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Articles from this month's issue of the Berean News |
Perspectiveby Larry UrbaniakThe book of Isaiah is a most remarkable book. It is quoted in the New Testament more than any other book. It contains judgments on the Southern Kingdom of Judah, promises of restoration, a fantastic vision of the throne of God, prophesies about the birth of the Messiah, the incredible suffering servant passages, and the verses that Jesus use to begin his public ministry. It is noteworthy that most famous among all the findings of the Dead Sea Scrolls is a complete scroll of Isaiah. This 24 foot long scroll is dated about two centuries before Christ. The main text used for most of our English translations today is called the Masoretic text. It is the traditional Hebrew text. The earliest copies we have are from AD 895 and AD 925, about 1000 years later than the Dead Sea Scrolls. Remarkably enough there are very few differences between the Masoretic and Dead Sea texts of Isaiah. One estimate is that only about nine letters are different. This is a tribute to the seriousness with which scribes copied their texts. One of the great debates about the book of Isaiah is whether one or two different people wrote it. All seem to agree that the first 39 chapters were written by the prophet Isaiah. But some Biblical scholars claim that chapters 40 through 66 were written by a second author whom they call second Isaiah. There definitely is a shift in focus and language in the latter part of the book. The focus shifts to the promised Messiah. But does this shift in emphasis mean a different author or the same author with a shift in style because of his shift in intent and emphasis? Let's look at a passage in the New Testament to answer this question. It quotes from Isaiah (Esaias in the KJV, which I am using here): The first quote here is from Isaiah 53. The second quote is from Isaiah 6. Both are attributed to the prophet Isaiah. In fact, between the two quotes is the statement "because that Isaiah said again" implying the same prophet said both things. For me this settles the debate. The remarkable book of Isaiah was all written by one man -- a remarkable prophet who saw the glory of the Messiah and testified about him. |
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Roy's Reflections Character vs Reputation “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5) I remember when I was a young boy and my grandfather would often quote the following Irish proverb "Reputation is what you are in the light; character is what you are in the dark". There really is a big difference between reputation and character, assuming that this little proverb is correct. Please take note: there is nothing wrong with having a great reputation. The Bible even encourages us to develop a good reputation. Those who would serve the church, as shepherds ought to have reputations that are good and positive even among those people outside the church. So, we should not think that there is anything wrong or questionable about having, or desiring to have, a good reputation. But, this little proverb points out a major consideration. Reputation is what you develop through your public presentation of self. Character, on the other hand, is what you develop through your private presentation of self. Character is what you are when there is nobody around to see you perform. It is entirely possible for reputation to be motivated by a desire to be seen in a certain light, to have others think about us in positive ways. Now, that's good, if it is the result of pure and simple integrity. But, I think we all know that it's possible for a person to have motives that are not altogether pure, that cause them to act in ways that others would readily approve. Character is the sum total of personal traits that function even in the most private and secluded of times and circumstances. Character is purity, when there is no one other than yourself and God to be impressed. Character possesses a core of integrity when there is no one to congratulate you on being such a highly moral and ethical person. Character is much more the real you than reputation. Hopefully, our reputation reflects our true character, but it doesn't necessarily do so. The truth is that quite often people have a reputation that just doesn't match their character. In fairness, it ought to be said that the inconsistency can go both ways. Good reputation does not necessarily mean good character, but neither does good character necessarily mean good reputation. I do believe while God would prefer that we all have a good reputation, He is much more concerned with the development of good character. Why? Simply because character has everything to do with the inner person and their true heart condition. Reputation can be subject to all sorts of outside influences, misunderstandings, and attacks from others. Character, on the other hand, is resistant to those outside influences. Your character stands as a reflection of your true self, without any regard to what anyone thinks, how they view you, or the impression left in their minds. Look again at the message in the above scripture, which tell us that character is developed by persevering through tribulations, and that at least one of character's great products is hope. Perhaps the reason for that is that our confidence and hope before God isn't based on what other people think about us (which is reputation), but on what is real and true about us (which is character). The question we're left to ponder is this: what are you really like when there's no one around to impress? |
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Viewpoints
A Look at Some of Our Roots: The Morning Resolve Most churches come with a history. There is usually a denomination, for better or worse, that has a story. This story often comes with unique ways of communicating and unique interpretations of Scripture and focus for the local body. Bible Students have a story as well. However, as many have rejected certain teachings or ways of doing things, the overall memories are being lost as well. This could be one of several reasons that most Bible Student churches are no longer growing as they had in the past. One of the most important aspects of Christianity as looked through the Bible Student lens was a sense of consecration. It seems passé in our postmodern world, but it is very Biblical and appropriate. Let me share something with you that thousands and thousands of Bible Students read each day 100 years ago. (Many Bible Student classes start each Sunday service with this reading even today.) My Morning Resolve
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A Daughter's Heart
It’s All Because of Jesus Winters can get long with two preschool children who have lots of energy. So sometimes during the winter when it seems my kids need to get out of the house, we call a friend and head to the local McDonald's Playland. For the cost of a happy meal, the kids can run and climb and chase each other through the tubes, and I can sit and chat with a friend. This past winter on one such occasion my friend Holly and I observed an older, African-American woman march FIVE pre-school age children into the playland. With a quiet word from her, they all sat down on a bench and took off their shoes. Then she told them they could play, which they did. We watched as they helped each other and listened to her instruction. Then she called them all, again quietly, to the table for lunch. She only had to call once, and all FIVE responded. It was really amazing to see, especially since this isn’t the usual behavior at a McDonald's playland. My friend was so amazed that she decided to ask the lady her secret. “How do you get them all to behave and listen so well?” Her response? “Oh,” she said, “It’s all because of Jesus.” I was surprised. What an amazing witness. She gave all the credit for her apparent success to the Lord. I started to think, how would I respond in a similar situation? Probably I would smile and dole out some tidbit of parenting advice, or say thanks but they are just really good kids, but I don’t often think of taking such an opportunity to give the glory to Jesus, and by doing so, witness for Him. I guess I really want people to think I’m a good Mom or a kind person, etc. Really, the only reason I’m a good Mom and a kind person is because of the grace of Jesus Christ. I need to set my ego aside and give the glory where it is due: to my Savior. The more I do that, the more opportunities I might have to bring others to know Christ. I usually view witnessing as something I do with my actions. Others will notice I live differently and that’s my witness. Well, it doesn’t help if they don’t know the reason I live differently is my Christianity! I have to tell others that I’m a Christian. Doing acts of kindness, helping others in need, treating people well, will all go to my glory if I don’t tell others that it’s Jesus who’s doing it through me. That’s when the witness is real. I’ve heard it said that the whole world is a mission field. Well, I know that on an ordinary winter afternoon, the McDonald's playland in Lombard was a mission field for that amazing woman. I’m going to try to see all the ordinary places I go as my mission field. And I’m working on remembering that the reason I am who I am is not because I’m just a nice person, but “it’s all because of Jesus.”
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