The Path — 3/26/24
Paragraphs, Authority, Martin Luther, Soul Care, & Why Kids Matter
This week, we discuss how to observe Scripture at the paragraph level, the authority of God’s Word, Martin Luther and the impact of the Word, soul care in the life of the church, and why kids matter.
Translation & Exegesis
Last week, we were challenged to read Scripture more deeply by the authors of Grasping God’s Word. Specifically, we were challenged to pour over the text of Scripture like a lovesick teenager reading a love letter by paying attention to every detail at the sentence level. We were advised to look out for repetition of words, contrasts, comparisons, lists, cause and effect, figures of speech, conjunctions, verbs, and pronouns.
In chapter 4, Duvall and Hays challenge us to observe the text at the paragraph level. Like a science student analyzing every detail of a fish, we ought to “look, look, look.” There are 10 things that we are told to look for in paragraphs:
Questions and answers—Note if the text is built on a question-and-answer format.
Dialogue—Note if the text includes dialogue. Identify who is speaking and to whom.
Means—Note if a sentence indicates that something was done by means of someone/something (answers “how?”). Usually you can insert the phrase “by means of” into the sentence.
Purpose/result statements—These are a more specific type of “means,” often telling why. Purpose and result are similar and sometimes indistinguishable. In a purpose statement, you usually can insert the phrase “in order that.” In a result clause, you usually can insert the phrase “so that.”
General to specific and specific to general—Find the general statements that are followed by specific examples or applications of the general. Also find specific statements that are summarized by a general one.
Conditional clauses—A clause can present the condition by which some action or consequence will result. Often such statements use an “if … then” framework (although in English the “then” is often left out).
Actions/roles of God—Identify actions or roles that the text ascribes to God.
Actions/roles of people—Identify actions or roles that the text ascribes to people or encourages people to do/be.
Emotional terms—Does the passage use terms that have emotional energy, like kinship words (“father,” “son”) or words like “pleading”?
Tone of the passage—What is the overall tone of the passage: happy, sad, encouraging, and so on?
The following is an example from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. I had the privilege of preaching on this passage last Sunday at Faith Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina.
Let us keep digging deeper and deeper into God’s Word!
Theology
The authority of the Holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, dependeth not upon the testimony of any man or church, but wholly upon God who is truth itself, the author thereof; therefore it is to be received because it is the Word of God.
The London Baptist Confession of Faith, Chapter 1, Paragraph 4
This paragraph speaks of the authority of Scripture. As discussed previously, Scripture is the only rule of faith and practice. If it is our rule, then it has authority in our lives.
This authority does not depend on any individual or church. Faith in the Word of God rests solely in the authority of God. Referencing key texts such as 2 Peter 1:19-21 and 2 Timothy 3:16, the LBC stands against any sort of belief that someone else needs to advocate for or authenticate Scripture. The Bible speaks for itself.
As we seek to learn more about God and his will for us, we should not let the unbelief or rejection of others keep us from believing and accepting the Bible. “The authority of the spoken and written Word is found in God who is truth Himself” (A New Exposition of the London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689, pg. 47).
Church History
Martin Luther is one of the most significant figures in church history. He was key in the Protestant Reformation, inspiring other reformers by publishing his 95 theses, translating the Bible into the vernacular, and writing many other works. The fact that the word of God comes to us in a book shaped both Martin Luther and the Reformation.
In 27 Servants of Sovereign Joy, John Piper explains why we should listen to Luther and the difference the book made in his life. People today, especially pastors, should listen to Luther for three reasons. First, he was a preacher, so he knew the burden and pressure of regular preaching. Second, Luther was a family man, meaning he experienced the joys and pains of parenthood. Third, Luther was not an ivory-tower scholar, but a churchman.
The importance Luther placed on the study of Scripture had major impacts on his life and ministry. First, he elevated teachings of Scripture over the teachings of commentators or church fathers. Second, Luther engaged in an intense and serious grappling with the words of the biblical writers, especially Paul. Third, he was convinced that reading Greek and Hebrew was one of the greatest privileges and responsibilities of a preacher. Fourth, in spite of tremendous obstacles, Luther exhibited extraordinary diligence. Fifth, in Luther’s opinion, trials make a theologian. Finally, prayer and dependence on God were paramount.
I pray that I would develop a similar dedication to God and his word.
Biblical Counseling
In Chapter 3 of Biblical Counseling and the Church, Garrett Higbee discusses the relationship between biblical counseling and soul care in the church. He presents a good summary of the biblical counseling movement that I lack the space to cover here. Instead, I will focus on what Higbee refers to as the "Counseling in Community" (CIC) approach.
The CIC approach seeks to incorporate counseling and discipleship into the regular life of the church. It tries to avoid placing biblical counseling into its own silo, separate from the rest of the church's ministries. It involves advocacy in the formal counseling relationship. The CIC approach also focuses more on prevention and emphasizes the "one-anothers."
Biblical counseling places great importance on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture (Hebrews 4:12) and progressive sanctification (Romans 15:4). These provide power and hope in biblical counseling and discipleship. The CIC approach emphasizes a third component: priesthood and community (John 13:35). This emphasis reminds us of our call to love one another.
This type of care requires time and effort, but we should all commit to caring for and loving those around us.
Pastoral Ministry
All people matter to God, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity or nationality. And children seem to have a particularly tender place in His heart. George Barna, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, pg. 45
Last week, we examined some statistics about the spiritual health of children. These statistics alone serve as important reasons to invest in children’s ministry. This week, we continue discussing why children matter.
First, children matter to God. There are many passages that reveal this, such as Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Psalm 127:3; Matthew 18:3, 19:14; and Ephesians 6:1-4.
Second, children should matter to you and me. Name the people who are leaders to you today. Consider the fact that they were once children whose potential was identified and shaped by those who preceded them. The most significant development in a person’s life takes place between the ages of two and nine. If we want to truly impact the lives of those around us, we ought to direct our resources to those who will benefit from them the most.
Third, children matter on the battlefront. Spiritual warfare is our reality. This battlefield is most often found in the hearts, minds, and souls of children. The best way to prepare individuals for the present and future is to prepare them while they are young.
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Soli Deo Gloria,
Caleb Friske