Ten Common Q & A on Angels (Cont.)

Surprising Answers from the Scriptures (Part 2)

If you bring up the topic of angels in any kind of women’s group, you’re likely to open up a lively discussion. Angels seem to be everywhere today—in books, on T.V. and in movies. Scripture is our sole reliable source about who angels really are and what they do. One Bible researcher offers his solid answers to some common questions about angels.

Read Part 1 here…

6. Aren’t all angels wonderful and kind?

There are two kinds of angels: good ones and evil ones. Satan—whose name means “adversary” and whom the Bible portrays as God’s chief enemy—is a rebellious angel. In the Gospels Jesus demonstrates his authority over Satan and his angels, also called “evil spirits,” “unclean spirits” or “demons” (See Matt 8:28-32). There is no redemption for fallen angels (Rev 20:10) and they oppose Christians through deception and false teaching (1 Tim 4:1). Christians need to be on guard (1 Pet 5:8) but are not to fear (2 Thes 3:3). They should submit to God so the devil will flee (James 4:7).

7. Do angels start new religions?

We must compare any new religion or any new form of Christianity with the teachings of the apostles of the New Testament—even if it was apparently delivered by an angel (Gal 1:8). Jesus Christ is God’s ultimate revelation to the world (Heb 1:1-2), with the New Testament being God’s inspired “commentary” explaining the meaning of the coming of Christ.

8. Will angel encounters make you feel good?

It’s very hard to prove or disprove a private angel encounter. Rather than focus on the feelings, it’s better to check the experience against Scripture. True angels from God glorify Christ (Luke 2:10-11) and give messages consistent with the apostles’ teaching (Eph 2:19-20). True angels do not introduce new extra-biblical practices or doctrines (Gal 1:8) and they do not offer an assurance of salvation or spiritual comfort to those who don’t believe in Jesus Christ (Rom 5:1-11).

9. Should you be on a first-name basis with angels?

Rock musician Carlos Santana claims that he’s been in touch with an angel named Metatron who resembles Santa Claus and operates as his “inner voice.” No one in the Bible ever calls on an angel, prays to an angel, asks God for an angel, or calls an angel a “friend.” Scripture makes it clear that the only supernatural being to whom we should speak and call upon in prayer is the Lord (Matt 6:9). God encourages believers to call on him as Abba or Father (Rom 8:14-17) and invites us to approach His throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16).

10. Is Jesus just an angel?

The term “angel” in both Hebrew and Greek means “messenger,” and angels were created to serve as messengers for God. Christ on the other hand, is the one who made the angels (Heb 1:6-7) and to whom all the angels give worship (Heb 1:6). Jesus is infinitely superior to all the angels including the archangel Michael, a high ranking angel who was given a special assignment to protect Israel (Dan 12:1).

I’m indebted to this excellent and thoroughly biblical booklet, “10 Questions and Answers on Angels” by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. (Rose Publishing, 2008). For more clarification and in depth information, be sure to take a look. I highly recommend it.

Related: "Was Lucifer Heaven's Worship Leader?" by Chrysalis

Photos: ickso & slopjop (Flickr)

Coming Soon—Family Life: Baby Sign Language (Video)

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Ten Common Q & A on Angels

Surprising Answers from the Scriptures (Part 1)

If you bring up the topic of angels in any kind of women’s group, you’re likely to open up a lively discussion. Everyone has their opinion about these remarkable super-natural beings. Angels seem to be everywhere today—in books, on T.V. and in movies.

Scripture is our sole reliable source about who angels really are and what they do. God has not kept this mysterious aspect of his creation a secret!
One Bible researcher offers his solid answers to some common questions about angels' origins and activites.

1. Should we look to angels for spiritual guidance?

Did you know that no one in the Bible ever pursues communication with angels? In fact, when they appear on earth, it’s always a total surprise (Gen 21:17, Matt 28:5). While it’s appealing to think of angels as all warmth and light, the Bible warns that many angels are evil and they use enticing disguises to deceive people (2 Cor 11:14). Seeking communication from angels actually risks opening a door to demonic influence—which God is vehemently opposed to (Deut 18:10-12).

2. Do angels have bodies?

The Bible says that angels are genderless spirit beings and without bodies (Luke 20:34-36). While Abraham and Lot ate food with angels who had temporarily taken on bodily forms (Gen 18:8), the Bible rarely gives any description other than their typical appearance in bright light. The capacity of demonic spirits to inhabit humans is strong evidence that spirits do not have bodies of their own (Matt 12:43).

3. Will we become angels?

The Bible says resurrected Christians will be immortal “like the angels” but we won’t actually become angels (Luke 20:34-36). God created the angels before he made human beings (Job 38:4-7). In eternity we will be sinless, and our future bodies will be like Christ’s resurrected body that can eat, drink and be touched (Luke 24:36-43).

