Theological Word of the Day

[mizpeh]

Hasidim (Ancient)
Posted: 17 Feb 2009 02:01 PM PST
(Heb. “pious”)
An ancient sect of Judaism that flourished during the time of the Hasmonean revolt (140-147 BC). From post-captivity sect probably came the Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes. These Jews sought to preserve the classic Jewish religion in the midst of the supposed compromise during the ensuing Hellenization of the Jews (Jews who were integrating into Greek culture). Eventually, the Sadducees began to integrate with the Roman culture while the Pharisees and Essenes sought to preserve classic Judaism in their own respective fashion.

http://wordoftheday.reclaimingthemind.org/blogs/

I get a "Theological Word of the Day" everyday in my email thanks to Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. This one made me think on the NT church and standards. We can see how the Sadducees went wrong by integrating with the Roman culture since God gave Moses a law with rules for dress, what foods to eat and not eat, how to wear a beard, etc. God was very specific. And the Saducees were disobeying the law of God.

But with the NT church, God has not given us such laws. We are told that the majority of the law of Moses contained in ordinances was nailed to the cross with Christ. We aren't following a bunch of laws but we are following the principles of holiness...a separation unto God from the world and sin. We can live within a culture and be relevant to the culture but not be offensive to the culture we live in UNLESS it involves sin.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

http://wordoftheday.reclaimingthemind.org/blogs/

I get a "Theological Word of the Day" everyday in my email thanks to Reclaiming the Mind Ministries. This one made me think on the NT church and standards. We can see how the Sadducees went wrong by integrating with the Roman culture since God gave Moses a law with rules for dress, what foods to eat and not eat, how to wear a beard, etc. God was very specific. And the Saducees were disobeying the law of God.

But with the NT church, God has not given us such laws. We are told that the majority of the law of Moses contained in ordinances was nailed to the cross with Christ. We aren't following a bunch of laws but we are following the principles of holiness...a separation unto God from the world and sin. We can live within a culture and be relevant to the culture but not be offensive to the culture we live in UNLESS it involves sin.

As I see it from my house, we have been placing the emphasis on separation from the WORLD, rather than separating ourselves unto GOD.

When one is truly separated unto God, there are just certain things we won't do or wear...certain places we won't go, certain things we won't say...

NOT because of a laundry list of rules and regs that differ from heart to heart, but because it is displeasing to the One in Whom we have pledged our allegiance.

And that's just my humble opinion...

[dizzyde]

Originally Posted by Barb

As I see it from my house, we have been placing the emphasis on separation from the WORLD, rather than separating ourselves unto GOD.

When one is truly separated unto God, there are just certain things we won't do or wear...certain places we won't go, certain things we won't say...

NOT because of a laundry list of rules and regs that differ from heart to heart, but because it is displeasing to the One in Whom we have pledged our allegiance.

And that's just my humble opinion...

I totally agree with you, there has been a "law" that the OP church as a whole has created, and if you step outside that law, you have sinned. No matter what the issue is or how it relates to actual holiness or even modesty, if you step outside of this law, you are wrong. When in fact, you can very easily live inside this laws, and be far, far from God.

If it isn't coming from a heart yearning to please God, living within any pre-ordained list or law is meaningless. And if you are doing it simply out of fear or peer presure, it is void. I don't believe that living within the rules and regulations means you are wrong or are unpleasing to God, but if you are living that way because you think you are going to hell if you don't, or if you are doing it simply out of the fear of man, it is really pointless.

IMO.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by dizzyde

If it [obedience to God's Instructions for righteous living] isn't coming from a heart yearning to please God, living within any pre-ordained list or law is meaningless. And if you are doing it simply out of fear or peer presure, it is void. I don't believe that living within the rules and regulations means you are wrong or are unpleasing to God, but if you are living that way because you think you are going to hell if you don't, or if you are doing it simply out of the fear of man, it is really pointless.

IMO.

You have discovered the true message behind Romans 8:3, and why the covenant of Mt. Sinai failed - and by extension, why Christ and God's Spirit were both necessary for the salvation of mankind. It was not the covenant that God authored that was at fault, but the corrupt nature of man.

Thank you!