"...And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom..."
This is among the most beautiful of all passages in the scriptures. A holy God separated from His people by their sin, a perfect Lamb offering sinless blood, entering the Holy of Holies on our behalf, becoming the open door as our eternal High Priest through which we can now approach the very throne of our loving, holy, beautiful God. No more sacrifice. No more ceremony. No more separation. The veil which served to protect men from God's holiness, separating Him from all but the human high priest (who entered only once a year), 60 feet in height, 30 feet in width, 4 inches thick, now torn from top to bottom...replaced by the Open Door: Jesus Christ.
In recent days, I've been doing considerable reading on patriocentric blogs and websites. I have to take regular breaks, as so much of it makes me recoil in disbelief and, sometimes, horror. Advocating a return to the Law, the continuance of Old Covenant ritual, claiming Christ with their words yet denying Him with the way of faith and life they're promoting...one based on ceremony, ritual, and on outward adherence to a set of behavioral guidelines based on the Law. Making oneself holy by this adherence. (see "godliness" in Word Games)
Undoing everything accomplished in the scripture above. Sewing up the veil, stitch after stitch, until soon, their wives and children are once again separated from a loving, caring, forgiving, and readily accessible (through Christ) God.
Men defying scripture to become "high priest of the home". Unfortunately for this methodology, the Spirit of God doesn't reside in a temple made by man (Acts 17:24) and doesn't dwell in the "home". This negates the need for any "high priest of the home", as the high priest, literally defined, is one who deals with God on behalf of the people. WE are the temple. I repeat...WE are the temple. WE, through the completed work of Christ, house the Spirit of God within us. There is ONE who deals with God on our behalf: Jesus Christ (1st Timothy 2:5). All of the scripture speaks against the notion of "the high priest of the home". It's a dangerous, destructive, and spiritually abusive idea. No more need for a high priest. We have a perfect and eternal High Priest who doesn't need our help. His work is complete.
Why claim to be seeking the truth, yet look everywhere except the Truth to find it (John 5:39-40)? They seek to restore a religious system that was never meant to be lasting, but was meant to be a stop-gap pointing to Jesus Christ who would fulfill and complete it (Hebrews 8:13). They seek to create a divide between God and man once again (Hebrews 9:8-10), unwittingly perhaps, by trusting in the words of blind guides rather than being led into all truth by the Holy Spirit and measuring their beliefs against the standard of the scriptures.
They condemn themselves. In sewing up the veil, they assault the physical body of Christ (Hebrews 10:19-20). An apostate gospel.
To any wives and children of men portraying and promoting themselves as "high priest of the home", I encourage you to never, ever believe the lie that anyone is your high priest except Jesus Christ, and never, ever believe the lie that your performance separates you from a loving God. Christ is ever an open door, having long since nailed our performance to the Cross.
The veil was torn to be replaced (by Christ alone), but never repaired.
Editorial and commentary on Christian culture, religious and political fundamentalism, and more.
"Sewing up the veil..." That gave me chills. I recently heard the word "priestcraft" (Sandlin and Kunsman) to describe what you're talking about here...seems quite apropos.
ReplyDeleteOur family Bible reading has been in Hebrews the past couple of weeks and the truth of what you have written is right there....we have no need for any other high priest. I believe the true blasphemy of God's name is saying that we do. Thank you for this powerful reminder!!!
ReplyDeleteI think this one is your best article yet. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, awesome words. And so true.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful way of putting things and pointing out the Apostasy being taught as 'biblical'.
Just a note on history, to help understand another place this idea of king/priest of the home came it. I only add it to throw in the mix.
Did you know that King James, the man not the translation, hated women? (it does show in the translation)
He is the originator of the "each man is the king of his castle/home" idea. It did not come from the Bible any more than the man being the high priest of the home. These thoughts king/priest are akin to each other and are both completely unbiblical as you have so well pointed out.
King James wanted to rule his nation in a top down fashion. The man rules his home and the king rules the man. King James encouraged this hiearchy. He believed that all women belonged under the thumb of men.
And this idea can't seen to stop growing to encompass more and more authority to the man, taking away what God gives all of us freely.
(Note: King James was told as a boy that his mother [Mary Queen of Scots] murdered his father. It is not proven that she actually did.
Also, King James's reign was after the Golden Age of Elizabeth I. And he was never able to compete with her brilliant reign. Another good reason for him to hate women. How dare Elizabeth, a woman, be a better ruler than he.)
Again, thanks Lewis for you insight on this and you way of expressing it.
So true! This post needs to be emailed to several key gentlemen who are teaching other men that they are the high priesst of their homes! Thanks you for speaking out Lewis, we need to have more Christian men doing exactly what you are doing. Too many remain silent while entire segments of the Christian community are falling prey to these dangerous teachings. It is so encouraging to see one man who is not afraid to stand up and speak the Truth!
