by Barry Newton

The computer game industry caters well to testosterone. Want to command the power of an army, fly the world’s most devastating airplane, build a city, manage a world or expand an empire throughout the galaxy? There is a computer simulation game that will pander to your drive for power.

While guys may be drawn more toward command and conquer, the gals are not without desire to control. The tempter shinnied up to Eve with a modest proposal. If you want to be like God, if the idea of possessing the power to know right and wrong is attractive to you, just eat this. With a wry smile, a thirty-something wife recently made the point well when she said, “The perfect husband says, ‘Yes, dear.’”

Suspended in the middle between God and animals aptly sums up the rightful position of humanity. On the one hand, God has given us dominion over all the creatures within creation, and we are to subdue the earth. Yet, we are not the Creator, but rather the creature. We are to submit our will to God and obediently serve Him.

What happens when the lure to be in control, to shape things how I want them, or by what I might think is best collides with my service to God? I will let you answer that question. What I am going to do is unveil the three-word tool which some might use to tame Scripture, twisting it into their own image. While not a legitimate practice, anything in Scripture which grates upon someone's ear can be easily dismissed (at least in one’s own mind) by claiming to know “the reason why.”

How many times have you witnessed the following?

1. Someone claims to know the reason why a command was given or a particular action was taken in Scripture. (Of course you will search in vain within Scripture to validate that this was the reason.)

2. Proceeding to unveil how our context is different, the conclusion is drawn that the motivation for the command or practice no longer exists. Now being nothing more than a curious cultural relic of the past, the imperative is hamstrung.

3. Having severed the message from necessity, the creature reins in the Creator’s message insisting that a proper understanding of how to apply the text will be shaped by his or her own “knowledge” of why it was given in the first place. Appealing to your pride, the assertion is at least gently hinted that those possessing an appropriate sophistication will recognize that the message as it was originally intended to be heard is inadequate for today’s situation.

The predictable result is that those who embrace the creature’s reasoning will feel no pang of guilt whatsoever in violating God’s clear instructions or altering what God has spoken. Those who accurately perceive my intention will understand I am questioning a method and its accompanying claim of knowledge.

Although the method can be powerful in convincing self and others, is it reliable? Are there other principles which must control when and if it is appropriate? Ponder upon the following examples. Since the first two ideas will probably be new to most believers, I hope people will rightfully reject them. But how will they treat the rest?

• The reason why Jesus commanded baptism as an initiation rite is because he accommodated conversion to his prevailing Jewish cultural matrix. To achieve the dynamic equivalence in our cultural setting, we would need to adopt new initiation rites based upon our cultural rites of inclusion.

But Scripture says, “make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

• The reason why the apostles appointed elders within the early church is because they simply employed a Jewish cultural form of leadership. Today, our culture recognizes different forms of leadership and so we do not need to be limited to just elders.

But Scripture says, “I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you.” Titus 1:5

• The reason why the early church worshipped solely with a cappella music is because singing with instruments at that time contained a strong pagan association. Today, singing with instruments does not carry this connotation, so it is perfectly acceptable to worship with them.

But Scripture says, “teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:16

• The reason why God is described with masculine language in Scripture is because the message was originally given to a male-dominated society. Today, our society is more egalitarian, and thus it is appropriate to use both male and female language to describe and address God.

But Scripture says, “This is how you ought to pray, Our Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9

• The reason why Paul told the women in Corinth to be silent within the assembly of the saints is because ... . Today, our situation is different. Therefore, ...

But Scripture says, “The women are to keep silent in the churches ... the things I write to you are the Lord’s command.” 1 Corinthians 14:34, 37

With the bridle and the knife of “I know the reason why,” anything within Scripture can be tamed and cut down to a manageable size as the creature makes Scripture jump through his hoops. The enticement to release our imagination and intellect to command and conquer Scripture is an enticing one. But we are to be in the middle between God and animals, between ruling over all things and always serving. In relation to God, we are to learn obedience.

