Comments on: How to read the Bible, and how not to http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/ Christ Is Deeper Still Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:29:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Folded In My Bible: How To Read the Bible, and How Not To | T.J. Leach http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9992 Folded In My Bible: How To Read the Bible, and How Not To | T.J. Leach Wed, 20 Feb 2013 14:33:37 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9992 [...] This post from Ray Ortlund has stayed with me ever since I came across it several months ago.  I’ve been paying attention to how I read the Bible and how I used to read it.  This post is concise and helpful.  Two quotes: [...] [...] This post from Ray Ortlund has stayed with me ever since I came across it several months ago.  I’ve been paying attention to how I read the Bible and how I used to read it.  This post is concise and helpful.  Two quotes: [...]

]]> By: Linkage: 12.20.12 | Kevin P. Larson http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9564 Linkage: 12.20.12 | Kevin P. Larson Fri, 21 Dec 2012 03:38:57 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9564 [...] How do you read the Bible? [...] [...] How do you read the Bible? [...]

]]> By: Which lens do you read the Bible through? - Heritage Church http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9523 Which lens do you read the Bible through? - Heritage Church Sat, 08 Dec 2012 04:40:53 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9523 [...] How to read the Bible, and how not to [...] [...] How to read the Bible, and how not to [...]

]]> By: Promise, not Law « I Commend Joy! http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9511 Promise, not Law « I Commend Joy! Tue, 04 Dec 2012 21:59:02 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9511 [...] Ray Ortlund Share this:PrintEmailFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like [...] [...] Ray Ortlund Share this:PrintEmailFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like [...]

]]> By: Matthew Morizio http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9509 Matthew Morizio Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:33:06 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9509 Good stuff! In sum, we read ALL of Scripture from one of two mountains...Sinai or Zion. Sometimes we're inconsistent, having a foot on both! The Flesh loves Sinai...though it can't really live there, it can pretend in its own power, in delusion attempting to mimic the Spirit of Zion. All is promise! God is Our salvation in Christ by the Spirit. Good stuff! In sum, we read ALL of Scripture from one of two mountains…Sinai or Zion. Sometimes we’re inconsistent, having a foot on both! The Flesh loves Sinai…though it can’t really live there, it can pretend in its own power, in delusion attempting to mimic the Spirit of Zion.

All is promise! God is Our salvation in Christ by the Spirit.

]]> By: How to read the Bible, and how not to | Already Not Yet http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9498 How to read the Bible, and how not to | Already Not Yet Sat, 01 Dec 2012 18:00:59 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9498 [...] Ray Ortlund: [...] [...] Ray Ortlund: [...]

]]> By: Andrea http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9474 Andrea Fri, 30 Nov 2012 13:16:08 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9474 The new Covenant is so misunderstood. Jesus made a new covenant in His blood. The Old is the New consealed. Shadow not coming to the full truth of Messiah God. New Covenant is Messiah revealed. His blood and His law. A law of love for one another. A law that is all the fullness of the Old. We are under the blood of Messiah and His grace. Jew and Gentile. Jew and gentile can be one in Messiah because Yeshua made a way. Jewish people can follow the law if they are coming out of that life. PAUL and we know Peter kept kosher. But we see in Acts that that the Gentiles did not need to. Paul was a rabbi and came to Messiah from that point of view. He was always explaining to the gentile church that did not know what they were talking about. Many false teacher were trying to tell the people of Messiah to follow the law...He was always telling them to live as Messiah free form the law. (Galatians 5:1-6) Messiah came to give us a better Covenant and law. If we follow Messiah we follow His covenant and law. If we follow Mose we follow is Covenant and law. The new Covenant is so misunderstood. Jesus made a new covenant in His blood. The Old is the New consealed. Shadow not coming to the full truth of Messiah God.

New Covenant is Messiah revealed. His blood and His law. A law of love for one another. A law that is all the fullness of the Old. We are under the blood of Messiah and His grace. Jew and Gentile.

Jew and gentile can be one in Messiah because Yeshua made a way. Jewish people can follow the law if they are coming out of that life. PAUL and we know Peter kept kosher. But we see in Acts that that the Gentiles did not need to.

