JU L Y 1972
BROADCASTER
J U L Y 1 9 7 2
V O LU M E 2
N U M B E R 7
JUNE RADIO FEATURES
Managing Editor . . .
President. . .
EVELYN GIBSON
J. RICHARD CHASE
C O N T E N T S
T h e Christian Is a Good C itizen .
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J . R ichard C h a s e T O R R E Y C O N F E R E N C E G U E S T S E R IE S * Psa lm 4 2 . . . . . . . . 8 Roy B . Z u ck *P sa lm 73 . . . . . . . . 14 Roy B . Z u ck * Panel D iscu ssion s . . . . . . 21 *A S tud y in I Corinthians . . . . . 34 J . R ichard C h a s e *T h e Holy Sp irit . . . . . . . 56 Lloyd T . Anderson ♦Edited Biola Hour Radio m essag es
Cover.- Statue of Liberty by Jim Schlaegel
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OREGON REPRESENTATIVE RETIRES
Theron Dabour
Theron M. Dabour retired in June after nine years of faithful service as Biola's Stewardship Representative for the State of Oregon. He and his wife, Dorothy, will continue to live in Salem, Oregon. Mr. Dabour has been a zealous witness and servant for the Lord, and his dedicated ministry will be greatly missed by the friends of Biola in the Oregon area and by his coworkers in the Biola family.
C I irìstìan is a Good C ìtìzen By J . R ICHARD CHASE
The Christian is a good citizen. He has a positive influence in his community. Ideally, he exercises self-control, demonstrates love, and befriends and aids men of all color and station In life (Galatians 5:22, 23 and Luke 10:37). He shares the message of a life of deep joy and abiding peace In Christ. His life stands in contrast to the corrupting influence of some who traffic in dope, pornography, hate and strife. He stands apart from the masses who vegetate in their community, and is an active, moral agent for good. He corrupts neither by design nor by the passive tolerance of evil (Romans 12:21; 13:9, 10). The Christian is a good citizen. He recognizes that the rule of man, though clearly inferior to the incomparable rule of God in his life, must be observed or chaos and anarchy will replace the lesser evil of organized human rule. He renders unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s (Matthew 22:15-22), knowing that today’s Caesar may be either the elected official of a nation or the self-proclaimed dictator of a country. Instead of rioting and destroying property and what order may exist in a nation to achieve his political desires, he renders “ . . . to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7). But, he re mains the active citizen. He serves his Lord and his fellow man. And he stands against his political leaders only when they ask him to forsake his Lord and the clearly stated precepts of Scripture (Acts 5:29).
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The Christian is a good citizen. He knows the weaknesses of men for he openly recognized them in himself when he turned to Christ. He is not likely to fall for any political panacea promising the good life. He votes wisely but is realistic enough to understand that man’s best political efforts, though worthy of support, can never accomplish any thing more than a temporary and precarious solution. He joins with all men in seeking temporary relief from the ills that plague our nation, hemisphere, and world. But he knows that God’s kingdom alone brings peace, freedom from ills, and perfect judgment. He is neither the super patriot that says “ my country right or wrong,” nor the anarchist that demands “ my way or destruction.” His frank assessment of his own nature and capabilities has enabled him to see that the ultimate hope must come from someone beyond and above mankind—hope in Christ. The Christian is a good citizen. He is not inextricably bound to any given government or nation. He has become a good citizen of his coun try and the world. National boundaries and the distinctives of each form of government concern him less than the eternal and temporal needs of those living within each country. He has a heart for people, the noblest virtue of human government. He has become this because Christ has changed his life and goals and given him a message for all mankind. As Abraham of old, the Christian citizen is looking “ . . . for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (He brews 11:10). Is this the profile of a Christian citizen? On paper, perhaps — in life, seldom.
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T O R R E Y G U ES T SER IES
PSALM
they do not even know I am the one using it. I could never part with it." So, the allegory concludes, the enemy of our soul is still in business. How effectively he can wield this weapon against us. Thousands of believers face dis satisfaction and discontentment daily. How many there are who seem ready to throw in the towel and to call it quits. There may be a pleasant facade with a veneer of smiles, but there generally is also an aching heart. Do you ever feel downcast? Are you discouraged just now? Then, look at Psalm 42. Here is God's blessed answer. Verse five states the problem succinctly: "Why art thou cast
An ancient legend declares that one day the devil decided to go out of business. He offered all of his tools for sale. They were placed on display with a price affixed to each item for the convenience of prospective buyers. All the imple ments were there: trickery, envy, immorality, hatred, jealousy, an ger, resentment, and many others. In the center of them all was a much-worn tool but with no price tag on it. Satan was asked, "How much is that one?" "Oh ," he re plied wistfully, "that's discourage ment! That is the tool I can use the easiest and with it I am sure to bring defeat. It is easy to ham per the work of Christians so that
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By D R . RO Y B. Z U C K
down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me?" The pic ture here is of a person sitting down to mourn with his head between his knees. "Disquieted" means to groan or to murmur to oneself. Both questions ask "Why?" Often that is the only word an ach ing heart can utter. In fact, the word "why" occurs six times in this Psalm. The Psalmist begins with an il lustration from animal nature to reveal his spiritual need and desire for the Lord. Here is the deer hot from the drought. Discouragement had parched the soul and the spirit now seemed dry. Strange that even in our frustrations we can recog
nize that God is the answer to our problems. Yet, we seem so hesi tant to commit everything to Him. People tend to look everywhere else — to money, pleasure, pills, and worldly philosophies when the Lord alone can meet our deepest spiritual needs. Discouragement can make God seem distant (vrs. 2, 6). We may even come to the point of questioning the love of God as well as possibly doubting His existence. What were the circumstances which led to his discouragement? It seems that he had subsisted on little more than tears with his heart in such turmoil that food was not even appealing (vs. 3). People Page 9
Dr. Zuck (I.) with Talbot alumnus, Gene Luber, during Torrey Conference.
