Introduction
So, This first section will start with first things first: The Gospels. There is so much content within them it was wiser to give each their own menu entry in the navigation bar to the left... Please feel led to read through at your leisure... If you believe I have made a grave error, or you'd like to discuss some entry, I am open to be contacted at webmaster@haloeye.net.
There are plenty of teachings in the Gospels that are misunderstood or taught poorly. Though I have covered it elsewhere in the site, Here a look at Matthew ch.24 is a brilliant place to get started as this is one of the most widely misunderstood passages. There are also problems involved in misunderstanding the depth of study within a certain passage, an example is the temptation of Christ covered Here. Some of Jesus' teachings had me a little confused, such as the 'children in the market place' and the whole new garment/new wine thing. Also, another passage I found confusing, - Jesus' "strong man" reply to those in the crowd that accused him of casting out demons by the prince of the demons.
The Baptisms, The Temptation Of Christ, New Wine
Ok, starting small just a quick rerun of Jesus baptism, why he needed to be baptised, what baptism he himself brings. And some extra stuff on Christ's temptation: Can God be tempted? What is 'tempting God'? What does Jesus mean with new wine in new bottles, and fixing the rent in a garment?
Raca, Thou Fool
Always, when I read through this short passage I was a little confused. Why so severe a punishment from God for a disagreement between brethren? Simple, the state is the mechanism Jesus refers to as prosecuting between these brethren. God will not intervene until the dispute between His children is, by the state, reconciled. It is far easier to repent and settle first instead of taking each other to law. God, will never hold one of His children above any other, He has no respect of persons.
Children In The Marketplace, Blasphemy And Casting Out Devils
I was always thrown by the contrasts in these passages. Though almost back to back they teach of apathy, rejection and blasphemy. Whilst the offenders are clearly the Pharisees, Christ is as guilty in their eyes of exactly the same. "There's no helping some people" is an accurate a summary as one could get if the stakes weren't so high. Whilst Jesus teaches satan's kingdom is bound and satan does not cast out satan, he goers on to teach that a demon when out of a man returns with more demons and the man is worse off for it. Is this a contradiction of Jesus' own abilities?
One Wiser Than Solomon
Logic In The Gospels
The scene is set for Jesus to rebuke those that would accuse Him of being an agent of satan. In fact Jesus withdraws from the arena of the scribes and Pharisees in the synagogues and the multitude follows after Him. Jesus upon healing many is accepted as the "Son of David" yet the Pharisees seek to stir up the crowd against Him, having plotted how they should destroy Him. The plot manifests in the accusation that Jesus casts out demons using demonic authority. Kingdoms Divided
Jesus reasons in parable form before the multitude that has followed Him - He shows that logically, Israel is under the authority of satan rather than Jesus Himself. In order to wrestle satan out from a man one must be stronger, and in order to wrest from God one must be stronger still - a clear violation of true faith. The result is that Jesus could only be doing the work of God. The Line Is Drawn
Jesus warns the multitude that the blasphemy of the Pharisees is unforgivable, and that the inner heart of those men is full of hypocrisy. Jesus teaches that either Israel is become totally corrupt, or is totally good. Yet if this is the case, how do the Pharisees fail to cast out demons as effectively as Jesus? Clearly something is wrong with the assumption of the pharisees - that they are in approval before God. The Line Is Crossed
The armour of the strong man is examined - The God of the individual is also either totally good, or totally corrupt. In blaspheming the Holy Ghost the Pharisees show that in failing to exorcise demons as Christ does, the unclean spirit returns because the God (which is the armour) of the man is not correct: God, is strong armour that can not be spoiled by the enemy. It makes sense then to realise that the unclean spirits house is empty of God (wholly good) and is prepared and open for unclean spirits with stronger armour (seven more wicked spirits, a god wholly corrupt). The Family Of God
Lastly I sum up the preceding pages with a couple of logical proofs that show the meaning of the passage, that it is logically deductive rather than prophetic; Jesus ministry had never faced such an opposition thus far, of baseless slander. In refusing to give the Pharisees any other sign than His resurrection Jesus shows the passage is not primarily "prophetic" but one of sound judgement. That is not to say that there is not a prophetic element: rather that no other sign than the resurrection was to be given the "generation of vipers". Empty The Man, The Man Won't Rest, The Rest Won't Fail
Whilst there is truly a sense in the passage that Israel is indwelt by a corruption that has twisted the true character of God into one ministered by traditions, repeated washings and preparations and lengthy prayers; There is no sense that God defines obedience in any manner other than absolutes or black and white. There is no remaining in both camps when Christ gathers to Himself from amongst Israel. He came to minister life, and God's strength is in the simple acceptance of Christ as the saviour of Israel. There is no "He has almost done it" before God, neither is there a sense that the bride or body of Christ will ever be mingled with the corruption of this world. Christ's elect are chosen on a strict criteria every bit as harsh as the punishment of sinfulness in the law: The result is truly that it is a defence of virtue, as was the strictness of the law to keep the land of Israel as the land of God's intent. If you wouldn't want to keep the laws you should have migrated and called yourself by another's name. The Mustard Plant, Leaven In The Meal
Whoa! another seemingly simple verse, but totally misrepresented. There is no such thing as a mustard tree, it being a small herb. There is also a like comparison to leaven in the three measures of meal. (Meal is grain). unlike adding leaven to dough to make three wonderful loaves, we are left with mouldy grain. If the kingdom of God is not supposed to grow, what is the purpose? The self-righteous answer is that the church is full of tares, evil dupes. However, this is not the emphasis within Matthews Gospel.
No Wedding Garment, Whose Resurrection?
Jesus teaching of the judgement of the just spoke of a multitude sent away of which he said "I know you not!" Why, in this parable of the wedding feast is there only one man without a wedding garment when presumably people were just pulled off the streets to fill the house? I was always caught on this.. The answers obvious really - he wasn't even fortunate enough to be invited second time around. Jesus reply to the Sadducees on the resurrection seems cryptic, is God outside of time and "life is 'it'" as the Sadducees believe, or are the children of God in the resurrection just as alive, and like the angels? If all are alive to God, why does anyone die? - Jesus shows great wisdom here! What is the purpose of marriage?
Ten Virgins, Ten Talents
Over and over, wherever and whenever I have read of the ten virgins everyone equated the oil with the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught he would give the Holy Spirit without measure, an unending supply. The better answer as to the "Oil" reveals the central theme of Matthews gospel. At some point someone has equated the gift of the Holy Spirit with the 'true' oil in the "simplicity equals clarity" line of thinking. Explaining it to someone in this manner robs the gospel of its value. The same mechanism of the oil is brought to bear in the parable of the ten talents also.
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