisting us into his own heavenly "Justice League" before heroically laying down his life. He is the one uniquely empowered to save humanity from its eternal malaise. Throughout history, cultures have concocted second-rate saviors that tap into people's inherent need for a man-god. The most popular hero in Greek mythology was Hercules, sired by Zeus and born of a mortal woman. Destined to be the lord of his people, Hercules looked, walked and talked like your rank-and-file Athenian, yet exhibited extraordinary strength and went on to rule as an immortal god on Mount Olympus. Or so the story goes.
The parallels between fact and fiction don't stop with the good guys. Nearly every superhero must contend with a super villain, usually a disgruntled megalomaniac bent on ruling or destroying mankind or a specific geographic center. Just as Spider-Man battles the Green Goblin high above the city streets, the Lord and his angels war against forces of darkness on our behalf in heavenly realms. There has never been a more ambitious, frustrated or vengeful super villain than Satan, the scheming, lying adversary of Jesus who himself wears disguises to conceal his true identity (2 Cor. 11:13-15). Just as we shouldn't lose sight of Christ's ultimate heroism, it would be equally unwise to underestimate the real super villain currently at large. I'm not suggesting that superheroes comic books are dangerous counterfeits out to distract us from the one who truly deserves our affection. However, I am simply connecting the dots back to Jesus. After all, He's the genuine hero of all times! He is my Savior and true Father who has delivered me from the person "Lyne" (me, a lost homeless kid from Denver) and made me into the person "Leonard" (a man, minster, father and follower of Christ). When interpreting the Old & New Testament narratives God/Christ should always be, is and will always be the ultra-protagonist; and if He is the Hero back then and there, then maybe we can trust Him to be the Ultimate Hero now in our lives, if we let him.

The Case of the Missing Prayer List

                                                                    The Case of the
                                                                 Missing Prayer List

