I Chronicles 23
David anointed Solomon king verse 1
So when David was old and full of days
he made Solomon his son king over Israel
David sets responsibilities of Levites verse 2- 6
And he gathered together all the princes of Israel
with the priests and the Levites
now the Levites were numbered from
the age of thirty years and upward
and their number by their polls – man by man
was thirty and eight thousand
Of which twenty and four thousand were to set
forward the work of the house of the LORD
and six thousand were officers and judges
moreover four thousand were porters
and four thousand praised the LORD with the
instruments which I made
said David – to praise therewith
And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi
Namely Gershon – Kohath – Merari
Gershonite family of Levites verse 7- 11
Of the Gershonites were Laadan – Shimei – the sons of Laadan
the chief was Jehiel – Zetham – Joel = three
the sons of Shimei were – Shelomith – Haziel – Jaran = three
These were the chief of the fathers of Laadan
And the sons of Shimei were Jahath – Zina – Jeush – Beriah
these four were the sons of Shimei – and Jahath was the chief
and Zizah the second – but Jeush and Beriah had not many sons
therefore they were in one reckoning
according to their father’s house
Kohathite family of Levites verse 12- 20
The sons of Kohath = Amram – Izhar – Hebron – Uzziel – four
the sons of Amram = Aaron and Moses
And Aaron was separated that he should sanctify the most
holy things – he and his sons for ever
to burn incense before the LORD
to minister to HIM
to bless in HIS name for ever
Now concerning Moses the man of God
his sons were named of the tribe of Levi
the sons of Moses were = Gershom – Eliezer
of the sons of Gershom = Shebuel was the chief
and the sons of Eliezer were = Rehabiah the chief
And Eliezer had none other sons – but the sons of Rehabiah were very many
of the sons of Izhar = Shelomith the chief
of the sons of Hebron = Jeriah the first – Amariah the second
Jahaziel the third – Jekameam the fourth
of the sons of Uzziel = Micah the first
Jesiah the second
Merarite family of Levites verse 21- 23
The sons of Merari = Mahli – Mushi
the sons of Mahli = Eleazer – Kish
and Eleazar died – and had no sons but daughters
and their brethren the sons of Kish took them
the sons of Mushi = Mahli – Eder – Jeremoth – three
All Levites twenty years had to register to serve verse 24- 26
These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers
even chief of the fathers – as they were counted by number of names
by their polls – that did the work for the service of the
House of the LORD
from the age of twenty years and upward
For David said
The LORD God of Israel has given rest to HIS people
that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever
and also unto the Levites
they shall no more carry the tabernacle
nor any vessels of it for the service thereof
Responsibilities of Levites listed verse 27- 31
For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered
from twenty years old and above
because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the
service of the house of the LORD – in the
courts – chambers – purifying of all holy things
and the work of the service of the
house of God
both for the showbread – fine flour for meat offering – unleavened cakes for that which is baked in the pan for that which is fried for all manner of measure and size
and to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD
and likewise at even
and to offer all burnt sacrifices unto the LORD in the
Sabbaths – new moons – and on the set feasts – by number
according to the order commanded to them
continually before the LORD
Levites were supervised by the priests verse 32
And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation
and the charge of the holy place
and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren
in the service of the house of the LORD
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 Moreover four thousand were porters; and four thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith. (1984 “praised” [halal] means to boast, to admire, eulogize, to exclaim Halleluiah, to extol the greatness of a deity or the deity’s works as an act of worship)
DEVOTION: David wanted to make sure that everyone was in their proper place to cause the worship of the LORD to be done right. He didn’t want the Temple to have individuals who didn’t know what their responsibilities were so that they could use their gifts and talents for the LORD properly and the people could worship the LORD properly.
These two groups of individuals were just as important as the ones who were offering the sacrifices on the altars. The gatekeepers were to keep the ones not prepared for worship or unclean individual out of the Temple. They had to protect the holiness of the place of worship. The musicians were very important to the worship of the LORD as well. David made it a point to make sure these two positions were filled.
Our gifts are important to the LORD. There are families in the church that have great musical ability that is passed down from generation to generation. This is important to local body of believers as long as this group allows new people in when the show that they have the gift of music.
