“If you feel far from God… Guess who moved”

When I was a young Believer I found a bumper sticker that said, “If you feel far from God… Guess who moved”. I placarded it across the glove box. I supposed I needed it’s constant reminder. Tim Anderson’s very readable book, Into His Presence a Theology of Intimacy With God, is an awe inspiring work. He takes a common experience that crosses all traditions and shows us all the significance of it and the theology of it. He teaches us to think biblically and theologically about our shared experience.

Chapter one gives us a biblical basis of intimacy with four elements. First there is a scriptural movement towards intimacy; seeking, turning, and coming. Second there is God’s intimate knowledge of us. Some things are known to us and God alone; some things about us are known only to God. Yet God seeks to share with us knowledge of Himself, “He invites worshipful believers into His secret counsel and knowledge of Him (Ps 25:14; Prov 3:32; Jn 7:17; 17:25, 26).” Third there is an intimate place. And it is not a matter of miles but of experience as in brokenness and humility. Fourth is intimate touch as when the father embraces and kisses the prodigal son upon his return.

Chapters four and six were especially helpful in that the exploration of metaphor and symbols are rich in providing what I would call a point of contact. I have always had difficulty as a male with “bride” images. I have found much help in taking another look at how to understand these metaphors.

Chapter eight Suffering and Intimacy is perhaps the capstone chapter and of deep significance to me personally. During our deepest grief and suffering why do we experience God as silent? Anderson uses the examples of Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and Stephen to show how “God reveals His nearness to them, in order for them to bring others near to Him.”

I recommend this book to anyone seeking to be near to God and who desires gain a deeper theological understanding of what that means. It would be a good tool for a group study since reflection questions are at the end of each chapter. I would have preferred a full bibliography but a good scripture and author index is provided as well as footnotes. Thanks to Kregel Publications for a review copy of this book. My views are my own and given in the hope to be an assistance to those pondering whether or not this work would be a good read for them. Happy reading.

HYPER DISPENSATIONALISM

HYPER DISPENSATIONALISM

In a nutshell why I do not accept the view that the Gospel of Matthew is for the "Jews Only" 

Matt 1:1 This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham:

This is the book of the "beginning" of the Messiah, this is another way of speaking about the gospel without using the word "gospel". cf Mark 1:1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah

The son of Abraham

This is a major theme all throughout scripture. Ask yourself, who are the sons of Abraham?
This is answered by Paul, Rom 4:11 And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them.

Matt 24:14  And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Which gospel is "this gospel" it is Matthew's! 

cf. Matt 26:13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” ;

Mark includes the story but makes a distinction between "this gospel" and "the gospel"
Mk 14:9 Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” ;

John includes the story but makes no mention of Christs comment about her as a memorial.
Jn 12:1-8 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

This gospel, Matthew's, will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations!

It should become very plain in the great commission. Matt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Again, all nations (not just Jews) teaching them (all nations not just Jews) everything I have commanded you (that has been recorded in the book you have in your hand that you are reading which is Matthew).

This in a nutshell is why I reject the idea that Matthews teaching is for the Jews only.