Deep in the heart of the Bat cave, Batman & Robin are discussing the Biblical concept of prayer.
"Gee Batman, I have been here at SAGU for two semesters now, and I never had such a hard assignment before," said Robin.
Batman asked, "What are you trying to do?"
Robin looked puzzled and said, "Well, Dr. Amy Alexander, my English professor, wants a essay written on cause and effect, and I want to write on the effects of praying. You know! Prayer is the cause, and answers are the effect and in the process answer the question, why do we as Christians pray?
Batman asked in a puzzled tone, "Yeah?..., So what is the problem?"
"Well, I usually write only facts and what I can prove on paper, but I don't have documented proof that prayer works. How in the world am I going to prove that it works?"
Batman started to answer, "Well, the Bible says, 'he who seeks finds' that's a cause and effect. You just need to seek God for the answers and ........."
Ring! Ring!(Sounds the Bat phone)
"Batman here! Yes commissioner we're in the Bat cave now! Yeah..., yeah, What! "Batman shuddered! "We are on our way. We will meet you in your office in five minutes!"
"Holy interruption Batman! What was that all about?"
Batman sharply answered, "Quick, into the Batmobile we haven’t one moment to loose, I'll explain on the way!
While in the Batmobile,
Robin: "Atomic batteries to power. Turbines to speed."
Batman: "Roger ready to move out."
The Batmobile is screaming tires as they exit the Bat Cave!
Batman explains to Robin. "It appears that Dr. Guynes president of Southern Nazarene University called the commissioner about some very troubling news. It seems as though. . . ."
"Holy commonalty Batman, that the school I'm going too," Robin interrupted!
Batman replied, "Yea, I know, anyways its seems as though someone lost something very valuable to them. Dr. Guynes has a very important document and it has no name on it."
Robin asks, "Man that a big job, how are we going to find the owner?"
"We will have to see Robin. We will have to see." Uttered Batman.
Later in the office of Dr. Guynes, they receive the document and started conducting an examination of the evidence.
Dr. Guynes says, "Here's the document I told the commissioner about over the phone, I would appreciate it if you would take care of this matter for me Batman your the only I could think of that might be able to solve this dilemma."
"Look, Batman. It is a list of prayer requests that have been written down."
"Yes and quite lengthy too!" Batman added.
"Yes, and it has two columns, one for the request, and another for the answered prayers, which he or she has marked in a red ink with the words 'Praise God!' "Robin surprising says.
Dr. Guynes says, "This is of the up most importance Batman, after all losing a prayer list like this can make a big difference in life. Oh, and if you find him or her be sure tell that person that they need to start praying for the rich to leave their money to the students in their wills, so the cost of going here won't be so high."
Robin asked, "Does that even include millionaire Bruce Wayne as a part of that list."
Dr. Guynes replies in a low deep voice, "Hooo yes brother, we should not leave anyone out of our prayers, no matter how well-known he may be!"
Robin takes the list from Dr. Guynes.
"Well get right on it Dr. Guynes, come Robin lets go run some analysis of this back in the Bat cave!" Batman says in an order voice.
Back in the Batcave Batman & Robin began the examination of the list closely.
Robin says, "Look Batman, this person categorized the list by classes. One part of the list is for Old Testament Survey. And again the second column is full of answered prayers. See, one found a new job, another person's father had a leg that was healed and as a result he kept his job, another lady had some female problem and was healed, another received wisdom too, and..... "
"What are the other classes that are mentioned?" Batman interrupted!
"Well" said Robin, "There is a philosophy class also. And look, there is an answered column also. Hey! Batman listen to this, a person got saved in that class and another a lady received a healing, as well!"
"That's great Robin. Are there anymore classes mentioned?"
"Holy schedules Batman! This person has Dr. Amy Alexander for English also. This person must have her in an another class period. This also has answered prayers put down. In fact, a lady with a life threatening problem was healed in this class as well, and someone's friend named Gary got saved. Look! another person's friend got delivered from drugs and is now walking with the Lord. Another student received wisdom, and another. A person even got a house. A girl received God's will and a job opportunity for the summer. A person even got in touch with his unsaved family and the family is actually talking to him. Hey! Batman I just thought of something. What if we go talk to Dr. Alexander and ask her if she knows who this list belongs too."
Batman answered "I have already thought about that, but look what time it is. She would not be there at this time. Its too late. Besides I have put all the information into the Bat computer all the classes, and hopefully we will be able to make a match to someone who corresponds with it. Look ! Its coming out of the printer now."
"Holy cross-referencing Batman! That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? What does the print-out say?"
Batman replied, "There are two identical matches. It belongs to one of two people who live on campus. One person living in Davis dorm in room #413 and the other lives in Collins dorm room 217."
Robin looked disappointed. "How does that help us out? There are at least two people living in each of those room. Davis is an all guys dorm and Collins is an all girls dorm?"
Batman thought for a moment. "I got it!" Snapping his fingers together. "I have in my utility belt a Micro-Bat Modulating Computer, I'll just input all the room lists of everyone on listed in those two dorms. Then I'll run a cross-reference can on the hand writing that correlates with the occupants of those rooms and maybe we'll find the owner of the list."
Robin thought out loud. "How does a college student find so much time to pray anyway?"
Batman spoke up! "I found him, and I even know where he works. Quick Robin to the Batmobile!"
In the Batmobile, Robin asked "Gosh Batman where are we going, it's three o'clock in the morning."
Batman answered! "We are going to Crispy Creams Donuts to return the prayer list to the owner. He works there making donuts all night long.
Robin asked, "Man who in the world could have a job like that and go to full-time college?"
Batman said, "We shall see Robin. We shall see!"
The Dynamic Duo showed up at Crispy Cream. The owner of the list was praying and working in the back. He could be heard from the front of the store. Then Batman & Robin gave the list to him.
The owner said with a smile, "Man I don't know what I would have done without you guys. I thought I had lost it for good."
Robin asked, "What would you have done if you never found it. Stopped praying until you started a new list?"
"Stop praying?" the owner of the list snapped! "Why, no, of course not! There is too much to pray for to stop praying. There are over thirteen million deaf people in the U.S., and less then one percent is reached with the gospel. There are the Muslims allover the world who are lost. There are the millions of lost people in Russia, not to mention the lost people right here in the store. And let's not forget to pray for wisdom for all the teachers and dorm directors, pastors and all those people in authority leading God's flock. We could pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit when we study His Word, we could pray that........."
Robin interrupted and asked, "Why do you keep a list anyway?"
The owner replies, "Well, I thought it would be good to test if this prayer thing really works or not, so I started keeping a list this past semester to check the results. Maybe someday I just might write a paper on the documented proof that a prayer life works, and send it to my family in Denver, Colorado."
Robin mumbles to himself, "Wow!"
Batman interrupted, "Lets go Robin he needs to get back to work!"
Batman &Robin leave the store.
"Well that wraps up this case. Lets go home," said Batman.
"Hey, Batman," said Robin "I think I know what I am going to write about for Dr. Alexander!"
Batman asked, "Whats that?"
Robin replied, "Well you mentioned earlier that if we seek, we will find. Maybe I will write a cause and effect essay on seeking things and finding them. You know, the seeking is the cause and the finding is the effect. At least I know I can prove that. I can even use an illustration of losing a favorite coffee mug and then finding it after lots of searching."
Batman shook his head and answered, "Maybe that will work Robin, maybe that will work, after all that is something you can prove.

