A Case for Christianity, Session Four: The Question of Identity

In this week’s class we will take a look at the question of identity that is so magnified in our culture today. As Christians, it is more important than ever to know what we believe, and why we believe it, and then apply that to who we are on a consistent basis. When we speak about our identity today, many people are looking inside, instead of looking outside and upward. We tend to focus on self instead of God and others. This is not to say that there are people who do not need help in this area, but there may be some alternative ways of understanding the issue. We will look at some specific details of thought, from a Christian Worldview, next week, but this week let’s look at a couple of videos that both introduce and illustrate the problems within this topic.

Martin Iles has written a book called “Who Am I? Solving the Identity Puzzle” and I highly recommend reading it, or listening to it as I did on Audible. There is a lot of insight and wisdom to reflect on here and Iles does a great job of this.

From the Amazon excerpt: “Who am I? This question holds great significance, and the answer is defining a generation and impacting eternity. Martyn Iles, the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis, masterfully equips this generation with truth and hope providing a compelling biblical apologetic on this issue of identity in his book. The freedom to create or choose your own identity is being normalized by our culture. This self-created worldview leads to self-worship. According to Iles, this age of identity “is immunizing a generation against a sense of their sinfulness and desperate need before God. It is telling them to take that for which Christ had to die — their “true selves” — and to embrace it, live by it, and be proud of it.”

Eric Hovind interview Martin Iles on some of the main points found in his book:

Mark Spence, of Living Waters Ministry, conducts a few interviews of people in Huntington Beach. Notice how he is gently able to expose the lack of common sense thinking concerning topics like gender, identity and abortion. Mark then respectfully shares the gospel, modeling for us the most important piece of any discussion we can have with others.

Watch the interactions here:

There will be a class presentation on this topic next week with notes for your review.

A Bible that’s falling apart, usually belongs to someone who isn’t!” 

BIBLE STUDY

Bible Study Survey Format

1. Author: Who wrote the book and when?

(Include anything you can find about the author and when it was written)

2. Audience: Who was it written to?

(Include anything you can find about the people, the culture or societal norms, of that time period)

3. Purpose: Why was it written?

(Include anything you can find about their circumstances and what was, or had been, going on in their world at that time)

4. Content: What is in each chapter?

Basic:  Write out chapter by chapter titles. Going Deeper: Add a short summary under your titles, 3-5 sentences Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes: a. Is there anything in this chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)? b. Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in this chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus? c. The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

5. Application:  Always done last, after the content of the book is complete.

Discuss:  How does this book apply to us today? Are there lessons learned; are there reasons we should know this history; does it help us understand God’s character and love for His people and His foreshadowing the promise of His Son? Other comments…

LET’S PRACTICE!

Review and Discuss your homework from this past week:

Discuss your study in the book of Deuteronomy chapters 16-26, based on what level you worked from: This would continue #4 – Content from the Bible survey format…

• Basic: Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
• Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners.
• Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

a. Is there anything in the chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?

b. Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in the chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?

c. The Shelf: Note any questions or a’has you have about the chapter.

The following are example answers you can use to add to your own work, or use as a leader’s guide:

Chapter 16: The Feasts of Passover, of Weeks, and of Booths; Laws for Ruling the Nation

This chapter reviews and summarizes the requirements of these feasts that were previously given in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. We also get the beginning of a review of the Laws that should govern the Nation, specifically as they enter and dwell in the Promised Land, and specifically against anything that would be used for idol worship.

C = These are part of the Mosaic Law and Covenant with application to the Land promise of the Abrahamic Covenant.

JF = We again see Jesus pictured in the Passover, especially with the particulars of the timing and location.

Chapter 17: Administration of Justice; Law Courts; The King

The focus in this chapter is on the people, via the Levite priests as judges, and how to adjudicate evil behavior. We also see the importance of the future king who should have a copy of the law and should read it throughout his whole life so that it will go well with the people (and as we know most of them do not do this, with a few exceptions).

