I wonder... #20

I wonder...
"Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness'—and he was called a friend of God."James 2:21-23

What does James mean when he says, that Abraham's "faith was completed by his works"?

The Greek word for "was completed" (τελειόω, 'to make whole, perfect, complete') is from the τελ- word group, which "can mean both moral integrity and the unblemished wholeness of a sacrifice offered in the Temple" (Bauckham). This "cultic resonance" comes from its use in the Septuagint to describe sacrifices that meet Mosaic purity laws...How might the use of this word serve to clarify the discussion of faith and works in James by placing it in the context of his broader theme of wholehearted devotion to God (a theme brought up also 2:23b by referring to Abraham as "a friend of God"--contrast with 4:4)?

Also, what does James mean by saying that Abraham's faith was "active along with his works"? The Greek word for "active along with" is actually the etymological root for the English word synergy. What does he mean by "active along with"? Is this different from saying that Abraham's words supplemented his faith?

Finally, how is "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness" fulfilled? Is James treating this declaration in the same way we treat prophecy? Is this declaration anticipating Gen 22? Or is James drawing an antithetical parallel to his hypothetical interlocutor in 2:18 who "says" that he has faith even without works? Is James' point, "God's word is not a void declaration, because Abraham's works fulfill (or complete) God's declaration that Abraham is righteous" (contrasting what God "says" with what his opponent "says")? Or is James drawing a connection to what he has said early in the same chapter concerning fulfilling the royal law (2:8)?

"It is I to whom it is speaking"--Kierkegaard

"When you read God's Word you must (so that you actually do some to see yourself in the mirror) remember to say to yourself incessantly: It is I to whom it is speaking; It is I about whom it is speaking...If God's Word is for you merely a doctrine, something impersonal and objective, then it is no mirror--an objective doctrine cannot be called a mirror; it is just as impossible to look at yourself in an objective doctrine as to look at yourself in a wall. And if you want to relate impersonally (objectively) to God's Word, there can be no question of looking at yourself in the mirror, because it takes a personality, an I, to look at oneself in a mirror; a wall can be seen in a mirror, but a wall cannot see itself or look at itself in a mirror. No, while reading God's Word you must incessantly say to yourself: It is I to whom it is speaking; It is I about whom it is speaking."

It is I...

I wonder... #19

I wonder...

What does "amen" mean to you in your prayers? ὰμήν (if you were curious what the Greek looked like), roughly means "verily," "so let it be," "truly," "indeed," etc. It is a declaration of a truth that the speaker firmly believes in. It is also an expression of sincere desire, highlighting the importance of a prayer request to the speaker (i.e. "Lord, please heal so and so...amen"). It denotes something truly.

Seems simple enough...but I am concerned with how we think about "amen"...I do not know about you, but I often find myself thinking about "amen" as leading me out of "prayer time"...However, prayers (those who pray) must move into their prayers (what they pray).

Do not let "Amen" end your prayers, rather let it define the life that you live--let your life be that prayer, a prayer without ceasing. "Amen" should not stop something, it should begin something, a way of looking at life, a way of comporting yourself, a way of acting, etc. Let it denote resolve. Let it define your hope, love, purpose, and perspective.

"Amen" is a door into a heavenly reality, step through and realize/actualize the kingdom of God, here and now...

So I end here, and at the end I hope to begin, ending with the last words of Scripture.

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen." (Rev. 22:20-21)

Let us live into this reality. Amen.

I wonder... #18

I wonder...

My Lord, I find that nothing else will do,
But follow where thou goest, sit at thy feet,
And where I have thee not, still run to meet.
Roses are scentless, hopeless are the morns,
Rest is but weakness, laughter crackling thorns,
If thou, the Truth, do not make them true:
Thou art my life, O Christ, and nothing else will do.

What does it mean to acknowledge that God is the heart of every joy and that without Him there is no beauty, rest, hope, or happiness? What would it look like (practically speaking) to live out this principle? What decisions would you make? How would you spend your time? What would your thoughts and conversations consist of?

In prayer, the practical outworking of this principle seems rather clear (i.e. see poem). But when I am talking with friends, reading books, looking at art, listening to music etc., its implications on my conduct are not very clear.

In my own life I have felt a tension between delighting in God and delighting in His creation. Receiving blessings is hard to do (i.e. to be the pure man to whom all things are pure). Yet it is vital to learn how to receive blessings, because we are creatures and creatures (by being contingent beings) are naturally recipients of blessing. You have been receiving and will receive blessings every second of your life. God grant discernment on how to receive His blessings well and live out the Psalmist's prayer:

"One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple." (Psalm 27:4)

A Prayer for the Virtues--Thomas Aquinas

O Almighty and all-knowing God, without beginning or end, who art the giver, preserver, and rewarder of all virtue:
Grant me to stand firm on the solid foundation of faith, be protected by the invincible shield of hope, and be adorned by the nuptial garment of charity;
Grant me by justice to obey thee, by prudence to resist the crafts of the Devil, by temperance to hold to moderation, by fortitude to bear adversity with patience;
Grant that the goods that I have I may share liberally with those who have not, and the good that I do not have I may seek with humility from those who have;
Grant that I may truly recognize the guilt of the evil I have done, and bear with equanimity the punishments I have deserved; that I may never lust after the goods of my neighbor, but always give thanks to thee for all thy good gifts.
Plant in me, O Lord, all thy virtues, that in divine matters I might be devout, in human affairs wise, and in the proper needs of the flesh onerous to no one.
And grant that I may never rush to do things hastily, nor balk to do things demanding, so that I neither yearn for things too soon, nor desert things before they are finished.
Amen.