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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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 The Greek way of thinking is knowledge based, dependent upon the development of logical thought.
In Christian circles too, it is often more important to believe and speak out "the right thing," rather than to live the right way. We are obsessed with creeds, doctrinal statements, Systematic Theologies, orthodoxy vs. heresy, and creating "Evangelical" or "Sabbatarian" or "Trinitarian" theologies.
Prophecy is seen as occurring on a time-line. We need to tick off prophetic events as they happen, in a logical order.
We also are inclined to abandon literal translation of the Scriptures in favour of allegorical explanations.
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| Eastern (Hebrew) |
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 Hebrews are concerned with actions, about living a righteous life.
They look to the moral, rather than the intellectual.
They also look to the 'day of the Lord', knowing that He will act in His time, rather than to a specific prophetic timetable.
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| A COMPARISON BETWEEN HEBRAIC AND WESTERN THINKING |
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 This table, taken from www.godward.org sums up the differences between the two cultures.
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WESTERN APPROACH
….HEBRAIC APPROACH
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1. Life analysed in precise categories.
....Everything blurs into everything else.
2. A split between natural & supernatural
....Supernatural affects everything.
3. Linear logic
....Contextual or "block" logic
4. "Rugged Individualism"
....Importance of being part of group
5. Equality of persons
....Value comes from place in hierarchies
5. Freedom orientation
....Security orientation
6. Competition is good
....Competition is evil (cooperation is better)
7. Man-centred universe
....God/tribe/family-centred universe
8. Worth of person based on money/material possessions/power
....Worth derived from family relationships
9. Biological life sacred
....Social life supremely important
10. Chance + cause & effect limit what can happen
....God causes everything in his universe
11. Man rules nature through understanding and applying laws of science
....God rules everything, so relationship with God determines how things turn out.
12. Power over others achieved through business, politics and human organizations.
....Power over others is structured by social patterns ordained by God.
13. All that exists is the material.
....The universe is filled with powerful spirit beings
14. Linear time divided into neat segments. Each event is new.
....Cyclical or spiralling time. Similar events constantly reoccur.
15. History is recording facts objectively and chronologically.
....History is an attempt to preserve significant truths in meaningful or memorable ways, whether or not details are objective facts.
16. Oriented to the near future
....Oriented to lessons of history
17. Change is good = progress
....Change is bad = destruction of traditions
18. Universe evolved by chance
....Universe created by God
19. Universe dominated and controlled by science and technology
....God gave man stewardship over his earthly creation, being based on accountability to God.
20. Material goods = measure of personal achievement
....Material goods = measure of God’s blessing
21. Blind faith
....Knowledge-based faith
22.Time as points on straight line ("at this point in time…")
....Time determined by content ("In the day that the Lord did…")
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... looking at TO COMPREHEND OR REVERE
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 This list shows huge differences between Eastern and Western ways of thinking!
Nearly all of us are brought up in Western ways, irrespective of where we live. So it is very difficult for us to accurately understand the Bible and the teachings of Jesus, as He wrote from a completely different cultural perspective.
Therefore it is most important that we gather an understanding of the ways of Jesus' times in order to more deeply understand what He was, and is still today, saying to us.
IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem
Mount of Olives
Garden of Gethsemane
Early Christian pilgrims located the Garden of Gethsemane at the bottom of the slope of the Mt. of Olives opposite the Temple Mount. Byzantine, Crusader and a modern church were built successively on the site where it is believed that Jesus prayed to the Father hours before his crucifixion. The modern Church of All Nations has a beautiful mosaic on its facade.
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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
1315. A disciple walks the walk not just talks the talk.
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Links to other sites of interest: http://www.wwj.org.nz/links.php
Till Death do us Part!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/tddup.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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