church2go

One of the things that happens when you study a bit of the bible is modern ideas clash with the ancient culture that the bible was written to.

As I mentioned last week, this series will not only look at Hebrews but also at different ways of studying God’s word.

Angels is a great example of this cultural tension. In Hebrews 1 we see the author saying Jesus is better than angels.

Here we have a tension.

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In the account of Noah’s altar and covenant, the author continues his close associations with ch. 1. As a result of this altar and offering, the whole of the state of humankind before the Flood is reestablished. The human race is still fallen (9:21), but through an offering on the altar they may yet find God’s blessing. It is significant that just as in Ge 1, the focus of the author’s interest in “man” after the Flood is his creation in God’s image (9:6). 

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GE 6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight and was full of violence. 12 God saw how corrupt the earth had become, for all the people on earth had corrupted their ways. 13 So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. 14 So make yourself an ark of cypress wood; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out. 15 This is how you are to build it: The ark is to be 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. 16 Make a roof for it and finish the ark to within 18 inches of the top. Put a door in the side of the ark and make lower, middle and upper decks. 

That is one big ship. 150 metres by 50 metres say and 30 metres high.

All wood, made of cypress wood – or as the AV says Gopher wood.

Coated with a sealant of oil like stuff called pitch.

Huge.

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It was said to me a couple of weeks ago that it would be good to get out of the contentious issues of Genesis next week. I agreed, but the more I think about it, all of Genesis is contentious in some peoples eyes.

We have dealt with creation, worship, original sin, being mad in the image of God, sin as a concept, God’s purpose, and hey these are big issues right now as well as when the book of Genesis was written.

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This is an bit amazing. One of the first issues in the bible is what is right worship. Can you believe it, it is still going on. Actually, this one topic has been one of the few contentious issues in this church since we have been here. Just recently the organ over guitars and piano debate has continued. Last month some issues over different styles of music. February some active debate regarding the raising of hands in church. It’s been going on for 10, 000 years and you expect me to sought it out for you.

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