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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| Greek (Western) |
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 Logically, there can only be one truth, so those who disagree with us are automatically wrong. Divisions within the church result.
In Western, scientific based thought, there can only be one truth. Of course, that is the truth and understanding that we have, built upon the theology in which we believe! Therefore that 'church down the road' that has some different beliefs to us cannot, at best, be as good as ours or, at worst, are regarded as heretics and not part of the kingdom of God. We are intolerant of the views of others for, in our mindset, there can only be one truth - ours!
This is very different to the Eastern way of thinking.
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| Eastern (Hebrew) |
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 Jewish thinking allows for differences of opinion, without putting aside the greater picture of the good of the nation.
While in Jesus time, and since, there has been plenty of robust discussion and disagreement between groups with differing beliefs about Scripture and life, e.g. the Pharisees and Sadducees, (broadly speaking, conservative and liberal in our terminology), they still regarded each other as being a true part of the kingdom of Israel, for the greater good of the nation was bigger than their differences with each other. Difference was tolerated without causing complete separation.
Paul exhibited this way of thinking when discussing divisions that were arising in the early Roman church.....
Romans 14:5-11
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 There should be even greater unity in the church than in the world! We are not to follow particular men (or theologies), only God. To the Corinthians he said.....
1 Corinthians 3:1-9
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 Jesus too, was strong about this.....
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May the Lord have mercy upon us as we continue to lift one man above another and pursue policies that divide rather than unite the body of Christ.
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| SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY |
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 1. We need to learn that only God has all the answers - and that we are not God!
2. We need to understand and accept that others may have different ideas to us in disputable areas of theology.
3. We need to put the overall good of the body of Christ above the self interest of our own denomination, grouping, (or non-grouping!).
4. We need to take active steps to reconcile with those we have rejected.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... by looking at CATHEDRAL v TABERNACLE/TEMPLE
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 Division splits all religions, not just Christianity. When people passionately 'believe what they believe' division grows.
Yet, in the end, we need to look at the greater good - the promotion of Jesus, not denominations.
May tolerance and reconciliation be at the heart of our faith.
IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem
Jewish Quarter
Hurvah Synagogue
The most prominent synagogue in the Old City was the Hurvah Synagogue until it was blown up by the Jordanians in the 1948 War of Independence. Because of disagreements the Israelis did not rebuild the synagogue in 1967, instead re-erecting one of the arches in memory of the house of prayer. Underneath this arch is the modern Ramban synagogue.
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
996. Unity cannot be imposed from without, but needs to grow from within.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Just jokes: http://www.wwj.org.nz/jokes.php
Waxing Lyrical: http://www.wwj.org.nz/waxing.php
If Only I'd Thought of it: http://www.wwj.org.nz/thought.php
Laughing at Ourselves: http://www.wwj.org.nz/laugh.php
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The ministry role is to bring about unity, not division.....