Her worth is far above jewels. Her children rise up and bless her; . . . a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. from Proverbs 31
BROADCASTER
MAY 1973
VOLUME 3
NUMBER 5
APR IL RADIO FEATURES
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J. RICHARD CHASE
EVELYN GIBSON
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* F ru it o f th e S p irit: L o v e (Conclusion ) . J. R icha rd Chase
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♦Edited Biola Hour Radio m essag es
COVER: Mother’s Day Cover by Kirk Potter. See page 57 for reprints.
Production: Janice Wilson Student Photographer: Kirk Potter
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Second Class postage paid in La Mirada, California. Printed in U.S.A. by Penn Litho graphies, Inc., Whittier, California. Address: Biola Broadcaster, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, California 90638.
44th Annual
MISSIONARY CONFERENCE
MAY 7-11
Sponsored by the Student Missionary Union
SMU is a student organization of which every student of Biola College is a member. Each year SMU sponsors this week of missionary conference to acquaint the student body with contemporary missions work.
"Show forth from day to day His salvation." 0 Chronicles 16:23)
(see p. 56 for list of special speakers)
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GUEST EDITORIAL
THE REIGN Dr. Charles Lee Feinberg Dean of Talbot Theological Seminary
ror fostered by the violent meas ures of temporary rulers who fol lowed the fall of the monarchy. The period actually began in the early part of 1793 and came to a virtual end with the fall of Robes pierre on July 27,1794. During that era suspects were accorded the merest semblance of legal trial and conviction. The hatred of the pop ulace for Christianity was commen surate with the savagery of the revolutionary actions. Voltaire's re mains were disinterred, he was given a public funeral, and almost deified. Christianity was abolished, the existence of Cod was denied, and the Goddess of Reason was worshiped with great pomp. Churches were desecrated with Notre Dame Cathedral being used to celebrate the worship of the goddess to the accompaniment of pagan revelry and lasciviousness. The reaction at the fall of Robes-
It is known to students of mod ern history that the Reign of Terror refers to a period of anarchy and bloodshed in the French Revolu tion when the whole country was under the grip of widespread ter- Page 4
OF TERROR
cut off their precious lives (as one cuts) a string. Like the many waters of a storm, I made (the contents of) their gullets and entrails run down upon the wide earth. My prancing steeds harnessed for my riding, plunged into the streams of their blood as (into) a river. The wheels of my war chariot. . . were bespattered with blood and filth. With the bodies of their warriors I filled the plain, like grass" (D. D. Luckenb ill, An cien t Records of Assyria and Babylonia, Vol. II, pp. 118, 127). But let us look closely at our day to see if we have at all ad vanced from such violence. The news media daily tell of multiple murders in families, often by a member of the family or a near relative. No one knows when he will read of the violent overthrow of a government in some part of the world. Demonstrations on be- Page 5
pierre was so pronounced that Christian worship was again per mitted. The land of France, however, had no monopoly on seemingly boundless violence and terror. Centuries before, the great empire of Assyria symbolized violence of the worst sort. It is not without cause that the Ninevites themselves said in response to the preaching of Jonah: "But both man and beast must be covered with sackcloth; and let men call on God earnestly that each may turn from his wicked way and from the violence (italics ours) which is in his hands" (Jonah 3 :8 , NASB). Hear Sennacherib's own descriptions: "The . . . royal residence cities, together with 34 small cities of their environs, I be sieged, I captured, I destroyed, I devastated, I burned with fire." But the account becomes more vivid: "I cut their throats like lambs. I
half of every conceivable cause (from economic to social to politi cal even to sponsoring legalization of all kinds of perversions) appear to be here to stay. The Munich Olympic Games revealed a new low in violence in an area where sportsmanship was the guideline, but flagrantly violated. Skyjacking has become a customary practice in spite of detecting devices, pre cautions, warning of governments, who are hamstrung in their efforts to stop these piracies. Even the world's leaders assembled at the UN were at a loss to deal with the malady when brought face to face with it. Civil war and violence con tinue in Ireland. The world has not yet recovered from the extreme violence of the civil strife between the parts of Pakistan, resulting in the birth of Bangladesh. Who is the physician who can diagnose the disease, so that we shall not be constantly occupied with symptoms instead of causes? God alone has indicated the cause and the cure. Here it is from an ancient, but revealing, text: "Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of
God, and the earth was filled with violence" (Genesis 6:11, NASB). Please notice the order: when man corrupts his way before God, only violence on earth can result. Cause and effect were never more clear ly spelled out. The general low level of spiritual life and concern the world over is directly respon sible for the outbreak of violence and the casting off of restraint, so that life on earth is unsure and problematic at best. If the Scrip ture is clear on any point, it is on this: the cure is the regeneration of the human heart on the part of the unbelieving (John 3), and the exercise of believers to follow the clear promise and injunction of Isaiah 30:15: "In quietness and trust is your strength," and Philip- pians 4:5: "Let your forbearing spirit (Matthew Arnold translated it "your sweet reasonableness") be known to all men" (NASB). In an hour of unprecedented violence may we by the grace of God fol low the Lord of glory who exhorted us to follow Him, the meek and lowly One. There is no better time to start than now.
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PANÉL
Dr. Feinberg, Dr. Sutherland and Dr. Chase Discussions
Q. San Diego, Calif. "Are we sup posed to read the Bible as Isaiah 28:10 suggests, 'precept upon pre cept, line upon line'? If so, what does this concept really mean?" A. In any Biblical interpretation we must be careful not to take a por tion of Scripture out of its original context. The principle of repetition has been basic to good communi cation down through the ages in providing the best means of edu cation and retention. The truths of God's Word are to be considered as building blocks as we seek to grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
While this is vital to us, it is not specifically what Isaiah had in mind as he was rebuking Israel and warn ing them of the coming judgment and captivity. The people were ob viously disgusted with the proph et because they did not want to hear this word. All they had heard was impending doom. They asked, in essence, "Is that all he knows to talk about? Does he think we are babies? He seems to think we have to take his words in very small portions and he repeats them over and over again." They did not want to hear anymore. They were really mimicking him as the orig inal Hebrew shows. Page 7
We know that people cannot continue turning their backs on God, and criticizing His prophet for proclaiming the truth. The Lord told them that if they did not want to hear what He had to say in the finest Hebrew of Jerusalem, then they could listen to the language of the Assyrians and Babylonians. These people would not under stand at all. The day of invasion and captivity was just ahead. Then it would be too late to hear pre cept upon precept, and line upon line. This is the background of the passage. Remember to always read the context with the surrounding verses. Again, as to basic Bible study, we do learn in this manner. Generally, the problem for most people is consistency and keeping up a regular program day-by-day of Scripture reading and applica tion. Q. Yorba Linda, Calif. "Is it always proper to end a prayer by saying 'In Jesus' name/ or should this just be an attitude of the heart?" A. In Colossians 3:17 we read, "Whatsover ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." John 14:13 gives our Saviour's words, "Whatsoever ye ask in my name, I will do it." Certainly our prayers should always end, begin, and be saturated with a proper attitude of heart. The Bible reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God. We are commanded to pray. Yet we should pray very explicitly on regular occasions. At these times, we should pray in Je sus' name. Just as an aside, probably if we
were honest in our intercession, because of the many things we re quest for ourselves, we might be more accurate to say, "This I ask for my own sake." Prayer is not for self-gratification. Everything we do should be to the glory of our blessed Lord. When we say the words "in Jesus' name" we are ut tering a very serious phrase. It is not just an appropriate way to end a prayer and let everyone else know we have finished. We are lit erally requesting God's highest and holiest to be real in our lives. Q. Los Angeles, Calif. "I have heard a faith healer use the 53rd chapter of Isaiah as a basis for affirming that physical healing is covered in the atonement. This leaves me somewhat perplexed about God's methods of healing today." A. You will need to read not only verses four and five, but this entire wonderful chapter. Consider this very basic interpretation. If this passage is talking about physical healing, "with his stripes we are healed," then the previous clause indicates that chastisement for our peace was also upon Him. This must similarly refer to physical peace as well. We have to under stand that some things are to be realized and applied in the spir itual sense. As an example, consider II Cor inthians 8:9, "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." Does that mean He had a certain amount of money in the bank? Of course, He had all kinds of riches in a material realm, since
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even the cattle on a thousand hills belong to Him. This is not what Paul, under the Holy Spirit's in spiration, is talking about. He is telling us that Christ set aside the visibility of His glory and the in dependent use of His attributes. He became in the form of man that we, through His outward pov erty as He took our sin upon Him self, might thereby become rich. This cannot mean material riches with which most of our bank ac counts would agree. Christ then became spiritually impoverished as Cod the Father turned His face away from Him on the cross. Some truths are to be under stood therefore literally and others spiritually. There must be a consis tency with the interpretation rather than taking a phrase out of its proper context. The Lord took away the diseases of men by heal ing them. He died for our sins, not for our diseases. Look through the four gospels. Was there anytime when Jesus was sick or inflicted with an infirmity during His earthly ministry? While He was hungry and weary, He was never ill. Physical disease has to be looked at differently. In itself, it is not sin, although it might be the result of sin. On the very posi tive side, remember that healing is in God's sovereign will, accord ing to His desire to answer prayer for His highest glory. We must nev er exclude natural or even super natural means. Q. San Francisco, Calif. " I would like to have some Information con cerning Melchisedec. Just who was he and what importance is there to a study about his relationship to Scripture?''
