Discerning Truth: Navigating Faith Amidst History and Myth

 

Summary

Reflecting on our recent journey through Ephesus and the rich tapestry of history and myth that we encountered, I am reminded of the importance of discerning truth from fiction in our faith journey. Walking the same streets as Paul, John, and possibly the Virgin Mary, we are confronted with the tangible reality of history. Yet, as we explore these ancient sites, we also encounter myths that have woven themselves into the fabric of religious tradition. This duality is not new; it was present even in the early church, as Paul addressed in his letters to Timothy, urging believers to avoid "irreverent, silly myths" and instead train themselves for godliness.

The Greek Orthodox Church, with its rich traditions and rituals, serves as a poignant example of how history and mythology can intertwine. While it shares similarities with Roman Catholicism, such as a structured liturgy and a hierarchical leadership, it diverges in its emphasis on icons over statues and its mystical approach to theology. This evolution over centuries has led to practices that, while deeply meaningful to many, can sometimes stray from the core truths of the New Testament.

Paul's letters remind us that the church is to be a "pillar and buttress of the truth." This truth is not found in myths or traditions that deviate from the gospel but in the historical reality of Jesus Christ—His incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection. The gospel is for sinners, not for those who have already achieved some form of spiritual perfection. It is a message of grace that overflows, as Paul himself experienced, transforming lives through the power of Christ's love.

As we navigate the complexities of faith, we must hold fast to the truth of Scripture, allowing it to guide us toward genuine godliness. This truth, rooted in history, is what sets us apart and empowers us to make a difference in the world. Let us be vigilant in our commitment to the truth, recognizing that only through it can we be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Discerning Truth from Myth: In our faith journey, it is crucial to distinguish between historical truth and myth. The early church faced similar challenges, as Paul warned against "irreverent, silly myths" that distract from godliness. Our commitment must be to the truth of Scripture, which alone can transform us. [03:17]

2. The Role of Tradition: The Greek Orthodox Church illustrates how tradition can evolve over centuries, sometimes blending history with mythology. While these traditions hold deep meaning for many, they must be examined in light of the New Testament to ensure they align with biblical truth. [13:26]

3. The Gospel for Sinners: The gospel is not for the spiritually elite but for sinners in need of grace. Paul's own transformation is a testament to the overflowing grace of God, which is available to all who repent and believe. This message of grace is central to our faith and must be shared with all, regardless of their past. [32:05]

4. The Importance of Faithful Teaching: Faithful teachers are essential for guiding believers in truth. They remind us that the law and the gospel are for sinners, not for those who believe they have already attained spiritual strength. True teaching leads to transformation and godliness. [30:57]

5. The Transformative Power of Truth: Only the truth of Scripture can lead to genuine godliness. Myths and traditions, no matter how pious, cannot transform lives. Our focus must be on the historical reality of Jesus Christ and His work, which empowers us to live as His followers in the world. [38:13]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Walking the Streets of Ephesus
- [01:04] - Reflecting on History and Myth
- [02:14] - Paul's Letters to Timothy
- [03:17] - Avoiding Irreverent Myths
- [04:36] - Layers of History and Myth
- [07:15] - Introduction to Greek Orthodoxy
- [08:02] - Greek Orthodoxy vs. Roman Catholicism
- [10:02] - Distinctive Practices of Greek Orthodoxy
- [13:26] - Evolution of Eastern Orthodoxy
- [15:30] - The Church as a Recreation of the Temple
- [20:09] - Mythology vs. Biblical Religion
- [24:10] - The Church as a Pillar of Truth
- [30:57] - The Role of Faithful Teachers
- [38:13] - The Transformative Power of Truth

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. 1 Timothy 4:7 - "Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness."
2. 1 Timothy 1:3-5 - "As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith."
3. 1 Timothy 1:15 - "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul instruct Timothy to avoid in 1 Timothy 4:7, and what should he focus on instead? [03:17]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between history and myth in the context of the Greek Orthodox Church? [07:00]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the church being a "pillar and buttress of the truth"? [24:48]
4. What examples of myths versus historical facts were mentioned in the sermon regarding religious sites? [05:48]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the distinction between myth and historical truth impact a believer's faith journey, according to the sermon? [25:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that traditions can evolve over time, and how should they be evaluated against biblical truth? [13:26]
3. How does Paul's personal testimony in 1 Timothy 1:15 serve as an example of the gospel's power for sinners? [32:05]
4. What role do faithful teachers play in guiding believers towards truth and godliness, as discussed in the sermon? [30:57]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a myth or tradition that conflicted with biblical truth. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [25:06]
2. How can you ensure that your faith practices are rooted in the truth of Scripture rather than in myths or evolving traditions? [20:09]
3. Consider Paul's transformation from a persecutor to a proclaimer of the gospel. How does this encourage you in your own journey of faith and repentance? [32:05]
4. Identify a tradition within your church or personal faith practice. How can you evaluate its alignment with New Testament teachings? [13:26]
5. How can you support and encourage faithful teaching within your church community to ensure that the focus remains on the truth of the gospel? [30:57]
6. What steps can you take to train yourself for godliness, as Paul advises Timothy, in your daily life? [03:17]
7. How can you share the message of grace with someone who feels unworthy of it, based on Paul's example of being the "foremost" sinner? [32:05]

Devotional

Day 1: Discerning Truth from Fiction
In our faith journey, it is crucial to distinguish between historical truth and myth. The early church faced similar challenges, as Paul warned against "irreverent, silly myths" that distract from godliness. Our commitment must be to the truth of Scripture, which alone can transform us. As we walk through life, we encounter various narratives and traditions that may seem appealing but can lead us away from the core message of the gospel. By grounding ourselves in the truth of Scripture, we can navigate these complexities and remain steadfast in our faith. [03:17]

"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)

Reflection: What myths or narratives in your life might be distracting you from the truth of Scripture? How can you refocus on God's Word today?


Day 2: Tradition and Truth
The Greek Orthodox Church illustrates how tradition can evolve over centuries, sometimes blending history with mythology. While these traditions hold deep meaning for many, they must be examined in light of the New Testament to ensure they align with biblical truth. Traditions can enrich our faith, but they should never overshadow the foundational truths of the gospel. By evaluating our traditions through the lens of Scripture, we can ensure that they enhance rather than hinder our spiritual growth. [13:26]

"Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that." (Mark 7:13, ESV)

Reflection: Are there any traditions in your life that might be overshadowing the core truths of the gospel? How can you align them more closely with Scripture?


Day 3: The Gospel for All
The gospel is not for the spiritually elite but for sinners in need of grace. Paul's own transformation is a testament to the overflowing grace of God, which is available to all who repent and believe. This message of grace is central to our faith and must be shared with all, regardless of their past. The gospel's power lies in its ability to transform lives, offering hope and redemption to everyone who embraces it. [32:05]

"For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the message of grace today? How can you share the gospel with them in a loving and compassionate way?


Day 4: The Role of Faithful Teaching
Faithful teachers are essential for guiding believers in truth. They remind us that the law and the gospel are for sinners, not for those who believe they have already attained spiritual strength. True teaching leads to transformation and godliness. By seeking out and listening to faithful teachers, we can grow in our understanding of Scripture and be equipped to live out our faith in meaningful ways. [30:57]

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles." (Proverbs 1:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the faithful teachers in your life that guide you in truth? How can you support and learn from them more effectively?


Day 5: The Transformative Power of Truth
Only the truth of Scripture can lead to genuine godliness. Myths and traditions, no matter how pious, cannot transform lives. Our focus must be on the historical reality of Jesus Christ and His work, which empowers us to live as His followers in the world. By embracing the truth of the gospel, we can experience true transformation and be empowered to make a difference in the world around us. [38:13]

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." (John 17:17, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need the transformative power of God's truth? How can you invite His Word to bring about change in those areas today?

