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Saturday, June 13, 2009

The Man Nobody Knows by Bruce Barton

I have just read the book," The Man Nobody Knows" by Bruce Barton. Written in 1925.
Bruce saw as a young boy in Sunday school that the Jesus tought was not the Jesus he was interested in. He was pictured as a weak charactor that got pushed around. I can relate to this picture of Him. I felt the same way when I was young.
In this book Bruce pictures a real Man Jesus in the since that He was wholey a Human Man's Man.
The book relates to business types and focus's on Jesus' Human side. Which is not a bad thing. We hear a lot of His divine side, and forget He was Human also just like us. It provides some real hope to us unperfect ones. He discusses the rise of Jesus' poperlarity in Human achivement instead of Divine help. I'm not sure this is a bad thing. WE are to be lead by the Holy Spirit in all of our ways, which Bruce left this out. But the miricle of the Lord is that He can work through humankind.
I suggest everyone read this, those in leadership it is a must. But read it with the guidence of the Holy Spirit. Digest the good, vomit the bad. And learn of Him.

Sunday, June 07, 2009

An Allegory of the Body, Soul and Spirit

I have just finished the book, “If I Perish I Perish” by Major W. Ian Thomas. It revealed an allegory of the Body, Soul and Soul in the Book of Ester.
I will show here the allegory but first I would like to share this quote from Mr. Thomas.

“I'm tired of religion - and to be entirely honest I know of nothing quite so boring as Christianity without Christ.
Have you ever tried to start a car without fuel, until there wasn't a spark left in the battery? Then you will know exactly what I mean, for there are few things more frustrating than a car that will not go. Everything is nicely greased and in its rightful place, and all the working parts move dutifully, but try as you may, there isn’t the suspicion of a kick, nor the tiniest evidence of life in the engine. You might as well dump the thing, for all the chance you have of getting it on the move!
Countless people have stopped going to a place of worship simply because they are sick of going through the motions of a dead religion. They are tired of trying to start a car on an empty tank!
What a pity it is that there are not a few more people around to tell them that Jesus Christ is alive. I spoke of nothing more boring than Christianity without Christ, but I know of nothing so utterly exciting as being a Christian-sharing the very life of Jesus Christ on earth right here and now, and being caught up with Him into the relentless, invisible purposes of an almighty God, and with all the limitless resources of deity available for the job.”

“If I Perish I Perish”by Major W. Ian Thomas, c. 1967-1972 ; Zondervan Publishing; used without permission

The whole story of Ester is an exciting tale of God’s work in a people. Also in allegory it shows His work in us as individuals.
The main charcators are:
Queen Vasti
King Ahasuerus
Haman the Agagite
Mordecai the Jew
Ester the Maiden to be Queen

Ian Thomas wrote that the King symbolized the human Soul sitting of the throne of power. Haman is the carnal nature of man. Mordecai is the Holy Spirit and Ester as the human “Born again Spirit”. I will say that Queen Vasti is the fallen human spirit we are all born with although Mr. Thomas does not mention her in the allegory setup.

At the start of the story Queen Vasti (human spirit of disobedience) fails to do as the King (human soul says to do) The King puts away Vasti and gains a new queen, Ester (Born again Spirit). The king is Ok until he puts his trust in Haman (the enemy of God the flesh) and gives him power. Meanwhile Mordecai is kept out of the picture. He is Esters cousin who adopts her at an early age. Showing the work of the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Adoption (Romans 8:14,15). But Mordecai has no power over the King while Haman is in charge and who wishes to destroy Mordecai. To make this short, through Mordecai’s relationship with Ester, He reveals the evil of Haman (the flesh) and Haman is Hung and Mordecai is put in power. Now I simplified this, but you must read the book. And Thomas recommends that you read his book, “The Saving Life of Christ”, first.

I recommend this and other books by Major Thomas

For info on Major Thomas and were to get his books go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_W._Ian_Thomas