Deeper Bible & Theology

Why Did Paul Speak In Tongues So Much?-Part 3

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the third installment in an ongoing series on prayer by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 here
Read Part 2 here

So, what motivates me to speak in tongues in the first place? Most basically, because Jesus said I should, and Paul said I could. Jesus, in his final instructions on earth, commanded that future believers should speak in tongues: “And these signs shall follow them that believe…. they shall speak with new tongues.” (Mk. 16:17 KJV). And later Paul, encouraged all believers, that they both should and could: “I would that ye all spake with tongues…” (I Corinthians 14:5a KJV). So, the morning of the Day of Pentecost, when the gift of holy spirit was first received, what did the apostles do? They spoke in tongues as the Lord had commanded. 

And yet, as we look around today, it’s not uncommon to see those seeking tongues becoming discouraged, waiting endlessly in disappointment to “feel” something. Some even have reasoned that God certainly has not granted them this “special gift”. 

Even others have been taught it is exclusively for ministering in foreign languages as a missionary. But in reality, that phenomenon occurred only once in all of scripture (Acts 2): there is no promise offered nor reason suggested that it would be often repeated. Quite the opposite: we speak in tongues because the scriptures stipulate it, not because we expect sensations, or are planning some sort of religious pilgrimage! 

Every one of us has the ability to speak in tongues at the time of the new birth. Physical sensations and other such phenomena are never guaranteed by the Word, and, frankly, are most uncommon. Why should God have to use five senses incentives (emotions, feelings, and the like) to motivate a mature Christian to do what is clearly commanded in His Word? 

No—rather, the scriptures plainly encourage all believers to speak in tongues: “I would that ye all spake with tongues…” (I Corinthians14:5a). God would have all of us manifest, showing forth this ability which is already inherent in each of us. But why, then, should we strive to speak in tongues frequently? Didn’t we fulfill Christ’s directive by merely speaking in tongues the first time? On the contrary. Paul emphasized, when it comes to tongues, more is definitely better. As an example of this most healthy lifestyle, Paul pointed to himself: I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all. – I Corinthians 14:18 

Paul’s daily habit? He spoke in tongues—much. In fact, he spoke in tongues so much that he surpassed everyone in the entire first-century Corinthian church: “…I speak with tongues more than you all.” Perhaps, as some translate, he actually spoke in tongues more than the entire Corinthian church combined. Whatever the case, by this one declaration in I Corinthians 14:18, Paul commended his own example as the standard for the church of the first century. 

Death Row Letters: Mystery Of Divine Providence

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Howdy, once again.

In my previous letter I left you with this thought – ‘everything will be alright in the end, and if it’s not alright it’s not the end’ – as a shorthand way of explaining the ‘The Eschatological (end-times) Hope’ argument for why God allows natural evil to happen in our world.

In this letter I want to talk a bit about the ‘Mystery of Divine Providence’ argument.

The ‘Mystery of Divine Providence’ is a fancy way of saying that we aren’t able to understand why God allows bad things to happen to people and that we just have to trust that, even though disease or earthquakes are deadly evils now, a greater good will eventually come of it.

It’s different from end times hope because instead of trusting in an ultimate justice and a ‘setting right’ of all that’s wrong, the mystery of divine providence asks us to look at evil as a necessary step on the road to God’s end-game.

I’m not buying it, though. To say that the ultimate good depends on evil happening doesn’t pass the commonsense test – or a closer study of the Bible.

Evil is never good, and God doesn’t use human suffering to accomplish His ends – with one exception: the sacrifice of Jesus Christ resulting in his crucifixion and death, which he offered of his own free will in order to ‘reset’ God’s purpose back on its originally planned course to everlasting life and glory with Him.

Yes, God’s ways are above our ways – Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

But that doesn’t mean that God has to use the death of a child or a catastrophic flood that kills hundreds of people in order to bring about some eventual good thing He has planned. It just means that how and why God works His will is often far beyond our understanding.

Anyway, that’s a lot to think about for one letter I guess.

So, maybe next time we’ll start in on why human evil exists, sound good? Well, not ‘good’, maybe ‘interesting’ would be a better choice of words here.

Until then,

Your fellow death row occupant.

Why Did Paul Speak In Tongues So Much?-Part 2

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the second installment in an ongoing series on prayer by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 here

Why so Much? – The Least We Can Do… 

Perhaps surprisingly, it is often the smallest things we do in life that bring about the greatest impact: a complimentary word to a child; the decision to forgive the inexcusable; a helping hand to another in a time of desperation. Although they may be simple and unsophisticated, little things in life can bring about far-reaching effects. 

So it is with speaking in tongues. A little effort goes a long way. For instance, how much personal energy do we really expend when we speak by the spirit? Not much, really: we don’t even have to think before we speak! We open our mouths, move our lips, make the sounds, and—lo and behold—God gives us His words. How uncomplicated. And if not painless enough, we can even not move our mouths, and just speak in tongues silently to ourselves! Simple, yet what a profound impact these effortless words of perfect prayer have on our lives and the world around us. To speak in tongues is as easy as God could design it—it is literally the least we can do! 

When we first speak in tongues, we speak out in faith, trusting God to give us the words as we speak forth. We just begin speaking, and the words are there. But, if we are to learn to speak in tongues much, discipline is much more the order of the day. Discipline is born from our inner desire, and our desire is fueled by our anticipation of receiving the special benefits God has promised us. Learn and yearn for His benefits, and they will motivate you to discipline your life to obtain the things of God. As always, God’s gain is our gain. 

So, what motivates me to speak in tongues in the first place? Most basically, because Jesus said I should, and Paul said I could. Jesus, in his final instructions on earth, commanded that future believers should speak in tongues: “And these signs shall follow them that believe…. they shall speak with new tongues.” (Mk. 16:17 KJV). And later Paul, encouraged all believers, that they both should and could: “I would that ye all spake with tongues…” (I Corinthians 14:5a KJV). So, the morning of the Day of Pentecost, when the gift of holy spirit was first received, what did the apostles do? They spoke in tongues as the Lord had commanded. 

And yet, as we look around today, it’s not uncommon to see those seeking tongues becoming discouraged, waiting endlessly in disappointment to “feel” something. Some even have reasoned that God certainly has not granted them this “special gift”. 

Even others have been taught it is exclusively for ministering in foreign languages as a missionary. But in reality, that phenomenon occurred only once in all of scripture (Acts 2): there is no promise offered nor reason suggested that it would be often repeated. Quite the opposite: we speak in tongues because the scriptures stipulate it, not because we expect sensations, or are planning some sort of religious pilgrimage! 

Every one of us has the ability to speak in tongues at the time of the new birth. Physical sensations and other such phenomena are never guaranteed by the Word, and, frankly, are most uncommon. Why should God have to use five senses incentives (emotions, feelings, and the like) to motivate a mature Christian to do what is clearly commanded in His Word? 

Why Did Paul Speak In Tongues So Much?

Steve Sann2 Comments

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is the first installment in and ongoing series on prayer by Steve Sann.

When we search out the many references to speaking in tongues in the Bible, we quickly discover that, of the early church, no one wrote and exemplified more on this subject than Paul the Apostle. 

Although the Apostle Paul lived over two thousand years ago, his life’s example continues to set the high water mark for all Christian believers today. 

More than any other man, the Apostle Paul is most responsible for the outreach of the Word of God beyond Judea. That ranks Paul as the founding father of Christianity for the Western world. And from the nations of the West, Paul’s influence spread globally. 

Frankly, the fact that you are a believer today has more to do with Paul’s diligence in those early years, than that of any one person of our time. It makes sense, then, that God would select Paul to record His instructions to us, today’s church. The outcome is his seven Church Epistles, Romans through Thessalonians, which contain the whole of God’s design and purpose for his church. 

In these seven Church Epistles are recorded “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27 KJV) which Paul taught in the churches. These Epistles are, then, the fulfillment of Jesus Christ’s promise to guide his Church “into all truth” (John 16:13). We have no other place to look for God’s specific guidance and commandments for the Church today than the seven Church Epistles. It is in these Epistles we find our power and position as Sons of God with Christ in us. 

Still, even to this day, there remain essential elements of Paul’s original revelation yet to gain—or, actually to regain—acceptance among the Church. Much was lost in the earliest centuries following the demise of the early church and in its resultant slide into the Dark Ages. The outcome? Only since the Reformation—the last 400 years of civilization—has the Church begun to restore the rich revelation of the Pauline Epistles. 