4. Do we each have a guardian angel?

Biblically, there’s no real basis for believing that each of us have a special personal “body guard.” To help Peter escape from jail, the Lord sent an angel who then left Peter right afterward (Acts 12:6-10). The context of Heb 1:14 suggests that angels “serve” Christians by bringing messages from God of importance to our salvation (Heb 2:2-3). The Bible tells us to look to God Himself for guidance and to help with all our daily concerns (Phil 4:6-7).

5. Should we expect angels to visit us?

As God’s messengers, angel appearances in Scripture are exceptional, come as a surprise, and are imbued with great significance. Angels announced the miraculous births of key figures (Isaac, John the Baptist and Jesus); to call, deliver, or strengthen prophets (Isaiah, Elijah, Daniel); and to announce Jesus’ resurrection to the women at the tomb.

Hebrews 13:2 suggests that we’ve probably all seen an angel at some time in our lives—but haven’t known it. The main point of this verse is that we should show hospitality to strangers, not that we should seek the company of angels.

Read Part 2 here.

I’m indebted to this excellent and thoroughly biblical booklet, “10 Questions and Answers on Angels” by Robert M. Bowman, Jr. (Rose Publishing, 2008).
For more clarification and information, be sure to take a look. I highly recommend it.

Photos: rskoon & MikeWebkist (Flickr)


Do you know anyone who has encountered an angel? What do you think?

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Bible: Literary Genres in the NT

Knowing the Form Helps With Interpretation

T or F? (Pop Quiz for Really Smart People!)

• Lower criticism studies multiple copies of the biblical text to determine the original wording.
• Higher criticism examines such facets as the literary genre, historical background, and authorship to interpret the biblical text correctly.

Congratulations! Both are True. As Bible students and writers, it’s natural that we should want to understand the structure behind the texts we know and love. Scholars have identified a number of literary genres present in the New Testament Canon.

Acts: Historical Narrative

For example, the historical narrative form of Acts exhibits several features common to the Greco-Roman literature of this genre. The Book of Acts is reputed to be the second scroll of a two-volume historical narrative written by Paul’s traveling companion Luke. Addressed to a Greek-speaking convert named Theophilus, Luke-Acts was to written confirm the recipient’s faith by providing him with a historical record of the Spirit’s activity in the life of Christ and world evangelization.

In the Book of Acts, Luke organizes his information logically around the theme of the geographical expansion of the church. Luke dates the events in Acts by the accession of Roman officials, a practice that is in keeping with other ancient historical writers.

Also, like many Greco-Roman writers who drew comparisons between personalities, Luke highlights the activities of Peter and Paul as part of his historical technique. The apologetic purpose of Acts is advanced in the book’s thirteen short speeches, which make up approximately one-fourth of the work.

James: Epistle

James’ practical essay in ethical living was circulated as an epistle to Diaspora Jewish Christians, and alludes to Old Testament wisdom literature. Most scholars believe the Book of James was written by “James the Just,” the Lord’s brother and main spokesperson for the Jerusalem church.

A polished and unified work, the epistle of James reads like a “letter-essay” or homily intended for the large Jewish-Christian audience of the Diaspora. The sophisticated use of the Greek language in this epistle suggests that James may have used an amanuenses (scribe or secretary) to record his thoughts. James’ epistle opens with features common to ancient letters, including the name and title of the author and addressees, and a brief greeting.

Considered one of the earliest Christian manuscripts, the message of the epistle draws on Greco-Roman rhetorical conventions, Jewish ethical wisdom, and Jesus’ teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount.

Some scholars argue that this letter is written in the Greek style called a paranesis, which is a loose list of related exhortations. Other scholars view the epistle as a New Testament collection of proverbs.

Gospel Genre of the Four Evangelists

Finally, considered a form of Greco-Roman biography, the accounts of the four Evangelists represent the gospel genre. Scholars now classify the gospel genre used in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John as ancient biography. It is thought that the Evangelists employed the ancient biographical genre in order to provide a controlling context for the apostolic traditions. This was to mitigate against subversion of the Gospel message and against reductionism.

Greco-Roman biography was a form of historical writing that attempted to recount a narrative in a lively and entertaining way. It presented the facts as accurately as possible, bringing out the meaning of the documented events. Since authors of ancient topical biographies had complete freedom to arrange the material according to their purposes for writing, events were not always listed in chronological order.

In fact, the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are strikingly similar in content, but the biographical material has been rearranged to appeal to different audiences. Another feature common to this genre is the moral. For instance, after reading John’s Gospel account, the reader is challenged to ask, “What is the moral of this story? How should I respond to the life of Jesus Christ?”

Finally, ancient biographies were short so that the overall flow of thought could be perceived in one sitting.

