What did HE say?
Before we start on this new series or essay, I would like to say a few things. First, it is now more than a month since this blog started and to those who are reading I want to say that I sincerely hope that you are getting out of this what I believe I am putting in. Everyday that I spend in writing I grow closer to the Lord, I see some new revelation and I understand my part in this all a bit better.
It comes to mind that I have put forth several ideas over this month which may seem odd to some and wrong to others and that is fine. What I have to say is what has been revealed to me through my study and meditation over the years. I said in an earlier post that the writings of those Apostles and Saints that wrote for us in the New Testament as well as the writings of those who comment on them or teach on them are the result of inspiration from the same source; the Spirit of God. It is this Spirit in us and in them that receives that inspiration which is then manifested through our hearts and minds and which is colored by these personality aspects. This sort of filter through which the inspiration flows uses all that we know and feel about the subject and the result is our personal interpretation of what we are seeing of a Divine Truth. This has always been the way and will always be and the degree of the filtering will depend on the clarity of the channel through which the inspiration flows and the spiritual quality of the heart and the mind. I am like all writers and teachers in that the inspiration that comes to me and through me is colored by what I know and what I feel in my heart and mind.
The differences in the perspectives of the gospel writers, the differences in their telling of the same story are also the result of this phenomena. The sometimes conflicting and sometimes odd perspective of the writers of the epistles is the result of the same thing and is compounded by the different character of the audiences to whom they were writing.
In saying this I remind you that it is this aspect of human nature has played its part in the formation of the countless Christian denominations and sects from the teachings of the ONE CHRIST. For over 2000 years men have been interpreting and re-interpreting the gospels and the epistles and still there is uncertainty as to what certain sayings by the Master mean as well as confusion on the nature and meaning of much that is in the epistles.
Now as I said, I write that which I know and know by Faith. I believe all that I say; some with the certainty of pure knowing and some with a firm belief but lacking a complete understanding. I offer my writings as a service to the Lord and make no claims for their acceptance. If they are useful to you, if they strike a chord, if they cause you to aspire to greater spiritual contact, then they have fulfilled their purpose. The intent of these is that they are seen as a service of Love and the hope is that they will create a level of understanding for the reader that is beyond the dogma and the doctrine and the ritual of the churches today.
To our theme. There is now and has been from the beginning much confusion regarding the teachings of the Master. Interpretations and the manifold translations of and commentary on the sayings of Jesus and the writers of the gospels and the epistles have played out into the current state of the One Church (intended). Being born again, baptism, being saved, demons and devils, miracles and prophesy are all subject to many church interpretation and looking at the broad spectrum there can be nothing but confusion. Baptism is a classic example. Though Jesus Himself was baptised by John, He does not teach that it should be done for us yet it is a ritual in most denominations of Christianity. Not only is it a ritual but it is viewed differently by most; from the Catholics and some Methodists baptizing babies to the outright rejection of baptism by the Quakers.
It is with the words of Jesus that we are dealing with however and in this segment of the overall title of ‘In the Words of Jesus’ we have come to the question of ‘What did HE say’. Our attempt will be to shed some needed light on some of the more obscure and misunderstood sayings as well as those that play a large part in the dogma and doctrines of the churches. Jesus taught us that many are in the condition of “having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not” (Mark 8:18) and this He said to His disciples who knew Him best. In many other places He tells us the same thing both outright and quoting the prophets. He taught us in parables, and some of these also have disputed meanings even until today.
What did HE say is however, not nearly as important as what did He mean. In some places what He said is crystal clear with no ambiguous words but the meaning of some of these sayings also differ among churches and there are some that are totally misunderstood by most. While the majority of our discussion will be on the interpretation of the words of Jesus, we may touch upon the nature of today’s bibles and their sources and the fact that some of the original manuscripts vary, and some by much. In example is the gospel of Mark where the oldest manuscripts do not contain the last twelve verses of the last chapter and there is still much debate over who wrote that section in the manuscripts where they do appear.
The words of the gospels are intended to give us an insight into the life of the Christ on Earth. The words left to us by the writers are our only link and from them we see His humanity and His divinity. Our attempt will be to see it as clearly as is possible; again, without the dogma and the doctrine. We should define these words so that there is no confusion going forward. These definitions are from Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913).
Dogma: That which is held as an opinion; a tenet; a doctrine. A formally stated and authoritatively settled doctrine; a definite, established, and authoritative tenet. A doctrinal notion asserted without regard to evidence or truth; an arbitrary dictum. Syn. — tenet; opinion; proposition; doctrine.
On the relation between dogma and tenet: A tenet is that which is maintained as true with great firmness; as, the tenets of our holy religion. A dogma is that which is laid down with authority as indubitably true, especially a religious doctrine; as, the dogmas of the church. A tenet rests on its own intrinsic merits or demerits; a dogma rests on authority regarded as competent to decide and determine. Dogma has in our language acquired, to some extent, a repulsive sense, from its carrying with it the idea of undue authority or assumption. this is more fully the case with its derivatives dogmatical and dogmatism.
Doctrine: Teaching; instruction. That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances. Syn. — Precept; tenet; principle; maxim; dogma. —
On the relationship between doctrine and precept: Doctrine denotes whatever is recommended as a speculative truth to the belief of others. Precept is a rule down to be obeyed. Doctrine supposes a teacher; precept supposes a superior, with a right to command.
Still confused? In both dogma and doctrine there does not have to be real truth. They are truth because some one or some body of persons says that they are true. So the dogma and doctrines that we deal with in religion are, for the most part, the speculations of their originators that are put forth; formally stated and authoritatively settled by they themselves.
Understanding this we will go forward without regard to them and try to uncover some Light and the reality of the teachings of the Master.
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.
This is Saturday’s post prepared on Friday. If you are seeing this part it is because I could not get back to change the Quote of the Day and so we are left with yesterdays which is repeated below.
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end (Hebrews 3:14). This is the first time that a quote has been recycled but since I thought that it fit so well in this theme, I decided to use it again. In this quote of the day is found the Faith that is needed to bring the life of the Christ Within to expression in this world. Is there a better way this could have been said? Hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast so that once we see the Light or feel the effect of Faith that we should not turn back but we should stay with the Light toward our goal which is to be part with Christ and to bring forth the Christ Within. Jesus reflects on this when He says also: “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Be STEADFAST.
