A Study of the Inheritance of Faith by Christians from the Book of Judges 2:6-3:6

• Main Authors: Wan, Chien-Jou, 萬謙柔
• Other Authors: Liu, Kwang-Chi
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/33516600572969727170

碩士 === 基督教台灣浸會神學院 === 基督教神學研究所 === 102 === The second generation “who did not know the LORD or the work which he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10)” is just like the second generation of Taiwanese Christians today. Both of these groups do not know what it means to have a relationship with God. In this study, the author attempts to observe the process of faith and spiritual depravity of the second generation of the Israelites who entered Canaan through the analysis and exegesis of Judges 2:6-3:6. The author also discusses the causes and effects of why the inheritance of faith in this group failed, in hopes of offering some suggestions for present-day pastors to shepherd and educate the younger generation of Christians. The study shows that "the Inheritance of Faith" is a major problem throughout the period of the judges from gloom to doom. Joshua’s generation was obedient to God, took possession of their inheritance and served the Lord. However, the successive generation committed apostasy. They did not drive out their enemies, cohabitated and intermarried with the Gentiles, and served other gods. Even though God continued to reach out to save them in His mercy, this generation who had lost their faith was still "unworthy." Thus began a vicious cycle of spiritual retrogression and depravity. In other words, the failure of "the Inheritance of Faith" that the Book of Judges described began with religious decay, went towards immorality and family disintegration, and finally led to "Canaanization." Only when the Lord taught the people of Israel to know His omniscience by means of “war” did the next generation start to honor and trust in God for a short time.