Insights Magazine: Number Two, 2022 by Insight for Living Canada

NUMBER TWO, 2022

In this issue 3

Jesus Has a Question for You

Alternatives to Grace

What is the Meaning of the Song of Songs?

charles r. swindoll charles r. swindoll

steve johnson

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

bill gemaehlich Understanding Our Times 12

Secular Humanism

steve johnson 14

From One Language to Another

insight for living ministries Puzzle 15

The Bible

Insights is published by Insight for Living Canada, the Bibleteaching ministry of Charles (Chuck) R. Swindoll. Chuck is the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas. His international radio program Insight for Living has aired for more than 40 years. We hope this publication will instruct, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Copyright © 2022 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NLT. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Tim Schellenberg. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities. Printed in Canada.

JESUS HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU by charles r. swindoll

Cover & Article Photo: Stacy Franco on unsplash.com

t the zenith of His career, Jesus pulled “wild and fluctuating guesses.”1 But they away to the secluded area of Caesarea all boil down to this: “He’s a man.” Philippi. On His mind was a crucial question Then Jesus narrows His gaze and perfor His disciples—and for us as well. Travel sonalizes the question for His men: “But back with me to the scene as it unfolds. who do you say I am?” (16:15, emphasis The surroundings are impressive. Flow- added). In Matthew’s original text, Jesus ing springs. Lush gardens. Monuments emphasizes “you”—and it’s plural. He’s and temples dedicated to the worship of asking each man who they think He is. the Greek god Pan line the pathways. A I don’t know how much time passes massive, white marble temple to Caesar between verses 15 and 16, but Peter can’t looms tall. Perhaps standing in the midst stand the silence any longer. And even of the monuments and the buildings and though the question was addressed to the the shrines and the temples built to the group, Peter speaks for all of them. That’s gods, Jesus leans forward and says rather like Peter, isn’t it? I love his answer. quietly to a small handful of men—know“You are the Messiah, the Son of the ing there was not one monument built in living God” (16:16) His honour, not one building erected to We have at times laughed at Simon His glory—“Who do people say that the Peter. But here’s a moment when we Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13). must salute him. He’s never had a greater He is posing an moment than this. opinion-poll ques- There can be no greater Christ is the f leshtion about Himself. and-bone God, not a question you could “What’s the buzz?” answer. “Who is Jesus fixed-in-stone god. He asks. According to And notice the defiChrist to you?” Your verse 14, the disciples nite articles. This isn’t respond spontane- reply must be, “The Son a generalized series ously, “Some say John of wild guesses. This of the living God, my the Baptist.” Now Saviour, and my God.” isn’t public opinion remember, John’s talking here. This is dead. He’s been beheaded by Herod Anti- a specific answer about the Messiah, the pas. Some people are saying that Jesus Son of the living God. is John the Baptist raised from the dead. Can you picture the scene? Peter didn’t That’s why He has miraculous powers. always get it right, but he nailed it this The disciples continue, “Some say... time! How great is that! Elijah.” Elijah had ministered hundreds Now imagine for a moment that Jesus of years earlier. For centuries the Jews turns His gaze from Peter and the disviewed Elijah as the prince of the proph- ciples...to you. He has a question for you ets who would be the forerunner, but not also: “Who am I to you?” He asks. the Messiah. And a third answer comes: There can be no greater question you “Some say...Jeremiah, or one of the proph- could answer. “Who is Jesus Christ to ets.” British scholar Alfred Plummer you?” Your reply must be, “The Son of the describes these on-the-street opinions as living God, my Saviour, and my God.”

Who else could He be? There is no one else qualified to grant forgiveness but Jesus. There is no one other than Christ who will stay closer to you when everyone or everything is stripped from you. There is no one else who can turn your bitterness into relief or turn your grief into joy. There is no one else you can trust with your deepest and most scandalous secret, only Jesus. Only He can relieve the abuse. Only He can erase the bitterness and remove the scars. All other counsellors and friends can simply put arms around you, weep with you, and point you to Him. But only He can change you! And that’s just what He can do in this life. When you’ve taken your last breath and you step into eternity, having answered Jesus’s question with faith, there is not a soul who has ever lived who will be by your side but Jesus. He alone is

qualified to escort you from the grave to glory. He alone is God. Jesus has a question for you. Aren’t you glad you have the answer? 1 Alfred Plummer, An Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to S. Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1960), 225. Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, “Jesus Has a Question for You,” Insights (April 2007): 1–2. Copyright © 2007 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.

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B K I NE D

ALTERNATIVES TO GRACE by charles r. swindoll

have swept away your sins like a cloud. comes after the tree is well rooted. Martin I have scattered your offenses like the Luther's words come to mind: morning mist. No one can be good and do good unless Oh, return to me, God's grace first makes him good; and no for I have paid the price to set you free. one becomes good by works, but good (Isaiah 44:22) works are done only by him who is good. If I choose not to risk, if I go the "safe" Just so the fruits do not make the tree, route and determine not to promote either but the tree bears the fruit.... Therefore salvation by grace or a lifestyle of grace, all works, no matter how good they are what are the alternatives? Four come to my and how pretty they look, are in vain if mind, all of which are popular these days. they do not flow from grace.1 I can emphasize works over grace I can opt for giving you a list of I can tell you that as a sinner you need to dos and don'ts have a stronger commitment to Christ, demThe list comes from my personal and/ onstrated by the work you do in His behalf, or traditional preferences. It becomes my before you can say that you truly believe. My responsibility to tell you what to do or not problem in doing so is this: A sinner cannot to do and why. I then set up the conditions commit to anything. He or she is spiritu- by which you begin to earn God's acceptance ally dead, remember? There is no capacity through me. You do what I tell you to do... for commitment in an unregenerate heart. you don't do what I tell you not to do, and Becoming an obedient, submissive disciple you're "in." You fail to keep the list, you're of Christ follows believing in Christ. Works "out." This legalistic style of strong-arm follow faith. Behaviour follows belief. Fruit teaching is one of the most prevalent meth-

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ods employed in evangelical circles. Grace is "As He spoke these things, many came strangled in such a context. To make matters to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying worse, those in authority are so intimidating, to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If their authority is unquestioned. Rare are you continue in My word, then you are those with sufficient strength to confront truly disciples of Mine; and you will the list-makers. know the truth, and the truth will make I can leave no room for any you free.'" (John 8:30–32 NASB1995) grey areas He spoke of the liberating power of the Everything is either black or white, right or truth. Even though the official grace killwrong. And as a result, the leader maintains ers rejected His message, He assured them strict control over the followers. Fellowship it could make them free. All who embrace is based on whether there is full agreement. grace become "free indeed." Herein lies the tragedy. This self-righteous, Free from what? Free from oneself. Free rigid standard becomes more important than from guilt and shame. Free from the damrelationships with indinable impulses I couldn't If I choose not to risk, if I stop when I was in bondviduals. We first check out where people stand age to sin. Free from go the �safe� route and on the issues, and then the tyranny of others' determine not to promote opinions, we determine whether expectations, either salvation by grace demands. And free to we will spend much time with them. The bottom or a lifestyle of grace, what what? Free to obey. Free line is this: We want to to love. Free to forgive are the alternatives? be right (as we see it, of others as well as myself. course) more than we want to love our neigh- Free to allow others to be who they are—difbours as ourselves. At that point our personal ferent from me! Free to live beyond the preferences eclipse any evidence of love. I am limitations of human effort. Free to serve of the firm conviction that where grace exists, and glorify Christ. In no uncertain terms, so must various areas of grey. Jesus Christ assured His own that His truth I can cultivate a judgmental was able to liberate them from every needless attitude toward those who may restriction: "So if the Son makes you free, you not agree or co-operate with will be free indeed" (John 8:36 NRSV). I love my plan that. The possibilities are unlimited. Grace killers are notorious for a judgmental attitude. It is perhaps the single most 1 Adolph Spaeth, L.D. Reed, Henry Eyster Jacobs, un-Christlike characteristic in evangelical et Al., Trans. & Eds., Works of Martin Luther Vol. 1 (Philadelphia: A. J. Holman Company, circles today. 1915), 173–285. A quick glance back through the time tunnel will prove beneficial. Jesus found Adapted by permission. The Grace Awakening DeHimself standing before the brain trust of votional, Charles R. Swindoll, © 2003, Thomas Nellegalism, the Pharisees. Listening to Him son, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. were also many who believed in Him. He Copying or using this material without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited had been presenting His message to the and in direct violation of copyright law. crowd; it was a message of hope, of forgiveness, of freedom.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THE SONG OF SONGS?

by steve johnson

hy is the Song of Songs, also is Solomon’s attempt to escape from the called the Song of Solomon, in present complex realities of his world. It is also a love song, which presents the Bible? And what is the meaning of the truth couched in terms of the human Song of Songs? People ask these questions because experience of love. The idealized human there is no reference to God or the Law love of the Song simply provides a vehicle and it seems explicit in celebrating sexual and instance through which to present love. Through the centuries, the Song of the pastoral theme of longing. Language Songs has been one of the most contro- and poets have always struggled to comversial and variously interpreted books in municate the subtleties of love and so this book is full of imagery meant to help the the Bible. Identifying the characteristics of any reader enter into the experience. biblical book is essential for its interpre- Interpreting and Understandtation. These characteristics determine ing the Song of Songs The Song of Songs is what type of literature it The ideals of this the best and greatest of is. For example, we know pastoral Song can all the songs Solomon we are reading a fairy tale when it begins with “once only be realized fully wrote. As a lyric, it must upon a time” and ends in God’s kingdom in be approached and read differently from the way with “and they lived hapand through Christ. we read a narrative or pily ever after.” What Type of Literature is the dramatic poem. It focuses on sensuous experience and concludes by commentSong of Songs? The Song of Songs is a unique type of ing on its meaning, which is why it is part poetic Hebrew literature. It exhibits the of biblical wisdom literature. In biblical terms, the Song of Songs is a literary characteristics of something known as a pastoral love song, which is longing to get back to the garden—to the different from allegory, drama, historical paradise lost. It expresses this by use of contrasts: country versus king’s court in narrative, and parable. Pastoral love songs are a specific type the city, shepherd versus king, shepherd of literature characterized by a longing maiden versus ladies of the harem, simple for an ideal or more innocent world felt to versus complex, innocence versus evil. Theologically, pastoral literature is be lost. Perhaps Solomon wrote this book because he was longing for something lost about the desire to escape the Fall of man to him—the golden era of his father David into sin and regain the paradise that was the shepherd-king. The Song of Songs lost. Another way to put it is we each

have an Edenic paradise or millennial state buried in our hearts where there is harmony with nature and men, which we long to recover. There is the sense of the backward glance at what was lost in Eden and in light of the ideals presented in the Song, man is confronted with himself and his situation in life. But there is at the same time, given the context of Scripture, a look and longing forward to a new Eden, which is the kingdom of God. The ideals of this pastoral Song can only be realized fully in God’s kingdom in and through Christ. For those who believe in Him and enter the kingdom the pastoral ideal becomes a positional reality. In Christ we become new creations and are returned positionally to Eden in terms of fellowship with God. Furthermore, for the believer, there is a greater and actual realization of this ideal at the second coming of Christ. At that point the positional will become reality and the believer will actually be in a better country—a heavenly city and paradise.

Applying the Meaning and Message of the Song of Songs We can also apply the message of the Song in another way. In it we are presented with idealized country love in contrast to shallow court flirtations. We come to realize that real love can and will only become a reality in the kingdom of God whose ethic is one of love. The New Testament expands on this in numerous places with greater applications to life besides love between a man and woman (Ephesians 5, Romans 12, Matthew 5–7) and is aptly summed up with the exhortation to love God and others supremely (Matthew 22:37–38). Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.

Did you know Insight for Living airs on radio stations across the country every day? To find the program on your local station visit insightforliving.ca/find-station