Among these devastating setbacks was the loss of a thorough understanding of the gift of the holy spirit— especially of “speaking in tongues.” Tongues ceased to be, as was in the Book of Acts, the great centerpiece of the Church. Rather than a celebration of the outpouring of the holy spirit, the experience became queered and marginalized. 

Consequently, many still today sit and debate the legitimacy of tongues. Too many Christians struggle to recall even one of its benefits. However, we may rest assured, the first-century church had little doubt as to its validity, its purposes, or how to operate it with power. This writing serves to highlight numerous fundamentals of Paul’s expansive insight into speaking in tongues. Although not exhaustive, may it be a beacon of urgency and motivation for those desiring to rise up and release God’s power into this troubled world. 

Part 2 coming soon on biblerebel.com.

They Said It: C.S. Lewis On Atheism

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Please consider this profound gem from C.S. Lewis

“Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case, nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when the atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product, the sensation I call thought. But, if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true?

It’s like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. But if I can’t trust my own thinking, of course I can’t trust the arguments leading to Atheism, and therefore have no reason to be an Atheist, or anything else. 

Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God.”

C.S. Lewis

Death Row Letters: Two Kinds Of Evil

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Greetings, fellow death rowers.

Let’s pick up where we left off last time where we were discussing one of the main arguments atheists have against the existence of God, which is the problem of evil.

We’ll probably spend a lot of time talking about this in our correspondence here, so let’s start off with defining the two kinds of evil.

Moral Evil

First, there is moral evil, or human evil. Simply put, moral evil is defined as the willful acts of human beings – like murder, rape, thievery, destruction etc.

Lots of that going on in the world, right? Always has been.

Human nature is, by default, depraved and desperately wicked. It’s the natural state as a result of the primeval and continuing disobedience to and hatred for God.

Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

You can’t blame God for moral evil, we’re not robots or puppets. God does provide grace and protection for those who claim it in faith, but murder, genocide, and all manner of horribleness is not on God, it’s on the freewill ickiness of people.

Natural Evil

Second, you’ve got your natural evil, which is stuff like earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, pestilence and disease etc. You can’t really blame a human being for an earthquake that kills thousands of people.

But can you blame God for causing those awful things to happen, or at least for allowing them to happen? Well, ‘blame’ is a pretty harsh word, but yes I think we can say God does allow natural evil to happen.

The question is ‘for what purposes’ and ‘under what circumstances’ does He allow earthquakes and tsunamis and cancer to have their way with human beings?

I’ll leave you with this to chew on for now and we’ll dig deeper in my next letter.

Romans 8:22-23 – For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Ciao for now,
Your fellow death row occupant

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 2

stephen daniels2 Comments
Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.

______________________________________________________________________________

In Part I, we asked: Is America’s zeal for war fueled by a misguided interpretation of prophecy? The answer is hidden in “The Day of the Lord,” the most abused of all Old Testament prophecy.

The Day of the Lord

Throughout biblical history, no event held more significance for the ancient Children of Israel than “The Day of the Lord.” This phrase, along with its companion phrases, “The Lord’s Day” and “in that Day,” appear over 200 times in scripture. Twenty prophets describe it in detail, including Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zephaniah, and Zechariah—the writers of the five prophecies we began examining in Part I of this series. Jesus illustrated “that Day” in Matthew 24 and Luke 21, and John wrote an entire book about it—the Book of Revelation (see Rev. 1:10).

“The Day of the Lord” refers to the future Tribulation and the Messiah’s return with his armies to reclaim the earth. During this time, Christ will resurrect the righteous of Israel (and others justified by faith), known as the “Remnant” of Israel. He returns to fight for the restoration of their lands, culminating in the establishment of a new, heavenly Jerusalem.

For these faithful individuals, this will be a day of reward and reunification, encompassing all believing Children of Israel throughout history—not just those within modern Israel’s borders at any given time.

The Great Incentive

This day serves as recompense for those who sacrificed to protect the Christ-line, the lineage leading to the Messiah. They were entrusted with this hope from the Patriarchs: Abraham’s hope was clear: “For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10, NIV).