Christianity and Martial Arts

                                                            Christianity and Martial Arts
There are over fifteen hundred styles of martial arts in the world today, all of which have their own expression, history and creativity. No matter what age, gender, culture or religious background, martial arts is a fast growing in our culture. The study and practice of martial arts is the most holistic work out available.  Many participate in martial arts for various reasons. Some are attracted because of movie theatrics they have seen, physical or mental conditioning, the camaraderie of a club atmosphere, self-defense, or just to get out of the house. Despite the reasons, there is absolutely nothing as well rounded as martial art training.  The core of martial arts is not just training the body for brute strength and flexibility, but rather the careful cultivation of the core values of: honesty, honor, patience, persistence, love, charity, sobriety, courage, self-denial and humility. These core values penetrate all geographical, cultural, and linguistical diversifications.

Consider this: it was a dark night and Maria was getting off her 3 p.m. to midnight nursing shift. She grabbed her coat collar tightly as she stepped around the corner of the hospital building and into a cold gust of wind.  Muttering to herself, she ducked her head down and ran to her car in the deserted parking lot.  Once at her car, she opened her purse and began fumbling for her keys.  Suddenly she felt arms grabbing her from behind and lifting her off the ground.  First, her mind went blank with fear at the surprise of being attacked.  Then reflexes took over, and she began to scream and kick back towards her attacker.  Fortunately, one of her kicks hit her attacker in the groin.  As his knees buckled, his grip weakened and Maria bit down on his closest hand.  Her attacker grunted with pain and released his hold.  Maria dropped her purse and ran back to the hospital, still screaming for help (Leslie M. Graham, Ph.D., Martial Arts Masters,  John Soet Steven, Ed. (Burbank, CA: January 1993), 34).


Now Maria is a fictional character, but according to statistical data, there is an average attack every 90 seconds.  In addition, the frightening probability of being murdered in the United States is 1 in 133. These statistic include women, men and children.  Indeed, the staggering statistic reveal that one out of every 25 males and one out of every 43 females was a victim of some sort of physical assault this past decade.  In the United States, one out of every five females will be raped (Graham, Ph.D. 36).  Reacting in violence is not the solution to all problems, especially for Christians, but will be advantage for everyone to learn self-defense so that they do not become one of these statistics!

Martial arts is not about violence, it is about protection. The proper use of force, as a martial artist, is to execute the proper and maxim amount of force and technique that eliminate threats with least amount injury both to yourself and those whom you are martially engaged with. People need to be respected. However, we also need to be on guard for those that do not share that same value on human life. We must be ready to respond in the proper manner, including violence when it is absolutely necessary.  That may require us to react using the skills of martial arts to defend ourselves and those whom we love and cherish. Over all, a martial artist may choose pacifism but those who are not skilled to defend themselves are condemned to it.
As a true martial artist, all life is valuable, especially a human life. More so if you are a believer in Christ. To take a life with no just cause brings dishonor and shame. But to save a life brings honor and peace. This attitude of love is about protection, self-defense and not antagonistic aggression and is the hallmark of every good martial artist.  Charity flows out love for a martial artist. Charity is protecting the weak, helping those who cannot help themselves, and sharing your life and knowledge to those who are willing to learn. Sobriety and courage are a martial characteristic too. For a martial artist, sobriety or not allowing anything that alters your self-control, brings dishonor. Courage is that characteristic which admits omission and wrong doing.  The ability to face and accept our responsibilities and consequences for our actions is what martial art courage is all about.  Self-denial and humility go hand-in-hand for a true martial artist.  Humility is the antithesis of haughtiness, pride and ego. Humility is not thinking lesser of ourselves but it is thinking less about ourselves and more about the needs of other around us. Self-denial is interconnected with humility. It is the next step beyond humility and living a lifestyle of considering other people first. Martial arts teaches that self-denial is not just as an art form, but as a way of life; denial of our self-centeredness and submission to the authorities in our lives, starting with our parents, teacher and instructors etc. Dedication and commitment to a particular art, family and instruction is usually mandatory for all practitioners. Training halfheartedly is usually never acceptable.  Each practitioner is obligated to give 110% into their training. Faithfulness and loyalty to the school, family, teachers and to all who are in authority where held in the highest esteemed. Each of these ethics and values from my experience is usually stressed in every class and in every martial art school I ever attended.

