YeKengalé

“The Bible is literature: It is divinely-inspired and inerrant literature, but it is literature all the same. This means that we must read it as literature. Some parts are meant to be literally understood, and they are written accordingly – as history, or theological propositions, or whatever. But one would not expect to read the Psalms or the Song of Solomon by the same literary standards used for the Book of Romans.“

Days of Vengeance – David Chilton

Dr. David Kuk, then head of Apologetics at UTCWI warned against what he called Bibliolatry. Not only is it totally unnecessary to regard the Bible as authoritative on questions whether of astrophysics, history, sociology or even contemporary culture, custom and ethics in order to recognize its divine inspiration, nor its appropriate use for instruction in righteousness and reproof of iniquity; it is also often plain foolhardy to do so and downright retarding. (I’ll refrain from the perfect tense ‘retarded’)

Change and continuity are two immutable principles of Nature and striking the correct balance in human society is attested to by holistic human flourishing. Even doctrinaire Paul, like his master Jesus, admitted that ‘above all things’ his intention towards his audience was prosperity. To be otherwise disposed would negate the quintessential attribute of God – His goodness, which if He lacked, as some sourpuss theological manipulators seem to portray, he would be unworthy of worship.

This basic misunderstanding of the intent, whether of the divine word or the Divine Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, is at the heart of the error of those unable to exercise power consistently well and those that are beyond suspicious of, but terrified in general about the exercise of power by anyone, sometimes including themselves…or as we call them in our culture – wimps.

The Word (on any level – written, spoken, historical, prophetic, preceptive) exists FOR (in support of) man. As an aside, I have never been able to understand the author or artisan that proudly asks for the public to support him/her or his/her work/product. In case we haven’t noticed, human beings are wired to desire the things they derive benefit from (and generally to rebel against, refuse and refute the things they find inconvenient.) If you want my support, demonstrate your usefulness – that includes governments and gods as well.

A point to be considered by proclaimed modern ‘mighty’ apostles and prophets and chief God spokespersons. The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ. Even timeline reading abilities and attendant clairvoyant spiritual gifts are all subject to what matters most to a loving God – the well being of God’s most valuable treasure – that precious pearl for which he sacrificed all in order to redeem and possess – fellowship with His darling – the soul of mankind. Sorry secular humanists, you wont find a more truly anthropocentric philosophy than the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That is why the supplying Jesus is vastly superior to the demanding Muhammed, and if ever the former is eclipsed in worshippers by the latter, it could only be the result of unfaithful worshipers no longer bearing true witness to Jesus’ Name. The Great God thinks Himself a servant, and authorizes all power in heaven and earth to the service of that good He has created. Others may deify the mighty, but Christianity places a lamb ultimately not on the altar, but the throne, surrounded by great and powerful beasts and birds – lion, bear and eagle in worshipful reverence of the exalted enstooled.

BTW Days of Vengeance is absolutely a classic. No one should foray into an exegesis of Revelations (regardless of their eschatology) without having read it.