Mark 16

On April 23rd, in Auburn, AL, I saw in the church bulletin that the pastor was preaching from Mark 16:15-20. I knew right away that it would be interesting because most modern translations identify the passage as not being found in the earliest manuscripts. Not only that, the passage describes some sensational and debated signs that would be associated with disciples of Christ. It was indeed the best sermons (maybe the only one) I've heard on the passage, and this is my recollection.

First, these are some of his arguments for the inclusion of Mark:16:9-20.
1. Ending the book with verse 8 would be very odd.
2. Many good, early translations do have the text.
3. The text corresponds with and does not contradict any other established parts of scripture.

On the last point, there is usually some degree of uncomfort. Is it true that disciples of Christ really cast out demons, speak in other tongues, heal sick, safely pick up snakes, and safely drink poison? Throughout Acts, we see clear evidence for 4 of the 5 signs:
1. Casting out demons (Acts 8)
2. Speaking in tongues (Acts 2)
3. Healing the sick (Acts 8)
4. Picking up snakes (Acts 26)

What about drinking poison? Apparently Eusibius records an incident where Justus (the alternate apostle for Mathias) was given poison and suffered no ill effects. The pastor also gave an account of a missionary in Columbia (South America) who stopped on his travels for a drink. What he was given looked like water, but actually contained potent rat poison. The owner did not like the missionary for some reason, but when she saw that he did not die, she was taken by surprise and recognized that there was something different about these men.

Of course, the pastor qualified this all very clearly: Nowhere in the passage does it say that Christ's followers will intentionally handle snakes or drink poison (i.e. in a Church service) and miraculously survive. These are signs to authenticate the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Do Christians survive evey snake bite or poisonous drink? Of course, not. Yet, in some cases God works these miracles to further his gospel.

I haven't heard any arguments against the inclusion of Mark 16:9-20, but after this sermon, I think it harmonizes with any undisputed passage in the Bible.

Intelligent Design

I recently had the unexpected chance to see behind the scenes of a major airline's maintenance operations. A couple of observations:

1) The logistics required to run an airline must be incredible. I can only imagine the complexity in organizing people, parts, food, tickets, fuel, money, marketing, paperwork, terminals, the list goes on.

2) In an aircraft, the maze of tightly wound electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic connections is amazing. Seeing a plane up close, even a small one, gives one a great appreciation for the design skill needed to build and maintain aircraft.

I have often heard and used the illustration of comparing the complexity of an aircraft to biological life and then drawing the conclusion that since the aircraft was designed, life must have been also. This analogy is even stronger than I thought.

Also, I have wondered how mechanics go about fixing landing gear on a large airplane. Now I know...Just get a really strong guy to pick up the plane by the nose (Remember to lift with your legs, not your back).

Actually, with few very big jacks (The yellow things under the wings) hooked up to the jacking points, a 175,000 pound 767 goes up without a fight.

An Unexpected List

After playing poker for sometime now, I have noticed that the game develops many character traits which I didn't expect. A good poker player is someone who:

• Is very patient (not looking for a quick buck)
  
• Does not make impulsive decisions
  
• Understands probabilities (Math)
  
• Is self-disciplined (follows self-imposed rules)
  
• Learns from mistakes
  
• Cuts losses quickly
  
• Reasons logically and deductively
  
• Thinks long-term
  
• Observes and remembers well
  
• Is calm under pressure
  

Basically, poker, if taken seriously, can develop wise decision making skills.

Head Covering

I've noticed that men, if they are wearing a hat, usually take it off when praying. In some cases they will enforce this rule on other men if they don't follow suit.
At this point in time, it appears to be a tradition that has been passed down over the years, but I wonder if the original reason was theological. 1 Corinthians 11 has a possible explanation:

4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.

The flip side, for women is:

5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as though her head were shaved.

Men seem to enforce their side of this instruction, but I can't recall any American man or woman asking another woman to cover her head. This makes me think that the men who remove their hats, do so for cultural reasons rather than theological.

I was Called to Write This

I've often heard other Christians say that they have been "called" to a certain ministry or that "they were led by God" to make a certain decision. Those who use this type of language appear to have a very close relationship with God because they are really "listening" to God speak to them. I have even been told that I should not join a ministry that I have not been "called" to do. In some situations I have even felt embarrased that I could not honestly use this language to describe my own experience.

When most Christians use the word "calling" or "leading," they usually mean that they have concluded something about God's will from one or more of the following experiences:
- Related Events/Circumstances
- Peaceful or Uneasy Feelings
- Input or Advice from others

While this language comes off as very pious, I see little (if any) evidence in the Bible that God works in this way. To discern God's will, the Bible never instructs Christians to decipher "open/closed doors" or interpret special feelings. This is superstitious hocus pocus.

In the Bible, almost without exception, when God had a special message for someone or wanted to "lead" a person in a certain direction, He intervened supernaturally. Some of these supernatural vehicles include audible voices (Samuel), Dreams/Visions (Paul/Peter), Angels (Abraham), Miracles (Gideon), or prophets.

The supernatual cases are rare - they are not the norm for all Christians. In most cases, men (or women) use wise decision-making skills including:
- Obedience to God
- Logic and Reason
- Seeking Counsel

Greg Koukl made this same point on his weekly radio show (2/26). For instance, he says, the longest passage on marriage in the Bible (1 Cor 7) says a lot of things about making the decision on how to marry, but never says to ask God who to marry. For such a major decision, God gives us guidelines but ulimately wants us to decide. Some may ask how do we know if we are in God's plan? Forget about God. God works in his soverignty behind a curtain. He will acheive his plans, and where necessary, he will supernatually intervene.

Does God actually "call" all Christians into making specific decisions in their life? No, not all. When God does call some, it is unmistakable and usually supernatural.