This is the first post reflecting my ongoing study of fear in the New Testament.
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When I think of Mary’s husband Joseph being afraid, I think of this passage in Matthew 1:20-21:
Joseph had this in mind [the problem of Mary’s pregnancy and his decision to break the marriage agreement] when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. The angel said to him, “Joseph, descendant of David, don’t be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She is pregnant by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus [He Saves], because he will save his people from their sins.”
It sounds like the fear Joseph was apparently struggling with there was fear of disobeying the law of God. He just wanted to do the right thing.
But the fear I’ve been pondering more lately is shown when, after Joseph found out Herod was dead, he took Mary and little Jesus back to Israel.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]But when he heard that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as king of Judea, Joseph was afraid to go there. Warned in a dream, he left for Galilee and made his home in a city called Nazareth. (Matthew 2:21-22)[/perfectpullquote]
Now it sounds like he was afraid of a person, afraid of what that person would do. And not only a person, but an authority, the king.
Isn’t that the kind of fear preachers tell their listeners they’re not supposed to have? Isn’t that the kind of fear that is so often and so commonly called sin?
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As part of my ongoing study of fear in the New Testament, I want to be sure to define the word “fear” each time it’s used, to the best of my ability. Though there are only two Greek words used for fear in the New Testament, just like the English words “fear” and “afraid,” they can mean different things at different times.
In this post, there are two meanings. The one is what I call “physical-safety fear,” which is an alertness to danger that prepares a person for action. The second is a respect for authority, sometimes combined with a foreboding of punishment from God if the authority is not obeyed.
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Go here to download your free Guide, How to Enjoy the Bible Again (when you’re ready) After Spiritual Abuse (without feeling guilty or getting triggered out of your mind). You’ll receive access to both print and audio versions of the Guide (audio read by me). I’m praying it will be helpful.
Glad to have a well balanced writer like you . Help my trauma recovery especially your book untwisted scripture . Bitterness and take offence without grace are the word that triggers me the most .
I’m thankful to hear the book was helpful to you, Sam.
Sam,
I’m sorry for the triggers. I can very much relate. I find that those that tend to really twist definitions ‘especially biblical ones’ are the ones who are unable to control what they want to control in another. Those words often are successful to be misused for false guilt and false shame (which may have worked in their past or with other relationships).
I have been also accused of bitterness and an unforgiving heart because I have given myself healthy boundaries (From a biblical perspective) about what I choose to tolerate and what I won’t tolerate anymore. Abusers don’t like limits nor do they see how how out of context they apply their behavior and beliefs. They often study God’s word I believe from a very skewed lens and ignorant/insecure place that reminds me of someone who misinterprets SO many areas of relational areas.
The word ‘abuse’ defined is to -misuse. This helped me in my process and it helps to understand that those that misuse will more often than not continue that path.
Thanks Rebecca for ALL you continue to do!
I’m thankful that you’re continuing to find Freedom!
Thank you for this clear and well-written post about fear. I always enjoy and appreciate your posts where you untwist scriptures and theologies that were used to bring harm to so many people.
Growing up, I Samuel 15:23a was taken out of context all the time in my family and in the churches I attended and was used to try to keep people like my mother and me trapped in abusive environments. I am thankful that there are people like you who teach about this verse in its context. It is knowledge that is freeing.
It has SO been used to justify abuse! Just in a cursory look over the http://www.recoveringgrace.org website, I saw several posts that referenced it (though none that actually explained it). It has been used to keep fearful Christians who actually want to serve God in a place of subservience to evil overlords. That is a tragedy that needs to be remedied.
1Sam15:23 is a very SCARY scripture when used as you described there. Interesting to me, as i am learning, that victims of childhood trauma ( often inflicted BY these abusive authority figures) tend to have their brains changed in such a way that they function in a way where they are drawn to or attatch to “ the scariest” in their environment. This makes the “twisting” of these kinds of Scriptures such an effective weapon to get unquestioned compliance from their victims and makes the abuser seem all the more threatening and seemingly powerful. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Gives me Much to ponder as I begin to get my post- Christmas-celebration -house in order.
Quietrunner, I pray that you’ll find 2019 to be a year of continuing freedom and shedding of the old thought patterns that perpetuated the abuse in your mind.
Excellent point. I’ve also read that “honor your parents” means “acknowledge them as your parents when they become dependent, and don’t abandon them without care.” That’s a far cry from “do whatever they say,” as some interpret the verse.
I haven’t heard that interpretation, but it’s intriguing. This blog post became a chapter in a book about the larger subjects of patriarchy and authority, here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08WWKYG6V