The Plural of Abraham’s God

The God of Abraham is singular.  Always singular.  Except in four verses, where in dialogue God says “us” and “our.”

Modern Christians often say these instances acknowledge the Trinity.  Except: Trinity is not universally accepted in Christianity, nor would any Jew acknowledge its legitimacy.  If Christian theology is the correct interpreter of these passages, then Abraham, Moses, all the prophets, and the apostles misunderstood the basic concept of who God was.  How then can we trust anything they believed?  Since Christianity is built upon their foundation, then Christianity falls with them.

There have always been explanations besides Trinity for these passages.  Not all clarify the context.  For example, “God spoke like a king” is not consistent with overall scripture since everywhere else God speaks of Himself in the singular.  Therefore, the passages need explanations acceptable to the Jewish writers, which do not distort their message.  Clarification must come from their texts or it misrepresents their understanding of God.

Isaiah 6:8b – “Whom shall I send?  And who will go for us?” (NIV)

Isaiah’s vision did not depict a human-shaped god, not the Son, not a Trinity.  The Holy One did not command from a mighty castle or sit upon a baroque throne.  Isaiah saw the Jewish God who descended within the Holy of Holies, above the Mercy Seat, between the wings of the bronze cherubim.  His train filled the temple like a copious textile depiction of glory. 

God reigns as the eternal King, in contrast to the governmental transition recently held in Jerusalem.  But here, a crowd did not bow in joyous celebration or anticipate each possible desire.  Isaiah knelt alone and God pled for someone to hear and act.

He used a singular pronoun in the first question: only God sends.  Other entities, not deities, support His call for a righteous messenger.  God’s second question recognized them all.

Instead of an inflated ego, our God acknowledges His followers.

Genesis 3:22a – “…Behold, the man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.” (NIV)

Obviously, humans were not included in “one of us.”  The only other beings mentioned in the Bible, who know the difference between good and evil, were angels (obedient or fallen).

Immediately after this statement, Cherubim guard the garden.  Here again, God informs those involved.  The dialogue allows us to know why.

Instead of arrogance, God engaged His subordinate.

Genesis 1:26a – “…Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” (NIV)

Several theological interpretations exist to explain this passage.  Besides Trinity, the most popular says God spoke to angels who were the lights of Day 1.  However, Genesis One never gives spirituality to this light or introduces any sentient being until humans.

The writer of the poem presented only two characters: Creator and creation.  Instead of God talking to himself or someone else, He spoke to the only other character, Everything Else.

Creator informed creation that what came next was something different.  Then, He commanded creation to help create humanity.  With this explanation of the word “us” and “our,” God employed evolution, not rejected it.  We evolved in the likeness of the Creator’s good universe and then He infused His likeness.

Instead of haughtiness, God enjoyed including everything.

Genesis 11:7a – “Come, let us go down and confuse their language…” (NIV)

The only problematic passage of the four is this one.

Paul described church communication troubles in 1 Corinthians.  He would have known the Babel story, but did not believe anarchy characterized God (v. 14:33).  Jesus prayed that his followers would live unified, as He and His Father “are” One (John 17:11).  He clearly told them circumstances make that goal difficult.

So, where does confusion come from?

In the literal translation of the Hebrew, Genesis 11 verses 3, 4, and 7 begin with the same imperative, often translated “come.”  The leaders of the people and God used the exact same words to enlist assistance.  Jesus and the Spirit do the will of Father/God innately.  They are not minions that need to be compelled.

So, who helps God and why?

The text does not present another character, but the Bible mentions possible options.  Listed below are two spiritual and one natural case that satisfy the mystery without imposing a Trinity.  One or more could be the hidden character(s) that help accomplish the task of mingling language and ending the building project.

1.      Satan: He loves twisting words.  In the parable of the sower, Jesus said the Devil’s children choked the word from those who heard the Good News (Matthew 13:37-39; Mark 4:15).  This case is like the Isaiah 6 interpretation: God acknowledges the one willing to work.

2.      Angels: Before the Israelites entered Canaan, God sent an angel (messenger) before them (Exodus 23:20-30).  It brought terror (confusion) into the enemy’s camps, aiding in their destruction.  The angel would not even tolerate rebellion within the Israelite’s camp.  This case is similar to the Genesis 3:22 interpretation: God informs the assistant of its task.

  

3.      Neighboring city-states: Nothing in the Babel story requires this group to be the only people on Earth.  If other people existed, they probably spoke other languages.  When diverse people mingled, the cultural differences caused division.  This case is like the Genesis 1:26 interpretation: God used natural events to shape the future.

[Excerpts from Creation’s Parables by Jo Helen Cox]

What’s in Your Vessel?

Our existence dictates we hold onto things.  From childhood, our fingers grab.  Young minds learn to say “mine.”  We bond with family and friends as part of our identity.  Trinkets remind us of events and people no longer present in our lives.  Stuff makes life interesting and more comfortable.

Not all possessions are beneficial; not all relationships are healthy.  Yet, we hold onto them as precious.  The thought of letting go, compels a stronger grip.  We even hide them at the back of the “closet” to keep them safe. 

But, letting go is exactly what God asks us to do.

In metaphor, the Bible describes people as vessels.  This is simply objects that hold things: a cup, a bowl, a box, an urn.  We are born as a vessel filled with pure life.  Almost immediately, we start to displace that fluid with mental and emotional possessions.  Think of these as pebbles, marbles, and bits of stuff that fill a child’s secret box.  Some memories are pretty; they bring us joy.  But, if they are not shared they become dusty.  Some memories are just lumps that take up space.  But, we can’t get rid of these because they are part of the collection.  Then there are memories that hurt.  Razor sharp edges slice deep each time they are touched.  Some of these memories grow like a fungus.  They coat every memory in slimy poison.  The old pain even taints new memories.  Disgust, anger, and hatred become our identity.

God wants to clean out our life deforming collection.  As soon as we give up control of “mine,” He starts to refill our vessel with the water of life.  If we give Him permission, He will wash away the sludge and pull out the sharp bits.  He even plugs the holes that let His presence “escape.”  This is a process, not a single life-changing event.  We have the opportunity to receive a lifetime of life-changing events.  God customizes each one to free us.  Just let go.

Relax.  God likes pretty keepsakes too.  Cleaned up, these reflect God’s love and are ready to share.  He does not wipe away our memories.  He removes the devastating emotions associated with them.  He frees us from the obsessions that cripple our future.  We become a testimony to God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy.

Now, that is a great box of treasures!

What Is Sin?

"Satan and sin command powerful forces over people."  That statement is not biblical.  It is Satan's lie.

Neither Satan nor sin commands real power.  Sin is simply a thought or action directed by the person sinning.  Satan wants us to think he controls the world, claiming dominion through Adam’s sin.  In believing his lie, we grant him influence over our birthright and credit him for making us sin.  Actually, God retains control over everything.  Additions to the biblical stories attribute God’s authority to something inside creation.  That is idolatry.

The Bible stories credit God for the creation of everything.  If everything truly meant everything, then from the beginning, “everything” included sin and death.

God does not sin (transgress law) nor does He force any person to sin (James 1:13-15).  Yet, God is responsible for giving humans the ability to sin and become evil.

God is not “too holy” to look on sin.  That is a religious addition.  Sin never repulsed God.  Our all-knowing God deliberately spoke to Adam and Eve after they sinned, then He taught them to make clothing to relieve their discomfort.  If God is everywhere, then He is with each person while they sin.  He is with us when we do evil.  Without the capability to experience sin and evil, His children would not be able to choose “goodness,” His image.

Satan knows our animalistic cravings overwhelm self-control.  His whispers twist our desires to justify the want of possessions and power.  We stop resisting temptation and do the work for him.

To preserve reputation, people bend truth and embrace deception.  They incorporate lies to hide behind a veil of “good-ness.”  We divert blame onto someone else.  We humans even kill to conceal guilt.  Evil becomes normal, and truth turns loathsome.  In a life filled with evil thoughts, the soul is lost in the distortion.

Sin and evil are similar but not the same.  Sin is a choice that goes against law (James 4:17; Romans 5:13; 1 John 3:4) with a distinction made between accidental sins and defiant sins.  On the other hand, evil is a choice to manipulate or harm someone for selfish gain or without just provocation.  Sin is not always evil, yet evil always begins as sin.

Eve sinned before she touched the fruit and so did Adam, because they chose to disobey.  God let them.  When Adam saw that Eve did not die, he trusted his eyes and her taste buds over the command of God.  They sinned against God’s law before either knew evil.

Eating the fruit gave Adam and Eve knowledge like God’s, the ability to choose between good and evil.  That knowledge came with a price: shame.  They realized they were no longer innocent, so their spiritual self-image became distorted.  Without something (repentance) to cleanse within, sin slowly killed their souls.

The first translation of the Old Testament was into Greek, and the New Testament was written in Greek.  This was done so more people could read the message.  However, because of that, an outside definition of “sin” influenced, and still influences, our understanding.

The most common word for sin in the Hebrew depicts actions that are bad or evil because they oppose God’s ways.  Other words imply actions that are morally wrong, cause guilt, or are rebellious.  Such actions deserve punishment under Law because they defy Law.

The literal meaning of the word “sin” in Greek is “miss the mark,” or figuratively, “an ethical error.”  Too many Christians live under the curse of “Greek sin.”  Imperfections become sin, where mistakes reap the consequence of eternal punishment.  Every denomination has rituals to offset this outcome, but the next mistake returns guilt onto the petitioner, which require more rituals (1 John 5:17-18).

Most mistakes are not sins.  As in mathematics, 2+2=5 is wrong; correct the error and continue.  We make mistakes, but sin requires deliberate trespass against a law set by an authority and held by community.  God asks us to repent.  Do not intensify what God simply erases.

[Excerpts from God Makes Us Holy by Jo Helen Cox]

One Tree’s Life

Jesus rode a colt into Jerusalem while the people shouted “Hosanna!”  He cleansed the Temple of moneychangers and set His fate with the Pharisees.  He also killed a fig tree.  (Matthew 21:1-22; Mark 11:1-25)

These events seem an abrupt change of character.  Jesus was usually reserved about telling people who He really was.  Yet, riding a colt into the city announced His kingship (Zechariah 9:9).  The people expected this king to defeat enemies and bring peace.  This ride solidified the religious leader’s rejection of His authority.  It gave them reason to believe that He might try to usurp their authority.

He was out of character at the Temple.  Instead of drawing people to teach, He made a whip and drove them away.  For this holiday, vendors had set up shop inside the Temple walls.  High priced souvenirs and the temptation of trade-in animals for a “better” sacrifice distracted worship from God.  Jesus said the Temple had become “a den of robbers” (Jeremiah 7:11).  This referenced passage told the people that their bought sacrifices were worthless because lip service did not conceal daily actions.  Jesus told them that God would destroy this Temple just like the last one.  Without change, there would not be peace.  Destruction would come (Malachi 4:4-6).

Jesus said the Temple should “be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7).  Mosaic Law forbids many types of people from entering the Temple to make a sacrifice.  But, those who were in charge only kept Law outwardly.  They made everyone else feel unworthy of love by God.  Therefore, God would change the Law.  He would grant entrance to all those who followed His ways, even non-Jews.

Then there was the tree.  It simply stood there and did not provide breakfast.  Was that so wrong?  Did it deserve death?  Most theologians interpret the event as a sign that Jerusalem would perish and destruction would be quick.  They see the tree’s death as one more sign of the power of Jesus.

I do not see it that way.

When the apostles asked about the withering, Jesus responded that faith gives power to our words.  Faith should fill our words with forgiveness.

Now, that sounds in-line with the character and message of Jesus.  He explained our potential but not His action.  That lets it becomes a parable, which explains why forgiveness is so important.

About a year before, Jesus told the parable of the fig tree (Luke 13:6-9).  The landowner wanted it cut down because it had not produced fruit.  The gardener begged for the tree’s life.  He would cultivate and fertilize the soil.  Maybe, it was nutrient starved.  In a year, they would know the tree’s worth.  Without fruit, it would die.

Jesus recognized the signs.  Maybe not all the details, but from scripture and the Father, He knew His life was about to end painfully.  He told His friends snippets of what was about to happen.  He predicted the coming war and the destruction of their beloved Temple.  More importantly, Jesus understood it all started that week.

For any human, such knowledge brings stress.  Jesus was fully human and experienced all our emotions.  The fig tree died when the human side of Jesus vented frustration.  He then fully realized what His words could do and told the disciples that His emotions influenced His words.  What happened was not good.  He killed instead of healed.  Their emotions could do the same.

