But now let me get Radical

 

1 Timothy 2:8-15

Radical could be easily defined in our political environment, as anyone on the far left or right, we see them as extremist.  Those actions are far-reaching and in most cases, logic and the ability to reason are not obtainable for these extreme groups of people.  But these groups cannot hold a light to a man, woman, boy or girl, who is willing to be seen by their world as Radical, when it comes to 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”  I do not believe this needs more clarity, but you may have sat under a false pastor or teacher who implied that the Scriptures had error, listen to what the apostle Peter has to say on that subject, “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation.  For prophecy never had it’s origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

So what does that have to do with 1 Timothy 2:8-15?  Everything, and I’m not addressing the unbeliever or even the pew sitter on Sunday morning, but the seeker of truth, those who dream of being mighty in the kingdom of God, but when confronted with opposition to the Scriptures would prefer to be seen as moderate, to be liked, or in the case of many who pastor a local church, to keep their jobs or place in the community.   But thank God that we have had men who were willing to be seen as; “The Radical Reformation was a 16th century response to what was believed to be both the corruption in the Roman Catholic Church  and the expanding Magisterial Protestant movement led by Martin Luther and by many others. Beginning in Germany and Switzerland, the Radical Reformation birthed many radical Protestant groups throughout Europe.”  These men like Luther, became Radical when “Truth” came in contact with religion and the culture. 

All of my hero’s are men who are standing on the authority of Scriptures against the forces of darkness, against evil found in the heart of men and women, one such man is Dr. James Dobson.  He is a very Radical man when it comes to what God has spoken in the Bible about marriage and the family.  So that brings me back to 1 Timothy 2:8-15, God has spoken that men should pray and seek unity with others of the faith, but never unity at the cost of truth.  That men should always use truth in love, and the truth is that God desires men who will honor, obey, and teach and preach with authority the truth, that all men at best are liars, but God is true. 

The apostle Paul gives some very clear instruction to the women in the church, on how to dress, and what is proper for women who profess godliness – with good works.  Now let me be quick to say that my observation is that either this has not been taught or it has been totally ignored by a vast number of the ladies in the church.  I could be descriptive of my observations, but it would do little or no good.   In my lifetime, I’ve only heard one pastor address this subject, and he was talking to mothers about their teenage daughters.

But now let me get Radical, I believe that these Scriptures listed above are as true today in our culture as they were in the time of Paul.  Verse 12 is one of those quiet verses in Scripture, and if it is not true, then you must also get rid of all that goes against the grain of our modern culture.  Verse 12, “I do not permit a women to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.”  Now that is Radical, but is it breathed by God?  Be very careful, I was not looking for your opinion, that verse is as breathed by God as John 3:16, and I am willing to stand with a big God, who has at no time or place felt the need to defend His written word.  He says when asked, I Am, who I Am.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice