Author Archives: BenFaulkner

Our Youth and Young Adults

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Have MATURE PEOPLE of God really been watching what’s going on currently with our youth and young adults?

Does the Bible have anything to say about such things as “Occupy Wall Street” and other such movements?

The Book of Proverbs is a book of parables and “dark” sayings (meaning “not immediately obvious” or possibly, “difficult to understand”). There is much wisdom in this book.  And, there is a special passage that thinking people can benefit from studying with regards to our youth and young adults.  Consider the possibility that these verses are describing our CURRENT set of circumstances.

Proverbs 30:11-14 (11) There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  (12) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.  (13) There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.  (14) There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.  

Regarding verse 11: Instead of honoring fathers and blessing mothers, have you noticed fathers are being despised and mothers are being greatly criticized?  (And, of course, SOME of the “blame” can rest on the parents, but certainly not all, and certainly not in all situations).

Regarding verse12: This phrase refers to self-righteousness.  The generation being described may be able to see the faults of others, but not of itself.

Regarding verse 13: Clearly, this verse describes a pride.  This generation has lofty goals, many of which may not be feasible.  Perhaps, there is even a sense of forcing these goals on others.  The generation in this verse may believe that anything they set out to do can be accomplished…it’s just a matter of how much they would be willing to pay, or what kinds of things they may be willing to do.

Regarding verse 14: The generation described in this verse has an active greed without the benefit of a conscience.  It is a dangerous and violent generation.

Current events involving our youth and young adults are alarming!  Let us watch and pray!  We need God’s ways to be the standard for our conduct and that of our youth and young adults!

 

Is the Old Testament Still “Inspired” By God?

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According to the Apostle Paul, the most prolific New Testament writer, ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God.

When Paul wrote his letters to Timothy, Paul referred to the Old Testament.  He asserted how the Scriptures could rightly be used.

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Notice that the use of the Old Testament Scriptures is not limited to historical accounts.  These Scriptures are profitable to us for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

Many people carry only copies of the New Testament writings, with Psalms and Proverbs possibly being added.  And, of course, these are inspired Words from God.  We need to read them and use them for doctrine, reproof, correction, and righteousness.  AND, we need the Old Testament as well. True Believers need not limit ourselves by ignoring the “inspired” Word of God.  Let us never ignore or disregard ANY of God’s Words to us.

The Apostle Matthew quoted Jesus Who puts it best!

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Yes!  By EVERY WORD!  And, that most certainly includes the Old Testament Scriptures.

 

Are the Old Testament Scriptures Reliable?

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Jesus indicated that they were!  And, they are also validated as reliable through the New Testament writings of the early Church leaders.

It is important to realize that prior to Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection, the ONLY Scriptures were those in the Old Testament (currently referred to as the Tenach by the Jews).  New Testament books were not written, so when Jesus spoke of the Scriptures, or said, “It is written,” He could not have been speaking of the Gospels, Acts, or the other New Testament books.

Our Savior validated God’s Word when He answered Satan’s challenges by quoting from Deuteronomy 8:3.

Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 

Notice, that Jesus also said that those very Scriptures testified about Him.

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

When Jesus was dealing with the leaders of that time, He frequently referred them to the Scriptures, sometimes saying, “It is written,” or, not knowing the scriptures.

Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 

Jesus often quoted from the Scriptures as in these examples.

Matthew 4:7, 10; 11:10; 21:13; 26:31

In the book of Acts, we find early believers searched those Scriptures daily.  They trusted them to help them prove the truth about our Savior and the wonderful things God was accomplishing.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

And, later, New Testament writings underscored the trustworthiness of the Old Testament.  For example, Paul reminded the young evangelist, Timothy, how he had been schooled by them.  Paul asserted that those Scriptures were connected to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Clearly, God wants us to know that we can trust the Old Testament!