Summary

In summary, when approaching the New Testament with the techniques of higher criticism, the careful student must examine the literary genres employed by the biblical authors. Through special and progressive revelation, the Holy Spirit has employed all of these literary genres―and many more―to communicate his glorious plan for redemption through the Scriptures.

I’m indebted to Craig S. Keener’s IVP Bible Background Commentary and Merrill C. Tenney’s The New Testament Survey, Revised for this information.

Related: Join the Christian Carnival ii here. Random: Bible Poetry

Photos: nyello8 (1 & 3) Smith831 (2) sukisuki (4) (Flickr)

Up Next—10 Common Q & A on Angels

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Living With Less so Your Family Has More

An Interview with Jill Savage

Many Chrysalis readers are stay-at-home or work-at-home Moms. I commend you! In the 80s (when the choice was a little easier to make) we decided to make the necessary sacrifices to keep me at home as long as possible. Our plan succeeded, but not without the help and wisdom of other parents who had gone before us.

Jill Savage is the founder of Hearts at Home* and the author of the new book, Living With Less so Your Family Has More. Jill and her husband Mark have a lot to say to today’s parents who want to learn about how to live well on one income. Here’s an excerpt quoted from an interview with Jill posted at Heart of the Matter Online.

Why did you want to write this book?

We didn’t start out with the “less is more” mindset. We started as a double income family wanting to have the “best” of everything. Then Mark decided to pursue ministry. We went from the “high life” to the “frugal life” very quickly as we moved to another state for him to go to Bible College full-time.

That experience introduced us to the concept that less is more. We definitely had less money, but we had more time. We had less stress and more peace. We had less activities and more fun.

Since that experience, we’ve continued to live primarily on one income for the past twenty years. We’ve had to battle cultural peer pressure and make different decisions for our family than many other families in our neighborhood have made. But we’ve never felt that we were materially depriving ourselves or our kids… instead we’ve focused on what we’ve actually been able to provide for them emotionally and relationally.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?

We hope the reader is encouraged to evaluate how they are living their life, spending their money, and thinking about family matters. Our goal is to introduce families to the “less is more” concept and then equip them with the attitudes and actions to actually make that happen.

For families that are already committed to less is more, we hope to bolster their resolve and help them stay focused on the long-term goal of providing relationally for their kids.

In today’s economy, there are many families being forced to live with less. We want to help them see the opportunity they have with this unexpected downsizing they’ve been forced to do.

And for those who have just been a little discontent with their life and saying things like, “I’m tired of the rat race of life,” or “Is there more to life than drive-thru meals for dinner?” we hope to help them see other choices they have and how they can lead their family in a different direction… You can read the rest of this interview here.

*Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Through annual conferences, an extensive website, a free electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books they are equipped to meet the needs of moms all over the world.

Related: Grocery Shopping: “Decipher the Marketing Tricks” by Jill Savage

If you're a SAHHM, consider making some new friends through the weekly Carnival of Homeschooling.

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." (Matt 6:24 ESV)

Photos: billydl (Flickr) & the Savage Family

Up Next—Literary Genres in the NT

How has the recession impacted your family's finances

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Does God Really Speak Through Our Dreams?

"And it shall come to pass in the last days," saith God, "I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams." (Acts 2:17)

Give Me the Facts Ma’am, Just the Facts

There’s something “airy-fairy” about dream interpretation that gets our rational minds all riled up. A few of us love facts and objective truth so much that thinking about art and symbol seems questionable—perhaps even bordering on demonism. Our God-given motivational gift(s) determine, to a large degree, how readily we embrace the metaphoric qualities of our “right brain.”

The Science of Sleep

Everyone dreams, and all of us remember our dreams once in awhile. One writer says, “Sleep laboratories have proven that everyone dreams one to two hours each night during a certain period of sleep known as alpha level, which is light sleep. Every 90-minute cycle of sleep begins with alpha, then goes into deeper sleep which is called theta, and finally deepest sleep which is called delta…

Alpha level sleep is where one has what is called Rapid Eye Movement (REM). Rapid Eye Movement is exactly what it sounds like: the eyes of the dreamer begin moving rapidly. He is actually watching the scenes in the dream, and thus his eyes are literally moving back and forth, observing the action. By observing the alpha level sleep when Rapid Eye Movement occurs, researchers in sleep laboratories have determined when a person is dreaming and how much time is spent dreaming in an average night… Dreams can be considered guardians of our mental and emotional well-being.”

Interpreting our Dreams According to Scripture

Evidently, God has designed man to experience night time images whether we remember them or not. But does He use them to speak directly to us? GotQuestions.org unequivocably says "Yes. "

“We strongly believe that a person’s dreams and the meaning of those dreams are between them and God alone… God spoke to people many times throughout the Scriptures in dreams. Examples are Joseph, son of Jacob (Genesis 37:5-10); Joseph, the husband of Mary (Matthew 2:12-22); Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15); and several others (Daniel 2:1, 7:1; Matthew 27:19). There is also a prophecy of the prophet Joel (Joel 2:28), quoted by the apostle Peter in Acts 2:17, that mentions God using dreams.

However, there is a difference in how we apply that truth today. We must keep in mind that the Bible is finished, having revealed everything we need to know from now until eternity. This is not to say that God does not work miracles or even speak through dreams today, but anything God says, whether it is a dream, vision, impression, or “still small voice,” will agree completely with what He has already revealed in His Word. Dreams cannot be put into a place of authority over the Scriptures.

If you have a dream and feel that perhaps God gave it to you, prayerfully examine the Word of God and make sure your dream is in agreement with Scripture. If so, prayerfully consider what God would have you do in response to your dream (James 1:5). In Scripture, whenever anyone experienced a dream from God, God always made the meaning of the dream clear, whether directly to the person, through an angel, or through a messenger (Genesis 40:5-11; Daniel 2:45, 4:19). When God speaks to us, He makes sure His message is clearly understood.”

Ten Principles of Christian Dream Interpretation

Looking for more information on this subject? Consider reading this article, “Principles of Christian Dream Interpretation” by Mark & Patti Virkler. The authors cover the following points:

1. Seven Reasons We Should Listen to Our Dreams
2. Five Things You Can Do to Help Recall Your Dreams
3. Seven Foundational Principles for Interpreting Dreams
4. Discerning Dreams About Yourself
5. The Simplest Method for Interpreting a Dream About Yourself
6. Dreams About Others
7. Clues Which May Indicate Your Dream Is About Others
8. Additional Thoughts Concerning Working with Dreams
9. Rules for Interpreting Dreams in a Group
10. Method for Interpreting Dreams in a Group

“When you total up all dreams and visions in the Bible, and all the stories and actions which come out of these dreams and visions, you have about one-third of the Bible, which is equal to the size of the New Testament! Dreams are a central way God has chosen to communicate with us, and thus they must be given great weight!”—Mark Virkler

Photos: pusspaw, PhtotoA & jamelah (Flickr)

Up Next—Author Interview: Living on Less so Your Family Has More

How do you feel about Christian dream interpretation? Had any “prophetic” dreams?

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10 (Non-Fiction) Books You Don't Want to Miss

Summer Reading for Christian Women

Can you name a book (or books) you absolutely couldn't live without?
If I was stranded on a deserted island, these are the essential books I'd want to have along with me. Why not consider a few of these Christian titles while you’re soaking up the rays this summer?

1. Discover Your God-Given Gifts by Don & Katie Fortune

• (Review Part 1 & Part 2)
• THE essential guide for everyone.

2. His Needs Her Needs by Dr. W. Harley

• (Excerpt 1 & Excerpt 2)
• Don’t go through marriage without this classic…

3. Love & Respect by Dr. E. Eggerichs

• (Excerpt 1 & Excerpt 2)
• One of those Aha! moment books.

4. Intimate Issues by Pintus & Dillow

• (Review)
• Educational and fun. Get it. Read it. Apply it.

5. How Women Help Men Find God by David Murrow

• (Review)
• Explains what makes men tick spiritually. Excellent.

6. Discover Your Children’s Gifts by Don & Katie Fortune

• If you have kids, get this! Now.

7. One Million Arrows by Julie Ferwerda

• (Guest Review)
• Most inspiring parenting book I’ve read in a long time…

8. Feasts of the Lord by Howard & Rosenthal

• God’s timetable is prophetic and perfect.

9. Heaven by Randy Alcorn

• (Review)
• Dazzling hope for every Christian believer.

10. The Bible

Related: Discover more books at 5MFM's fourth Tuesday carnival,
"What's on Your Night Stand?"

Photo: contraquien (Flickr)

Can you name a book (or books) you couldn't live without?

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John Stott in the Spotlight

Honouring Our Fathers in the Lord

Right! Perhaps you’re like me…

You probably enjoy the global connections you’ve made through blogging. Since 2006, I’ve crossed the continents through cyber-space, building relationships with English-speaking writers from Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Haiti, Mexico, and of course the U.S. and Canada. (Did I miss anyone?)

My love of all things international springs from my childhood in Canada. Growing up in British Columbia, I was exposed to a healthy dose of Commonwealth culture. Four o’clock high tea, full English breakfasts, rugby, Winnie-the-Pooh, and the Anglican Church were fixtures. If you were raised in “the states” you might not realize there’s a whole separate vocabulary for even the simplest things.

But I digress.

Since this Sunday is Father’s Day, it’s fitting to reflect on the enormous contribution our fathers have made in our lives. My 88 year-old Dad is still going strong; he reads voraciously and loves watching hockey. He still takes a daily walk—assisted by a walker—and makes his own dental appointments. (Seems odd that an octogenarian should care about getting his teeth cleaned, doesn’t it?) I’m so grateful for the example of my father’s long, healthy life.

Ministry of Dr. John H.R. Stott

Today, I’d like to give honor to another influential older man in my life—a spiritual father if you will—the Reverend Dr. John R.W. Stott.

Reverend John R.W. who? Anyone in the English-speaking world who came of age spiritually in the 70s and 80s, inevitably collided with the books of evangelical Anglican pastor and theologian, John Stott. For instance, I’m sure that Stott’s best known book, Basic Christianity infiltrated every youth group and Bible study east and west of the Atlantic. It sold two million copies and has been translated into more than 60 languages.

My copy, purchased at a summer youth camp, answered all the challenging questions I was asking in my late teens about the Christian faith. Over the course of his ministry, Stott has penned more than 40 titles, including The Cross of Christ and The Contemporary Christian. For over 30 years, he served as chaplain to the Queen.

If you think of Billy Graham as the principal “rock star” of that period here in the United States, Stott certainly qualified as a lead singer/guitarist in a rival band. Speaking of his 2009 (IVP) biography by Roger Steer one reviewer said,

“It is universally acknowledged that evangelicalism worldwide owes an enormous debt to God for the life and ministry of John Stott. His influence is genuinely immense. His commentaries, books on Christian living, studies of doctrine, and his tireless promotion of evangelical ministry throughout the world all continue clearly and unmistakably to honour Jesus and to edify his people… It should be compulsory reading in theological colleges… Here was—and is—leadership on a scale we rarely encounter.”

Biography of John Stott

Take a minute to read Scot McKnight’s review of the 2010 (IVP) edition of Roger Steer’s biography Basic Christian: The Inside Story of John Stott. This short summary is from Theopedia:

“John R. W. Stott, born in London in 1921, is an evangelical Anglican, preacher, and teacher of Scripture. He was ordained in 1945 and for most of his years has served in various capacities at All Souls Church in London, where he carried out an effective urban pastoral ministry. A leader among evangelicals in Britain, the United States and even around the world, Stott was a principal framer of the landmark Lausanne Covenant (1974). Whether in the West or in the Third World, a hallmark of Stott's ministry has been expository preaching that addresses not only the hearts but also the minds of contemporary men and women.”

Close, but not Quite

During my years as an undergraduate student, Stott made occasional trips to Regent College, an international graduate school of Christian Studies on campus at my alma mater, UBC (Canada). Like some of my friends, I was tempted to apply for admission to Regent, so I could glean from Stott’s brilliant mind (and those of his ilk). Alas, it was not to be! Eventually, with my husband’s support, I did fulfill my dream to study theology at Northwest University (USA).

Shaking Hands with a Rock Star

By the providence of God, recently, I was able to shake hands with this “rock star” Christian and father in the Lord. In the early 2000s, we took a trip to England to visit our daughter then serving overseas as a missionary intern. Although he was retired from preaching at the time, we decided to attend an Easter service at Stott’s church, All Souls while we were in London. We were surprised and delighted when Dr. Stott stepped into the pulpit as Rector Emeritus to preach a rousing Resurrection Day sermon. Even more exciting, was the opportunity to exchange words with Dr. Stott under the rotunda on our way out the door!

Like the Apostle Paul who also travelled widely, John Stott never married. However, according to his biography he came very close on two occasions. He acknowledges that with the responsibility of a family he could never have written, travelled and ministered as extensively as he has. Nevertheless, John Stott has left a legacy of children in the Lord that is scattered around the globe. I am deeply honored to count myself among them.

Related

1. The Apostle Paul: Ultimate Family Man

2. In the Spotlight: Ruth Bell Graham

Photos: Top: John Stott & Billy Graham. Bottom: Floor Plan of All Souls Church, Langham Place, London. (Google Images)

Up Next—Ten (Non-Fiction) Books You Don't Want to Miss


Do you look up to someone as your father in the Lord?

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Word-Filled-Wednesday: Titus 2:3-5

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word
of God. (Titus 2:3-5)

Bible Chiasms are Like Oreos.
The Sweet Spot is in the Middle

One of the most fascinating literary devices found in the Bible is the chiasm. A chiasm is a short or long passage of Scripture which creates an “X” (Greek: chi) structure. Scholars have identified a chiasmic structure in long passages like the flood story in Genesis 6-9, and even whole books like the Gospel of Mark. You can see some much shorter examples at both these links. If you think of two spindles of a scroll with the parchment rolled up equally on each side, the midpoint of that scroll is like the midpoint of a chiasm.

In its simplest form, a chiasm is constructed of one or more lines of Scripture which march toward a pivotal center point, and then march away again. Like an Oreo cookie, each line above the sweet center is mirrored by a corresponding line below it. This technique draws attention to the middle, which is always the writer’s most important point.

Notice how the left side of an “X” is formed in the following example:

Oreo cookies are made of two dark chocolate biscuits, (C)
------The cookies are sandwiched together (B)
----------The white icing in the between them is perfection. (A)
------Many people like to pull the cookie sandwich apart (B’)
That way they get two chocolate cookies for the price of one! (C’)

Responding to the Call of Titus Two

If you’re a new reader at Chrysalis, you might not be aware that the main Scripture passage guiding this weblog is the classic passage from Titus 2:3-5. As an older woman, my passion and purpose is to pass on to you the good things that God has taught me over the years as a wife, Mom, and Bible student. Recently, I noticed that Titus 2:3-5 is also a chiasm. Let’s take a look:

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, (D)
-----not to be slanderers [gossips] (C)
----------or addicted to much wine (B)
--------------but to teach what is good. (A)
--------------Then they can train younger women to love husbands/children, (A’)
----------to be self-controlled and pure (B’)
-----to be busy at home and to be kind (C’)
and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word... (D’)

In chiastic structure, sometimes the key point is repeated. (See my previous discussion of Matt 7:6.) Note that in these verses, the key line about “teaching what is good” (A) is repeated in the line below, shouting out its importance (A'). The second line (A’) reveals that the emphasis of an older woman’s instruction should be training younger women how to love their husbands and children.

As a side note, it’s fascinating to compare Paul’s “curriculum” for older women in Titus 2, with his instruction to Timothy in regard to young widows. Apparently throughout the ages, we women have been tempted toward sensuality, unproductive speech (gossip) and shunning the hard work of raising a family:

“As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. (1 Tim 2:11-15 NIV).

A Warm Welcome to Younger Moms

From time to time in my travels across the blogosphere, I come across a post written by a Christian Mom who is longing to be mentored by an older Titus Two woman. If you’re in that position, my heart goes out to you. Maybe you’ve been unable to establish that kind of relationship “IRL” due to a variety of factors. If so, let me extend my hand and welcome you to this blog. If you’re interested, you can read my complete bio here.

At Chrysalis, you’ll find a warm community, and food for thought on a variety of topics relevant to Christian Moms. Home of the Marriage Monday monthly meme, regular topics here include Bible Study (& WFW), Biography, Books, Homemaking, and Spiritual Growth. Nothing is taboo! Please introduce yourself in the comments. I try to respond to every comment either by email, or in my comment box. If you’re a blogger, I will also stop by to visit you before too long. Many regular readers know that I’m happy to correspond by e-mail and Facebook as well.

Stick around! I’d love to get to know you.

Related: Recommended Reading on Chiasmus

Join Amydeanne and the good folk over at the Internet Café for more Scripture and Word-Filled-Wednesday.

Photos: mare.bowe, IanHayhurst & Cartel82 (Flickr)

Up Next—A Special Father in the Spotlight


Do you currently have a spiritual mentor?

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NEWS for Christian Women

Ten Thinkful Links
Written by e-Mom. Share on Facebook. Subscribe in a Reader

Written by various authors, the following list of shared articles was posted in my sidebar. Did you see it? Each one of these carefully selected articles is well worth your time.

I wanted to give you a special heads up, since I've retired these wise thoughts to make way for new items of interest. (And a brand new Chrysalis blog theme! Coming very soon…)

1. The Not-So-Golden Anniversary of the Pill

2. Say “I Do” to the Name Change

3. The Scandal of Gendercide—War on Baby Girls

4. The State of Marriage

5. Why I Think Women Need to Study Theology

6. NYT: Modern Women are Unhappy

7. The Superior Wife Syndrome

8. Secrets of Fifty Year Marriages

9. Mothers, Sons, and Respect Talk

10. Forty Consequences of Adultery

“For a man is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; for indeed man was not created for the woman’s sake, but woman for the man’s sake." (1 Cor 11:7-9)

Photos: reiscake (Flickr)

Up Next—Bible Study: Chiasm of Titus 2:3-5

Which of these articles spoke the loudest to you?

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Marriage Monday Topics: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

2011

• (Dec) Engagement
  
  
• (Nov II) Time
  
  
• (Nov) In-Laws
  
  
• (Oct) Infertility
  
  
• (Sept II) Children
  
  
• (Sept I) Communication
  
  
• (Aug I & II) Summer BREAK
  
  
• (July I & II) Summer BREAK
  
  
• (June II) Summer BREAK
  
  
• (June I) Adultery
  
  
• (May II) Moving
  
  
• (May I) Faith
  
  
• (Apr II) Leadership
  
  
• (Apr I) Spring BREAK
  
  
• (Mar II) Beauty
  
  
• (Mar I) Trust
  
  
• (Feb) My Christian Testimony
  
  
• (Jan) Christmas BREAK

2010

• (Dec) Joy for Two at Christmas


• (Nov) Financial Contentment in Marriage


• (Oct) Our Sacred Commitment


• (Sept) Adding Kids to the Mix


• (Aug) Romantic Food Faves


• (July) Blessing Our Parents


• (June) Our Honeymoon Memories


• (May) Talking Turkey When You're Feeling Like a Chicken


• (Apr) (Open Topic) Ancient Jewish Wedding Customs


• (Mar) Prayer in Marriage


• (Feb) How to Celebrate February 14 Every Day of the Year


• (Jan) Christmas Break

2009

• (Dec)(About Christmas) My Revealing Interview with my Husband


• (Nov) A Love Letter to My Husband


• (Oct) How God Renewed Our Marriage Against All the Odds


• (Sept) Girl Talk: Mothers & Daughters Talk About Love


• (Aug) (Open Topic) Re-Introduction to Marriage Monday


• (July) (Guest Hostess) Traveling With My Husband


• (June) (Guest Hostess) Being the Right Person in Marriage


• (May) (Guest Hostess) Seasons of Marriage


• (Apr) Friendship in Christian Marriage


• (Mar) The Glory of Christian Marriage


• (Feb) The Surprise of Christian Marriage


• (Jan) The Humor of Christian Marriage

2008

• (Dec) The Sanctuary of Christian Marriage


• (Nov) The Grace of Christian Marriage


• (Oct) 10 Tips for Frugal Living


• (Sept) Why Romance Matters


• (Aug) Recreation & Fun in Marriage


• (July) Our Daughter's (Hawaii) Wedding


• (June) Our Wedding Day!


• (May) The Crazy Way We Met


• (Apr) Marriage: For Happiness or Holiness?


• (Mar) Is Divorce Ever Right?


• (Feb) Top Ten Tips for the Ultimate Valentine's Celebration


• (Jan) Preparing Girls for Marriage

2007

• (Dec) What Makes a Marriage Christian?


• (Nov) Submission is a Decision NOT a Dirty Word


• (Oct) Intimate Issues for Christian Women


• (Sept) Code for "Classic" Marriage Monday Knot Graphic

Copyright © 2006-2011 C h r y s a l i s ღ.

Graphic: "Admiring Butterfly" by Imagezoo.com via Fotosearch.

Do you have any topic suggestions? I'd love
to hear from you!

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HOT Communication Tools

Fresh Ideas For Christian Wives

Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little
Cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more...

Remember this fun, but telling song from "Music Man?" As women, we're blessed with the gift of gab. But really, does it always achieve the results we're after?

Here is an excert from a helpful article "Five Communication Tools That Saved My Marriage" by Rob Flood. Published in FamilyLife's online magazine, The Family Room, the author covers these five concepts: The Principle of First Response, The Principle of Physical Touch, The Principle of Proper Timing, The Principle of Mirroring, and The Principle of Prayer. This thoughtful piece is well-worth your time:

We were blissfully in love and thrilled to be on our honeymoon. Then came day five—we had our first argument. That put us on a slippery slope moving swiftly toward desperation. Within the first nine months of our marriage, Gina and I were both convinced that we not only married the wrong person, but also were condemned to a loveless marriage.

One very tangible side effect of our difficulties was poor communication. I would ask, "What's for dinner?" She would hear, "I can't believe you haven't prepared dinner again tonight?" She would say, "What time are you coming home?" I would hear, "You better get here and help me because you're never here."

We could not express anything we wanted to. We resorted to hurting each other with our words... Quite honestly, we had endured so much hurt and hurting that we could not see any hope for ever communicating well... Here are some of the tools that helped transform my marriage and change my heart.

1. The Principle of First Response
The course of a conflict is not determined by the person who initiates, but by the person who responds.

You may feel it's okay to strike at someone verbally because, "He is picking a fight with me." You may be correct, but that person does not have the power to decide whether a fight actually occurs. That power rests with the responder. As Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

The course of a conflict is not determined by the person who initiates, but by the person who responds.

Jesus has a well-worn track record with the Principle of First Response. Recall the times that the Scribes and the Pharisees came to question Him. They were the initiators in nearly all of their communication. Their intention was to defraud Jesus and corner Him. In how many cases were they successful? None. They failed because the power to decide the direction of each conflict rested with Jesus, the responder (Luke 20:19-26).

The implications of following Jesus' example were huge. My wife's sin did not give me free license to sin in return. And conversely, my sin did not give Gina free license either. By following the principle of first response, we were being called to take a poorly spoken comment and redirect it.

2. The Principle of Physical Touch
It is difficult to sin against someone while you are tenderly touching them.

This is a difficult principle to apply after an argument has begun. However, a perfect time when you know you are about to sit down and have a discussion about something that might lead to tension.