There are many who think they have the gift but that is not always true and bad music can cause a worship service to not honor the LORD because it distracts from the flow of the service. We need to be sure that those who volunteer to sing can sing or play a musical instrument with skill.
Those who protect the holiness of the service need to make sure that they usher the right people into the church. There are individual who come to church to disrupt the service rather than to worship the LORD. The doors of the church need to be open to those who genuinely come to worship the LORD.
The worship service in every church should have individuals who are ready to serve with skill that honors the LORD and encourages the congregation to truly worship the LORD. There should be no distraction before or during the worshiping of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Remember there is a command to have all things done decently and in order in our worship of the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 13 The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons forever, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister to HIM, and to bless in HIS name forever. (914 “separated” [badal] means to withdraw, be excluded, singled out, to be selected and assigned for a specific purpose, to distinguish, or to withdraw)
DEVOTION: Here is a family that was chosen by the LORD to serve in the Tabernacle in the wilderness and in the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They were to have this responsibility forever. That is a long time for one family to serve the LORD.
It would be so much easier if all the ministers in all the churches were picked from one family. There would be no questions as to the minister pool today. This is not true because the LORD has changed the way we pick those who minister today. We pick those who are Spirit filled with the gift of Pastor/Teacher. This is a hard responsibility for the local church most of the time as there are men who think they are called to ministry when they are not gifted of the LORD for the position of pastor/teacher.
Aaron’s family were set apart to sanctify the most holy things. If the high priest from the family entered into the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement and was not right with the LORD he would die and have to be pulled out of the holy of holies by the rope that was tied on one of his legs. If his bells stopped ringing the other priests would know that he was dead.
What would happen today if a pastor came to the pulpit and he preached a sermon that was not honoring to the LORD and all of a sudden he would drop dead in front of the congregation? Do you think that would have an impact on the congregation and anyone who would enter the pulpit the next time?
Our churches need leaders who will give a blessing on a regular basis to the people. It is needed today as there is so much negative going on in our world that congregation need encouragement on a regular basis that they are serving a God who wants them to be encouraged to serve HIM.
CHALLENGE: Pastors are you blessing to your people on a regular basis with a blessing from the LORD?
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: 24 These were the sons of Levi after the house of their fathers; even the chief of the fathers, as they were counted by number of names by their polls, that did the work for the service of the house of the LORD, from the age of twenty years and upward. (5656 “service” [abodah] means work, enforced labor, service which is rendered, work done by one person or group that benefits another, or ministerial duties)
DEVOTION: Everyone in the nation of Israel had some responsibilities. Here we are talking about the tribe of Levi. This tribe was set apart for the service of the tabernacle of the LORD or the Temple.
They were divided by their families for special services to the LORD. Each family had their responsibility to the worship of the LORD. The sons of Aaron had the responsibilities of priest.
This was an awesome duty to go into the presence of the LORD. Once a year the high priest from the tribe of Levi would go into the Holy of Holies. If he was faithful he would not be killed but if he was unfaithful or unclean he would die.
Serving the LORD is what every believer must do from the time that they asked the LORD to be part of their life until they died. Not everyone was to be a priest but everyone had their responsibility to the LORD.
We have a responsibility to the LORD that has to happen each day as we witness for the LORD to those around us. We are the only representative that they see most of the time. There are more people who don’t know the LORD than those who do.
Some people claim to be followers of Christ but their witness is not faithful to the LORD. They are religious but not genuine believers. People need to see those who are genuine believers be faithful day in and day out.
In the Old Testament if a priest was unfaithful they could die in the performance of their duties. It was a sacred thing to worship the LORD and it need to be true now as well.
Are we serving the LORD faithfully each day? Are we asking the LORD for help each day for our witness to be a factor in the lives of those around us?
CHALLENGE: Many people see us – what do they see? Do they see Jesus?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 30 And to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD, and likewise at even (3034 “thank” [yadah] means extol, hold out the hand, to revere, worship, confess, or praise)
DEVOTION: One of the questions we need to ask is whether we are a people that confess our sins and praise the LORD for HIS forgiveness. Are we a people that extol the LORD for all of HIS blessings? Too often we want more. We sometimes are an ungrateful people. We think that the LORD is not giving us all that we deserve. The problem would be if HE did.
