Welcome to E†B

Welcome to E†B (Explaining The Bible), where I aim to explain the meaning of the Bible in a simple but intelligent and practical way.

Let’s move on to the 30 second introductory tour…

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The Parable of the Net by Matthew Flannagan

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. Matthew 13:47-51 NIV

Click on the triangle to listen (31 minutes).

Click here to download the MP3 file (12MB).

About Matt

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What does the resurrection of Jesus tell us about death?

Why did Jesus need to be resurrected from the dead if, as many believe, the “essential part” of us stays alive when we die and then floats off to a cloud?

Armand Newrick (pictured) answered this question during Easter 2011 and referred to this passage:

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? [there is no resurrection of the dead if the dead are alive and on a cloud] 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 1Cor 15:12-23 ESV

Click on the triangle to listen (17 minutes).

Click here to download the MP3 file (7MB).

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Family fellowship and home education

Yesterday I went to Mainly Music, a community programme that my church has started. It’s for parents and young children, with the main part being singing and moving to music with parental involvement. Three young ladies were helping out: a ten-year-old, a fourteen-year-old, and a fifteen-year-old. Each was working alongside her mother (who was a leader), and it struck me that this was a very good thing.

The Bible clearly states that parents are to teach their children the ways of God, and these young ladies were learning to serve others by working beside their mothers. This is a form of leading by example.

All the parental teaching in the world is of little value when parents do not have fellowship¹ with their children. Working alongside children is a great way to build a relationship with them², and these young ladies are able to work beside their mothers in a midweek event because they are home educated. Home education gives many opportunities for building relationships, and having a godly relationship with children is an essential part of setting them on the right path.

Proverbs 15:17 gives us another perspective on this:

Better is a dish of vegetables where love is
Than a fattened ox served with hatred³. (NASB)

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1. This term does not imply equality between parents and children. It is referring to unity or communion, in the sense of a team of oxen pulling a load together in order to serve their lord: in such teams one animal is the leader. The biblical Hebrew term habar has the meaning of “join (togther), unite”. The biblical Greek term koinonia “emphasises the worth of Christian community bound together by faith and trust in Christ”. (Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, ed. Stephen D Renn pp 376-7)
2. Which is more effective at building relationship with a child: working with her or sitting with her in front of a mesmerising, conversation-killing TV?
3. When applied to families this verse is saying “It’s better to be in a poor, loving family than in a rich, hateful one”. One has fellowship, the other doesn’t.

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Giving thanks in all circumstances

A friend’s child suffered a minor but painful mouth injury and as a result he had to have jelly and sorbet for lunch. His mother said that having these sweet treats caused great suffering, and I was reminded of the letter to the Thessalonians:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.*

This boy had something to be thankful for in the midst of his difficult circumstances. There is always something that we can be thankful for, even if it’s only that the trial we are in is building godly character.

I find that giving thanks is a great way to build contentment, and that getting into a habit of giving thanks is best. One of the simplest routines for a personal prayer time is “teaspoon”, so called because in recipe books “tsp” means “teaspoon”:

Thanks
Sorry
Please

This conforms with Paul’s instruction:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.**

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* 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
** Philippians 4:6 NASB

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Matthew Flannagan on the Sermon on the Mount (Part 1)

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:1-7 NIV

Matt points out that understanding context, including the cultural and historical situation in which a passage was written, is necessary for understanding the Bible and then does an excellent job of explaining the context of the Sermon on the Mount.

Click on the triangle to listen (35 minutes).

Click here to download the MP3 file (13MB).

Matt is seeking full-time academic employment in either Philosophy or Theology or as a Religious Education, Critical Thinking or Philosophy teacher in the secondary sector and will consider vacancies anywhere in the world. More about Matt.

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