S1: Hello, friends. Welcome to the second hour of Open Line
S1: with Doctor Michael Ridelink Moody Radio's Bible Study Across America.
S1: We're talking about your questions about the Bible, God and
S1: the spiritual life. My name is Michael Ray Dolnick. I'm
S1: the academic dean and professor of Jewish studies and Bible
S1: at Moody Bible Institute. We're live sitting around the radio
S1: kitchen table taking your questions. Time to give me a
S1: call right now. (877) 548-3675. Again. (877) 548-3675. If you can't call,
S1: just go to our website open Line radio.org. Click on
S1: Ask Michael a question when you're there and you can
S1: post your question if you can't get through, or if
S1: you just don't want to make the call, go ahead
S1: and do that and do that. And Tricia will put
S1: your question into the mailbag. Well, I hope you have
S1: your Bibles open and you have a second cup of coffee,
S1: because we're ready to talk about the scriptures, and we're
S1: going to talk with Christina in Clermont, Florida, listening online.
S1: Welcome to Open Line. Christina. How can I help you?
S2: Good morning, doctor, and thank you so very much for
S2: taking my call. I have a question about a scripture
S2: in revelation two nine, and I think it's also in
S2: chapter three where it says something about the Jews who
S2: are not Jews, but the synagogue of Satan. Who are
S2: those people.
S1: Not Jews, for one thing, you know, the if you
S1: look at church history, people like John Chrysostom basically tried
S1: to say that all Jewish people were the synagogue of
S1: Satan and hated Jewish people because of it. In fact,
S1: he said, God intended all Christians to hate the Jews.
S1: I think that is so contrary to what the scriptures say.
S1: You know, Romans 11 says that Jewish people remain beloved
S1: and chosen. Romans 1128 and 29, uh, and chosen at
S1: least for national purposes, not for salvation. As you know,
S1: everyone has to make a personal faith decision, but at
S1: least for national purposes, that God has. And then, you know,
S1: the Lord Jesus would go and teach in Jewish synagogues.
S1: Matthew nine talks about he went to all the synagogues
S1: in Galilee and taught. Do you think the Lord would
S1: really teach in a something governed by Satan? I don't
S1: think so. Paul also did the same thing. He went
S1: throughout the diaspora, went to the synagogues, and preached the
S1: gospel there first. And so, uh, what is it referring to?
S1: I think it's talking about false teachers who had been
S1: creeping in, and their false message was that Gentiles needed
S1: to convert to Judaism before they could believe in Jesus.
S1: They were adding a legalistic work to Gentile salvation. It's
S1: what Paul wrote the book of Galatians about. It's what
S1: the Jerusalem Council was about. But the difference between the
S1: book of Galatians, which was quite early, and the Jerusalem Council,
S1: which these things took place in the late 40s in
S1: Jerusalem and in the first missionary journey and places like that,
S1: that was predominantly Jewish people who had become followers of
S1: Jesus but wanted Gentiles to convert. And that's what the
S1: book of Galatians says. No, no, no, that's not necessary.
S1: Then you get the Jerusalem Council. But by the time
S1: you get to the book of Revelation in the 90s,
S1: there were Gentiles who had succumbed to this teaching. They
S1: themselves had gone through this ceremony and had converted to
S1: Judaism first, and they were trying to convince, uh, others
S1: to other Gentiles to convert to Judaism first. But you
S1: really can't. You're either descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
S1: or you're not. They were trying to say, you can.
S1: If you go through the circumcision process, you can become.
S1: And so what does the Lord call them in revelation?
S1: He says, they say they are Jews, but they are not.
S1: They're only Gentile converts who were teaching this false, legalistic teaching.
S1: That's what who he's talking about. It's a legalistic, false
S1: teaching that has come through into the church. And he says,
S1: they say they are Jews, but they're not, uh, it's
S1: a false teaching governed by the enemy. Okay.
S2: Thank you so very much. Can I ask you one
S2: quick question?
S1: Yeah.
S2: As a messianic Jew, you are still cheap. Like the booze,
S2: the festival of booze and things like that. Do you
S2: still celebrate those type of things?
S1: Yeah, I think anyone can celebrate them, but they're not
S1: obligated to. I celebrate them because it's part of my
S1: heritage and it's meaningful to me. But the thing I
S1: always tell everyone when I celebrate a Jewish holiday, I
S1: celebrate it with Jesus as the fulfillment of it. He
S1: is the center of my celebration, the object of my worship.
S2: Oh that's great. Thank you so very much. I appreciate.
S1: It. Okay, sure. Thanks for calling, Christina. We're going to
S1: talk with John in Orlando, Florida, listening on Wcqs. Welcome
S1: to Open Line. John. How can I help you?
S3: Thank you. Thank you for taking my call. God bless
S3: everyone that's listening. Um, I had a question. My pastor
S3: did a sermon on Matthew 513, uh, last week. And, um,
S3: I'm a believer, a firm believer that once saved, always saved.
S3: We can't lose our salvation. We can become carnal Christians,
S3: of course, but salvation is secure. But the way that
S3: he was, kind of the way I interpreted, the way
S3: he was kind of explaining that verse. Um, kind of
S3: went down the the path that, you know, by that
S3: being salt. And what happens with salt if it loses
S3: its flavor? Um, it's, uh, you know, purpose that it's
S3: good for nothing but to be trodden under foot. And so,
S3: you know, if he's calling them salt, then it's not
S3: like they weren't Christian.
S1: Okay.
S3: So he's referring to John.
S1: Let me let me see if I understand. You want
S1: to know what it means? That the Lord Jesus uses
S1: the phrase, uh, you are the salt of the earth.
S1: Am I right? That's what you're asking.
S3: Yeah. That, along with being trodden under feet, if it
S3: loses its. Yeah. If it loses its.
S1: Yeah, yeah. That's fine. Uh, okay. Let me just start
S1: by saying that there was no refrigeration in the ancient world,
S1: and yet people needed to store meat. And what they
S1: did is they would salt it and the salt acted
S1: as a preservative. Salted meat. Uh, you probably can get
S1: some of that when you go to the gas station
S1: and there's a, you know, a meat sticks there that
S1: when you're paying for your gas or something, I see
S1: that all the time or go into a little, uh,
S1: a little, uh, Kwik Shop, you know, things like that, uh,
S1: 7-Eleven or something like that. They sell this at the counter. Well,
S1: that's a lot of meat that that wasn't fresh. If
S1: they needed it, they had salted meat. And so to
S1: say you're the salt of the earth means that believers
S1: are designed to prevent the rottenness, the corruption that is
S1: in the world. That's what believers in Messiah are supposed
S1: to do. And also we're to provide Righteousness to not
S1: just stop the bad, the corruption, but advance the good.
S1: You are the light of the world, he said. Salt
S1: of the earth, light of the world. One is to
S1: stop the corruption. The other is to advance the good
S1: in the world. And then when people will see our
S1: good works, they'll give thanks to our father who is
S1: in heaven. And what he says is, if a believer
S1: is not out there trying to stop the evil in
S1: the world, using their influence to stop, we like salt
S1: will back then. You know, salt doesn't really lose its flavor,
S1: but they didn't have pure salt like we have today.
S1: What they did is they had minerals that had salt
S1: in it, and that's what they used to salt meat.
S1: But over time, as it was stored, the salt would
S1: drop out of that mineral and they would have all
S1: these other minerals that didn't, uh, stop the corruption of
S1: the meat. And what they did with that is they
S1: would bring it to the, the Temple Mount. And the
S1: southern steps were are very slick, and when it rained
S1: in the winter time in Israel, it was very slippery.
S1: And they would throw that down and it would be
S1: trodden under foot. But it was useless for for stopping
S1: the corruption of meat. And so what what the Lord
S1: is saying is, unless we're actively engaged in stopping evil
S1: in this world and advancing the good, we're we're becoming
S1: pretty useless, not losing our salvation, but we're useless, and
S1: we're comparable to that salt that's lost its savor. And
S1: it's just being used underneath, underfoot. That's that's what, uh,
S1: that's what would be the explanation of that. Okay.
S3: That was awesome. Thank you very much. Appreciate it. Keep
S3: up the good work.
S1: Thanks so much, John. Really appreciate it. You know, I
S1: a lot of people have questions about the Bible. That's
S1: the basis of this whole program. But one of the
S1: things that I've really committed to is, uh, that we
S1: do study on our own. And it's why I worked
S1: so hard with Michael Van Landingham on the Moody Bible Commentary.
S1: And now, uh, what we are making available as a
S1: resource is an excerpt from the Moody Bible Commentary. That
S1: excerpt is, uh, Galatians. Ephesians. Uh, Colossians. It's it's just
S1: a great little tool. Uh, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.
S1: It's just taken right out of the Moody Bible Commentary.
S1: It's a little book. If you're interested in studying these
S1: great truths in those books, this little commentary will really
S1: help you. And that's our current resource. It's it's the
S1: way we want to say thank you for you sending
S1: in a gift of any size. We want to send
S1: you a copy of this excerpt from the Moody Bible Commentary,
S1: I think you'll really find it. It really delves into
S1: the truths of this, uh, these important Pauline epistles and also, uh,
S1: gives you some help, whether you're preparing a Bible study
S1: or a home group or maybe even just wanting some
S1: help as you're reading these books on your own, if
S1: you'd like a copy. Remember, it's our way of saying
S1: thank you for a gift of any size. So if
S1: you'd like to make, uh, to give a gift, what
S1: you do is call 88864471228886447122 or go to open line radio.org.
S1: And remember, when you give your gift, ask for this
S1: excerpt from the Moody Bible Commentary. We're going to come
S1: back in just a bit with more of your questions.
