November 2-November 8

Seeing The Big Picture
Mike James, PhD
Searcy, Arkansas

Sometimes it’s hard to see the big picture.

Have you ever rooted for a favorite sports team, but after years of seeing no results, you may resort to “booing” the team? At times like this, at least in the spiritual realm, we may need some encouragement to see the “big picture.”

Such seems to be the case with the displaced Christian Jews. Many had been Christians for years, but after seeing no results, their enthusiasm began to wane. They had been told that Jesus would return, but they had not seen His coming. They started seeing strong opposition from religious political groups, and even lack of patience from their own churches. And some were even starting to “root” for another team – a non-Christian belief. Was not one religious group just as good as another?

This letter was written to buffer the tendencies that were seen in the church, and to strengthen the faith of “baby” Christians. The writer’s quest, it seems, was to show how much superior Christianity was over other religions, especially over Judaism. At almost every turn, he appealed to their logic by using examples showing the superiority of Christianity.

Later writers don’t agree with early scholars who said Paul was the author of Hebrews. Regardless, the author was well acquainted with Jewish traditions, because over and over he made strong comparisons that contrasted Christianity with Judaism.

And he starts at the very beginning. The entire first chapter paints a picture of a son, Jesus, who existed from the beginning of the world – much earlier than Abraham of old.

Our view of the priesthood comes from the Old Testament, and a special descendant of Israel – Levi. You don’t need to read very far into the law of this special tribe to recognize that it was difficult to live up to that strict code. The ONLY bridge was through a sacrifice of bulls, goats, and other animals to make up for their lack of perfection. If we were still under that “old” law, some of us today would need to slaughter a bull a day.

What a contrast for us! Amazingly, the God of Heaven gave a perfect sacrifice – a perfect man on earth, yet divine. In fact, it would take a perfect sacrifice to make a perfect substitution for our sins. The beauty of this sacrifice is that God’s sacrifice of his son was made once – for eternity of believers. Our sins are continually washed by blood given selflessly on the cross. Praise God!

The conclusion to this great offering begins at Chapter 6. “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.”

With resolve, the author answers, “And God permitting, we will do so.”

The contrasts between the old and new laws are extreme and obvious. We have a high priest, Jesus, who meets all of our needs because he is holy, pure, and exalted by the angels. We don’t need daily sacrifices, because he sacrificed “once and for all” when he was nailed to the cross.

[Dr. Mike James was named Dean of the College of Communication at Harding University in August 2008. He had served as the department chair since 1993. James, a distinguished professor of communication, has served as a faculty member since 1979. Prior to that appointment, he had worked for the University as a staff member since 1973 as director of photography for the Public Relations Office. He holds the Bachelor of Science degree from Harding, Master of Science degree from Arkansas State University, and Ph.D. from Florida State University. He is an active member of and contributor to the Broadcast Education Association. James was one of 30 faculty members nationally and internationally selected as a 2007 faculty fellow for the National Association of Television Program Executives annual conference. Mike and his wife Beth have four children and five grandchildren.]

October 5-October 11

What I Know For Sure
Mike James, PhD
Searcy, Arkansas

I’ve taught at the college level for 30 years and have found several immutable truths. One of the most important is this: The more I learn, the more I discover how much I don’t know!

However, I KNOW one thing for certain: ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ! This platitude is highlighted in the syllabi of classes I teach each semester, attributed to Paul from Colossians 2:3. Dr. Don England, esteemed professor of Chemistry at Harding was my mentor leading me to this important clue – and Dr. England is just about the smartest man I’ve ever known.

The reason for Paul’s statement in Colossians is the same as for today: there are many messages being communicated, and lots of those arguments are deceptive. This shouldn’t be a real revelation to us – human nature calls out for us to be self-serving so there are many voices pulling us to a human doctrine.

So, Paul is calling us back to the roots: Walk with Christ (2:6) and follow the faith as you were taught – don’t listen to “fancy talk” (CEV 2:4).

But let’s back up the the lead-in chapter. After his typical greeting, Paul felt it important to tell this church at Colosse about the superiority of Christ – and in just a few verses he highlights the important message of what we’d call the “Gospel” in way we could bullet-point:
• Jesus is God’s son
• made into a human
• died for us
• forgives our sins because of his blood
• sets us free from laws
• at no cost to us, if we follow

He is all knowing (omniscient), all powerful (omnipotent), and has forever existed everywhere (omnipresent). Anyone, with any sense would agree: If this is a true story, Jesus is the Way!

But the premise fails, because not everyone agrees. Some do not agree, because they can’t understand the “mystery” (1:27) that only believers recognize: Christ LIVES in us, and he is our “ticket” to glory.

Pretty simple, eh?

In concept, yes. In practice – then, as now – not an easy trip. We are torn in all directions. Most of the world does not believe the central core of our faith, and it is just not comfortable to live “outside the world.” We’d rather keep one foot in “pleasures of the world” while following Christ – that’s a tough fence to straddle. That’s were chapter 3 begins.

Paul tells us we’ve got a different rulebook to follow. “NOW – set your heart on what is in heaven, where Christ rules at God’s right side. Think about what is up there, NOT about what is here on earth.” (3:1,2)

But toughest of all: We’ve already died! (3:3) Our new life with Christ has already begun. Because of this we must kill our earthly desires -- immoral sex, greed and lying are just a few items Paul tells this church, but he could have said them just easily to you and me and our congregation.