This chapter deals with the assignments of the priests and Levites in the temple. Each has their responsibility of service to the LORD. The one group is there just to praise the LORD. Part of praise is saying their appreciation for all that the LORD has done for Israel. The priests were to minister by worshiping and praising the LORD every morning and evening. This was done on special days, as well as, regular days. Each Sabbath there was singing.
We are called ministers in the New Testament and we should do the same. Our bodies are HIS temple today. Our temple needs to remember all the blessings we receive from HIM. When we realize all the blessings, we should manifest the joy of the LORD in our heart and all around us. People need to know that we are blessed of the LORD. Some days are not as blessed as others but we can still praise HIM. We should begin and end each day with worship and celebration for what the LORD has done in our lives that day. What has HE done for each of us today? Are we praising HIM?
The Hebrew word used here is derived from the word for hand. So part of our body is to be active when we worship HIM. We sometimes think that if we raise our hands in church that it means that we are part of one group of worshipers. So many Christians don’t raise their hands. I have a problem with raising my hands. This is a problem.
The LORD wants us to be totally involved in our times of worship. HE wants us to at least clap our hands when a song calls for it. HE wants us to be enthusiastic in our praise. I observe many people in the pews during the time of singing just standing there looking bored. There is no joy in their face. There is no enthusiasm in their singing. I personally make a joyful NOISE while I sing. My children will not stand next to me while I sing. That doesn’t stop me from singing praises to the LORD.
When those who are genuine believers inhabit heaven they will have to sing. It is sad but true. [I will sing on key throughout eternity.]We should be in the practice while we are here on earth. When people look at us during a worship service to they say to themselves – they are really happy to be here worshiping their LORD? Or do we cause them to wonder why we are here and look so uninvolved?
Our responsibility each Sunday is to not forsake the assembling of those who love the LORD. Our responsibility is to manifest joy in serving Jesus.
CHALLENGE: Our responsibility each Sunday is to encourage those around us to worship. If we are hindrance to worship – who is pleased?
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: 32 And that they should keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the holy place, and the charge of the sons of Aaron their brethren, in the service of the house of the LORD. (4931 “charge” [mishmereth] means function, obligation, service, watch, what is to be held in trust, duty, preserving, or custody)
DEVOTION: The tribe of Levi was to keep the tabernacle, holy place and their families in order. It was an awesome duty to make sure the worship services of the Temple were done decently and in order. There was a lot of instructions given by the LORD regarding the proper worship toward HIM. HE didn’t leave anything to chance. HE wanted HIS people to know what was expected of them and what was expected of their leadership.
The tribe of Levi was holy unto the LORD. They were supported by the LORD’S work. They were given property, so that, they had some place to live but were never given a territory to call their own. They were to live among the other tribes to give them spiritual counsel and maintain cities of refuge for those who accidently killed someone. They were the judges of the people.
So in this verse we find that David gave them instructions and obligations to keep regarding the spiritual welfare of the nation and their own families to keep the worship of the LORD genuine.
If the leadership was leading right the people would have examples to follow, so that, they could live the life the LORD wanted the nation to live.
This is true today as well. We need leaders who set the example for the rest of the congregation. Too often though we live in a Christian climate where everyone is looking for faults in others instead of making sure they are living properly for the LORD. The LORD ministers to everyone and was not looking for faults but teaching what was right. HE would go to people who were sinners and teach them how they should live. HE confronts those who liked to find faults in others with the fact that those who were without sin could cast the first stone. There is way too much stone throwing today by those who are self-righteous.
Our obligation is to make sure that we are following the instructions left by the LORD for proper worship and encouragement given to others to serve the LORD. It all starts with the example of leadership. That is what David tried to set up and we should do the same today.
CHALLENGE: If we are doing our proper duty we will be encouragers rather than discouragers. That is our service in the HOUSE OF THE LORD!!