S1: Our number (877) 548-3675. Uh, this is a time for you
S1: to ask your question. We're talking about the Bible, God
S1: and the spiritual life. My name is Michael Ray Dolnick.
S1: You're listening to Open Line. Stay right there. More questions
S1: coming up. Straight ahead. Stay with us. Welcome back to
S1: Open Line. I'm so glad to be talking with you,
S1: hearing your questions, having our Bible study across America. Uh,
S1: I did again want to mention that it was a
S1: terrific time. Uh, of course, a very serious issue opposing anti-Semitism.
S1: The summit last week, though, went wonderfully. Uh, and it
S1: just was a really great time. People were really motivated.
S1: And one of the outcomes of that summit was the
S1: formation of the Coalition Against anti-Semitism. And, uh, I'm I'm
S1: really grateful to God for that. If you're interested in
S1: the Coalition Against anti-Semitism, uh, which is a website that
S1: can you can join, you can get resources from all
S1: sorts of things that will be helpful. Just go to
S1: oppose anti-Semitism. No, no spaces, oppose anti-Semitism dot com. And
S1: it's got that material there. One of my favorite things
S1: about the summit last week was meeting all the kitchen
S1: table partners who came from all over the country, Nashville.
S1: I met people from Kitchen Table Partners, from Florida, from Indianapolis, Cleveland.
S1: I met Kitchen table Partners from Los Angeles. Uh, and
S1: also from Spokane. It was just great. So many kitchen
S1: table partners there who really believe in open line. And
S1: a lot of people said that they've grown so much
S1: by studying the Bible together every week. I'm so grateful
S1: to God for that, and I so appreciate it that
S1: they they're saying, you know, we want to give monthly
S1: so you can be on weekly and, and minister to
S1: these people. And I am so grateful for that partnership
S1: with these people who are really part of the team.
S1: That's how we're able to do this. And so if
S1: you're interested in becoming a kitchen table partner, just know
S1: that we have a special benefit for you. Every other week,
S1: Trish and I produce a Bible study moment that you
S1: get sent and you can open your email, click on it,
S1: listen to it. Uh, also if if you commit to
S1: $30 a month or more, you get 50% off the
S1: Moody Publishers catalog. That's a great benefit. And I think
S1: that it's it's just a terrific opportunity. And we're really
S1: grateful to God for everyone that decides to do that.
S1: If you'd like to become a kitchen table partner, become
S1: part of the team. All you have to do is
S1: call 712, two or go to open line radio.org. And
S1: I will tell you one of the funny thing, everyone
S1: that our emcee at the summit was Doctor William Washington,
S1: the dean of student life at Moody. And he was
S1: really kind of interesting because he met people and they said, where,
S1: where Open Line listeners. And that's how we heard about it.
S1: And that's how he came to the summit. And he
S1: just looked at him, and he actually would look at
S1: them and say, are you a kitchen table partner yet?
S1: And they'd say, no. He says, well, what are you
S1: waiting for? What are you waiting for? I thought it
S1: was pretty funny. He has more chutzpah than I do
S1: to say things like that. I would never, but he
S1: was telling everyone and that person said, well, I don't know.
S1: Why not. I'll become a kitchen table partner. It was
S1: pretty funny, I loved it. So anyway, we're going to
S1: talk to Patricia in Bridgeview, Illinois, listening on Wmbi. Welcome
S1: to Open Line. Patricia, how can I help you today?
S4: Good morning Michael. I am at my kitchen table halfway
S4: through my second cup of coffee. Um, so I have
S4: recently heard that many churches and even friends of mine
S4: believe that women are prohibited from being leaders pastors, whether
S4: that's assistant pastor or youth pastor, um, teachers of the church,
S4: especially when it pertains to, you know, teaching over men.
S4: I know that this is based on first Timothy 212
S4: and first Corinthians 1434 through 35. I guess my question is,
S4: why is it that so many who love God and
S4: follow and study his words, take those two verses out
S4: of the context that they were written for their, you know,
S4: in that culture in that time, the way that Paul
S4: wrote it and they fit it to, in my opinion,
S4: the perspective of, you know, manly, manly traditions of our world.
S4: I guess I'm just trying to get a better understanding. Well.
S1: First of all, I'm one of those ones that you
S1: would disagree with. Uh, and, uh, I want to be
S1: really clear. There are there's a lot in Scripture that
S1: women should and should do. For example, I think that
S1: it's okay for women to teach men in a small
S1: group context in a Sunday school class, something that's not
S1: the authoritative proclamation of the word. Uh, I don't think
S1: that women should be silent in the church, so to speak. Uh,
S1: because the word there. Well, first Corinthians 11. That women
S1: could pray. Uh, and they could also at the time
S1: when the gift of prophecy was in effect, they could prophesy.
S1: If you look at First Corinthians 11, because he talks
S1: about women praying and prophesying, prophesying with their heads covered.
S1: And so obviously it wasn't absolute silence. Uh, Priscilla and
S1: Aquila in a small group setting, uh, taught Apollos and
S1: and Priscilla was a woman. So I see variations. I
S1: also see Timothy as a child, learned the scriptures from
S1: his mother and his grandmother, according to first and second Timothy.
S1: So obviously there are lots of places where women can teach.
S1: Titus two says, uh, I want the older women to
S1: teach the younger women to love their husbands and various
S1: other things. So there's a lot of teaching that women
S1: can and should do. Uh, and what I see in
S1: first Timothy is, uh, verse 12, I don't allow a
S1: woman to teach or to have authority over a man.
S1: That appears to me to be referring to the authoritative
S1: proclamation that elders do in the local congregation. So when
S1: we gather to worship, there's someone that gets up and, uh,
S1: today we call him the pastor. But one of the
S1: elders would proclaim the word teach the word in an
S1: authoritative way. Uh, that's that's what Paul is prohibiting. And
S1: when he says to exercise authority, that means not that
S1: every man can be an elder, but women were not
S1: to be one of the elders in the local congregation. Now,
S1: I understand your view, Patricia, that you're saying, well, that's
S1: because of the culture of the day. Am I right
S1: in understanding it that way?
S4: Yeah. Well, I mean, he was talking to the Ephesians
S4: who were being misled by false teachers and women who
S4: were uneducated with Scripture.
S1: Yeah. And so and some people say because of the
S1: temple of Artemis and the women's role there, Paul is
S1: reacting to that and so forth. Uh.
S4: However, with, uh.
S1: Corinthians. Patricia. Patricia. One second, I want you to notice
S1: something that verses 13 and 14 give the reasons that
S1: Paul gives this prohibition. Okay. And the and the reason
S1: is the order of creation. For Adam was created first,
S1: then Eve, and then the second reason. And Adam was
S1: not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. And
S1: so the second reason is not the order of creation,
S1: but the fall. And I don't think Paul is saying
S1: that women are more naive or more gullible. I think
S1: what he is saying is, look what happened when Eve
S1: did not follow the the established order in the home
S1: that God had set up for men to be the
S1: spiritual leader and look at the bad consequences. So, uh,
S1: the reason I think that verse 12 continues, is as
S1: a trans cultural prohibition is because the two reasons that
S1: Paul gives have nothing to do with the culture of
S1: that day, but rather the reasons he gives have to
S1: do with creation and the fall. And so that would
S1: lead me to conclude that Paul was not talking about
S1: the situation locally in Ephesus, but rather he was talking
S1: about the, the principle of. You'll notice everywhere he went
S1: he appointed men to be elders. It says in first
S1: Timothy three. This is a trustworthy saying. If anyone aspires
S1: to be an overseer, he desires a noble work. It
S1: literally says, if any man desires. Aspires to be an overseer,
S1: he desires a noble work. Doesn't mean that every man
S1: should be an overseer, because it's something that they have
S1: to desire. And then also he gives the qualifications. So
S1: it's not every man. It's just saying that certain men
S1: who have a level of maturity and want to do
S1: this and serve in this way, they are the ones
S1: that should be elders. It's not saying that, uh, every man, uh,
S1: we have to be really careful because a lot of
S1: people are saying, oh, this means that every man is
S1: authoritative over woman. Not true. That's just the elders. And
S1: then the other thing I would say, it's not saying
S1: women can't serve in ministry. There are many, many ways
S1: that women can serve in ministry. It's just saying that
S1: the elder role is not, in fact, in first Timothy three.
S1: It talks about, I believe, about deaconesses, uh, in verse 11, uh,
S1: where it says women too must be worthy of respect
S1: in the context of deacons, uh, women deacons or deaconesses, uh,
S1: those who serve in the local congregation, obviously they can
S1: serve in that way as well. So, uh. I'm sorry, Patricia,
S1: if I disappointed you by giving you my opinion on this, but, uh,
S1: I really do think that's what the word says.
S4: But I just was hoping for some better.
S1: Well, then if you if you respectfully disagree, I appreciate that,
S1: but here's my question. How do you explain the fact
S1: that Paul doesn't cite the reason as the local culture,
S1: but instead cites creation in the fall as the reasons?
S4: I don't know how to explain it. I just find it.
S4: I just find it difficult to accept when, um, believers
S4: take one sentence, one verse out of a whole letter
S4: and base their belief off that one sentence. Because if
S4: you go down a couple more verses, it also says
S4: that women are saved through childbearing. And I don't know
S4: about you, Michael, but I was saved by the blood
S4: of Jesus, not by giving birth to my children.
S1: Well, in first Timothy 215, where it says women will
S1: be saved by bearing of children. I think that we
S1: have to understand that the word saved is not talking
S1: about eternal salvation. I don't think Paul would get that
S1: wrong if you think that's what he meant. I think
S1: what the word sozo in Greek has a broad meaning,
S1: and in context here it's meaning something quite different. It
S1: means delivered. They'll find significance in their lives, not through
S1: leading the local church, but by bearing and raising children,
S1: if they literally is what it says. My version says
S1: if she, but it says if they the children that
S1: she is born, continue in faith, love, holiness with good judgment.
S1: And so the idea is a woman will find her significance,
S1: not necessarily by trying to lead the local congregation, but
S1: by raising children for the Lord. I know that there
S1: are some people that are beyond, uh, the age of
S1: having children. There are some women that can't have children,
S1: some women don't marry and have children. But I was
S1: just thinking that as a general rule, what Paul is saying,
S1: you know what? You have to find significance in your
S1: life and your family. That's the most the greatest impact
S1: you can have. And then beyond that, uh, even women
S1: who can't have kids, like, uh, at the opening of
S1: the first hour, I talked about, uh, my dear friend Arlene,
S1: who went to be with the Lord in her late 80s. Uh,
S1: but when I was a teenager, she she she and
S1: her husband couldn't have kids, but they basically became surrogate
S1: parents for me. And she and her husband did that
S1: with bunches of teens who needed parenting. And she did
S1: fulfill that by raising up many of us to walk
S1: with the Lord and and grow in him and serve him.
S1: And so I don't think it means that you had
S1: to have that child yourself. There are a lot of
S1: ways that women who couldn't have a child that can
S1: serve the Lord that way and and raise them up
S1: to love him in faith, love and holiness. Hey, Patricia,
S1: love your interaction. Appreciate it so much. We'll be right
S1: back with the mailbag in just a moment. Don't go away.
S1: And we're back. I'm Michael Ray Dolnick, and joining me
S1: right now is the person who puts the mailbag together.
S1: She gets all the ones that you send her, and
S1: she not only puts the mailbag together, But Tricia McMillan
S1: decides which ones she's going to ask. It's not up
S1: to me. So sometimes people write to me and they say,
S1: you know, I sent in a question and it never
S1: made it on the air. I just say, blame Tricia.
S1: Thank you. How do you feel about that, Tricia? How about.
S1: How's that for throwing you under the bus?
S5: Yes, very much so. That said, we do have a
S5: limited amount of time to ask these, so I'm also
S5: limited by sheer time.
S1: That's true. That's why we do, uh, programs periodically where
S1: we catch up and we try and clear the spindle
S1: a little bit and get most of the questions done.
S1: But if you do want to send your question in,
S1: just go to Open Line radio.org, uh, and you'll see
S1: a link that says ask Michael a question and you
S1: click on that and post your question. And Trish will
S1: put it into the mailbag. And we will get to
S1: it usually sooner or later. The reason, you know, I
S1: have really tried to focus on the questions, sending questions there,
S1: because sometimes people go to the Facebook page and they
S1: see a comment and then they unrelated to it. They'll
S1: post a question there or they'll send it, you know,
S1: on a message board or something like that, or Instagram,
S1: and they'll send a question there. And the truth of
S1: it is, if you send it in too many different places,
S1: it's hard to find. And so that's why I've really
S1: tried to encourage people to just do it. Open Line radio.org.
S1: Ask Michael a question. Although Tricia, I know you look
S1: all over.
S5: I do, I do check all of those places because
S5: I know that they come in to all of those.
S5: So if you have sent it there, I do see it.
S5: It just may not be as immediate as the as
S5: the ask Michael a question thing, but I do see it.
S5: I do find them. Yeah.
S1: Yeah. Okay. Well let's ask Michael a question now.
S5: All right. All right. This question is from Susan in
S5: New York. Listens to why John 15 two Jesus is
S5: talking with his disciples and he says, every branch in
S5: me that does not bear fruit he takes away. If
S5: the branch is in him, then they're believers. I know
S5: the word that's been translated takes away is aero. Aero
S5: meaning to lift up. Can you please expound on this verse?
S5: What is our Lord saying here? Uh, John 15 two.
S1: Yeah. Uh, there is. You know, I always wondered about that.
S1: Verse two. Now, many years ago, I read a journal article, uh,
S1: and uh, it's kind of interesting. It was it was
S1: called abiding is Believing. Uh, and, uh, it was I
S1: think it's really important. Uh, it was it was written
S1: by a Western seminary professor. And, uh, the thing about
S1: it is, I think what he is saying here is
S1: I am the true vine and my father is the
S1: vine vineyard keeper. Every branch in me that does not
S1: produce fruit, he removes. Some people say it means he
S1: lifts it up and he prunes every branch that produces
S1: fruit so that it will produce more fruit. Uh, but
S1: then verse four, remain in me and I in you.
S1: Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit in
S1: and of itself unless it remains on the vine, so
S1: neither can you, unless you remain in me. Uh, and
S1: so what he is saying is we can't produce fruit
S1: unless we abide. And that the idea of abiding isn't
S1: just staying in the faith, but that if a person
S1: has a genuine faith, they abide. And if they don't
S1: have a genuine faith, they're not really they won't abide.
S1: And so abiding, he says, is believing genuine faith will
S1: produce fruit. Uh, and, uh, those who this passage, as
S1: we look at it, those who are not abiding, it
S1: says I am the vine. You are the branches. The
S1: one who remains in me, and I in him produces
S1: much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. But
S1: if anyone does not remain or abide in me, he
S1: is thrown aside. And I think that, uh, and they're
S1: gathered up and, uh, separated out. So I think that
S1: that's an accurate assessment, uh, uh, that abiding is actually
S1: being a genuine believer. It's not just sticking with your faith,
S1: but a genuine believer will abide. And that's why that
S1: article was written. Uh, uh, abiding is believing. I think
S1: that really captures it, that a genuine believer is, uh Is, is, uh,
S1: is someone that will abide in the Lord. I'm pulling
S1: it up right now. The the author is a wonderful author.
S1: He's written a lot of books. Uh, and it's J.
S1: Carl Laney. Carl Laney is just a I want to
S1: make sure he was the one that wrote it. I
S1: remembered the article, but Carl Laney, uh, who is kind
S1: of one of those people that I should have been really,
S1: really good friends with. We ran into each other once in,
S1: in Israel and we became friends. And now we're just
S1: friends on Facebook, which is kind of funny, you know? Uh, uh,
S1: but and we write to each other. But I really
S1: have never had, like, a lunch with him or anything or.
S1: But we're kind of distant friends because I like his
S1: work so much. And he was writing to me, and
S1: he read a book that I. That I wrote and
S1: said how much he liked it. So we were mutual admirers,
S1: you know. Yeah. Uh, but but that article, uh, abiding
S1: is believing in Bibliotheca Sacra about 40 years ago, maybe
S1: 42 years ago. Uh, that's that was a great article. And, uh,
S1: it says that a genuine person who abides, uh, is
S1: a believer.
S5: So I always had this idea that abiding takes more
S5: effort than, than just genuinely believing that you that there's
S5: more action on my part. But you seem to be
S5: saying that. No, it's it's just that genuine faith.
S1: Yeah. The genuine faith will lead to abiding. It will, uh,
S1: the person who just has, uh, maybe an intellectual assent
S1: like we talked about last hour, maybe an emotional response,
S1: but not a decision to follow. They won't abide. Okay.
S1: Like like, uh, the the the seed that falls on
S1: the soil, that's that's, uh.
S5: Uh, that has shallow.
S1: Roots, shallow root. And yeah, they're not abiding. So abiding
S1: is genuine faith.
S5: Okay. So this is really just a follow up to
S5: last hour's question where we talked about what what true
S5: faith was. Okay. Wonderful. Well, thank you for that question, Susan.
S5: And for taking us a little bit deeper. Jeff wrote
S5: us from Ohio, listens to Wtxf. Wants to know if
S5: you have a recommendation of a resource on Jewish traditions,
S5: culture and expectations at the time of Jesus wants to
S5: better understand this part of the New Testament?
S1: Yeah. Uh, there's a book. There's a couple of books
S1: that I would recommend. Uh, there's Jodi Magnus's book. Uh,
S1: and it's I'll give you. It's kind of a funny title.
S1: Jodi Magness is a Jewish archaeologist, and it says that
S1: Jodi Magness. Magness, uh, stone and dung, oil and spit,
S1: Jewish daily life in the time of Jesus. That's about
S1: daily life.
S5: Okay.
S1: Okay. It is.
S5: It is a different title. Yeah.
S1: It's stone and dung. Oil and spit. Jewish daily life
S1: in the time of Jesus. Jodi. Jodi magness. M a
S1: g n e s s excellent. Uh, archaeologist who wrote that? Uh,
S1: but if you want to know about Jewish beliefs in
S1: the time of Jesus, the, uh, the the theology of
S1: Judaism at the time, or I should better say, theologies
S1: of Judaism, there are a lot of books about that,
S1: and they kind of differ. But there's one book that's
S1: kind of old, I think it may be almost 100
S1: years old, maybe from the 1940s. Uh, and it's still available.
S1: It's still in print. You can find it. Uh, it's
S1: called Judaism. In the first centuries of the Christian era.
S1: Judaism in the first centuries of the Christian era. That's
S1: what the beliefs were, the expectations about the Messiah, things
S1: like that. And the author's name is George. Foot as
S1: in hand versus foot. Right. So foot more George foot Moore.
S1: And it's called Judaism in the first centuries of the
S1: Christian era. And it has like you can look up
S1: it'll have what did Judaism believe about the Messiah? What
S1: did Judaism believe about other things? And it's it's a
S1: great little book. Okay. It's a big book, actually. Two volumes.
S5: Oh, no. Okay. Yeah. So it's you settle in to
S5: read it. Yeah.
S1: Well, it's. But you'd have to look in the index
S1: and find what you're looking for if you want to
S1: understand it.