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER by bill gemaehlich

ne of my favourite theologians who where this joy has seized a person, there modelled joy amid difficult circumit spreads, there it carries one away, there stances and social distancing is German it bursts open closed doors.1 pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer’s joyfulness was forged from Bonhoeffer’s story unfolds with Hitler’s his unshakeable confidence in God. His rise to power in 1933. Bonhoeffer's beliefs immense view of Christ enabled him to led him to actively resist the Nazi regime remain joyful amid his circumstances. Let and even establish an us heed the example of Bonhoeffer’s joyfulness Bonhoeffer in these days illegal underground seminary known as the of physical distancing was forged from his “Confessing Church.” unshakeable confidence by remaining devoted Subsequently, he was to prayer, meditating on in God. His immense view God’s word, serving the arrested in 1943 by the Gestapo, incarcer- of Christ enabled him to Lord with gladness, giving ated for two years, and hope to others and fixing remain joyful amid his finally executed. our eyes on Christ, the circumstances. How did Bonhoeffer source of our joy. remain joyful during such trying circumYou make known to me the path of life; stances and social distance? In November in your presence there is fullness of 1942, he wrote in a letter to his best friend joy; at your right hand are pleasures Eberhard Bethge: forevermore. (Psalm 16:11 ESV) How are we going to be able to help those who have become joyless and 1 Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, vol. 16, Conspiracy discouraged if we ourselves are not and Imprisonment: 1940–1945 (Fortress, 2006), 377–378. borne along by courage and joy? Nothing contrived or forced is intended here, but Bill Gemaehlich is the EVP/COO operations at something bestowed and free. Joy abides Insight for Living Ministries with God, and it comes down from God and embraces spirit, soul, and body; and

SECULAR HUMANISM C

hristian humanism believes in the supernatural and teaches that even though man is sinful he has great worth and dignity because he is made in the image of God his creator. Secular humanists believe God, angels, demons, Satan, and souls don’t exist. They reject the Bible and its teaching that God has revealed Himself, intervened miraculously in history, and is redeeming humanity. Because they believe there is no God to save us, humanity must save itself. In the religion of secular humanism, man is his own god and the supreme authority. “If there is no God, then I am God” is the dictum. They believe man is the measure of all things. Because they don't believe God exists, they say the moral absolutes given by Him also don’t exist. Secular humanists say values, law, justice, good, beauty, right and wrong, are all based on man-made creeds. This fundamental assumption impacts every aspect of life.

Without an objective moral code, secular humanist morality is relative and simply a set of social constructs situationally applied as society sees fit. One example of this is in the sexual revolution. All sexual inclinations and orientations are seen as legitimate and to be accepted, promoted, and indulged without guilt. Rejecting supernaturalism, secular humanists hold to naturalism. Nature is everything. The universe was not created, it came into being by accident and is all that exists. Matter is eternal and spontaneously generated life and human beings through an evolutionary process. Whatever exists can be explained by natural causes. Only what is observable and measurable is real. There is no divine purpose for the universe or life after death. Coupled with the belief that man is god is their assumption that man is basically good. Evil comes from outside people and societies rather than from within. That is

Article Illustration: Tori Matthys

by steve johnson

As Christians, we believe there are absowhy they work to remove the external socilute values and morals because God who etal trappings of racism and bigotry. Secular humanists stand against nation- created this world has designed it to work alism, for globalism, and ultimately for one according to His attributes of goodness and world government. They believe a social- love. It malfunctions when people do not ist world economy is the only way to deal live according to His will. The freedom and with the evil of disproportionate wealth dignity of man is rooted in God’s creation of distribution. They believe in the “right” of man in His image and life is sacred because birth control, including abortion and that it is a gift of God. Secular humanism assumes that everypopulation growth must be curtailed. It is worth noting as an aside that where one is basically good and that evil is exterthe state has overwhelming control over nal to people, coming from societal ills. If its citizens, governments become officially the evils of society were eradicated evil atheistic. And when that happens there is behaviour would cease to exist. But working to remove the externothing to stop them from The fundamental nal societal trappings of doing anything for the presuppositions of racism and bigotry does “greater good” of the state. There are many points secular humanism are not remove the evil of racof difference between the fatally flawed because ism within the individual. Temporarily forcing evil beliefs of Christians and they don’t correspond to people to act like good secular humanists. But the major criticisms centre reality. Humanity is sinful people has not and will not change society. around three fundamen- and because of that we The Bible teaches that tal presuppositions: the cannot save ourselves. all humanity made its existence of God, relative choice for evil in the person of Adam at morals, and the basic goodness of mankind. With regard to the existence of God, the the fall, and people personally choose to design of the universe suggests a designer. sin because we are sinners by nature. Sin The Bible says, “For ever since the world was has affected every part of our being. “No created, people have seen the earth and sky. one is righteous—not even one... For Through everything God made, they can everyone has sinned; we all fall short of clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal God’s glorious standard...” (Romans 3:10, power and divine nature. So they have no 23). Man, throughout his existence, has a history of cruelty, hate, and inhumanity to excuse for not knowing God” (Romans 1:20). Secular humanists state that all morals fellow humans. The fundamental presuppositions and values are subjective and situational. But their system is self-defeating because of secular humanism are fatally flawed many of their beliefs assume absolute val- because they don’t correspond to reality. ues. They hold up values such as freedom Humanity is sinful and because of that we and dignity and the right to die with dignity. cannot save ourselves. But how can they make value judgments? It’s inconsistent to say murder is universally Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for wrong, but morally right to commit suicide Living Canada. or kill babies by abortion.

FROM ONE LANGUAGE TO ANOTHER by insight for living ministries

n 1984, Chilean pastor David Hormachea VPV. For the following 10 years, David led began studying at Biola to deepen his a small team that produced and distributed understanding of God’s Word and sharpen the VPV broadcast. With David focused on carefully transhis skills for lifelong ministry. He never expected “chancing” upon the Insight for lating and faithfully contextualizing every Living radio broadcast featuring Pastor word of Pastor Chuck’s sermons, the team Chuck Swindoll’s clear expositional method, required additional leadership. So, he engaging presentation, and aim at the heart. reached out to friend and former colleague, But when does God ever work within the Ken Grant, who had grown up in Latin America as a child of missionaries and at realm of our expectations? These sermons not only fuelled David’s the time was working in radio at HCJB. Ken spiritual growth but soon led to a partner- joined VPV as manager. When Ken stepped onboard, VPV was ship in ministry that would last nearly two decades. He quickly reached out to already airing on about 200 radio stations, but Ken streamlined the operaInsight for Living Ministries Multiplication— tions by knowing which of with the earnest desire of translating and broadcasting that’s God’s aim. these stations would maximize VPV’s reach across the AmeriPastor Chuck’s sermons into the Spanish language. Due to the newness cas. Furthermore, Ken also transitioned and complexity of the endeavour, Pastor VPV’s broadcast delivery method from casChuck felt hesitant to pursue it. With a new sette tape to CDs, which were much cheaper language comes a new culture. But once to produce and ship. Now, VPV delivers Insight for Living Ministries' president and messages using the standard File Transfer chief executive officer, Cynthia Swindoll, Protocol (FTP) system. Multiplication—that’s God’s aim. God heard from her husband about the opporis exalting Himself from one person to tunity, she thought YES! Then, after prayerful consideration, another, from one language to another, from one pastor to another, and from one Visión Para Vivir (VPV) was born! David quickly began translating and country to another. recording Pastor Chuck’s sermons while also developing key contacts in Latin Excerpt taken from "Visión Para Vivir: Insight for America to prepare to launch. In 1988, HCJB Living Ministries in the Spanish Language." Read in Quito, Ecuador, and KHCB in Houston, the complete article online at insightforliving.ca/ Texas, began airing the first broadcasts of vision-para-vivir.

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Puzzle — Crossword

The Bible Difficulty ● ● ○ ○

It’s a book we all have at least one of, or maybe seven, but can you complete this crossword of Biblical books, authors, and facts based off of the clues?

ACROSS: 4. Samuel, Kings, Chronicles...(2) 6. Most ink used 8. Wordy prophet 10. Godless book 12. Job, Proverbs, Song of Solomon...(2) 13. David et al. 14. Good news trio (2) 17. Quotable prophet 19. Language of the Book 20. Theophilus’ pen pal 21. New and brief (2)

DOWN: 1. A Foreigner’s Tale 2. Fruity Letter 3. Hosea, Jonah, Micah...(2) 5. Chainmail 7. Meaningless Musings 9. Language of the Book 11. First Five 13. Mass mailer 15. Old and concise 16. Language of the Book 18. Silence Follows

Puzzle solutions will be posted at insightforliving.ca/puzzle at a later date.

online RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT

Jesus told His disciples to love one another “as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Is that an impossible example to follow? You bet it is! That’s why God sent the Holy Spirit to live inside us and empower us with His supernatural love. Want to learn more? Visit our topical page and let the resources set you on the path of loving with the Saviour’s love. insightforliving.ca/love