Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel. Show all posts

Thursday, May 1, 2014

In Defense of Rahab

In chapter two of the book of Joshua, the narrative begins the account of the spies in Jericho and their experiences with the prostitute known as Rahab. She will hide them on her roof, send the soldiers of Jericho on a wild goose chase, and help the spies escape from the city through her window against the fortress’s wall. Because of this, her and her entire family will be spared, and she will dwell peacefully in the land among the other people of God.

While many today take her identity as a prostitute almost for granted, it has been a matter of debate and contention throughout the centuries. Some rabbinical commentators have attempted to say that, far from being a harlot, Rahab was actually a peddler of foods, based on the Targum of Jonathan translating the word “harlot” as “innkeeper.” Many Christian commentators have likewise argued this, saying that Rahab was more of an honest business woman than a prostitute. On the other hand, the Talmud is far less kind to her: it openly claims that, for all the forty years the children of Israel spent in the desert, Rahab spent that time prostituting herself (source). It even claims that she had engaged in relations with every king and prince in the region, hence her knowledge of the affairs of Canaan.

More importantly, the original language is likewise very telling on the matter. The Hebrew word used in reference to Rahab is zō·nāh, which almost always refers to a prostitute or harlotry in the Old Testament (Le 21:7, 14; De 23:18; Pr 6:26; etc.). When Rahab is referred to in the New Testament, in both Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25, the biblical authors employ the Greek word porneh, which refers to a prostitute. Therefore, one can have no doubt that Rahab was indeed a harlot.

Because of this, many individuals (even among the Christian faithful) have shown a kind of passive revulsion to Rahab. They continually think of her as “Rahab the prostitute,” and the mention of her name conjures up a woman of loose morals who is to be shunned. Few Christian parents are willing name their daughters after Rahab on account of her former profession. No one, of course, has a problem with naming their child Peter, despite the fact that their namesake cut off the ear of a Temple servant and publicly denied Christ three times (once when Christ was within hearing). No one has a problem with naming their child Noah, despite the fact that their namesake drank himself into a stupor and was found naked for all to see. No one has a problem with naming their child Matthew, despite the fact that their namesake swindled and cheated his countrymen for years. No one has a problem with naming their child David, even though their namesake lusted after his most loyal officer’s wife and had the man killed so that he could have her. Yet ask someone if they would ever name their daughter Rahab, and you may get one or two people shuddering at the mere notion.

What is astounding is that these same people do not seem to realize that when they belittle and besmirch Rahab’s name on account of her former profession, they miss the entire point of the Jericho narrative - indeed, they miss the entire point of the Gospel! Rahab did not die in her sins, and she did not die continuing her life as a prostitute - rather, she turned towards God and repented of her ways. It was because of Rahab’s bravery and faith that her entire family was saved from the judgment of God. Rahab would later be married to Salmon (Mt 1:5), and hence did away with her harlotry, and became a kind of shadow of Hosea and Gomer, and indeed Christ and the church. We must also remember that it was from the lineage of Rahab and her future husband Salmon that Jesus Christ would come in the flesh (Mt 1:5, 16).

Within the very biblical account of Rahab is the story of the Gospel, and a shadow of the coming Messianic kingdom. The city of Jericho is the world, under the wrath of God's judgment, and the coming destruction wrought by the Hebrew army is the active judgment of God at the end times. Rahab is the sinner, saved by grace, whose home is marked by a red thread, or the blood of Christ (compare the red thread over her door with the lamb's blood over the doors of the Hebrews in Egypt). When the defenses of the city of sin fall, and God's judgment is unleashed, all is destroyed save for Rahab and her family, who are led out of the city under protection. When we read the story of Rahab, we read the story of God's mercy towards sinners and the salvation of His people.

Instead of finding Rahab to be a revolting character, we should find her as a character from which we can glorify God. We should remember that when Jericho was destroyed, most of those who perished were not prostitutes. In fact, we should look at the destruction of Jericho and be amazed that, of all the people who deserved punishment, the one person not destroyed was a prostitute. We should then give thanks and praise to God, for if there is assurance of salvation through faith for a sinner like Rahab, then there is comfort and peace for sinners such as you and I.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Podcast: Beatles Easter at Wave Church

Is the Gospel preached at Wave Church? What is the message of the cross, according to Wave Church? Find out as we review a message delivered this year's Resurrection Sunday by youth pastor Joe Riddle. Does he present the Gospel and the true message of Easter to the people there?


This link takes you to the podcast episode where we review the dangerous, cult-like teachings by Steve Kelly regarding leadership.

This link takes you to the podcast episode where we review Steve Kelly's Prosperity Gospel beliefs.

This link takes you to a blog post that shows how giving more and more money to Wave Church actually gives you more benefits and influence in the church.

This link takes you to a blog post where we reviewed Joe Riddle's abuse of Revelation 5:12.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Another Jesus Juke In the Wall

A while ago, I tweeted this message:


I thought it would be took to take a moment and expand on this, and explain what it means.

