II Peter is not the easiest book for me to read. There's a lot I just don't get. I find it ironic that Peter sort of apologizes for how confusing Paul is, but he writes this masterpiece...
One of the lessons I do get from this chapter is that we should be patient because we don't always understand God's timing or His ways. Given our misunderstandings, we must be patient and careful. It is easy to be misled, especially if we assume we know the mind of God and are disappointed when we realize we were wrong. This is one of many reasons I am skeptical of most eschatological views. If you expect Christ to return at a certain date, and He doesn't, we are likely to be disillusioned or to fall for something even more sketchy.
Showing posts with label II Peter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label II Peter. Show all posts
Friday, November 8, 2013
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Thoughts on II Peter 2: Things I don't understand
I'm going to be honest. The second chapter of II Peter contains a lot that I don't understand, either intellectually or in my gut.
Intellectually, for example, I don't understand the nature of the false teachers that Peter rails against. I don't understand the slanderous judgement. What is "the way of righteousness" that these teachers knew and abandoned?
My gut doesn't understand how Lot, who gave up his daughters to be raped, could be considered a "righteous man".
With all I don't understand from this chapter, what do I get? False teachers are very bad and we should take this problem far more seriously than we do. In the name of Christian unity we tolerate far more than we should. Peter would say that tolerating such false teachers is not a matter of Christian unity because these teachers are not Christians.
Intellectually, for example, I don't understand the nature of the false teachers that Peter rails against. I don't understand the slanderous judgement. What is "the way of righteousness" that these teachers knew and abandoned?
My gut doesn't understand how Lot, who gave up his daughters to be raped, could be considered a "righteous man".
With all I don't understand from this chapter, what do I get? False teachers are very bad and we should take this problem far more seriously than we do. In the name of Christian unity we tolerate far more than we should. Peter would say that tolerating such false teachers is not a matter of Christian unity because these teachers are not Christians.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Thoughts on II Peter 1: Make your election sure
First of all, let me emphasize that this post will not take a position on whether a Christian can lose her/his salvation. I do have thoughts on the matter, but I don't know that my thoughts would promote a useful discussion. Additionally, they are so nuanced (or complicated), I'm not sure I could adequately explain them in a brief time.
What I do want to focus on is the idea the true Christianity cannot be about "easy believism". It cannot be an issue of praying a prayer and being done for the rest of your life. In my youth I used to present that position in my ministry to children. Then I started actually studying the Bible and realized that it couldn't be the case.
Christianity is more than a one-time decision. It is a continual decision that guides ones life.
Please don't confuse this with salvation by works. Rather, salvation is going to transform us in such a way that we become conscious of living for God. If we do not have that conscientiousness, then that is perhaps the time to seek to make our calling and election sure. We should examine ourselves. The good news is that if we are worried about these issues, then we are probably fine, or at least on the path to being fine.
How does one travel on this path? Although I can't give a guideline for every individual circumstance, Peter does highlight a general route for us. Start with faith, without which you won't have salvation. Add to that "excellence". (I don't have my Greek handy, but I think the Greek word here is dikaiosune, which roughly means "flourishing". In Greek and Hebrew thought, this probably means living a life of moral virtue, as is commonly found in the philosophers at the time.) After excellence, you go to knowledge--knowledge of God and His word. This chain continues, ending in versions of love. I need to make my wife lunch now, so I have to go, but I encourage you to think through vv 5-7 yourself.
What I do want to focus on is the idea the true Christianity cannot be about "easy believism". It cannot be an issue of praying a prayer and being done for the rest of your life. In my youth I used to present that position in my ministry to children. Then I started actually studying the Bible and realized that it couldn't be the case.
Christianity is more than a one-time decision. It is a continual decision that guides ones life.
Please don't confuse this with salvation by works. Rather, salvation is going to transform us in such a way that we become conscious of living for God. If we do not have that conscientiousness, then that is perhaps the time to seek to make our calling and election sure. We should examine ourselves. The good news is that if we are worried about these issues, then we are probably fine, or at least on the path to being fine.
How does one travel on this path? Although I can't give a guideline for every individual circumstance, Peter does highlight a general route for us. Start with faith, without which you won't have salvation. Add to that "excellence". (I don't have my Greek handy, but I think the Greek word here is dikaiosune, which roughly means "flourishing". In Greek and Hebrew thought, this probably means living a life of moral virtue, as is commonly found in the philosophers at the time.) After excellence, you go to knowledge--knowledge of God and His word. This chain continues, ending in versions of love. I need to make my wife lunch now, so I have to go, but I encourage you to think through vv 5-7 yourself.
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