Inspiration vs Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm (èn-th¡´zê-àz´em) noun

1. Great excitement for or interest in a subject or cause.
2. A source or cause of great excitement or interest.
3. Archaic. a. Ecstasy arising from supposed possession by a god.
b. Religious fanaticism.

[Late Latin enthúsiasmus, from Greek enthousiasmos, from enthousiazein, to be inspired by a god, from entheos, possessed : en-, in. See EN-2 + theos, god.]

Word History: When the English philosopher Henry More stated in a work published in 1660 that "If ever Christianity be exterminated, it will be by Enthusiasme," he clearly used the word differently from the way we do now. He was also using a meaning that differed from the first sense, "possession by a god," recorded in English (1603).

Enthusiasm and this sense of the word go back to the Greek word enthousiasmos, which ultimately comes from the adjective entheos, "having the god within," formed from en-, "in, within," and theos, "god."

Henry More in 1660 was referring to belief, either mistaken or unsupported by evidence, in one's own inspiration by the Christian god. Enthusiasm, as now most frequently used, has become secularized and at times weakened, so that one can speak of an enthusiasm for fast cars.

Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-82), U.S. essayist, poet, philosopher. Essays, "Circles" (First Series, 1841).

Inspiration vs Dictation?

Continuing on my thots on Inspiration on Scriptures, there is a difference between inspiration and dictation. Islam believes that the Quran is dictated by God and then recited by man. These two articles below provide a good background and understanding. I have included a third (link) for a different view.

Welcome To Al-Quran.com

Islam is based on the revelations given to Prophet Muhammed (d. 632 AD) in the early 7th century by the Angel Gabriel. These revelations were compiled into what is called the Qur'an (the recitation). Angel Gabriel, as a messenger of God (in arabic, Allah), told Muhammed (saw), Iqraa, which means, "recite" (can also mean, "read," but not in this context), and the Prophet recited after Angel Gabriel the words that have become immortalized in the Qur'an.


Longer version

The story of the revelation of Quran

It was in the year 610 A.D when the Lord of all the worlds touched mankind to change the course of the history.

The night in the outskirts of the city is quite and peaceful. But something strange is going to happen; a great power is going to overtake this man's mind and heart. The happening would be a no ordinary one, and the power no ordinary power. In fact, The Great King, Lord of all the worlds, would send one of His highest ranking angels to speak to mankind!

Verily this is the word of a most honourable Messenger, Endued with Power, with rank before the Lord of the Throne, With authority there, (and) faithful to his trust.
The Holy Qur'an, Surah 81, Ayat 19-21.

Say, the Holy Spirit has brought the revelation from thy Lord in Truth, in order to strengthen those who believe, and as a Guide and Glad Tidings to Muslims.
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 16, Ayat 102.

Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds: With it came down the spirit of Faith and Truth-
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 26, Ayat 192-193.

That blessed night The King of all dominions was about to touch our lives. Is this not worth contemplation? But notice one thing here: It is through the Qur'an that we are granted recognition. It is because of this communication that the seven heavens and those who dwell in them give immortal value to those who walk on the earth.

It is because of obedience to its commands that we are saved and it is because of disobedience to its commands that we are destroyed.It is based on this link, this interface of communication with our Lord and Cherisher that our lives have meaning. It is this Qur'an that seperates the believers from those who turn away. It is this Qur'an that builds nations and binds together the peoples of different lands. How significant a night it was for all of humanity, a night declared to be better and more potent than thirty thousand nights and more!

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 97, Ayat 3.

So deep in the heart of the night it happened. The high angel Jibreel (AS) descended from the far heavens to the cave, the cave of Hira, atop the Mountain of Light (jabal-i-nuur). Suddenly the cave lit up and the Prophet could clearly see someone, someone carrying a mysterious scroll with inscriptions upon it...

