O.T. vs. N. T.???

What is the relationship of the teaching of the Old Testament to the teaching of the New Testament?

The Bible is not only the best-selling book in history, it is also the most beautiful story every told. The Bible is a unified, cohesive collection of 66 books, yet with differences and changes between the two Testaments. Thus, the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament and their teaching is one of unified beauty yet with different aspects, for each part.

First, the Bible is one unified story of God redeeming a people to Himself through His Son Jesus Christ. Whether it is God creating through His Word or the elect at the end of time falling before the lamb that was slain, the Bible is a story about Jesus, showcasing his majesty, glory, and nature. AS the word “canon” implies, the whole of the Bible is the “rule” for God’s people to know and submit to. The whole Bible is God’s inspired Word (2 Timothy 3:16), so it contains His whole authority on all matters. This means both Testament’s teaching is equal, of the same value, impotence, and authority. All of Scripture must be taught because all of Scripture is a beautiful revelation of God, His Son Jesus, and their plan, throughout the ages to save the elect.

Secondly, there are differences in the Testaments, especially since one is called the Old and the other is called the New. Yes, both Testaments reveal a covenant God who is redeeming a people through His covenant relationship. But there are differences in the covenants and how they are communicated and what they accomplish. As Augustine rightly helps, in this discussion, “the new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed”. The Old Testament and the New Testament act as counterparts, pointing to each other, with clear distinctions. The Old Testament points forward to Christ through types (Ark of the Covenant), shadows (The ark with Noah), figures (Boaz), places, events (day of atonement), and laws. The New Testament reveals Christ in the flesh, telling both about his life and then explaining how God’s elect live in light of Christ’s life and death. This means the Old Testament helps illustrate the New, while the New Testament helps illuminate the Old. Thus, their teaching has the same authority yet can be communicated in different manners. No, many of the Laws or commands of God, from the Old, do not apply to us today, because Christ perfectly fulfilled them. Yet there are New Testament implications that require a holy life of God’s people, living under the same Word of God.

The Bible is the whole counsel of God, showing His heart and will for His people. Yes, the Bible is made of up of different genres of writing and different books and Testaments. So, there are clear differences that must be handled correctly. But the whole Bible is God’s inerrant, inspired Word, so it all must be taught, applied, and humbly followed by God’s people.

Illumination

What is illumination?

Jesus teaches his disciples in John 14:26, “[the Holy Spirit] will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you”. He later added, “He will guide you into all truth. Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit, in teaching, brining back to memory, and imparting the truth of God’s Word (the very Word he inspired) to God’s people. Illumination is the work of the Holy Spirit in helping God’s people understand the very Word He wrote. Illumination is the supernatural working of the Holy Spirit where He opens the eyes, ears, and hearts of God’s people to be empowered, transformed, and sanctified through the word of God (Psalm 119:18). Illumination is one of the greatest works the Holy Spirit does while He indwells a believer after they are regenerated and come to Christ.

On a side note, as the Holy Spirit illuminates His Word for His people, they must also do the hard work of correct interpretation and hermeneutics. I believe scripture should be interpreted grammatically, historically, rhetorically, theologically. (2 Timothy 2:15) When a Christian interprets the Bible he should be careful to seek the illumination of the Holy Spirit to accurately interpret the Scripture. (John 16:13-14, John 14:26). Yet as the Christ does the hard work of correctly interpreting the Word of God, the Spirit illuminates and blesses the work by transferring and blessing the child of God.

Inspiration

What does "Inspiration" mean, when it comes to God's Word? 

The Bible is God’s Special Revelation because it is God’s inspired Word given to man as a blessing, gift, and act of His grace.

First, the word inspiration means “God-breathed.” “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16. Peter says, “For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21, Acts 1:16, Hebrews 1:1, 1 Corinthians 2:13, Mark 12:36). Man was not a passive agent. Inspiration does not mean passive dictation. The character and personality of each author and each audience was used in inspiration (2 Peter 3:15-16). As the LBC states, “the authority of the Holy Scriptures, for which it ought to be believed, depends not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God, the author thereof”. Inspiration means God is the author of His word, but He used men to write His Word in their own character, personality, style, language, and context.

