I have a question (sorry): At the last slide Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David are coloured in making it appear that they are not part of Jesus’ kingdom. Is this because they lived (on earth) prior to Jesus (Matthew 22:29-32 implies that at least the first 3 are alive, living with God I assume) and aren’t part of his saving work of the cross?

Actually this is an example of the limitations of all illustrations. The reason that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David are coloured is simply that they didn’t fit in the non-coloured region! I wasn’t trying to make any particular statement about them, although I realise that when you look at the diagram it seems that I’ve deliberately excluded them from Jesus’ kingdom.

According to the Bible, Abraham is certainly in Christ’s kingdom. In fact, he is the prime forerunner of all those who will be justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Abraham didn’t have all the available information about Jesus (1 Peter 1:10-12), but he had the gospel in advance (Galatians 3:8) and he knew enough to trust in the promises of God, and so be justified by faith (e.g. Romans 4:3). This also, I reckon, applies for Isaac (Hebrews 11:20), Jacob (Hebrews 11:21) and David (Romans 4:6, Hebrews 11:32).

The use of the word “leader” is quite common amongst Christians worldwide to refer to certain people who have a particular responsibility for the care and spiritual nurture of others. There are two words that are translated “lead” in modern versions of the Bible.

The first is προΐστημι (prohistemi); it can mean either:
1) “rule”, “direct”, “be at the head (of)”, or
2) “show concern for”, “care for” or “give aid”.
It occurs in Romans 12:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 3:12 and 5:17. In Romans 12:8 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12 it is possible that the word merely means to “show concern for”. But in 1 Timothy 3:4-5, 3:12 and 5:17 the word must have a sense of leadership associated with it.

The second word is ἡγέομαι (hegeomai) and it occurs in Luke 22:26; Acts 15:22; Hebrews 13:7, 17 and 24 in the sense of “leading” or “guiding” in a supervisory capacity.

As far as I can tell neither of these words is used of the Holy Spirit.

Of course it would be unbiblical for somebody to use the word “lead” in a way contrary to the Bible. E.g. Luke 22:26 teaches that the leader must become like a servant. So if somebody used the word “leader” to imply an ongoing superiority, or a privileged status, etc., then it would be valid to assert that they are being “unbiblical”. But Clive, it is utterly ridiculous for you to suggest that simply by using the word “leader” / “leading” I have acted in an “unbiblical” way. I have used a biblical word, and as far as I can tell I have used it biblically.

Bronwyn, you are a very knowledgeable woman. I like the way you think.
Lionel, what a blessed man you are to have such a loving wife.
Mandy

You’re making an interesting point, but I think Wright would have a “come back” on those passages: the “moral” quality that you’re pointing to isn’t borne by the verb here, but by the noun. That is, the declaration of innocence (verb, הִצדִּיק) is one thing, the subject (צַּדִּיק) is another. Strictly speaking, I think Wright’s point can stand.

IIRC, the צּדק article NIDOTTE also touched on this but my memory on that is a bit hazy now.

FWIW! Shalom!

Welcome to the North East! We’re looking for help at holy trinity gateshead, just 15 min north of Durham, love to see you over here. Will try and get in touch.

Rod Earnshaw

(AS you will always be to me)….smile. Your profound words are a deep comfort to me. Thanks for the website and your prayerful preparation for this awful, awful day.

I am felt his loss keenly….not for him….but me who lkes to be busy helping and mixing with precious family even on such occasions. This I have been denied but hearing details and knowing who was present and reading the Psalm…….all very comforting and challenging. Thanks dear Lionel. Love to each of your brood and Leonie……Cuz G. in Suzhou xxxxx

To find out more about twelve-step programs, I recommend reading the AA Big Book. This is the basic text of all 12-step programs, with only the substance-related details changed. The current edition can be found at

http://www.aa.org/bigbookonline

I also found this site, which addresses some of the issues related to Christianity, addiction and twelve-step programs
http://www.alcoholicsvictorious.org/. In particular, their FAQ section discusses the implications of the “Disease” model.

About the twelve steps and the Bible they say:

“If we approach them with the premise that our God is He who has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ, there is nothing in the 12 Steps that directly contradicts the Scriptures. They consist of the following; admission of personal defeat, brokenness, turning one’s life and will over to the care of God, confession, restitution, acquiring the spiritual disciplines of prayer and personal devotions, and a desire to reach out to others. If every Christian practiced these things on a consistent basis, they would grow tremendously! The 12 Steps are simply an orderly way to apply the scriptural principles they espouse. They have a natural progression in them that can serve as an outline of discipleship that fits the unique needs of the addict.”

I agree with this statement. This is my opinion: We are all slaves to sin, and cannot by ourselves be freed from its power. The Bible is quite clear on that. Sin will often have physical consequences in the form of disease. Homosexual activity, for example, shortens a person’s life expectancy considerably. In the case of the addict, physical nad emotional dependency do become diseases. While most sinners have the ability to choose how they show their rebellion against God, and to act in their own perceived best interests, the disease of addiction robs the addict of this power. Sin has them on a far shorter leash than the non-addict can imagine. In his mercy, God has provided us with 12-step programs. Like other advances in human thought, God uses them for his purposes to further his kingdom. As with other diseases, he is often more likely to act through such seemingly “human” channels than through the more obviously supernatural ones.

I might also note that , for many addicts, their guilt is like the Slough of Despond in the Pilgrim’s Progress. Many addicts are overwhelmed by a sense of shame and guilt, both true and imagined. They may be painfully aware of their guilt before God. But few addicts can see a way around the quagmire of guilt. They usually avoid it like the plague, constantly justifying and rationalising their behaviour, denying its abnormality. Or else, they try to get out of the addiction, get stuck in their guilt, and turn to the only way out that seems available- more indulgence in addictive behaviour to numb their feelings. I think this is why diminished responsiblity is emphasized in the early stages of recovery from addiction. As Christians we don’t need the concept of a “disease” to free us from our guilt. We can overcome guilt in the knowledge that 1. All humans are sinful. No one person is better than another. Our slavery is just more obviosu. 2. Jesus sets us free from all guilt.

Of course all this is just my own thoughts, and I can’t claim to speak for other addicts or for twelve-step programs. But Thanks once again for the opportunity to serve by sharing my thoughts with you.

For more info

http://www.12step.org/The-12-Steps.html

The Christian OA group can be found at:
http://www.therecoverygroup.org/odat/christian/index.html

Narcotics Anonymous
Website: http://www.naoz.org.au
Phone: 02 9565 1453

Gamblers Anonymous
Website: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org.au
Phone: 9564 1574

Sex Addicts Anonymous:
Website http://saa-recovery.org/

Karen Halls