S5: So it's more of a a bigger resource. That would
S5: be more extensive. Yeah. Okay.
S1: But that doesn't deal with the daily life. It just
S1: deals with the beliefs of Judaism.
S5: I will I will link both of those on our
S5: website for people who are trying to find them or
S5: didn't catch the titles.
S1: You know what's so interesting about those books, uh, is
S1: that I'm all I'm often asked questions about Jewish life
S1: in the first century. And there's others. Social life Sketches
S1: of Jewish Social Life in the Times of Jesus by
S1: Alfred Edersheim. Uh, that's a 150 year old book. But
S1: he was a great rabbinic scholar and became a Jewish
S1: believer in Jesus. And he has a lot about social,
S1: social life. And, uh, daily life is Jodi Magness. That's
S1: a fairly recent book, probably about ten years old. And then, uh,
S1: about Jewish beliefs. I think we've got that book by
S1: George Whitmore. George Whitmore.
S5: Yeah. What was the edersheim book?
S1: Uh, sketches of Jewish Social Life in the Time of Christ?
S5: None of these are short titles, either. So they take
S5: me a moment to write down sketches of Jewish social
S5: life in the.
S1: In the time of Christ.
S5: Time of Christ.
S1: And its Alfred Edersheim. One of the most, uh, really, uh,
S1: well known Jewish believers from the previous. From the 1800s.
S5: Wow. All right, well. Thank you. Okay. That's a vast
S5: that covers covers a lot of history in terms of
S5: when they wrote these books. So. But I appreciate it.
S5: Thank you for that question, Jeff.
S1: Yep. Uh, well, I think we'll just take a break here. Yeah, yeah,
S1: we'll go back to calls. Thank you so much. You're
S1: welcome for sending it in. And thanks for putting it together, Tricia.
S1: It's always great. I really I tease her, but you
S1: know how much I appreciate you, Tricia. Yes. You know,
S1: even though I blame you for not getting the questions
S1: on the air, it's my long answers that really keep
S1: them off the air. We'll be right back with more
S1: of your calls. That was Tricia McMillan. I'm Michael Radonich.
S1: This is open line. Stay right with us.
UU: We'll be right back.
S1: Some claim Paul is the key person who took the
S1: message of the Jewish Messiah. Jesus made it into something Gentile.
S1: But Paul is also the one who wrote, brethren, my
S1: heart's desire for Israel is for their salvation. Romans ten one.
S1: Chosen people ministries. One of our underwriters wants us all
S1: to learn what drove Paul's passion for his own people.
S1: They're offering the book The Heart of the Apostle by
S1: Rich Freeman, free to all open line listeners. To get
S1: this exposition of Romans nine through 11, just go to
S1: our website, openline. radio.org. Scroll down to the link that
S1: says A free gift from Chosen People Ministries. Click on
S1: that and you'll be taken to a page where you
S1: can sign up for your very own free copy of
S1: The Heart of the Apostle. Paul. Welcome back to Open Line.
S1: I've had a great time with you in the word. Uh,
S1: it's been a lot of fun studying the scriptures. I
S1: love calling this the Bible Study across America, because when
S1: you see all the people calling from across the country, uh,
S1: it's just amazing. And I'm so grateful for your listening. Uh,
S1: I do want to thank Omar Mendoza for doing a
S1: great job at the board today, and Tricia for doing
S1: a great job producing with the help of Tyra and to, uh,
S1: also for tiara answering the phones. Uh, you guys appreciate
S1: your help being part of the team here. And, uh,
S1: we're going to go right back to the phones. We're
S1: going to speak with DJ and Annandale, Minnesota, uh, listening
S1: on Ksfb. Welcome to Open Line. DJ. How can I
S1: help you?
S6: Good morning. Thank you so much for your show. I
S6: enjoy it very, very much. Thank you. Um, I also yeah,
S6: I also just received my copy of the Moody Bible Commentary.
S6: I'm so excited to dig into that too.
S1: You just received it? Yes.
S7: I just ordered it online.
S6: I was very excited.
S1: Oh, wow. You know what? Do you know what? I
S1: should really mention that to people, though. That it's November.
S1: And November means people are starting their holiday shopping. Christmas, Hanukkah,
S1: things like that. And one of the best presents I
S1: think people can give is the Moody Bible commentary. So.
S1: And I want to encourage that. Uh, you know, that's
S1: a wonderful gift. If you're wondering what to get dad,
S1: what to get your brother, what to get your sister.
S1: It's a moody Bible commentary. Thanks for the reminder, JW.
S1: That's great. Or you can get one for yourself. Like.
S1: Like JW did, right?
S6: Yes. Um, my question today is when I read in
S6: the Psalms, very often I see a Bible verse end
S6: with the word Selah, and I have not been able
S6: to find anywhere that can give me a definition of
S6: that word. Can you help me out with that?