Second, inspiration was both verbal (every word) and plenary (whole). “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:18. “Every word of God is pure…” Proverbs 30:5. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…” 2 Timothy 3:16 (Galatians 3:16, Revelation 22:18-19). God is the author of every word written, which means every word has significance and important, yet He is also the author of the whole Bible as one, which means the Bible is a succinct, perfect, story from beginning to end making clear one large narrative (God redeeming a people to Himself).

The inspiration of Scripture is the backbone of the Bible. All of the other characteristics flow out of inspiration; authority, clarity, sufficiency, and inerrancy. The verbal-plenary nature of inspiration is the key to a correct view of inspiration. Verbal-plenary does not emphasize the transcendence of God, like the neo-orthodox understanding does. Neo-orthodox inspiration is not even inspiration at all because it leaves humans completely devoid of playing a key role in God’s Word. Verbal-plenary inspiration does not fall trap to the dictation inspiration. Dictation leaves the personality, languages, and authors void of playing a key role in God’s Word. Verbal-plenary inspiration is not even limited, like some scholars think, because inspiration is clear, God is the author of His Word and where His word originated. Being the true backbone of the Bible, inspiration and the verbal-plenary method it was inspired in, keeps God as the author, yet has the beauty, character, and context of human authors with personalities, languages, and the human element in the process. The inspiration of God’s Word is what makes God’s Word special, sufficient for salvation, clear for understanding of truth, and free from error.

Revelation

I like the question and answer format. Asking a question, and then answering it from what the Bible teaches, is a great tool and method for growing in the faith. So in that vein, I am going to ask questions this week, and then answer them.

What is the doctrine of revelation?

Revelation is the act and method which the God of the Universe chooses to reveal, tell, and make clear, He exists, His character, and His plan of salvation. Revelation consists of two parts; General Revelation and Special Revelation. The Westminster’s Larger Catechism helpfully explains the revelation of God in its second question and answer when it states, “The very light of nature in man, and the works of God, declare plainly that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only do sufficiently and effectually reveal Him unto men for their salvation.

First, general revelation is that which can be known about God by observing creation and in a general way in human conscience. One of the clearest passages on the general revelation of God is Psalms 19, where in verse one, it declares, “ the heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims His handiwork”. Even through Atheists try to claim there is no God, both creation and the human nature showcase that God exists and He exists to be known. According to Romans 1:18-20, it renders man without excuse concerning the wrath of God (Acts 14:16-17, Romans 2:14-16). General revelation makes God known and knowable and puts the responsibility on humans to know God deeper from His special revelation.

Second, Special Revelation is God’s revelation of Himself in His Word, the Bible or through other means in a special way to His creatures. The majority of God’s special revelation come in the form of His written Holy Word. God’s Word is the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments which is the Closed Canon of Scripture. The London Baptist Confession clearly defines special revelation in its opening sentences where it reads, “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience. Although the light of nature and the works of creation (general revelation) and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom, and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet they are not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto salvation”. The Special Revelation of God is an act of His grace in that He gives His people His Word so they know salvation, His Will, and what obedience and affections look like towards God. The Bible, being special revelation from God, is special based upon its character and make-up, which leads into the second point.

Perseverance of the Saints

After answering her question on God's election of His saints and their responsibility, she then asked about eternal security and the idea of "once saved, always saved". Here was her question and my answer. 

What is meant by the perseverance of the saints?

The perseverance of the saints is the term, that came out of the Reformation and is used in the Canons of Dort, that speaks to the sovereign power and grace of God that secures and completes the salvation of His elect until the end of time and their glorification in Heaven. This doctrine consists of two parts’ eternal security and the believers assurance.

First, eternal security in the power of God to secure and preserve His elect to the salvation He elects them to. Eternal security refers to God’s power to keep those whom He has saved (John 10:28). This also includes the sealing of the Spirit and the fact that those God has chosen and called cannot lose the calling and choice of God in salvation (1 Peter 5:10). The eternal security of the believer is a mix of the preservation of God in those whom he loves and the perseverance of the believer in killing sin, bearing fruit, and delighting in God.