Quotes



Have nothing to do with irreverent silly myths train yourself for godliness have nothing to do with irreverent silly myths rather train yourself for godliness the word myth is used a number of times in the Epistles of the New Testament and every time they are used to describe the word is used to describe silly stories. [00:03:03]

And so we have to look at history and and try to separate the myth from the history and that brings us right away to the Greek Orthodox Church which has both a history and a mythology this is really reaching but it's the best I can do now I don't know have how many of you have actually been in a Greek Orthodox church. [00:06:56]

Eastern Orthodoxy has really evolved and changed over the centuries CES and this is important because like Rome Eastern Orthodoxy tends to want to say today we are exactly the same as we were in the days of the Apostles we are Apostolic Christianity and we hold to the tradition of the Apostles which means nothing has changed and that's not history that's a myth. [00:13:02]

What it represents is an evolution over centuries where the church has become far removed from New Testament teaching we don't find anything about an altar in Christian churches do we a physical altar in Christian churches in the Bible we don't find anything about a distinct priesthood separate from the people in the New Testament we don't find anything about icons to be greeted and served and honored. [00:19:32]

Paul here in 2 Ephesians uh chapter 3 uh verse 15 um describes the Church of the Living God as a pillar and buttress of the truth and and that needs to be our commitment doesn't it uh we are people who stand for what is true for what actually happened in history and we have no sense that a mythology however Pious can can Aid us can help us. [00:24:41]

The faithful teacher teaches you the truth that the gospel is for Sinners and that's why Paul says I'm the chief of Sinners sometimes people have debated what does Paul really mean by that does he mean he's the worst sinner in the whole history of the world what he means is I am as good an example of the kind of person For Whom The Gospel is meant as it is possible to conceive. [00:31:57]

The grace of God overwhelmed him the grace of God poured over and out of him because the gospel is for Sinners and and Paul says God displayed his perfect patience in me and and what Paul's really saying is don't don't listen to those teachers who are telling you how you're going to get better and then the law will make you strong and then the gospel will be for you because you're strong. [00:33:11]

The gospel is for Sinners and it comes to any sinner who will listen and repent and believe believe there is no sin too vile that Jesus blood cannot forgive it and I think my wife would say I'm about to stop lecturing and start preaching but I think for all of our concern as Christians about political social issues and I think we ought to be concerned we ought to be involved. [00:33:51]

We have to be clear about that element of the Gospel the gospel is for the very worst Sinners who will recognize their sin and find their hope in Jesus Christ alone that's what Paul is saying here it's it's a a glorious declaration here of the the depth of the love of Jesus Christ and the power of his blood don't follow false teachers Paul is saying who teach you a lie follow true teachers who teach you the truth. [00:35:15]

No Pious fraud will ever promote godliness only the truth promotes godliness truth is transforming it renews your mind and then it renews your life and and that's what Paul is after here that we might be a genuinely godly people doesn't do any good to get down on your knees and stick your hand in a hole and kiss an icon and light a candle and then go out and hate your neighbor. [00:38:10]

Biblical religion is summed up as history listen to how Paul sums it up in chapter 3 at verse 16 great indeed we confess is the mystery of godliness he was manifested in the flesh Vindicated by the spirit seen by Angels proclaimed among the Nations believed on in the world taken up in glory there's a wonderful summary of the history of our faith Jesus coming in the flesh Jesus raised from the dead. [00:40:51]

We are so thankful that we are not dependent on the traditions of men on their frail memories or upon their schemes or upon their devices but we are so thank ful that you have given us a book that is altogether true because it records the history of your dealing with your people it records for us your holy will both your law and your gospel and we are so thankful that that book points us to Jesus Christ. [00:44:02]

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Transcript
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