Friday, May 9, 2008

Tongues of Fire-Pastor Paul's Podcast-Episode #46-Pride

Pride
'Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.' Proverbs 16:18

A distinctive feature of biblical religion is its teaching about pride and its converse, humility; this is unparalleled in other religions and ethical systems. According to the Bible (and to the classical Christian moral teaching), pride is the very root and essence of sin. Sinfulness consists essentially in the rebellious pride which attributes to self the honor and glory that are due to God. Pride was the sin of Adam. Boasting, and the pride which trusts in oneself or in any human prince or army, are constantly contrasted with the true humility which trusts in God alone.

Christ agrees with John the Baptist in condemning pride of race (Luke 3:8, Matthew 8:10). He likewise condemns the pride of the Pharisees-spiritual pride which resulted in ostentation (Matthew 6:5, 23:5, Luke 18:9) and all forms of social pride (Matthew 23:6, Luke 14:7). To his followers, he used the example of the humility of children, and said they should refuse titles of honor (Matthew 23:8-10) and positions of privilege (Mark 10:35-45). The washing of the disciples feet was the perfect symbol of his life of lowliness (John 13). More by Christ's life and deeds than by his words, he introduced a new virtue-Christian humility-into the world.

St Paul perceived the theological significance of the lowliness of the Son of God in his incarnation: he who was in the form of God emptied himself and humbled himself (Philippians 2:6-8): he who was rich became poor for our sake (II Corinthians 8:9, 13:4). The wonder of the divine humility is revealed in the manger at Bethlehem. Paul, a converted Pharisee, constantly warns us against spiritual pride (I Corinthians 4:6); neither Jew nor Gentile has grounds for boasting (Romans 2-3). The Christian may boast of one thing and one thing only-the cross of Jesus Christ; for the rest, he will be content to glory in his weaknesses, out of which through the power of Christ he is made strong ( II Corinthians 11-12-13). 1


Welcome to
Tongues of Fire-Pastor Paul's Podcast-Episode #46-Pride
Scriptures within the message are:
  • Pride was originally recorded July 5, 1985
  • Running Time: 1:14 File Size: 68 MB
  • Your Hostess with the Mostest Jeanine coming to you from Spirited North Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
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1 'A Theological Word Book Of The Bible' Alan Richardson, D.D., Canon of Durham
Bibliography-R. Niebuhr: 'Nature and the Destiny of Man', I Chapter VII

Download The Podcast Here:
Tongues of Fire-Pastor Paul's Podcast-Episode #46-Pride
Listen Next Friday Listen to Episode #47-Pride Pt 2

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