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A. Reference to this interesting personality is given in both the Old (Genesis 14:18ff) and the New (Hebrews 5:6) Testaments. (You cannot find a better study guide on the subject than what is printed in the notes of the Scofield Ref erence Bible.) This man represents a suitable type of Christ as high priest. There are some Bible teach ers who even hold that Melchise- dec in the Old Testament was possibly existent as the preincar nate Christ. While we would not argue that point, certainly Mel- chisedec is a type of our Lord in that no beginning is spoken of him. He suddenly appears on the scene as the King of Salem and priest of God. He disappears just as suddenly after his work is com pleted. The study of typology is fascinating and the comparisons of this Biblical personality are very interesting to consider. Q. Phoenix, Ariz. "At least six times in the Gospels Jesus told people whom He had healed to go and tell no one. Why did He do this? This seems quite the opposite of today's so-called 'faith healers' who actually advertise and almost ex ploit certain healings." A. This is a very perceptive and ac curate observation. Another thing is that our Lord also healed those who were unsaved. Today the re quirement most faith healers put down is explicit belief. We need to realize that in Christ's coming to this earth and in each phase of His ministry, God was working out His marvelous divine plan accord ing to a very exact timetable. It reminds us of when the Allied Forces invaded Normandy. Some one asked Winston Churchill, "How
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1973 Homecoming Court members Ginny Anderson and Pete Vander Muellan. Page 11
are things going?" His stoic reply was, "Everything is going accord ing to plan — and what a plan!" That is precisely what we have as a picture in the Gospels. Christ was always doing step-by-step what God the Father wanted Him to do. His hour for fullest mani festation was not yet come when these healings were performed. Then in John 12:23 we hear Him say, "The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified." The Lord did not want to cause unnecessary opposition to Him too soon. When the hour did come, as we see here, we have a picture of His systematic going on to the cross. This was not a martyr's death. Things were in absolute and perfect control. He could say, "Father, the hour is come." Q. Denver, Colo. "Do you think that the anti-Christ of the future could be Antiochus Ephiphanes in a reincarnated form?" A. Of course, God can do any thing which may be in His sover eign providence. Antiochus Ephi phanes was an infamous character who lived before the time of Christ. He captured Jerusalem and Judea. It was in 168 B.C. that this profane individual offered a pig upon the temple altar of sacrifice, giving honor to Jupiter in the holy place of God. This led, incidentally, to the revolt of the Maccabees which was one of the great heroic eras of all history. Devout Jews gath ered together groups of companies which conducted a great civil war against him. Many of Israel were killed as the fighting continued un til it was terminated by the Roman conquest in 63 B.C.
Antiochus Ephiphanes represents the ultimate in blasphemous con duct. This perhaps is why some people think he may be brought back to life. There is no Scriptural evidence that such will ever take place. The devil, doubtless, has plenty of candidates whom he could use just before the return of Christ during the Tribulation pe riod. The anti-Christ will become Satan incarnate as he is guided by this power of evil. Q. San Francisco, Calif. " What was the dispute between Michael, the archangel, and Satan relative to the body of Moses (Jude 9)?" A. In Deuteronomy we read that God Himself buried Moses. To this day, no one knows exactly where that was. It is a good thing or peo ple would surely worship the spot. We learn from this verse in Jude just how formidable an enemy Sa tan really is. The chief of the angels of heaven would not even treat the event lightly. Actually, only God is a sufficient antagonist of Satan. Remember that Moses appeared with Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17). Doubtless Satan did not want the patriarch's body to be brought back at that point. Certainly he did not want this attestation of Moses, the great personality of the Old Testament, concerning Christ's mission in going to the cross. Q. Seattle, Wash. " Considering the importance stressed so often con cerning the resurrection, do you really believe that Jesus Christ is alive?" A. It is our firm and unequivocal conviction that the Saviour is truly
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alive forevermore. Scriptural evi dence reminds us in His own words, "If I go away [and He did] I will come again and receive you unto Myself." We find that in the vari ous gospel accounts there is the record that after His death and resurrection, Jesus showed Him self again to the disciples as well as to many others. He was observed with many infallible proofs after 40 days speaking of the things per taining to the Kingdom of God, according to the first chapter of Acts. When Christ ascended to heav en in a cloud, the angels declared to those who watched, "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye here gaz ing up into heaven? This same Je sus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." What a thrilling tes timony that should be to each of us. Yes, He is alive! He is seated now at the right hand of the throne of God, making intercession for us as our great High Priest. From thence He will come again to judge the living and the dead. Q. Denver, Colo. "In Matthew 27:52 we have the account of what happened when Christ was cruci fied on the cross. It says that the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints that slept were raised. Does this mean the Old Testament saints?" A. Because of the time involved, although we do not know how long these individuals had been buried, we would take it to mean that they were Old Testament saints. Keep in mind that the verse does not say that the minute the graves were opened the bodies of