A Christians the core values of submission to authority begins with God and then to others in our lives, our pastor[s], our supervisors at work, and within the home structure as it is taught in Scripture. Humility, honesty, humbleness and the value of human life should be the trade mark of every believer. Certainly there are some philosophical eastern mysticism that are taught in some martial art system that need to be avoided at all cost, for they are in direct conflict with Biblical teaching, especially as it relates to exposing children to it. We need to screen any potential martial art school that is being considered. And I’m not saying that core values can’t be learned outside of martial art training, however, good martial art training can reinforce some of the strong Christian more values that personify the Christian lifestyle. There are some good Christian Martial Art organization that I would suggest too all believers who are interested and who teach martial arts.

Bibile Study Method: Six Steps to Biblical Observation

 

Six Steps to Biblical Observation 

 
Purpose and Use of the method: This method is not an exact science but a compressive filter for your subjective observation. That is it focuses your contextual thinking through objective means resulting in the most accurate perspective on the passage with the least amount of human error.
 
Situation Clues: Identifying situation clues takes much thought and a little time getting involved into the Biblical text.  A Situation Clue is a word or phrase that enlightens us to the situation. That is anything in the text that indicates in some way the situation of, who, what, when or where the Biblical writer is writing to, from or about.  Situation clues deal with...,geographical matters, historical matters, cultural matters, spiritual matters, physical matters, emotional matters, and temporal matters.  Focus mainly on clues that assist us in the interpretation of the Biblical text. Some situation clues are irrelevant to the understanding of the passage or may be restatements of clues that are already given. Situation clues a recoded in yellow highlighter.
Making Situation Clues Observations: Documentation should be in complete sentences and write all observations in third person, keep all clues as objective as possible (avoid words, "I feel," "I think" and use phrases like "appears;" "it seems like," "clearly states" etc). See example handout. Summarize all situation clues. Write one to two paragraphs the places all the clues together.  

Purpose clues: Identifying purpose clues takes much thought and a little time getting involved into the Biblical text.  A purpose clue is a word or phrase that enlightens us to the writer’s purpose for writing.  A purpose clue is any statements in the text that indicate the Biblical writers purpose or what he/she wants to accomplish and what seems to be God's purpose and desired goal.  To find "Purpose Clues," the student seeks to find and asks the following questions: What is the writer’s purpose?  What is he/she trying to accomplish?  What is the purpose of this here?  What does it appear to be God's purpose or goal for including this account in the Scriptures?  Some examples are strong verbs (imperatives)that are found in the text; any kind of commands that are given; strong appeals like:  "I want you to...""Oh that you might...," "So that you might...," "In order that...," "Therefore..." (About 50%), "So...,""Since...," "If/then...," (Like in Phil 2:1), and words like "Because..."  Purpose clues are ... obvious, subtle & implied, and they are often emphatic--saying the things over and over again.  Possible purpose clues: usually give information.  Like in Romans chapter Six, which demonstrates repentance, "Mourning and weeping," encouragement; or like in Eph. & I Cor. "Do not grow weary in well doing...” The urging to worship or obey.  Like in Psalm150 "Praise the Lord” This is a direct imperative verb.  Submission/writing to serve, they can insight the believers to services and obedience. The student then looks at what the passage says in light of the situation and the writer’s purpose then and there. Purpose clues are coded in blue highlighter.  In the event that a situation and purpose clue overlap yellow and blue makes Green and should be noted as a possibly significant part of one's interpretation of that particular passage.           
Making Purpose Clues Observations: Document them out in complete sentences and write all observations in third person, keep all clues as objective as possible (avoid words, "I feel," "I think" and use phrases like "appears;" "it seems like;" "clearly states" etc). See example handout.  See example handout. Summarize all situation clues. Write one to two paragraphs the places all the clues together.
 
Paragraph Breaks: Selecting a paragraph is like finding a main idea that stands by itself within a passage.  In order to determine where the paragraph breaks and where it stops.  It takes lots of time and much repeated reading and thought of the entire passage. It is consisting of one major development of truth or idea in the passage.  Learn to recognize each main
clause as they are developed in the passage. A paragraph could be one sentence long if it were one major point.  In narratives, paragraph breaks are broken up by scenes or snapshots, much like how movies are made today and at times much longer in length.  In a Bible mark all passage breaks with a slash or back slash: \ or /or. Remember that in paragraph breaks are broken apart in scenes (snapshots) when it comes to Biblical narratives.
Making Paragraph Observations: This is not interpretation it’s justification of paragraph structure. Justify the train of thought throughout the paragraph. Explaining why these verses fit together. Documentations should be in complete paragraphs and write all observations in third person, keep all observations as objective as possible (avoid words, "I feel," "I think" and use phrases like "appears;" "it seems like"). Demonstrate how and why every verse creates the paragraph.
 
Paragraph Points: The one central truth of the entire paragraph!  After determining where the paragraph breaks are, then evaluate the paragraph to find the paragraph points.  This too takes lots of time and much repeated reading and thought of entire paragraph.  The paragraph points in each paragraph are what the key center (described below) is to the passage.  It unites it together that is it culminates the one central thought of the paragraph. It is a word or phrase in the Biblical text that expresses the key idea of the paragraph, which is found in the Biblical writers own words.  It expresses the main central truth and/or point of the paragraph.  In the Bible text mark all paragraph points by underlining them once.

Making Paragraph Point Observations: This is not interpretation it’s justification of paragraph points. Justify the train of thought throughout the paragraph. Document your reason why everything in the paragraph is directed back to the paragraph point phrase/verse. Documentation should be in complete paragraphs and write all observations in third person,keep all observations as objective as possible (avoid words, "I feel," "I think" and use phrases like "appears;" it seems like").
Passage Boundaries: Finding the passage boundary is not an exact science, but there are some important points to consider when deciding where to place the boundaries for the text!  Selecting a passage is like finding a main idea that stands by itself, within a book. It takes lots of time and much repeated reading and thought of the Biblical text.  All passages vary in length, however, they are shorter in the Epistles, and usually consists of a group of verses or paragraphs that deal with one major idea, teaching, or truth.  In the Bible text mark all passage breaks with a solid line drawn through the text, from on end of the page to the other end.

Making Passage Boundaries Observations: This is not interpretation it’s justification of passage break. Document your reason why all the paragraph breaks and paragraph points to he points come together. Explain clearly why the train of thought transitions to another subject matter. Documentation should be in complete paragraphs and write all observations in third person, keep all observations as objective as possible (avoid words, "I feel," "I think" and use phrases like "appears;" "it seems like").

Key Center: The one central truth of the entire passage!  Finding the key center takes much thought and a close look at the context of the passage and much repeated reading and thought of the passage. It is a word or usually a phrase in the Biblical text that expresses the key idea of the entire passage, which is found in the Biblical writers own words.  The key center unites the passage together, that is, it serves as the focal point for everything that is in the passage.  The key center can be found anywhere in the passage.  However, all paragraph points must directly relate to the key center.  Everything in the passage, then, must be seen through the eyes of the "key center." There are times when a paragraph point can also function as the key center as well.  Be willing to evaluate the paragraph points as well.  In the Bible text mark all key centers by placing [brackets]. 

Making Key Center Observations: This is not interpretation it’s justification of Key Center. Document you reason why all the paragraph points directly relate and come together in the Key Center verse. Explain clearly how all the paragraph points reinforces the Key Center. Documentation should be in complete paragraphs and write all observations in third person, keep all clues as objective as possible (avoid words, "I feel," "I think" and use phrases like "appears;""it seems like").

Leonard's Six Stages of Biblical Interpretation

Stages of Biblical Interpretation always starts and encompass interactive prayer. Pray and make Psalm 119:18 your prayer, cry and heartbeat "Open my eyes so that I might see wonderful things in Your law!  
 
