Draw Me a Diagram: 1 Corinthians 1

Did you learn to diagram sentences in school? It’s not something taught much anymore, but it’s a good way to learn grammar. Diagrams and charts can be a used for Bible study, too. I’d say that arcing, like what people do at BibleArc, is making a diagram.

I like arcing; I’ve arced my way through the gospel of John. But even before I learned to arc, I occasionally did simple diagrams of parallel statements within a passage help me understand more about how specific biblical words were used.

A few years ago, I did a series of post on the way Paul used the word called. In my study, I made a chart to help me understand how Paul used called in 1 Corinthians 1. The parallel statements are in verses 18:

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

and 23-24:

…but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Lining up the parallel statements we get this*:

the word of the cross/
the preaching of Christ crucified

folly to those who are perishing/
a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles

but to us who are being saved/
but to those who are called

the power of God/
the power of God and the wisdom of God

From this, I concluded that being called (see third pair of parallel statements) is closely associated with being saved. To quote the old post:

Paul statements equate being called with being saved. It is “those who are called” who are “us who are being saved.” This is a call that saves. This is a particular call, then, rather than a universal one, and a call with the power to save.

God’s call, as Paul uses the word here, is a call that always leads to salvation.

Next up, I want to show you the same kind of diagramming (or charting) done to two questions from Romans 9. But I’ll save that for another day.

*Reproducing the actual chart was beyond my capabilities back then. It still might be; we’ll find out.

Thankful Thursday

A few minutes ago, as I sat here beside the window, a fox loped across the front yard just a few feet from me. I’m thankful that I live where I often see wildlife as I go about my business. I’m thankful for my place, and for foxes, too.

I’m thankful for my youngest son, who tilled the garden for me. I’m thankful that both sons have enough—and maybe too much—work.

I’m thankful for youngest daughter who takes the pup for a run on the days youngest son has to work. The more exercise that dog gets, the better.

I’m thankful for rain yesterday and sunshine today. Perfect weather to green up the lawn.

I’m thankful for people who oversee things: countries, territories, cities, churches, households. God raises them up and puts them in place, and even though none of them do their God-appointed jobs close to perfectly, we’d all be worse off without them.

I’m thankful that “God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in [my heart] to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” I’m thankful that the same power that brought the whole of creation out of nothing by command is the power that shone in my heart bringing new creation there. (Yes, I took that from my about page, but that’s one of the biggies to be thankful for, so I feel justified in repeating it.)

On Thursdays throughout this year, I plan to post a few thoughts of thanksgiving along with Kim at the Upward Call and others. Why don’t you participate by posting your thanksgiving each week, too? It’ll be and encouragement to you and to others, I promise.

Round the Sphere Again: A Little Church History

For the Month of May
Some biographies of influential historical Christians (Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, Edwards, Spurgeon, Moody, Lewis, and more) are on sale at Christian Audio. “Get to know these amazing men by listening to some of the best biographies available on christianaudio, now on sale for only $4.98 each” Plus, there’s a free download of the biography of E. M. Bounds. Read the details.

Two from Beggars All
A short list of resources from the Swiss reformer Uldrich Zwingli. 

A biographical sketch of the Morning Star of the Reformation, John Wycliffe, who is best known for “inspiring vernacular translations of Scripture.”

On Sunday
Tracing some of the history of the Lord’s Day. (The Upward Call)

For the Kids (and You, Too)
“The Church History ABCs by Steve Nichols and Ned Bustard is a fun way for kids to learn about great figures in Christian history.” Visit the book website for some church history activities, a list of funny church history facts (Did you know that John Wesley invented an electric shock machine?), and a gallery of portraits of figures in church history drawn by children. (HT: Justin Taylor)