Thursday Notes
11/6/25
Welch, Edward T. (2001). "Chapter 7: Knowing the Lord." (pp. 141-159). In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing (Personal Library)
Welch opens this chapter with a powerful thesis statement. "If the root problem of addictions is false worship, the answer is knowing the Lord, the Lone who deserves our worship" (Welch 2001, p. 141). The means of change consists of a redirection of our affections to a right course. Welch contends that the Scripture is not essentially instructions but that the message of Jesus somehow bears its own power (Welch 2001, p. 142).
A problem Welch finds in our current culture is that "Jesus has been domesticated" (Welch 2001, p. 143). He seems to be used in our climate as a therapeutic idea or a consultant. Welch urges finding a biblical practical theology which can deal with God as the sovereign lord of all. His love is not merely comfort, but creative of love in us for him and for others (Welch 2001, p. 145).
Welch elaborates on the love of Jesus by describing it as holy in nature (Welch 2001, p. 146). A holy thing is set apart in some way. It is not ordinary in its use. Welch describes God's holy love for his people in terms of the book of Hosea. Here, God calls the prophet to love and be faithful to an unfaithful wife (Welch 2001, p. 147). This is emblematic of the relationship between God and Israel. In his holiness and dedication to us, Jesus shows himself the superior prophet, redeemer, and ruler (Welch 2001, p. 149).
Welch considers a central problem of our age to be that we have forgotten the holiness of God in Christ (Welch 2001, p. 150). This results in our willingness to voice opinions of God's unfairness or injustice. While God in Christ has become like us, he remains the holy one, set apart from us. His holy love doesn't always give us what we imagine we want. Yet it is always right (Welch 2001, p. 151). Welch particularly finds this love and exalted nature of Christ at the center of Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Welch 2001, p. 153). He is the source of all we need. This is a particularly important idea in dealing with addictions, since the addictive behavior portrays itself as what we need.
Welch closes this chapter with a fairly extensive illustration of ways to help oneself and others dealing with addictions (Welch 2001, p. 155-159).
11/6/25
Welch, Edward T. (2001). "Chapter 7: Knowing the Lord." (pp. 141-159). In Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R Publishing (Personal Library)
Welch opens this chapter with a powerful thesis statement. "If the root problem of addictions is false worship, the answer is knowing the Lord, the Lone who deserves our worship" (Welch 2001, p. 141). The means of change consists of a redirection of our affections to a right course. Welch contends that the Scripture is not essentially instructions but that the message of Jesus somehow bears its own power (Welch 2001, p. 142).
A problem Welch finds in our current culture is that "Jesus has been domesticated" (Welch 2001, p. 143). He seems to be used in our climate as a therapeutic idea or a consultant. Welch urges finding a biblical practical theology which can deal with God as the sovereign lord of all. His love is not merely comfort, but creative of love in us for him and for others (Welch 2001, p. 145).
Welch elaborates on the love of Jesus by describing it as holy in nature (Welch 2001, p. 146). A holy thing is set apart in some way. It is not ordinary in its use. Welch describes God's holy love for his people in terms of the book of Hosea. Here, God calls the prophet to love and be faithful to an unfaithful wife (Welch 2001, p. 147). This is emblematic of the relationship between God and Israel. In his holiness and dedication to us, Jesus shows himself the superior prophet, redeemer, and ruler (Welch 2001, p. 149).
Welch considers a central problem of our age to be that we have forgotten the holiness of God in Christ (Welch 2001, p. 150). This results in our willingness to voice opinions of God's unfairness or injustice. While God in Christ has become like us, he remains the holy one, set apart from us. His holy love doesn't always give us what we imagine we want. Yet it is always right (Welch 2001, p. 151). Welch particularly finds this love and exalted nature of Christ at the center of Paul's letter to the Ephesians (Welch 2001, p. 153). He is the source of all we need. This is a particularly important idea in dealing with addictions, since the addictive behavior portrays itself as what we need.
Welch closes this chapter with a fairly extensive illustration of ways to help oneself and others dealing with addictions (Welch 2001, p. 155-159).
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