Newsletter Vol.1, #48—November 20, 2005
Matthew 7 5You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ESV
In Vol.1, #41, October 2, 2005, we started some Letters to the Editor. We continue with the letters … ~ Note: you may access the Newsletter referred to by going to http://www.caprockcoc.org/
To the Editors: Paul Apostle says that he hopes the Galatian teachers will cut off their own privates? What kind of Christian attitude is this? Shame on him! Martha Bobbitt; Boulder, co
Dear Today’s Christianity: The fact that Paul Apostle brags about his public run-in with Peter Cephas, a well-respected leader and brother in Christ, exposes Mr. Apostle for the divisive figure that he has become in the Church today. His diatribe against the Galatian church is just more of the same misguided focus on an antiquated reliance on doctrine instead of love and tolerance. Just look how his hypercritical attitude has cast aspersions on homosexual believers and women elders! The real problem within the Church today is not the lack of doctrinal devotion, as Apostle seems to believe, but in our inability to be transformed by our individual journeys in the Spirit. Evidently, Apostle has failed to detach himself from his legalistic background as a Pharisee, and is unable to let go and experience the genuine love for Christ that is coming from the Galatians who strive to worship God in their own special way. William Zenby; Richmond, va
Kind Editors: I happen to be a member of First Christian Church of Galatia, and I take issue with Mr. Apostle's article. How can he criticize a ministry that has been so blessed by God? Our church has baptized many new members and has made huge in-roads in the Jewish community with our pragmatic view on circumcision. Such a "seeker-sensitive" approach has given the Jews the respect they deserve for being God's chosen people for thousands of years. In addition, every Gentile in our midst has felt honored to engage in the many edifying rituals of the Hebrew heritage, including circumcision, without losing their passion for Jesus. My advice to Mr. Apostle is to stick to spreading the gospel message of Christ's unconditional love, and quit criticizing what God is clearly blessing in other churches. Miriam "Betty" Ben-Hur; Galatia, Turkey
Colossians 2:21
(Touch not; taste not; handle not. Most of the versions place only the first part of v.22 in parenthesis, but the kjv has included v.21 and the first part of v.22. Verse 21 gives a sampling of the kinds of rules and regulations the Colossians were allowing to be imposed upon them. They are ascetic in nature; rules telling them what they cannot touch, taste, and handle. This is probably a quotation from the errorists themselves, though in actuality the regulations are imposed by the principalities and powers whom they served.
Paul sometimes quotes from his opponents and then makes his response to their statement (see 1 Cor.7:1, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman," and 10:23, "All things are lawful," as examples). The statement given here appears to be in the form of ridicule, for as Caird suggests (based on the conclusion that the last rule was, "Don't touch anything!"): "If you pursue to its logical conclusion the notion that holiness consists in avoiding contamination, you can only end in avoiding everything"200. It is as though Paul in quoting from them is charging them with demanding a total withdrawal from all worldly contacts, which is an impossibility. Chrysos-tom also believed Paul was using ridicule, but for a different reason. His conclusion was based upon Paul's point in the first part of v. 22: "Mark how he makes sport of them, handle not, touch not, taste not, as though they were keeping themselves clear of some great matters" (quoted by Loshe123).
We cannot know for sure if Paul meant to make a distinction between these rules. Some have thought that the first ("touch not") is stronger than the second ("taste not"), in the sense that the first means, "having contact with, and even 'possessing,'" as this word appears to be used in 2 Corinthians 6:17 and 1 Corinthians 7:1 (Bratcher and Nida70). Others have looked for different objects for the three statements. But there is no reason to suppose that each of these words refers to a different class of objects from the other. There was a rigid asceticism which finds expression in this formula, and it is best to take the formula as a description of certain foods and drinks which the false teachers had proscribed, without getting into an attempt to try to find specific, and as is often done, even different kinds of things, to which each would apply. --Walton Weaver, Truth Commentary
Rules You Can Live By
1. Wake Up! Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24
2. Dress Up! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart." I Samuel 16:7
3. Shut Up! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3
4. Stand Up! For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10
5. Look Up! To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
6. Reach Up! For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6
7. Lift Up! Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead pray about everything." Philippians 4:6
(Written by a former child) A message every adult should read, because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there was a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."