Exloring Life Eternal

A brother shared this note, after I indicated that all are born sinners & with evil hearts:

"culture of deception" I also would like to reflect on the apostle's words in Titus 1:12-13. [He elaborated on cultures of deceipt.]

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That is a good point. Well made & well taken. I agree that lies must be confronted. From experience, it can be painful to confront them. Actually, I believe that the boldness to prayerfully confront sin, though it may cost a friendship is exactly what David called, "I hate them with a perfect hatred" & why Jesus said "You must hate your father & mother" ... even though he clearly taught us to honor them.

I find theories which dismiss the content of the Psalms as "merely expressing the emotion of an OT saint" to be less than useful, though pleasing to a psychologically-oriented society.

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger

The hermeneutics class in the undergrad univ I studied at (a class I never took, but reviewed the contents twice when friends did) emphasized the importance of observing in nature as preparation for learning how to read. George W. Carver commented that a garden is the best way to help a child think. As you grow things or watch a tree grow, you get to learn its characteristics & observe the smallest detail. Having raised plants over the years, I cannot agree more, though, man made his most foolish mistake in a garden, hence the need for humility: I need the Gentle Gaurdener daily.

Once a person has the basics of observation down, I would suggest simply memorizing a passage & analyzing it. Read several English translations / or if you only have access to one translation a solid commentary, then write your own paraphrase/translation based on them (& the Greek/Hebrew if possible). Analyze the sentence structure. Really let the words & phrases sink in. Try reading & reciting the passage with the intonation & gestures you believe the Author would have expressed them with.

Learning about the culture & geography of the Ancient Near East can help you "get into" the context of the text as well. Realize that the peoples & places were real, and many continue to today, though with some change.

Throughout, pray about how to relate what you are learning to today. Not just how you preach/teach/witness, but also how you live.

"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly ..."