Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Hello, dear ones.

Overcast sky at present. Hopefully, I can get out there in a few minutes to do a jog…even though I don’t really FEEL like it.

If things are moving on schedule, the truck that I applied graphics to yesterday is already in Seattle picking up a pair of big UPS trailers to haul to California. If the owner/driver keeps his speed under 750 mph, the graphics should hold up just fine.

I wasn’t able to perform the repair I intended yesterday on the sawmill. In my efforts to get things readjusted, I even made another problem…breaking off a mounting stud for the inside blade guide. Phooey. I’ll try to cripple along and finish up the job where it is, and wait till I bring the mill back home before completing the repair.

Before I do that, I think I’ll use the crane truck this morning to remove a tree for someone…the same people I did the truck graphics for. Graphics and tree removal…what a strange mix! But the shoe fits. Hey!...I’ll bet you have some funny shoes too.

Blessings. Love, Dad/Ray.

The overview of the book of Hebrews in my Study Bible states that out of all the men mentioned in the New Testament the profile of Apollos would make him qualify as the most likely author of this letter. Some time ago I read a historical novel that presented Priscilla as the author. I’m still inclined to regard Paul as the author. But that technicality in this case doesn’t really rise to be of absolute importance. I hope we can accept that the important thing is discerning the fact that its content is in sound harmony with apostolic revelation and authority. Anyway, I will proceed to refer to the author as simply “the author.”

In verses 8 and 9 of the reading the author is inspired to quote from Psalm 45. “Your throne, O god, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” It is agreed among Bible scholars that these verses have their best fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The New Testament presents the Kingdom of Christ as an eternal one. Jesus clearly loved righteousness and hated wickedness. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. And He was definitely above all other humans insofar as freedom from sin is concerned.

A practical point grabs my attention from this track of thought—that is, it is not enough to love righteousness—one must also hate wickedness. That is the mind and attitude of Christ. And “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

Let me throw you a spin on this that has caused me no small concern over the years. It seems to be a kind of a delicate and sticky matter with some—because it often meets with defensive reaction—as though some would like to say, “I don’t really like you messing with my private world.” I’ll cast it in question form: Is it not reasonable to suspicion that something is amiss, at least potentially dangerous, in the lives of “believers” who vicariously engage in wickedness via the medium of movies, television, and literature? Oh, sure—it’s easy to pass it all off as “entertainment,” but since when is wickedness supposed to be entertaining? Anyway, I encourage you to think it through and make your own judgment. And as you do so, please do not be a typical worldling who shops for a belief system that conforms to their preferred lifestyle. Instead, aspire be a true follower of Christ who conforms his lifestyle according to his belief system. And to put our Biblical belief system into a nutshell, may I suggest, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)?