Note: The death penalty was only to be enforced when there were two or more witnesses, not with only one. We also see a prophecy here in verses 13-17, where it is said that a king will be set over the people, and one that the LORD chooses. There is also a warning that we see Solomon break some 500 years later: “He [the king] shall not multiply horses and not multiply wives,” both which begin the division of the nation forever after the reign of Solomon.

JF = In verse one we see the emphasis on the sacrifice to the LORD being perfect without blemish or defect. This pictures Jesus, who was the perfect sacrifice for all and forever.

From the Jesus’ Bible: “Jesus is the perfect King; He fulfilled the ideals expressed in these verses without blemish moral failure or selfish ambition.”

Chapter 18: Portion of the Levites; Spiritism Forbidden; The Prophet to Come

We learn here that the Levites were not to have a portion of the inheritance (the land) because the LORD would be their inheritance as He promised them, and would take care of them as seen in the directives of how food and clothing were to be given to them (first fruits, new wine, oil and first sheerings). There is also a severe warning about not learning the detestable things of other nations as they head into the Promised Land, especially divination, witchcraft and any other types of spiritism. We also get a death penalty for false prophets who presume to speak for the LORD, yet it does not come to pass.

JF = In verses 15, 18, 19 we get a promise of a prophet like Moses that would be raised up, and that they must listen to him. This would be ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, as He is known as the Great Prophet of God as one of His characteristics (Mt. 4:12-17; Lk 4:16-21; Jn. 14:15,23). Jesus would be the ultimate Prophet, Priest and King as was looked for in the coming of Messiah.

Chapter 19: Cities of Refuge; Laws of Landmark and Testimony; Witnesses

This chapter reviews the reason for cities of refuge, and how to set them up when they enter the Promised Land. These cities are for people accused of killing someone, and it may be accidental or intentional, but it allows for due process instead of revenge. This chapter also reviews boundary rules and the importance of multiple witnesses (at least 2) in crimes before conviction. Note, in verse 21 we get the saying: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot that is used in adjudicating offenses.

C = These laws are from the Mosaic Covenant in review from laws given in Exodus.

Chapter 20: Laws of Warfare

In this chapter the people get the assurance from God that He is with them when they go out in war, even when it seems they are outnumbered or out-skilled. God is the one who goes before them, and this is a special promise as it pertains to the taking of the Promised Land. There are rules for who should serve in the military based on their status and life’s position (such as engaged to be married, or newly bought land, or afraid to go into battle because he’ll bring others down). There are also guideline on what to do to cities and nations when they conquer them – some are to be completely destroyed because of “all the detestable things they have done.”

Note: This chapter gives at least a partial answer to those who accuse God of genocide in the Old Testament – their detestable, violent, reprobate and immoral behavior that He had patiently given them time to repent of, but they only got worse.

Chapter 21: Laws for Human Relationships; Explanation of a Crime; Domestic Relations; The right of the Firstborn; Rebellious Son

The first part of this chapter deals with the adjudication of a person found slain and the process by which it is investigated. Then we read about how women from a conquered country are to be treated if taken in as a wife. There are also strict regulations on the rights of the firstborn son, and how to handle rebellious and unrepented children.

JF = There is an important prophecy in verses 22-23 that is specifically fulfilled in the time of Jesus concerning a person who is hanged on a tree is accursed of God. This does not reference the type of hanging we picture from an “old-western movie” but of a person, who like Jesus, will be attached to a tree to take on all the sins of humanity, once and for – accursed of God because of the fall (see Genesis 3:10-15).

Chapter 22: Sundry Laws; Laws on Morality

This chapter continues with a variety of laws concerning things like lost property, or hurt animals. We also read about the importance of the distinction between men and women (v. 5); and then a list of many laws from animal handling to sowing the fields, to garment structure. The last section of laws concerns marriage, the treatment of women in various situations, adultery and penalties.

Note: In the story of the woman caught in adultery, the accusers are pointing back to this particular law – but Jesus handles it differently (see John chapter 8).

C = All of these laws are part of the Mosaic Covenant.

JF = Jesus fulfills the Law by dying as the perfect sacrifice for all, therefore believers are not condemned based on the Law.

Chapter 23: Persons Excluded from the Assembly; Uncleanness in the Camp; Miscellaneous Laws

Here we get a list of reasons that a person should not be allowed into the assembly of the LORD. This list illustrates the holiness of God and the fact that if He was going to be with them in battles and in all things, then the camp and the people needed to practice holiness. The rest of the chapter gives guidelines for uncleanliness, and some specific guidelines concerning slaves. We also see some guidelines for monetary collection like who can be charged what concerning taxation and interest, and neighborly living.

C = All of these laws are part of the Mosaic Covenant.

Chapter 24: Law of Divorce; Sundry Laws

Here we find laws concerning marriage and divorce, and how it should be handled in various situations. In addition, there are a variety of laws here concerning the crime of kidnapping, leprosy, making loans and pledges, hired servants and slaves, and helping the poor (especially widows and orphans). 

Note: Jesus refers to this law when asked about divorce in the New Testament (See all of Matt. Ch. 19)

8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses permitted you to divorce your wives; but from the beginning it has not been this way. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.”  Matthew 19:8-9 (NASB)

C = All of these laws are part of the Mosaic Covenant.

JF = Concerning slavery: God continually points out that they were once slaves in Egypt, as seen in this chapter, and the importance of remembering how He set them free. Jesus gives us permanent freedom from our slavery to sin, and from the penalty of death, through His sacrifice and resurrection in defeat of death by paying the ultimate penalty on our behalf.

Chapter 25: Sundry Laws

The list of various laws continues in this chapter for disputes and penalties, treatment of animals, continuing family lines and inheritance, fair weights, and just actions.

Note: We see the law here that was used with Boaz and Ruth’s relationship, in the book of Ruth (v.5-10).

C = All of these laws are part of the Mosaic Covenant.

Chapter 26: Offering First Fruits and Tithes; Follow the LORD’s Commands

This chapter speaks to the time when they enter the Promised Land and the way they should make offerings to the LORD. The emphasis here is on remembrance of what had happen over the last forty years and the rescue out of Egypt, and how they were treated harshly there, that has now culminated in their eminent entrance into the Promised Land. There is also an emphasis again on the importance of taking care of the Levites (because they will not have their own land), and of widows and orphans. Moses entreats the people to remember to worship and give thanks to the LORD for all that they have, reminding them of God’s promise and their agreement to follow Him with their whole heart.

Note: We know in just one generation that they will not follow God, but will do what is right in their own eyes – (see book of Judges).

C = Abrahamic Covenant is seen here in the promise of the Land.

JF = From the Jesus’ Bible: “Paul spoke of Jesus as a firstfruits offering. His victory over death served as a precursor to the resurrection of all those who are in Christ Jesus (1Co 15:20-23). Christians celebrate the firstfruits offering when they reflect upon and trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ. The also offer their lives as a living sacrifice to God—knowing that all good things they are given are a gift from God and a testimony to His faithfulness (Rom 12:1-2; Heb. 13:15).

HOMEWORK

THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY

Read Deuteronomy chapters 27– 34 and do the following: This would conclude number 4 – Content from the Bible survey format…

• Basic: Write a title for each chapter (could include more than one depending on topics in that chapter).
• Going Deeper: Take notes to summarize the chapter (no more than three to five sentences). However, you can add to your summaries if you glean something important from your study partners.
• Advanced: Look for these things to put in your summary notes:

a. Is there anything in the chapter that relates to one of the Covenants (Adamic, Abrahamic or Mosaic)?

b. Where’s Jesus? Is there anything in the chapter that foreshadows/pictures Jesus?

c. The Shelf: Note any questions or a-ha’s you have about the chapter.

5. Application:  Always done last, after the content of the book is complete. Discuss:  How does this book apply to us today? Are there lessons learned; are there reasons we should know this history; does it help us understand God’s character and love for His people and His foreshadowing the promise of His Son? Other comments…