got any batteries for that thing?
“You don’t buy a flashlight to stare at the bulb. The purpose of a lamp is not to illuminate itself but other things. Similarly, apart from its revelation of God, God’s Word is meant to be a light on creation, helping us to see properly the World that God has made.
If we walk at night we do not stare at our flashlight, nor do we point it at the sky or at our feet. Rather we point it forward and down, hitting the ground about six feet ahead.
We need to study not only God’s Word but also God’s world; we study the world in light of the Word. We need to study not only Isaiah but also Industry. Not only Philemon but also Politics, Not only Acts but the arts. It is not for us to choose between knowing the Bible or the world; we need to know the world biblically.
As we study the Scriptures, we need to shine them on the questions that lie before us on our pilgrimage. This includes not only questions about our personal life and the church, but also the farmer’s question of how and what to plant, or how to make our daily bread, and for us, how to deal with fields, factories, studies, and politics.” Quote from Paul Marshall – Heaven is not my Home
Some how this illustration connects with my blog on Monday Feb. 13th
1 comment:
This is good: we need to know the world biblically.
We all know from Psalms, Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
And this is SO important: As we study the Scriptures, we need to shine them on the questions that lie before us on our pilgrimage. This includes not only questions about our personal life and the church, but also the farmer’s question of how and what to plant, or how to make our daily bread, and for us, how to deal with fields, factories, studies, and politics.
It seems the focus has often moved to ME and MY CHURCH, and away from the world at large.
What do you think about James Dobson and his crew? They seem determined to apply their understanding of the Scriptures to politics, etc. Is that something different than what Marshall is describing?
Good stuff, my brother. Thanks.
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