Who was Asaph in the Bible?

Q: Who was Asaph in the Bible?

A: Asaph is an important figure in the Bible, particularly in the context of worship and music. He is mentioned primarily in the Old Testament and is associated with the Psalms and the worship practices of ancient Israel. Here are key details about him:

1. Levitical Musician:

Asaph was a Levite and one of the chief musicians appointed by King David to lead worship in the tabernacle. He played a prominent role in organizing the music for temple worship (1 Chronicles 6:31-39, 1 Chronicles 15:16-17).

2. Psalmist:

Asaph is credited with writing several psalms in the Bible, specifically Psalms 50 and 73–83. These psalms often focus on God’s justice, the struggles of the righteous, and His ultimate sovereignty.

3. Leader of a Guild:

Asaph founded a guild or group of temple singers, known as the “sons of Asaph,” who continued his musical legacy (1 Chronicles 25:1-2). This group played a significant role in the worship practices of Israel for generations, even after the Babylonian exile (Ezra 2:41; Nehemiah 7:44).

4. Prophetic Role:

Asaph is described as a “seer” or prophet in some contexts (2 Chronicles 29:30). This suggests that his musical and poetic contributions were inspired by the Spirit of God and served as a form of prophecy.

5. Themes of Asaph’s Psalms:

• Psalm 50 focuses on God’s judgment and the importance of true worship.

• Psalms 73–83 wrestle with themes like the prosperity of the wicked, the suffering of the righteous, God’s faithfulness, and His deliverance of Israel.

6. Legacy:

Asaph’s legacy as a musician, worship leader, and prophet highlights the significant role of music and poetry in the spiritual life of Israel. His contributions continue to inspire worshippers through the psalms attributed to him.

Asaph’s life exemplifies the integration of worship, artistry, and faithfulness to God.

Tolkien, Lewis, and Underlying Reality

Tolkien asks: What moves you most? What gives your life meaning? 

Lewis replies: The stories I love. When I’m done with a story I love, it inspires me. I’m ready to be better. They inspire me and move me. They give me meaning in life.

Tolkien says: The reason that stories move you is they get in touch with some underlying reality. 

The gospel story is the reality to which all the other stories point. The Good News; love, hope, peace, joy, and more.

Address delivered by Rev. James M. Gray, D.D., President of the Moody Bible Institute, on December 16, 1924.

Full title of the article: The Moody Church: “The Flower And The Fruit” of DL Moody’s Great Work As Represented In The City Of Chicago”

An address delivered by Rev. James M. Gray, D.D., President of the Moody Bible Institute, in The Moody Church Tabernacle, on the occasion of laying the cornerstone of the D.L. Moody Memorial Church and Sunday School Building, December 16, 1924. He praises D.L. Moody and discusses (in 1924) “apostasy known as Liberalism or Modernism” and the 4 pillars of the Gospel.

https://www.moodymedia.org/articles/the-moody-church-the-flower-and-the-fruit-of-dl-mo/?utm_source=Moody+Church+Media+-+Email&utm_campaign=bdab69e554-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_985f5af69b-bdab69e554-50546013

The NET Bible

I just learned today about the New English Translation (NET) Bible. It’s not brand new, coming out in 2001. I’m quite impressed. Here are some reasons I will use the NET Bible and their websites. (I’m not jumping to it whole hog, but plan to use it as a useful resource in understanding God’s Word).

  • It has over 60,000 translators’ notes. I’m trying to understand the original Hebrew and Greek (and Aramaic), so this may help. There are 3 types of notes:
    • tn: Translator’s notes – explains the rationale for the translation and gives alternative translations, interpretive options, and other technical information. I believe this is one reason they wanted to create this type of Bible (and what makes it unique from other translations.)
    • tc: Textual critical notes, which relate to significant textual variants. Discusses alternate (variant) readings found in the various manuscripts and groups of manuscripts of the Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament.
    • sn: Study notes, as in other study Bibles. Includes comments about historical or cultural background, explanation of obscure phrases or brief discussions of context, discussions of the theological point made by the biblical author, cross references and references to Old Testament quotations or allusions in the New Testament, or other miscellaneous information helpful to the modern reader.
  • NET Bible is online and free. Can have an account, have highlights and notes.
  • The online (computer) version had a very nice side-by-side display. See graphic below.
  • Included on the RHS (as an option) is Constable’s Notes. This Bible commentary is from pastor, theologian, and DTS faculty member Thomas L. Constable.
  • The parallel view can put the Greek (or Hebrew) on the RHS (right-hand-side). This is very cool. Words on both the left and right are clickable. Very dynamic. The Strong’s number appears at the bottom. Nice! See second graphic below.
  • I believe this mainly comes out of Dallas Theological Seminary (I’m sure with the help of other scholars) and I believe that DTS is a solid, biblically-based seminary.

What Was Paul’s Primary Focus

Q: The apostle Paul had much to say to the 1st Century Christian’s (and to us today). What was Paul’s primary focus?

A: Paul’s primary focus can be summarized as the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ and its transformative power for both individuals and communities. His ministry emphasized the following key aspects:

1. The Centrality of Christ: Paul consistently focused on Jesus Christ—His death, resurrection, and lordship. He declared, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

2. Salvation by Grace Through Faith: Paul taught that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, received through faith in Christ, not through works (Ephesians 2:8-9). This message was central to his epistles and ministry.

3. Unity in Christ: Paul emphasized the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles into the body of Christ, breaking down barriers of ethnicity, culture, and social status (Ephesians 2:14-16; Galatians 3:28).

4. Living by the Spirit: Paul called Christians to live transformed lives, walking in the Spirit and reflecting Christ’s character in their daily actions (Galatians 5:16-26; Romans 12:1-2).

5. Mission to the Gentiles: As the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul made it his mission to take the gospel beyond Jewish communities, fulfilling God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham (Romans 15:15-16; Acts 13:47).

Overall, Paul’s focus was on the advancement of God’s kingdom and the spiritual maturity of believers, rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

6 Incredible Finds That Proved the Bible Was True

The following article describes archaeological finds to prove facts from the Bible that skeptics have tried to claim were false.

https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/6-incredible-finds-that-proved-the-bible-was-true.aspx?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=cslewis

Having a healthy, respectful, and informative discussion

I asked ChatGPT: List guidelines for having a healthy, respectful, and informative discussion.

The response was 12 guidelines:

Here are some guidelines for having a healthy, respectful, and informative discussion:

1. Listen Actively

  • Pay attention to what others are saying without interrupting.
  • Show that you are engaged by nodding, asking follow-up questions, or summarizing what was said.

2. Respect Different Opinions

  • Acknowledge that others may have different perspectives or beliefs.
  • Avoid dismissing, mocking, or belittling someone else’s point of view.

3. Speak Clearly and Concisely

  • Express your thoughts and opinions in a clear, organized manner.
  • Avoid long-winded explanations; stay on topic to keep the discussion focused.

4. Use “I” Statements

  • Speak from your own experience by using “I think,” “I feel,” or “In my experience.”
  • This helps avoid sounding accusatory and keeps the discussion personal and constructive.

5. Stay Calm and Composed

  • Keep your tone of voice neutral and avoid raising your voice.
  • If you feel yourself getting upset, take a deep breath or pause to collect your thoughts before responding.

6. Avoid Personal Attacks

  • Focus on the issue at hand, not the person you’re speaking with.
  • Refrain from name-calling, sarcasm, or making derogatory remarks.

7. Be Open to New Ideas

  • Be willing to consider viewpoints that differ from your own.
  • Ask questions if you don’t understand something, rather than immediately rejecting it.

8. Seek to Understand, Not Just to Respond

  • Make an effort to understand the other person’s perspective fully before crafting your response.
  • Clarify points if needed by asking, “Can you explain more about…?”

9. Use Evidence and Examples

  • Support your arguments with facts, data, or real-life examples when possible.
  • This helps make the discussion more informative and grounded in reality.

10. Agree to Disagree

  • Recognize that it’s okay to have different opinions and that you may not reach consensus on every topic.
  • Respectfully agree to disagree if no common ground can be found.

11. Respect Time and Space

  • Be mindful of the time and avoid monopolizing the conversation.
  • Allow others to share their thoughts without dominating the discussion.

12. Follow Up if Necessary

  • If the discussion was intense or unresolved, consider following up later to continue the conversation in a more reflective manner.
  • This shows that you value the relationship and the ongoing dialogue.

These guidelines help create a positive environment where everyone feels heard and respected, leading to a more productive and informative discussion.

12 (wow!) Attacking Groups/Movements Against Christianity

Here was my question to ChatGPT (genesis of this below):

There are various groups and movements that are trying to tear down Christianity or otherwise deconstruct it. Among other things, they argue against the truth claims of Christianity. Three such groups are secularism, atheism, and moralistic, therapeutic deism. Are there other groups or movements that I haven’t listed?

ChatGPT responded with nine more.

Yes, there are several other groups and movements that challenge or seek to deconstruct Christianity, in addition to secularism, atheism, and moralistic therapeutic deism. Some of these include:

  1. Religious Pluralism: This movement asserts that all religions are equally valid paths to truth, effectively undermining the exclusive truth claims of Christianity.
  2. New Age Spirituality: A broad and eclectic movement that often incorporates elements of Eastern religions, mysticism, and occult practices, promoting a relativistic view of truth that contrasts with Christian teachings.
  3. Postmodernism: A philosophical movement that questions objective truth, including the idea of absolute moral and spiritual truths as taught in Christianity. It often promotes relativism and skepticism toward meta-narratives like Christianity.
  4. Cultural Marxism: This ideology critiques and seeks to dismantle traditional power structures, including those based on Christian values. It often views Christianity as a tool of oppression.
  5. Humanism: While similar to secularism, humanism specifically emphasizes human reason and ethics without reference to the divine, often viewing religion, including Christianity, as unnecessary or even harmful.
  6. Progressive Christianity: While not necessarily seeking to tear down Christianity, this movement reinterprets traditional Christian doctrines in ways that often challenge orthodox beliefs, sometimes aligning more with secular or liberal ideologies.
  7. Scientism: This is the belief that science alone can provide truth about the world, often dismissing religious or metaphysical claims as unscientific and therefore invalid.
  8. Agnosticism: Though not necessarily hostile to Christianity, agnosticism promotes the view that the existence of God or the divine is unknown or unknowable, which can lead to a dismissal of Christian truth claims.
  9. Skepticism: A broader philosophical stance that questions or doubts religious and metaphysical claims, often leading to the rejection of Christian doctrines.

These movements and ideologies, in various ways, challenge the foundations of Christian belief and seek to reinterpret or deconstruct the faith from different angles.

I was listening to a wonderful lecture by Albert Mohler titled, “Being a Christian in a Post-Christian Culture: 2010 Washington, D.C. Conference.”

Address my first three fairly extensively. (Included was the four horsemen of modern thought. Marx, Darwin, Nietzsche, Freud.)

Link: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/conferences/being-a-christian-in-a-post-christian-culture/disappearance-god?utm_source=RefNet&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=ConferenceSeries

The Olympics’ Iconic Photo Has a Christian Message

[from Christianity Today)

There’s a hidden Christian message behind what may be the most celebrated image of the 2024 Olympics.

On July 29, in round three of the shortboard surfing competition, Brazil’s Gabriel Medina faced off against Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, who eliminated Medina in the last Olympics. In his second wave, Medina emerged from a tube exuberant, with both palms open, suggesting that the judges should offer him a 10 for his performance. (Two of the five judges agreed; his final score was 9.9).

Medina then pivoted left, toward the surf, and jumped off his board, raising his right hand and pointing his index finger upward. This was the image that Agence France-Presse photographer Jérôme Brouillet captured.

Brazilian evangelicals recognized the sign immediately.

“It’s like he’s saying, ‘It’s not me you should be looking at, it’s God. This moment of glory is not mine, but His,’” said João Guilherme Züge, a resident historian of religion at Museu Paranaense, in Curitiba.

This has been used by Brazilian athletes for about 40 years, gaining popularity in the 1990’s.

I like the humility and praise of God.

Randy Gradishar Thanks Archie Griffin and Gives the 4 Truths of the Gospel at his Hall of Fame Enshrinement

Randy Gradishar (LB) was a key centerpiece of the Orange Crush Denver Broncos defense (he played 1974–1983). At his NFL Hall of Fame induction speech in Canton, Ohio, he, very clearly and succinctly, gave the 4 truths of the Gospel and thanked teammate Archie Griffin for inviting him to attend a FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) meeting. It was Gradishar’s senior year and Griffins sophomore year on the Ohio State Buckeye football team. As a result, Gradishar, at age 22, received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

We can be thankful for people like Archie Griffin and Randy Gradishar who are bold to share the truth of Jesus Christ. We need to do likewise.

2:13 minute Video

Click this image to view the snippet from Gradishar’s speech on Twitter/X.

Full Induction Speech Video

https://youtube.com/watch?v=eYpJU9ZJn58%3Fsi%3DomM5MJBsGUtLxKXM

Heisman Footnote

As a footnote, in Gradishar’s senior year at OSU (1973), he placed 6th in the Heismann Trophy voting, one behind Archie Griffin. Griffin would go on to be the only 2-time Heisman Trophy winner in ’74 and ’75.