Not quite so, Reverend Dick

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Now that Rev Devon Dick has dished out a second serving of his menu of misunderstandings concerning the biblical concepts of the Sabbath, Israel and God; and now, including Good Friday, I feel constrained, as a trained theologian, to raise the red flag and advise potential consumers that this diet may be bad for their spiritual health.

I think the reverend needs to attach a disclaimer to his articles: 'pure eisegesis'. There is a difference between eisegesis and exegesis of scripture. The former is reading a preconceived interpretation into the text, while exegesis is reading the meaning out of the text.

For Rev Dick to end up understanding that God could not have written the Ten Commandments with his fingers because God is a spirit, and a spirit does not have hands and fingers, is woeful for an experienced theologian. A true understanding or reading of the text is: 'God is spiritual', not 'God is a spirit.' So if God does not have hands and fingers, then whose hand did Beltshazzar see writing on the wall that fateful night; and how do you understand we are made in God's image? God has hands and feet and everything we have, Brother Dick.

The Sabbath was an institution that came directly from the creation week. It's the only of the 10 that asks humanity to remember because God knew we would be inclined to forget it. God had to write it on tablets of stones at Sinai because the Hebrews had forgotten all about its requirement while in slavery in Egypt.

The Sabbath was linked to deliverance from Egypt for the Israelites and is linked to humanity's final deliverance from slavery of sin.

God rejected Israel as a nation when Israel rejected Jesus as Christ and Saviour. The Israel which now occupies the Middle East finds itself no longer as custodians of God's truths to disseminate to the world. The Church-modern spiritual Israel now bears that role and function.

If we must be true to correct biblical exegesis, in the case of the Ten Commandments, we cannot isolate one and declare it done away with. What about the one that says 'You shall not commit adultery'? One would have been stoned to death if he commited that sin back then as well. So what is the point, Rev Dick? All of God's Ten Commandments are still enjoined on all humanity for all time.

On the issue of Good Friday, what is so good about it? All there is to Good Friday is bun and cheese. We celebrate not the day but we celebrate the death of Christ for the salvation of humanity. Jesus himself instituted the communion service (Lord's Supper) to commemorate his sacrifice. He did not command us to celebrate Good Friday, nor even Easter Sunday.

I am, etc.,

DAVE

nerdav@anngel.com.jm

Denham Farm, Manchester