S1: I might, you know. I always thought it meant that
S1: there was going to be a music group by the
S1: name of Selah and and a contemporary music group. So
S1: it was sort of a prophecy. No, no, I don't
S1: think you've heard of that music group, haven't you? Yeah.
S1: It's not that, uh, you know what? What it is.
S1: You know, there are a lot of directions or some, uh,
S1: what would you call it? Uh, uh, for example, I
S1: just opened my book of Psalms. It says in Psalm 78,
S1: a maskil of Asaph. And so Maskil refers to a
S1: teaching psalm, a wisdom psalm. So that's that's what that means.
S1: And sometimes we see the word Selah or Selah or
S1: Selah and. Well, what is that? Uh, my. I'll tell
S1: you what. My Bible, uh, in the back of it,
S1: I have a hcsb Bible, uh, produced by B and
S1: H in the glossary. It has a glossary in the back,
S1: and it says Selah, a Hebrew word whose meaning is uncertain.
S1: Various interpretations include one a musical notation, likely two a
S1: pause for silence. That would be a musical notation as well.
S1: It would be a kind of musical notation. Three A
S1: signal for worshipers to fall prostrate on the ground. For
S1: a term for the worshipers to call out. And five
S1: a word meaning forever. Now that's different things that scholars
S1: have put out as to what it means. In my opinion,
S1: it just it's a musical notation that means pause. That's
S1: what it means. Take a breath.
S6: Oh, interesting. Mhm.
S1: That's because remember these were written.
S6: Thank you for these. These were.
S1: These were written to be sung.
S6: So. Yeah. That's right.
S1: Yeah. So it's just a musical notation for a pause.
S1: But it's a good question. You see it all the
S1: time in the book of Psalms, right.
S6: Yes. Yes, exactly. Yeah.
S1: Well, thanks for thanks for listening. DJ by the way,
S1: taking a pause when we read the Psalms. Not a
S1: bad thing. Take a minute. Think about what you just read.
S1: Take a, you know, 10s and then keep on. Not
S1: a bad idea. So.
S6: Okay, I think that's the purpose of putting it there.
S6: So thank you so much. Have a great day.
S1: Yeah. Thanks for your call. Richard in Plainfield, Illinois, listening
S1: on Wmbi. Welcome to Open Line.
S8: Thanks, Michael. Got a quick question for you. In acts
S8: chapter eight, verses 16 and 17, it seems that some
S8: Samaritans have been baptized but did not receive the Holy
S8: Spirit until Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem and laid
S8: their hands on them. So I guess my first question
S8: is how does one receive the Holy Spirit? Is it
S8: through baptism or the laying on of hands, as Luke
S8: seems to be implying in these verses?
S1: Well, let me just start by saying, if you read
S1: through the book of acts, uh, it's not always the case.
S1: For example, in acts ten, no one laid hands on Cornelius. Uh,
S1: he didn't pray to receive the Holy Spirit, but the
S1: Holy Spirit fell on, on him. Peter relates, just as
S1: he did upon us at the beginning in acts two.
S1: And the same thing in acts two. The Holy Spirit fell.
S1: There was nothing that they did to make the Holy
S1: Spirit fall. It's just one of the things that you
S1: see in the book of acts is that the Holy
S1: Spirit falls upon people differently. Different settings. Uh, and the
S1: Bible says if you this is what it says in
S1: Romans eight nine, if we don't have the Spirit of Christ,
S1: we don't belong to him. First Corinthians 1213 says, we
S1: are all baptized by one spirit into one body. It
S1: is why, uh, people have said that we should, uh,
S1: we should not teach the apostles experience. That's what the
S1: Book of Acts says. It's a narrative of a transition.
S1: We should not teach the apostles experience, but we should
S1: experience the apostles teaching. That's what we find in the epistles.
S1: What I think happened in the transitional nature of the
S1: the book is that to keep the Samaritans from forming
S1: a schismatic separatist group of believers, just remember the Samaritans.
S1: They were schismatic from Judaism. Do you remember that? Well,
S1: the same way there is the danger of the Samaritans
S1: first receiving the gospel and separating from the apostles. So
S1: instead they waited for the apostles to go to Samaria,
S1: lay hands on them, the Holy Spirit falls on them,
S1: and they are brought into the authority under the apostles.
S1: And there's only one church, not a Samaritan one versus
S1: a Jewish one. So that's why I think it happened
S1: that way. But the epistles were going to go for
S1: our teaching. That's the program for the week. Thanks for
S1: your call, Richard. Thanks for all of you who called.
S1: Thanks for making Open Line possible. Keep in touch with
S1: us by going to our website, Open Line radio.org. It's
S1: got all the links you're looking for how to become
S1: a kitchen table partner, how to get our current resource,
S1: how to get receive the gift from Chosen People ministries.
S1: Keep reading the Bible. We'll talk about it next week.
S1: Open line with Doctor Michael Rolnick is a production of
S1: Moody Radio, a ministry of Moody Bible Institute. See you
S1: next week.