Are we there? Hardly. Look around. Sin is everywhere – in us, and in our churches. Thankfully, even though we are “new people” (3:10), our conversion is a process. We are BECOMING more and more like our creator, and we WILL, someday, understand him better.

Diversity is the buzzword for the decade, but it’s not new to Paul. He discusses all the polar groups he can think of (3:11) for the culture of the day, and makes a final conclusion to the talk: It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or what is your walk in life: Christ is ALL that matters, and he lives in us!”

Concluding, he says we’re fortunate, because God chose us from the very beginning (a tough concept for me, admittedly). And because we’re all his children, we need to get along (for some, it might be just “put up with one another!”) – have patience, be kind, humble, forgiving, and love one another – that is more important than anything else. (3:14).

Following some rules of conduct to make our “trip” on earth easier, he devotes the final chapter to greetings to friends in faraway places. But he has one important admonition: Don’t give up your prayer life! (4:1) Be watchful, thankful, and pray that God will open doors.

[Dr. Mike James was named Dean of the College of Communication at Harding University in August 2008. He had served as the department chair since 1993. James, a distinguished professor of communication, has served as a faculty member since 1979. Prior to that appointment, he had worked for the University as a staff member since 1973 as director of photography for the Public Relations Office. He holds the Bachelor of Science degree from Harding, Master of Science degree from Arkansas State University, and Ph.D. from Florida State University. He is an active member of and contributor to the Broadcast Education Association. James was one of 30 faculty members nationally and internationally selected as a 2007 faculty fellow for the National Association of Television Program Executives annual conference. Mike and his wife Beth have four children and five grandchildren.]

September 28-October 4

A Love Letter To The Church
Mike James, PhD
Searcy, Arkansas

I’ve always liked summaries and conclusions – bullet points and short answers seem to fit my personality well. Paul’s key theme of “gentle reassurance” seems to reverberate as if the Philippians were his own family. He is at his best in this tender letter to the church that was his first love in Macedonia, even though he was in Roman bondage at the time. At times, it even sounds like a love letter (“You have a special place in my heart, so it is only natural for me to feel the way I do!” 1:7).

Probably this letter to the “church at Philippi” could have been addressed just as appropriately to the “church at Searcy” or “church at Dallas” or “church at St. Louis” because we all need the same encouragement that Paul gives this group of believers.

In at least one sense, the letter summarizes the Good News, tells us how to tell others, and reminds us how to work on our own problems. In very broad strokes, Chapter 1 tells us of our need and value for Jesus --“Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ.” 1:21, and in 24, “Above all else, you must live in a way that brings honor to the good news about Christ.” Chapter 2 describes the supremacy of Christ and the humility we should mimic. Chapter 3 tells us to “rejoice” – but be careful in the world that surrounds us. And the last chapter reminds us that we need to unite behind the banner of Christ.

An amazing attitude and joy permeate the shackled Paul, even as he tackles problems at Philippi that beset practically every group today. “Now make me completely happy! Live in harmony by showing love for each other.” (2:2)

Pride can be a virtue when used to describe characteristics of goodness; but pride can be a peril when it describes a selfish people. Put in Christ-like admonition, he simplifies it to “consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves and think the same way that Jesus thought.” (2:3-5) Wow! If only the entire world felt that way, we’d eliminate wars, world hunger, and poverty.

Are you ever discouraged because some scorn Jesus and his church? That will change! Obviously, we are to treat all with tender care and patience – the Lord will repay all of us for the reward we deserve. But one day ALL who have rejected Jesus will bow down in his honor, and ALL will openly agree and confess “Jesus Christ is Lord.” (2:11)

Squarely different than my common nature, I’m told to “do everything without grumbling or arguing. Why? The “world” is watching – “you must not do anything they can say is wrong.” (2:15) If we do this, Jesus will be “proud” of us when he returns! (2:17).

How blessed we are! We are the ones who have been called “according to his purpose.” But with that recognition, he reminds us not to brag about what we’ve done (3:4) The rules are different now that we are changed, and even upside-down. “But Christ has shown me that what I once though was valuable is now worthless. NOTHING is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord!” (3:7-8). We’re not perfect, but we “keep on, keepin’ on!”

Finally, Chapter 4, after working out a squabble between two women in the church, Paul reminds us that we should have peace in our hearts, because no one can take away the blessings of kinship with Jesus Christ. If we keep the goal in sight we don’t have to worry about anything – God will provide.

[Dr. Mike James was named Dean of the College of Communication at Harding University in August 2008. He had served as the department chair since 1993. James, a distinguished professor of communication, has served as a faculty member since 1979. Prior to that appointment, he had worked for the University as a staff member since 1973 as director of photography for the Public Relations Office. He holds the Bachelor of Science degree from Harding, Master of Science degree from Arkansas State University, and Ph.D. from Florida State University. He is an active member of and contributor to the Broadcast Education Association. James was one of 30 faculty members nationally and internationally selected as a 2007 faculty fellow for the National Association of Television Program Executives annual conference. Mike and his wife Beth have four children and five grandchildren.]