Think about this for a second: Jibreel (AS) did not bring down something strange in essence, it was simply a writing, a string of words from Allah (SWT). But it was not enough for the words to be written upon the scroll for then there would be no need of bringing it down from the heavens. So why was it brought down?

The answer lies in what happened next. This is the crucial part, the part where the Creator establishes connection with his servent.

"Recite" cried Jibreel (AS)
"What am I to recite" replied the Prophet
"Recite" Jibreel (AS)said again.
"What am I to recite" replied the Prophet again.
"Recite" said Jibreel (AS) once more.
"What am I to recite?!?" exclaimed the Prophet once more.

Then, Jibreel (AS) hugged the Prophet tight and cried:

Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created- Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,- He Who taught (the use of) the pen,- Taught man that which he knew not.
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 96, Ayat 1-5.

Those were the inscriptions upon the scroll. Now in these few moments something momentous happened. What was it?

Let us turn to the Prophet for the clues. Well, the Prophet described his experience in the cave that night by the following expression:

" It felt as if the letters were inscribed into my heart "

Say: Whoever is an enemy to Gabriel-for he brings down the (revelation) to thy heart by God's will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe,-
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 2, Ayat 97.

So the nature of the Qur'an should be gradually becoming clear to us. How? Well keep going!! Now, we are in a position to answer the question- What is the Qur'an?

It is a recital that has come from Allah (SWT) through His high angel Jibreel (AS). In fact the literal meaning of the word Al- Qur'an in Arabic is The Recital.

But the Qur'an is linked to us in some way and that is why it was brought down that night. This link is set forth and established that very night. The 'magic' moments were when the Qur'an went from scroll to the prophet's (SAWS) heart. So the words are not meant to remain only on heavenly scrolls, but to take root in our hearts. There, in those few moments of that night, lie the secret to learning the Qur'an!!

But how can the Qur'an reach our hearts? To find the answer, all we have to do is realize what Jibreel (AS) did in transferring the words from the scroll into the Prophet's heart. He recited them. Remember he had said "Recite" three times, and finally Jibreel himself recited the message from the Lord of all the worlds and the Prophet carefully listened.

So the experience of the Prophet in recieving the words of Allah (SWT) was by listening to them.

So here they are, the two keys of learning the Qur'an: LISTENING and RECITING .

When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 7, Ayat 204.

Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur'an). They said, 'We have really heard a wonderful Recital!
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 72, Ayat 1.

...read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you.
The Holy Qur'an, Sura 73, Ayat 20.

Copyright © 1997 by SAAMIREEN. All Rights Reserved.

To read a more controversial and alternative view on this issue, read article written by Richard Hooker.

I think some of his facts may differ from the classical views, which i am more familiar with.

Do we believe in the Bible?

I am doing Bible Study with a bunch of guys and gals in my church. Some have just finished their A levels and waiting to go Uni. Some are in Poly or have just finished and looking for a job. Some are in National Service (army). This group is different from the young working adults group.



I am trying to lay a foundation in their lives on the Importance of the Bible and later on How to Study the Bible. I am not sure how long they will be able to sustain Bible study with me and how long before I start intensive traveling again, so the best thing I could do for them - and i hope that can last a life-time - is to impart to them a passion for the Word.

The Word must reign supreme in their lives and i pray my sessions with them will lay a strong foundation for them to pursue God and His word. I pray that they will rise up to be the next generation of spiritual leaders - pastors, missionaries, elders, scientists, authors, kingdom business leaders, politicians, community activists - and impact their circle of influence.



I am using this blog as a platform to post some of the questions they asked and the replies given. In this way, more people can benefit and also appreciate some of the questions that the younger generation is asking. Hopefully we are giving them relevant answers. Feel free to join in the discussion.

So I am kicking off with the issue on the inspiration of Scriptures. This is an important issue. If we do not accept the inspiration of Scriptures and hence its infallibility, then we become liberals which is one of the leading causes of why the Global North churches are waning and declining rapidly.

What Is Bible “Inspiration”?

September 11, 2001
by Jason Jackson

What do Bible scholars mean when they speak of the “inspiration” of the Scriptures?

“What do Bible scholars mean when they speak of the ‘inspiration’ of the Scriptures?”

The Bible makes a claim that most books do not. It claims to be from God. Unlike the few that make the claim, the Bible’s claim is true. This is the concept called “inspiration.” There are several things involved in considering the “inspiration of the Bible.”

First, “inspiration” of the Bible means that it had a divine origin. The term “inspiration” is found in the New Testament one time (2 Tim. 3:16).

“Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.”

The Greek word theopneustos is actually a compound term. Its two parts (theos and pneustos) literally mean “God-breathed.” For this reason, English translations render the word by the phrase “inspired of God,” rather than just “inspired.”

Paul said that “scripture” is inspired of God. The word “scripture” comes from the Greek term graphe, which means “writings.” Paul was considering a specific body of writings. The word “scripture” is used in the Bible in a technical senseto distinguish writings whose origin is God, from those that originate with men. Practically speaking, the terms, “inspired of God” and “scriptures,” are interchangeable.

The apostle said that “every” or “all” scripture is from God. When Paul said that “every scripture” is inspired of God, he affirmed that the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms—the Lord’s three-fold designation of the Old Testament (Lk. 24:44)—were all from God. Both Old and New Testaments are called “scripture” (see 1 Tim. 5:18; 2 Pet. 3:15-16; cf. 1 Cor. 2:10-13).

Second, “inspiration of the Bible” means that God used prophetic agency. The writer of Hebrews referred to the human element in scripture when he said, “God, having of old time spoken unto the fathers in the prophets . . .” (Heb. 1:1; emphasis added). The prophets were speaking; they were writing with pen and parchments. But, the words actually were God’s.

The apostle Peter noted that “the word of prophecy” was of God’s design. In communicating his will, however, ”. . . men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21).

The “inspiration” of the human writers did not mean that they were mere transcribers. God employed their human personalities and experiences in the process. Inspired men were not omniscient or personally infallible. But what they wrote was from the mind of God—and it was recorded without error.

They also used firsthand knowledge, the aid of eyewitnesses, and written sources in the composition of Scripture (cf. Lk. 1:1-4). All of these methods, however, were under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, with the guarantee of accuracy (cf. Jn. 16:13).

Third, “inspiration of the Bible” means that this book is authoritative. The Bible is the final word in religious matters. As Paul discussed some doctrinal issues in Romans, he said, “What saith the scriptures?” (Rom. 4:3). The Lord charged the Sadducees, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures . . .” (Mt. 22:29). What God has revealed is important when considering any religious matter.

The Bible is the will of God. It is his authoritative word. For that reason, Jesus Christ said, ”. . . and the scriptures cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35). We cannot dismiss God’s written word. It is as authoritative as if God spoke directly from heaven (cf. Mt. 22:31; 2 Pet. 1:18-20).

Christless Christianity?

Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship,

and Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, trans. R.H. Fuller, rev. by Irmgard Booth (New York: Macmillan, 1966), 64.





Who is he? Short version

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (February 4, 1906 – April 9, 1945) was a German Lutheran pastor, theologian, participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism, and a founding member of the Confessing Church. He was involved in plots planned by members of the Abwehr (the German Military Intelligence Office) to assassinate Adolf Hitler. He was arrested in March 1943, imprisoned, and eventually hanged just before the end of the World War II in Europe.

Longer version



Though he was initially expected to follow his father into the field of psychology, Dietrich decided at an early age to become a religious minister. His parents supported his decision. He attended college in Tübingen, where he received his doctorate in theology from the University of Berlin. As Dietrich was just 24 at this time, he was unable to be ordained [one must be 25 by church regulations]. This, however, gave Dietrich the opportunity to go abroad.

