Touch Not Mine Anointed

Berean Baptist on September 4, 2017

Psalms 105:15

One of the great warnings of scripture is the danger of perverting the word of God. God is not pleased when His words are misused, misapplied, or otherwise twisted to teach things He never intended. We fight this battle constantly with new Bible versions as often they are translated to satisfy certain consumers with their own theological axes to grind. Many translations are not translations at all but rather a commentary on scripture. There are Bibles to fit almost anyone’s viewpoint whether it be sodomites, feminists, genderless (or too many genders), too many verses (thus, infamous missing ones in the NIV), etc. etc.

We also fight against cults that want to include unusual, bizarre writings of their supposed prophets. These strange revelations (?) such as the Book of Mormon are claimed to be other testaments of sayings and doctrines that God left out of the sixty-six books recognized for centuries as canonical. The Bible contains its own internal proof of supernatural origin while these spurious books only have super stupid claims. The Book of Mormon is especially noteworthy for its almost comical attempt at sounding authoritative by its copying of King James language.

These are real problems to be confronted, but the one I want to speak of is the Baptist preacher who thumps the King James and declares it to be the infallible, inspired word of God without error even down to the way flowers should be pressed between its pages. I am speaking of that same preacher who has no problem twisting scriptures to accommodate his own ends.

Psalms 105:15 is a good case in point. The pastor will quote this out of context, “…touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” The psalmist is speaking of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and how God called them and protected them to fulfill His promises to Israel. While it is true God has a special hand of protection on His ministers, it is also true that the people should hold them accountable. How well we as pastors should note that our usefulness is according to God’s eternal plan. Stephen was martyred after a very short career even though he was called a man full of faith and power. God had his vengeance on those who did the deed while using the evil that was done to glorify His name. How often have we used Stephen as an example of courage?

My problem is with the pastor who insulates himself from criticism and honest evaluation by claiming Psalm 105:15. He requires blind obedience, unwavering devotion, and near godlike worship. This pastor teaches people to never question his authority and never inquire about his teachings. And God forbid anyone should offer a word of correction when he has obviously missed something or misinterpreted a scripture. Touch not God’s anointed means “fall in line, don’t make waves, and if I go over a theological cliff everybody is sworn to go with me.”

Does God require absolute commitment to the pastor? This is a huge mistake. Even the great apostle Paul said who am I? God gives the increase. He wanted no followers except as he followed Christ. I would submit you had better research Christ to see if the pastor is following Him. It is unquestionably true that you should respect the pastoral position and the authority invested in him by God through the church. “Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses” (1 Tim. 5:19). Moral and doctrinal accusations should not be charged lightly, but they can be charged. Aside from those types of glaring issues, pastors ought to welcome honest inquiries. I find no better teaching times than when I can walk someone through a doctrine or scripture I have taught.

I want you to be Bereans (Acts 17:11). I don’t consider it an offense when questions are asked. They sharpen me and show me areas that need better explanations. So, come with your questions. Those asked in the right spirit will be answered. Those asked in the wrong spirit will be answered too. Each receives their appropriate answers.

 

Pastor V. Mark Smith

The Beauty of the King James Version

Berean Baptist on April 24, 2017

Psalm 85:10

This week as I was preparing for this article on the Psalms, I was reminded of why we love the King James Version of scripture. The language is so beautiful it is truly a joy to read. For an interesting perspective on the beauty of the language, I recommend Leland Ryken’s book, The Legacy of the King James Bible, which was written for the five hundredth anniversary of this beloved version.

First, let me say these comments will be rejected out of hand by many as being simplistic and naïve. I really do not care since this is my article and opinion which is not obligated to be yours. I note that it is interesting many modern readers still associate the King James Version with the words of God. We think this is the way God speaks, and in quoting scripture we freely retain the use of archaic words such as thee and thou. There seems to be a sense of authority in these old words that is not the same as when replaced with you and you for both as my spell checker is wont to do. There are also many sayings from the King James that have made their way into the vernacular. These most likely would not be remembered if they were not spoken at first in an uncommon way.

The reason I was reminded of our love for this translation is Psalms 85:10: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” This verse speaks of Christ, and we wonder how these virtues could have been spoken more eloquently. If you compare this verse to one of the modern versions, the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), the translation is wooden and vulgar. This translation reads: “Faithful love and truth will join together, righteousness and peace will embrace.” The cadence and the removal of the word kissed makes the verse seem…well, like kissing your sister. There is not much feeling when said this way. It makes you wonder why changes are made that are wholly unnecessary. The eloquence of the language is destroyed, and quite frankly, we cannot imagine God would say it this way.