This event had a profound affect on Jesus.  Without it happening at that critical point, He might not have kept silent during the insulting interrogation, the bloody sentencing, and the agonizing conviction.  He might have cried out to God for vengeance.  Jerusalem would have died that day.  The savior of the world would have become the executioner.  The reason for His existence would have abruptly ended.

But, Jesus learned from God.  Through the pain, Jesus kept His mouth closed.  He did not defend or condemn.  Jesus even asked God to forgive the actions done through ignorance.  Because a tree died, God granted Jerusalem 40 more years to change her ways, 40 years to learn righteousness, 40 years to become fruitful.

The faithful learned.  The leaders drove them away as heretics.  The people of Jerusalem condemned themselves.  The Owner of that “tree” cut it down.

Moral: Remember that when your heart aligns with God, forgiveness brings life and angry venting brings death.  Your words mean something.  They change the world.

Observation of Opposites

[This is my paraphrase of Luke 6:17-38 and Matthew 5:1-12]

Crowds came to touch Jesus.  They knew healing power flowed through Him.  All they needed was a touch from God’s prophet.  If only they could reach Him.

Jesus saw the desperation.  He knew suffering brought them.  Yet, He felt the spiritual void in the population.  They wanted a quick fix, magic not the presence of God.  They desired a change in their outer situation, but did not see any need to change their inner being.  If only He could reach them. 

The healer turned to his disciples, and said:

“Happy are the spiritually obedient (meek), because God gives them the earth.

“Happy are the spiritually loyal (poor), because they live in the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Happy are holy hearts (sanctified), because their eyes see God.

“Happy are those who hunger for righteousness, because God fills them.

“Happy are those who mourn for lost righteousness, because God will give laughter.

“Happy are those who make peace, because God proclaims them His children.

“So, be happy when people hate, exclude, and reject you as evil, because you follow the Son of Man.  They treated the prophets the same.  Rejoice!  Great is your heavenly reward.

“Mourn for those greedy for wealth, because God will end their comfort.

“Mourn for the satiated, because God will dry up their food supply.

“Mourn for those who live to party, because God will give them reason to despair.

“Mourn for all in high standing, because they are like their fathers who lavished affection on false prophets.

“Hear this!  Love your enemies.  Treat them well.  Bless those who curse you.  Pray for those who smear your reputation.  When they strike you, willingly let them strike you again.  If you only love those who love you, than how are you different from any unbeliever?  Even the most degenerate person does good things for those who respond likewise. 

“Give generously to those who ask, and do not expect a return.  If they steal from you, freely give them something of higher value.  Do these things because you want to be treated that way.

“Hear this!  Act like children of the One God.  Be merciful.  He is gentle with those who do evil.  He gives without expecting interest or requiring repayment.  However, God judges and condemns those who mistreat others.  So, do not judge selfishly.  Do not condemn without empathy.  Free people of your expectations, so that you can be free.  God repays generosity with abundance.”

Silencing Arguments

The theologians discussed hermeneutics.  They came to no conclusion.  One man insisted every word was literal; everything must be held as deep truth.  Another man countered that the Bible held too many contradictions; we pick one and stick with it.  A third man rolled his eyes and blurted out, "We all interpret what we read; each person comes at it differently."  An old missionary agreed but added that cultures understand the words differently.  A historian added that we might not understand what the ancient writer’s culture believed.  The next man said translation hampers our understanding; words have multiple meanings.  The last scholar shook his finger and chastised them for over-thinking everything; just follow tradition.

Others sat around listening.  They finally figured out the big word simply meant “how to understand and apply biblical scripture.”  They realized these arguments repeatedly ripped the church apart throughout its history.  Often groups turned to hatred, rejecting the conviction of opposing groups.  Occasionally, they simply stopped debating and “agreed to disagree.”  It all felt hopeless.  How were they to know?  The people wished for something simple. 

A boy stood up.  To get anyone’s attention, he whistled loudly, as if with his friends.  The room focused glares onto him.  “Sirs,” he said.  “Where is the love?”  Eyebrows shot up across the room.  “My teacher said we should always do what Jesus said, ‘love God’ and ‘love each other.’  All of God’s laws relate back to these two.  Shouldn’t everything we believe show the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God?  If it doesn’t, why do we make it law?”

The old men bowed their heads, just like the men who wanted to stone the adulteress.