A vital element in understanding my studies is the premise underlying all my writings and the perspective I take in thinking about things and analyzing them. Readers may not agree with either the premise or the perspective, but at least you will know where I’m coming from and where my reasoning starts. Or, more accurately, where Rûãch @Élöhîm (Spirit of God) has shown me that my reasoning must start, especially as I’m depending on Him to guide my thoughts into the truth.
The reverential fear of YHWH is the beginning of wisdom ~ And knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. # Proverbs 9.10
Premise
My initial premise, the premise underlying all my writings and conclusions, is:
YHWH @Élöhîm,
the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
is Who He says He is, and
has done what He says He has done
through Jesus Christ (Yeshûãø HamMashîãch)
as recorded in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
That’s it. That’s the premise from which I start looking at what is, how it came to be, where it’s been, and where it’s going. Another way to describe it is the premise is the universal that explains all the particulars, the holy grail of philosophy and science.
The Hebrew and Christian Scriptures (the Bible) are where YHWH @Élöhîm clearly states His claims about who He is and what He has done, is doing, and will do. I believe Rûách @Élöhîm inspired men to write the Scriptures as infallible in the original writings, including editing prior to the closing of the canon. I acknowledge that down through the millennia, copyist errors have crept in, in spite of the care taken in copying the Scriptures by both Jews and Christians. However, I believe any copyist errors are minor and do not affect YHWH @Élöhîm’s claims in any way. His written word remains authoritative and definitive for those who believe Him.
And, while I think some translations do a better job than others of translating the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic into English (my native language and the only one I am qualified to comment on), I do not believe Rûách @Élöhîm designated any particular translation as the only one His believers should use, especially given that a certain amount of interpretation is inherent in the action of translating. In fact, and especially when doing a Bible study delving into the layers of the Word, I think it’s best to look at several translations plus the original languages in order to hear the what the Spirit is saying in the depths of His written word of truth.
Ultimately, the question is whether or not one believes YHWH @Élöhîm. I believe Him. I believe that He is who He says He is and that He has done what He says He’s done through His Word Incarnate, Yeshûãø hamMashîãch (Jesus Christ).
Who is YHWH @Élöhîm?
YHWH is the name of the Most High God, the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, the only omnipotent, omniscient, and omni-present God who exists, the @Élöhîm (God) of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has revealed Himself in tri-unity: I AM, His Word, and His Spirit.
Although there are many claimants to the position of “God,” YHWH is the only God who is really there. He is the Creator, the Holy One, the King, the Kinsman-Redeemer, and the Judge. He loves His creatures, the creative work of His hands, with a love that is beyond man’s comprehension.
YHWH is also the Storyteller.
This Story that YHWH is telling is the one currently playing out on the stage of the earth in the theater of the universe: this is the Story in which we live. Although He recorded the specific Story of the Line of the Promise and the Gentile Addition in His written Word, the Bible, His Story is actually far broader than that. But, in looking at the written Story of the Line of the Promise, it has its own internal chronology, irrespective of the outside chronology of His Story.
Perspective
The perspective Rûách @Élöhîm directed me to take is that of the storyteller. I look at history as an interactive, dramatic production playing out on the stage of the earth in the theatre of the universe, written, produced, and directed by YHWH @Élöhîm with input by the characters.
I view the flow of events as YHWH @Élöhîm telling His Story in order to accomplish His purpose. I look for the through line, themes, plot devices, plot structure, motifs, patterns, chief characters, foreshadowing, scene divisions, etc., used in telling stories. I find that history makes more sense when viewed from this perspective.
My Task
The primary task that YHWH set me is to trace the internal chronology of the Story of the Line of the Promise and the Gentile Addition as recorded in the Bible. I realize this task is neither unheard of nor unique, but it’s the main task YHWH @Élöhîm set me, although I have gone down plenty of rabbit trails in researching background information. I wouldn’t exchange it for anything.
As part of this assignment, YHWH @Élöhîm gave me a great love of story and puzzle-solving as well as a delight in discovering how an author crafted his/her story in the telling of it.
So, there you are – my premise and my perspective. I believe YHWH @ÉlöhÎm is who He says He is and that ‘history’ is ‘His Story.’ (And yes, I believe the pun is deliberate on YHWH’s part. I’ve noticed that He’s fond of word plays.)
May the grace and peace of the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Dori