Therapeutic Theology V: A New Brainfart

Hi folks we're here to discuss therapeutic blah blah blah blah blah moving on...

Over on the left here the therapeutic image reads: "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together" (emphasis in original), and is attributed to Colossians 1:17. What is the actual wording of the verse?

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [Colossians 1:17]

Wait...holy cow! Did one of these things actually use an actual quotation? Let alone from a legitimate translation!? This seems like an improvement. Now let's use our next test: the context test (say that three times fast).

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. [Colossians 1:15-20]

Let's ask a question: why was "hold together" bolded in the original quote? Chances are because it was meant to convey that Christ "holds together" all the aspects of your life. Bad relationship? Financial troubles? Harassed by creditors? Didn't save as much money switching to Geico as you expected? Don't worry! Because Christ holds ALL THINGS TOGETHER!

Is this the case as found within the context? Actually, no. Paul is talking about the divine power of Christ, calling him "the image of the invisible God" and "the firstborn of all creation" (v. 15). By Christ, all things that ever existed were created, and were created through him and for him (v. 16). We then see the statement that Christ is before all things (that is, all things of existence and which were created), and in him "all things hold together" (v. 17). Does this mean Christ is gonna make your life work out? Actually no - it means all things, as in, all things of creation, hold together because of Christ's power. The planets circle, the storms rage, and the natural world continues according to the power of God the Son.

Again, we need to be careful with how we handle scripture. We wouldn't like someone misusing our words to prove a point we weren't even talking about - we shouldn't treat God's word that way.

Therapeutic Theology IV: A New "D'oh!"

Hi folks. Over on the left here, you'll see another one of those little images we've reviewed before, with text saying "Faith; It doesn't make things easy; It makes things possible," citing Luke 1:37 as the source of the quote. Is this what the text actually says? Well, as we always do with these posts, let's see the actual context:

For nothing will be impossible with God. [Luke 1:37]

Wait, where's faith being talked about? Where are we talked about? Huh?

Let's now see the real context:

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. [Luke 1:35-38]

Here we see the angel's response to Mary's famous question: "How can I get pregnant if I'm a virgin?" The angel explains the machinations of the virgin birth, the pregnancy of elderly Elizabeth, and ends it all with "for nothing will be impossible with God."

Now let's answer some simple questions:

1) Is this verse about faith? No, it's about the virgin birth and Elizabeth's own child-bearing, despite her old age - both of which wasn't reliant upon faith, but the actions of God.

2) Does this verse say that faith doesn't make things easy? Again, it's not about faith. We're not even the subject, but God is.

3) Does this verse say faith makes things possible? Yet again, it isn't about faith, let how faith effects our lives.

In summary, what we have here is a verse actually about the power of God being made about us, and for the sake of making people feel better upon reading it. Bluntly put, this is a terrible - and disrespectful - use of God's word.

Therapeutic Theology III: The Lost Context

Well, friends, it's time once again to review one of those silly images shared on social media that take a passage of scripture and turn it into some feel good therapeutic nonsense. This one says: "God can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing. All you need is faith." It claims to come from Joel 2:25.

As we always do, let's see the original wording of the verse:

I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.

Huh...so God can restore what is broken, eh? I assume what's broken is...uh...whatever the locusts, hoppers, destroyers, cutters, and God's great army ate? And where in the heck does faith fit into the picture? Do I need faith to handle the locust problem? Uh...I'm really confused here.

All right, so already we see a problem. Let's review the real context of the passage:

Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. The Lord answered and said to his people, "Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

I will remove the northerner far from you, and drive him into a parched and desolate land, his vanguard into the eastern sea, and his rear guard into the western sea; the stench and foul smell of him will rise, for he has done great things.

Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done great things! Fear not, you beasts of the field, for the pastures of the wilderness are green; the tree bears its fruit; the fig tree and vine give their full yield.

Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before.

The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you.

You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame." [Joel 2:18-27]

So is this about God taking something broken and making it all better, and all you need is faith? Actually no, it isn't at all about that. The Jewish people had been called to repent, and this section takes place after said repentance would happen, and presents the promises which shall be fulfilled. The Lord promises to remove the plague of locusts that had come upon the people (see Joel 1:4), and proceeds to make promises for relief and joy...even eternal promises - promises which many commentators (even Jewish ones) believe to be about the age of the Messiah. The rest of the chapter continues on speaking of eternal rest in God and a prediction of Pentecost and the apostolic era.

This is all a fairly brief explanation, I know, but the overall premise is fairly well seen and clear in the entire reading. To be frank, these therapeutic interpretations of scripture are simply getting more and more removed from the original context. Please people, stop sharing these things!

Therapeutic Theology II: The Revenge

I came across another one of these images on a social media site which shall remain nameless. It cites Romans 8:28 and reads: "God can turn around any situation." I just did some cross referencing in the Bible, and realized that, once again, we had an example of therapeutic theology robbing a verse of its context and reading into some feel good mentality that distracts people from the true meaning.

First, let's look at the original wording of the verse:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]

All right, so maybe this is a little more in context than the previous image we looked at. Now, let's look at the full context - and I do mean the full context.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. [Romans 8:18-30]

What is this talking about? Is this talking about God taking your flat tire on the highway and making your day all brighter? Is it saying that it doesn't matter if they put toppings on your hamburger (when you clearly said not to put any on there) since God will make you smile later on? Is it saying that it doesn't matter if someone's texting and talking while you're trying to watch Les Miserables, because God will help you enjoy the movie nonetheless? Actually, no. In fact, starting in verse 18, Paul even confesses that there are sufferings, but that it doesn't matter compared to the glory revealed to us (that is, salvation). He then talks of how the Spirit assists us during these sufferings, and then says: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Does this mean, however, God can make our day better? Actually no, given the following verse, which is the famous golden chain of redemption. This means that God makes all spiritual things work out for good, because no matter how bad our sufferings might be. It is saying that regardless of what a Christian encounters that will cause him to feel despair and a loss of hope, that we can find joy and peace in the knowledge that we are in the hands of a God who will never let us go, and who will see us through to the end.

As I said in the previous post, this sort of thing does nothing but sacrifice the true meaning of God's word in exchange for emotionalism and "feel good" theology. Yes, I'm sure this image brightened the day for some people...but at what cost? And what does it ultimately teach them in regards to the treatment of God's word?

Isaiah 14:27 and Therapeutic Theology

I saw the image on the left shared on Facebook. As those who read my blog post know, I have a great distaste for theology which seeks to turn God into something therapeutic or "feel good." For further reading, read how I feel about Jeremiah 29:11 (and see this image about it for good measure). So when I came across this image, I had a feeling that more therapeutic theology was being pushed upon people, sacrificing the original meaning of God's word for a few seconds of heart tugging, feel good nonsense.

Let's first tackle the question: is this actually what Isaiah 14:27 says? Here's the original quote:

For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? [Isaiah 14:27]

All right, so our immediate problem is that it says nothing about God's plan for my life. Yes, it talks of what God "has purposed," and his hand being "stretched out," but this could be about anything. I checked a few translations to see if any worded the verse differently, but even The Message managed to get it fairly correct (amazingly enough as that is).

So here's the immediate question: what's the full context of the verse? Let's take a look and find out:

The LORD of hosts has sworn: “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand, that I will break the Assyrian in my land, and on my mountains trample him underfoot; and his yoke shall depart from them, and his burden from their shoulder.” This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? [Isaiah 14:24-27]

Um...wow. Is this at all about God's plan for my life? Actually no, it's about God's judgment upon Assyria. This image has removed the verse as far away from the original context as possible. You could have picked any verse out of the Bible and slapped it under the text, and it would have made about as much sense.

This is yet another example where context and the true meaning of God's word is sacrificed for emotionalism and therapeutic theology.