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The Kingdom and Culture: Part Two

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In Part One of “The Kingdom and Culture,” I explained that much of the Bible describes thoughts, feelings, events, and problem-solution situations besides providing historical information. We can use much of what we read to understand YHVH (God) and Christ better and sometimes assist our Christian walk. On the other hand, the Bible prescribes instructions that apply to all people and are non-negotiable. They include the Ten Commandments and further moral instructions. Unfortunately, we tend to make the descriptive, prescriptive—force behavior not meant for everyone in all situations. Let’s dig deeper into my previous three examples of hair, women’s leadership, and Eldership.

Long hair for heaven? Some claim that Paul commanded all women to have long hair (and men short). The misinterpretation has resulted in many foreign church leaders believing their female congregants will go to hell because of cultural baldness or short hair. Understand that 1 Corinthian 11 describes Paul admonishing Greek Christian women to honor their culture, which believed long female hair and short male hair were essential to fertility. Why admonish them? To reduce the risk of creating barriers to God’s Kingdom through unnecessary contention between the culture and the Christian community. The requirement is certainly not going to pertain to all women everywhere!

No women leaders or preachers? Many Christians teach this by misapplying Paul’s localized instructions. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2, Paul addresses unruly women who were falsely teaching and bucking the Greko-Roman-Jewish cultures through newfound Christian freedom (causing scandal). He didn’t prohibit women Church leaders and teachers in general! Anyone claiming women can’t lead or ‘preach’ should remember there was an ancient Jewish judge over women and men (Deborah), and female leaders and teachers were instrumental in establishing the early churches. Who? Mary Magdalene, Philip’s daughters, Priscilla, Deaconness Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2) …

No polygamous Elders? Paul established moral guidelines for being a deacon or elder (e.g., 1 Timothy 3:2-5). Included is marital fidelity (being a ‘one-woman man’). Unfortunately, some claim that no elder anywhere can have multiple wives (or have been divorced). Recently, a Ugandan Christian with two wives asked about leading in his church, part of a polygamous community. Someone demanded that he honor the [English] ‘letter of the law’ and not allow anyone with multiple wives to become an elder. What was his suggestion instead? Pray that God would kill one of the wives so that he will have only one and be able to be an Elder! Sigh … Christ’s Law of Love and the need to effectively manage the church in a unique culture certainly trump Pharisaical-like law-mongering and biblical misinterpretations!

In summary, keep the descriptions and applications of Biblical texts in their contexts unless they prescribe behavior for all people all the time! Next, let’s understand evil better in “God Versus Evil.”  In the meantime, honor God and care for people.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

The Kingdom and Culture: Part One

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When teaching in Africa recently, I was reminded that much of the Bible describes cultural problems and solutions while not prescribing global behavior. In other words, they may be instructions given to a particular group to address specific Christian challenges within a targeted community. Sometimes, they describe how the early Church needed to interact in their communities and cultures—not dictate behavior for all people for all time. Examples here and in the following article include hair, authority, and fidelity. Definitions first!

Descriptive versus prescriptive. Most of the Bible describes helpful thoughts, experiences, events, or sequences. The Genesis account, genealogies, poetry, wisdom, and history are examples. Much of the New Testament (e.g., Paul’s letters) describes events and culture-based Christian living without prescribing behavior for everyone. A good example is the book of Philemon. There, Paul writes a letter to slave owner Philemon to convince him to release his runaway slave to him without punishment. Read carefully, and you’ll find that Paul uses some slick guilt-mongering to accomplish his goal. He probably never imagined this personal letter becoming part of a global prescription!

On the other hand, God’s commandments and Christ’s instructions prescribe behavior (e.g., “Don’t murder, steal, or be sexually immoral”). The trick is understanding how to honor them in cultural or personal contexts. Trying to apply ‘descriptive’ stuff as global ‘prescriptive’ behavior can be destructive. I’ll give more details in Part Two, but here are a few examples.

Long hair for heaven. A Ugandan pastor asked me if his female congregants would go to hell because of their bald heads or short hair. Why? Because missionaries mistaught that Paul’s description of a Greek cultural hair issue and its resolution prescribed long hair for all women everywhere for all time. More on this in the following article!

No women church leaders or preachers. This misunderstanding and unfortunate church doctrine, too, is due to forcing the description of a problem-solution in a particular culture (Greek misogynistic) into law everywhere for all people for all time. I wonder what Israelite judge Deborah, Jesus, or women leaders in the early Church would’ve said about this! More next time!

No church leaders with more than one wife. Having multiple wives is fundamental to some cultures and is often necessary for survival or family-making. Yet, some Westerners wrongly insist that men with multiple wives can’t lead their congregations. Why? Because a misinterpretation of one Elder qualification places more importance on the number of concurrent wives over marital fidelity, which is the heart of being a ‘one-woman man’ in the language and context of 1 Timothy 3:2-5. More next time!

In summary, culture and context matter when translating and interpreting biblical texts! So does differentiating between biblical descriptions and Godly prescriptions. In the following article, I’ll expound upon the three examples I’ve included here.  Meanwhile, obey God’s commands and Christ’s Law of Love.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Finding the End of the World, Uncategorized

At the End of the Day … God!

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Tenth-century King Solomon can teach us much about meaningful (or useless!) life pursuits. Read his letter (biblical Ecclesiastes), and you’ll learn that, despite great riches, wealth, power, and women, he realized that only God truly satisfies. Let’s begin at the beginning.

The beginning. God gave Solomon wisdom and great wealth (1 Kings 3:5-13). He amassed incredible treasure and many women (300 concubines and 700 wives!). And his extraordinary wisdom brought exceptional fame. But Solomon found that pursuits of fame, fortune, and pleasure were pointless and vain—like spitting in the wind.

Vanity and uselessness. Solomon wrote that much of what he chased was vanity, which, in context, means ‘empty’ or ‘unsatisfactory.’ Again, pointless stuff. Things that bring little advantage and die with the generations, yet aren’t new: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Again, all vanity, according to Solomon: “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Let’s visit some of the vain, meaningless things.

Vain stuff. Topping Solomon’s list of vain pursuits is chasing madness and folly. Lusting after laughter and pleasure (including wine!) is up there are silly and wasteful things. And building projects didn’t bring satisfaction but grief. Solomon: “So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.” No matter what we do or acquire, we’ll leave this earth with nothing!

Where everything ends up. From dust we were formed, to dust we’ll return. The fate is the same for all mammals, including humans (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20). And the spirit within the body will return to its Maker. We’ll take nothing with us, and all we leave behind will eventually rot or be forgotten. So, what’s Solomon’s advice for good living in the meantime?

At the end of the day: God. According to Solomon, rest is better than striving after stuff in vain. And a healthy fear of God is a good thing:  “Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly” (Ecclesiastes 8:12). Don’t love or hoard money—share. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and what God has given, including the marriage relationship. Whatever you do, do it with all your might! Solomon’s conclusion: “Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment . . .” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)

In summary, the wisest man suggested fearing God and keeping His commandments for a fruitful, meaningful life. My next article will explore God’s Kingdom versus culture and differentiate between descriptive and prescriptive biblical texts. Until then, don’t be vain: chase only Godly stuff! Don’t know what that means? Ask me!

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

New & Renewed Beginnings

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Recently, I reposted an ‘untold’ Christmas story—a behind-the-scenes look at God’s peace and redemption Jesus set into motion with His arrival on earth. Because the new year begins a week after Christmas, I thought we should revisit new and renewed beginnings. Here are a few examples of New Year celebrations and why we use them to make resolutions.

American/European: January 1st. We often gather the evening before and bring in the new year with shouts, parties, countdowns, and resolutions. And some of those parties bring regrets and spawn resolutions of their own.

Chinese (Also known as the Spring Festival): The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar. The idea is like that of the American and European New Year celebrations.

Jewish, Religious – Pesach (Passover): The 1st Jewish month, when the time of the covenant between God and His ‘bride’ Israel began. It was a new beginning for her.