The second part of perseverance of the saints is the full assurance of the elect of their salvation and grace of God. Assurance describes the peace that a believer feels in knowing that his sins have been forgiven and that he is a child of God (1 John 5:13). Assurance comes from the Holy Spirit in the believer, as they bear good fruit, delight in God, and are encouraged by a local body of saints. As someone once said, “we are justified by faith alone but a faith that saves is never alone”.

As R.C. Sproul quotes in the final chapter of his book, “Chosen by God”, “once in grace, always in grace. Another way of stating it is, ‘if you have it [salvation] you never lose it; if you lose it, you never had it’” (2010 pg. 253). Yes, the Bible consists of many warning passages to the Elect. But these are their to remind the elect to be diligent and persevere in their walk with God. Because God is sovereign over salvation and His elect, those whom He chose in His grace, for His glory, in His good pleasure for salvation, He will keep until that salvation is finished and the elect persevere until glory.

God's Election and Human responsibility

Yesterday I posted a question a friend of mine recently asked me. I also posted the answer I gave to the question. That question and answer was the beginning of a longer conversation with many more questions and answers. Over the next few posts, I will continue to gives the question asked and the answer I gave. I pray these questions and answers are helpful, because they were extremely helpful for me, as I thought through what was asked and how the Bible answered the question.

What is the relationship between the electing work of God and the responsibility of man?

If I was to describe the relationship between election and human responsibility, I would turn to the illustration C.H. Spurgeon gave. This relationship is like standing on train tracks. Clearly, right at our feet, is two separate rails that are tied together by wood planks. This is how the Bible points to salvation. God clearly has His sovereign hand over His salvation and elects those unto salvation. Without the election of God, man would never be saved. But there is also a second rail in human responsibility. The Bible is clear with man’s responsibility and points to what man must do to be saved. Spurgeon then point to the fact, that if we look down the track towards the horizon, the two rails meld into one train track seen. This is how salvation works when looking at it from a distance. Salvation is not found apart from the election of God, yet humans are clearly responsible to do something.

God’s part in salvation, is made clear all throughout the Bible, specifically in the act of regeneration or “new life”. God the Holy Spirit regenerates people. Without the work of regeneration, no human would be saved. Regeneration produces faith, belief, and a new life full of new desires and affections in God. Regeneration is an act of God, that is part of the salvation process, which is also being born again (John 3:3-8). As R.C. Sproul so helpfully reminds us, in his book, Chosen by God, “dead men cannot make themselves come alive. Dead men cannot create spiritual life within themselves” (Ephesians 2:1-3) As he states later, “He [God] regenerates us; we cannot do it ourselves or even help Him with the task” (2010 pg. 220). Regeneration is an essential act of God in the salvation of His elect. God elects those whom he will regenerate (Titus 3:5). This is one, of multiple acts, that God alone will preform in the salvation of His elect. Regeneration, along with justification, adoption, election, redemption, propitiation, and reconciliation, showcase God’s sovereign hand over His salvation.

But the Bible is also clear, man is responsible to believe and have faith in God. The Bible repeatly calls man to repent of his sin. To repent is to “change your direction.” A sinner comes to the point of seeing his sin as God sees it. He turns from his sin to embrace salvation from sin in Christ (Acts 3:19, Acts 26:20). Repentance is part of the human responsibility. The Bible also is clear, man needs faith in God for salvation. Saving faith is an active trust in the redemptive work of Christ (Acts 16:31). It operates exclusively apart from works or the keeping of the law (Romans 3:28), because it is a free gift of God in regeneration. Faith is a response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit as described in John 16:8-11. Saving faith is the only means for salvation (salvation by faith alone) and is also a daily part of the life of a believer. Finally, the Bible is very clear on the good works that must be produced in the life of one who believes in Jesus. After the acts of repentance and saving faith, a person must bear fruit as they are now grafted into the vine of Life. As James teaches, faith without works is dead (2:14-26). John the Baptist shows the connection between repentance and bearing fruit as the assurance of salvation (Luke 3:1-14). I am not stating by this that you can know for sure a person is saved by the bearing of fruit in their lives, but that works along with the claim of faith is a good indicator. Works are simply the fruit of God’s salvation in the life of a person. The Bible is clear, humans are clearly responsible.

The relationship between God’s election in salvation and human responsibility will never be fully or perfectly understood. As Ephesians 2 states, “we are saved by grace through faith, but this is a gift from God”. As Sproul shows, “when God regenerates a human soul, when He makes us spiritually alive, we make choices. We believe. We have faith. We cling to Christ. Go does not believe for us. Faith is not monergistic” (2010 pg.222). The Bible is clear. God is sovereign over salvation and without his work, we would be lost. But we are also responsible to believe and have faith and without belief and faith in God, we stand condemned. Oh, what a beautiful things salvation is as God works in us for His good will and pleasure.

Salvation is the work of the Trinity

I was recently asked a big time question, by a friend through email. I thought it might be helpful to share her question and the answer I gave her. 

What is the work in the salvation of men of each of the three persons the Trinity?

Salvation is the work of the entire Godhead; it is a trinitarian act for the elect of God. God the Father is the architect, planner, and Holy Father of salvation. Jesus, the Son, is the enactor, fulfiller, and Redeemer of salvation. God the Holy Spirit is the applier, regenerator, and completer of salvation.

First, God the Father in salvation, plays a crucial role. He wears many hats in salvation, which all find their basis and beginning in eternity past. God the Father is the one who elects His chosen people unto salvation. Election is the sovereign act of God by which He has chosen some to be saved, sanctified, and glorified. (Romans 8:29-30; 33; Colossians 3:12, Titus 1:1, Ephesians 1:4). Next, God the Father is the one who satisfied for the payment of judgment against sin. God is the one who is propitiated towards, by the Son. Propitiation is the act of God’s justice for sin being met. God poured out His just and holy wrath on His Son on the cross and was satisfied for the salvation of the elect. Next, God is the one who justifies the sinner. Justification is the legal declarative act by which God has declared the believer to be righteous through the alien righteousness of Christ perfect life imputed upon them. (Romans 5:1) We have been declared righteous by the substitution of Christ, so God is able to save us from His wrath. (Romans 5:9) This justification come to the believer through faith alone. Another act of God in salvation, is His adoption to His family. After God justifies the sinner, He then adopts Him in His love. The believer becomes a child of God when he receives Christ for salvation (John 1:12, Romans 8:15-17). All the rights and privileges of being a son of God belong to the believer. He becomes an heir to eternal life (Romans 8:17). After God adopts us, He also reconciles the sinner to Himself. Reconciliation is God’s act of making His enemies His family. Our sin put us in rebellion against God, but Christ’s death on the cross made it possible for us to be brought into communion with God (Romans 5:10-11, 2 Corinthians 5:18, 1 Peter 3:18). God the Father also sanctifies the believer at salvation. The act of God in sanctification at salvation is the act by which God separates the believer unto holiness (Hebrews 10:10). The final act of God the Father in salvation is the gift of eternal life and the glorification of the elect. Eternal life is God’s gift to those who believe and are saved (Titus 3:4-7). It is the promise of living forever in heaven with God (1 John 2:25). The final act of salvation, in which we as believers have a new body and perfect nature. This is the completed act of sanctification and the state in which believers will be in the eternal state (Jude 24, Romans 8:29-30). These are the parts that God the Father plays in the salvation of His elect.