1.  Observation: What does the passage say and how does the author say it. (Follow the Six-Step Process)

• The student recognizes the “then and there” internally within the text. Find all situation and purpose clues and summarizes the findings.
• The student discovers how the Biblical writer develops that truth in the passage.  Tracing the argument and following the train of thought as they are being developed.  Finding and identifying paragraph breaks; and paragraph points and passage boundaries.  Summarizes, validate and substantiate your observations.
• The student finds out how the teaching of the passage fits into the surrounding context. Finding and identifying passage breaks. Summarizes, validate and substantiate your observations.
• The student recognizes a passage, that emphasizes the key principle truths and finds them in the writers’ own words. The student is called upon to determine what is primary and subordinate in the passage. (Analysis).  Solidify the paragraph breaks,  paragraph points , passage boundaries, and Key Centers. Summarizes, validate and substantiate your observations.

2.  Investigation and Research: Supplementary studies and external sources.

• Find the central theme of the passage and develop it: Solidify your conclusions of the Key Center. Summarizes, validate and substantiate your conclusions.
• Identifying and doing supplementary studies: Biographical studies, word studies, cultural and geographical investigation (Use Templates).  Summarizes, validate and substantiate your findings.
• Research the background of the book: Author, date and time period in which it was written. From external sources and combine them with your internal observation. Focus on facts that deal and pertain to the specific issue, avoid "Interpretation and Examination," when looking at commentaries for insight. Cross and compare several sources before coming to a conclusion. Remain objective and look for facts only. Summarizes, validate, substantiate and document/reference your findings.

3.  Interpretation and Examination: What does it mean ‘then and there’. The student then looks at what the passage says in light of the situation and the writer’s interpretation purpose of the ‘then and there’.

• Copy and paste. Culminate all the findings from observations and investigations and make a conclusion about what is being said and what was meant to the original audience it was written too.
• Be sure to make the connection with who wrote it with what was written. Be sure to connect the ‘then and there’ with what was happening at the time and with what was written. This is discovering the original indented meaning that the original author was communicating to the original audience at the original time period in which it was written. This is the goal of Biblical interpretation.
• Put it all together and write out a summary of your observations and investigations, outline the passage, the book, and write your commentary of the Biblical text.
• Research what others have written about it from other commentaries. Confirm and compare your work with others. Explore other ideas that come to bare and investigate the validity of their conclusions (be careful, remain objective).

4.  Application: How does the teaching of the passage apply to me and us, ‘here and now?’

• The student looks for the universal timeless, principle that can be applied today.
• The student looks to see if there is a comparable situation in our world to the one in the passage/text.  Situation can be Analogous:  
• The student notices how the "Then and There" and "Here and Now" are similar and different.
• The student realizes there must be a line of continuity between the "Then and There" and the "Here and Now".  Line of continuity must be established.

WARNING!!!! Only if there are significant points of similarity can there be analogous!  If our situation is much different then one cannot apply it! Do not ever do stage four without doing stage one through three first, this would short circuit the process.  The chance of misinterpreting Scripture becomes enormous.
 
5.  Response: What am I or we going to do about what it teaches.

• This is where the intended meaning of Scripture becomes personal and real i.e. what does it means to me!
• This is the point at which the student’s life is changed!
• This is where the power and authority of the Scripture is discovered!
• This is the point at which the Scripture ceases to be simple words on paper and it provides an opportunity for an encounter with the Living God. Allow Scripture to study you!

6.  Communication:  How can I share what I've discovered to others? This is done in three ways:

• Preaching and Teaching: 
• Proclaiming the message in order to win a decision for Christ from the lost of the world.
• Structuring and managing a learning experience in such a way that people are led to discover what a Passage teaches and are led to an appropriate respond to its message!
• Sermon/Lesson Outline: Interpretation, illustration, application and transition; conduct this process for every paragraph in the passage. You should always be able to include and/or point back to the Key Center somewhere in the transition.  You should always be able to reinforce the Key Center as the overall theme!   

1.  Exegesis:  Copy and paste a brief interpretation along with all pertinent data from the situation and purpose clues.  Also, copy and paste all the observations of your paragraph justification, word study summaries and supplementary studies as they relate to your interpretation of this particular paragraph. Rewrite all data into a cohesive flow of thought.  Include commentary quotations at your discretion. 
2. Illustration:  Use stories, word pictures, life experiences, and creativity. Visual aids are highly recommended. It is strongly recommended to use Old Testament narratives when illustrating what is taught in the New Testament.
3. Application:  This should relate the teaching of the passage to felt human need and not a need the audience is perceived to have by the teacher. This is to address any of the three major domains of human personality (cognitive, affective or psychomotor), but must be stated in observable, behavioral terms.  They should be stated in terms of what the expected response of the congregation should be. 
4. Transition: Creating the bridge with this paragraph to the next paragraph should not be any longer than three sentences. Find creative ways to draw them into the next biblical truth and usher them into the next level of the passage. Something that grabs or hooks them into what you are saying. Always be able to point directly to the Key Center of the passage, every time
5. Symmetrical Pattern:  Make paragraph titles with reoccurring words or phrases that are consistent with both the train of the thought, paragraph points, and the Key Center.