Jewish, Agricultural – Rosh Hashanah: The 7th month of the Jewish calendar. Interestingly, this is the official State New Year, but it also closely relates to God’s covenant. This New Year begins with the Feast of Trumpets and introduces a time of repentance, forgiveness, and rest.

Because we know of the good and bad things we’ve done or that the current year has brought, the thought of a ‘better’ new year can bring anticipation of good things to come! We want to change what we don’t like; this is where ‘repentance’ (even for the non-religious) comes into play. We’re sorry for the behaviors we don’t like and, therefore, vow to change. It’s more complicated than it seems! Here are three guidelines for helping you achieve your dreams and goals.

First, you must set goals for yourself. Follow the SMART principle:

Specific. Be clear about what you would like to accomplish!

Measurable. How will you know whether you’re succeeding?

Attainable. You probably won’t be a millionaire by the age of 50 – especially if you’re, well, 60.

Relevant. Why try to be a better poker player if your goal is to overcome gambling addiction?

Timely. When should you achieve your goals?

Second, if you intend to have a new beginning in Christ or embrace a lifestyle change, you must PLAN to achieve your goals! To quote some silly movie line: “Those who fail to plan, plan to fail!”

Third, we can rarely accomplish large tasks independently, especially when dealing with weaknesses or temptations. God’s Spirit can provide strength and guidance, and accountability partners give us direction, wisdom, strength, and discipline to be successful.

In summary, it’s never too late to begin again if our heart still beats! Make goals and be accountable for success. Next, let’s find out what King Solomon says matters most at the end of the day.  In the meantime, keep your ‘love, honor, and cherish’ vows to God.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Christmas, the Retold Story!

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Published initially in December, 2021

Christmas is full of traditions, including the story depicting Jesus’ birth. Some renderings sport sheep, camels, and donkeys with costume-clad humans for effect. The event makes us feel good and can be a great time of fun and family. But is there more to the story—perhaps stuff behind the scenes that would make it more meaningful if known? Let’s see.

First, the Son of God, born a son of man, has been around since the creation of our universe (John 1:1-4).

Second, this Son of God had to live and die as a human for a reason: to restore the relationship between Creator and creation by paying the penalty for the first humans’ rebellion and crushing evil (e.g., Genesis 3:15). Why? Paying the price could only be done by someone who had never rebelled against God. He began sending clues about this coming perfect Savior through various prophets like Isaiah: “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14)

This Prince would be born in about 4 BC and eventually crucified, as shown to the prophet Daniel 500 years before Jesus came to earth (Daniel 9:25-26). His birth brings God’s peace to the people with whom He is pleased (Luke 2:14), but it prompted the wrath of a man, Herod (Matthew 2:1-12). For Jesus’ safety, an angel told Joseph and Mary to escape to Egypt until Herod’s death (Matthew 2:13-15). How would the journey be possible? After all, travel and daily life were costly, just as they are now. Allow me to introduce the wise men.

To fully appreciate their contribution, we must return to Persia 500 years earlier when Daniel earned great respect and treasure. He was also well-trained in Babylonian arts, including astronomy. He knew when Jesus would be born and would’ve been familiar with Micah’s prophecy about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). 

So, Daniel, the Jew who spent his life in Persia, had treasure, knew how to chart star movements, and knew where Jesus would be born and the timeframe. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that Persian magi (wise men) knew that Jesus fulfilled prophecies, and the alignment of the stars at the time and place of His birth. Daniel’s great wealth was likely the resource that funded Jesus’ trip to Egypt until Herod’s death. Our God is the master orchestrator who crafts everything according to His pleasure! “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

God and our Christian traditions can bring great blessings, peace, and joy! Next, let’s revisit my New Year 2022 article on new and renewed beginnings.  Meanwhile, give what God desires: charity justice, mercy, and pure heart.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Puttin’ the ‘Be’ Back Into Be-Attitudes!

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Most of us have heard of the ‘Beatitudes’ (Matthew 5: 3-11 or Luke 6:20-23). You may have even heard them read recently in liturgies. But hearing them reminded me that we may not fully understand them or the action-and-reward implications. And what is ‘Blessed?’ Who are the ‘poor in spirit?’ We’ll unpack those things as we explore each Beatitude, which I call “Be-Attitudes!”

