Restitutio

What standards should Christians have when it comes to entertainment? Can the bible offer any guidance for such a modern issue? Every day shows, movies, books, and songs bombard us with all kinds of ideas and depictions that constantly nudge us in different directions. Although, we like to think of ourselves as impervious to the subtle effects of violent movies, sex scenes, foul language, and so on, the truth is we are more like sponges than stones. This is an important topic worthy of your consideration.

Apologetics 2: What Is Truth? In order to establish any of the claims of Christianity, we must first make a case for truth itself. How can you hope to provide reasons for God’s existence or Christ’s resurrection if the person your talking to claims, “That’s just your truth, and I’m glad it works for you, but it’s not true for me?” Learn how to use the law of non-contradiction to help explain what an objective truth claim is. Although many prefer the mushy relativism of our age, in the end, as Christians, we are stuck with Chris who claimed to be “the way, the truth, and the life,” and that “no one comes to the father but through me” (John 14.6). If you would like to take this class for credit, please contact the Atlanta Bible College so you can register and do the necessary work for a grade. