MEDITATION

Introduction

The final topic in this series on Spiritual Disciplines is meditation. Though the scripture does not tell us precisely how to meditate, it certainly does support the importance of this spiritual discipline.

A. Psalm 1:1-3

What three things does a blessed man avoid according to this passage? What three things does a blessed man embrace according to this passage? What is the result of such a lifestyle?

B. Psalm 19:7-14

What are the characteristics of God's Word described in this passage? What are the benefits of God's Word mentioned in this passage? What does the scripture mean by the "meditation of myheart"?

C. Psalm 119:9-16

What is the primary issue raised in this passage of scripture? What is the answer to the question? What five things does the Psalmist do in order to live according to God's Word?

Note : There is a radical difference between Christian mediation and Eastern meditation (meditative techniques based upon Eastern religion and Eastern mysticism). In Eastern meditation the desire is to empty one's mind. In Christian meditation the desire is to fill one's mind. Our goal is not to rid our minds of all thought, but to transform our thoughts into the mind of Christ (Rm. 12:1-2). It is important to understand the dangers involved in any form of mind altering techniques which seek to alter our state of consciousness, such as Transcendental Meditation (TM), yoga, or hypnosis. Demonic forces my well take advantage of such "empty" minds and fill them with things which are not of God. Regardless of one's personal meditative technique, the key to Christian

meditation is the Word of God.

1. The Formation of the Word

a.) The Content of Scripture - the bible covers the beginning to the end, Genesis to Revelation, the creation of the world to its recreation. It contains two major divisions, the Old Testament and the New Testament (look at the table of contents). The word testament means witness or testimony. The Old Testament is the written testimony of God's revelation to His chosen people the Jews. It includes 39 separate books beginning with the creation (Genesis) and concluding some 400 years before the birth of Jesus (Malachi). The 39 books of the Old Testament are oftendivided into several classes:

The Pentateuch (the first five books) containing the Law.

The Historical Books, such as Judges, Kings and Chronicles.

The Books of Wisdom, including the Psalms, Proverbs, etc.

The Prophetic Books, both the major and minor prophets.

The Old Testament is still the sacred bible of the Jewish people. However, the Jews do notrecognize the New Testament to be part of God's revelation.

The New Testament is the written testimony of God's revelation to His people the Church. It includes 27 separate books beginning with the birth of Jesus and concluding with the recreationof the world. The 27 books of the New Testament are often divided into several classes:

The Gospels - the word means "Good News", referring to the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Son of the God. Thus the 4 Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke John, cover the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth.

The Historical Book of Acts which begins after the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and traces the move of the Holy Spirit in the life of the early Christian Church.

The Epistles or Letters, such as Romans, Corinthians, etc.

And the Book of Revelation, which is the written record of a vision given to the Apostle John concerning the events of the last days.

2. The Canon of Scripture

Canon simply means list. It is the official list of books included by the Church in the Christian bible. There were other books written during the early centuries of the Church which were determined not to be God's Word and therefore excluded from the bible. Such writings are often called the "pseudepigrapha" or false writings.

In addition to these false writings, there are other books of questionable uthenticity. These 11 books are called the Apocrypha. They were never included in the original Hebrew Old Testament, but were added to the Greek translation of the Old Testament around 300 BC. Current Judaism does not regard them as canonical nor does Protestantism. Roman Catholicism does, however, which explains why catholic bibles have additional books in them. Anglicanism does not include them in the official canon of scripture, but does read them as profitable for instruction.

3. The Translation of Scripture

The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic, both Semitic/Middle Eastern Languages. The New Testament was originally written in Greek, a Mediterranean language.

The first translation of the bible was into Latin around AD 350. This translation is referred to as the Vulgate. The first English translation of the bible was the Tyndale bible published in AD 1536. The Authorized Version of the Bible, otherwise known as the King James Version, (not because he wrote it, but because he authorized it) was published in AD 1611. Today there are multiple translations of the bible available in English. There are also paraphrases available, such as the Living Bible, which are not strictly translations. In selecting a translation, be careful to avoid any bible in which the translators attempt to incorporate "inclusive" language or "gender neutral" language for God. The New Revised Standard Version is an example of such a translation. The thought behind such translations is to eliminate our understanding of God as Father, to reflect a more acceptable image of God to the "modern" man.

D. The Inspiration of the Word - 2 Tim. 3:l6-17

Note: God breathed = God inspired = God anointed. Men wrote the words, but God authored the book through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Because of this we believe the bible to be inerrant, i.e. without mistakes. When, therefore, contradictions appear to occur in the bible, it is either the result of faulty translation, transmission, or interpretation.

How much of the bible is inspired by God? What four specific purposes does the bible have in the life of the believer? What is the consequence of using scripture appropriately?

E. The Study of the Word - 3 principles:

1. Use scripture to interpret scripture.

2. The interpretation of one passage cannot contradict the clear meaning of another passage. If it does something is amiss in our understanding, not the passage.

3. Unless clearly indicated otherwise, the plain sense meaning of the scripture is the common sense meaning of the scripture.

Conclusion: Though meditation includes the study of God's Word, i.e. learning, it goes beyond simple "head knowledge". We are not interested only in information, but transformation. Meditation also includes the contemplating the truth we have learned and applying that truth to our own personal lives. This is what produces the fruit of a changed life. A life which brings us blessing and brings God glory.