Category: Good News of the Kingdom
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Ministry through Work
Introduction A question often asked by new believers is whether God would call them to full- time ministry. In their enthusiasm for their new beliefs, they wonder if He wants them to preach the Gospel or lead a church somewhere. It turns out that most are not so called. They need to make a living… Read more
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No Fear of Cancer
Introduction In my previous post, I announced that doctors saw increased levels of certain proteins in my blood work and said that I have one or another form of cancer. Further tests will determine which form plagues my body. I also stated that while I accept that the doctor says it’s there, I reject the… Read more
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Rapture Vs. Parousia: Which Will It Be?
Introduction Two fundamentally different viewpoints exist concerning the Second Coming of King Jesus at the end of time. One is the Rapture, the catching away of believers upon His return to meet Him in the air to take them to Heaven with Him. The other is the Parousia, translated as the “coming”, “arrival”, or “appearing”… Read more
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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