Big Buts of the Bible

Strange But True

As I type this I've just thumbed through the 260 pages of manuscript paper it took the composer a mere 24 days to fill--Handel's Messiah.  What a masterpiece!

Handel composed Messiah in August and September of 1741.  You have perhaps heard that when a servant interrupted Handel near the completion of his work, the composer, with tears streaming down his face said, "I think that I did see all of heaven open before me, and the great God Himself."

Messiah was first publicly performed in 1742, but it didn't receive popular praise during Handel's lifetime.  Instead, it was some twenty-five years after his death, during a series of performances at Westminster Abbey to celebrate the centenary of his birth, that Messiah began to gain great popularity.

Here's a bit of Messiah's story that I'll bet you didn't know; strange but true.

In 1784 as Messiah was becoming the talk of the town, preacher John Newton took strong exception.  The name John Newton you'll recognize, as his life and coversion are so well known in history--the composer of the great (and autobiographical) hymn Amazing Grace.  Newton, the preacher at St. Mary Woolnorth in London at the time of the Westminster Abbey performances of Handel's work, took issue with Messiah saying it was a "base rendering of the texts from which it was drawn" and given to "secular venue performance."  Newton set out to preach the very sacred texts Messiah was based upon, and did so every Sunday for nearly two years, railing against the public performances of Messiah week in and week out from his pulpit.

Base and secular.  Would those two words ever enter anyone in the church's thinking about Messiah today?

Strange but true, and worthy of giving us pause.  Often times in the history of our faith, good men have disagreed about what is good and worthy, and what is base and secular.  We look back over a couple hundred years and see the contributions to the expression of our faith of both G.F. Handel and John Newton as invaluable.  And to think that in their day they would have been at odds about it.

Strange but true, the same thing happens today.  Especially where culture in the church--music, art, literature and technology are concerned.  What lessons can we learn?

Letters To The Church /11

Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11.  Chapter five argued that there should be differences evident in the conduct of believers compared to those in the world; there are different values; there are standards to which believers should hold one another accountable.  As we enter chapter six, Paul continues that theme--but approaches it from a slightly different angle.

Disputes between believers were landing them in litigation before unbelieving judges.  Notice the words that Paul uses to set this scene, "Dare he take it before the ungodly?"  Twice repeating, "Do you not know... ?"  Leaving no doubt, Paul admits, "I say this to shame you!"  By verse 5 Paul has moved to a rhetorical question, no doubt with a hint of sarcasm, "Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge?"  If you recall the beginnings of this letter, the church at Corinth was a tremendously gifted body of believers, and wisdom was something they boasted.  Of course there were people in their midst who could have served in this capacity!  But...

But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers.

You can feel the weight of that statement.  This shouldn't be happening!

In the next couple of verses (7-8) Paul points to this behavior as evidence that the people in the church are defeated--given to their own selfishness and conceit.  He asks them, "Wouldn't it have been better... ?"  There's a greater cause than your own wants and desires.  You're a part of a new economy now--a Kingdom economy.

Verses 9 - 11 contrast the behavior of the world with that of the church.  These things are expected of those who are not followers of Christ--and notice it's a very similar list to that in chapter five.  Here, however, Paul puts those behaviors in proper perspective: this is what some of you were.  That sets up a huge but.

But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

This but should put believers in a place of great humility--and thankfulness.  Believer, you are different because Christ has done something in you.  You are not an unbeliever anymore.  You don't walk to the standards and ideals of this world anymore.  You should have a higher regard for the name of the Lord.

But Why?

Recently a friend of mine learned she cannot have a child. I know that she would be a great mom.  Not long ago I met a child who was sold into prostitution by her own mother at the age of seven.  Now I ask you, wouldn't things have been better off (and wouldn't children have been better served) if God had allowed my friend to conceive while having that other mother to have been barren?

Together we could fill volumes with questions like this.  I've practically got enough for one volume from my own life and experience.

Here's a big but from Saint Augustine (from City of God) on the matter:

When we come to Judgment Day not only will the judgments passed there seem to be most just, but all the judgments of God from the beginning will be likewise clearly fair.  Then too it will also become clear how just the judgment of God is in causing so many--in fact, almost all--of his judgments to evade men's grasp of understanding.  Those who have faith will not fail to realize that such hidden judgments are just.

What I believe he was saying is that right now these things are beyond our ability to grasp, but one day they will all be understood in greater clarity.  Faith, then, becomes a key.  What does the bible say about faith?

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Letters To The Church /10

Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13.  The body of Christ is a living organism. The word body provides a great metaphor--where a body is concerned, health is critical.  That first but in the chapter revealed that radical action should be taken to protect the health and vitality of the body.  Just as an amputation might be necessary to safeguard the body from the spread of infection, so also steps need be taken to protect and preserve the body of Christ.

The next two buts point out a specific distinction to make:

I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy or swindlers or idolaters.  In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slandered, a drunkard or a swindler.  With such a man do not even eat.

This is the heart of the matter.  There should be a difference between those who profess to be followers of Christ and those who do not.  There should also be a different expectation and accountability.

But Makes Thy Glories Known

Isaac Watts is credited with having written somewhere near 1000 hymns for the church to sing.  He was rather controversial in his day--he dared to depart from the strick singing of scripture that stemmed from the teachings of John Calvin.  Are you ready for this?  Watts is believed to be the first worship song composer who created "original songs of Christian experience."