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Priests verse 2
Levites verse 2
38,000
24,000 set forward the work
of the house of the LORD
6,000 were officers and judges
4,000 were porters
4,000 praised the LORD
Courses of the sons of Levi
Gershon – Kohath –Merari
Gershonites – list of names verses 7-11, 15- 20
Sons of Kohath – list of names verses 12
Aaron – sanctified the most holy things
Sons burnt incense
Minster to LORD
Moses
Man of God
Sons – Gershom & Eliezer
Sons of Merari & Mahli & Mushi verse 21- 24
Mahli sons – Eleazar and Kish
Mushi sons – Mahli, Eder, Jeremoth
Did he work for the service of the
house of the LORD
Starting age 20 verse 26
No longer carry the carry the tabernacle
House of the LORD verse 4, 28, 32
Praised the LORD verse 5
Burn incense verse 13
Purifying of holy things verse 28
House of God verse 28
Shewbread verse 29
Meat offerings verse 29
Unleavened cakes verse 29
Every morning thank and praise LORD verse 30
Burnt sacrifices verse 31
Sabbaths verse 31
New moons verse 31
Set feasts verse 31
Tabernacle of the congregation verse 32
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal) verse 4, 5, 13, 24, 25, 28, 30- 32
House of the LORD verse 4, 24, 28, 32
God – Elohim (Creator) verse 14, 25, 28
LORD God of Israel verse 25
House of God verse 28
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Praised the LORD verse 5, 30
Separated verse 13
Sanctified verse 13
Minister verse 13
Bless verse 13
Work verse 24, 28
Rest verse 25
Wait on servants of the LORD verse 28
Thank the LORD verse 30
Order commanded verse 31
Continual service verse 31
Charge kept verse 32
Service verse 32
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
David verse 1, 25- 32
Stated the LORD has given them rest
Solomon verse 1
David made him king
Princes of Israel verse 2
Priests & Levites responsibility given verse 2- 32
Covered above
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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DONATIONS:
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QUOTES regarding passage
31 More elaborate sacrifices were required for the weekly sabbaths, for the beginnings of months, and for the annual feasts (Num 28:9–29:39). The last named involved Israel’s five set celebrations, the “appointed feasts” of Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, which was preceded in turn by Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (Lev 23). The first three were also designated pilgrimage feasts, for which the presence of every adult Israelite male was expected at the central sanctuary (Exod 23:14–17; Deut 16:16). (Payne, J. B. (1988). 1, 2 Chronicles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 420). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
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23:21–32. As for Levi’s third son, Merari, his two sons, Mahli and Mushi, gave rise, respectively, to Eleazar and Kish on the one hand (vv. 21–22) and to Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth on the other (v. 23). The chronicler concluded the lists by reiterating David’s purposes in allocating the Levites’ assignments. Since these purposes presupposed a much larger ecclesiastical burden, David lowered the age of Levitical service to 20 from the previously designated 30 (vv. 24, 27; cf. v. 3). This would permit many more men to function.
The Levites’ principal tasks were to assist the priests (Aaron’s descendants) in the temple precincts (v. 28), to prepare the bread of the Presence and grain offerings (v. 29), and to thank and praise God at the times of burnt offerings (vv. 30–31). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 1 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, pp. 612–613). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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23:28–32 The 6000 judges were probably dispersed throughout Israel while the other Levites served in relation to the temple. The 24,000 overseers of the work in the temple were to attend to the needs of the priests in the duties enumerated in verses 28–32. (MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 439). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.)
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In detailing the duties of the temple (23:24–32) David once again alludes to the covenant theme of rest (v. 25). The rationale for the Levites’ service is that it is a substitute for carrying the tabernacle in the wanderings of the people. The Levites are to assist the priests, a duty that recognizes the greater prestige of the priesthood. They are responsible, in general, for the practical, menial tasks of the ministry. They also participate in formal worship in three ways: sharing in the confessional (niv thanks), praising, and serving at the times of sacrifices. All of this, however, is to be carried out “under” the priests, again confirming the superior status of the priesthood. These assignments did not prevent some Levite families from being assigned to other duties. (Bowling, A. C. (1995). 1-2 Chronicles. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, pp. 275–276). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.)
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Ver. 31. And to offer all burnt-sacrifices unto the Lord, &c.] This was the work of the priests to offer such sacrifices, and not the Levites; but the meaning is, according to the Targum, and so Kimchi, that these not only sung the praises of God morning and evening, but at all times when burnt-offerings were offered to the Lord; besides, some of them helped the priests at such times in slaying the sacrifices, and bringing them to the altar: and especially their service was requisite in the sabbaths, in the new moons, and on the set feasts, by number; because, besides the daily sacrifices, there were additional offerings at those times: according to the order commanded unto them continually before the Lord; see Numb. 28 and 29. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, pp. 34–35). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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27–32. The last words of David, that is, the last words of David on this subject, lessened down the age ten years from the former appointment. Probably this means, that the introduction of younger men for the subordinate service, was now such, that under the eye and teaching of the elders, they might be in longer preparation for the sanctuary. I cannot help remarking that in a gospel church, though such as are intended for the ministry will find their account, when, like Timothy, from a child they have known the holy scriptures, which are able to make them wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus; yet the clearest evidences should be seen in their life and conversation that they are truly awakened men, before they go forth to call others. Oh! for such ministers as Jeremiah, concerning whose ordination, the Lord himself gave such precious testimony. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jerem. 1:5. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, pp. 396–397). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Christmas Full of Grace and Truth: Big Theological Issues Show Up in New Report by Al Mohler
Major media across the country have given a great deal of attention to a recent research report that comes from the Pew Research Center. The headline from the Pew website is this,
“Americans Say Religious Aspects of Christmas Are Declining in Public Life: Shrinking majority believe biblical account of birth of Jesus depicts actual events.”
Well, let’s just look at that for a moment. Those two separate parts of the headline really aren’t speaking to the same reality at all. Which is the bigger story? Well, the New York Times declares what it sees as important when it ran an article by Liam Stack with the headline, “Most Decline to Choose Sides in ‘War on Christmas.’”
Stack reported, “Combatants in the annual ‘War on Christmas’ have some new data to chew on, thanks to a survey released this week by the Pew Research Center. While many doubt that Christmas is embattled, as some conservative pundits contend.” He concluded: “The new study does suggest American attitudes are changing.”
Both sides in our cultural conflict have made too much at times and at other times too little of the war on Christmas. There really has been a secularist attempt to try to sideline, redefine, and marginalize Christmas. But there’ve also been some amongst conservative Christians who’ve tried to make too much of the war on Christmas, replacing matters of mere etiquette for what should be a serious discussion of theology. As The New York Times sees the news, the big story from this report from Pew has to do with the fact that there is a decline in social conflict over Christmas — or at least how most Americans seem to perceive such a “war,” but it also tells us that a fewer number of Americans are actually celebrating Christmas as a religious holiday. Now that sounds like a more interesting part of the report, and indeed it is. It tells us that over the course of the last several years Americans have decreasingly defined Christmas in terms of their own personal and family celebrations as a religious event, and that may be one reason why those on the secular side believe there’s less reason for a controversy over Christmas. If Christmas is secularized, secular people are certainly less threatened or offended by it.
To be sure, there are still arguments over whether or not nativity scenes should be allowed on public property, and there are at least some skirmishes over the kinds of holiday greetings that may be used by clerks in stores or even by corporations and advertising. But the bigger story here, from a Christian perspective, is certainly what was in the subhead of the headline from the Pew Research Center. It was this: “Shrinking majority believe biblical account of birth of Jesus depicts actual events.”
In the words of the Pew report,
“Among the topics probed by the new survey, one of the most striking changes in recent years involves the share of Americans who say they believe the birth of Jesus occurred as depicted in the Bible. Today, 66 percent say they believe Jesus was born to a virgin, down from 73 percent in 2014. Likewise, 68 percent of U.S. adults now say they believe that the wise men were guided by a star and brought gifts for baby Jesus, down from 75 percent. And, there are similar declines in the shares of Americans who believe that Jesus’ birth was heralded by an angel of the Lord and that Jesus was laid in a manger as an infant.”
The final statistic,
“Overall, 57 percent of Americans now believe in all four of these elements of the Christmas story, down from 65 percent in 2014.”