The Bible does not mention Abraham or his descendants awaiting a man-made political state in 1948.

Throughout the Old Testament, when the Children of Israel strayed, God sent prophets to remind them of their great hope: the coming Messiah who, with them, would reclaim their lands. Similar to us today, the Lord’s coming was their great Hope.

Each time the unfaithful Children of Israel lost their lands and carried into captivity, God provided prophetic words reminding them of His eternal promise to return these lands to the Remnant after the First Resurrection

For the faith-filled Children of Israel, the Day of the Lord remained their enduring hope.

Alarmingly, many of these 200 scriptures today are being misused to “document” the formation of the State of Israel in 1948. In reality, they refer to a future time.

If the scripture is to be our sole arbiter of truth, God will restore these lands to Abraham and his believing children only once: at Christ’s return.

The Day of the Lord -or- 1948?

As readers, how can we distinguish if a prophet is speaking of The Day of the Lord or some other event?

The key is in the context.

The Day of the Lord is characterized by unparalleled, cataclysmic events and cosmic disturbances that set it apart from any other earthly occurrence.

When studying a prophecy, check for these telltale events in its surrounding chapters:

Key Events Associated with the Day of the Lord

1. The Rapture: Many Christians believe that the Day of the Lord will commence with believers being “Gathered Together” with Christ in the air, an event commonly known as “the Rapture” (2 Thessalonians 2:1). This is distinct from Christ’s physical return to earth in Revelation 19.

2. Revealing of the Antichrist: Following the Rapture, the Antichrist will be revealed, positioning himself in the Jerusalem Temple and proclaiming himself as God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). Global tyranny and executions will ensue.

3. Global Turmoil: This period will be marked by significant tribulation, including wars, diseases, and cosmic disturbances.

4. Christ’s Second Coming: Jesus will return bodily to earth, leading to the Battle of Armageddon, where forces opposing God will be defeated. This event will also usher in the resurrection of the faithful (Revelation 19:11–21).

5. Millennial Kingdom: Christ will establish a thousand-year reign on Earth, often referred to as the Millennial Kingdom, characterized by peace and righteousness (Revelation 20:1–6).

6. Final Rebellion and Judgment: After the Millennium, there will be a final military uprising against God, which He will swiftly defeat. This will lead to the final judgment and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 20:7–21:1).

These events are often introduced in prophetic literature with the phrase “in that day,” signaling their significance.

By carefully examining the context and specific descriptions within prophetic passages, readers can discern whether a prophet is referring to The Day of the Lord or another event.

It is important to note that none of these cataclysmic events occurred in 1948 or at any time since. Scripture indicates that the true gathering and spiritual transformation of Israel will happen after the First Resurrection, which follows Christ’s return to earth.

Reexamining Prophecies

In the third and final segment of this series, we will re-look at these five commonly quoted prophecies in light of The Day of the Lord. By examining these scriptures in their surrounding contexts, each individual reader will discern for himself or herself if these prophecies refer to the events of 1948, or instead to the future Day of the Lord.

Death Row Letters: Dear Atheists Part 2

Rick Tryon1 Comment

In my previous letter addressed to my atheist friends I promised we’d start looking at some of what the Bible says about the problem of suffering, which is a top argument against the existence of God.

Although, I’ll say here that folks arguing against the existence of God is akin to fish arguing against the existence of water.

Nevertheless, questions need to be answered so here’s some of the biblical answer to the problem of evil and suffering in the world today.

Romans 8:18 – For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Well, I reckon I agree with the Apostle Paul here.

If eternity is represented by the size and scope of the entire known universe, which contains billions of galaxies, each with billions of stars, and according to best estimates, is 93 light years across, then our short lives in this age by comparison would be the size of a grain of sand. Even smaller.

Actually there is no comparison that we can wrap our heads around to understand the eternal life God has promised us in relation to the short years of our mortal lives in this age.

And not only has our heavenly Father guaranteed us everlasting life, but everlasting life in resurrected, glorious, immortal bodies to live forever with Him, free of death, pain, and suffering.

So, while suffering and pain is hard to understand and bear while going through it, no matter how awful or how long one has to endure it, it is infinitesimally brief compared to what God has in store for those that love Him.

