Images – by Ken “Max" Parks, 08/08/2018

You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;”

(Exodus 20:4, NKJV)

Anyone who knows me also knows that I enjoy photography, or to put it eloquently “make images.” I have been making images since I was 6 years old with my newly acquired Kodak Instamatic 104 camera.  Film photography was my start of another form of art.  This has carried on even to the advent of Digital photography.  I still shoot some film, black and white, with my old 35mm cameras, Hassleblad, and Bronica medium format cameras. I then have to convert to Digital by scanning the negatives.

But for the most part, I shoot Digital for the convenience and, avoid the film photography chemicals and the hassles of then having to convert to Digital.

Most recently, I made images of my 45^th class reunion. It was a wonderful event, having seen old classmates for the first time in 45 years who never attended previous class reunions.  The made images were posted on the High School FB page and my personal FB page.  I received accolades for my created images.

However, the above verse, Exodus 20:4 had been quoted to me in the past in response to my liking in making images.  Basically it has come to this: I was making images and disobeying one of the Ten Commandments of God.  And I understood from this to mean that making any images or “likeness of anything" is a sin.  At first, I ignored this.  But it was introduced to me again.  So, I decided to do some research.  I did not have to look very far!

Taking the verse Exodus 20:4 alone, as is, and without looking at any other Bible verses, this appears to be a sin for making images, any images of anything.  Verse 5 follows:

”you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,” (Exodus 20:5,  NKJV)

What or who is this verse telling us?  “Not to bow down to them (the images) nor serve them (the images).  These images God is referring to are “graven images” or rather made images that are made out to be other gods to whom one worships.

So, when you go on vacation, take photographs of things that you have seen, family members, the dog, the car, the food, the hotel that you stayed and etc. that is a sin?  Or, you have a photograph taken for the purpose of an ID, Passport, or driver’s license, that’s a sin?  Or you have photographs of your children, grandchildren, parents, or other relatives and friends placed around the home, that’s a sin? God is a jealous God and does not want other gods to replace him, be worshiped and admired… or have images made of the same so as to be worshiped, admired, and served.

So, the extreme to Exodus 20:4, taken as is, alone, is not to have any images made, regardless of what they may consist of, how the image is created, or who made them and disregard the additional part of the sentence in Exodus 20:5.  If that be the case, then:

We are not allowed to have any mirrors, because looking into them makes an image;
We are not allowed to have most any books that contain images on the covers or inside;
We are not to watch any TV programs, any movies, or anything that is in a video image;
We are not to have any photographs, paintings, art of any form, or statues of angels (or anything) in our homes;

We are not allowed to have canned food, boxed food or any food because it has images on them;

We are not allowed to create any form of art, such as paintings, photographs, sculptures;
We are not allowed to draw crosses, angels, images of Christ, or anything in our Bibles;

We are not allowed to have Bibles that have the image of the cross or any image on the cover;

We are not allowed to have a T-shirt or any clothing with any images on it;
We are not allowed to have a created logo (image) for one’s ministry or business or any activity;
We are not allowed to create an image of anything in our minds;

I will maintain creating images with my cameras, draw images in my GoTo Bible as long as I don’t worship them nor serve them as stipulated in Exodus 20:5.

Nave's Topical Bible - My review by Pastor Ken "Max" Parks

 This is an oldie but goodie from years past, first copyrighted in 1896 and first full print publication in 1921, and it was written by Orville J. Nave. Other publishing houses have published the book over the years, and now the Hendrickson Publishing Company has put out the 15^th printing in hardback.

 It is in the Nave’s Topical Bible that it presents subject matter in a cyclopedic form and headings familiar on particular subjects. 

Orville Nave served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army, and it was during his military career he prepared his Topical Bible and a later published Nave’s Study Bible.

Nave prepared this book as a means to analyze topically each verse of the Bible, each series of verses, and each chapter and series of chapters.  From this, Nave was able to group the subject headings of all the Scriptures found in the analysis.  This was a Herculean task that took several years to accomplish.  Nave’s work is based solely on the King James Version (KJV) and it is quite a work.