had evidently been making mock ery of him. The more he thought about what they were saying the more remote the Lord seemed to become. Could it be that these un believers around him were right? What a place to be in where one starts to believe his enemies! The best antidote to today's frustrations is to consider past blessings and experiences of wor ship with the Lord. He starts to re member the faithfulness of Cod (vs. 4). In Exodus 23 we are told that every year the Israelites were to attend three feasts as they wor shipped the Lord. The Psalmist re calls the times when he used to do that very thing by participating in those religious festivals. His recollection caused him to pour out his soul upon himself. He is brought to the realization that the Cod in whose service he had found such delight could not really have forsaken him. The solution follows quickly (vs. 5). Have you a need for an answer? Here it is, "Hope thou in Cod: for I shall yet praise Him for the hope of His countenance." His faith re buked his despondency. His con fidence triumphed over despair. This may sound like a very over simplified solution, but I believe that what the Psalmist tells us is the positive help we need. He says that when he is discouraged he will remember the Lord (vs. 6). It calls for a contemplation of Cod, being aware of His presence, com muning with Him in worship, med itating upon Him in fellowship. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee" (Isaiah 26:3). What is your mind fixed upon? The pathway to peace and encouragement is to make sure our lives are oriented
and focalized on the Lord. When will we learn to turn our thoughts away from ourselves, for "If Cod be for us, who can be against us?" Caleb, one of Israel's twelve spies, gives an interesting lesson on how to face discouragement. When the men had come back from viewing the promised land ten of them were extremely nega tive (Numbers 13). There was no question about the value of the real estate; it was just the fact that there were too many enemies to face. The group was silenced when faithful and determined Caleb ad monished them with the optimis tic challenge, "Let us go up at once, and possess it: for we are well able to overcome it" (vs. 30). The majority report was 86 words while his was an urgent 17. All the spies saw the same thing. Yet, some were encouraged while oth ers were discouraged. The answer is given in the next chapter. In Numbers 14:8 Caleb calmly and confidently said to the Israelites, "If the Lord delight in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us; a land which flow- eth with milk and honey." The next verse affirms, "The Lord is with us; fear them not." Ten spies had their eyes on cir cumstances rather than on the Lord. We all face giants of one kind or another in our lives. How do you react to your difficult experiences? Are you looking at them or at the Lord? A pessimist sees a calamity in every opportun ity, while an optimist sees an op portunity in every calamity. Some one has said, "A pessimist is one who feels bad when he feels good, for fear he will feel worse when he feels better." You will find it is true that when you look at circum- Page 11
delights to give us His song even in the nighttime. Yes, while in the midst of sorrow there is a divine melody. In the midst of fear there is faith. For all your doubts He provides delight! The reproach of the Psalmist's enemies was like a piercing sword in his bones (vs. 10). To the He brews the bones were the seat of pain. They were the framework of the body; the chassis of the soul. Discouragement had stabbed the writer to the heart. Notice how he calls God "the health of his coun tenance (vs. 11). The word "health" may be translated "salvation." So the Lord saves or lifts up the face. In the Berkeley Version we read, "God is my Face-healer." That is, God gives us joy. When someone is downcast we say, "Keep your chin up!" This is exactly what the Saviour wants to do for us. Do you need a "face-lift"? Say with the Psalmist, "I will remember Thee"! Look up to Him! First of all, contemplate the at tributes of God. The more you get to know Him, the more you will trust Him. A. W. Tozer, in his ex cellent book, The Knowledge of the Holy, encourages us to con sider these important truths. He wrote, "The study of the attributes of God, far from being dull and heavy, may for the enlightened Christian be a sweet and absorb ing spiritual exercise. To the soul that is athirst for God, nothing could be more meaningful.'" Only to sit and think of God, Oh what a joy it is!
stances or people you will always be discouraged, but if you look to the Lord you will be encouraged! Discouragement is always a prob lem we face, no matter where we live, our social involvements, or our financial status. Psalm 42 holds some wonderfully practical solu tions to the difficulties. Apparently the writer was away from Zion when he was inspired to write these words (vs. 6). Perhaps he was on Mt. Hermon looking down to ward the land of Canaan. This range extends 16 to 20 miles north beyond the city of Dan. The high est peak is 9,200 feet high. (Mizar is one of the smaller mountains.) It was the vantage point from which he could look toward his home land. He describes how he feels about the pressure of life (vs. 7) as he tells about the waves and bil lows of life that seem on occasion so overwhelming. Perhaps it was the roaring of the wild waters from the melting snow of the mountain which reminded him of the tumult within his own soul. Several years ago, my family and I visited Niagara Falls. If you have ever heard the noise and felt the cool spray of the water you will have a picture of what is being conveyed. Have you ever experi enced such emotional, financial or spiritual pressures? Do you ever feel overwhelmed with problems? You are not alone in your outlook. The answer is again underlined— turn to the Lord (vs. 8). The word for "lovingkindness" is a very in teresting word in the Hebrew. It means more than mercy. Instead it suggests devotion born out of love. It could picture a mother's concern for her children. It means stead fastness and faithfulness. The Lord
To think the thoughts, To breathe the Name, Earth has no higher bliss.
Consider the omnipresence of God. He has promised, "I will nev-
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er leave thee or forsake thee." Think, too, of His omnipotence. Remember that He is able to "do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think." He is om niscient. He knows your needs and He cares for you. He is eternal, immutable, just, holy, unchange able, gracious, loving, and sover eign. By contemplating these things you will take your mind off of yourself. In the Old Testament we read of the prophet Elijah, intensely discouraged to the very point of wanting to die. He had just had a great spiritual victory over the prophets of Baal. As a result Jeze bel, the wicked queen, threatened to take his life. Upon hearing that bit of news, he immediately skipped town (I Kings 19:3). Beer- sheba was a distance of about 95 miles from Mt. Carmel. He left his servant in Beersheba and went out into the desert, traveling for a whole day, finally coming to rest
under a juniper tree. There he prayed, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." He had had it and was offering his letter of resignation. An angel of the Lord touched him, giving him something to eat. After that he was caused to sleep. This the angel did twice. It is a fact that sometimes we are discouraged because of hun ger and a lack of sleep. You should take proper care of your physical body. This was part of Elijah's problem. The prophet went to a cave near Mt. Horeb. There the Lord came to him in a still small voice with the assurance that He still had a job for him to do. He was reminded that there were yet 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal. He was not alone. When you are inclined to say, "O God, my soul is cast down upon me," then affirm, "Therefore, will I remember Thee."
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T O R R E Y G U ES T SER IES
PSALM
A spiritual battle raged in his heart. Have you ever faced that kind of a struggle? Why is it that the un saved seem to get all the breaks? To make matters worse, you are not even prospering. For those who are surrounded by affluence but have little of it these are deep problems. Is God really honest if He says you will be blessed, and then you are not? The Bible says that the wicked are like
It was jarring for a young sem inary student to go back one sum mer to his hometown. Having been away a few years he was amazed to see how his unchurched ac quaintances were enjoying pros perity. They had no interest in the Gospel, and relished all of the seeming luxuries of life. When he considered his own financial status, the many sacrifices he had made to serve the Lord, it bothered him.
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By DR . R O Y B. Z U C K
the chaff which the wind drives away. Yet, they seem stable and secure in this life. We say Cod is holy, righteous and true, but how can we reconcile the fact that the faithful seem to have to go through such troubles. Asaph, the author of 12 Psalms, was a musician in Solomon's temple. He recounts his struggle with this problem in the 73rd Psalm. Like many of the Psalms this
one begins with his conclusion. What a testimony, "Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart." Such was not always relevant and realistic in his thinking. Verse two shows that he had been losing confidence and, in fact, almost hit a spiritual "ba nana peel." He had been envious at the haughty and foolish pros perity of the wicked. He began wondering, "What is so great about Page 15
husband is no longer interested in me or in spiritual things? How come my daughter ran off and mar ried an unsaved man? How come a loved one was taken by an untimely death?" Yes, life is full of questions! In verse six of this Psalm, Asaph suggests that the unsaved seem to imagine they are better than oth ers. This causes them to be filled with pride. For this reason some of them will treat others violently or unfairly. Their obesity reflects their carnal living (vs. 7). The Living Bible refers to these people as "fat cats." "They have more than heart could wish." The literal rendering of the Hebrew means, "They pass beyond the imagination of the heart." They can acquire whatever they want without difficulty. It ap pears to them as though they are on pedestals, standing above oth ers, oppressing those who are be low them (vs. 8). Because of their claimed super iority they blaspheme God (vs. 9). I was in a barber shop a few hair cuts back only to hear the man, sitting in the barber chair next to me, swearing with every phrase he spoke. By the way he was dressed it was obvious that he was well-to- do. He did not feel he had a need for Cod . After all, he had made it all on his own. They dictate to men as if the earth belonged to them (vs. 9). Verse ten seems a little more difficult to understand, "Therefore his people return hither, and wat ers of a full cup are wrung out to them." The meaning of the verse can better be ascertained if the word "his" is changed to "God's." This intimates that believers some times tend to forsake God and be gin taking part with the unsaved.