“By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commandments. The person who says, ‘I have come to know Him’ and does not obey his commandments is a liar and the truth is not in that person.” 1 John 2:3-4

by Barry Newton

The Lord’s perspective

Long before financial advisors like Suze Orman were toting the virtues of living credit card debt free, the light from Jesus’ teachings was evaporating the reasons for going into debt.

• Why should you whip out your credit card to own the latest, the greatest or to keep up with others since your life is not measured by your possessions? Luke 12:15

• What motive do you have for going into debt over those things which the world pursues when God detests what is highly valued among people? Luke 16:15

• If God will provide for your daily needs if you seek His kingdom, what need is there to charge additional items for which you can not pay? Luke 12:22-31

• Since Jesus’ parable about ten men each receiving a mina reveals God expects you to be a good steward in serving kingdom purposes, how does credit card debit fit into accomplishing this goal? Luke 19:11-27

A common perspective among humanity

In contrast to our Lord’s perspective, Jimmy Stewart’s character in Shenandoah reflects a typical human attitude when he cried out, “Lord, we plowed the fields, planted the crops, cared for them and harvested them, and now we’re eating what we provided.” He was making the very claim which God had warned against in Deuteronomy 8:17. The attitude of “I earned this and so it is mine” reflects the underlying myopic spiritual anemia of viewing our possessions as our security and ourselves as the provider. If it is all about what you have and what you are capable of enjoying because you earned it, would not such an attitude encourage you to spend more than what you could afford?

Living with the Lord’s perspective

In reality, nothing belongs to any of us. The earth and everything within it belongs to the Lord. To live with the Lord’s perspective involves making God the source of our security instead of depending upon our possessions. In this way, our financial means are freed from being silos of security to become tools used in God’s service. We are simply stewards of the wonderful resources the Lord has made available to us.

If we can cast off being conformed to this world by maturing into recognizing that what we have is not truly ours and by believing that God will provide for our needs, the path will lie open before us to live first for his kingdom. God wants us to use our wealth not only to sustain ourselves but also to be a blessing toward others. 1 Timothy 6:17; Luke 12:32-34

What are some practical things you can do? How can you train your children to think maturely about finances?

• As a family, study what scripture has revealed about God providing, the role of our financial means, and stewardship accountability.

• Sit down as a family to create a budget and start with what is most important in order to model how to establish priorities and boundaries.

• Get each of your family members to make a commitment to live within your family's means in order that you will be able to fulfill your divinely given stewardship purposes.

• Involve your family in giving to the Lord and doing good to bless others.

by Barry Newton

Like a good mystery novel, this is probably best read wearing a pair of slippers and sitting in your favorite chair with a cup of hot tea. I would also suggest a Bible and perhaps a pencil. Ready?

Clue #1 Strange Exceptions or Pure Baloney?

How finely tuned is your baloney detector? For most of us, alarms will probably go off in our heads if someone were to claim that a particular word normally means something, but when it refers to a particular person it then means something else. As an example, what would you think if someone were to claim, “I know this Greek word normally means ‘brother’ and different Biblical writers consistently use it in this manner, but it just so happens that whenever these different writers use it to describe Jesus’ ‘brothers’ they are actually writing about his cousins.” For the same reason that this probably sounds very fishy to you, I smelled something wrong as I’ve kept one eye on my Greek New Testament and the other on certain translations and commentaries.

How does the following claim strike you? The standard way of interpreting a certain Greek construction(1) in English is to use “of” or “from.” However, in Romans 3:22, 26; Galatians 2:16, 20; 3:22; and Philippians 3:9 where it ties faith to Jesus, some make the assertion that it does not mean “the faith of Jesus,” but “faith in Jesus.” According to these commentaries and translations, this unusual phenomenon should also be extended to Ephesians 3:12 where they claim that “faith of him” should be translated as “faith in him.” (Just for your information, except for Romans 3:26, the KJV translates all of these phrases with “of” and not with “in.”)

