Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Hello, dear people.
We’ve already had a rather big day. And a big day is still in store. Among other things, I designed a little work period for some of the grandkids so they could earn some privileges at running the quad. It involved restacking 3 small piles of lumber. Now I need to run to buy more fuel as they ran it out of fuel.
Becki and I had a pretty good laugh over the response from Gaylord Janzen to my comment yesterday about Bimbo. He simply said, “I pray that Bimbo will find a loving home this time.” Well, I hope so too.
Without a doubt, a home where love is the norm is the best home to be in. May it define yours.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Who is “them” in this expression? Reviewing the preceding body of the psalm turns up this list as an answer: Angels, heavenly hosts, sun, moon, stars, highest heavens, waters above the skies, sea creatures, ocean depths, lightning, hail, snow, clouds, stormy winds, mountains, hills, fruit trees, cedars, wild animals, cattle, small creatures, flying birds, kings, nations, princes, rulers, young men, maidens, old men, and children. Whew! That just about covers EVERYONE and EVERYTHING!
There is a concern that is moving inside of me at present. Please judge the legitimacy of my concern. I sense a measure of possible danger in getting caught up this kind of loud sensational cheerleading. How so? Because it can focus undue attention on EVERYONE and EVERYTHING out there that are all obligated to praise the LORD, and risks overlooking one’s own personal obligation to engage—one’s own personal heart-level choice to praise, love, serve, and honor the LORD—and not just with songs and a bunch of worship-sounding verbiage, but with authentic action from a HEART AFTER GOD.
Please be patient while I air another related concern. Just this morning I went online to explore some of the debate generated by a fairly new theological persuasion within the ranks of evangelical Christianity—“Open Theism,” or “Open Theology.” I don’t think I fit very well in the middle of that wrangling over hair-splitting technicalities. In fact, while I do hold some views and convictions over what is truth and error, it all boils down to a question of, “So what?”—IF it circumvents in any way my personal responsibility to seek, love, and serve God to the best of my knowledge and ability. That’s why I’m here! It’s not to try and come up with a flawless theology that endeavors to perfectly understand God. Forget it! I’m convinced that God has seen to it that you and I won’t—and can’t. He’s beyond finding out (Romans 11:33).
This approach also helps me in dealing with other issues—like Arminianism vs Calvinism, the King James Version vs New International Version, Seventh Day Sabbath vs Sunday—the list is almost endless. Sure, we want to do our best to distinguish between essentials and non-essentials, but I judge that high-centering on all these minute technicalities risks bumping us off-course from the central issues—LOVING GOD, and LOVING THE PEOPLE GOD LOVES. After all, what possible difference can it make to love God in KJV or NIV? What does it matter if one loves other people from a bent toward Arminianism or Calvinism? How can it matter much if you gather together with other lovers of God on Saturday or Sunday?
“For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation” (149:4).