In season 2, The Handmaids Tale examines prayer in a depth often missing from Christian discussions of the topic. Real prayer has been contrasted with unprayer. Prayers we want answered seem almost mocked by God. Yet the object of prayer, Jesus, is remarkable in his absence from Gilead.
Category Archives: Spirituality
Reflection on Sabbath Time by Charles Ringma
Sabbath Time is not a recipe book about ‘how to get the most you can from God during a Sabbath rest’. It offers an honest and vulnerable witness to Ringma’s experience as he openhandedly wrestles with God, finds peace, is disturbed, encounters more unanswerable questions and, finally, wonders about how he can live out a daily ‘hermitage of the heart’ after his return.
Link Highlights | April 2018
Highlights of links to online news and opinion pieces from April 2018.
I Am My Beloved’s: Why Study the Song of Solomon?
This is one of the unusual books of the Bible. There is no mention of Almighty God, its spiritual content appears to be non-existent, and its language is highly sensuous. How could such a book have a welcome place in the the Word of God?
This book is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Though Christian theologians have mixed opinions – some say it is figurative and allegorical, others question its place in the canon – apparently the Jewish sages have a high opinion of it. While the Greeks deemed physical things as bad and invisible spiritual things as good, the Hebrews had a different, more practical perspective. The Hebrews said that God made both physical and spiritual realms and everything He creates is good. This includes male and female, falling in love, marriage, and becoming husband and wife. What’s more, sex is God’s idea and it is good, too. But like electricity, divinely-ordained sexuality is most powerful and must be handled with care. When left in the context of a committed, monogamous heterosexual marriage, it is declared ‘good.’ When done outside or in-between marriage, it is can have devastating consequences. Sex outside God’s design has a price-tag: unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and divine condemnation (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
While some want to find spiritual meaning within the sensuous imagery, it is best to take it at face value: this book is about marital love. It is good to take it on your honeymoon!
So why should we read the Song of Solomon? God is love (I John 4:8), and Christianity is based on God’s love towards us and our reciprocating his love in return. We also understand how God feels when love is not returned. The story of Hosea and his adulterous wife Gomer – and the frustration the prophet feels at his wife’s infidelity, mirrors what God feels when His people become lukewarm and two-timing. It also helps us gain the Godly perspective that human sexuality is the Lord’s idea and that He heartily endorses it under the divinely-designed boundaries. Finally, Song of Solomon is Scripture, meaning it is divinely inspired and profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness.
HEBREW NAME
Hebrew: Shir-HaShirim, ‘Song of Songs. In the Greek Septuagint (LXX), it is Asthma Asmaton. In the Latin Vulgate, it is Canticum Canticorum, where we get the alternate name called ‘Canticles.’
AUTHORS OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (I Kings 4:32) and he is the author of the Song of Solomon. He also wrote Ecclesiastes.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN SONG OF SOLOMON
Jesus Christ is the ‘leaping, skipping voice of the beloved’ (2:8), ’the bridegroom’ (the word is used 24 times in Scripture and 16 times in the New Testament, of which 15 of the 16 are in the words of Jesus).
THEME OF SONG OF SOLOMON
This book is God and love: God is love, God’s love for His people; God’s solid endorsement of marital love. It is also about marital love from a human perspective with a strong Middle Eastern flavour.
KEY VERSES IN SONG OF SOLOMON
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me — Song of Solomon 7:10
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned — Song of Solomon 8:7
SUMMARY OF SONG OF SOLOMON
The main personalities are Solomon, the Shulamite, and the daughters of Jerusalem. The king has a country estate in Ephraim, Samaria, called Baalhamon. The Shulamite is a Cinderella type character where she, the daughter of the tenant farmer, works so much in the vineyard that she turns ‘black’ in the hot sun. There she meets a man in the vineyard, they talk regularly, and then fall in love. He proposes to her and they plan to marry.
However, her fiancé has to go back south for business and will be gone for awhile. The Shulamite has nightmares because she is afraid he will never return.
Finally, her man does return to get her. He is not just any man … he is Solomon himself. She is engaged to marry the king. One small detail: he already has 60 wives and eventually will have 700, plus 300 concubines. He takes her south to Jerusalem to live in the palace. A banquet is given in her honour. She feels strange in the presence of the other 60 wives. In fact, she is only the ‘rose of Sharon’ and the ‘lily of the valley.’ Really? Solomon sees her as the ’lily among the thorns. It says in Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
OUTLINE OF SONG OF SOLOMON
I. Love commences (1-2)
II. Pain of Separation (3)
III. The beloved described from the North (4)
IV. Love grows (5-8)
I Am My Beloved’s: Why Study the Song of Solomon?
This is one of the unusual books of the Bible. There is no mention of Almighty God, its spiritual content appears to be non-existent, and its language is highly sensuous. How could such a book have a welcome place in the the Word of God?
This book is part of the Bible’s wisdom literature. Though Christian theologians have mixed opinions – some say it is figurative and allegorical, others question its place in the canon – apparently the Jewish sages have a high opinion of it. While the Greeks deemed physical things as bad and invisible spiritual things as good, the Hebrews had a different, more practical perspective. The Hebrews said that God made both physical and spiritual realms and everything He creates is good. This includes male and female, falling in love, marriage, and becoming husband and wife. What’s more, sex is God’s idea and it is good, too. But like electricity, divinely-ordained sexuality is most powerful and must be handled with care. When left in the context of a committed, monogamous heterosexual marriage, it is declared ‘good.’ When done outside or in-between marriage, it is can have devastating consequences. Sex outside God’s design has a price-tag: unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and divine condemnation (Revelation 21:8; 22:15).
While some want to find spiritual meaning within the sensuous imagery, it is best to take it at face value: this book is about marital love. It is good to take it on your honeymoon!
So why should we read the Song of Solomon? God is love (I John 4:8), and Christianity is based on God’s love towards us and our reciprocating his love in return. We also understand how God feels when love is not returned. The story of Hosea and his adulterous wife Gomer – and the frustration the prophet feels at his wife’s infidelity, mirrors what God feels when His people become lukewarm and two-timing. It also helps us gain the Godly perspective that human sexuality is the Lord’s idea and that He heartily endorses it under the divinely-designed boundaries. Finally, Song of Solomon is Scripture, meaning it is divinely inspired and profitable for doctrine, correction, reproof, and instruction in righteousness.
HEBREW NAME
Hebrew: Shir-HaShirim, ‘Song of Songs. In the Greek Septuagint (LXX), it is Asthma Asmaton. In the Latin Vulgate, it is Canticum Canticorum, where we get the alternate name called ‘Canticles.’
AUTHORS OF THE SONG OF SOLOMON
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs (I Kings 4:32) and he is the author of the Song of Solomon. He also wrote Ecclesiastes.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST IN SONG OF SOLOMON
Jesus Christ is the ‘leaping, skipping voice of the beloved’ (2:8), ’the bridegroom’ (the word is used 24 times in Scripture and 16 times in the New Testament, of which 15 of the 16 are in the words of Jesus).
THEME OF SONG OF SOLOMON
This book is God and love: God is love, God’s love for His people; God’s solid endorsement of marital love. It is also about marital love from a human perspective with a strong Middle Eastern flavour.
KEY VERSES IN SONG OF SOLOMON
I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me — Song of Solomon 7:10
Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned — Song of Solomon 8:7
SUMMARY OF SONG OF SOLOMON
The main personalities are Solomon, the Shulamite, and the daughters of Jerusalem. The king has a country estate in Ephraim, Samaria, called Baalhamon. The Shulamite is a Cinderella type character where she, the daughter of the tenant farmer, works so much in the vineyard that she turns ‘black’ in the hot sun. There she meets a man in the vineyard, they talk regularly, and then fall in love. He proposes to her and they plan to marry.
However, her fiancé has to go back south for business and will be gone for awhile. The Shulamite has nightmares because she is afraid he will never return.
Finally, her man does return to get her. He is not just any man … he is Solomon himself. She is engaged to marry the king. One small detail: he already has 60 wives and eventually will have 700, plus 300 concubines. He takes her south to Jerusalem to live in the palace. A banquet is given in her honour. She feels strange in the presence of the other 60 wives. In fact, she is only the ‘rose of Sharon’ and the ‘lily of the valley.’ Really? Solomon sees her as the ’lily among the thorns. It says in Song of Solomon 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
OUTLINE OF SONG OF SOLOMON
I. Love commences (1-2)
II. Pain of Separation (3)
III. The beloved described from the North (4)
IV. Love grows (5-8)
What is the Church Part 04: Its Mission
In this important series, we have been exploring the nature of the Christian Church. More than any other ideology or religion, Christianity strongly depends on its founder, Jesus Christ. Not only does it derive its identity from Him, He is alive, well, and highly interactive with His people. We also learned the key activities of the church based on Acts 2:42-47: teaching doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. To this we add acts of power, community, praise and worship, pastoral care, obedience, and discipleship. When the church functions properly, in enjoys community favour while God adds to the congregation more and more saved people.
Now we will explore the church’s mission. What ‘on earth’ is it meant to do?
One – Glory: The church is called to give glory to the Lord (Romans 15:6,9; Ephesians 1:5f, 12, 14, 18; 3:21; II Thessalonians 1:12; I Peter 4:11). We accomplish this through holy living (John 15:8), praise and worship. Though the Psalms are replete with exhortations to ‘praise God,’ the New Testament expects no less. Hebrews 13:15 Tell us to offer a ‘sacrifice of praise’ continually, which is the fruit of our lips. Eternity is not long enough to thank Jesus for such a great salvation.
Two – Edification: Our purpose is to ‘build up’ the church. This is the meaning of the word edification (Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 2:7; I Corinthians 14:26). It is like an athlete going to the gym and doing weight-training in order to build up muscle. Nasty, carnal people are adept at tearing down but those who are born again and spiritual are able to edify in a way that lasts forever. Our modern-day Barnabas’s spend much time encouraging others in the faith; this is one of the great aspects of edification. May their tribe increase.
Three – Holiness: Like so many wonderful doctrines like repentance, regeneration, justification, and sanctification, holiness is most necessary but it is also neglected. Our world is getting darker and without holiness even church people will be cast into the shadows. Holiness is to be separated for God’s purposes. It is to live a life without reproach, blemish, defilement, or corruption. Holiness is heavenly purity. It is also indispensable, because without holiness a person will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:24). It is impossible to give glory to God, in the manner He deserves, if holiness is missing. It is time to return to ‘first things first’ (Ephesians 5:26; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:6-8, 13; I Peter 1:22).
Four – Evangelism: This means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. ‘Gospel’ means good news (Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). It is wonderfully summarised in I Corinthians 15:3-5: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. When you repent, believe, and receive, you have the gift of the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. No amount of money could ever purchase this great salvation; it came via the highest price, namely, the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Evangelism is to the church what children are to marriage: it grows and perpetuates.
Five – Discipleship: This is the main objective of the church and evangelism. Evangelism leads the person to faith and discipleship establishes them in the faith. One way to describe discipleship is ‘to follow Jesus with all of your heart, all of the time.’ Following Jesus with some of your heart all of the time, or all of your heart some of the time, is to fail in the call of discipleship. A disciple will become like the Master, but this will be a process, not an event. Discipleship is not an option; it is a divine command (Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 28:20; II Timothy 2:2; Philippians 4:8). When a person is properly discipled, they will live a normal, Biblical, Spirit-empowered Christian life to the glory of God. Failure to disciple means the person may remain no more than an old wineskin, ready to burst asunder when the new wine comes. To ‘make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19 (Greek: matheteusate) is a command, even an imperative. It is of the highest priority to the Lord and thus should be to the church as well.
Six – Mission: This is merely an extension of four and five: to proactively and globally evangelise and disciple people. God is calling the (Gentile) nations to be His people (Acts 15:14). One person aptly said that a person with Christ in their heart is a ‘missionary’ and a person without Christ in their heart is a ‘mission field.’ Whether we go around the block or around the world, we need to put mission as our highest priority until the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ comes in (Romans 11:25). Mission is another name for ‘the Great Commission,’ to go and make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission is found in all four gospels and in Acts (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is the only mission Christ gave His church;
Next Time: How to Fulfil the Mission of the Church
What is the Church Part 04: Its Mission
In this important series, we have been exploring the nature of the Christian Church. More than any other ideology or religion, Christianity strongly depends on its founder, Jesus Christ. Not only does it derive its identity from Him, He is alive, well, and highly interactive with His people. We also learned the key activities of the church based on Acts 2:42-47: teaching doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. To this we add acts of power, community, praise and worship, pastoral care, obedience, and discipleship. When the church functions properly, in enjoys community favour while God adds to the congregation more and more saved people.
Now we will explore the church’s mission. What ‘on earth’ is it meant to do?
One – Glory: The church is called to give glory to the Lord (Romans 15:6,9; Ephesians 1:5f, 12, 14, 18; 3:21; II Thessalonians 1:12; I Peter 4:11). We accomplish this through holy living (John 15:8), praise and worship. Though the Psalms are replete with exhortations to ‘praise God,’ the New Testament expects no less. Hebrews 13:15 Tell us to offer a ‘sacrifice of praise’ continually, which is the fruit of our lips. Eternity is not long enough to thank Jesus for such a great salvation.
Two – Edification: Our purpose is to ‘build up’ the church. This is the meaning of the word edification (Ephesians 4:12-16; Colossians 2:7; I Corinthians 14:26). It is like an athlete going to the gym and doing weight-training in order to build up muscle. Nasty, carnal people are adept at tearing down but those who are born again and spiritual are able to edify in a way that lasts forever. Our modern-day Barnabas’s spend much time encouraging others in the faith; this is one of the great aspects of edification. May their tribe increase.
Three – Holiness: Like so many wonderful doctrines like repentance, regeneration, justification, and sanctification, holiness is most necessary but it is also neglected. Our world is getting darker and without holiness even church people will be cast into the shadows. Holiness is to be separated for God’s purposes. It is to live a life without reproach, blemish, defilement, or corruption. Holiness is heavenly purity. It is also indispensable, because without holiness a person will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:24). It is impossible to give glory to God, in the manner He deserves, if holiness is missing. It is time to return to ‘first things first’ (Ephesians 5:26; Matthew 18:17; Acts 5:11; Romans 16:17; I Corinthians 5:6-8, 13; I Peter 1:22).
Four – Evangelism: This means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. ‘Gospel’ means good news (Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:46-48; Acts 1:8). It is wonderfully summarised in I Corinthians 15:3-5: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. When you repent, believe, and receive, you have the gift of the new birth, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. No amount of money could ever purchase this great salvation; it came via the highest price, namely, the blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Evangelism is to the church what children are to marriage: it grows and perpetuates.
Five – Discipleship: This is the main objective of the church and evangelism. Evangelism leads the person to faith and discipleship establishes them in the faith. One way to describe discipleship is ‘to follow Jesus with all of your heart, all of the time.’ Following Jesus with some of your heart all of the time, or all of your heart some of the time, is to fail in the call of discipleship. A disciple will become like the Master, but this will be a process, not an event. Discipleship is not an option; it is a divine command (Ephesians 4:12; Matthew 28:20; II Timothy 2:2; Philippians 4:8). When a person is properly discipled, they will live a normal, Biblical, Spirit-empowered Christian life to the glory of God. Failure to disciple means the person may remain no more than an old wineskin, ready to burst asunder when the new wine comes. To ‘make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19 (Greek: matheteusate) is a command, even an imperative. It is of the highest priority to the Lord and thus should be to the church as well.
Six – Mission: This is merely an extension of four and five: to proactively and globally evangelise and disciple people. God is calling the (Gentile) nations to be His people (Acts 15:14). One person aptly said that a person with Christ in their heart is a ‘missionary’ and a person without Christ in their heart is a ‘mission field.’ Whether we go around the block or around the world, we need to put mission as our highest priority until the ‘fullness of the Gentiles’ comes in (Romans 11:25). Mission is another name for ‘the Great Commission,’ to go and make disciples of all nations. The Great Commission is found in all four gospels and in Acts (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-22; Acts 1:8). The Great Commission is the only mission Christ gave His church;
Next Time: How to Fulfil the Mission of the Church
Link Highlights | March 2018
Highlights of links to online news and opinion pieces from March 2018.
Book Review: Evangelical Social Theology: Past and Present
Book review: Building Communities of the Kingdom
What is the role of the church in a world ‘starving to death’ for the beauty of the reign of God? Based on his research, community work and ministry experience, Van Eymeren calls on the people of God to be engaged in the community in which they are placed. The book bridges theory and practice and leads us to ask: what can I do?