THE LATEST WORD - WORLDVIEWS AND A "HEBREW PERSPECTIVE" PART 2

"If we are going to understand the Bible as fully and clearly as possible, we should do well to read it through the eyes and understanding of ancient Hebrew culture and custom - ways which often stand in as much contrast to us as they did to the ancient Greek." (Page 16) this statement is completely false and has absolutely no basis whatsoever in Scripture! It is also totally contrary to what the Bible clearly teaches! This "assumption" shows a complete disregard for the power of the Holy Spirit and the Grace of God.

This is what the Bible says, "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom (such as the need to read the Bible "through the eyes and understanding of ancient Hebrew culture and custom", a completely human teaching) but in words taught by the Spirit (not a "Hebrew perspective"), expressing spiritual truths (not Hebrew truths) in spiritual words." 1 Corinthians 2:13. Is the power of the Holy Spirit to teach us the truths of God's Word determined by a person's ability to read the Bible "through the eyes and understanding of ancient Hebrew culture and custom"? Absolutely not! To believe so is foolishness! To teach this to others is nothing short of heresy!

This is what the Bible teaches: "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8. Does this verse say anything about the necessity of having a "Hebrew perspective" or reading the Bible "through the eyes and understanding of ancient Hebrew culture and custom" in order to have access to the grace of God which is totally sufficient to supply everything we need for both our physical and spiritual lives? No! Absolutely not! This is one of the most powerful verses in the entire Bible which describes the magnitude of the Grace of God. People without a strong understanding and solid doctrinal foundation of the Grace of God will read the author's statement on page 16 and believe it to be true and not have the slightest idea that nowhere in the Bible is this "assumption" supported by Scripture. It is merely the opinion of man, and as Christians, we do not live by the opinion of man. The Word of God is our final authority! "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11. It doesn't matter what a person or a book says about the Bible. The only thing that matters is what the Bible itself says!

Contrary to what this book claims, the Bible teaches us that there are only two ways of thinking in this world, and they are NOT Hebrew and Greek. Human thinking is either based on man's sinful nature or on the mind of Christ found in the new creation of every Spirit-filled believer. It's either one or the other. That's it! All "worldviews" and "isms" you can find can be broken down to either man's sinful nature or the new creation he becomes by faith in Jesus. As Christians, we don't preach the study of all the different philosophies in the world. The Bible doesn't teach us to do this. We don't preach the changing of our culture and country through legislation. The Bible doesn't teach us to do this. We don't preach living by the Law of Moses. The Bible doesn't teach us to do this. We don't preach living a life pleasing to God by following the "Hebrew model" or a "Hebrew perspective." The Bible doesn't teach us to do this. We follow one model, Jesus Christ. We preach and teach one thing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ! This is what the Bible teaches! We will change our culture and our country the very same way the early church did - by boldly proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to a lost world and watching the power of the Holy Spirit change hearts and minds one person at a time! It's as simple as that. "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words (as this author and many Christians insist it should be), but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power." 1 Corinthians 2:4-5.

"Worldviews" contrary to the Word of God are merely symptoms of the disease. Trying to change someone's "worldview" is an attempt to deal only with the symptom. The Bible teaches that the real problem facing mankind is not a "belief", a "culture", or the incorrect "perspective." It is the disease of SIN! "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with (the "Hebrew model"? No!) the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death" Romans 8:5-6. Man's sinful nature is the cause of every belief, philosophy, "worldview," thought, and action that is contrary to the Word of God. The cure for sin is not found in any people or culture or perspective. That "mindset" is pure idolatry! The only thing that will change a person's heart and mind is the only real cure for the heart of sinful man and that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! "From the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.

As Christians, should we think that the beliefs or "worldviews" of all the unsaved in the world would be anything other than sinful without Jesus Christ in their lives? Of course not! That would show immaturity on our part and a lack of understanding of what the Bible teaches. The Bible plainly teaches, "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come form the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them (no matter how much you try and reason with him), because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14. The only way someone can understand the things of God and acquire a "Christian worldview" is to have the Spirit of God. The only way someone can have the Spirit of God is to have Christ in their heart and be saved. There is only one message which brings faith in Christ and it's not the study of "worldviews" or a "Hebrew perspective." It's the Gospel of Jesus Christ! "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17.

Everything about our life and our relationship with God begins and ends with Jesus Christ! "Let us fix our eyes on (the "Hebrew model"? No!) Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" Hebrews 12:2. Put simply, our "Christian worldview" is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit of God living inside of us and not the result of anything we have done or acquired such as a "Hebrew perspective." "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by (by the "Hebrew model"? No!) faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20. To teach people that a correct "worldview" is a result of a "Hebrew perspective" shows a complete lack of understanding of sanctification and denies the work and the power of the Holy Spirit and is simply heresy!

Why are some Christians deceived into believing things that are contrary to what the Word of God instructs? Many Christians are babies in their faith. These Christians are people that, at one time in their life, have accepted Christ as their Savior and are saved, but contrary to what the Bible commands, have no interest in growing in their faith. "Like newborn babies, crave spiritual milk, (the Word of God, not the opinion of men) so that by it you may grow up in your salvation" 1 Peter 2:2. They are satisfied with salvation. They don't read and study the Bible for themselves because they have no desire to search for the truth. They just pick and choose what they want to believe from what others say or from what they read about the Bible, not the Bible itself. They have no passion for the Word or to share the Gospel of Christ with others.

They don't see the need to attend church and do not obey what we are commanded to do. "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another" Hebrews 10:25. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16. They do not understand the benefits of attending church that are clearly explained in the Bible, "To prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of (all the different "worldviews"? No!) the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:12-13. As a result of all these things, they remain babies in their faith.

Other Christians simply do not understand the necessity of learning the sound doctrines of the Bible and refuting false doctrines as we are commanded to do. Doctrines refer to specific truths found in God's Word which He wants us to know and understand in order for us to know Him and draw nearer to Him in worship, praise, and adoration. "He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." Titus 1:9. "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:16. "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine." Titus 2:1. Jesus said, "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17. There is only one source of truth, the Bible! Everything must be measured against it. All believers in Christ have a responsibility to know and understand the difference between what is truth and what is not. Jesus clearly taught this, "But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:21. The truth matters!

This book is not based on sound Biblical doctrine but the opinion and reasoning of man. It does not teach us to put our faith in the Word of God, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather, it teaches us to rely on our own abilities through the study of "worldviews" and the unbiblical, man-made philosophy of the "Hebrew model" and "Hebrew thinking." This is in direct opposition to the Word of God! "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter (the "Hebrew model") but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6.

When we attend church and build a solid doctrinal foundation by knowing the Scriptures, "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:14-15. Nowhere does the Bible teach that growing in Christ means embracing a "Hebraic view". That is just a false, man-made doctrine, plain and simple! "If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching he is conceited and understands nothing." 1 Timothy 6:3-4.

Some Christians simply want to find things that "sound good", things they are "comfortable" with or find "a religion" they can practice, so they believe and study only certain parts of the Bible. They approach the Bible with an agenda of what they want to believe and pick out only specific Scriptures to support their beliefs. In the process, they literally have to ignore volumes of other Scriptures which contradict their beliefs. They have no desire to continually pursue the truth of the Word of God wherever it leads because learning the truth of God's Word is not their goal. As a result, they are uncomfortable discussing their beliefs with others because they are either unable or unwilling to do so. Either of these is evidence of an attitude contrary to the Spirit of God we as Christians should have. "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord." 2 Timothy 1:7-8. "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" 1 Peter 3:15. The Bible teaches all believers to, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.

"THE EXTRAORDINARY HEBREW GOD" (Page 29) God is not Hebrew. God has no race! He is not the Hebrew God. He is the God of the Hebrews and all people everywhere! There is a difference. Hebrew is not a term that correctly describes God or Jesus. Hebrew is an earthly term that describes a created, earthly, limited, physical concept. God is none of these things. He cannot be Hebrew. Hebrew no more accurately describes who Jesus really is, His nature and character, than the phrase "a man with a beard" does. Was Jesus Hebrew when He created the universe? No, Hebrews didn't even exist yet. Was Jesus Hebrew in eternity past before the beginning of time itself? Of course not, Jesus is not of this earth. Jesus, speaking to Hebrews, said this, "You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." John 8:23. Jesus also said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews." (the Hebrews) John 18:36. These same Jews were faithful, sincere, Torah-living Jews with all the "Hebrew perspective" described in this book, and they sent Jesus to the cross! Why? Because they were filled with what this book promotes - Jewish pride! It was this pride in their "Jewishness" that blinded them to the truth. "But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts." 2 Corinthians 3:14-15. To have pride in any race or culture is sinful. As Christians, we should have real pride in only one thing, our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST!! "Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:31.

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision ("Hebrew perspective" or "Greek perspective", Jew or Gentile) means anything; what counts is a new creation." Galatians 6:15. Paul understood there is only one thing that changes lives, and it is not a person's perspective, "Hebrew" or otherwise. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

If a person does not believe in the power of the Gospel to change lives, they will look to other places (as this book does) like the wisdom and reasoning of men (the study of "worldviews" and their origins), to a certain culture and its "perspective". This is sinful and not what the Bible teaches us to do. We are taught over and over and over again what our message as Christians (not Hebrews) to the world is - (study all the different "worldviews" and acquire a "Hebrew perspective"? No!) the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST! "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." 2 Corinthians 5:17-20. It couldn't be made any plainer than that. We are not the ambassadors for the study of "worldviews" or a "Hebrew perspective" or any other false teaching. We are ambassadors for the message of reconciliation, the Gospel! We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ and Him alone!