Paul was a rabbi and came to Messiah from that point of view. He was always explaining to the gentile church that did not know what they were talking about. Many false teacher were trying to tell the people of Messiah to follow the law…He was always telling them to live as Messiah free form the law. (Galatians 5:1-6)

Messiah came to give us a better Covenant and law. If we follow Messiah we follow His covenant and law. If we follow Mose we follow is Covenant and law.

]]> By: Reading our Bibles | Thistletown Baptist Church http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9473 Reading our Bibles | Thistletown Baptist Church Fri, 30 Nov 2012 12:58:55 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9473 [...] I want to share it because a good thing found and kept for oneself alone, is horribly selfish. This piece by Ray Ortland over at the Gospel Coalition is too good not to share. Greatly encouraging and [...] [...] I want to share it because a good thing found and kept for oneself alone, is horribly selfish. This piece by Ray Ortland over at the Gospel Coalition is too good not to share. Greatly encouraging and [...]

]]> By: 6-String Salvo November 30, 2012 « Mike Lee http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9472 6-String Salvo November 30, 2012 « Mike Lee Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:31:15 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9472 [...] 5. Ray Ortlund gives give help on how to read the Bible, and how not to. [...] [...] 5. Ray Ortlund gives give help on how to read the Bible, and how not to. [...]

]]> By: Justin http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9469 Justin Thu, 29 Nov 2012 20:27:54 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9469 NPPisSSDD, I agree with K here. I think these commands are within the covenant dynamic. I appreciate your concern for "works-righteousness," but the Lord graciously gives His Law to the Old Covenant Jews (how can He do otherwise?). How can Psalm 119 speak so joyfully about the Law? If the Jews were unable to keep the Law, how can the Lord promise curses for them in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26? Deuteronomy 30 tells them pretty clearly that they could do it. And, the Law does not require perfection; the Lord provides ordinances for sin and repentance. If law/commands are to be viewed as "works righteousness," how can Jesus promise eternal life to the expert in the law in Luke 10:25-28? Or Paul in Romans 2:5-16 (especially v. 13)? John 3:36 or Hebrews 5:8-9? Nehemiah 9:29? I would suggest that not all "law-keeping" is "works righteousness." There is a law-keeping that is faithful, loving obedience to the Lord (Matt 22:34-40, Gal 5:6, James 2:20-26). And, we can do it both in the OT and NT; it is necessary. NPPisSSDD, I agree with K here. I think these commands are within the covenant dynamic. I appreciate your concern for “works-righteousness,” but the Lord graciously gives His Law to the Old Covenant Jews (how can He do otherwise?). How can Psalm 119 speak so joyfully about the Law? If the Jews were unable to keep the Law, how can the Lord promise curses for them in Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26? Deuteronomy 30 tells them pretty clearly that they could do it. And, the Law does not require perfection; the Lord provides ordinances for sin and repentance.
If law/commands are to be viewed as “works righteousness,” how can Jesus promise eternal life to the expert in the law in Luke 10:25-28? Or Paul in Romans 2:5-16 (especially v. 13)? John 3:36 or Hebrews 5:8-9? Nehemiah 9:29? I would suggest that not all “law-keeping” is “works righteousness.” There is a law-keeping that is faithful, loving obedience to the Lord (Matt 22:34-40, Gal 5:6, James 2:20-26). And, we can do it both in the OT and NT; it is necessary.

]]> By: The Promise of the Law | Effectual Grace http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9467 The Promise of the Law | Effectual Grace Thu, 29 Nov 2012 18:41:29 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9467 [...] Promise of the Law Posted on November 29, 2012 by John Samson Ray Ortlund writes about something very few have grasped… “Against those forms of Judaism that saw the [...] [...] Promise of the Law Posted on November 29, 2012 by John Samson Ray Ortlund writes about something very few have grasped… “Against those forms of Judaism that saw the [...]

]]> By: NPPisSSDD http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9466 NPPisSSDD Thu, 29 Nov 2012 17:00:59 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9466 Christ is our Instructor, yes; but, because He completely and perfectly fulfilled the law of Moses, He is infinitely more than that for us. Remember, we, as fallen human beings, are utterly and completely incapable of following His instructions and His example, and we are incapable of keeping His covenant. (That was actually the whole point of the commandments, ceremonies, etc., to show us this fact and to show us God's perfect holiness.) So it's not that now we follow a new set of rules and a new instructor for a new covenant, but that Christ fulfilled the law perfectly and that through faith in Him we are now actually CAPABLE of following the law and we more and more grow to want to keep it and and even to delight in keeping it. Please forgive me if I am mis-interpreting what you are saying, but it deeply concerns me that in what you've said, it seems all you've done is replace Jewish works-righteousness in attempting to keep the old covenant with Jewish AND Gentile works-righteousness in attempting to keep the new covenant. Either way, whether through the narrow Torah-lens or a wider-angle Jewish and Gentile lens, it's still all the same damnable works-righteousness, no matter how inclusive or exclusive the ethnic makeup of the covenant community. This was Paul's point. As members of the new covenant, we follow the rules, not to get into the covenant--because we're already in--but out of love for the Messiah whose sacrifice granted us entrance into the new covenant...something Moses and the entire old priesthood could never accomplish. This IS the definition of the new covenant, a covenant of grace, not works. And yes, this is a covenant issue, but since the new covenant is defined by being utterly opposed to works-righteousness, your statement of "[this issue] being less an issue of works-righteousness and more a covenant issue" doesn't make any sense to me. The practical outworking of this is that you're right, instruction does not disappear. However, we now follow that instruction not to attain or earn our way into heaven/God's good graces/the new covenant, but out of love for the one who has already earned and attained it for us and further, now gives us the ability to follow and delight in the instruction. This is what God has done in Christ--what He promised to do in the Old Testament, and since He's done all of what He promised, we can be sure He'll do all that He promised to do for us in the future. That's a true, real, correct, and God-honoring motivation to follow our Instructor. Christ is our Instructor, yes; but, because He completely and perfectly fulfilled the law of Moses, He is infinitely more than that for us. Remember, we, as fallen human beings, are utterly and completely incapable of following His instructions and His example, and we are incapable of keeping His covenant. (That was actually the whole point of the commandments, ceremonies, etc., to show us this fact and to show us God’s perfect holiness.) So it’s not that now we follow a new set of rules and a new instructor for a new covenant, but that Christ fulfilled the law perfectly and that through faith in Him we are now actually CAPABLE of following the law and we more and more grow to want to keep it and and even to delight in keeping it.

Please forgive me if I am mis-interpreting what you are saying, but it deeply concerns me that in what you’ve said, it seems all you’ve done is replace Jewish works-righteousness in attempting to keep the old covenant with Jewish AND Gentile works-righteousness in attempting to keep the new covenant. Either way, whether through the narrow Torah-lens or a wider-angle Jewish and Gentile lens, it’s still all the same damnable works-righteousness, no matter how inclusive or exclusive the ethnic makeup of the covenant community. This was Paul’s point.

As members of the new covenant, we follow the rules, not to get into the covenant–because we’re already in–but out of love for the Messiah whose sacrifice granted us entrance into the new covenant…something Moses and the entire old priesthood could never accomplish. This IS the definition of the new covenant, a covenant of grace, not works. And yes, this is a covenant issue, but since the new covenant is defined by being utterly opposed to works-righteousness, your statement of “[this issue] being less an issue of works-righteousness and more a covenant issue” doesn’t make any sense to me.

The practical outworking of this is that you’re right, instruction does not disappear. However, we now follow that instruction not to attain or earn our way into heaven/God’s good graces/the new covenant, but out of love for the one who has already earned and attained it for us and further, now gives us the ability to follow and delight in the instruction. This is what God has done in Christ–what He promised to do in the Old Testament, and since He’s done all of what He promised, we can be sure He’ll do all that He promised to do for us in the future. That’s a true, real, correct, and God-honoring motivation to follow our Instructor.

]]> By: shaun http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9465 shaun Thu, 29 Nov 2012 15:53:09 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9465 very few in our world share this view...yet how important, and how purely true it is! Our flesh wants to wield, poke holes in, and exploit law, but oh how desperately we need the promise of God! very few in our world share this view…yet how important, and how purely true it is! Our flesh wants to wield, poke holes in, and exploit law, but oh how desperately we need the promise of God!