trust Cod? The wicked do not have problems like I do." Do you ever envy the wicked? Look at all the fun they have! Do you ever wish you were not a Christian so that you could become involved in more of the things the world considers exciting? It seemed to Asaph that the sinners do not suffer. Even in death there ap peared to be no pangs or remorse. "Their strength is firm" (vs. 4). Straight from the Hebrew this lit erally means, "Their belly is fat." There was no lack of food among the unrighteousness. The Psalmist is confused because he has noth ing but trouble! Jim Could, a friend of mine with whom I attended seminary, went to the Ivory Coast as a missionary. On Christmas day several years ago he died in an unusual car ac cident, leaving his widow and two children. Those who knew him, and the way in which the Lord used his life, have frequently won dered, "Cod, how come?" Last summer, Mr. and Mrs. Larry Raescher, TEAM missionaries in West Irian, were in a boat heading out of the mouth of one river into the ocean so that they could enter another stream. They had three of their four children with them. Sud denly an unexpected storm arose and drove them out to sea. Their boat capsized and in the turmoil of that frightening experience they wrestled against the waves. The angry elements seemed to be un leashed against them, and two of their little children were snatched right out of their hands! Many have wondered, "Cod, how come?" Perhaps you have a similar ques tion, only for different reasons. You may be saying, "How come my
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The clause, "waters of a full cup are wrung out to them," means they are drinking it all in. Some were sinning and were getting away with it, and even enjoying material prosperity besides. Asaph knew that the ungodly do prosper, they just keep on accum ulating wealth and increasing in riches. There does not seem to be any rewards for being good. Have you ever thought, "I would be just as well off if I were not a Christian. What have I gained by all my ef forts to please God? I try to live the Christian life, to read the Bible, to pray and witness, and where does it get me? It brings nothing but trouble" (vs. 14). All was not despair. God gives Asaph wisdom, "If I say, I will speak thus, behold I should offend against the chi Idren of Thy gen eration" (vs. 15). He determined not to tell other believers about his problem because it would of fend them to know that he had this difficulty. We hear a lot today about sharing. Sometimes I think it might be better for us to keep quiet rather than to babble on about our problems. It is not easy to bring one's self to such impor tant decisions. The Psalmist volun teered, "When I meditate or re flected in order to try to under stand this matter, it was labor or a burden or work in my eyes" (vs. 16). In our study we will consider the important answers to these very real and human struggles. All of us at times face problems that seem to be beyond our ability to solve. One of the age-old ques tions every believer has to face is, "Why do the righteous suffer and the ungodly prosper?" The first part of Psalm 73 deals with the
frustrations one encounters as he tries to rationalize these discrep ancies from a human level. One cannot explain them on the sur face. Notice the change that is made, however, with the one word "un til" in verse 17. This is the turning point! The temple of the Lord is the place of God's presence. The answer can only be found in the presence and communion the Sav iour has made possible. To be sure, the wicked may prosper now, but it is only temporary. Judgment is coming. It may not take place in this life but it surely will after death. Asaph got away from the hustle and bustle of life into the quiet se clusion of God's presence. There is where he got an answer, but it did not come until then. You will always have difficulty understand ing God's ways if you stay away from His Word and fellowship. You can never figure things out for yourself. Remember how Elisha's servant tried to do this? Benhadad, King of Syria, had surrounded the city of Dothan (II Kings 6). In or der to quiet his helper's terrified spirits he assured, "Fear not; for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." Then he interceded, "Lord , I pray Thee, open his eyes that he may see." What a miracle was performed. The young man saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about his master. We cannot help but notice that now Asaph begins speaking with the Lord, rather than to himself. He gets a grasp on God's overview of things, "How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with Page 17
Dan Aanderud (I.) Student Missionary Union President, with Jay Kesler, Vice-President for Youth for Christ International. Mr. Kessler was one
terrors" (vs. 19). The word "utter ly" suggests a sudden stopping or a coming to an immediate termin ation. After World War I, a gangster, Serge Rubinstein, came to the United States. He had smuggled one million dollars from Japan, fraudulently gained ownership of a large mining corporation in Eng land, and amassed a dishonest for tune of five million dollars in New York City. All of this was achieved in only eight years' time. One day he was found dead in the bedroom of his six-story Fifth Avenue man sion and at the age of only 46. New Yorkers were astonished, while many remarked, "He cer tainly got what was coming to him." Prosperity of the unsaved is really like a dream (vs. 20). Have you ever imagined yourself weal thy? Maybe you have had a dream of this type only to wake up and find that you are still in your same old dingy bedroom. Life for the unsaved is like a dream. At death they will be rudely awakened to reality. All their riches will be gone. God will despise the images (the "castles in the sky") of the wicked when they awake. He gives no consideration to their wealth. What a terrible future the ungodly face. H. G. Wells, the well-known English historian, ridiculed Chris tianity and was confused at the end of his life. Utterly baffled and be wildered the title of his last book, Mind at the End of Its Tether, re veals something of his frustration. Asaph awakens to the truth of God's economy, "So foolish was I, and ignorant; I was as a beast be fore Thee" (vs. 22). The translation would indicate, "I was so stupid I was like a hippopotamus." This Page 19
ters is not goods, but God; not success, but the Saviour; not the prosperity of the world, but the presence of the Lord. The saved have none of these things. They are without God's presence and protection. If you have been shar ing the Psalmist's struggle, feeling perhaps useless and fruitles on the basis of the authority of God's Word here in Psalm 73, we can affirm it is true that Cod is good! It IS better to trust Cod! You ARE better off! God is NOT a friend of the wicked! He does NOT favor them! God does NOT give all the breaks to the unsaved! It DOES pay to live for Cod!