Firstly, as most who know me personally or have read this blog for a while are aware, I am all for sharing the Gospel, and I believe we shouldn't sacrifice the Gospel truth for anything. The Gospel should be the line in the sand we refuse to cross, and if anyone preaches a false gospel, let them be, as the apostle Paul said, anathema (Gal 1:8-9).

However, I've developed a pet peeve regarding online discussion, and it involves those people. You know who I'm talking about. In case you don't, let me present a scenario. Imagine, if you will, that you're having a chat about some theological subject, like eschatology. You and your associates are discussing Amillennialism, Dispensationalism, Postmillennialism, etc. Everything's going pretty civil. Suddenly, in comes someone who types, "I don't worry about that sort of thing. I just worry about spreading the Gospel!"

And that's when I face palm.

Look, like I said, it's important to not sacrifice the Gospel for anything...but for crying out loud, people, it's possible for us to once in a while discuss minor topics without sacrificing the Gospel truth. Just because I may be discussing a disagreement with my brother in Christ doesn't mean I've at the same time forgotten the Great Commission. Let me put it this way: that the Allies debated on which French beach to land their armies didn't mean they had forgotten about the ultimate goal, which was to defeat Nazi Germany. I mean, can you imagine a silly conversation like this unfolding:

Person A: "Dude, you're sweating, your face is red, and your stomach is gurgling like mad. Maybe you should go use the bathroom..."
Person B: "You go use the bathroom! I CARE MORE ABOUT SPREADING THE GOSPEL!"

You know what this is? This is another example of a Jesus Juke - ie., forcing Jesus or faith into something to try to make a deep, profound point about the church today.

Again, I fully understand the Gospel should be the center of our lives and we should protect it from all possible error. I get that. However, can we please understand that just because we may hold discussions on minor subjects doesn't mean we've taken those subjects and put them in the Gospel's place? Can't we all just get along?

Monday, June 3, 2013

Why St. Francis Got It Wrong

I came across the meme on the left on Facebook a while ago, which showcases RC Sproul, Jr with the quote, "Preach the gospel. If necessary, rebuke anyone who says, 'if necessary, use words.'" It's a play off the famous quote from St. Francis, which goes, "Preach the gospel,  and if necessary, use words." It reminded me of how much, to be blunt, I hated this quote, and the way people use it so casually. Therefore, I decided to write a brief response to it, and why it's wrong.

Author's Note: I recognize that many contend St. Francis never said those words, or at the very least they criticize the historicity of attributing it to him. My reference to St. Francis is related to the popular connection of the quote to him, as most assume he said these words.

The first problem is that it leads either into works righteousness or man-centered theology. The Gospel is meant to be centered around God and what God did, but instead it shifts the focus on man and what man is doing. Some might contend here, "But we're simply showing people the change brought about by God in our life." Again, the focus is on you, and the change wrought in you.

Let's take a moment to say that we are not arguing antinomianism here or easy believism - change should be wrought in you as a result of God's work, and is one of the signs that God's regenerating grace has indeed been worked in you. We should be fine examples to others of how believers should act. The problem is that your lifestyle isn't the gospel. What is the gospel?
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. [1 Corinthians 15:1-5]
What is the Gospel? It's the death of Christ - for our sins - his burial and resurrection. This is something Christ lived, not you. Which brings us to our next point:

The second problem is that the Gospel is not a lifestyle, it is a message, and you can't live a message. Let me put it this way: when the news regarding the surrender of Germany in World War II was released to the world, would it have made any sense to say, "Spread the news of V-E Day, and if necessary use words." No, it would make no sense. No one would ever be able to realize that Germany had surrendered if you never opened up your mouth and told them. The Allied soldiers who fought against Germany lived the V-E life for you, now you must spread the message. Similarly, no one would ever be able to realize that Christ died, once for all time for the atonement of sins for those who repent and believe in him so that they may rise up on the last day, unless you told them.

The third problem is that, when all is said and done, this teaching is just unbiblical. The apostle Paul wrote:
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”...So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. [Romans 10:14-15, 17]
As we said before, Christ performed the Gospel for you; it's your mission, as an ambassador for Christ (2 Co 5:20), to spread the news of the Gospel to others. An ambassador to a foreign land doesn't get his home country's message across simply by living a different lifestyle, but rather by giving the message supplied by his leader. Your leader is Christ; his message is the Gospel; preach it!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The World Abhors the Gospel

The following is from Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians.
The world bears the Gospel a grudge because the Gospel condemns the religious wisdom of the world. Jealous for its own religious views, the world in turn charges the Gospel with being a subversive and licentious doctrine, offensive to God and man, a doctrine to be persecuted as the worst plague on earth.

As a result we have this paradoxical situation: The Gospel supplies the world with the salvation of Jesus Christ, peace of conscience, and every blessing. Just for that the world abhors the Gospel.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The Gospel: Good News or Good Advice?

Michael Horton and others at White Horse Inn talk about the modern tradition of "living" the Gospel instead of preaching it.

Link to broadcast.