ReplyDeleteAgreed....Just realized i was one of those men. Please forgive me
DeleteAwesome post! I love this truth..and there is a song by Mercy Me called "All of Creation" which starts off about the veil being torn. Gives me chills every time I hear it!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbMYv7Hqv2s
PS...hate to be a stinker, but the background on your blog makes my eyes wobble, and it's hard for me to read without getting dizzy. Maybe there are others like me? :-/
I agree with the others. I hope your blog opens the door for other men to speak up and defend the truth. At least you can't be discredited by being labeled "raging feminist". *rolls eyes*
ReplyDeleteFor anyone haveing trouble with there eyes its not the background .its those we dont give names doing there best to keep us blinded from the truth
DeleteWow, I also think this is the best post on here so far. Very true about the veil being replaced by Christ.
ReplyDeleteL
One of the hardest things for kids is when their parents teach that we are no longer under law, but grace. Then they do the opposite. They sew up the veil and then claim it's still torn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for keeping this blog up Lewis.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteOne of the hardest things for kids is when their parents teach that we are no longer under law, but grace. Then they do the opposite. They sew up the veil and then claim it's still torn.
This is the saddest and most appropriate example of spiritual cognitive dissonance I've seen.
In the New Testament it spells out how Christ did away with the Mosaic laws and brought forth his church, teachings and the way we are to live. Teaching otherwise is well- men or women will have to answer on Judgement day for that.
ReplyDeleteThe man is the patriarch of the home and family but should never abuse his privilige given by God to "rule" with anything other than love and patience as Christ teaches. And mothers should never abuse their positions either.
To heads of families, to all who hold positions of leadership, to our vast corps of teachers and missionaries, I should like to make a plea: in all you do, feed the spirit, nourish the soul. “The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life” (2 Cor. 3:6).
Although my husband does "lead" in family worship, I don't consider him a Priest. Still, if the bible states that Jesus Christ is the ultimate High Priest, should a husband be "leading" in his home in the first place even if he doesn't claim the title or right as a Priest? Pondering and wondering . . .
ReplyDeletePreach it, Lewis! What a lovely analogy for such a sad and terrible thing.
ReplyDeleteThis is a vital part of the heart of the Gospel.
Isaiah 40:9
Oh you who bring good tidings to Zion, climb the high mountain, lift up your voice, lift it up with strength, be not afraid. Say unto the cities of Judah, 'Behold your God.'
Thanks to all of you for the encouraging comments and great insight.
ReplyDeleteMara...Thanks for that history. Interesting stuff.
denimjumpers2bluejeans...I changed the background a little. Let me know if it's still a little funky.
Queen...I consider leadership positions in the church to consist primarily of "pointing" to Christ, or at least that's how I view/viewed my duties as a pastor. I never wanted to be over God's people, but rather under them, lifting them up toward Christ. I'd have applied the same principle in my home had the situation not taken the bizarre turn it did. I'd want to nurture dependence on the Lord rather than on me - or rather than on the Lord through me. Even though his words were uttered in a bit different context, I think what John the Baptist said applies..."He must increase. I must decrease."
Thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteHi Lewis, I'm new to your blog but I stayed up way too late last night reading every single post you've written. It's so refreshing to see a man speak out against these things.
ReplyDeleteMy father attempted to cut complete contact off with my now-husband back when we were "courting" (oh, how I LOATHE that word) but I left a note under my pillow and took charge.
I'd love to see you write a segment on female pastors and what your biblical view of them is.
Erika...Thanks for stopping by. Please feel free to dive into the discussion any time you want.
ReplyDelete"I'd love to see you write a segment on female pastors and what your biblical view of them is."
I may very well tackle that type of issue in the near future. I'm sure it would generate some, umm, "lively" discussion. I may need to learn how to duck a little better first;)
And good for you in stepping up for what was right in your life. Be blessed.
"I encourage you to never, ever believe the lie that anyone is your high priest except Jesus Christ, and never, ever believe the lie that your performance separates you from a loving God. Christ is ever an open door, having long since nailed our performance to to the Cross."
ReplyDeleteWow Lewis great post! We are no longer under the Old Covenant the letter of the Law but led by the Spirit & under the New Covenant. It is by faith we are saved. If we were led by the written law then why did Jesus come? This is what Paul was so angry about in Galatians because they began in the Spirit but continued by mixing law & grace. (Galationism)
My husband was a strong proponent of grace @ one time and now he believes that we need both the law & grace. the very thing that he taught so strongly against (law) is the very thing that he believes now. i've made myself very clear to him in truth and in love that i cannot disagree more. I believe that the veil is over his eyes and I pray that he will decide to remove that veil by believing we only need Jesus as our High Priest not a so called prophets word. My husband has come from the patriarch background.
what a toxic but convenient system to enable their egos etc. if they can only understand that we are all made equal in God's eyes, that we are all to humble ourselves before the Lord, that we are all in need of a shepherd cuz we're all sheep. maybe then the men & women of this toxic system can come to understand that God never meant for the husband/father/brothers to be our king. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her." Eph 5:25 I also think it's a matter of their understanding of who God is & a matter of believing truth or a lie.
