What Manner of God

After Jesus calmed a violent storm by speaking a few words, His disciples asked a very interesting question. “What manner of man is this?” And he was indeed a man, at least when He died. But He died. So another interesting question might be, “What manner of God is this?” He was indeed God, while He walked upon the earth and even now.

I want to examine, through a glass darkly, what this miraculous combination of God and man must have been. I want to examine the oneness of God versus the plural natures of God, insomuch as each was evidenced in the life of this “man.” Before I do so, I need to explain some things. The thoughts and conclusions put forth in this essay were not arrived at lightly and have come as a result of many thoughts and much prayer.

I long ago came to the absolute belief that all scripture was inspired by a God who cannot and will not lie. Therefore it really bothered me to notice so many scriptures which seemed to contradict one another. Since there are literally hundreds to indicate one answer and hundreds leading to a different conclusion, the question begs to be asked. Is there one person called God or are there multiple persons that together make up God? Is there an inherent contradiction on this subject in the Bible?

I believe any conflict in my understanding of scriptures stems from my misunderstanding of some or all of those scriptures. The alternative is to either believe God lied in some of His holy Word or to believe He was not really responsible for some or all of the scriptures. Luckily we are given a remedy to confusion. A scripture in James tells us to ask … Continue Reading

No Apology for God

I once heard someone say, “When you are right, and you know you are right, there is no need to apologize.” Contrary to common usage, an apology is not just saying we are sorry. It is defined in one dictionary as a formal justification, offered in defense or explanation. It is offered when our actions disturb or harm others. The usual source of discomfort is their lack of understanding of our motives. So we apologize, to clear up the misunderstanding.

I guess that is why the term “apologetics” bothers me somewhat. It is defined as a theological science which has for its purpose, the explanation and defense of the Christian religion. It is, in essence, our attempt to defend our belief in God and His Word. The truth is, no matter how the Truth comes under attack, God’s Word does not need us to defend it.

Alternate versions of scriptural truth abound. Many, who would never open the scriptures, obtain theological knowledge from fictitious writing about biblical events. They assume an air of authority on these, having acquired no truth on the subject whatsoever. They fail to understand that something … Continue Reading

Precious Containers

There came a time when Israel forgot the value of the Ark of the Covenant. Like most precious articles of tabernacle worship, this large chest was covered in gold. But its cover did not create its true value. God Himself lived on it.

Inside the Ark was Aaron’s dead rod which had budded, a pot of manna still preserved by God’s power, and God’s stone tablet copy of the Law He had given His people. These items were to remind Israel of the power of, the provision of, and the pact with their God.

Such had become of little concern to His people. They actually carried the Ark into battle with the Philistines as a good luck charm. Only when it was captured, and the presence of God was gone, … Continue Reading

A Clear Vision by Paul Spite

Based on a blog post by Sarah Jendzio

When I first discovered I needed glasses, wearing them was definitely not cool. I was in the fourth grade and had participated in calling others who wore them affectionate names like “four eyes.” I began wearing them with a bit of shame, but the alternative was unacceptable. I really needed to see what was being written on the board in order to make decent grades. Even when I took my glasses off, I missed having them. What I really wanted was the clarity of vision they afforded, but without the stigma of being different.

When I first realized I desperately needed the Holy Ghost, being born again was definitely not cool. I was in college and had participated in calling others with God’s Spirit affectionate names like “holy rollers.” After receiving such an incredible gift, from a God who owed me nothing, I mostly stayed quietly to myself. I was no longer interested in participating in activities offensive to the Spirit within. Yet, I was not prepared to explain what had happened to me or to defend my need for peace in a life of chaos. What I really wanted was the clear focus on life the Holy Ghost provided, without the stigma of being different. I no longer worry much about the opinions of others.

After forty years, I think my image complete with glasses is better than the one I portray smashing into fuzzy obstacles without them. After thirty years of living with God inside me, I think my life is far better off, with Him guiding my steps, than when I was stumbling through one terrible decision after another without Him. I could remove both my glasses and my God from my life, but why would I want to?

Alternate Views of God

He could expect nothing better than a slow agonizing death. Imagine the surprise of Barabbas when his Roman guards escorted him to the doors of prison and freedom, rather than the judgment hall and scourging. All he could have learned was that the one called Jesus was taking his place on the cross.

With no scriptural evidence whatsoever, I believe simple curiosity, if not gratitude, would have placed Barabbas at the scene of the crucifixion. He would have to have been curious what his replacement had done. Because of Jesus, he still lived. He was as perfect under the Law as a man could be.

The one we know only as a rich young ruler had obeyed the Law from his youth, and Jesus loved him. But that love did not prevent Jesus from truthfully answering the man’s request for the next step to obtaining eternal life. He was told to give all the vast wealth he owned to the poor and then follow Christ. He went away in sorrow and we never hear … Continue Reading

Throwing Darts

There is a story told of a Sunday school teacher and a dartboard. When his students arrived for class, they found a dartboard hung on a wall, covered in plain brown Kraft paper. Each place at the table held markers and another piece of plain brown paper. They were each asked to draw on their paper, a picture of anyone they despised, hated, or with whom they wished to get even. Once they realized he was serious, his students settled down to their task with zeal.

One drew a picture of his kid sister. Another managed a fairly realistic rendering of a neighborhood bully. One couple depicted was obviously the student’s parents. One daring soul even drew a recognizable version of the Sunday school teacher. One by one, the students were invited to the dart board. There, each was allowed to tape their paper over the dart board. Then they were allowed to throw darts at the image until they felt they had gotten even with the person represented. When all were finished, their teacher asked them again to be seated. Then he carefully removed each paper, one by one. When he got to the original sheet, which had been left blank, he removed it as well. Beneath it was a picture of the face of Jesus Christ, so tattered and torn as to be nearly unrecognizable. The teacher uttered just one sentence before dismissing his class. “When you do it to the least of them, you have done it unto me.”

A Word and a Touch

In every aspect of creation, with one exception, God spoke reality into existence.

The one exclusion was mankind. He took part of what He had begun working with, and hand formed Adam from the dirt. Eve was also created hands-on, using existing materials. He continues to exercise the same care with each of us. He fashioned David and planned his every aspect while David was still in the womb. Job knew he too had been hand crafted.

When something is broken, we take it back to the manufacturer to remake again. How intriguing then, when Jesus healed the sick that came to Him broken, He usually touched them again. In a powerful love story, He even touched the leper shunned by everyone else in his society. Though His words would have sufficed, Jesus went past the physical need to remedy the pain in the soul of one man, cut off from the touch of all he once loved. With one gesture, Jesus restored the humanity of the man before Him. To those possessed by demons, He simply spoke. The written word was also instrumental in the defeat of Satan in the wilderness temptation.

God’s Word has always carried power and authority over spiritual wickedness and evil, and it always will. So much power was invested in both the words of Jesus and His touch. To be exact, it was all power in heaven and earth. With either means to utilize, I am so thankful when I came to Jesus broken, He chose to touch me.