the saints which slept were raised. We read next that they came out of the graves after His resurrection. While the tombs may have been uncovered, it would seem from the testimony of Scripture that those bodies remained in a state of dis solution in the ground until after Christ was resurrected. If it had been any different, He would not have been the "first fruits" (I Cor inthians 15:20). We do not know what transpired with them between the crucifixion and the resurrection. We know that afterward they went into Jerusa lem to testify to the Lord's great ness. We do not know much be yond that. Some people think that they ascended \$/ith the risen Christ to heaven. It appears rather that they had to die again, much the same as Lazarus. We believe that Old Testament saints will be resur rected, as Daniel 12 indicates, right before the millennium as they reign with Christ. Believers today and since the cross will be raised seven years before, at the Rapture. Q. Fresno, Calif. "Why did Christ have to carry His own cross? In Bib lical times was this the custom?" A. From historical records it does appear to have been the final in dignity heaped upon one con demned to crucifixion to have to carry his own cross. It is indescrib ably shameful and degrading the way they treated our blessed Lord. When the Saviour fell beneath the weight of the instrument, we are given a little indication of the tre mendous beating He endured in Pilate's court before the grizzly mob. Isaiah tells us prophetically that so marred was His visage that Page 13
it ceased to appear human. We cannot possibly conceive of treat ing the Lord of glory in such an unspeakably terrible manner! Q. Ferndlae, Wash. " Was the Trin ity interrupted during those terrible three hours of darkness when the Lord was on the cross? Did the Father and the Holy Spirit also suf fer unbelievably at this time?" A. In answer to your last question, there is no doubt that there was great sacrifice on the part of the entire Godhead. No human, finite mind can even begin to compre hend just what this fully meant. We are not certain what you mean by the Trinity being "interrupted." If you mean, was one part removed at any point, then of course not. Every single member is eternal. When Christ, God the Son, took on Himself human form as Mary's baby, the Trinity was not "inter rupted." It just meant that one Person of the Godhead, while not ceasing to be God, became entire ly Man. The same is true with what took place on the cross. It is true that the Trinity was grieved be cause of the sinfulness of man. Al though God turned away from the Lord when Jesus called, "Why hast Thou forsaken Me," the Father was utterly and completely satisfied that Christ was doing His perfect will. He was not turning His face away from the obedience of His beloved Son. He turned His face from the awful sight of the ava lanche of all the world's sin being heaped upon the Saviour. He was enduring far beyond the human and physical suffering anyone could ever endure.
Q. Walla, Walla, Wash. "I read somewhere that Cod will destroy millions of people someday. How could a loving Creator do such a thing?" A. Some have asked, "Why would a good God condemn anyone to hell?" In His supreme holiness and infinite justice, He has provided for mankind a way by which we may have salvation and eternal life. Keep in mind that God never con demns any person to eternal per dition. An individual who rejects Jesus Christ as Saviour seals his own destiny by a refusal of receiv ing the gift of divine, compassion ate love. Remember, too, that hell was never prepared originally for men but for the devil and his fal len angels. Man, as a free moral agent, has the opportunity of de ciding for eternal life or eternal death. Heaven would never be heaven if it were occupied by even one individual who refused to go God's way. Q. Santa Monica, Calif. "Since all religions today claim that they are the only right one, how can we know that Christianity is the only right one?" A. Biblical Christianity holds that it is the only way to receive eter nal life because it is completely grounded and founded on the in fallible Word of God. Consider the nature of the Bible itself with the unity of its construction. It is a marvel to see so many writers, in so many different eras, covering so many different subjects,yet giving a message that is so simple and com plete: the redemption of Christ. There is nothing like it in all the realm of literature.
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It means exactly what it says. Acts 4:12 reminds us, "Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved." Q. Portland, Ore. "/ try to speak the truth in love and yet some people are offended by It. Is not honesty extremely important?" A. The question is the manner in which your "truthfulness" is shared with others. It should always be in love, as well as with good judg ment with which we speak. It could be at times that our very manner of presentation is offensive and ar gumentative. We do not win any one this way. It may be that the occasion is such that it is not con ducive to the individual listening sympathetically. Even such things
Consider, too, the continuity of its existence. Some books have en dured without persecution, but the Bible has endured in spite of un precedented persecution. Next we should consider the scope of its subject matter. It speaks of eter nity and the unseen just as easily as it does of the temporal environ ment. The influence of its power shows that profligates, drunkards, immoral ones and all men can be come the sons and daughters of the living God. Biblical faith has the only rea sonable outline of existence for time as well as for eternity. It is the only true and consistent way of looking at matters of life. Truly could Jesus Christ testify, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by Me." That is not a statement sus ceptible to varied interpretation.
as our own personal grooming and consistency of life can have a great bearing on what we say. Speak the truth in love but make certain of all these other areas as well. Q. Sacramento, Calif. " The Bible says that we will have to give an account of every idle word spoken. This sort of frightens me. What does Scripture mean by it?" A. Certainly we should have a very sensitive conscience relative to our speech. Paul says that it should be
"seasoned with salt." This passage about which you have written, from Matthew 12, is not addressed to true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. "Idle" word in the original means that which is "useless." Re member that all of our sins are under the blood of the Saviour because of His finished work on Calvary (Romans 8:1). We will not come into condemnation (John 5 :24 ). Those who were being judged in this passage had been attributing Jesus' works and power to the devil.
SPECIAL PANELS Dr. J. Richard Chase President Dr. Vern Lewis Associate Professor of Psychology H. Norman Wright Assistant Professor of Christian Education—Talbot
babies because they are irritated by their crying. We certainly can not condone this. Psychologists to day know the importance of prop er punishment and of making the discipline fit the misdemeanor. God has always challenged par ents to use this means of directing and molding their children. In training our children we need to start at the earliest age possible. Take the baby's little hands in the beginning critical periods and show him the way to do things proper ly. As a parent, live consistently before him as a model in keeping with Scripture. When this life reaches youth and teen years you should be able to trust the train ing and entrust the life continually
EDITOR'S NOTE: Material contained in these panel discussions is abridged from ad lib radio broadcasts. It is not intended to be a full treatise on every subject con sidered, but is intended to present various ideas which we prayerfully trust may be challenging and stimulating to the reader. Q. Kansas City, Mo. "We have some Christian friends who say that God's Word commands parents to beat even tiny children when they are disobedient. Is this too strict?" A. It certainly is and is a misinter pretation of Scripture. The Bible reminds us that to spare the rod may mean in essence to spoil the child. Discipline and child mistreat ment, however, are two different things. How sad to read in our newspapers about those who beat
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rebellion. We have known of par ents who have beaten their chil dren because they ran away from a fight with a larger child. This will build hostilities to be sure. Similarly, to avoid any discipline at all can create aggression and even more problems. There are many hostile, anti-social adoles cents who say they have a deep hatred for their parents because they were not disciplined at all. A totally permissive parent is com municating to his or her child that they do not really care what hap pens. This can cause severe diffi culties in many areas. Discipline should be a means of teaching a child to respect authority. This is not only the parent's authority and that of society, but also the author ity of the Lord. This builds values and moral behaviour even when the adult is not around. What bet ter thing for us to do than to estab lish goals and help the child to move toward those goals. While the rod is necessary at times, it should never be used to vent the parent's frustration, nor is it neces sarily the only method to discipline a child. Q. Kansas City, Mo. "How can we make our family devotions more meaningful?" A. This is certainly an excellent de sire. Too many homes have no regular, systematic, consistent fel lowship with one another and with the Lord. First of all, we should take into consideration the ages of the children involved. Our practice and material will vary greatly in this manner. Shorter periods must be necessary when attention span is limited. As parents, we do not Page 17
to the Lord. While Scripture tells us that spanking is one method of disci pline, it is not the only one. We should ask ourselves, “ Is the meth od of discipline accomplishing what we desire and that which would be honoring to the Lord?" When discipline is rendered by spanking for misbehaviour it is im portant that the parent be in con trol of his emotions. It is too easy to take out one's frustrations in such times of stress. In Colossians we are urged, "Fathers, provoke not your chil dren to wrath." As the child gets older the more easily we can rea son with him or her. There are other methods of discipline to which they will respond. Do you realize that the word "discipline" comes from the same word as "disciple"? The disciples were those who were really stu dents determined to learn. Even so, discipline should be a learning experience for the child. All chil dren are different. One may re spond adequately to a spanking while the other wilts simply with a very stern manner of disapproval. As a suggestion, you might enjoy reading the publication by Bruce Narramore, HELP, I'M A PARENT! Unfortunately, one other point is that some mothers and fathers try to discipline their children, forc ing them to operate in certain ways so that the parents may look good without any consideration for the child. There are weaknesses in the older as well as in the younger generations. When we try to force a child into a mold alien or even abnormal to him, endeavoring to live our lives over through the child, we are sowing certain seeds for
Tom Dunn, Freshman Class President and Sandy Bradshaw were part of the 1973 Homecoming Court.
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have to feel our responsibility to preach at them. There should be mutual sharing and enjoyment around the Word. As they grow older, let your children share the responsibility for leading the de votions. There are some excellent things written on the subject with some very practical and specific suggestions which can be followed. One book we have recommended is, BUILDING THE FAMILY ALTAR by Dennis Van Cruden. It is pub lished by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan. While we do not minimize fam ily devotions in any sense, we must also realize the importance of teaching the child by our pat terns of daily behaviour. We should be able to talk with our children about the things of the Lord any time (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). There are many natural situations that evolve in a family which can be used for a teaching lesson. Let our family altars never become me chanistic. It will antagonize and turn away those involved if we al low this to happen. Be sensitive to the children, being perceptive as to whether they are paying atten tion. In all actuality, devotions should be a 24-hour a day type of living. It really means worship and ex pressing our feelings for the Lord. We should transfer this desire to the child so that he will want to do this on his own. Q. Portland, Ore. "Although I am sure I have confessed my sins, ask ing God's forgiveness, I sometimes find it difficult to accept His prom ises. With a lot of nervous anxi eties, I am facing some tremendous financial difficulties. Do you have anything to suggest?"
A. We should make a distinction between being anxious and being fearful. Anxiety is a feeling of ap prehension; it is a sort of uneasi ness. It can produce a sense of approaching danger. The problem with anxiety is that it does not al ways stem from an adequate cause. As an example, if we have a gen uine fear, usually there is some reason for it which can be pin pointed. For instance, while driving down the highway, I see a car coming in my direction and in my lane. If I were not afraid I might not do any thing about it. Suppose, however, I just sit in my home and worry about driving and what would hap- en if somebody were to hit me head on? This is the broad, basic difference between fear and worry or anxiety. Anxious people can sometimes trace their pattern of worry to early childhood. There may have been insecurities which developed per haps because of a lack of sufficient love. There may have been some terrifying experiences which were endured. A good many people seem to want to anticipate the worst. When we allow these frus trations, agonies of soul and wor ries to supplant our abiding faith in the promises of God, it is sin. One characteristic of a mentally healthy person is his ability to let go of his anxiety once he realizes that it has an unreasonable base. In Philippians 2:12 Paul exhorts us, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trem bling." This suggests a state of care and concern about our spiritual Page 19
welfare. Later, in the fourth chapter, we are reminded to worry about nothing, but to pray about every thing. Unless our lives are ordered in such a manner, we will never be able to fully enjoy the peace of Cod which passes all human un derstanding. In Proverbs 12:25 we learn that anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down. I Peter 5:7 urges us to unload on the Lord all of our cares and concerns. In prayer we are to come to the Lord telling Him all of the things which bur den us. These situations we are to leave in His hands. Remember God's promise, “ Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind (imagination) is stayed on thee" (Isaiah 26:3). Our thought life is to be focused centrally on the Lord. We also encourage you to read Psalm 37 speaking of the danger of fretting, and then adding sever al very positive suggestions. Anxiety will generally produce tension. As counsellors we like to suggest practical things which will help the individual to relax. In ad dition to activities of a physical na ture, one of the best things to help is prayer. It is unfortunate that so many people who have been weighed down with burdens and cares seem to turn to the Lord in the last place. Here is a very practical exercise for you to try. Ask yourself, “ Dur ing the past week how much time have I spent worrying? What did I worry about? What did it accom plish What do I think would be a better way to deal with the prob lem?" This will help you to get your problems in a better perspec tive. Q. “ What is your impression of transactional analysis? Do you feel Page 20
it is compatible with the Christian faith? Is it a useful tool in coun selling those in trouble?" A. To use the simplest terms to describe this we might say it ac tually deals with transactions which take place in a person's mind. We all have various thoughts through out the day. We think of alterna tives to our problems. Such trans actions take place mentally. Since many people with no background in the field of psychology get con fused, the idea has been to come up with readily understandable terms. In transactional analysis, the ther apists seek to explain the termin ology. The mind is presented as having three characteristics: that of a parent, a child and an adult. When we carry on transactions with ourselves we behave either in a childish manner, parental manner, or as an adult. People are told to examine themselves. Of course, Scripturally, this is good for believ ers too. We see ourselves as acting impulsively or in an overly depen dent fashion which would be as a child. When we become overly judgmental, rejecting, being overly critical, so that we do not step for ward, then we may be carrying on as a parent. The adult tends to make considerations in a more reasonable, rational, mature fash ion. The object of transactional analysis seeks to get people to use their adult minds more often than they would their child or parent attitudes. Many tools available to us as Christians in themselves are neith er good or bad. It all depends up on how we put into practice such materials. Our desire is to help others to grow and mature in the faith, that we may come more into
graduates from senior high, will spend approximately 11,000 hours in public school. During the same. period of time, he will have spent about 15,000 hours watching tele vision. (This includes the time from when he is born.) Those who were born during the time that televi sion was accessible, if they live to the age of 65, will have spent five years of their lives, 24 hours a day, watching TV! We feel that as be lievers we are going to be held accountable for the amount of time so spent. How long has it been since we evaluated our own lives? What do we watch? Could we justify partic ular programs to our children if they were to ask us? Then, what positive alternatives do we have to offer our chilidren if we do not allow them to view certain pro grams? There should be some fam ily activities planned together. Television dulls our sensitivity to tragedies all around us. Concern, compassion, sympathy and grief are not common commodities. A child watching TV, as an example, can assume that questionable sex, violence and profanity are the nor mal aspects of life. TV robs one of reading which is one of the great gifts we can give our youth. Certainly we can be kept from reading the Word of God and good Christian literature when we spend time before the TV. Our minds are not shaped in the way they should be. Parents who are really inter ested in helping their children should sit down and watch the programs together, discussing and evaluating the purposes and indi vidual merits. This will do a great deal in teaching good and practical Page 21
the stature of Christ. In Christian counselling, we make every effort to see to it that these activities or tools do not become an end in themselves. Our final guide and rulebook must be the Word of God. Q. What impact does television have on one's spiritual develop ment?" A. Television is one of the most time-consuming activities man has ever known. Small children, in their developmental years, before they go to school, spend many hours in front of the "tube." There should be a means of distinguishing be tween programs. There is a far cry between the beauty of a Rose Pa rade as compared to some of the adult so-called comedy programs. Selectivity and guidance must be the keys. Anything which is a de- terrant to spiritual development is to be avoided. There is a danger in watching programs which would interfere with our growth in God's grace. As an example, a child who is allowed to watch a great deal of violence on TV will have his out look on life very definitely affected. The first research made on this did not seem to indicate much of an influence on children becoming more aggressive or hostile. Recent studies, however, have reversed this viewpoint. If the hero of the program is rewarded or reinforced for being aggressive, hostile or vi olent, a child will imitate that same behaviour. There is no question but that television actually shapes minds and can definitely retard spiritual progress and understand ing. Did you know that a child, from the time he enters school until he
the great leaders of the Old Testa ment whose children did not turn out well because their fathers had not given them proper directions. Ministers and missionaries live at a very highly committed level of Christian living. They have turned everything they have and are over to the Lord. Many times they con sider their children to live with the same committed level of values, not realizing that they may not have reached that point of dedica tion. An excessive expectation to live a committed life will cause many children to rebel, trying to get away from this pressure which may be abnormal to them in earl ier years. Q. "In what sense should we con sider God as our Father? My own father was very mean and unfair. Sometimes I get this image of God when I think of Him in that rela tionship." A. The human father should be judged and evaluated on the basis of how he correlates to the model of God expressed in the Bible. We see God as perfect, loving us at all times. Scripture reminds us that even though your father and moth er may let you down, the Lord promises that He will never fail us. You need to take your eyes off of people and focus them on the Word and the revealed truth we find there. There is something for us to learn here, too. If our own parents did not live God-like lives, we can make certain we do before the Lord. This should be a vital point especially for young people. Do not just dwell on the past but take positive action for the future.
habits. Make television viewing actually an educational time. One made a little sign to put on top of the TV set. It simply reads, "Would Jesus Christ enjoy watching this program with me?" Such an atti tude of heart could revolutionize our viewing practices. Q. I have known several pastor's children who have turned out to be very rebellious. Why does this seem to happen so often to min isters?" A. We do not know of any studies that have been made indicating that this happens more to the chil dren of preachers than to others. A pastor and his family are in a prominent leadership position so that it becomes more pronounced when it happens. It is easy for a pastor to get wrapped up in his ministry so that he may have a tendency to neglect the proper guidance of his own family. Mem bers of the congregation should be concerned about this problem, making sure they do not unduly weigh him down. He needs to have sufficient time for his home life. Also, let us not put unrealistic ex pectations on the pastor's family. They should not be judged by a different standard. His children can have their times of disobedience just as your own do. Psychology reveals through re search that when boys are de prived of their fathers they have a strong tendency to become hos tile and aggressive. The dad has a vital role as sort of mediator for his son as to what is acceptable, aggressive behaviour and what is not. We want our children to strive to reach goals. Consider some of
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By J. RICHARD CHASE One of man's oldest quests is that of satisfaction and content ment. In groping for this some times elusive commodity, people have followed the pathways of self- denial, personal gratification, and power struggles only to end up more miserable than before. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, analyzed happiness as being the result of certain personal attributes or possessions. He included such things as noble birth, a good repu tation, health, wealth and power. In 306 B.C. Epicurus founded a school at Athens and taught that the gods were really too busy to be bothered with mankind. For this reason, man could live as he pleased, without any thought of answering to the higher beings. He
also denied that there was any life beyond the tomb. In this way, he rejected any possible judgment af ter death. He thought that such teaching would help ensure happi ness. The only true and proven pre scription for joy, however, is that which is given in the Bible. Joy is really God's response to the Chris tian's desire for a deep, meaning ful and satisfying life. WHAT IS JOY? Joy is a quality of Christian char acter. As with love and self con trol (other aspects of the fruit of the Spirit also found in Galatians 5:22 and 23), joy is not to be af fected by the normal circumstance of life. It characterizes our life Page 23
whether we are rich or poor, at peace or under the strain of war. Joy is both an asset and a de fense for the Christian. As an asset it is a desirable gift from God be cause it brightens life and lifts the spirit. Joy is also a defense against the agony of heartache. Without joy in the life, we may be driven to alcohol, materialism, or lying in an effort to gain some happiness in life. A truly satisfied person is not as likely to make a fool of him self before God and man as one who is restless and searching. Paul exhorts us appropriately, "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). This is the only way we can produce the fruit of the Spirit. By yielding to the power resident within us as believers, we will begin to produce the quality of joy automatically. We will likewise turn our backs on those things which would cause anguish and defeat along the way. If you do not have real joy, that which only God can give, you will always be looking for something more, no matter what your posi tion or possessions. Joy is a God- given defense against the tendency to find contentment in some of the temptations the devil puts be fore us. Real joy can lift our spirit even amid sorrow and heaviness. Sorrow in Scripture may refer to a specific hurt or pain. It can be that which is either mental or physical. But it is most always specific and sharp. Christ referred to His death and resurrection by telling His disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall Page 24
be turned into joy" (John 16:20). Here, the word translated sorrow conveys intensity, yet such sorrow can be turned to joy by walking in the Spirit with the risen Lord. Joy is also the antidote to heavi ness. In Scripture, heaviness of heart is often seen as distinct from sorrow. Heaviness is general. It describes a person bowed by the general weight of life, or as James 4:9 presents it, by the weight of the realization of our sin. As such, heaviness stands in contrast to sor row as previously defined. Joy is the quality of character which al lows us to go through the prob lems of life, even specific hurts, sorrows and despondency, while rejoicing in Christ. It can lift us above our human involvements and difficulties. Christian joy is, however, closely related to circumstances. By this I do not mean material circum stances or things which are beyond our control. For example, it is pos sible to be joyful in the midst of longsuffering (Colossians 1:11). it does remain a divine paradox of life, as is suggested in James 1:1-5. And the Apostle John wrote, "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (I John 1:4) to believers who were suffering severe persecutions such as we have never known. Their personal property had been con fiscated and many of their most faithful members put to death. All of these hardships, imposed by the Emperor, were beyond their con trol. But joy is dependent upon circumstances that we control. God gives us the privilege of either sub mitting to the Holy Spirit, or of subduing and quenching Him. If we choose the circumstances of a
and trials. The emperor of Rome was seeking to eradicate all of the Christians and stop their influence wherever possible. Yet John wrote, "And these things write we unto you that your joy may be full" (I John 1:4). What did John write that would bring such joy? He provided a foundation for joy and then he presented three practical steps for living a life of joy on that founda tion. What is the foundation? It is given in verse 5, "God is light and in him is no darkness at all." To me this is a clear reference to sal vation. Light is frequently used as being synonymous for the eternal life that we have in Jesus Christ. The contrast is the darkness of Sa tan when compared to the light of Christ. It is the difference between love and hate. It is the contrast of sin with holiness. Jesus Christ is the only One who can take away darkness, deception and defeat. In turn He gives us light and love. He is the Light of the world and in Him is no darkness at all. In fact, in John 1:4 the Apostle begins his gospel by noting that "In Him was life and the life was the light of men." There are certain circumstances that are essential if we are to have joy. And laying the foundation properly by accepting Christ is one of them. We must abide in Christ and be obedient to Him. There has to be a continuing and growing re lationship with God. One's hunger is never satisfied by just looking at pictures of food, and spiritual ma turity and joy do not come by merely sampling the Christian way of commitment and life wanting to be more like the Lord. A little food to a hungry man and a little Chris- Page 25
mediocre life we will not know joy. In response to our subjection to the Lord's will and control we experience that perfect joy which He waits to bestow. Christ promised His disciples, "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11). His message, expressed in the phrase "these things" was probably a reference to his message in the earlier verses of this chapter of abiding in Him and obeying Him (John 15:4 and 10). If we ignore this circumstance then we certainly will not experi ence joy. We must be obedient to the Lord. If we are not right with God then we will not be right with self or with our fellow man, and there will be no real joy. Joy is a tremendous quality. It will alter your outlook and brighten your life. It will sustain you in both hardships and heartaches. It is one of God's choicest anchors for the storms of life. Remember that joy requires commitment on our part. We must follow the biblically or dained circumstances which can produce peace, contentment and satisfaction. THE SOURCE OF JOY The source of true joy can never be found in pills, alcohol, money, sex or personal achievement. Real satisfaction and lasting content ment are not based on a posses sion of things but rather on a per sonal knowledge and acceptance of the Lord as Saviour. Of the many fine passages on joy, we will focus only on the first epistle of John in our presentation of the source of joy. In his first epistle, John was writing to people who were under severe persecution
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