Objectives
- To understand how to derive themes through systematic biblical reflection.
- To learn how to apply the information in this chapter to help analyze pastoral issues.
Case Study 1
Cain built a city to protect himself and his descendants, naming it after his son, hoping it would safeguard his son and future generations. Among these descendants were many wise and mighty individuals, but their paranoia intensified. By Genesis chapter 6, Cain's lineage had perished, and only Noah, who walked with God, survived—a descendant of Seth.
The Bible records many similar contrasts. Let us continue:
Lot, to protect two angels, was willing to sacrifice his daughters. Yet, the locals had no respect for Lot. A plain translation of what the Sodomites said to Lot in Genesis 19:9 would be: Get out of the way! Just because you're a foreigner living among us doesn't mean you can tell us what to do. We showed you respect because of your money, but if you continue to interfere today, we will treat you worse than anyone else. Get lost!” Ultimately, the wealth Lot accumulated in Sodom was destroyed by fire. Sheltering in a cave, Lot's descendants became the Moabites and Ammonites, a cursed people. Abraham, however, was different. Wherever Abraham went, he was honored as a mighty prince among the local people. Even Pharaoh revered Abraham, and Abimelech, the local strongman, made a covenant with him. He enjoyed honor in his lifetime, and we, Abraham's descendants, are blessed through him to this day.
Such examples abound: Jacob and Esau, Saul and David. These two types of people exist even today.
Discussion Questions
We can divide these individuals into two categories: Cain, Lot, Esau, and Saul in one group; Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David in another. Cain offered sacrifices, Lot even offered his daughters to protect the angels, Esau grew up hearing his father tell stories of God, and Saul was God's chosen king. These people were not entirely ignorant of God; some even paid a price for Him. Why, then, did their endings differ so greatly from those of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David? What is the biggest difference between these two types of people?
Genesis chapter 6 states that the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. What kind of thought, in your opinion, constitutes only evil continually? How does the devil use such thoughts to affect God's plan of redemption?
Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David were all blameless men who walked with God. In terms of behavior, some had flaws in their lives. Why were they considered blameless in God's eyes? Combining this chapter with the entire Bible, what characteristics define a blameless person and someone who walks with God? Answer these questions in light of God's plan of redemption.
Summary of Case Study 1
The biggest difference between these two types of people is their purpose in life. One type believes in God but ultimately lives for themselves, leading to destruction. The other lives for God, and such people are often blessed and protected by Him.
Evil thoughts are essentially a worldly system of logic, what we call here the culture and logic of the strong. The culture and logic of the strong is centered on protecting one's own interests. People will fight each other for their own sake, and by eliminating the lineage of Jesus, they would prevent God's plan of redemption.
Blameless people and those who walk with God are those who fulfill God's plan of redemption. Although they may have behavioral flaws, their purpose in life is to live to accomplish God's plan, making them people protected by God.
Case Study 2
The following is a discourse from Sister Xiaowei regarding her mother, who is not a believer:
My mother is a very strong-willed woman. She is efficient at work and very good at interpersonal relationships, a complete career woman. Because my maternal grandparents passed away early, my mother, as the eldest daughter in the family, has always held a high position of authority. My mother is an excellent leader at work and also plays a leading role in the family. She always wants to control everything around her – people, matters, and things. If anything does not develop in the direction she plans or hopes for, she never gives up. All the conflicts in the family are mediated by my mother, without exception. At work, my mother was almost imprisoned due to being framed by others because of interests. She used her interpersonal relationships and wisdom to fight wits and courage with the other party, and finally escaped unscathed. In my opinion, my mother is a very successful person. My mother often boasts about her intelligence and ability, saying, I have relied on myself all my life, and there is nothing I cannot do well. Because I am capable!
In the second year of my work, my mother fell ill. The illness came very suddenly. She underwent surgery and was quickly diagnosed with endometrial cancer. When I learned of my mother's condition, I felt like the sky was falling. The hospital arranged for my mother to undergo chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and I took leave to accompany my mother for treatment. My mother put down all her work. She is the kind of person who values work and interpersonal relationships very much but now has to let go of everything. The treatment was painful and difficult. My mother quickly changed. The fashionable, beautiful, and triumphant appearance of the past was gone. She could only lie weakly on the hospital bed in a hospital gown with disheveled hair. From then on, my mother's life underwent earth-shattering changes. The work that she could not let go of in the past was also let go of; friends around her avoided her because she was a patient and slowly began to alienate her; my mother no longer paid attention to dressing up, because without health, everything became unimportant.
The following is Sister Xiaogui's personal and true experience:
Xiaogui suffered from severe skin and gynecological diseases. When she came among us, her problems were solved because of our overnight prayer ministry. We encouraged Xiaogui to study the word of God well, practice her ability to heal and deliver, and also serve those in need like us. However, Xiaogui often responded that her work was very busy and there were many things to do. Moreover, Xiaogui believed that how could she glorify God if she did not do her work well? Therefore, Xiaogui often missed study time and had no way to put down her work to serve those in need. After a period of desperately working, Xiaogui not only did not see any positive improvement in her work but her skin diseases worsened.
Discussion Questions
What commonalities exist in the logic systems of Xiaowei's mother, who does not know God, and Xiaogui, who believes in the Lord?
Through the study of Chapter 6 and the previous Case Study 1, what differences do you think exist between Xiaowei's mother and Xiaogui in God's eyes?
Are there any Christians like Xiaogui around you? Please provide some examples.
If Xiaogui is the person you are pastoring, how would you prepare to teach Xiaogui?
Case Study 2 Summary
The logic systems of both reveal a worldly logic system centered on themselves.
In God's eyes, there is no difference between Xiaowei's mother, who does not believe in the Lord, and Xiaogui; both are living for themselves.
The erroneous concept of Xiaogui needs to be resolved, which is the concept of glorifying God. The true way to glorify God is to fulfill God's highest will in this era, which is to build God's glorious church.
A Christian must make building God's glorious church the highest priority.