Jesus Christ, God’s Son plays the second crucial role in the salvation of the elect. What God the Father, God the Son, and the God the Spirit planned before time and covenanted together to accomplish, the Son came to the earth, to die a substitute, be raised from the dead, and accomplish the plan of salvation perfectly. First, Jesus is the righteousness that every believer is imputed by God (1 Peter 3:18). Christ lived a life of perfect obedience to God and as a result of his perfect obedience, the many will be made righteous through what Christ accomplished. Next, Jesus went to the Cross and substituted Himself for the elect by taking the punishment of their sin and making an atonement for them. As one for the most beautiful verses in all of the Bible declares, “for our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). In the penal substitutionary atoning sacrifice of Jesus, He made a propitiation to the Father for the elects sin. As Christ was satisfying the justice of God and the judgement against sin, He redeemed the elect from the slave market of their bondage to sin. Redemption refers to Christ’s paying the price that our sin demanded, both in His perfect life and in His substitutionary death. Jesus’ death redeemed us from (brought us out from under) the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13) and made possible our adoption. (Galatians 4:4-5) Jesus paid the whole demand of God’s law against us. After Christ mission for the elect was finished on the Cross, he died and was buried in a tomb. After 3 days, Christ was raised from the dead, as part of His mission for the elect. Through His resurrection, He secured life eternal and victory over sin, Satan, and death for the elect for all eternity. Christ now sits next to His Father, having accomplished the mission He came on, to save God’s elect, and intercedes for the elect to His Father (Hebrews 7:25). Jesus perfectly accomplished His mission of saving the elect.

God the Spirit plays the third crucial role in the salvation of the elect. God the Spirit applies the work of the Son and the plan of the Father. First, the Spirit regenerates the dead sinner, and brings them life, desires, and affections for God (John 3:3-8). Regeneration describes the act by which God makes a spiritually dead person alive and imparts to them a new nature so that the person can now accept the free-gift of life. (Titus 3:5) It is entirely an act of God. This is what Jesus describes to Nicodemus as being “born again.” (John 3:5) At the moment of regeneration, faith is also given to the person as a gift from God, so that they have the necessary requirements for salvation. Next the Spirit works out salvation in the elect through a number of other ways. He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. (John 16:8). He indwells the believer at salvation. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; Romans 8:9, Ephesians 1:13, John 14:16-17). He baptizes us into the body of Christ, which includes giving us supernatural gifts for use in His church. (1 Corinthians 12:13). He sanctifies us and continually drives us towards holiness. Sanctification also describes the process by which believers are made more and more like Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This means sanctification first, is a declarative imputed act upon the elect at conversion (God the Father) yet is also a second act the believer and God the Spirit live in a synergistic act together for the remained for the believers life. (I believe sanctification is both a work of God in a believer and the responsibility of a believer. A Christian must seek to live holy. (1 Peter 1:16) He must also seek to walk in obedience to the Spirit so that the fruits of the Spirit are developed in him (Galatians 5:16-23)). Lastly the Spirit secures God’s salvation in us. He seals us. (Ephesians 1:13-14) The Holy Spirit indwelling us as at salvation will last. His presence in us is the guarantee that we will live with God in glorification. God the Spirit full applies and completes, perfectly to the end, the salvation God the Father plans for His elect.

Salvation is a beautiful act of the Triune God. God covenant within Himself to redeem a people to themselves. This majestic act is done by all three persons of the Godhead, in perfect covenant union within themselves all for the glory of their glorious name and the good pleasure of their will.

           

Characters in Biblical Narrative pt. 6

How should we view characters in the Bible? This question is an important question as we close this series on characters in the Bible. The Bible has stories. God has ordained His Word to contain poetry, discourse, commands, letters, and stories. God wants His children to read His Word, in story form, and see amazing things about Him. So whether we realize it or not, we have to ask the question about characters.

How should we view characters in the Bible? We can read over characters and just focus on the story. We can read through characters and act like they are just plot devices we can skip. We can read characters in the Bible and see neutral figures that have no real purpose. Or we can read and view characters in the Bible as God intended us to and read characters in His Word. Here are the 6 important ways we can correctly view characters in the Bible.

First, we can view characters as examples of ourselves. We have desires of the heart. Biblical characters have desires of the heart. We have a will and bents to certain things. Biblical characters have a will and bent to certain things. We have sin and idolatrous tendencies. Biblical characters have sin and idolatrous tendencies. Biblical characters are exactly like us. We are all fallen, depraved, affectionate, and worshiping humans. Biblical character should be viewed as examples of us; as mirrors and reflections of ourselves. To view Biblical characters as God intended, we are simply viewing ourselves in them, including all their sin, filth, and wretchedness.

Second, we must view Biblical characters as lessons in faith. Every single Biblical character has faith in something or someone. Every single human has faith in something or someone. Some Biblical characters have faith in self. Some Biblical characters have faith in authority or those in power. Some Biblical characters have faith in others around them. Yet some Biblical characters (after God works in their lives) have faith in Yahweh. We must view Biblical characters as lessons in faith. They teach us about faith. They show us good and bad faith. They show us what faithful choices look like. Viewing Biblical characters as lessons in faith is critical to what God wants us to see and know.

Third, we must view Biblical characters through the consequences of their good and bad choices. As we view David, we must view the good choices he makes in faith and see the consequences they have. Yet as we view David, we must see the consequences of his evil choices. To rightly view the characters in the Bible, is to clearly see the consequences of the good actions and the evil actions. The characters exist to show us the outcome of our choice and to show us, if viewed properly, what will take place if we chose against God. Biblical characters show us he consequence to our actions.

Fourth, we must view Biblical characters as statements of faith. The characters in the Bible exist as teaching tools. They exist as vehicles God uses to teach us. They exists as truth declarations. Looking at the life of Joseph, we see the declaration of righteousness. Looking at the life of King Saul, we see the truth of self-pride. Looking at the life of David, we see the life of humble repentance and worship. Looking at the life of Peter, we see what devotion and passion for the Savior is. Viewing characters in the Bible is to view a truth of God's Word through the lens of a living, breathing, real person.

Finally, to view characters as God intended us to view them, we must see the characters as theological points. Theology is the study of God, His nature, His Word, our sin, God's people (the church), and other areas that God touches in this world. To view characters in the Bible, is to view living, breathing, moving, and teaching theology truths. As Abraham grows in faith and interacts with God, God through Abraham is teaching His people about Himself. God showcases His mercy, justice, and grace through Abraham. As David repents, worships, and rules God's people, God is teaching His people through David what worship is, how He forgives, and what His Kingdom is like. Characters in the Bible are lessons, statements, and teaching times on the theology of God and His world.

Characters in the Biblical stories are there for a reason. God has a purpose in writing His Word in story. God has a purpose including characters, real, living breathing people, in the stories of His Word. The characters in the Bible are amazing, complex, and beautiful people made in the image of God, yet fallen and depraved by sin. Characters in the Bible are exactly like us. So let us go to characters in the Bible, view ourselves, grow in faith, and see the beauty and majesty of our covenant God through their eyes. Let us view characters in the Bible the way God intended, all for His glory and our good.

Characters in Biblical Narrative pt. 5

When we arrive at the stories of the Bible, one helpful tool to think about is the "character arch". A character arch is the trajectory the character's life takes. Some characters go on an upward path. Some characters go on a downward path. While some characters in a story rise, other characters in a story will fall. This is the character's arch or the path a character's life will take. 

First, we have a character arch that is downward. This character arch is called a "tragedy". History and fiction have many tragedies. Julius Caesar in real life and in the Shakespeare play is a tragedy. Adolf Hitler lived a tragic life. Richard Nixon as the President was a tragic character. King Lear and Macbeth are both tragedies, in that the main character goes on a downward path in their story. 

In the Bible there are a few characters that fit into the tragedy character arch. Judas is the greatest tragedy in the Bible. Old Testament characters like Saul, Gideon, and Samson all fall under the tragedy character arch. These are the main characters in their story. They function as the protagonist in their stories. Yet every step they take just leads them down the ultimate path of failure and misery. Each of these Biblical characters does not live out their faith and as a result, their lives all end on a negative tone. Seeing these characters and understanding them as tragedies, is important for correct interpretation of their stories. 