Typically, commentators try to dismiss the charge that they are engaged in special pleading by pointing to Mark 11:22, where they contend that “faith of God” should be translated “faith in God.” However, the granddaddy of Greek grammarians (A.T. Robertson) concedes that this phrase actually means “have the God kind of faith” and not have faith in God.(2)

So we are back to where we started. What legitimate reason would lead us to translate these verses in the special manner of “in” instead of with the expected “of”? Is the grammar of the Greek New Testament driving the translations and certain commentaries or is a predetermined doctrine in charge?

Clue #2 Paul Knew How to Clearly Write “Faith In Jesus” and He Did So.

In the Greek language, if someone wants to write, “faith in ___”, there is a way to do this.(3) Paul knew the normal convention to communicate “faith in” because he used it at various times. Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 1:15; Colossians 1:4; 2:5; 2 Timothy 3:15

This raises a question. If Paul knew how to clearly write “faith in,” why would he use the form for “faith of” in Romans 3:22, etc., if he meant “faith in”?

Clue # 3 Meaningless Redundancy? Concise Statements?

The plot thickens. If “faith in Jesus” is an accurate translation in Romans 3:22 and Galatians 3:22, then it would appear Paul’s pen needlessly stuttered. In these verses Paul would have written “through faith in Jesus, to all who believe” and “in order that the promise out of faith in Jesus Christ may be given to all who believe.” If someone has faith in Jesus, he or she obviously believes. So why the repetition?

On the other hand, if these verses should be translated as “faith of Jesus,” then clear concise statements ring out. In this case, Romans 3:21-22 would be teaching that the righteousness of God is manifested through the faith of Jesus being available to all who believe. Galatians 3:22 would be teaching that the benefits of Jesus’ faith are available to all who believe.

So, which of the two seems more reasonable to you? Did Paul repeat himself or was Paul teaching about Jesus’ faith?

OK Detective, Check Your Note Pad

There are some more clues, but what have you concluded so far? If you had to determine at this point whether the verses we have been evaluating should be translated “faith of Jesus” or “faith in Jesus,” which would you claim is what Paul intended to communicate?

What have some others concluded on this? “The true scriptural justification ‘ by faith’ has no reference at all to the stinking faith of sinners, but to the ‘faith of the Son of God.’ ... the faith of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the scriptures is the legitimate ground of justification because Christ’s faith was perfect.” James Burton Coffman, Romans, (ACU Press:1973), pp. 109, 110. “The decision in individual passages does not greatly affect the overall understanding of New Testament teaching. ... Even if all the passages speaking of ‘the faith of Christ’ refer to Christ’s faith, there are many passages remaining where righteousness is connected with human faith.” Everett Ferguson, The Church of Christ A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today, (Eerdmans: 1996), p. 157

What have I concluded? Well, we already know that it is because of Jesus’ righteousness and sinlessness that he could die on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:18-19 Since a sinner could not redeem us, our salvation rests upon how Jesus lived in response to God in order that he might die for us. For Paul to describe our justification to be based upon Jesus’ faith does not alter what we already know regarding Jesus being the basis of our salvation. Thus, these verses would reemphasize our dependency upon Jesus for salvation, providing us with a richer understanding of justification by faith. If Paul indeed intended for these verses to refer to Jesus’ faith (and this seems so), then the truth of the matter would be those who believe in Jesus are justified on the basis of Jesus’ faith.

(1) Genitive case (2) A.T. Robertson, A Grammar of the Greek New Testament, p. 500. (3) Dative case with or without certain prepositions.

by Barry Newton

Angry eyes glared at the financial counselor. Her words sought to cut him down to size so that he would realize she was just a victim of circumstance. “You just don’t understand. I have to spend this much money on fast food. My schedule is so rushed that I only have time for a drive through lunch.”

How do you tackle something so big, so ingrained, that people are resistant to even acknowledging its very existence? Whether on the individual, group or societal level, ideas have consequences. And the thought, “I have to” is particularly adept at imprisoning lives while simultaneously offering a Faustian* bargain conveniently served up with a self-deluding but seemingly self- justifying excuse of being a victim.

The truth is we don’t have to do anything. We choose to do what we do because we believe in a whole rack full of promises. My kids will be successful if they are exposed to ___. I must have ___, because this will ___. The list seems endless.

In the previous scenario her choice might be to sleep a little longer rather than make a sack lunch. It’s her choice to eat rather than to fast. It’s her choice to maintain her schedule because of what she believes her schedule will provide her.

I know firsthand the desire to deny all of this. When confronted, I did not like it. I argued. I did not want him to be right.

About fifteen years ago I was complaining to a friend just how stressed out I was with my five part-time jobs, full graduate school schedule and other responsibilities. I thought that in Joel’s eyes I would be earning the badge of someone important and on the move. Kindly, Joel responded, “you chose all of this.”

Of course I objected! For me to achieve good grades I had to study hard. I had to work all of those jobs to pay my bills as I went through school. On and on I rambled. To which Joel asked, “Why do you have to get good grades? Why do you have to take a full slate of classes. Why...” I could not believe my ears. Joel was questioning what I considered foundational!

Sure I offered answers to each of his questions, but I was attempting to dodge his real point. Because I believed a strong academic performance provided promises for the future, I chose to impose a standard upon myself. I chose to complete my studies within a particular time period because I wanted ... . I wanted ... The truth was, I had chosen my lifestyle because I wanted what I thought it would provide. I was a prisoner of my own desires, but I wanted to blame my schedule. And so I argued, “I have to.”

If we are willing to listen, Jesus wants to set us free from our self-imposed prisons of “I have to.” Essentially Jesus says, “If you will receive me, I’ve taken care of your deepest need – namely, to belong to God. You also do not need to worry about housing, clothing or shelter if you put God’s kingdom first. That will be taken care of too. And you don’t have to worry about being important – your identity and worth are eternally secure with me. You are my disciple as well as co-heir. Whatever you really need, it’s been taken care. So now you are free to live.”

Jesus sets us free to live deliberately instead of existing as victims of our own thinking and desires. In one hundred years, it will be self-evident that our long lists of "have to's" are not as important as we have claimed.

So if you have been set free from the secularly driven list of "I have to" what are you going to do with your life? Who or what will be honored? It’s not about unfulfilled good intentions; it’s what am I choosing to do now?

*Faust was a magician and astrologer who was held to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for worldly experience and power, but in the end the reality did not live up to the promises.

Barry Newton

In the playground, a child might start to believe, "since I cannot run as fast as other kids, I am not as good as them." Through school or watching television, a young person could begin to accept, "I have evolved from lower forms of life." Certain young adults might draw the conclusion that what is most important for their lives is whether they have the right clothes, the right car, or perhaps the right friends.

Our lives are awash with notions which we have picked up through the years. All of the ideas we embrace as being true will have consequences for our lives. The prison walls of feeling inadequate and inferior can be slowly built up by thoughts such as: "because I don't have ___, I am not really an important person" or "because ___ has happened to me, others are better than me."

The stale suffocating dungeon of living a meaningless life can be the ultimate conclusion which comes from embracing the belief that we are here as the result of blind naturalistic forces. Along the way, the idea of naturalistic evolution becomes an uncontainable acid eating through one's concepts of truth, morality, and meaning to leave the individual with nothing more than the belief that such things are social conventions and personal preferences.

Chains of compulsiveness can have their origin in many different types of thoughts. Believing that life is measured by what I have or the conviction that in order to be somebody I must prove myself can drive a person into the doomed effort to generate genuine success based upon this world.

These paltry examples do not even being to scratch the surface of the varied consequences which arise from the vast continuum of ideas. All of the ideas we embrace will have consequences for our lives.

What is important for us to know is that Jesus came from God to testify to what is true. That's right -- real truth which will always be true regardless whether people agree with it or not. Through his teachings, Jesus has sought to free us from those lies which would debilitate and destroy us.

Consider, for example, the liberating power of the truth, "your life is not measured by what you have." (Lk. 12:15) Also, through his death and resurrection Jesus destroyed the chains of sin and death to set us free from our sinfulness in order that we might serve God in truth. Through Jesus we can know the truth and it will set us free.