He then spent a post-graduate year abroad studying at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Bonhoeffer returned to Germany in 1931, where he lectured on theology in Berlin and wrote several books.

A strong opponent of Nazism, he was involved, together with Martin Niemöller, Karl Barth and others, in establishing the Confessing Church. Between late 1933 and 1935, he served as pastor of two German-speaking Protestant churches in London: St. Paul's and Sydenham.

He returned to Germany to head a seminary for Confessing Church pastors which had been made illegal by the Nazi regime, first in Finkenwalde and then at the von Blumenthal estate of Gross Schlönwitz, which was closed at the outbreak of World War II. The Gestapo also banned him from preaching; then teaching; and finally any kind of public speaking. During this time, Bonhoeffer worked closely with numerous opponents of Adolf Hitler.

During World War II, Bonhoeffer played a key leadership role in the Confessing Church, which opposed the anti-semitic policies of Adolf Hitler. He was among those who called for wider church resistance to Hitler's treatment of the Jews. While the Confessing Church was not large, it represented a major source of Christian opposition to the Nazi government in Germany.

In 1939, Bonhoeffer joined a hidden group of high-ranking military officers based in the Abwehr, or Military intelligence Office, who wanted to overthrow the National Socialist regime by killing Hitler.

He was arrested in April 1943 after money used to help Jews escape to Switzerland was traced to him. He was charged with conspiracy and imprisoned in Berlin for a year and a half. After the unsuccessful July 20 Plot in 1944, Bonhoeffer's connections to the conspirators were discovered.

He was moved to a series of prisons and concentration camps ending at Flossenbürg. Here, he was executed by hanging at dawn on 9 April 1945, just three weeks before the liberation of the city.

How to be a disciple

Continuing my thots on discipling and discipleship. What criterias do we look for in a person before we initiate a mentoring-discipling relationship with them? Barnes suggest to look for individuals who are proactive red-hot seekers of God, rather than passive, indifferent individuals who believe that God's "irresistible grace" will "force" and somehow supernaturally cause them to be good, strong and mature disciples. The question is where are these seekers and how can we increase their level of "seekingness"?


by Seth Barnes
8/20/2006

1. The seeking heart

To be a disciple of Jesus, you usually have to be the disciple of one of his followers. To follow well, you need the right posture. Your posture is the outward expression of your inward attitude. The typical posture of a Jesus follower is a slouch. It’s nonchalant spirituality.

I’ve described the four criteria of a good disciple: faithful, available, seeking, and teachable. A person who has these is postured for growth. The first posture of a disciple is that they are seeking help.

It would be nice if they were seeking God himself or seeking to be discipled, but at a minimum, they have to be seeking help. The Bible is full of exhortations that we should seek God. Everyone seems to love Jer. 29:11, but I love one two verses later, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Some Presbyterians take the sovereignty of God concept and conclude that God’s grace is so irresistible that you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride. But such a perspective results in a certain spiritual impotence. God clearly wants hot-hearted seekers.

As a discipler, you can’t give a person what they aren’t looking for. This is why Sunday school is such a waste of time for so many teenagers. Better to dismiss everyone except for those truly looking to grow in Christ.

For those seeking Jesus with all their hearts, they’ll find him. And I maintain, they’ll find him most helpfully in older, wiser believers.

What is the greatest need of the church today?

John Stott, a prominent Anglican and author of Mere Christianity, asked: “what is the greatest need of the church today?”

His answer was: “the church needs greater number of deep Christians – Christians that are not shallow nor superficial but deep and committed”.


Richard Foster made a similar point in his book “Celebration of Discipline”

“Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem. The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people”.

What are we throwing away?

I read a humorous story about a woman who fell out of a second-floor window and landed in a slow-moving garbage truck.

Half-buried in the litter, she tried without success to get the truck driver’s attention.

A foreign diplomat standing on the sidewalk saw her and quipped,

“Another example of how wasteful Americans are. That woman looks like she’s good for at least another 10 years.”