Notes by Ken Pullen —

I publish these commentaries from The Berean, many by Mr. John W. Rittenbaugh, because I believe them to be edifying. Gainful in the spiritual growth and pursuit of God and Christ. In the Word.

That does not mean I see eye to eye with everything written. Just as I know, and correctly, not everyone sees eye to eye with everything I write. Even the Apostle Peter and Apostle Paul had bitter disagreement which parted them for a while, perhaps always, the Word does not tell us — so let us not take offense so easily and let us strive to increase our understanding in all things, especially spiritual matters. We are hopefully to be like-minded, but it is clear wherever two or more are gathered there is going to be differences of insights, interpretation, and disagreements as well as accord. Hopefully more understanding and accord than the former. But when I come across something which does not sit well within my spirit I comment on it. I hope you will do the same with me when needed. None are above reproof, chastisement, correction, and instruction.

In the following commentary on Psalm 139:13-14, Mr. Rittenbaugh writes; “Can we mentally picture God kneeling down in the dirt, placing Adam’s every part where He wanted it and determining how every part would function with every other system in his body? Even everyday realities such as these need a functioning Creator to bring them to pass.”

I realize this is written to assist the reader, make it easier for the reader to comprehend, but this is in error and part of the erosion and glossing over which slowly contributes to erosion and not maintaining the inerrant Word of God.

Why the fuss?

Because I do not believe God knelt down in the dirt and placed every part of Adam where He wanted determining the construction and function of the human body. God does not knell. God wills. And for us to picture God? I also subscribe to the writing of the past man of God, A.W. Tozer, who wrote among the many volumes of his wonderful works — we are to be so careful, so pure, so true in our pursuit of God and our relationship with God that to “picture Him” in our mind? To form an image of God in our mind? That is in truth idolatry! Believe it.

Why cannot people allow the Spirit of God to work in them? The Holy Spirit, and to know there is a God, One True God, Creator of all and Father to us and Jesus Christ the Lord, and He is Spirit, and is beyond comprehension? Why do people imagine they must envision everything, know everything, categorize everything, picture everything in their feeble, quaint, limited, finite, simple, unknowing and never knowing while in this limited realm minds!?

Why is not faith and acceptance of the Word enough? Why must we resort to illustration and reducing God, lowering God and Christ and altering the Word rather than us rising up to meet God and Christ and the inerrant Word?

Also, the following verses from Psalm 139 are not a crude example, as Mr. Rittenbaugh attests. There is nothing crude about anything God does — or wills.

But there is certainly more than enough good and edifying and wonderful commentary by Mr. Rittenbaugh, and those who write for The Berean that their words are a blessing and benefit to this humble space. Do not misunderstand me, which is all too clear is so much easier to do these days. Thank you.

Ken Pullen

ACP

Saturday, August 27th, 2016 (my sister, who died in 2003, would have been 53 today had she lived. She died at age 45 an unbeliever).

I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well

Commentary by — John W. Ritenbaugh

Psalm 139:13-14

(13) For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. (14) I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
King James Version

This is a somewhat elementary, perhaps even a crude, illustration that clearly pictures why the relationship with God is absolutely necessary. It begins by admitting that we neither created ourselves nor gave ourselves life. David admits someone else made him; he did not arise to life fully formed out of nothing. Like him, we did not determine that we would physically be in God’s image. The Creator made that determination. Can we mentally picture God kneeling down in the dirt, placing Adam’s every part where He wanted it and determining how every part would function with every other system in his body? Even everyday realities such as these need a functioning Creator to bring them to pass.

The need for a relationship with our Creator is beginning to emerge. II Corinthians 5:17 carries the need of the creative relationship a major step further: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” We are now a new creation, a spiritual creation. A process begun in Eden continues.

When Paul wrote about a “new” creation, he had his choice of two Greek words. One expresses newness in the sense of “renovation.” However, Paul used the second term, which suggests new in the sense of “brand new.” He indicates, then, a person as a new individual with a new family, a new set of values, new motivations, and new possessions. Nothing new in this sense creates itself. Even a new baby in a womb does not make itself. The baby has absolutely no idea what it is in process of becoming.

Are we making ourselves spiritually? As a new creation in Christ Jesus, we are no more making ourselves spiritually than we did physically. However, this creation is far more difficult and important because it requires our mindful and willing cooperation with our Creator.

How clearly and precisely do we foresee where our spiritual Creator is headed? To say it bluntly, without God’s calling, which creates the relationship with Him, there is no possibility whatever of knowing anything meaningful about what God is in the process of creating, and therefore no eternal, spiritual salvation would exist. Do we know how to give ourselves everlasting life? Do we know where we will fit into the Creator’s finished plan?

Therefore, it is our responsibility always to do whatever is necessary to seek Him and glorify Him, helping to keep the relationship going and knowledge increasing. Without the relationship that He invited us into, there is no possibility of ever accomplishing the end that He is heading toward and yielding to what He desires. It is as though He has opened the gate to allow us back into the Garden of Eden, right into the very source of every good and perfect gift that will enable us to glorify Him by fulfilling our responsibilities to Him. It is as if He says, as He opens the gate, “Now there, let’s begin the next step in My overall purpose!”

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Seven): Contentment

Related Topics:
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living
Ecclesiastes and Christian Living Contentment
God’s Purpose
Image of God
New Creation
Relationship with God
Spiritual Creation
We are Made in God’s Image and Likeness