2 Corinthians 4:17 – For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory…

So, going back to what I said in my last letter – God is entirely just, and He has committed Himself, for now, to abiding by the conditions which allow for suffering and pain in our physical world and in our current time – but it all is as nothing in the face of the coming eternal glory.

Oh, look at where the time has gone. I’ll have to wrap it up for now, but next time I’ll get into a little more about what the Bible says about the two kinds of evil – human evil, and natural evil.

Sincerely yours,
Your fellow death row inmate

Death Row Letters: Dear Atheists

Rick Tryon1 Comment

Dear Atheists and Agnostics,

My previous two letters were addressed to anti-natalists and nihilists, but I think there’s a lot of common ground between those folks and y’all atheists and agnostics.

One of the most common arguments used by all four of those worldviews is the problem of suffering. How could anyone believe in an all-powerful, loving God who would allow so much evil and suffering in the world?

Well, that’s a worthy question and there are massive amounts of books, articles, sermons, doctoral theses, movies, songs, and philosophical/theological debates on that subject (referred to as ‘theodicy’) dating back centuries.

So, in the next several letters I’ll be writing to you, I’ll be giving you my take on the matter in as a straightforward and common sense way as I possibly can.

Let’s start by considering this simple proposition: In order for there to be a level playing field where human beings are able to exercise actual free will, the conditions that create the possibility for failure, tragedy, and death must exist. Free agency is meaningless if there are no negative consequences as a result of bad choices.

Matthew 5:45 – “For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.“

God is entirely just, and He has committed Himself to abiding by the conditions which allow free agency to operate in our physical world and in our current time.

God doesn’t break His own rules, and He absolutely has a grand purpose in mind which he will bring to pass by His own power and in His own time.

I hope you take some time to objectively think about that proposition. Just chew on it for awhile, kick the tires, and let it marinate a bit instead of immediately dismissing the idea entirely.

In my next letter we’ll start looking at some of what the Bible says about the problem of suffering.

Sincerely yours,
Your fellow death row occupant

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 1

stephen daniels4 Comments
Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.

————————————————————————————————————

Have you ever heard a pastor expound that today’s Jews and the modern State of Israel are God’s chosen people, rightfully entitled to the “Promised Lands?” From the early 1900s onward, this belief system — known as Christian Zionism — has taken root in many churches, convincing countless believers that the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 marked the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

According to this narrative, the Jewish citizens of present-day Israel are the direct heirs of the lands gifted to Abraham’s descendants — now their eternal homeland.

It’s a story many of us have grown up with, encouraging Christians to accept, without question, that modern Jews hold a God-ordained claim to the territories sworn to Abraham, some 4,000 years ago.

But consider the consequences: as Christian Zionism’s influence spreads throughout the U.S. and Europe, a startling number of American Christians find themselves compelled — financially, politically, and even militarily — to aid Israel’s rapidly expanding conflicts in the Middle East. Men and women who might otherwise stand firmly against war find themselves supporting armed aggression, simply because they believe it serves God’s plan.

What could drive Jesus’s peace-minded followers to champion violence in the Middle East?

The shocking answer is this: this zeal springs from a misguided interpretation of prophecy — one that twists God’s words about future end-times events into a license for unyielding military dominance today.

Christian Zionist scholars and proponents suggest that dozens, even hundreds of Old Testament prophecies point specifically to the re-establishment of Israel as a nation today — and ready for battle.

Of these, here is a sampling of popular scriptures commonly quoted to garner support:

Isaiah 66:8-9: “Who has ever heard of such things? ... Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?”
Ezekiel 37:21-22: “Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations ... and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.”
Isaiah 11:11-12: “The Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people ... and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel.”
Zechariah 14:2-3: “I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle ... Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations.”
Zephaniah 3:19-20: “At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you ... I will bring you home and give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.”

Let’s dive deeper into these five commonly cited verses and test them against the Bible’s overarching narrative. Are these prophecies truly about 1948, or do they point to something far greater yet to come?

In my following articles, we’ll unravel the strange connection between these scriptures, the wars of Zionism, and “The Day of the Lord” — a central theme throughout the Old Testament. You won’t want to miss this revealing exploration of what the Bible really says about Israel’s prophetic future!