The Best Book on Bridging the Literary Gap in the Bible

Most of us would not interpret a love song employing the same "rules" that we would use for a "Do-It-Yourself" manual which teaches on rebuilding a car engine. It wouldn't work well at all. The bottom line is: Different literature demands different ways to read that literature.

The Bible is no different in that it generally consists of eight different literary genres such as poetry, law, prophecy, narrative, parable and so on. If we don't understand how to best read those types of literature a gap will widen in our understanding of the biblical text that doesn't have to be there. That's why I want to vigorously recommend Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart's book How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth. Simply put, this is the best book I know of for helping bridge the literary gap of the Bible. I think it should be "MUST" reading for every Christian who desires to make the most out of studying their Bible.

I repeat. Want to "get the Bible" better? Grab a copy of Fee and Stuart's wonderful book and learn how to read the Bible well.

Yancey Arrington, Teaching Pastor

Learning from Paul's Final Greetings to the Colossians

Due to time constraints we weren't able to finish our study of Colosssians at The Gathering. All we had left were Paul's final greetings and instructions found in Colossians 4:7-18, so I wanted to post some learnings that bubble up to the surface of this text.

Colossians 4:7-18 (ESV) reads:

7Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. 8I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions— if he comes to you, welcome him), 11and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."

18I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Some things I learn from looking at Paul's concluding greetings...

1. Mission was a team effort. When it comes to accomplishing God's mission of making disciples, one can easily see that you can't do it alone. Paul was continually surrounded by a team of like-minded individuals (Tychicus, Aristarchus, Mark, etc.) who were also committed to bringing people to Jesus. The same can be said today. We accomplish the mission best when everyone jumps in with both feet. No one on the sidelines, but everyone engaged and read to "work hard for [the local church]".
2. Following Jesus means being connected to people. After reading Paul's greetings you can't escape the fact that he and his team felt connected to the people at the Colossian church - a church, mind you, that he didn't plant. Nevertheless, the connection relationally Paul feels with them is strong. To read all the greetings given reveals a team strongly connected to those whom they seek to minister. He sends Tychicus with this letter "that he may encourage your hearts" (v. 8), points out that Epaphrus is interceding for them "always struggling on your behalf in his prayers" (v.11) and he has "worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis" (v.13). The "Lone Ranger" Christian who feels only responsible for his growth and no one else as he shows up a church a few times a month, leaving as quickly as he arrived, reveals not only his selfishness but his immaturity. When Paul's team referred to someone a "brother" they meant it - they were arm-in-arm in the journey with Jesus. They were family and because they were connected as such, he and his team wanted the best for them. The very fact that Paul personally pens the last part of the letter ("I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand." (v. 18) reaffirms his affection for them.
   
3. The Church is primarily the local church. There are some Christians who believe that involvment in a local church is not only optional but not preferrable. They defend their view by citing the only membership that counts is the Universal Church and that local churches are institutional beauracracies for those who just love to follow regardless of the quality of leadership. Not only is that an unfortunate view, it's patently unbiblical. To peruse the New Testament is to be keenly aware that most often when the "Church" is spoken of, it's done so within the context of the local church. Toward the end of his greetings, Paul requests that his letters (both to the Colossians and the Laodiceans, which sadly has been lost) be read aloud to all those in the church. Interestingly, "the church" is not seen through some universal scope with random believers scattered here and there calling themselves the church but defined in local congregations which meet together in homes per town - "to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. " (v. 15-16) To read "in the church" denotes a place, a space and a time when believers comes together in an organized fashion to worship through study, song, etc. (cf., Colossians 16-17).
   

Yancey Arrington, Teaching Pastor

More on the Doctrine of Union with Christ

“Union with Christ is not a privilege you earn by your sincere obedience, or by your own attempts at holiness. Your union with Christ is not a reward of your own good works. Rather, union with Christ is a privilege that God gives to every Christian when they first become a Christian! Right when you enter into the Kingdom of God, you also enter into union with Christ!”
- Walter Marshall, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification

For those of you who desire to further study the incredible doctrine of Union with Christ, here are some links to documents and talks which focus on this subject.

• Wayne Grudem's "Union with Christ" from his Systematic Theology Series at Scottsdale Bible Church with Q&A throughout the presentation. Link here.

• John Piper's "United with Christ in Death and Life" sermon series. Part One here. Part Two here. Part Three here.

• Michael Horton's "Union with Christ" article. Link here.

• Sinclair Ferguson video on Union with Christ
  

• Ferguson's talk on "Union with Christ" at Westminster Theological Seminary. Link here.

Suggested Reading for Worship Matters Series

Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin

This was the book that inspired our series of the same title. I don't know if I've read a book of recent that excited me with every page turned as Worship Matters did. Kauflin, the director for worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries, breaks down his book into three sections: the leader, the task and healthy tensions - each of them chock-full of insightful, gracious and most importantly, biblical teaching about worship. From explaining why the Cross is crucial to worship to how to choose the right songs, Kauflin excels both theologically and practically (can those really be separate anyhow?) when it comes to leading corporate worship. After each section I found myself saying how grateful I was for Worship Matters. Unlike many books, I don't believe there was one wasted chapter. No filler or fluff. One will likely get the feeling that this book has been years in the making for Kauflin and the Western, contemporary church (of which I'm a part) will be richer for it.

- Yancey Arrington, Teaching Pastor

Engaging with God by David Peterson

David Peterson does an excellent job of taking a snapshot of worship in the Bible from beginning to end and puts forth a well constructed biblical theology of worship in his book Engaging With God: A Biblical Theology of Worship. I would highly recommend this book to all believers as a way of truly understanding what it means to not only worship God corporately, but how our relationship with God effects change in every other area of our lives. This book is not for the light reader. Peterson digs deep into original texts and language and breaks down that language in the context and culture for which it was intended and then draws meaningful conclusions to the modern believer.

- Brad Loser, Music & Worship Pastor

Worship by the Book by D.A. Carson

Worship by the Book is a thought-provoking examination of the biblical theology of worship. Editor D.A. Cason examines the practice and purpose of worship as revealed in the Bible. Then, in light of the theology developed by Carson the book presents the corporate worship practices of three different traditions, Anglican, Free Church, and Presbyterian. The three best things about this book are D.A. Carson’s teaching about worship and the purpose of corporate worship; learning how and why three different traditions approach corporate worship the way they do; and reading Tim Keller’s perspective on how grace impacts the way we worship and how corporate worship should transform those who participate in it.

- Greg Poore, Associate Pastor

Wanted: Gospel-Inspired Art!

We want your artwork! That's right. We want to demonstrate the intersection of art and worship at The Gathering. The theme is the Gospel - Jesus and his work of redemption at the Cross. So if that inspires you to paint, take a picture or anything else from the realm of art we want to display it at church during our Worship Matters series beginning September 10th.

So over the next several weeks work on your art and submit it to Brad Loser at bloser@clearcreek.org. While we can't promise to use everyone's submission, we will do our best. Our hope is that we will be able to display the artwork in and around the lobby so that others will walk in, observe your art and have hearts more ready to worship our great God in Jesus Christ.

Maybe they'll see something like this...

Or this...
When you submit your art tell us how it connects to the Gospel, what Scriptures inspired you, how did it effect you in creating this Gospel-centered work? We're excited to see what happens over the next few weeks!!!

UPDATE: Submissions are due by September 3, 2008. Please notify Brad Loser if you're working on something so we know what to look forward to and begin to manage our resources accordingly. Thanks!!!