Two objectives for the lesson

• For Christians – The expected response of those in the congregation to the truth in the passage should be made clear i.e. what is the Key Center. 
• For Non-Christians the objective is to define the expected response to the truth of the passage. Be very consciences to not personalize the text as related to Bible interpretational fallacies.  Directly link the situation of what is happening in the text with what’s happening ‘here in now’. Bring the ‘then and there’ to ‘here and now’.

Studying and Interpreting Biblical Narratives

Bible as Literature
The Bible is supernatural and extraordinary. Its theological and poetic, it’s prophetic and it wisdom. Our approach here is also about a correct understanding of the Word of God not just as literature but also as revealed truth.   As we explore the genres of the Bible it does not take long to run into the stories which are called Biblical narratives.  Biblical narratives are historical writing. That is, it is concern with the characters and events that takes place. Because the Bible is revealed truth there is a fundamental presuppositions that we take to the text. That is the Bible is rooted in time and space history.  Biblical narratives are not just fictional stories but actual history that took place and are to be interpreted as literally true in all its parts and details unless the genre changes within the narratives, i.e., within a story there a vision, or it specifically says otherwise. That being said let’s take a look at some basics presupposition about Biblical narratives. Biblical narratives are to be taken at face value as historical fact. Historical writing wants to tell us what happened.  Historical facts are often places into an interpretive moral and spiritual framework.  Historical writings is not deconstructism where one attempt to distort history, but it affirms the truth about what took place.  When you read the Bible  as literature you detract the authority of the Bible by bring down to the same level as other secular literature.  This not the case because the major difference in the two is in Biblical literature God is the hero of all narrative in the Scriptures not man as in secular literature. However we should very intentional and not throw away exegetical soundness. Because it is too easy to take things out of it context and distort the Word of God.  This not the case either because once your learn to identify the different type of literature that is used throughout the Scriptures will assist you extracting the true intended meaning of it.  We do have to continuously practice exegetical soundness but we do not have to give up out literary awareness.
 
Biblical Narratives
Because the Bible is also a piece of literature; and when studying Biblical narratives it in light of that; our goal should be to re-experience the stories. Hear the word being spoken- the dialogue. Feel like your set into the setting that is in the story. See the people and action in your mind. Experience every aspect of the story. However, it does not mean that should ignore the theological implications either. When we read and study the Bible as literature we are not reading for the theological out line for proof text.  That is, we should also be concerned with experiential concreteness and we should be concern with identifying the literary genre, to examine the artistry, beauty, pattern of it, and it is looking at the literary resources of language. We should be make every effort to re-experience the reality of it. Literature appeals to our understanding through our imagination.  The reason for this is because truth is more than abstract idea's it's should also ignites our images.  It is no wonder that Jesus taught 70% of story illustration.  This gives the image the imprint of what is being communicated.


To that end, it’s vital that we have some basic understanding about how we deal with Biblical narratives and how Biblical narratives function in our approach to them in order to set a president for interpretative correctness.  There are three reason to Study the Biblical Narratives. The living Word of God alone breathes life in the heart of every born again believer and draws the unbelieving heart to faith in Christ, and this is number one greatest benefit of biblical Studies.  We believe that Bible Study has the greatest spiritual impact on the minds and hearts of every one engaging in Bible Study!  We believe in the sanctifying power of God’s Word in our lives and the lives which God uses to transform our lives through Biblical investigation! Biblical narratives provides an excellent vehicle in which we can identify the characters, who is interacting with whom and where; and it teaches what the facts of the narrative itself while we lean to identified what is happening as we follow the story line.


Purpose of Biblical Narratives and How to Deal with Them
Narratives are episodes (passages) with short scenarios with a set of characters that lead us to a single plot, some human some divine. Again its vital to remember that Biblical narratives are rooted in space time history, that is they are utterly true in all its parts, and show us God at work in His creation and among His people. Therefore, the goal is to always identifying God’s Work in His Creation and identify His Creations response (Good or bad).


The purpose of Biblical narratives is to always elicit faith in God and not man, that is they serve to move us from faith in creation to trust in the Creator. Therefore the primary purpose of Biblical narratives is to glorify God!  That is they provide illustrations of many lessons important to our lives. Biblical narratives may teach by contrast, meaning that sometimes we are expected to be able to judge what is right or wrong on the basis of what God has taught us directly and categorically elsewhere in the Scripture.  What people do in narratives is not necessarily a good example for us, and in fact sometimes, it is just the opposite. Biblical narratives always teach us about God specifically. It reveals how He has and can intervene in His creation. Biblical narratives state and demonstrate His will for mankind through the vehicle of human language and stories of actual history of His actions in this world throughout human history.
 
Three Greatest Fallacy with Biblical Narratives
One of the fallacy to avoid when dealing with Biblical is focusing on solely on who God uses and not what God does!  Again, the reason and purpose of Biblical narratives is to glorify God and not the man.
Glorifying people and not God.


The second fallacy to avoid is allegorizing the details of the narratives. Simply put this takes the details of the narratives and makes them represent or personifies something else other than the literally. The actors and action represent other things. A good example of this is in the story of David and Goliath. When David pick up five smooth stones and making each stone represent something else besides stones like a “stone of faith” and a “stone of prayer” etc. and ignoring the contexts and the no accepting it a record of historical fact.  The details of scripture are taken, not in their natural meaning, but in a scriptural sense not observed on the surface.  The story may be true of life, but doesn't mean what it says.  The actors and action represent other things.  There are allegorical portion of Scripture (e.g., Ezekiel 23 or parts of revelation) but none of the Scriptural allegories is simple narrative."[1]  Most if not all allegorical portions are found in apocalyptic literature not in Biblical narratives.


The third fallacy personalizing. “This is reading the Scriptures in a way that suppose that any or all parts apply to you or your group in a way that they do not apply to everyone else.  "People tend to be self-centered, even when reading the Bible.  When the big picture of God's redemptive history fails to satisfy, they prey to the temptation to look for something that will satisfy their personal needs, cravings, or problems.  They can forget that all parts of the Bible are intended for everyone, not just them.  Examples of personalizing would be, "The story of Balaam's talking donkey reminds me that I talk too much.”[2]


How to Study and Interpret Biblical Narratives
Interpreting Biblical narratives is really quite simple. There are three progressive steps when studying Biblical narratives. Three levels to engage into when studying Biblical narratives.
First step is what’s happening in the narrative itself! That is identify who’s involved, who is God using and what’s being said?


Secondly, we need to jump back then and there. What is happening culturally, spiritually and what is happening at the time of the events are taking place. Investigate and learn the beliefs, attitude and customs of the time and place the narrative into the larger historical context. Narrative that deal with the times of the prophets, such as this one, must be seen in light of the prophetic period.  This is where the literary thinking becomes active. Learning to make every effort to re-experience the reality of it. With the help of the Holy Spirit igniting our imagination and sound historical evidence the goal is the capture the original intending meaning that the original author was trying to communicate to his original audience at the original time period that it was original written. Create a mental time warp, enter into the narrative yourself.


Thirdly, how does the narrative fit into God's universal plan. What transcultural or timeless Biblical truth is being communicated or taught. Take the narrative and place it in light of what God has been doing throughout history, in all ages. Take the narrative and place it in light of what God has been doing throughout history, in all ages.  How does it fit into His overall plan.  How does it relate to us here and now. The most critical thing to remember here is that God is always the supreme protagonist and the leading decisive character in all Biblical narratives. Failure to identify God as the ultra-protagonist is failure to interpret it correctly. Therefore, God is the hero of all Biblical narrative! 
 
The way Biblical narratives teach today is something quite unique. Spiritual formation takes place when the intersections between the facts of the Biblical narrative and understanding that supreme protagonist and the leading decisive character (God) reaches our hearts. When this bridges is built transformation happens. Reason being is that now we server a God who can and will be the hero in our lives today and as a result we can trust in and rely on Him in the same way the biblical characters did of old. The heart of Biblical narratives and the nature of spiritual formation in its purest form is in the stories we read in the Bible. God was and is the hero of all Biblical narrative and He is and can be the hero in our lives as well if we learn the Biblical narratives and apply them to our lives today.

[1] Fee Gordon & Douglas Stuart, How to  Read the Bible For all Its Worth, (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House 1994), p.  91.


[2] Ibid.