Tag: Christian religion
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The Difference Between an Image of God and the Idol of a God
Introduction Today’s lesson deals with two Hebrew vocabulary words. Both found in Genesis 1. The first is Elohim, translated as “God”. The second is selem, which is a statue. Today, I will explain the difference between an image of God and the idol of a god. Meaning of Elohim This word essentially means a spiritual… Read more
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Do This, Remembering Me
Introduction In his first recorded letter to the Corinthians, Paul, a colony leader of King Jesus, took that gathering of believers to task for how they were doing the “Lord’s Supper”. He wrote, For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed,… Read more
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The Beautiful Name of Jesus (Rescuer)
Introduction My name, John, has passed through many forms in many languages since the original Hebrew Yehochanan (Yahweh has been gracious). In the same way, the beautiful name of Jesus (Rescuer) has passed through many forms and languages over the millenia. Hoshea Becomes Joshua In a sense, the name of Jesus began in Hebrew as… Read more
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Why Make Such a Big Deal over Salvation?
Introduction My friend Chris has made another teaching video, Predestination and Election. It appears to be Part 1 of a series on the topic. In this video, Chris questions the Calvinist doctrine that says God has chosen (elected) certain people to be saved. He predestined them “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). I… Read more
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Eating from the Tree of Morality
Introduction The Creator planted fruit trees in the middle of the garden in Eden. These included the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowing Good and Bad, that is, Morality. He told Humanity that they may eat of all of the trees except the second one. He said, “I only require that you abstain… Read more
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My Prologue about the Parousia
Introduction In 2020, N. T. Wright gave a lecture On the Future of the World. Listening to it recently, I remembered a novel I had written about monastic community evangelism during the coming Millennium. I opened with believers, alive and dead, rising into the air to greet King Jesus as He returned to Jerusalem to… Read more
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Faith: Lived Out Individually and Together
Faith Is Foundation of Hope Hebrews 11:1 Now, faith is the foundation (hypostasis) of hope, the conviction of things invisible (my Ecclesia Bible). That word “hope” is an active verb. The writer is talking about an active hope, trust in the invisible God. This is the reason for obedience as James wrote in Chapter 2,… Read more
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Introducing A Gathering of Misfits novel
Introduction I have written before about working on my Gathering of Misfits novels. I wish to announce the publication of the first novel. A Gathering of Misfits is a four-book, concurrent series about a Kingdom community of people who would not typically be welcome in most churches, even though they are believers. Among their members… Read more
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No. 2 Value of the Gathering of Misfits
Introduction It amazes me, at times, how what I hear from my favorite YouTube Bible preachers speaks to what I’m writing in my novels. This morning, I listened to Tim Mackie of the Bible Project speak to the No. 2 Value of the Gathering of Misfits. This Summer of 2024, I am working almost exclusively… Read more
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New Birth Is a Result of Obedience
Introduction Evangelical and Pentecostal Christians and many others say that getting “saved” – being born again – is the most important thing about relating to God. Actually, the new birth is a result of obedience. Jesus Told Only One about the New Birth When Nicodemus met with Jesus secretly, at night, the Master told him,… Read more