Someone once told this illustration for believing truth or believing lies. they said a trainee in a bank studies the real $ bill in such depth that when they come across the fake they are able to recognize the counterfeit $ bill right away. It seems to me that the more we believe and know Truth the more we're able to recognize the lies the counterfeit fake. I love that i can access my will @ anytime to believe truth.
Christ saved us through his death, burial, and resurrection. nothing can separate us from the love of God. what we do or don't do doesn't change what Christ accomplished for us! He has forgiven us of our sins, He has made us righteous in His sight, He has made us Holy and acceptable, He has made us alive together with Christ. He has set us free from bondage of sin & death & we are free to believe & free to access our wills to choose to believe Him who is truth. Amen!
Oh, wow - excellent, excellent thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog, from Quivering Daughters. I'm a new father of an adorable little girl; I want to avoid all the legalistic garbage that Christians so easily fall into. I have appreciated reading some of the thoughts of people who have seen the danger of the patriarchy movement, and if you don't mind, I'm going to follow your blog and friend you on Facebook. :-)
Blessings,
Ben
frogla...I like that illustration about truth and lies. It brings to mind Hebrews 5:14, which I believe to be of extreme importance in the life of a follower of Christ.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin...Congratulations on the little one! Please stop by and join in anytime.
Lewis, as a woman I am so grateful for men like you who will stand up and say patriarchy is wrong. Women are discounted by this movement-- their voices are silenced, and if even a word gets through it is attributed to wrong motives. But men are harder for them to discount. Please, any men that are reading and agree with Lewis-- please find ways to speak out on behalf of your sisters in Christ. During this time of religious backlash against the growth of women in freedom, we need you. This is your opportunity in this generation, to stand up for the oppressed, even if it costs you privileged positions in the church. Christ will honor your selflessness on the side of right.
ReplyDelete- Kristen aka krwordgazer
Thanks, Lewis. I'm going to add you on Facebook! Great article.
ReplyDeleteThank you for addressing the "veil stitchers"~may we all stay clear of that law of lost joy. Bless your David like honesty.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you do with scriptures like Matthew 5:17-18, where Jesus said that He did NOT come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He said that until heaven and earth passed, the law would still be in effect. O take it heaven and earth are still here. By following the law, we do not belittle the sacrifice of Christ or somehow earn our salvation rather, we act in obedience to God. 1 John 5:2-3 says that if we truly love God, we will keep his commandments and his commandments are NOT burdensome. The greek word is "entolas" which is also translated law. What do you do with the scripture in Matt 7:22-23 where those that come to Jesus and say "Lord, Lord" will be call practices of LAWLESSNESS (Greek word "anomian" which means without Torah). Jesus never advocated a departure from the law and although it seems at times that Paul did, in many cases it is grossly misinterpreted. You would call me a veil stitcher, I would say that you miss the meaning of the torn veil. Jesus dies to pay the penalty for breaking the law, which is death, the law itself is not what we needed saving from. To say that the law was bad, is to say that God made something bad - He created the law. Psalm 19:7 says that the law of God is perfect, converting the soul. Do we say that those scriptures are not true? What do you do with the scripture in Revelation 1:6 where it says that God has made us kings and priests unto our God? I think you need to do some more studying and digging deep into God's word about this. Show me one instance where JESUS said that we no longer need to keep the law.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Erin
@Erin...I honestly don't even know where to begin.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I don't worship "the scriptures", and second, get back to me next time you stone a child for disobedience.
What do I do with verses like Matthew 7:22-23? I point to the cross of Christ. Christ either fulfilled the law or He didn't. I choose to take Him at His word on the matter.
Revelation 1:6 completely validates everything I've written here about the torn veil.
Show me one instance where Jesus mentioned the Law after He fulfilled it.
1 John 5:2-3 says that if we truly love God, we will keep his commandments and his commandments are NOT burdensome.
Yet here you are, trying to lay a burden across my back and give me a heavier load than the one I carry.
I think you need to decide if your devotion is to your religious lifestyle or genuinely to God Himself.
Years ago, when I first read of churches that require husbands/fathers to distribute communion to their families, I protested but my words seemed to fall on deaf ears.
ReplyDeleteThat is doubtless because they were the wrong words. OtOH, Lewis, you have explained the foolishness of the re-sewn veil so incredibly well! My prayer is that many who are lost in patriarchy, or considering patriachy, read your articles sooner than later. And may the Holy Spirit speak through all of the clutter of all of us!
MJB
Please has anyone read ," He came to set the captives free." Im haveing issues with gifts i thought i left in my bad memories as a child.
ReplyDelete