animal looks like the very essence of colossal unwieldiness. Consider his ugly face with its dumb expres sionless look. What a comparison for Asaph to make! That is the pic ture of one who would envy the wicked! In the Hebrew "nevertheless" is a strong word of contrast (vs. 22). It is as though Asaph is saying, "I may be stupid in God's presence, but still I am in His presence." God did not dismiss him becaue of his questioning. This is His grace! He encourages us to come to Him re gardless of our problems (James 1:5). We have much more, too. For example, there is protection, as indicated in the last part of verse 23. Your feet may be slipping, but the Lord holds your hand. What reassuring confidence that should bring us! We have both guidance and glory (vs. 24). Is it not won derful to know that the day is com ing when we will personally share in the glory of our Lord? Then in the closing two verses Asaph contrasts the wicked and the godly. The only thing that mat
The Apostle Paul testified, "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 4:17). Draw near to God and you will never envy the wicked again. Enter the sanctuary, and with Asaph the Psalmist, you can say, "Truly God is good!" Dr. Zuck is Executive Vice President of Scripture Press Ministries, Wheaton, Illinois
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PANEL
Dr. J. Richard Chase
Dr. Charles L. Feinberg Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland Discussions
Q. Porterville, Calif. "Ecclesiastes 1:4 says the earth will abide for ever. Will it not eventually be de stroyed by fire? And how long is forever?" A. It is important to understand the purpose of this Old Testament book. The Spirit of Cod allows us to see here not the teaching of divine doctrine but rather man's reasoning. Frequently the phrase recurs, "under the sun" (1 :3,9 ; 2:11; etc.). It shows to what extent man's thinking goes when he does not consider the overview which the Lord has. It should teach us
the folly of considering only this one narrow aspect of life. If there is nothing more then we are no different than the animals. Just be cause things look this way to man by following such reason does not mean that that is the way things really are! "Under the sun" is man's vantage point of fallible rea son and it will lead him to all kinds of false impressions and erroneous judgments. II Peter 3:4 indicates that the scoffers would want us to think that things will always be the same. They would like to erase any pos- Page 21
yet by no stretch of the imagina tion does that lead to repentance and salvation. So, being sincere is necessary but you must be sin cerely right in order to be saved (Proverbs 16:25). One of the prime passages to show that there is only one way to eternal life is John 3:1-18. Read this fascinating en counter of our Lord. Acts 4:12 tells us, "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby ye must be saved." Again the Saviour declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me" (John 14:6). Never forget that it cost heaven its very best in order that our salvation might be made possible. Do not stumble over the fact that there is no other way. Our responsibility is to appro priate this Way through faith to be assured of everlasting life. Q. Turlock, Calif. "/ would like to know what is meant by the word 'horn' as used in Psalm 75:10 and Psalm 92:10." A. From these and other similar passages in the Bible we can see that the word "horn" has more than just a literal meaning. Scrip ture uses it figuratively as well. The first rule of Biblical interpretation is to examine the context which is given. What is the thrust of the inspired writer's presentation? So, in addition to "horn" used literally it also is spoken figurately to rep resent strength. Sometimes it shows one who has arrogant pride while at other times it is symbolic of imperial power. The latter we find in the end times as the ten horns refers to the final confederacy of the resuscitated Roman empire. In
sibility of future judgment. Actu ally, things are constantly changing since the world was first created. Based upon prophetic Scripture, the world will someday be renno- vated by fire (II Peter 3:10-14). As far as the writer of Ecclesiastes is concerned he expected “ forever" to mean "age without end." But again, that is only the way man looks at it. His view is very cir cumscribed and restricted. Some people have therefore wondered why this book is in the Bible. Keep in mind that the entire Word of God is inspired. This does not mean to say that inspiration guarantees that what everyone says in the Bible is true. For instance, we find the lie of Satan, "Ye shall not surely die" in Genesis 3:4. God had told Adam and Eve, "O f the day you eat thereof ye shall surely die." You see, inspiration insures that what we have in the Bible is exactly what Satan said to Eve. In other words, we have the infallible record of the events God would have us to understand and remem ber. Q. San Francisco, Calif. "People to day seem to think they are doing fine as long as they believe some thing. How can I get my point across that Christ is the only way to salvation ? What Scriptures would be most useful?" A. While sincerity is essential to becoming a Christian it certainly is not the prime necessity. There are some people very sincere, but they are sincerely wrong! Such a devoted attitude does not mean that an individual is thinking right. Atheists, agnostics, and cultists are absolutely sincere. The devil him self is the most sincere one and
