Almost twenty five years ago, I started my advanced education at seminary when I was 47 years old. I was very interested in learning the original languages of the Bible, primarily Hebrew and Greek (I didn’t study Aramaic). I chose the particular school I attended because of the Greek and Hebrew scholar who I believed could give me greater insights as to the original context of the Bible. Honestly, I always found Greek very interesting while the Hebrew didn’t come as easily to me.
I should probably tell you that the school was hyper conservative and all of our work was done in the King James Version of the Bible. I really grew to appreciate the nuances of the KJV and am pleased that my studies were completed in this way. Our Greek was similarly conservative, using the Textus Receptus (TR) which has never been updated or changed as so many of the other Greek translations have.
Today’s sermon at church reminded me of an incident in Greek class that remains burned into my brain to this day. We were studying the book of Ephesians and focusing on what Paul was telling us to beware of. This particular verse, which was the subject of our sermon today, was long and had some interesting theological implications.
A portion of the text tells us to refrain from getting drunk on wine but to be filled with the Spirit, after which we are to sing psalms, hymns and songs of praise. Now I have always thought that the real learning in seminary happened as a result of the discussions that come out of our formal studies. My classmates used to lovingly tease me that I said that the real value of learning came “in the cracks” at school. It was where we found the nuggets that helped solidify our faith positions throughout the years.
Anyway, during our Greek translation work this particular day, the focus was on the kinds of music that were acceptable for worship. The conversation highlighted the fact that, according to Paul, psalms and hymns were written in a certain style and cadence that meant that they were presumed to be the only acceptable songs for worship at church. I casually asked the question about what it meant if I liked contemporary music, something my extremely conservative friends were opposed to. I was stunned by one of the responses in the room.
One of my fellow students told me that my joy of contemporary music meant that I wasn’t saved! Just think about that! I was beyond stunned. In fact, I asked our professor whether we could take a detour and discuss this most radical statement. Did it mean that I, an avowed Christian, could lose my salvation because I enjoyed contemporary music? Where is that in the Bible? Clearly, based on Scriptural evidence, I emphatically disagreed with my fellow student. In fact, I believe the only way to lose salvation is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit! Now I know that some of you may have different viewpoints on this but I hope that we can agree that singing or listening to a contemporary song doesn’t banish you from eternal life with Christ.
We spent the rest of our class time in deep discussion and I think I can say with assurance that virtually all of my classmates did not agree that I could lose my salvation over song choices at church. But it was an eye opening entrance into the world of hyper conservative theological viewpoints. To be sure, I have never knew more authentic and committed Christians than I met in my years of seminary. And while, for the most part, I believe they are sincere and are dedicated to a life of service to Christ, I find their practical execution of their belief system lacking. However, I must say that I learned a great deal from my professors as well as other students and that education taught me to think and develop a theological position that I believe is in line with a Christ centered life.
Our verse for tonight is Paul’s verse that we studied that day in Greek class. Paul told his church at Ephesus and also us, in Ephesians 5:18-20, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (KJV)
My encouragement this evening is that God wants to spend eternity with us. He sends the Holy Spirit to live in us as soon as we profess our belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior. My personal belief is that if we were sincere when we made our profession of faith, God welcomes us into eternal life with open arms. My prayer is that we will continue to become more Christlike throughout our lives and that if we find our faith wavering, we will ask God to strengthen our faith in Him. Remember that we are told our prayers will be answered if they are in accordance with the will of Christ for our lives – and Christ issues His invitation of eternal life to everyone. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…