The Book of Life (incomplete)

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In continuation of my January thread, I would like to look at the phrase "book of life". Here are all the verses containing the phrase "book of life".

Ps 69:28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. NIV

Phil 4:3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. NIV

Rev 3:55 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life , but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.NIV

Rev 13:8 All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast — all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world. NIV

Rev 17:8 ...The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come. NIV

Rev 20:12 ...Another book was opened, which is the book of life... NIV

Rev 20:15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life , he was thrown into the lake of fire. NIV

Rev 21:27 Nothing impure will ever enter [the New Jerusalem], nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. NIV

Here are some other verses with similar phrasing:

Luke 10:20 "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." NIV

Dan 12:1-2 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people — everyone whose name is found written in the book — will be delivered. 2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. NIV

Who are those whose names are written in the book of life? The scriptures don't really tell us, but they do give us examples: "the righteous", Psalms, "these women...Clement...[Paul's] fellow workers", Philippians; "he who overcomes", Rev; those who are not doers of "what is shameful or deceitful", Rev; the apostles, Luke; and Daniel's people, Daniel.

(to be continued)

The Book of Life and the Books

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In Revelation we read:

11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life . The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life , he was thrown into the lake of fire. Rev 20:11-15 NIV

This is a very interesting passage because there appear to be judgments taking place with two different standards being applied. In verse 12, "books were opened," and then, "Another book was opened, which is the book of life." The "books" and the "book of life" are different, and are used differently. The books are used to judge everyone by what they do. This passage does not say what the consequence of that judgment will be.

The book of life is also used to judge people, but the standard is different. The only thing in the book of life are names. If one's name is not in the book, they are thrown into the lake of fire. Presumably those whose names are in the book of life remain to participate in the new heaven and the new earth which are described in chapter 21 which follows immediately.

Totally Forgiven vs Behavior Matters - Part 2

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This is a continuation of "Totally Forgiven" And "Behavior Matters" Part 1 posted on 1/14/2007.

Both position holders--the Grace Group and the Behavior Bunch have similar weaknesses in their respective positions.

1. They both disregard verses that they don't like, forgetting that the Holy Spirit inspired the whole Bible.
   
2. They both tend to be self centered. They focus on how "I" can get to Heaven.
3. Both positions are both law oriented rather than God oriented. Both are interested in figuring out the theological system rather than relating to God.

The approach that I am trying to follow in my life is like this:

1. God loves me and has claimed me as His son. He has an eternal commitment to me.
   
2. Jesus paid for all my sins.
3. I still sin by harming God's other children and by messing up God's creation and plans. We have to deal with that.
4. Since God loves me, I am trying to love Him and live a life pleasing to Him.
5. God, being infinite, is quite complicated, and His Word is quite complicated. However, the more I get to know God, the better I understand His Word. I don't have to understand it all in order for Him to do the right thing.

Totally Forgiven vs Behavior Matters - Part 1

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Christians tend to fall into one of two groups--the Grace Group and the Behavior Bunch. Both groups have their favorite Scriptures which they use to to define their position.

The Grace Group likes verses like:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3.16 WEB

...for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast Eph 2.8-9 WEB

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; Rom 3:21-22 NASB

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Rom 8.1 NIV

The tendency of those in the Grace Group is to conclude: God is merciful, and Jesus has completely paid for all my sins, both past and future, thus there are no consequences for my behavior.

The Behavior Bunch likes verses like:

You see then that by works, a man is justified, and not only by faith. James 2.24 WEB

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Rom 2:8-11 NIV

For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done Matt 16:27 NIV

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph 5:5 NIV

The tendency of those in the Behavior Bunch is to conclude: God is just, and Jesus is my judge, thus I need to learn all the laws in the NT and obey them, or else I will go to Hell.

Introduction

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The purpose of this blog is to share with you my wrestling with Scripture, the Word of God. At the beginning I will focus on tensions in the revealed Word between apparent opposites or contradictions in the Word, and my take on these subjects. Comments from readers are always welcome. This will give you an opportunity to get glimpse of what I think about and consider important.

For the time being I am only publicizing this address to my immediate family. But this is a website and any can look in if they can find it.

I tend to be a slow writer. Be patient with me. I may have an idea, and start to write on it, but take several weeks to say what I intend to say.

God bless you.