Teaching by Dialegomai
On the surface, it would seem that a Christian's practice of communicating with other Christians via the high-tech medium of the Internet is as far removed from the practice of early Christianity as anything could be. Yet as strange as it might sound, the discussion which often occurs in various ways through the Web is more like the form of teaching that the early Christians used, than the teaching which normally occurs in today's "churches." The almost universal church practice today is that a pastor will teach a congregation by giving a monologue of a fixed length, after which there is no opportunity to ask questions. But, as I see it, this is really not a biblical method of teaching. It appears that the early Christians taught one another primarily through dialogue, not monologue.
Those who have access to a copy of the original Greek text of the New Testament, and take the time to examine the passage in Acts 20 where Paul is said to be preaching on the first day of the week to the gathered disciples, will find that in both verse 7 and verse 9, the Greek word that is translated "preach" is the word "dialegomai" (Strong's #1256). This is the word, or is very closely related to the word, that is the basis for the English word "dialogue." In ten out of the thirteen times that this word is used in the New Testament, it is translated "dispute," "reason," or "reason with," rather than preach. And in every other case where it is used in Acts, the word refers to a discussion or debate rather than the preaching of a monologue.
Acts 17:2 "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned [dialegomai] with them out of the scriptures,"
Acts 17:17 "Therefore disputed he [dialegomai] in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him."
Acts 18:4 "And he reasoned [dialegomai] in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."
Acts 18:19 "And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with [dialegomai] the Jews."
Acts 19:8 "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing [dialegomai] and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God."
Acts 19:9 "But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing [dialegomai] daily in the school of one Tyrannus."
Acts 24:12 "And they neither found me in the temple disputing [dialegomai] with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:"
Acts 24:25 "And as he reasoned [dialegomai] of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
Of course, there are times in the Evangelical churches when they have question and answer sessions, but it is usually the case that one gets to ask a question or two, the pastor answers his question or two, and that's the end of it for him. Typically, there is no thorough give-and-take discussion of the issues. But written discussions through email, in a discussion forum, or on a weblog, can be very thorough, and tend to sharpen one's reasoning abilities and understanding to a much greater degree.
And, undoubtedly, this is something which ought to be practiced in today's church meetings. Accounts of the practices of the early church are provided for a reason and that reason is that we are to follow the biblical example and do likewise. God has given us a principle for teaching and for learning which we ought to emulate. He knows what is best for us. He knows that we learn best by using our minds in an inquiring way, rather than just unquestioningly absorbing what is dictated to us by other men.
But can this scriptural practice be incorporated into the modern church meeting? It's doubtful that you'll ever see it in the denominational churches which are hidebound by centuries of man-made traditions. Changes will have to take place outside of the established institutional ecclesiastical structure by those few Christians who are willing to question all things to such a degree that they can begin to recognize the extent to which human inventions have displaced biblical practices. That is the first step toward reformation -- an examination in the light of the Holy Scriptures of all things designated Christian truth, whether that truth has application to one's theology, church meeting practice, or daily manner of life. And it is my fervent prayer that some who read this will take that first step, not only in regard to the matter addressed in this post but pertaining to all matters of the faith.
Those who have access to a copy of the original Greek text of the New Testament, and take the time to examine the passage in Acts 20 where Paul is said to be preaching on the first day of the week to the gathered disciples, will find that in both verse 7 and verse 9, the Greek word that is translated "preach" is the word "dialegomai" (Strong's #1256). This is the word, or is very closely related to the word, that is the basis for the English word "dialogue." In ten out of the thirteen times that this word is used in the New Testament, it is translated "dispute," "reason," or "reason with," rather than preach. And in every other case where it is used in Acts, the word refers to a discussion or debate rather than the preaching of a monologue.
Acts 17:2 "And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned [dialegomai] with them out of the scriptures,"
Acts 17:17 "Therefore disputed he [dialegomai] in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him."
Acts 18:4 "And he reasoned [dialegomai] in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks."
Acts 18:19 "And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with [dialegomai] the Jews."
Acts 19:8 "And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing [dialegomai] and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God."
Acts 19:9 "But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing [dialegomai] daily in the school of one Tyrannus."
Acts 24:12 "And they neither found me in the temple disputing [dialegomai] with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:"
Acts 24:25 "And as he reasoned [dialegomai] of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."
Of course, there are times in the Evangelical churches when they have question and answer sessions, but it is usually the case that one gets to ask a question or two, the pastor answers his question or two, and that's the end of it for him. Typically, there is no thorough give-and-take discussion of the issues. But written discussions through email, in a discussion forum, or on a weblog, can be very thorough, and tend to sharpen one's reasoning abilities and understanding to a much greater degree.
And, undoubtedly, this is something which ought to be practiced in today's church meetings. Accounts of the practices of the early church are provided for a reason and that reason is that we are to follow the biblical example and do likewise. God has given us a principle for teaching and for learning which we ought to emulate. He knows what is best for us. He knows that we learn best by using our minds in an inquiring way, rather than just unquestioningly absorbing what is dictated to us by other men.
But can this scriptural practice be incorporated into the modern church meeting? It's doubtful that you'll ever see it in the denominational churches which are hidebound by centuries of man-made traditions. Changes will have to take place outside of the established institutional ecclesiastical structure by those few Christians who are willing to question all things to such a degree that they can begin to recognize the extent to which human inventions have displaced biblical practices. That is the first step toward reformation -- an examination in the light of the Holy Scriptures of all things designated Christian truth, whether that truth has application to one's theology, church meeting practice, or daily manner of life. And it is my fervent prayer that some who read this will take that first step, not only in regard to the matter addressed in this post but pertaining to all matters of the faith.
posted by Stuart DiNenno at 12/17/2004 07:15:00 PM
2 Comments:
I would do him good at every opportunity
Anonymous:
The words you posted above are excerpted from something I posted in the challies.com discussion forum yesterday. But I don't understand the point you are trying to make by posting it here. You are welcome to post again to explain your meaning, but next time please follow the guidelines for posting comments. Anonymous comments are not allowed.
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