SBS

I've been meaning to write a post for sometime explaining where we are and why. I think it has become fairly apparent that we haven't been in the US for sometime...

We are indeed in Australia and will be for the next 8 months. Chelsa, Aubrey, and I have come all this way so that I can attend a 9 mo School of Biblical Studies, SBS. It is a non-stop course on inductive bible study of all 66 books of the bible. The intent of the course is not that you would know it all but that you would have a strong foundation, rooted in the history/context of the bible writers to interpret scripture using scipture. With a foundation firmly laid we are more prepared to teach and to continue studying and expounding on the scriptures for the rest of our lives. All that said, the intent, as described by the staff of the course, is that through study and prayer we would come to know Jesus in a more full way.

After just a month of study we have covered several new testament books and I'm amazed at how I studied the bible before, or in fact hardly ever studied the bible. I'm coming to the conclusion that Christians don't study their bible, despite owning 4 or 5 of them..., for several reasons. One reason is good enough for now; Christians don't understand the significance of the scriptures during the time in which they were written. For example, at first glance the book of Mark appears to be a book similar to the other gospels, Matthew, Luke, and John, because it is a collection of stories and parables dealing with/during the life of Jesus. While you can read these stories and develop a sense of right and wrong, that Jesus was a good teacher, that the disciples appear to be slow in understanding who Jesus was...you don't get a sense for why the book was written and why those teachings mattered to the original reader.

Now take a look at history. While Mark's date of publication is not set in stone, most agree that it was written between 64-68 and that it was written as a circular letter to churches of Rome. (circular meaning it is past from church to church) Nero is emperor of Rome. His palace has been burned to the ground along with a sizable portion of Rome. Rome figures Nero is directly/indirectly the cause of the fire, however, he blames it on the Christians. What takes place is an empire wide persecution of the Christians. Nero has them tortured, crucified, beheaded, sent into the coliseum as entertainment/ food for the lions and tigers, along with many other gruesome things that I won't write about but you can find in writing elsewhere.

Why then is Mark written? As an encouragement to the church for the persecution taking place.

How does this affect how you would interpret Mark 3:31-35? If you don't have a bible handy this is the paraphrased version. Jesus' mother and brothers are looking for him. The crowd says, your mother and brothers are looking for you. Jesus says, my mother and brother are whoever does the will of God.

What is the original reader (OR) think about this statement? Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are turning one another over to the Roman authorities on account of belief in Christ. The OR is losing their identity within their family, and very likely their life, if they convert to Christianity.

Mark is encouraging believers in that they aren't losing their families as they become Christians but they're now adopted into the family of God.

How does this apply to us today? If our "traditional" family isn't believers, or condemn you for your faith, you have Mark's reassuring words that you are adopted into the family of God.
If you don't have a family for one reason or another, Mark's word's are encouraging because you do have a family and you are loved.

What actions would we take knowing this? As Christians we would accept other believers into our family. We would take care of them and look after them as family. You help to mature them if they're young, you discipline them when they're out of line, you love them through the hard times and the easy. (we could go on forever in 100s of different situations)

Does knowing a bit about the history and context of the book help to interpret it as it was originally written as well as help as apply it to our own lives? Absolutely.

There is so much more than what is on the surface it is mind boggling. Look at something other then a commentary for a change and get into the word of God. You cannot help but be changed.

Speaking of change look at this beautiful little girl!