We are quite sure that God did not speak King James English since Old Testament scripture was written in Hebrew. At that time, English of any kind was unheard of. However, we can well imagine that when God spoke in man’s language it was not slangily unrefined. I do not know if my point is understood, but having grown up with the King James I have a sense of what sounds biblical and what does not. This is what the King James has done to me. It may seem strange, but I think the King James remained popular for four hundred and fifty of the past five hundred years because of its difference. We respect it as the Word of God not just for its content but also for its sweetness to the ears.

Have you noticed that since modern versions have become popular there is far less respect for the scriptures? We make more defenses of the Bible than ever before and the need seems to parallel the discarding of the King James translation. The argument goes that we need a more readable version so that we can understand better and be more interested. This is passing strange when our society has more college graduates than ever before. The understanding of science and the advancement of technology is bursting at the seams, and yet we are baffled by a few archaic words! The conclusion of the argument must be that our generation is dumber than the one before. And that point I will gladly concede.

The real problem is that if people want a Bible at all they want one that does not require deep thought or diligent study. No matter what version you read, if the translation has a modicum of truth, it will not be discovered without the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We do not believe every word of some of the modern translations is bad. The same archaic words of the King James are changed in the preaching and exposition of the text. The point is that respect for the scriptures is fostered by its difference from everyday speech. God’s Word is uncommon and the use of eloquent language in its own way adds to its mystique. “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Do you have a lovelier and more poetic way of saying this? Didn’t think so.

Pastor V. Mark Smith

 

Goofy gods

Berean Baptist on April 3, 2017

Psalm 82

A few weeks ago I was sitting in my home office working on my Sunday sermon when I heard the doorbell ring. One of the reasons I work mostly from home is the lack of interruptions which greatly facilitates my productivity. I was not really pleased to go to the door especially when I could see through the sidelight of the doorframe there were two Mormons that were anxious to grab my attention. I related a little of this story before in some of my messages, but I was reminded again of my conversation with these two when I prepared Psalm 82 for our congregational reading.

I have always felt the best way to deal with Mormons is not to give them much chance to talk. Instead, I ask a lot of questions and as soon as I hear something a little odd I let them know they are way off track. When you keep hammering them, they begin to squirm. Many times one of them is in training and he’s the one I want to pick on. One of the questions I asked was, “Do you believe that you will become a god?”

Most Mormons do not like to have their doctrine exposed until they have had a chance to dupe their hearers into thinking they are orthodox Christians. Joseph Smith (no relation!), the founder of the Mormon cult, said that God was once a man just like us. His basic teaching was that people were pre-existent spirits that were sent to earth to learn and be enlightened and enlarged until they come to the place they can be gods.

I asked these two Mormon fellows if they believed that hellish doctrine to which they replied they did. The more inexperienced of the two went for his King James Bible to find his support verse but before he could find it, I quoted it for him. I knew where he was going because Mormons use Psalm 82:6 as a proof-text for their heretical teaching. The scripture says: “I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.” Last week I wrote of the danger of pulling scripture out of context, which is a common tactic of cults and others that have little to no support for their doctrines. Most people would look at this verse without knowledge of scripture and would think the Mormons are on to something.

What did God mean when He referred to His listeners as gods? This is actually a reference to the rulers of the people who stand in the place of God to mete out justice. This is explained in Exodus 21:6 where the Hebrew word for judges is the same as the word gods in Psalms 82:6: “Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever” (Exodus 21:6). Romans 13 also teaches that rulers are ordained by God. The point in Psalm 82 is that all rulers will give an account to God for their stewardship. If they have dealt unjustly (82:1-2), God will strike them down. In the 7th verse, God says they will all die like ordinary men.

I never got far enough with these Mormons to have them answer to the Hebrew text. By this time they were too flustered with forty other questions I asked. Mormon doctrine is easily exposed when you compare scripture with scripture. The unorthodox heretical teachings of the Mormons is blasphemy. If someone tells you it is possible to be God and God was a mortal like you, be ready to slam the door. Second John tells you how to deal with them: “If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Most of us like to be nice to people. I prefer to make these charlatans as uncomfortable as I can. Do everything possible to discourage them.  Who knows—the next person may be caught in their trap. False prophets are not nice people. A clean-cut young man with a Bible under his arm may be a demon in disguise. Don’t fool yourself into thinking otherwise.

Pastor V. Mark Smith