Interestingly, from several decades ago I remember what would be called a parlor game at Christmas parties, prominent among evangelical Christians, in which there were a series of true or false questions about the Christmas story. What was often revealed in the game is that many Christians knew things that simply aren’t in the Bible and didn’t know truths that are. For example, the Bible doesn’t tell us how many of the magi (the wise men) came from the east to find Jesus, but the New Testament certainly tells us that they did. Biblical Christians will certainly be interested in this report, and in that number that was given that 57 percent of Americans now believe in all four of the elements of the Christmas story that were asked about the research. By the way all four of them clearly revealed in Scripture, let me just remind you, (1.) that Jesus was born of a virgin; (2.) that the angels announced the birth of Jesus to shepherds; (3.) that the wise men, or the Magi, brought Jesus gifts; and (4.) that Jesus, once born, was laid in a manger. Now as any Christian would understand, those are four very familiar truth claims in terms of the Christmas story.
A further look at the data from Pew means that this study is actually even more interesting. For example, the slippage when it comes to decreasing belief in the historicity or the facticity of these events from the life of Jesus revealed in Scripture, is found primarily in just one religious cohort. Who would that be? Well to no surprise, mainline liberal Protestants.
How does that line up? Well in 2014, 83 percent of those identified as mainline liberal Protestants said that they believed in at least all four of those crucial aspects of the birth of Christ, but in 2017, remember that just three years, only 71 percent. That’s a fall off of 12 percent in just three years in terms of the number of mainline Protestant saying that they believed in the truthfulness of all four of those aspects of the birth of Jesus revealed in the Gospels. Among evangelical Protestants, the figure in 2014 was 96, and 2017 95; that’s a 1 percent shift that isn’t statistically important, but what is important is that 12 percent loss amongst mainline liberal Protestants. But there’s also another divide revealed in this story, and it turns out that it is a partisan divide. Pew asked respondents to the survey if they identified as Republican or Democrat, huge change there. In 2017, 81 percent of Republicans said they affirmed all four of those truth claims concerning the birth of Christ but only 58 percent of Democrats said the same; that’s a huge difference between 81 percent and 58 percent. But from a Christian perspective, given our concerns about Christmas and our responsibility to tell the Christmas story right, what does this survey tell us? Well it tells us that a significant number of Americans, including some who clearly identify as Christians, don’t have an adequate belief in and confidence in some of the most basic truths and facts about the birth of Christ. Now, why would that be the case? Well, in this case it’s probably not excusable by ignorance. If you’re talking about other biblical truths it just might be that there are some Christians who have never adequately understood them, but when it comes to these core truth claims it’s hard to make that argument. The Christmas story is told over and over and over again, so this represents an explicit denial of very clear biblical truths. Here, Christians have to remember that the Christian faith stands or falls on space and time in history. The claim, very clearly presented in Scripture, that the events that are recorded there and revealed concerning Jesus, not only his birth but the entirety of all the truth claims made about Christ in the New Testament and furthermore the entirety of all the truth claims made in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, all of these are essential to the Christian faith, and when it comes to the facts concerning the birth of Christ not one of them is expendable, every one of them is essential.
Writing back in the year 1930, the great Protestant theologian J. Gresham Machen reminded us that even then there were those who were arguing that you could believe in Jesus without the facts concerning his birth and his life. Machen argued in his great book, The Virgin Birth of Christ, that there were those who claim to be Christians and yet argue that the historical truths concerning the birth of Christ are expendable. One can gain inspiration from the moral example of Jesus and claim to be Christian, they argue, while jettisoning the biblical truths concerning the birth of Christ. Machen responded by saying that whatever the religion left after such denials may be, it isn’t Christianity. Whatever it is, it doesn’t save sinners from their sin. So make what you will of that partisan divide, the most important revelation in this story is a theological divide, and that theological divide is mislabeled by Pew. We can understand why Pew would use the language they use, but if you’re talking about people who deny the basic truths concerning Jesus, you’re not talking about people who are rightly described as Christians. Theologically, whatever they are, they are adherents of a different religion.
But as Christians celebrate Christmas, and as we watch others doing the same, we must remind ourselves that we are only saved because the Word indeed became flesh and dwelt among us, and because we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And if Jesus was not born of a virgin, then his birth has to be explained in some other way, and whatever way that is, it’s going to be in direct contradiction to the Scripture. Christians celebrate the glory of Christmas because we understand the glory of Christ. If you deny anything revealed of Christ in the New Testament, you are robbing him of his glory, and you are creating a new religion that will eventually preach a different gospel.
So, celebrate a Christian Christmas, filled with the glory–and the truth–of the incarnation. Merry Christmas.
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