The Italian Memorandum

Our 2005 Fall Semester Theme …

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

(Hebrews 12:28)

The French have had a long standing concept in their culture, stemming from the saying, Laissez faire, laissez passer – “No interference, and complete freedom of movement.” Though this is traceable to Francois Quesnay’s 18th century view against governmental interference, it is by no means limited to government or French culture. Mankind, in general, when strayed from the God that made them, have invariably taken on this attitude of non-interference and come what may. The Bible is full of examples which verify this statement, from Cain to Diotrephes (1 John 3:12; 3 John 9).
But, the Hebrew writer does not allow this “leave me alone!” attitude to be applied merely to bad people. Oh no, he is careful to warn the entire church against this uncooperative and independent spirit which virtually banishes the Lord God and his church. Hebrews 12:25 reads: “See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.”
God does not want to leave us alone (compare Hebrews 13:5). Get the fear of God in your life. Begin with fear, and end with fear (Prov. 1:7; Eccl. 12:13). And, then, you will have no fear; by the living word of him who said, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Isa. 41:10; Ps. 23:4; 27:1; 2 Tim. 1;7; 1 Jn. 4:18; Rev. 2:10).

-Robert M. Housby

“…That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers”

(Hebrews 2:11)

The doctrine of “brethren” is a very important study. It is vital to the development of every Christian coming into the body of Christ to understand this concept. It is a term found plentifully throughout the Bible, and especially within the New Testament (adelphos). It is the term typically used to express relationship.

1. A genetic relationship, that is, siblings (Acts 1:14). The Hebrew is ah. The term for tribe is the plural ahim (compare Judges 1:3).
2. A cultural relationship, that is, Hebrew (Acts 1:16; 13:26a; Ex. 2:11).
3. A religious relationship, that is Jewish (Acts 1:29,37). Further indication of their Jewish religiousness may be seen in Acts 2:14, 22. There is over-lapping between cultural heritage and religious heritage. Carefully notice, also, that although this group was indeed religious, they were not as of yet forgiven; nor recipients of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38,41). Polite address seems evident in Acts 2:37 (see Gen. 29:4).
4. A relationship of Christian Sonship (Hebrews 2:10-13,17). Sonship is a relationship between the believer and God entered into through Christian baptism; that is by being born-anew (John 3:5; Tit. 3:5).
5. A relationship of love, as meaningful and mandatory (1 Jn 4:19-21).

To neglect this prime-time doctrine of “brethren” will lead to a failed relationship with Christ, with the church, and even with oneself (1 Jn. 3:10).

-Robert Housby

(Judges 16:26; Song of Solomon 8:5; Micah 3:11; John 13:23; 21:20; Hebrews 11:21)

“Learning to lean / learning to lean”

(John Stallings, Learning to Lean, 1977)

We are all learning to lean on the Lord, to some degree and on some level. The Hebrew term, Adonai means, “my Lord.” If ever we’re going to learn to lean on the Lord, it must happen in a personal way. The point is, Adonai is the personal Lord of his people. It is this confidence that enables the believer to say with Psalmist: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1).

Learning to lean is a life with characteristics:

1. Adonai (“my Lord”) – Deuteronomy 4:35 read: “…that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides him.” This LORD is a personal God, and faith in this God is monotheistic. This is why it is even possible to lean on the Lord— He is God and He personally cares.
2. Jesus is Lord (John 20:28; Philippians 2:11).

3. This Lorship is the faith for all that would become a “Christian” (Acts 22:16).

Jacob, when dying, leaned upon his wooded staff in worship (Hebrews 11:21). Jesus, in dying, leaned upon the wooden tree in agony (1 Peter 2:24). The gospel of Christ encourages all men to lean on the Lord.

– Robert M. Housby

“For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

(Hebrews 11:2)

Years ago, while studying on the campus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, I was walking down a hallowed hallway. There, on either side of the corridor, I was flanked by large portraits of past students who went on to become accomplished experts in their respective fields. There were hundreds of them. It was about this same time that I had been talking with an individual about what makes a school outstanding. I was expressing that it was the teachers who determined whether an academic institution would be great. To my surprise, my friend began shaking his head to the contrary. He said that it was not the teachers that made the institution great. I said, “Well, what is it then?” He replied, “the students.”
Whether commendation, then, is seen as coming through teachers’ techniques, or through students’ accomplishments, we cannot doubt but that both have a role to play. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Competence, biblically, comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5,6). And, finding our human completeness is a search that will lead us to the Christ (Colossians 2:10; Philippians 3:9).
There is a story of a village beggar reputed to have little mental capacity. Whenever he was offered a choice between a nickel and a dime he always chose the nickel. After this had gone on for some time, a chap pulled him aside and explained that a dime is worth twice as much as a nickel, and that he should always choose the dime. “Oh, I know the dime is worth more,” the beggar replied. “But if I ever chose the dime, people would stop offering.” (Wood’s Modern Handbook, p. 517). It seems that the beggar had his own hallowed hall of expertise. And what might yours’ be? If it is not a commendation through the competence which God gives; if it is not a completeness through the life and work which Christ gives— it is not a commendation of faith (Hebrews 11:2,3).

The teacher will teach when the student is ready.

–Robert M. Housby

“For by it the people of old received their commendation.”

(Hebrews 11:2)

Years ago, while studying on the campus of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, I was walking down a hallowed hallway. There, on either side of the corridor, I was flanked by large portraits of past students who went on to become accomplished experts in their respective fields. There were hundreds of them. It was about this same time that I had been talking with an individual about what makes a school outstanding. I was expressing that it was the teachers who determined whether an academic institution would be great. To my surprise, my friend began shaking his head to the contrary. He said that it was not the teachers that made the institution great. I said, “Well, what is it then?” He replied, “the students.”

Whether commendation, then, is seen as coming through teachers’ techniques, or through students’ accomplishments, we cannot doubt but that both have a role to play. Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is
fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). Competence, biblically, comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5,6). And, finding our human completeness is a search that will lead us to the Christ (Colossians 2:10; Philippians 3:9).

There is a story of a village beggar reputed to have little mental capacity. Whenever he was offered a choice between a nickel and a dime he always chosethe nickel. After this had gone on for some time, a chap pulled him aside and explained that a dime is worth twice as much as a nickel, and that he should always choose the dime. “Oh, I know the dime is worth more,” the beggar replied. “But if I ever chose the dime, people would stop offering.” (Wood’s Modern Handbook, p. 517). It seems that the beggar had his own hallowed hall of expertise. And what might yours’ be? If it is not a commendation through the
competence which God gives; if it is not a completeness through the life and work which Christ gives— it is not a commendation of faith (Hebrews 11:2,3).

The teacher will teach when the student is ready.

–Robert M. Housby

(In conjunction with our October series on Hebrews, we would quote the final words from the Hebrew Letter which remind us of God’s extended grace)

“God’s grace be with you all!”

(Hebrews 13:25)

The following is a true story that occurred during my son’s first-grade experience. One of the children in the class came from a poor home situation. His clothes were not like the other children’s and his unkept appearance did not lend itself toward a positive self-image. Perhaps this was his mother’s motivation to throw a birthday party for him. So, one day this young man began passing out his birthday invitations. The day for the party finally arrived. However, this raggedly dressed boy with untamed hair would not see most of his classmates. In fact, he saw only one. Yes, only one other came to the party. I can almost see him waiting for the cars to pull up, though they never came. The one who did come, though, brought a gift. That unpopular youngster needed God’s grace that day. The Hebrew writer would end his letter with a reminder of the grace of God. Not only has he showed up, he comes bearing a gift; and he says: “I will never leave you or desert you” (Hebrews 13:6).

–Robert M. Housby