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DIE OU TESTAMENT, MODERNE ONDERRIGTING EN DIE INTEGRERENDE BEWYSGEBASEERDE BENADERING

DIE OU TESTAMENT, MODERNE ONDERRIGTING EN DIE INTEGRERENDE BEWYSGEBASEERDE BENADERING

Ek het onlangs ‘n video van 17 minute gekyk met die titel Wat Het Die Ou Testament Te Doen Met Kurrikulum deur David I. Smith, Ph.D., skrywer van On Christian Teaching. In hierdie video ondersoek Dr. Smith lesse uit die Ou Testament wat nuttig kan wees in hoe ons mense vandag leer. Hy let op hoe die Hebreeuse Bybel in drie dele verdeel is:

Die eerste deel staan bekend as die Torah, wat “Lering” beteken, en bestaan uit Genesis, Eksodus, Levitikus, Numeri en Deuteronomium, wat ook gesamentlik bekend staan as die boeke van Moses of die Pentateug.

Die tweede deel staan bekend as die Profete en sluit die boeke Josua, Rigters, Samuel, Konings, Jesaja, Jeremia, Esegiël, Hosea, Joël, Amos, Obadja, Jona, Miga, Nahum, Habakuk, Sefanja, Haggai, Sagaria en Maleagi in.

Die derde deel staan bekend as die Geskrifte, die Psalms of die Wysheidsboeke en sluit die boeke Job, Psalms, Spreuke, Hooglied, Rut, Klaagliedere, Prediker, Ester, Daniël, Esra, Nehemia en Kronieke in.

Hierdie verdeling was ook hoe die Nuwe Testamentiese skrywers die Ou Testament verstaan het. Jesus het na sy opstanding vir sy dissipels gesê:

Dit is wat ek vir julle gesê het terwyl ek nog by julle was: Alles moet vervul word wat oor my geskrywe staan in die Wet van Moses, die Profete en die Psalms (Lukas 24:44 NIV 84, beklemtoning myne).

Maar as ‘n snelskrif het hulle soms na die hele Ou Testamentiese kanon verwys deur net die Wet en die Profete te sê. Jesus, nadat hy bevestig het dat die grootste gebod is om God lief te hê met ‘n mens se hele wese en die tweede is om ons naaste lief te hê soos onsself, het gesê:

Aan hierdie twee gebooie hang die hele wet en die profete (Matteus 22:40 AFR33, beklemtoning myne).

Toe Filippus Natanïel kry, sê hy vir hom:

Ons het die een gevind waarvan Moses in die Wet geskryf het, en oor wie die profete ook geskryf het – Jesus van Nasaret, die seun van Josef (Johannes 1:45 NIV 84, beklemtoning myne).

En soms, hoe hulle na die hele Ou Testament verwys het, het hulle aansienlik verkort deur bloot “die Wet” te sê. Hier gebruik Jesus albei snelskrifterme in een antwoord:

Moenie dink dat Ek gekom het om die Wet of die Profete af te skaf nie; Ek het nie gekom om hulle af te skaf nie, maar om hulle te vervul. Voorwaar, Ek sê vir julle, totdat die hemel en die aarde verdwyn, sal nie die kleinste letter, nie die minste streep van ‘n pen nie, enigsins uit die Wet verdwyn totdat alles volbring is nie (Matthéüs 5:17, 18 NIV 84, beklemtoning myne).

Wanneer Jesus “die Wet” sê, beperk Hy nie sy kommentaar tot die Tien Gebooie nie, maar verwys Hy na al die 39 boeke van die Ou Testament. Hy sê dat alles in die Ou Testament oor die verlossingsplan, van Genesis tot Maleagi, vervul moet word.

Elders, het Jesus die term “Wet” gebruik toe Hy slegs na die psalms verwys het, wat deel is van die Geskrifte, wat demonstreer dat die snelskrif “Wet” gebruik is vir die hele Ou Testamentiese kanon en nie net die vyf boeke van Moses nie:

Jesus antwoord hulle, “Is daar nie in julle Wet geskrywe nie: Ek het gesê julle is gode?” (Joh. 10:34; Jesus verwys na Psalm 82:6).

 

VERPLIGTINGS, ONTWRIGTING, ONDERSKEIDINGSVERMOË

Ons het dus gesien dat die Ou Testament in drie dele verdeel is: die Wet, die Profete en die Geskrifte. Wat interessant is aan Dr. Smith se aanbieding, is dat hy die idee aanbied dat hierdie drie dele van die Skrif – die manier waarop God onderrig, die pedagogie van onderwys – die openbaring van waarheid op drie verskillende maniere benader. Hy stel voor dat:

  • Die Wet (vyf boeke van Moses) leer deur “verpligtings”, die instruksies, die reëls, wat ‘n mens moet doen.
  • Die Profete leer deur “ontwrigting”, die gevolge van ongehoorsaamheid en God se roeping vir mense om terug te keer na gehoorsaamheid.
  • Die Geskrifte leer deur “onderskeidingsvermoë” en kyk na die lesse in die wêreld, soos om die mier of die lelie van die veld te bestudeer.

Wat my opgeval het van Dr. Smith se tesis, is dat hierdie verdeling van die Skrif in drie verskillende metodes om die waarheid te onderrig, die Integrerende Bewysgebaseerde Benadering beskryf wat ons hier by Come and Reason Ministries bevorder. Basies is dit onderrig deur die integrasie van die drie drade van bewyse wat God gebruik het om waarheid aan die gevalle mensdom te openbaar en waardeur ons Skepper ons die werklikheid leer. En daardie drie drade is:

  • Skrif/goddelike openbaring (2 Timoteus 3:16) – wat met die Wet sou ooreenstem
  • Lewenservarings (Psalm 34:8; Johannes 20:27) – wat met die Profete sou ooreenstem
  • Wetenskap/natuur (Romeine 1:20) – wat ooreenstem met die Geskrifte

Die Wet leer deur goddelike openbaring – God-geïnspireerde direkte openbaring. Byvoorbeeld, God het aan Moses die waarheid geopenbaar van ‘n letterlike sesdaagse skeppingsweek gevolg deur die Sabbat; die oorspronklike sondelose toestand van die mensdom; die versoeking, die val en die vloek wat op die aarde geval het; die beloofde Messias om die gevalle mensdom te verlos; die rebellie en die Vloed; God se plan vir die hele wêreld om geseën te word deur Abraham se Saad (Jesus); die doel van God vir die Joodse nasie om sy evangeliste te wees om die wêreld voor te berei vir die komende Messias; en die onderriginstrument van aanskouingslesse (bv. die heiligdom) om die hele verlossingsplan uit te voer.

Deur die Profete leer God deur lewenservarings – die vermanings, waarskuwings, teregwysings, beloftes en pleidooie gevolg deur die werklike gevolge van die verbreking van vertroue met God, weiering om sy instruksies te volg en sy wysheid te verwerp; maar ook die ervaring van die barmhartigheid, genade en verlossing vir diegene wat deur die pynlike tydelike afdwalingsreis en terugkeer na God gekom het.

En in die Geskrifte leer God deur die wetenskap en die natuur, observeer die konflik tussen goed en kwaad wat oor alle aspekte van die skepping beveg word. Van nadenke oor hoe die werklikheid eintlik werk tot om geïnspireer te word deur die bestendigheid van al God se wette, die betroubaarheid van sy onderhoudende krag en die kompleksiteit van die onderling gekoppelde stelsels van ander-gesentreerde skenking waarop alle lewe gebou is.

Maar vra die diere, en hulle sal jou leer, of die voëls van die lug, en hulle sal jou vertel; of praat met die aarde, en dit sal jou leer, of laat die visse van die see jou inlig (Job 12:7, 8 NIV 84).

Die hemele vertel die eer van God; die uitspansel toon sy handewerk (Psalm 19:1 AFRB’23).

Gaan na die mier, jou luiaard; Dink aan sy weë en word wys! (Spreuke 6:6 NIV 84).

 

DRIE AFDELINGS, EEN BOODSKAP

God is die God van die werklikheid, die Skepper, die bouer van ruimte, tyd, energie, materie, sterre, planete, sterrestelsels en alle lewende wesens (Genesis 1; Johannes 1:3). God is die onderhouer van alle werklikheid (Kolossense 1:17; Hebreërs 1:3). En God se wette is die protokolle waarop die werklikheid funksioneer en werk. Waarheid lei ons altyd terug na God, want God is die bron van alle waarheid. En alle waarheid, wanneer dit reg verstaan word, openbaar ‘n volmaakte harmonie tussen God se openbarings in die Skrif, wetenskap en ons ervarings in die lewe.

Sonde is die oortreding van die wet – die afwyking en oortreding van die protokolle waarop God lewe en gesondheid geskep het om te werk. Sonde, die oortreding van die wette van die lewe, veroorsaak dus pyn, lyding en, tensy dit deur ons Skepper reggestel word, die ewige dood. Hierdie waarheid word in die Skrif geopenbaar (Romeine 6:23; Jakobus 1:15; Galasiërs 6:8), gedemonstreer in wetenskap/natuur; (bv. bind ‘n plastieksak oor ‘n mens se kop en oortree die wet van asemhaling, die gevolg is die dood.); en bevestig deur lewenservarings. Hierdie ewige lesse, hierdie ewige waarhede, word vir ons opgeteken deur goddelike inspirasie in die Ou Testament – in die Wet, die Profete en die Geskrifte.

As God se verteenwoordigers vandag, is dit ons verantwoordelikheid om sy metodes te gebruik, om aktief die integrerende bewysgebaseerde benadering te gebruik, om ewige waarhede met ander te deel, om ligte te wees wat in die duisternis skyn, om mense te leer hoe die werklikheid werk, om denkers te word en nie bloot weerkaatsers van ander mense se gedagtes nie, om volwasse mense te word “wat hulleself deur voortdurende oefening opgelei het om goed van kwaad te onderskei” (Hebreërs 5:14 NIV84), mense wat die denke van Christus het (1 Korinthiërs 2:16) en wat, soos hul Verlosser, God se ewige waarhede kan leer deur die Skrif (Wet), lewenservarings (Profete) en wetenskap/natuur (Geskrifte).

 

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Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 74

Thank you so much for opening my eyes. I’ve been through a lot of ministries that just didn’t show the love of God that I felt he was. You have helped me to begin the process of true healing. I thought I was “too far gone,” now I know there’s hope in Jesus, because he loves us beyond what we can comprehend. Thank you again for all you do. I truly appreciate it and pray more people find you (physical at your studio and through this website).

Dalio M.

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 47

I can’t even begin to thank you and your ministry enough for introducing me to the Truth about a loving and merciful God! I have my daughter and her in-laws to thank for sharing with me “The God-Shaped Brain” as well as your website. I listen to the Bible study class lessons on my daily walk. May God continue to bless your thirst-quenching ministry!

Liz H., Port Angeles, WA, USA

 

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA