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DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
Sort of.
 
A. BACKGROUND...  Three years ago we began a journey through the Bible.  I called it "Biblical Literacy".  What's the stuff we should know, at least recognize?  Stories, verses, people.  The basics.  We did a year on the Old Testament, a year on Jesus, a year on the beginnings and spread of the Christian Church.  Biblical literacy is important for understanding our faith, Shakespeare, modern novels, classic art, popular music, and today's politics and movies.  The Bible is a reference point in every aspect of life.  Any classic has stood the test of time, proven its worth.  Let's face it, the Bible is THE CLASSIC.
 
B.   TODAY,  Genesis through Malachi... Just kidding!
 
C.   SUMMARY ... You want me to summarize 1,000 pages, 3,000 years? Ok.  God creates the universe, humanity rebels against God's wishes and sets its own course.  The rest of the Bible charts humanity's course AND God's and humanity's efforts to reconcile.  It all gets played out in the microcosm of God and Israel.  God uses Israel as a scientist uses a "control group" in an experiment.  God and Israel enter a covenant to bless/help/use each other as a test case for how humans and God can progress as a society, a religion, and a nation.  The plan was for Israel to be a beacon and road map and inspiration for the rest of the world.  Most of the Old Testament is about the good and bad, ups and downs, successes and failures, of that plan. 
 
D.    KEY POINTS: 
  1. Monotheism. The Bible and Judaism revolutionized religion with the idea of the ONENESS of God.  For the most of history most of the world has believed in multiple gods with multiple specialties (God of war, God of safe travel, God of fertility) with powers limited by national or tribal boundaries.  The Bible presents God as One, everywhere, a spirit, not made, personal, universal, over all, in all, and above all One, 1, One.  The Book of JONAH is the most revolutionary book.  God shocks Jonah by being equally concerned for the well-being of a neighboring, enemy country.  And when Jonah flees Israel, thinking to escape God, he is chocked to find God pursuing him across national boundaries and even down into the belly of a whale deep in the sea.  Finally, Jonah gets it.  Slowly, humanity gets it.  There is 1 God, everywhere, for everyone.    
 2.    COVENANT.  Problem.  God creates Paradise, Eden.  Adam and Eve get tossed out for disobeying God.  Now what?  We all have loved ones who disappoint us: children, friends, relatives, and people so important to us we can't just get rid of them.  That was God's problem.  In Biblical imagery we humans are God's children.  Yes, we broke curfew, flunked algebra, drank too much at a party, disrespected our elders, let down the family, overslept, and under-performed.  Now what?  As parents, teachers, coaches, (even pastors!) we can't throw people away that we care about.  God's answer is to enter a COVENANT with Abraham that extends to Israel.  A covenant is a super promise between two entities designed to bless/benefit both sides.  God promises to bless Israel IF Israel is faithful to God.  It's a two way street.  Like marriage, like parenting, like a good partnership or team or friendship.  If one fails, both lose.  If both are faithful, both win. 
 
FYI, Congregationalism (that would be us!) is built on covenant.  Your membership and participation is a covenant.  You and our Church promise to mutually bless/benefit/strengthen/help each other.  We have a responsibility to you; you to us.  That's why I always call GHCC a "church FAMILY". 

 

3.  What's Important?  The early Old Testament starts out with lots of LAWS.  Do this, or else.  And if you mess up you'll have to pay.  The "pay" ends up being sacrifices: cattle, sheep, doves, crops, money, or blood.  Lots of rituals and sacrifices.  In effect, the sheep pays for your sin.  The Old Testament sort of has two halves.  The first half God tries to govern every aspect of life, as if control is the way to love.  It doesn't work, especially as people lose sight of what's important.  So the second half is God narrowing down to what's important.  Not obedience for obedience sake, not fear, not ritual, not bloody sacrifice.  God (whom Jesus refers to a "father", even "daddy") is no different than us as parents - we want a loving relationship.  So does God.  We are asked to treat God, each other, ourselves, creation with Biblical, holy love.  Doing what's right, fair, good, and loving.  


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