Second, we have the upward character arch. This character arch is called a "comedy". I know comedy sounds like it should be a character that brings laughter or funny jokes to a story. But in the historical use of the word comedy and characters, it refers to the character that goes on an upward path and ends his story on a high note. Famous characters that have a "comedy" arch are; Tom Sawyer, Frodo Baggins, George Washington, and Dick Winters. These are all fictional or historical characters that had their arch as characters go upward and end on a high note. 

The Bible has a long list of characters that go on the comedic character arch. King David and Noah are two characters that are both "comedies". Joseph is one of the clearest arch in the Bible as a comedy. Peter and Paul are both New Testament characters that go on the upward path, even as they make mistakes and stumble at times. 

One of the most interesting character arch connections is David and Saul. Saul is a tragedy. David is a comedy. Yet beginning in 1 Samuel and finishing in 2 Samuel, these character arch overlap. As Saul falls as a character, in his tragedy, David rises as a character in his comedy. The overlapping of Saul and David is a great place to see the movement of characters in their arch and see how the trajectory of their lives, dictates each moment. And in turn, these two characters are meant to be compared.

This point is why it is helpful to know a character's arch. We know Saul is a tragedy. So we expect him to fail. Then as he fails in a lack of faith, we see his unbelief make bad choices. Saul never repents. Saul never falls before God in faith. Saul is a character that goes from bad to worse to evil. And as a tragedy we expect this. The entire time Saul is failing, David on the other hand is rising in faith. Yes David makes some big mistakes. But David is a comedy, so we expect him to right his mistakes in faith and repentance. David does. David, as a comedy, responds with faith and repentance and does not stay on the downward path. And we know this of David because his arch as a character is a comedy. 

So next time you are reading a story in the Bible, think about the character in the story. Is the main character a tragedy or a comedy? Does the main character in the story go in an upward path in his/her life? Or does the character lack faith and live out his/her unbelief and go on a downward path? Thinking through the arch of the characters life will help interpret the individual story of the character correctly. Let us delight in the hard work it takes to know the characters in God's Word.  

The Waiting Game

We hate to wait. We hate to wait for tables, job promotions, in lines, at the DMV, for pain to stop, and to grow up. As humans, waiting for things is not our specialty. We live in a microwave society that wants things now. We live in a culture that tells us to get what we want and not wait until tomorrow. Waiting is hard for us to do as humans.

Yet, God commands us to wait. Psalms 37:7 states, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him". We are commanded to wait for God to act. We are told to wait for God's plans to unfold. We are clearly told by God Himself, He does not function in on our time table and by our ability to be patient. Waiting is a serious part of the Christian life. We must wait.

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the ability to wait patiently. If the Holy Spirit in us, gives us the ability to wait patiently, then there must be a good way to wait. Waiting as humans does not change the circumstances. We will wait regardless of how we wait. We can't change the speed of time. We can't make things happen faster. We can't make people decide things sooner. We can't make the world spin faster or God move faster. We wait regardless of how we wait. The question is, do we wait patiently or do we wait sinfully.

Waiting sinfully shows itself in multiple ways. When we wait impatiently, our emotions get the best of us. We become angry. We become short tempered or worry. We become sole focused on what we are waiting for. We become self-absorbed and self-focused. When we wait impatiently, we take our eyes off of God, focus on the waiting, and become a person lacking joy and peace. When we wait impatiently, the waiting becomes much longer and more stressful.

But when we wait patiently, we wait for God. We are joyful in the waiting period. We are a person of peace and contentment. We focus on God and rejoice in His plan. We rest and trust God has it all under His perfect loving control. When we wait patiently for God to unfold His plans, we reflect the image of Christ in our lives.

So there are two kinds of waiting. Neither will change the circumstance. But one will reflect glory to God, while the other makes a mess of the waiting period. We can either wait patiently for God to work out His will or we can wait in our sin and give ourselves ulcers and wrinkles.

So what are we waiting for? There are always things we will be waiting for. Are we waiting to graduate? The new job? The doctor's appointment? Retirement? The other persons decision? The trip? The new baby? And the list of reasons we wait can go on. Let us, as God's children, wait in the Lord and reflect His glory as we wait for Him to unfold His perfect plan in our lives.