Oh that you were like a brother to me who nursed at my mother's breasts! If I found you outside, I would kiss you, and none would despise me. I would lead you and bring you into the house of my mother-- she who used to teach me. I would give you spiced wine to drink, the juice of my pomegranate. His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me! I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. Who is that coming up from the wilderness, leaning on her beloved? Under the apple tree I awakened you. There your mother was in labor with you; there she who bore you was in labor. Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.Song of Solomon 8:1-7
photo credit: Lawrence OP
3 comments:
Inspiring!
My impression is that "Church Growth" congregations rarely study the old testament. "Dude! I'm a new testament Christian!" How true is this assertion?
I often wonder how much of the old testament is taught in LCMS Ablaze! churches versus old testament content in traditional LCMS churches.
I don't know if there's a difference in O.T. study between CG churches and traditional churches, but it's been my observation that there's plenty of Christians that shy away from the O.T., which eliminates half of the "story."
What I have heard about the Old Testament:
It is just a "bunch of stories" about the ancient nation of Israel.
There is no gospel in the OT, only law.
The gospel, which Jesus brought us, is found only in the New Testament.
Jesus came to fulfill the law, so we are now released from old testament legalisms in favor of grace.
By the way, nothing bothers me more than to hear a non-denominational or Calvinist pastor assert that confessional Lutheranism is plagued by legalism......
Post a Comment