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nominal Christian. One who has received Jesus Christ as his per sonal Saviour is born again and the Saviour's blood expunges his sin to provide eternal life. A pro fessing Christian is generally a term to denote an individual who has never taken this all-important step of faith. As those who have received God's grace we become joint-heirs with Christ. In this man ner we have all things in Him. Paul told Timothy, "God has given us all things richly to enjoy. Our God daily loads us with benefits, even the God of our salvation" (I Tim othy 6:17). There is no end to what God has made available to all those who have truly accepted His way of salvation. Those who are mere ly professors, Christians in name only, have no benefits of this type
Psalm 75:10 the warning is not to show forth pride, for Cod will cut off the power or strength of those who so order their lives. An excel lent picture of this can be obtained in the New Scofield Reference Bible, page 256. I am continually impressed with the fact that the Bible is a many-splendored thing. It can be simple and it can be complex. There are places so shal low that lambs could wade, but there are other sections that are so deep elephants could swim! Q. Los Angeles, Calif. "Is it not true that a reborn Christian receives beneficial and protective powers from the blood of Christ? Do nom inal Christians, that is those in name only, receive the same?" A. We would need to identify a
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among the forces of the anti-Christ who will seek to gain world-wide supremacy. Of course, the Church will have been taken to be with the Lord. Following the Rapture the Tribulation w ill begin, the last three and a half years of which the devastation will be completely un utterable. This is described not only in Joel, but also in many oth er portions of prophetic Scripture, such as the book of Revelation. At the end of the Tribulation pe riod the Lord Jesus Christ will come with His saints to destroy the arm ies of the anti-Christ, consigning him and the false prophet into the lake of fire. Satan is bound and cast into the bottomless pit follow ing which time the Saviour sets up His millennial reign. Q. Turlock, Calif. " I cannot under stand Luke 1:15, particularly the latter portion concerning John the Baptist. It says that he would be
whatsoever. If they do not actually come to the truth they will be eternally condemned by the right eous judgment of Cod. The Lord may give a man who is not a be liever marvelous abilities and pow ers. Keep in mind, He causes the sun to shine on the just as well as the unjust. This is what is known as common grace. He does not know that special grace of forgive ness of sins and assurance of eter nal life. Always remember that our Cod is not willing that any should perish. Q. Porterville, Ca lif. "W ill the United States be involved in the gathering together for war de scribed in Joel 3:2-16?" A. Certainly the United States will participate in the last great wars on earth, yet at the same time this country is not specifically men tioned in prophecy. It seems quite evident that our nation will be
Biola College Stewardship Department 13800 Biola Avenue La Mirada, California 90638 Yes, I would like to rece ive more deta iled information with rega rd to an investment in a BIOLA G IFT ANNU ITY . Mr. Mrs. Miss..................................................................................................... .............................................
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'filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.' Will you please explain that phrase?" A. This happened to no one else other than John the Baptist. You see, he had a position different than Isaiah, Moses, Daniel or any of the Old Testament servants since he was the closest to the actual manifestation of the prom ised Messiah. The Saviour Himself said that among those born of wo men he was the greatest since he had the privilege of being the fore runner and herald of the Son of Cod. Do not misread the verse, however. Zacharias was not told that his son would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even in his moth er's womb. There was no need for empowering there. The preposi tion is "from," as soon as he was born. Because of the kind of life John was going to lead he would need that strong empowering, comfort and consolation only Cod could give. From birth (not before it), Cod promised he would be a Spirit-filled man. Certainly he was in every respect. Q. Madison, Wis. "Are Christians who fail to witness guilty of mur der?" A. No, because the act of murder has to do with the taking of physical life. Never is it used in Scripture in connection with one's personal testimony. We are reminded of the wisdom in winning souls. This should be the occupation of every born again Christian. Keep in mind, we are not merely being asked to tell others about Christ, we are commanded to be witnesses for Him. Actually, as one has put it, "We are saved to serve."
Q. Perris, Calif. "How can I Corin thians 15:27, 28 be used to show that Jesus Christ is not God but only subject to Him?" A. Throughout the gospels the Sav iour takes a subservient position. This is beautifully shown in Philip- pians 2:5-11. In His humanity the Lord is obedient in every respect to His heavenly Father. The verse you mention states that "He (Cod) hath put all things under His (Chirst's) feet." This speaks of His reign on earth. You see, the Son in humility and reverence, for the purpose of man's redemption, al lowed Himself to be so made sub ject that the Father's will might be accomplished. This does not mean that He changed His initial nature whatsoever. Christ willingly con descended to put aside the visibil ity of His glory, as well as the in dependent use of His powers and attributes. This is what is known as the "kenosis." He emptied Him self of that which was rightly His. This does not mean that at any time He set aside His deity. Q. Walla Walla, Wash. "Please ex plain the phrase in the parable where our Lord says, 'Ye are the salt of the earth'." A. This is in Matthew 5:13 and comes as a part of the Sermon on the Mount. Consider first of all the many functions of salt. Certainly salt cleanses. As Christians we are to act as cleansing agents, directed by the Holy Spirit, to point out moral conditions and to keep the spiritual life as high as possible. Salt is flavorful. It is used on food to bring out the various tastes. Likewise we are to render that flav orful experience wherever we go in the home, the church, the neigh- Page 25
borhood, the office and the life of the community in general. Salt re tards decomposition. Fresh meat is sometimes placed in a salty brine which will eliminate the danger of it rotting and spoiling. Our influ ence for the Lord can be used to retard the decomposition of sin and evil which creeps into the world, as well as into our very homes. Salt will also create thirst. By our lives and example we should cause oth ers to desire to drink of the water of life which completely satisfies. Let us make sure that we have not "lost our saviour." Q. Santa Ana, Calif. " Would you please explain I Peter 3:19-21?” A. There have been many unfor tunate and unscriptural teachings put forth from this passage includ ing the erroneous view that per haps there is life after death with a second chance for salvation. Such could not be further from the truth. The physical body dies but the spirit either lives on, if one is a believer in Christ, or it awaits the final judgment and condemnation of Cod. The Lord Jesus on the cross did not die in the spirit. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Holy Spirit. This pas sage teaches us that the same Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead patiently sought to win men before the great flood who are now in hades awaiting their final sentence of doom. No one in the abode of the wicked dead has any one preaching to him, nor does he have a chance to change his loca tion (Luke 16:26). That there were eight souls saved by water gives us a picture of baptism which is sim ply an outward sign of an invisible inward work of grace. This "figure" Page 26
does not mean that every flood pictures the ordinance of baptism. If a person does not believe in Christ, just putting him under wa ter will not help one iota. It is rather "the answer of a good con science toward Cod." We have another similar example in I Peter 1:10, 11. Here we see that the prophets foretold the coming of Christ by the Spirit (see the New Scofield Reference Bible, pg. 1335). Q. Lompoc, California. "Solomon, through the Holy Spirit, said, 'Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' How do you recon cile this with the fact that Solomon himself backslid from the presence of the Lord in later years?" A. The Holy Spirit did instruct Sol omon to write this assuring word and admonition. It is also true that every rule has certain exceptions, which was evidently true with Da vid's son. One might ask, "What greater glory could God get if Sol omon departed from the Lord?" Actually, he serves today as a last ing example that one so highly privileged needs to beware also. Consider, too, Judas who was so close to Christ and yet a downright traitor in the end. His real nature and character were revealed. Q. Huntington Beach, Calif. "How could David be a man after Cod's own heart when he committed the sins he did?" A. We do not want to magnify or to minimize the wickedness of the Lord"s servant. Keep in mind that all iniquity in the sight of God is as heinous as another. It is true David committed murder to fulfill the lust of adultery. What could be
a blacker blight on any man's rec ord? But, again, all sin is just cause for eternal damnation in the sight of the Lord. David's activities were in no way condoned by the Lord. In fact, he was made to pay for these deeds in misery and grief up to the day he died. After the evil was committed, however, the king repented and asked for forgiveness (Psalm 51). The Lord heard him and he was pardoned. That David was an individual after Cod's own heart speaks of his humble faith in the Lord. Each of us, too, are “ after Cod's own heart" as we confess our sins in deepest sincerity and seriousness of purpose before Him. Not only that, there are even stronger bonds as we are made the children of God. That is an even closer relationship! Q. Denver, Colo. "In Genesis 34, why is there not a stronger pun ishment given to Jacob's sons when they went into Shechem murder ing all of the male inhabitants who seemed helpless to defend them selves? Should not Simeon and Levi have been put to death in the terms of God's covenant with Noah (Genesis 9:6)?" A. The verse you cite is the per manent basis for capital punish ment. As to the incident you have mentioned, it refers to the defile ment of Dinah by Shechem. Her brothers became furious and went totally out of hand. No one was consulted, including their father, Jacob. Cod had somehow put a re straining hand on those who were killed . Otherwise the brothers themselves would no doubt have been blotted out. While they had a right to take up arms, seeking revenge for the evil done to their
THEY SERVE WHILE THEY LEARN! Students at Biola College and Tal bot Theological Seminary are out serving Christ each week while they are preparing for their chos en field of work. When you invest in the education of young people at Biola, you have a vital part in their ministry now and for the remainder of their lives. As you share in Biola’s ministry, the BIOLA BROADCASTER will be mailed to you as a special gift each month. Yes, I want to have a vital part In your work through The Biola Fel lowship. I will pray for Biola and, as the Lord enables me, I will endeavor to give as indicated below:
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father's house, they were remon strated for the way in which they did it. A realistic view of Scripture shows that not all things happen the way they are intended, or ev en the way God would indicate. It is true that perhaps Simeon and Levi deserved more punishment, but it was by the grace of God that they did not receive it. Consider our own conditions in this country with immorality tremendously on the up-swing. Very little if anything is being done about it. What a sad situation exists! Q. Huntington Beach, Calif. "Who wrote the book of Hebrews?" A. The best answer we can give is that no one knows. Of course, the Holy Spirit is the divine Author. Scholars are divided on the sub ject with the greater number per haps proportioned on the side of Pauline penmanship. You may be interested to read the note by Dr. C. I. Scofield that precedes this book. Q. Yorba Linda, Calif. "In relation to the Christian walk could you please explain the difference be tween separation, isolation and liv ing the circumspect life?" A. You have selected three good words to categorize the varying degrees of Christian experience. Separation is certainly a good and strictly Biblical concept. God want ed the people of Israel, even phys ically, to be set aside for Himself. Everything they did was to be dif ferent. But one must be separated from the world as well as to be dedicated unto God. This means we are to live a different kind of life. To fail to live a separated life will cast aspersions and doubts on
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You may name Biola as benefic iary of an existing policy. You will receive a tax deduction for the amount of the cash surrender value and premiums. Or you can make Biola the beneficiary of a new policy and take tax deduc tions for the premium payments. You may also name Biola as an alternate beneficiary in the event that the first named beneficiary is not living at the time of your death. Please mail coupon to Biola for additional information. Yes, / would like to receive addi tional information about a gift of Life Insurance.
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Various missionary organizations were represented with displays set up in the rear of the gym for interested students and visitors during Missionary Conference.
exactly the way I do in their dress, their manner of life, their church affiliations, then there is something wrong with them. Such is a very dangerous position of judging in which to be placed. We are rather to live a circumspect life for the Lord. We could best describe this as a life which looks above, with a sincere concern how all activities affect others. Scripture admon ishes, "Let not your good be evil spoken of." Continued on page 32 Page 29
the reality of one's profession. As we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so are we to walk in Him. This is done by faith not by sight. Isolation means something entire ly different and would have in view one who thinks he is so much bet ter than others that he had better not associate with them. While Christ ate with wine-bibbers and publicans no one could ever ac cuse Him of living in their same manner. Too many people foolish ly think, "If other folks do not live
Union 43rd Annual
mu mating Creativity." Featured conference « ^ ^ H H ^ a n n e , Director of Capernwray Missionary ■New Zealand^Hy Kesler, Vice-President for YFC International; and L u i s P < f l ^ ^ | ' -Overseas CraHBe Evangelist from Argentina.
Q. San Bernardino, Calif. "Could you explain the word 'meditate' as used in Joshua 1:8? How could one follow such a practice day and night?" A. This illustration may be helpful in understanding what the Spirit of Cod would have us learn. When the high priest went into the holy place every morning he replaced the fire on the altar of incense to the Lord. The same was done each evening so that at all times the fra grance would fill the holy place. This was done just twice a day but yet the result of these activities would carry on in the smoke and smoldering embers. This pictures meditation. The Lord does not mean to set aside other necessary aspects of existence such as mak ing a livelihood. There are some very necessary responsibilities in this world. Yet, we are to be in such communion and fellowship with our Lord that the fragrance of that experience can be realized all day and all night. Our minds and thoughts are to be centered upon the things of the Spirit so much as possible. Q. Berkeley, Calif. "What is the difference between a memorial, an ordinance, and a sacrament?" A. These can be secular as well as Biblical terms. A "memorial" in Is rael referred to the keeping of the Passover. It brings to mind some thing special that Cod has done. He wants to have it impressed continuously upon our hearts and minds. An ordinance in the Old Testament generally referred to certain phases of the Mosaic law. Sacrament is not usually employed with anything in the Old Testa
ment. A memorial in the New Tes tament would be the Lord's Supper. Christ said, "This do in remem brance of Me." A sacrament is one of the sacred religious ceremonies instituted by our Lord. In Protestan- ism we have two which are baptism and the Lord's Supper. Really, the word "ordinance" would better describe these two functions. Q. Dallas, Tex. "In Jonah 3:10, what does it mean when it says that God repented?" A. When man repents he changes his mind. When Cod repents he simply changes His method. You see, the Lord knows the end from the beginning. He is never taken by surprise. Repentance, so far as man is concerned, is used in con nection with being sorrowful for sin and turning to the Almighty for mercy. Cod knew all along that the Ninevites would repent. Hav ing this foreknowledge He changed His method rather than destroying them as He had threatened. Jonah became upset and discouraged be cause He did not carry out his wishes, but we must keep in mind the overriding factor that the Lord is not willing that anyone should perish.
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