One of my favorite Watts songs is I Sing The Mighty Power of God.  It was initially composed as a children's song, although it grew to become a favorite of adults, utilized often in worship services and liturgies.  The lyrics paint pictures of God's creation, providence, and care--the third and final verse contains a great but--to the end that all of these things speak of God. 

There's not a plant or flower below, but makes Thy glories known;

And clouds arise, and tempests blow, by order from Thy throne;

While all that borrows life from Thee is ever in Thy care,

And everywhere that man can be, Thou, God are present there.

Learn more about Isaac Watts and his many great hymns here and here.

Letters To The Church /9

Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8.  There are only three buts to be found in chapter five, just one in this first section.  You get the feeling Paul's subject matter in this section is weighty enough.  He begins incredulously, "It is actually reported..." as if to beg 'Can you believe this?'

The things that Paul has been made aware of are the kind of things that are so scandalous that even the world would be shocked and disapproving.  How is it that the church could not only allow these things to go on, but also be proud of such licencious behavior?

The buts of the chapter speak to clarify the impropriety and to commend purity: Therefore let us keep the festival, not with the old yeast, yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread made without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.

Paul was illustrating this point: A little yeast will work through a whole batch of dough.  Just a little tolerated sin will spread like a cancer.

Say What?

"But is a fence over which few leap."  German Proverb

What do you make of this expression?

Letters To The Church /8

Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-7. In chapter three Paul spoke of God as the one orchestrating his perfect work--putting people in just the right places and at just the right times--to further his work.  Paul spoke of God's having revealed to his people the mystery of the gospel so that each could take his part in the process, some planting, some watering, but God himself giving the increase to the work.

Chapter four begins with telling words: So then... In other words, 'in light of what we've just learned, consider this.'  Consider what?  Men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.  Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

Paul clarifies that in this role God has called us, indeed prepared us, to play, we have responsibility.  He then turns to give a practical insight from his own life--utilizing the first but of the chapter.

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent.  It is the Lord who judges me.

What is Paul saying?  Keep in mind the greater context of the letter so far.  You recall that the wise of the day thought this message (and certainly those who proclaimed it) foolish.  Paul wasn't going to be discouraged in his role because the smartest people in town thought him a fool.  They weren't qualified to judge him--he wasn't even competent to judge these things himself--it is God who has this master plan at work who is able to discern just what is coming together and how.  What's crucial is that he and ministers like him proclaim the message faithfully (verse 2).  God takes care of the rest.

Verse 5 completes the thought: Judge nothing prematurely.  God will reveal all that we don't see clearly now, and then it will be a complete picture.  At that time the hearts of men (and the motives of those who have been a part of God's process) will be known.  At that time we'll see the fruits of our faithfulness, more importantly, the fruits of his faithfulness in and through us.

But as you look forward into the rest of chapter four, it looks as if Paul feels the need to state his point a little more... pointedly.  Look ahead for next time.

Letters To The Church /7

Read 1 Corinthians 3:10-23.  If the first three big buts of this chapter cut to the heart of the matter of divisiveness in the church at Corinth, the next couple provide warnings.

By the grace of God given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.

Materials and the manner in which one builds are called to question.  Reading this passage this week has caused me to think of the horrors in Haiti, result of the recent earthquake and aftershocks there.  One of the certain contributors to the huge loss of life is the fact that there are no building regulations there--materials and manner of building left to chance.  Paul, here, contrasts temporal versus eternal; perishable versus imperishable.

Notice Paul's choice of phrase: Do you not know?  Do not deceive yourselves!

The second but in this passage is rather curious.  If (what a man has built) is burned up, he will suffer loss, he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through flames.

What do you suppose Paul meant by that?  Some scholars have determined this to mean that the believer who has foolishly (or otherwise wrongly) built into the lives of others will be saved, but lose out on some precious rewards.  Others have argued over whether this is a statement on eternal security.  I've been wondering in a very different direction this week.

Over the years I've had a few friends who have, quite literally, escaped through flames--their homes being destroyed by fire.  One of the most painful consequences is having "lost everything."  Pictures. Memories. Heirlooms. Prized possessions. Gone.

I wonder if Paul has painted a picture for us of what it would be like to wake up in the Lord's presence and realize that the things you had poured your energy into and that you were so passionate about during your life were reduced to ashes, and worse--they were not meaningful to the Lord.  Because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire. 

Don't you know?  Do not be deceived!  Now those words seem very fitting, don't they?

 

You Want Pics?

No joke--I deleted a comment this week from someone who found this page by searching "Big Buts" in a search engine.  The comment wasn't nice.  Seems he was in search of some pictures of... er... plumbers.

The individual posting the comment evidently didn't realize that it is the conjunction but that is spelled with only one 't', while the fleshy-tushy part of the human anatomy we sit on--and plumbers sometimes bare quite unintentionally--is spelled with two 't's'. 

Must have been absent that day in school

It's actually pretty amusing because I had just mentioned these searches a week or so ago over on the blog, remember?  Wow.  Timely.

You know that I desire to make this page a blessing to everyone.  So in the event someone has arrived here looking for a picture of a big but with two t's... why, here you go.  Enjoy.

 
Now that that's out of the way, we'll get back to the conjunction.  Okay?