In his final session Dr Beale took us to Isaiah 6, focusing on the more difficult latter part of the chapter but looking at the whole. He divided it up between verses 1-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13 With 8-10 he warned against using verse 8 as a missionary verse in the light of the context. He took the view that this was Isaiah's conversion and was called at the same time. The reason for the very harsh judgement (comparable with Romans 1 language) that is to be brought in by Isaiah is that again and again the people had rejected the truth down the years. He demonstrated that whenever "sensory organ malfunction" language is used it is not referring to ordinary sin but to idolatry by reference to Isaiah 17, 44, etc, etc, where the same language is used and always in the context of preaching against idolatry. The punishment then is most appropriate (like hell itself). On 11-13 he explained the "How long?" refers to the length of the judgement. The answer is that it will last until the invasion and the exile that was to come. In the time of questioning he clarified that he would take the reference at the end not to the remnant but to remaining idolatry - this in light once again of Isaiah's own use of terms. He took us back to the start of Isaiah and to Deuteronomy 29:4 to make things clearer. We become what we worship.
By way of application he began with Luther's definition of idolatry - "whatever your heart clings to or relies on for ultimate security". Eschatologically because the earth has been filled with idol worship it must be destroyed (as idols were). In religion there is often syncretism that hides idolatry. Money is an idol. He mentioned the Midas myth and the way even pagans glimpse these truths. He noted the way the word idol is used for certain popular heroes. Self can become an idol. There we deny God's greatness and exaggerate our own. All sorts of things can be come idols - hobbies, etc. He quoted David Wells definition of worldliness - “Worldliness is what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange.” He also looked briefly at some of the New Testament passages that speak about idolatry. He also said near the end "we need subtle shock treatment from the Word of God each day."
A brief wide ranging question time followed.
By way of application he began with Luther's definition of idolatry - "whatever your heart clings to or relies on for ultimate security". Eschatologically because the earth has been filled with idol worship it must be destroyed (as idols were). In religion there is often syncretism that hides idolatry. Money is an idol. He mentioned the Midas myth and the way even pagans glimpse these truths. He noted the way the word idol is used for certain popular heroes. Self can become an idol. There we deny God's greatness and exaggerate our own. All sorts of things can be come idols - hobbies, etc. He quoted David Wells definition of worldliness - “Worldliness is what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange.” He also looked briefly at some of the New Testament passages that speak about idolatry. He also said near the end "we need subtle shock treatment from the Word of God each day."
A brief wide ranging question time followed.
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