Turn the Bible Upside Down!

After our last study in the Word, my inbox filled with requests of other ways to study the Scriptures. I was deeply encouraged at how many of you want to know God more intimately, and hungered for a deeper knowledge of the Biblical text. Let me offer another "trick" I use in my personal study, in hopes that some may find it helpful in their journey. I call this "narrative reversal".

Before the Epistles of the Christian Scriptures (NT) were part of the Bible, they were simple letters written by a congregation leader to another believer in Jesus, or a small group of believers. They were letters to help young churches and young Pastors solve problems. They were the "answers". Did you ever wonder about, "What were the questions?" Reversing the narrative is reading the letter with a view toward trying to figure out what the problem was that precipitated the letter in the first place.

I find this helpful because it identifies the problem area, and helps me to see the text in a new way. When I truly understand the problem, I can see the gracious answer God offered a believer through the letter. Further, I can begin to identify what similar problems exist in my own life, or those around me, and apply the letter's principles to the problem. It is much like creating a catalogue of prescriptions by sorting the symptoms of the problem. Let's try one and see if it helps any of you study. Since a previous letter from a Jewish student led me to comment on the Messianic Epistle to the Hebrews, let's look at the other specifically Jewish Epistle, that of James (written to scattered Diaspora Jews according to its first verse).

James One: It appears that young Jewish believers in the dispersion were moaning in the midst of their trials and blaming God for their irresponsible choices in temptation.

Prescription:
1) rejoice in the midst of trials, treat them as God's special tools in their lives;
2) don't blame God but take personal responsibility for my response to temptation in life.
3) Take these practical steps to avoid misplacing my responsibility: 1) patiently listen (19-20); 2)be cleansed and refilled (21); 3)Act out the Word of God (22-25); 4)Watch the mouth! (26); 5) Care about people and the sinfulness of my self!

Worth special note:
James identifies four uses of the tongue-
1) ask for wisdom when perplexed about trials (5);
2) don't use your mouth to blame God for testing (13);
3) be slow to speak when under pressure! (19);
4) bridal (control) tongue (26)

James Two: Some believers were apparently treating people in the meetings of believers with special consideration because they were rich, others were impressed by "intellectual" faith.

Prescription:
1) Don't be impressed and partial toward the "haves" of this world (1-13);
2) Live out your faith (14-26); (Don't just TELL, but SHOW!)

Worth special note:
The writer tells of three kinds of faith -
1) Dead faith (intellectual and theological debate faith, the kind that learns the arguments and debates the theory)
2) Demonic faith (the intellectual and emotional faith that causes one to both know the truth, feel it in their bones, but not live it out in their actions)
3) Dynamic faith (faith that is understood intellectually, felt emotionally, but is characterized by responsible behavior that befits a believer. This faith regards both intellect, emotion and will and moves from the head and heart to the hands and feet).

Four more notes on the use of the tongue (to add to our list in Chapter one):

1) Tell the truth about the law (12)
2) Just proclaiming with my mouth a belief is not enough to save (13)
3) Saying without doing doesn't help! (16)
4) Saying alone doesn't prove anything (18)

James Three: People were anxious standing to teach as though they were wise, but they were divisive and striving in the assembly, causing people pain rather than growth

Prescription:

1) Slow down in your desire to be teachers that you may not strive against and offend people (1-12);
2) Show peaceful wisdom in your instruction (13-18).

Worth special note:

More on the tongue's use....

1) We are judged by what we say! (1)
2) Try not to deliberately offend (2)
3) The tongue is the source of many problems! (5-6)
4) Without God's help, the tongue is untamable (8)
5) We can't bless and curse with the same mouth! (9-10)

James Four: People were walking in pride and self-willed pursuits of business, fighting in the flesh with one another! God longed for them to come to Him humbly and tearfully!

Prescription:

1) Understand the source of our striving is our pride and self-centered will, these impulses lead us to heartache! (1-6)
2) Step out and come close to God in brokeness and humility; He will bring victory! (7-10)
3) Use your mouth as a demonstration of God's truth, speaking well of one another and reminding yourselves daily of God's provision. Do right, for your times are in His hands! (11-17)

James Five: Some believers were abusing others with their personal wealth; others were cursing the abuse they were receiving from them! God took some into illness to teach all and called on them to seek His face, pray fervently, and see the offenders healed!

Prescription:

1) Some are abusing workers and mishandling wealth, remember God is watching! (1-6)
2) Believers should patiently endure affliction and be careful to use their mouths in a way that cares and builds up others! (7-12)
3) The assembly leaders, when called, should carefully gather around those whose sins have wrought sickness, and ask God for the best way to pray and see victory! (13-20)

Hope that helps! Try your own "reversal" of another Epistle. What do you suppose were the problems in Ephesus after you read Ephesians? It is a good way to tear the text apart with new eyes...

R