Herman Who?

Have you ever been to a Bible study and they read a passage and then ask, “what does this mean to you?” Next thing you know you have 15 different meanings on the same text.

It is so important that we have  proper Hermeneutics. Herman who? You may ask. Hermeneutics is the art and science of biblical interpretation. 

Hermeneutics helps us to understand the who, what, where, when and why of a biblical text. It takes us through the many filters to understand what a Bible text is really saying.

For example:

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things though Christ which strengthens me.

There are many who would say that this verse say I can to anything I want. If I want to run a marathon , I can, If I want to start a new business, I can, If I want to slam dunk a basket ball, I can.

In fact the way I memorized this verse was by running around the gym floor with a cramp in my side, as a chubby 12 year old, saying over and over again  “I can do all things though Christ which strengthens me”.

the problem with this application and interpretation of this text is that Paul was not envisioning some fat kid running around a gym. so what does this text mean? thats where good hermeneutics comes into play.  

First Paul is writing this letter to church at Philippi  to thank them for their gift to help in taking the Gospel further. Paul is writing around A.D. 61 and he is writing from prison in Rome. In the verses just above verse 13 Paul states that he know what it is like to have no money and to have plenty of money, he knows what it is like to have a full belly and to go hungry. He knows of having abundance and to suffer need. Paul could have even said that he knew what it was to be free and to be on chains for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

So what is this verse all about. It is not about doing what every you want to do. It is about the joy and peace of knowing what every hardship you may face because of your faith in Jesus, that Christ will give you the strength to endure. For you can do all things through Christ who give you strength. 

There are many other examples but I don’t have time to go through them all but I do have a wonderful resource to suggest  to you.

Talk the Walk Series, Herman Who? a Hermeneutics Primer. I have walked my church through this and must say that I made some people mad and made some folks thankful when they realized that they were using their favorite verses out of context.

You can order your copy today at

 http://www.wretchedradio.com/store/product_details.cfm?id=297

1 Corinthians 15:34 (King James Version)

 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

millennial war

Recently on facebook I asked my friends to tell me their Millennial Views. I love to ask these questions to stir the pot every now and then. They made there points and even counter points and it was all done in good taste and in niceness. What I notice is that some of us did not agree (go figure) and that some were very passionate  about their beliefs.

Once upon a time I would go to the mat over my Millennial View, which has changed over the years, but now I know that the chances of changing someones views is slim to none but that it is a good thing to have discussions and healthy debates that get us into the Bible for ourselves and not just taking the words of some preacher or writer.

So don’t be afraid to go to war (if you will) ask the hard questions, Don’t be afraid! Listen to one another, don’t just think about what your going to say next, but take in what they are saying and take it to the Bible and seek Him for the answers and now that some won’t be answered until we are in Glory with God.

It has been in times of war that my convictions have been challenged and even changed.

1 Corinthians 15:34 (King James Version)

 ³⁴Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

My hope is in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ even in times of Death

I have been preaching through 1 Corinthians for a year or more. It has been a convicting book, a counselling book and a comforting book. I have been in Chapter 15 for a month looking at our hope in the resurrection. This week I have seen a two year old boy die and now an older man die. I have shed tears and grieved, but not as one who has no hope. You see my hope is in the Resurrection. First the resurrection of Jesus Christ and one day my own resurrection. my hope is in the Lord God who is Sovereign in all things, who knows all things and works all things to His glory. I have hope in the Lord God who tells us that He works all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes, which include that death of a two year old and the death of an older saint. I grieve, oh yes, I grieve but not as one who has no hope, for my hope is in Jesus Christ. Please, anyone who is reading this, repent and believe the Gospel, Repent and have faith in Christ, for only in Him will you find hope, even in times of death.