Treasure Digest

• "A Lot We Can Learn" From Butterflies
• What Is Gnosticism?
• If Only...
• A Parent's Perspective on the Prodigal Son
• How the Bible Was Preserved
• Why We Don't Describe Ourselves as "Born Again"
• What is Leavening?
• Puptatl?

"A Lot We Can Learn" From Butterflies!

Butterflies have more flight-control capability than the most advanced fighter jet, said zoologist Adrian Thomas. They have "brains as small as the head of a pin, but there's still a lot we can learn from them," he said.

Adrian Thomas and Robert Srygley's study was printed in the scientific journal Nature, and was covered in the Dec. 23, 2002, U.S. News and World Report, which said the researchers videotaped red admiral butterflies in a wind tunnel. The butterflies were using "every aerodynamic mechanism we had previously thought of, and two more besides," said Adrian Thomas.

For example, the butterflies were seen doing "a sort of double-time flap that sets up a pair of tiny tornadoes above each wing, generating up to 3 Gs of acceleration," U.S. News reported.

These small wonders are another example of the awesome design of our great Creator!

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What Is Gnosticism?

Q. I am a new member and have heard (not sure of the spelling) Naustisism, Naustic, mentioned in a couple of sermons in a negative way, and am embarrassed to admit I have no idea what it is.

A. Thank you for your E-mail with your question from some of the sermons you have heard. I believe the concept you are asking about is "Gnosticism" or the "Gnostic" school of thought. Please don't be embarrassed to ask! The word is not in common use these days, and so it is not particularly unexpected that you have not run across it.

The name comes from the Greek word gnosis, which means "knowledge." Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words defines it as "primarily a seeking to know, an enquiry, investigation" (page 348).

Unfortunately, the Gnostic school of thought went far beyond the simple definition of the word. The New International Version Study Bible says that Gnosticism was "one of the most dangerous heresies of the first two centuries of the church" (page 1,906, Introduction to 1 John, article "Gnosticism"). That is most certainly true.

Its core teaching could be described as what we call "dualism"—in this case, the teaching that spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. From this idea, Gnostics concluded several things, chief among them the idea that man's body, since it is matter, is evil (contrast this to Genesis, where God said that everything He made was "very good").

They also claimed that salvation was attained by escaping the body through special knowledge (hence the term "Gnosticism"), which included worship of angels (this is undoubtedly what Paul referred to in Colossians 2:18-23). They denied that Christ had actually come in the flesh (since they believed all matter was evil, they thought the Son of God couldn't have really been a human being)—a claim that would mean we have no Savior, since He gave His life to pay for our sins.

One form of Gnosticism held that the body was to be treated harshly (since it was matter, and therefore evil)—contrast that to Paul's exhortation to glorify God in our bodies, since the body is the temple of God's Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Gnostics of this particular "brand" were ascetic, reclusive and lived like hermits. Another form of Gnosticism, in a strange twist of reasoning, held that since it was matter that was evil or sinful (not the breaking of God's law—1 John 3:4), it didn't matter what a person did in the flesh because only the spirit was important! These types of Gnostics led wild, licentious, unrestrained lives. What a mess!

Hopefully this gives a little context to the messages you have heard, and the references to this particular heresy that Paul, John and other of the early apostles had to battle against. This subject is also addressed in a couple of our booklets: Sunset to Sunset—God's Sabbath Rest page 42 and God's Holy Day Plan page 60. If you need free copies of these booklets, just let us know, or you can find them in the literature library of our Web site at www.ucg.org/booklets.

—Douglas Johnson

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If Only...

If only I fully, completely believed that God is, and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), I wouldn't be so focused on this material world and troubled by doubts.

If only I truly loved God with all my heart and mind and soul, and loved my neighbor as myself (Matthew 22:37-40), how could any relationship problems exist?

If only I more deeply loved the law of God (Psalm 119:97-98) and really understood it is for my good (Deuteronomy 10:12-13), then I would be more diligent in keeping it and reflecting God's heart and mind.

If only I fully understood the magnitude of sin, its terrible penalties and the awesome sacrifice Christ and the Father made (John 3:16; Hebrews 12:2; Genesis 22:9-12), how could I be tempted by sin's fleeting pleasures (Hebrews 11:25)?

But as I strive to more deeply understand and internalize these truths through study, prayer and meditation, I can't just wish "if only..." I must continue to fight those downward thoughts and pulls through the strength Christ provides through the Holy Spirit (Philippians 4:13). Then when I see Him as He is, I will be like Him (1 John 3:2-3). If only that day will come soon (Revelation 22:20)!

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A Parent's Perspective on the Prodigal Son

The parable of the "prodigal son" in Luke 15:11-32 has been a favorite of many throughout the years, and it is no wonder. It speaks of hope when a person goes astray.

The son was like many young people throughout the ages. He had to learn the hard way. In this case he came to himself when "reality hit."

The parable doesn't mention how strong the bonds were between the young man and his father before he decided to leave.

If the bonds were strong, then it would have made it easier for the son to come back and confess that he was wrong. He would not have feared that his father would condemn him or humiliate him. He would have known that his father would not hold it against him for years to come or rub his nose in it.

What if his father had been harsh and condemning? It would have been much harder for him to come back, knowing that he would be facing a lecture about how the father had told him so.

As parents we like to think that it could never happen to us, that our kids could never go astray. Somehow life doesn't always work that way.

What we need to do before that possibility arises is to build the bonds of love with our young children. They need to know that we love them no matter what. They must know that we will always be there for them. They must know that they can always come to us and that we will receive them with open arms.

As many parents of prodigals will testify, the bonds of love can be even stronger when a young person realizes that he made some mistakes and wants to turn his life around. It can be very rewarding and joyful on both sides when a young person does change. Both can learn from each other and the benefits can be carried down to the grandchildren.

—Marilyn Braley

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How the Bible Was Preserved

Sidney Collett shared the following information about the careful and accurate preservation of the Scriptures in his book, All About the Bible (pages 14-17):

"In making copies of Hebrew manuscripts which are the precious heritage of the Church today, the Jewish scribes exercised the greatest possible care, even to the point of superstition—counting, not only the words, but every letter, noting how many times each particular letter occurred, and destroying at once the sheet on which a mistake was detected, in their anxiety to avoid the introduction of the least error into the sacred Scriptures which they prized so highly and held in such reverent awe. Moreover, each new copy had to be made from an approved manuscript, written with a special kind of ink, upon sheets made from the skin of a 'clean'animal. The writers also had to pronounce aloud each word before writing it, and on no account was a single word to be written from memory."

Dr. Collett concludes the section, "And yet in all those voluminous sacred documents, which have been copied times out of number, the highest authorities assure us that, in regard to the New Testament, the variations of any importance introduced by copyists amount to less than one-thousandth of the entire text; while the Hebrew documents of the Old Testament show even less variation still!"

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Why We Don't Describe Ourselves as "Born Again"

The Council of Elders approved a study paper on "Born Again" at their meeting in December, and the paper was sent to all UCG elders in January. It is now also posted on the Web site at www.ucg.org/papers, or you can ask a UCG elder in your area for a copy. Here are excerpts from the "Preface":

"The paper reinforces Herbert W. Armstrong's use of the analogy of begettal at baptism and birth when one actually enters the Kingdom of God. The explanation of John 3 will show that indeed when one is truly born of the Spirit, he will be a spirit being. We were born of the flesh and are therefore, flesh. John 3 has a duality that should not be denied. This chapter also discusses conversion as a type of birth, but this does not deny the concept of the analogy that Mr. Armstrong taught us for so many years—indeed the paper emphasizes the truth of that analogy.

"The difference in this paper is the additional understanding of the Greek word gennao. We believe that one should not take the position that this word can only refer to conception. Gennao is a much broader term and refers to the whole process of conception and birth. We should be teaching this broader concept of the Greek word. "Salvation is a two-step process—beginning with conversion (which is both a one-time event and an ongoing process) and ending with entrance into the Kingdom. The analogy of conception for conversion and birth for entrance into the Kingdom is certainly valid for explaining the process of salvation. We are not 'saved now' nor are we 'born again' as the concepts are explained in the evangelical world.

"We do not believe the term 'born again' is a proper translation from the Greek and, therefore, should not be used to refer to a Christian. But it is true that as Christians we must be transformed once we repent of our sins, accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and become baptized (Romans 12:2). This is truly a new life as well. The biblical analogy of children and babes is just as valid as the conception and birth analogy. This is the essence of the study paper—these items are analogies to help us understand the process of salvation.

"It was concluded by the Doctrine Committee and the Council of Elders that this paper does not constitute a change in the doctrine of salvation but a deeper understanding of the analogies and the Greek words used in the New Testament to describe the process of salvation."

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What Is Leavening?

During the Days of Unleavened Bread we are to have no leaven or leavened products in our home (Exodus 12:15; 13:7). This includes any agent that produces fermentation and causes dough to rise—yeast, baking powder, baking soda, potassium bicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate are ingredients to look for on labels. Items such as bread, cake, crackers, cookies and prepared cereals and pies that contain leavening must be put out. Doing this is symbolic of putting both the visible and hidden sins out of our lives.

Homemade cream puffs, angel food cake, popovers and sponge cake, while light and fluffy, need not contain any of the above ingredients. Most pie crust recipes (except for graham cracker crusts) are unleavened. However, these products, when purchased from stores or bakeries, frequently do include leavening. Check the ingredient list.

Pita bread, flour tortillas and graham crackers, while flat, contain leavening. Even some brands of matzos marked "kosher for Passover" can list baking soda or baking powder in the ingredients!

Brewer's yeast, yeast extract (a flavoring) and cream of tartar (a dry acid) are not leavening agents.

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PUPTATL?

God's festival season is about to begin again with Passover beginning at sundown April 15. The seven festivals can be remembered with the acronym PUPTATL: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles and Last Great Day.

The plan of salvation as revealed in the Holy Scriptures is pictured in the meaning of these seven annual festivals.

Why not take the time now, at the beginning of the festival season, to review the meanings of these important days? You can find this outlined in the Fundamental Beliefs booklet, What Is Your Destiny?, God's Holy Day Plan and lesson 12 of the Bible Study Course.

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