]]> By: Around the Horn: 11.29.12 | Treading Grain http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9453 Around the Horn: 11.29.12 | Treading Grain Thu, 29 Nov 2012 09:56:52 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9453 [...] about having bishops in the first place). Apparently, angels rush in where fools fear to tread. How to Read the Bible and How Not To There are two ways to read the Bible.  We can read it as law or as promise.  If we read the Bible [...] [...] about having bishops in the first place). Apparently, angels rush in where fools fear to tread. How to Read the Bible and How Not To There are two ways to read the Bible.  We can read it as law or as promise.  If we read the Bible [...]

]]> By: K http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9451 K Thu, 29 Nov 2012 01:28:29 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9451 1) What is the rabbinic way of reading the Tanakh again? I don't think it's simply "do this, do that". There's a LOT more interpretation in there. 2) Galatians... while Paul does bring up "doing" in general ("cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them"), but I'm not sure if his main point is necessarily "you shouldn't view the OT through a moral, obeying commandments-lens". Rather, his point seems to be, "You shouldn't view God's covenant through a narrow Torah-lens." The primary issue being that Gentiles are not to be practicing Jews, keeping all the customs of the Torah. For the Torah is not the basis of the original covenant. The promise by faith is. So it's less an issue of works-righteousness and more a covenant issue. What defines the covenant? What do we follow as members of this covenant? Instruction does not disappear. Rather, now we follow a new instructor: the Messiah. He replaces Moses. 1) What is the rabbinic way of reading the Tanakh again? I don’t think it’s simply “do this, do that”. There’s a LOT more interpretation in there.

2) Galatians… while Paul does bring up “doing” in general (“cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them”), but I’m not sure if his main point is necessarily “you shouldn’t view the OT through a moral, obeying commandments-lens”. Rather, his point seems to be, “You shouldn’t view God’s covenant through a narrow Torah-lens.” The primary issue being that Gentiles are not to be practicing Jews, keeping all the customs of the Torah. For the Torah is not the basis of the original covenant. The promise by faith is. So it’s less an issue of works-righteousness and more a covenant issue. What defines the covenant? What do we follow as members of this covenant? Instruction does not disappear. Rather, now we follow a new instructor: the Messiah. He replaces Moses.

]]> By: Jesse http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9447 Jesse Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:45:01 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9447 Did anybody else notice the blatant historical anachronism in that painting? It's the wrong Hebrew script! Did anybody else notice the blatant historical anachronism in that painting? It’s the wrong Hebrew script!

]]> By: F. T. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9446 F. T. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:14:25 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9446 Thank you thank you brother for this- and your blog- and thank You, thank You eternally, sweet Jesus!! Thank you thank you brother for this- and your blog- and thank You, thank You eternally, sweet Jesus!!

]]> By: How to Read the Bible « Luggaged http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9445 How to Read the Bible « Luggaged Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:12:58 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9445 [...] is some wonderful wisdom from Ray Ortlund: “Against those forms of Judaism that saw the law-covenant not only as lex [law] but as a [...] [...] is some wonderful wisdom from Ray Ortlund: “Against those forms of Judaism that saw the law-covenant not only as lex [law] but as a [...]

]]> By: David Grubbs http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9444 David Grubbs Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:58:23 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9444 What a paradigm shift! And what a life-giving departure from the OT-narrative-as-moral-illustration approach that I remember from my childhood. Thank you for this. What a paradigm shift! And what a life-giving departure from the OT-narrative-as-moral-illustration approach that I remember from my childhood. Thank you for this.

]]> By: John Dunn http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2012/11/28/how-to-read-bible-2/#comment-9438 John Dunn Wed, 28 Nov 2012 18:59:30 +0000 http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/rayortlund/2009/03/12/how-to-read-the-bible-2/#comment-9438 Excellent observation!! All of Israel's redemptive patterns (Passover, Exodus, Sinai events) served as the paradigm of eschatological promise for the coming Messiah's redemptive acts. Even the Law's "Thou shalt not" must be read through the lens of Christ, so that we may take it to mean "one day your righteousness will be made complete in Jesus and you will be made so completely new in Him that you SHALL NOT ever sin again". Takeacopy dot com Excellent observation!! All of Israel’s redemptive patterns (Passover, Exodus, Sinai events) served as the paradigm of eschatological promise for the coming Messiah’s redemptive acts. Even the Law’s “Thou shalt not” must be read through the lens of Christ, so that we may take it to mean “one day your righteousness will be made complete in Jesus and you will be made so completely new in Him that you SHALL NOT ever sin again”.

Takeacopy dot com

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