You know what those topics are in your marriage. Maybe it's a conversation about a specific child. Maybe it's your in-laws or your finances. For us, as you might imagine, it was when we sat down to talk about our communication. Those were tough conversations.

During these times, we would sit down and pray together … and touch. Usually we were at opposite ends of the couch with Gina's legs stretched out across mine while I held them. (You may prefer holding hands or sitting close enough that you naturally touch.

It is difficult to sin against someone while you are tenderly touching them.

As we talked, we would inevitably notice something. When our conversation began to drift toward conflict, we stopped touching.
We found what I'm certain you'll find: It is very difficult to fight with someone you are tenderly touching. So, we had a choice at that point: to stop fighting so we could keep on touching or to stop touching so we could keep on fighting.
This type of tender touching has served us in two ways. First, it is a deterrent from arguing. Second, when we do drift into an argument, our physical separation is a visual and physical cue that our conversation is no longer glorifying God. We notice it, correct it, and get back on the right track.

Read More Here...

Congenial conversation—what a pleasure! The right word at the right time—beautiful! (Proverbs 15:23 MSG)

Photos: R_x reneebaron & Mao (Flickr)

Care to share your effective communication tips?

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Spiritual Growth: Describe Your Ideal Church...

Are House Churches the Future?

Posted by e-Mom. Share on Facebook. Subscribe in a Reader

The believer quoted below is sold on the idea of house churches. He's written fairly extensively about his views. The following statement gets to the nugget of his position:

"The church that we have on Earth very much depends on the kind of God we have in Heaven. It's a reflection of who we believe He is. If we believe God to be a Professor, then Church would be very much like a classroom, like an auditorium where we listen to a lecture for an hour and then go about our lives. If we believe God is like a Judge, Church would be very much like a Police Station or a Court Room. If God is like a Doctor, our Church would look very much like an Army. But, if God would be a Father, then Church would look very much like a family."—Wolfgang Simson

Obviously, this author struck a chord with me. However, as I thought further about his statement, several questions arose. For instance, must our public corporate worship be limited by the model of home and family? Isn't there a place for formal instruction, accountability, and authority structures in church too? Is the institutional church really the enemy? And what about our men? Do they enjoy gathering for church in homes? (I'm skeptical.)

Related: "Twelve Marks of a Man-Friendly Church."

Photo: ChristopherChan (Flickr)

Talk to me. Describe your ideal church...

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Welcome to Marriage Monday!

Our Honeymoon Memories
Written by e-Mom. Share on Facebook. Subscribe in a Reader

Good morning sweet Sister! Thanks for contributing to this very special meme in the blogosphere. Today, please consider sharing your version of, “Our Honeymoon: Memories to Last a Lifetime.” In case you need them, here are a few ideas on our topic to get you started.

My personal entry for today’s topic is here.

Marriage Research: Our Stories Leave Clues

Today’s subject should be fairly easy. Hopefully, it will trigger a flood of good feelings. However for some of you, this topic could bring some angst. Do let that be a warning sign. Here’s why:

Dr. John Gottman is a leading relationship expert who has studied real marriages in his University of Washington “Love Lab” (The Gottman Institute) for over 30 years.

Along with analyzing why marriages fail, he has also discovered that couples who are happy in their marriages are inclined to recount the early part of their relationship—how they met, the proposal, the wedding etc. with laughter, smiles and nostalgia. This is true, even when recalling difficult times like financial struggles, or job loss. Unhappy couples, however, tend to recast their past in a decidedly negative way. Read more...

Your personal romantic narrative, as told by you or your partner, is filled with clues about the state of your relationship today and can predict whether trouble looms ahead.—Tara Parker-Pope.

Marriage Monday in July

Let's plan to meet here again for Marriage Monday on July 12, 2010. Over the summer, we’ll begin an exciting new series of topics in conjunction with a marriage e-book I hope to draft in the coming months. Co-authored with e-Dad, and geared toward both husbands and wives, please stay tuned for How Marriage Works.




<center><a href="http://chrysaliscom.blogspot.com/search/label/Marriage%20Monday"><img border="0" alt="First Monday of every month at Chrysalis" src="http://i61.photobucket.com/albums/h79/chrysaliscom/AdmiringButterfly-1-4-1.jpg" /></a></center>

NEW! Marriage Monday Button

Sisters, today we have a brand new graphic; just in time for summer! Feel free to copy the code and paste it in your post or sidebar. (A larger version is coming soon.) I hope you like the new look. However, you’re free to stay with the “classic” yellow marriage knot if you prefer.

Did you know that Marriage Monday at Chrysalis will be celebrating three years in September? A warm thank you to all the writers who have contributed to the success of this special meme.

I can't wait to stop by your blog to read your honeymoon story later today!

Photos: e-Mom & e-Dad on our very first date; Thirty years after our honeymoon.

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