Some religious teachers say the blessed in the Beatitudes are ‘happy people.’ In other words, ‘blessed’ means happy. For instance, that would mean that the ‘blessed who mourn’ in Matthew 5:4 are happy in their mourning. This isn’t necessarily true. Happy depends on happenstance—external influences. The mourner could be joyful, which comes from inside by the Holy Spirit, despite sorrow or tribulation. However, in the case of the Beatitudes, the blessed receive a reward for their ‘being.’

According to the original language and context, a blessing is something received. So the blessed have received something. For instance, in the beatitudes, the blessed are recipients of God’s good favor in various forms like His Kingdom, rule over the earth, satisfaction, mercy, and the right to be His child. Let’s look at each Beatitude in more detail, and you’ll see what I mean.

  • “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” People more interested in the things of the spirit than earthly riches will receive something beyond wealth: God’s Kingdom.
  • “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” God’s favor in comfort received (see also 2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
  • “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth” God’s favor in power and authority received.
  • “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” God’s favor in righteousness received.
  • “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” God’s favor in mercy received.
  • “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” God’s favor in His presence for purity—removing all that hinders His Spirit.
  • Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” God’s favor in receiving adoption into His family for those who seek peace, not violence (including in religion!).
  • “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.” Like verse 3, these persevering folks will receive the Kingdom.

Summary: The blessed aren’t always happy but receive something more valuable than emotion. In the Beatitudes, they receive from God because they persevere and bless others according to His desires for peace, purity, and perfection. Next, we’ll prepare for Christmas by revisiting my December 2021 ‘Christmas, the Retold Story.’ Listen and do more and speak less in the meantime.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

Experiencing Thanksgiving

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Family. Turkey. Stuffing. Gravy. Pies. Tums! There are so many things to be thankful for, and the Thanksgiving holiday is here! Expressing thanksgiving is good for our relationships and mental health. And it’s what God desires: “… in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Although people have always been thankful, the formal holiday stems from the gratitude early Spanish and European settlers showed to the indigenous American Indians for feeding them and acclimating them to a new land and new ways.

It’s hard to say precisely when the first Thanksgiving occurred. One account pinpoints the autumn of 1621 when “at least 90 Wampanoag joined 52 English people at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, to mark a successful harvest.” Another group in Berkeley Hundred (now Virginia) celebrated their arrival to the new world as early as 1619. Supposedly, the meal consisted of scant oysters and ham. But they were thankful even without abundant turkey, ham, pie, cranberry sauce, etc. We find another, even earlier, Thanksgiving celebration in 1565 with the Spanish settlers and the Seloy tribe. But who established the official Thanksgiving holiday, and when?

The first Federal Congress passed a Thanksgiving Holiday resolution on September 28, 1789. Consequently, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, November 26, 1789, a day for public thanksgiving. But President Abraham Lincoln made the holiday a regular, recurring event (the last Thursday in November) in 1863. Of course, commerce prevailed, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the second-to-last Thursday of November in 1939 to lengthen the Christmas shopping season.

Regardless, we must always give thanks for everything that is benevolent and brings innocent joy, including each other, God’s provision and mercy, our jobs, and every breath we take. As a community, we must express thanksgiving for those who protect us. Decision-makers who govern deserve our thanks, too. And in our gratitude, we must show love and be thankful when we receive it. This is worship, and it brings healing and expresses our love for God while healing our relationship with Him.

Worship comprises ‘worth’ and ‘ship.’ It means to give worth to what we value. We express worthiness to God by acknowledging His protection, provision, salvation, comfort, grace, and mercy. How should we do this? By showing (not just telling!) gratitude. In other words, ‘being’ thankful through our actions. Purity. Prayer. Loving others as God loves. Sacrifice. Note how worship is full of action, not words or music.

