The Bible Q&A (March 2023; Phrases and Prompts)
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Introduction:
Quarterly
Wisdom = Questions
Next step
3 questions
Body:
Question #1: What should we think of the books of the Bible Martin Luther removed?
Terms
Ask: What does the word “canon” mean in reference to Scripture?
Canon: - “The collection of books that the church accepts as inspired or authoritative.”
4th century = Scripture
No ordinary book
2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
“Inspired” and “authoritative”
OT canon sett around 200 BC.
39 OT books
Ask: Dos anyone know what the Apocrypha is?
Apocrypha: Other Jewish theological works written between 200 BC and AD 100.
Apocryphal books:
Tobit
Judith
1 Maccabees
2 Maccabees
Wisdom of Solomon
Ecclesiasticus (also known as Ben Sirach),
Baruch,
Several additions to the books of Daniel (e.g., Susanna and Bel and the Dragon) and Esther.
Jews: Passed around and read, but never considered authoritative
Ask: What is the Septuagint?
Septuagint: The original Greek translation of the Old Testament.
Includes much of Apocrypha
The confusion begins.
“While the Jewish rabbis were able to make it clear in their synagogues that these extra books were helpful but not authoritative or canonical—like our modern study notes perhaps—some in the new Christian church began to assume that if these works were included in the biblical volume, then they must be part of inspired Scripture.” -Grasping God’s Word
1st time = authoritative
4th century = Vulgate.
Ask: What is the Vulgate?
Vulgate: The original Latin translation of the Bible.
Jerome’s notes
The confusion continued.
Latin = theological language of the Western church
Until...
Ask: What do you know about Martin Luther?
Reformation
Translation into common languages (English, German, French, etc.)
Returned to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
The Council of Trent (1545-1564)
The Roman Catholic Church’s response
So, now...
Answer: They are useful, but they are not inspired or authoritative.
Not pointless
Jewish culture/intertestamental period (Maccabees)
Quiet time
God’s hand in canonization
Ask: Does anyone have any other questions about this topic?
Question #2: What is the definition of righteous anger?
From International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia:
Righteous Anger: Anger at the sin and unrighteousness of man because of its grievousness to God.
Ask:What examples of this type of anger do we see in Scripture?
Example #1: Jesus (Mark 3:5)
Mark 3:5 (ESV)
5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Jesus = perfect
Hardness of heart (Sabbath)
Example #2: Moses (Exodus 11:8)
Exodus 11:8 (ESV)
8 And all these your servants shall come down to me and bow down to me, saying, ‘Get out, you and all the people who follow you.’ And after that I will go out.” And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.
The Passover
Example #3: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 5:6)
Nehemiah 5:6 (ESV)
6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words.
Mistreatment
Unrighteous Anger: Anger that arises because of wounded or aggrieved personality or feelings.
Ask: What examples of this do we see in Scripture?
Example #1: Cain (Genesis 4:5)
5 but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell.
Jealousy
Example #2: Moses (Numbers 20:10-11)
10 Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock.
How did Moses and Aaron sin here?
Command vs. strike
The consequence
Example #3: Herod (Matthew 2:16)
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
Pride and fear
How to Determine Whether or Not Your Anger is Righteous or Unrighteous:
Ask: Does my anger center more around me or God?
Spend significant time with God in prayer.
Ask: Am I consumed by my anger?
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
Ask: What does this verse mean?
The devil = foothold
Ask: Does anyone have any more questions related to this topic?
Question #3: What is meant by the statement, “Everything is smoke” in the book of Ecclesiastes?
Ecclesiastes 1:2 (ESV)
2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher,
vanity of vanities! All is vanity.
Vanity x 34
Ask: What does the word “vanity” mean?
“Vanity: a lack of real value; hollowness; worthlessness.” -Dictionary.com
“Vapor” or “breath.”
“Ecclesiastes shows us that since we and our works are futile—that is, destined to perish—we must not waste our lives trying to justify our existence with pursuits that ultimately mean nothing. Put simply, Ecclesiastes examines major endeavors of life in light of the reality of death.”
Warnings about finding your purpose in the wrong things:
Intellectual accomplishments
Wealth and luxury
Politics
Religion
Don’t try to impress God
Do not wear yourself out with irrational excess
Two things we should do in light of the shortness of life:
Enjoy life
CSB Study BIible: “A life without enjoyment is no life at all.”
Fear God
Honest humility
“Awareness of our dependence on Him”
“Remembrance of the fact that He is our judge”
The end of the book
Ecclesiastes 12:13 (ESV)
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Answer: Many pursuits in life are purposeless, so focus on what actually matters.
Eternal > temporary
Bigger than us
Do we have any other questions about this topic?
Conclusion:
Next steps?
PRAY
Small Group Questions
What is one thing that you learned tonight for the first time regarding the canon of Scripture?
How does seeing the way that God guided the process of canonicity strengthen your faith in Him?
In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between righteous and unrighteous anger?
What is it going to look like for you to keep your anger in check?
How does the phrase “everything is vanity” make you feel? (Be honest!)
How can you use the message of Ecclesiastes to keep your priorities in check?