Posted on 07/17/2005 7:49:20 AM PDT by sionnsar
From the June 28 "Our Daily Bread" (http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-06-28-05.shtml) comes this devotional which speaks to today's crisis in the Episcopal Church and elsewhere:
"In every era there has been a spirit of the age that challenges our acceptance of Scripture. The temptation is to remove or alter those portions that seem old-fashioned.
Whether it's the doctrine of hell or God's view on sexual behavior, many feel pressured to reject parts of the Bible. Inevitably, some truths will be offensive in every day and age.
Centuries ago, a Jewish king was handed a scroll with a message from God. As the document was read aloud, the king took offense, and with a small knife he cut out a portion of the scroll and threw it into the fire. Eventually the entire text was thrown into the flames, yet the king and his servants who had heard the words of the Lord "were not afraid" (Jeremiah 36:24). In the end, the king lost his kingdom because of his disobedience.
When we selectively edit the Bible to suit our fancy, or neglect its teachings, we show that we do not fear God. Rather than submit to what He says, we exalt our own finite reason and fallible conscience above the inspired text.
When you're tempted to overlook or ignore a portion of the Word of God, remember: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). It tells us all we need to know to live a life that pleases Him." —Dennis Fisher
The Scripture reading is Jeremiah 36:20-26 :
20 After they put the scroll in the room of Elishama the secretary, they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him. 21 The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and Jehudi brought it from the room of Elishama the secretary and read it to the king and all the officials standing beside him. 22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him. 23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. 25 Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. 26 Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the LORD had hidden them.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
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