Summary: Have a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday! Be thankful and enjoy the festivities. But don’t stop there: be grateful every day through your actions. In your gratitude for what you have received from God, give the same to others. Next, let’s put the ‘Be’ back into ‘Be-Attitudes’ as we learn about righteous character and the benefits received through God’s favor. Until then, give more than you receive.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

The Ultimate Sacrifice

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Veterans Day is upon us (November 11)! Initially set apart to honor WWI veterans, ‘Armistice Day’ became dedicated to world peace and all war veterans. Jesus taught there’s no greater love than sacrificing life for others’ sake (John 15:13). Honoring those who’ve given their lives defending others makes sense. So, please do this on the 11th! Here, I’d like to introduce folks from the Christian community who’ve sacrificed life, limb, time, treasure, and talents to serve others and present God’s Kingdom to the unchurched: martyrs, missionaries, evangelists/apostles, and helpers. Martyrs first.

Martyrs. A martyr is someone killed for their beliefs (e.g., religious). Notable Christian martyrs include Stephen, stoned to death in about 30 AD, and eleven of the twelve original apostles killed for their faith. Later, faithful Lawrence was grilled to death in 258 AD. Perpetua was a 22-year-old nursing mother killed by a wild beast in the coliseum for her unshakable faith in the third century AD. Another example is Margaret Clitherow, pressed to death in 1586 for ‘illegally’ harboring priests in her home. Others suffer hardship, even if they don’t always die for their faith.

Missionaries. Jesus said, “GO and make disciples!” (e.g., Matthew 28:18-20). Some people do this close to home. Others travel to foreign lands or new communities. We call the latter missionaries, and they often sacrifice life, limb, and significant comfort and resources to serve God. Examples include 18th-century William Carey, known as the “Father of Modern Missions.” He was the first missionary to India and translated the Bible into Bengali. And there was David Livingstone—a 19th-century Scottish physician who evangelized Africa. Speaking of Africa, Joanne and I just returned from a two-week mission to Kenya and Uganda, Africa, training about 400 church leaders in Christian Leadership and Discipleship principles.

Evangelists and Apostles. These preachers of God’s Kingdom to the yet-to-be-churched are another sacrificial group (where they preach determines whether they’re an evangelist or apostle). An apostle is sent into new communities to start new churches; evangelists usually preach closer to home. These obedient folks often undergo hardships and sacrifice comfort and familiarity to introduce God’s Kingdom to the spiritually needy here and abroad.

Humble Helpers. We also must recognize the folks who work humbly, obediently, and quietly behind the scenes to support and promote God’s Kingdom. They don’t seek recognition but deserve it because they sacrifice time, treasures, and talents! These folks are rare, accounting for less than 20% of a typical congregation! You’ll find them teaching, cooking, cleaning, greeting, fixing, mowing—serving selflessly in these and many more ways!

Summary: On November 11, remember those who’ve died for others. We should also honor the people who willingly sacrifice everything to introduce God’s Kingdom to the lost. Next, in anticipation of the Thanksgiving holiday, I’ll write about being thankful. Meanwhile, remember that God expects you to BE the Church, not DO church.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

How do we Know – Part II: The Most Reliable Texts!

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In the first part of this series, I shared evidence that Jesus, the apostles, and other biblical characters were real. I also introduced a ‘chain of custody’ to link those people with others we know lived because of their connections and writings. Here, I’ll focus on the authenticity and reliability of the contents of the Bible.

Chain of Custody. Connections between known things can bring confidence in everything in between. For instance, Jesus’ disciple was John, and Polycarp was John’s disciple. Irenaeus was Polycarp’s disciple. From Polycarp, Irenaeus learned about the apostle Matthew and his gospel. He and Ignatius quoted from Luke’s letter, which we call the Acts. Plenty of writings by Polycarp and Irenaeus exist, so Jesus and John’s existence and the biblical texts John and Matthew authored are undeniable. The texts were written and circulated far earlier than some are willing to believe.

Timing. The Old Testament was written between 1430-400 BC and translated into Greek in about 170 BC. This is the Septuagint—the ‘Scriptures’ Jesus and the apostles quoted. What about the New Testament? More than 5,000 early fragments and manuscripts date to 125 AD, only about twenty years after John wrote his gospel and pastoral letters! In 130 AD, Papias (the bishop of Hierapolis) affirmed that Mark, Peter’s scribe who wrote his gospel, confirmed the accurate reflection of Peter’s words through Mark. Finally, a collection of fragments containing twenty-three New Testament books and Irenaeus’ writings existed around the same time. Let’s consider more that lend credibility to the biblical texts, making them undeniable and highly believable.

Accuracy & Believability. Jesus and the apostles quoted the Old Testament Scriptures. After Jesus was crucified and ascended, the Jewish leaders reported (in writing) that things in the Temple stopped working, beginning about 40 years before the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Doors opened independently, lights would go out, and priestly lots and religious artifacts malfunctioned. Something else worth considering: if there hadn’t been common knowledge and agreement on the details in the New Testament texts, contemporaries would’ve challenged (and perhaps killed) the authors. So, they had to tell the truth. Also, about 99 percent of the New Testament can be accurately reconstructed from fragments and manuscripts. Why do I say accurately? Even after considering minor differences in the copies, only about one percent involved meanings of the texts. Finally, historical and archeological research verified at least 84 facts about places and people in the last 16 Acts chapters.

Summary: Just like the biblical players, the texts are believable (and accurate). Chains of custody and history and geology say so. What’s next? Let’s pay homage to those who’ve sacrificed time, talents, and life to bring God’s Kingdom near to others. Meanwhile, let obedience to God trump religion and tradition. Let’s have coffee together if you’re unsure of how! Questions or comments?

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.

discipleship, Finding Answers to Stuff Churches Don't Discuss, Uncategorized

How do we Know, Part I – People, Places, & Stuff!

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Some say Jesus is a myth and that biblical texts are fantasies. Much physical and circumstantial evidence exists to the contrary! So, I wonder what would fuel such a rejection of YHVH, Jesus, or the Bible’s contents. Regardless, I’m writing not about intentional spiritual blindness to truth but to share reasons to be confident in YHVH (God), Jesus, and biblical writings. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll consider people, places, and stuff of the Bible. In the second part, we’ll dig into why we can believe the Bible. People first.

People. My wife has a cousin who has an ex-wife. They have kids. The kids have significant ‘others.’ I don’t know the cousin, the ex-wife, the kids or the ‘others.’ But I know my wife. She knows the cousin, who knows the ex-wife, who knows the kids and so on. Through this relational chain of custody, I am confident that the cousin, the ex, the kids, and the others are real people, even though I’ve never met them. So it is with Jesus and the disciples/apostles.

Irenaeus was a Roman Christian who lived from 120-200 AD. He was a student of Polycarp, who lived from 69-155 AD. From Polycarp, Irenaeus learned about the apostle Matthew and the Hebrew version of the gospel that bears his name. He (and Ignatius of Antioch) quoted from the Acts that eventually became a Bible book. They knew about John Zebedee, one of Jesus’ disciples, because Polycarp had been John’s disciple. And, of course, apostles Matthew and John knew Jesus personally and were so sure of His death and resurrection that they willingly died for this belief. Let’s look at this chain of custody the other way around.

Jesus knew John. John knew Polycarp. Polycarp knew Irenaeus. Irenaeus, therefore, attests to at least Jesus, John, Matthew, Polycarp, and Ignatius’ existence besides validating what would become biblical texts. But, in case that’s not enough, historian Josephus wrote about Jesus, His half-brother James, and John the Baptist. If you need more, let’s consider confidence-building places and stuff.

Places & Stuff. The pools of Bethesda from biblical texts are a real thing. An Assyrian obelisk validates Jewish King Jehu mentioned in the Old Testament. Also written in the testament (2 Kings 20:20) is mention of existing Hezekiah’s tunnels. Jesus and the disciples (all Jews) understood the texts as true. And real people like the treasurer Erastus (Romans 16:23) corroborate those biblical texts. There’s more, so much more!

Summary: Real people validated by history and eyewitnesses attest to Jesus, His disciples, and biblical texts. Perhaps we should take seriously what they said about God and morality! In the second part of this two-parter, I’ll focus more on the believability of those biblical texts we call ‘the Scriptures.’ Meanwhile, love God, not religion.

Blessings and peace,

Dr. Ron Braley, MDiv, DMin.