Some folks have seen this book as similar to the Thompson Chain Reference (TCR) Bibles, but it seems to cover Scripture subject material in greater detail.  This book is a definite must in anyone’s library.  I’m an advocate of the KJV TCR, and I use the rare 1988 wide-margin Bible.  It is the Nave’s Topical Bible that is being used to enhance the notes added to my wide-margin Bible.

On the major subject of the “Righteous” it is broken down into sub-topics, such as “Contrasted with the Wicked,” “Described,” and “Promises to, Expressed or Implied.” All of this is covered in 20 pages, followed by “Righteous – Unity of Christ.”  There are no notes, only Scripture.  So that leaves out any biases of denominations, including but not limited to their own teachings, practices, doctrines, and traditions of men.

Nave’s Topical Bible allows a pastor or even a layperson the ability to prepare a sermon or write a paper on a topic in short order.  As a pastor, this book is always at my side when I write articles on Bible issues and preparing to doing video mini-sermons, teachings, and helping others of the faith to grow in the grace and knowledge in Christ.

If there were a situation where I can choose only two books to live by, it would be my Thompson Bible, inclusive of all my notes, and the Nave’s Topical Bible.  They are the Gold and Silver of God’s word, and one can never have the full life in knowing Christ without these two treasures.

We are very lucky to be living in a free country, where the Bible can easily be available to us in our public libraries, in our private collection of books, and not be under the scrutiny of a dictator government against Christianity.  Nave served in the military to ensure our freedom of religion and wrote this marvelous book as a tool and treasure to enhance our walk in faith in Christ.  God surely blessed us with a man such as Nave and his Topical Bible

Mostly Devotional A.W. Tozer Bible

A W Tozer Bible – by Pastor Ken “Max” Parks 03-23-2018

Without having a formal theological education or a degree in business and seminary study,  A.W. Tozer was one of the most prolific writers of the Christian faith. However, he did receive an honorary doctorate degree from Wheaton College.

“The A.W. Tozer Bible,” is presented in the King James Version along with several excerpts of Tozer writings from his books, such as the popular “God’s Pursuit of Man” and “The Pursuit of God” (to be reviewed at a later date).  The Bible is composed of more than 1600 pages, and the paper thickness is sufficient in that the ghosting (lettering from the behind printing) is not that noticeable.  It is a red-letter Bible with all the Scriptures in non-paragraph style.  The font size is about a 10 and easy on the eyes.  Although the black print is well done, the red lettering could be a brighter red color.  There are no ribbons, but one can purchase a set of Bible ribbons and add it to this Bible.  There is an imitation leather Bible with golden gilding by Hendrickson Publishing.

The A.W. Tozer Bible dust-cover-sleeve is well done with raised letters and the image of a white-toped mountain.  Hedrickson Publishing has done well in the presentation of Tozer’s materials in color and design of “On Scripture,” “Reflections,” and “Challenges.”

One of the styles of Tozer’s writing is that some of the excerpts are similar to prayer, which makes this a thought provoking Bible.  If one is not saved, this Bible will at least give that person room for thought.  Tozer has a tendency to prepare the ground and do some planting, while God does the watering. 

In one of Tozer’s excerpts, he expounds upon how God uses water as a theme for restoring man back to God as shown in Isaiah 8:6, whereby he states, “There are in the Bible, many references where God has used the precious, reviving, and life-sustaining qualities of streams and of water to give us a true and adequate figure of the gracious, life-giving salvation which he offers to all mankind.  He has promised. ‘I will give you streams of living water’…” – Tozer Speaks II.

There are many types of Bibles in publication, some meant to instill certain types of studies of Scripture, and others to provide theological biases, and some of daily devotional readings, but The A.W. Tozer Bible allows even for the seasoned veteran of the faith to read his excerpts of particular Scripture so as to give thought of an account of one’s faith and become a much better presenter of the message of the cross through the power of the Holy Spirit.

If I had my choice in the matter of redesigning this Bible, I would add a table of content for all of Tozer’s excerpts.  I would add more references to the side columns, and explanation of Scripture through some definition of Greek and Hebrew words for that time period when written.  It could be changed from a devotional type Bible to that of a study Bible.  Call it “The Tozer Study Bible.”

Prison Ministry: Why Pastors don’t get Involved

By Pastor Ken “Max” Parks 03-18-2018

There is a concern among most pastors concerning visiting prisoners, but they are too busy and involved with their church businesses. Some of them claim that they simply don’t have the resources (financial), training, and the time to get involved. So they usually leave it to a member or two of their congregation to task themselves informally.

 LifeWay Research had done a survey among 1,000 pastors. The research found widespread support among pastors in favor for the idea of prison ministry. Four out of five pastors (83%) have visited a correctional facility. And almost all believe churches should help the families of those incarcerated (97%) and provide care for those getting out of jail (95%).

However, many pastors have little contact with those who have been incarcerated. Half of pastors say no one from their congregation has been jailed in the past three years. A third have seen one or two people from their church go to jail. One in six say three or more attendees have been jailed in that time (17%).

The research showed that about a third of the pastors say no former inmates attend their church (31%), one or two former inmates attend (36%), or three or more former inmates attend (33%).
However, many pastors have little contact with those who have been incarcerated. Half of pastors say no one from their congregation has been jailed in the past three years. A third have seen one or two people from their church go to jail. One in six say three or more attendees have been jailed in that time (17%).

About a third of pastors say no former inmates attend their church (31%), one or two former inmates attend (36%), or three or more former inmates attend (33%).
Overall, few pastors have contact with current or former inmates as a normal part of their ministry. So prison ministry is not a priority. When half the pastors haven’t had someone from their church sent to jail, then prison ministry isn’t on their ministry radar.

Incarceration rates in the United States remain at record levels. More than 2.2 million Americans are held in state and federal prisons or local jails, according to the Institute for Criminal Policy Research. That’s more than any other nation in the world.

Though about 13% of Americans are black, more than a third (36%) of inmates in state and federal prisons are African American, according to the Department of Justice. Those statistics have led to concerns about the high number of black inmates and charges of racial disparity. Half of pastors say the racial disparity among inmates is unjust. Four in 10 disagree (39%). One in 10 is not sure (11%).
It has been stated that pastors often don’t know how to start ministering to inmates. Other ministries, like distributing school supplies to kids or volunteering at a food pantry, are relatively easy to start. But ministering to inmates and their families is more difficult, requiring special training and often a long-term commitment from volunteers.

About two-thirds of pastors cite a lack of training (62%) or volunteers (65%) as barriers to their churches helping inmates and their families. Others say they don’t know where to start (40%), their church is involved in too many other ministries (39%), such as music ministry, sports ministries, children and women ministries and other biblical ministries, or they don’t see a need for it (21%). Money is an issue as well. Half of pastors say a lack of finances is a barrier to ministry (48%). A recent report from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability found donations to prison ministries declined 6 percent from 2011 to 2014.

When churches do have a prison ministry, it is often run on an informal basis.
+ 61% of pastors say individual church members minister to families of inmates.
+ 58% say church members help people leaving correctional facilities.
+ 45% say church members minister in correctional facilities.

It appears to be an uphill battle. Other organizations, such as Prison Fellowship, rely upon “holistic” methods, philosophies and psychology of men, and a liberal approach to prison ministry such as the teachings of Rick Warren (the same who supports Chrislam: the belief that Christians and Islamic supposedly have the same God) to instruct prisoners on the ways to adapt to regular life outside of prison.

My findings show that these are messy, long-term ministries. You really have to demonstrate biblical faithfulness to be involved with them. It’s a lot easier to pick an unbiblical ministry where there are quick rewards, but you would miss out on the opportunity to impact the prisoner’s life, their families and communities.

The Complete Jewish Study Bible REVIEW - by Pastor Max

Yeshua (Jesus) was Jewish, born under the lineage of David.  He was brought up in the Jewish culture.  It is believed he spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek.  He fully understood the Torah (Moasaic Law) and he fulfilled the Law as prophesied by the prophets.  The Complete Jewish Study Bible is a compilation of these things along with many Jewish words spelled out in the English pronunciation.  This Bible fills in the gaps of Jewish understanding concerning the Messiah (Christ), the Anointed One.

Albeit, it is not in the traditional versions of today, such as KJV, NASB, NIV, and etc., the contributors of this version created a unique English written Bible through Jewish and Christian writers.  And, it allows for a serious student of the Bible to become very familiar to Jewish traditions, such as the famous “Born Again” among the Jews.  Jesus used this phrase because it was used among the Jews as six different levels of being “born again” in one’s growth and maturity among the Jewish men.  This Bible explains the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus, and the thought process of this rabbi (teacher).  I found the article very interesting, the content of which clarified the reason Yeshua referred to the phrase of being “born again.”

The Complete Jewish Study Bible comes in three different publications, a Hard Cover (under this review), the Blue Flexisoft, and a Black Calfskin Leather.  The Hard Cover is one of the best constructed I have encountered of various Bibles in my collection.  It seems to have something similar to a Smyth sewn binding as opposed to a glued-in pages.  The Bible has two ribbons, something one does not often see with other hardcover Bibles.  There is no outer index and no gilding.  The Blue Flexisoft and Black Calfskin Leather have gold gilding. Hendrickson published this Bible as all black lettering and no red-letter (sayings of Yeshua).  There are pros and cons to this approach, although I prefer the red-letter in my Bibles.  The font size is a good estimated 9.5 or 10. And the bottom notes are about a 6.5 or 7 font of a different style.

This Bible does not have any reference columns, but the bottom notes and articles are sufficient in the subject material on a particular page.  There is no concordance.  But this Bible is unique in that there is a Glossary of Hebrew words with the English pronunciation and a Glossary of English words with Hebrew pronunciation.  I found both Glossaries quite helpful and a nice touch for those who may want to learn Hebrew from the English language perspective.

The layout in this Bible is mostly in paragraph style.  The poetic portions are set in the same style as most Bibles, single line separation from verse to verse, such as found in Psalm and Proverbs.  The paragraph style is good for general reading but is difficult to find a verse within the paragraph even though the number of the verse is present with a smaller font.  The Old Testament is laid out in the same manner as the Tanakh with the books separated in divisions, and is not in the same order as the Christian Bible. The word “Tanakh” is an acronym made from the first letters of the three main divisions of the Hebrew Bible: the Torah or the Law (Pentateuch), the Prophets, and the final part is called the Writings.  The New Testament book order remains the same as all other Christian Bibles.

What I envisioned after reading and studying The Complete Jewish Study Bible is that this can be used for witnessing to one of the Jewish faith, those who don’t believe that Yeshua is the Messiah. Employing the Hebrew words concerning the Messiah, especially the prophecies and His announcement in Luke 4:18-19, whereby He read from Isaiah 61:1-2.  Again, The Complete Jewish Study Bible is very good for serious Bible students, those interested in learning some Hebrew, Jewish traditions, their fasts and feasts, culture, and other traditions and special days.

As we all well know Paul wrote in Galatians that we do not have to become Jewish and follow all their ways, such as the laws and more than 600 mandates of the Law and all the traditions of Jewish customs in order to become a follower of Jesus Christ.  May the God of Peace abide in you all (see Hebrews 13:20). שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם (shalom aleichem).

Pastor Ken "Max" Parks writes reviews for Hendrickson Publishing, established ETC Ministries so as to provide instruction to the saints of Ekklesia, Training so as to become prepared, and offers Courses soon to be on Vimeo and Youtube.  He is a Stephen Minister, and he's involved with Church of Christian Truth.

Principles of Interpretation

Primary:  Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in all truth.  Do not rely upon the teachings, practices, doctrines, traditions and false hope of men.

1.  Where the Bible speaks literally, accept the teachings literally.  Do not make assumptions, speculations, and suppositions.

2.  Consider to whom any given Scripture is addressed.

3. Consider the contents of the verse surrounding the verse and/or passage being interpreted.

4.  Consider the context of any statement trying to interpret.  By context, I mean the verse(s) around any particular statement.  What did Jesus mean? For instance, Jesus stated, "He that believes on me... out of his belly will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).  The best way to find out the meaning is to read the surrounding verses.  In this text case, the next verse, "But this He spoke of the Holy Spirit, which they believe on Him should receive..." I would estimate 85-90% of all false teachings that spring from portions of the Bible can be shown false by a careful study of the passage surrounding the verse(s) under consideration.

5.   Discover the exact meaning of every word and the proper grammatical connection.  In the case of the NT, use of the Greek-English Interlinear Bible can be used to obtain the best Greek meaning and then applied to the best English word(s).  For example: in 2 Timothy 2:15 the KJV uses the word "study" and the Greek word used was spoudazo, meaning "be diligent"  Today's definition of study, even as far back as the 1611 version of the Bible, does not come close to the Greek meaning.

6.  In connection with this, consider all the passages dealing with the subject under study (cp 1 Cor.2;13; 2 Peter 1:20).

7.  Never interpret a clear statement with an unclear statement, but do the opposite; unclear with a clear verse. E.g., in Acts16, the Philippian jailer who was on the verge of committing suicide asked the following question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"  Paul and Silas replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved."  This is a clear statement on the subject of how to be saved, and what God says plainly in one place of the Bible. He will not contradict elsewhere.  Another example: when Paul said in Acts 27:31, "Except these abide in the ship, we cannot be saved."  Obviously, he was not referring to the salvation of their souls.  The subject matter in the 27th chapter is being save or delivered from drowning.

There are men of corrupt minds who will attempt to change the meaning of a clear statement of Scripture by the use of an ambiguous verse(s) elsewhere.  It is very common for someone to interpret Acts 16:31 where God says that the salvation of a man's soul is conditional upon a man's faith in Christ, and make it mean something else by forcing another verse upon it, such as 2 Thes.1:8 where God says, He will take "vengeance upon them that... obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ."  And so according to these men, there is no longer one condition for salvation; there are now two conditions, belief and obedience.  Therefore, they conclude if a man says he has faith and does not obey every command in the Bible, he is not saved.

8.  Try to avoid all personal prejudice and biases, and to be honest in the use of Scripture (2 Cor. 4:2).  Do not force the word of God to support any theories of men (e.g., whether it be the pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, or mid-tribulation rapture theories of men).  Do not interpret Scripture by means of personal experiences, but interpret your personal experiences in light of Scripture.  One of the major causes of false doctrine is a subjective approach to the word of God, then test the spirits do determine whether they be of God or the father of lies.  Satan has many deceptive ways to make things appear right.  Test the spirits! (1 John 4:1)

9.  Do not act in haste, foolishly make quick reasoning by interpreting Scripture, especially difficult Bible passages.  God has given us a sound mind, and I pray to God for proper interpretation (exegesis).

10.  Always... Always ASK in prayer believing God through the Holy Spirit to give you the knowledge and wisdom to guide you into all truth in all things, and proper interpretation of His word.  These 10 principles should assist you in discovering the truth, inclusive with the reliance upon the Holy Spirit.

Purpose of the Ten Commandments

When asked what is the purpose of the 10 commandments given to us in Exodus 20:1-17(?) during a Bible study, I remarked, "the primary purpose was for God to reveal our sins." I should have added, "... in order for us to come to Christ" (see Galatians 3:24)

But this question solicits many assumptions, speculations and suppositions. One of which I heard was that the 10 commandments brings unity to the 12 tribes of Israel and then to all mankind. What unity?

Paul told us that the work of the Law is a curse and quoting from Deut. 27:26. He didn't say that the law was bad... but it's the "works" of the law that brings us a curse. (see Galatians 3:10)

Paul goes on to claim that the curse was taken on by Jesus Christ for all of us so that we are no longer under the law, but fulfilled by Christ our freedom of the law so as to abide in the law through Him (see Galatians 3:13). This may be difficult for some to understand. Living in Christ is the fulfillment that goes well beyond the law and all the 613 mandates and allows us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so as to PROVE that which is His good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. (see Romans 12:2b).

One can view it this way: The 10 Commandments is a curse to those who abide not in Christ, and yet it is a blessing for those who abide in Christ... because He was and is the fulfillment of the Law.