Category: Good News of the Kingdom
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Passing through Chaos Waters in Baptism
Introduction I listened to Tim Mackie and Jon Collins of the Bible Project talk about four major metaphors used in the Scriptures. In the episode, The Mountain Garden and Human Ideal, Tim spoke of the Creator being a Rock in the dry land where people live. He also said that the waters of chaos were Read more
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Strategic Value of High Places in the New Testament
Introduction In a recent post, I wrote of the strategic value of high places in the Old Testament. I explained these as intersections of Heaven and Earth, where the Creator met with people to further His plan to make the whole Earth like Heaven. This time, I want to explain how the Creator’s Son embodied Read more
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Jezebel Embodied the Unfaithful People of Israel
Introduction I have been listening again to The Mountain series of podcasts from the Bible Project. Tim Mackie and Jon Collins discussed the ancient Middle Eastern concept of the Cosmic Mountain as portrayed in the Bible. One of these is Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted Israel with the reality of Yahweh’s power. He killed hundreds Read more
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My Favorite Response Is “Yes”
Introduction I thoroughly enjoy occasions, especially in Bible study, when there is a choice between one perspective or another, and it turns out the best answer is “Both”. When asked to choose between two options, my favorite response is “Yes”. Who Is the Son of Man? Throughout the Hebrew Bible, from Genesis to Daniel, the Read more
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How Did Early Believers Do Church?
Introduction During the early centuries of its existence, before Constantine allowed Christianity to become recognized as a legal religion, the followers of King Jesus met in small house gatherings. See Paul’s greetings to “the church that meets in [someone’s] house” at the end of some of his letters. As Tom Wadsworth teaches, these gatherings were Read more
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What Is Right and Wrong? No. 1 Godly Value: Human Rule Under Creator’s Reign
Introduction How do people determine the best standard of morality? What is the best way to answer the question: What is right and wrong? No. 1 godly value: Human rule under Creator’s reign. Individual Reign in One’s Sphere of Influence Genesis 1 clearly declares the Creator’s desire for people to reign on Earth in His Read more
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An Expectation of Sinlessness, Part 3
Introduction Time and again, Yahweh sent His prophets to rail against His people’s iniquities and worship of false gods. They said He would send them into captivity and bring destruction on Jerusalem and the Temple. Then Yahweh would promise the return of the people to the land, especially after they turned their hearts to Him. Read more
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An Expectation of Sinlessness, Part 2
Introduction Yahweh made a covenant with the people of Israel. He did this with the idealistic expectation of sinlessness on their part. The sin offerings they made were to cover uncleanness and unintentional or unknown sins. Reality of Rebellion It pained Yahweh’s heart that His people found reasons to distrust His love and care for Read more
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Individual Salvation or Reformation of Society – Which Must Come First?
Introduction Evangelicals were given that label because their primary concern is to evangelize people, get them saved and ready to go to Heaven. I have learned over the past years that the prophet John, Jesus, the apostles, Paul proclaimed the Good News of the Kingdom. They were concerned that people surrender to King Jesus and Read more
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History’s Build Up to the Incarnation
Introduction The biblical narrative tells us of Humanity’s history with the Creator of Heaven and Earth. He worked from Eden and the Rebellion against Him, through His scattering of the nations while choosing the descendants of Abraham as His own, to the birth of His Son as a Jew – an Israelite. The Master of Read more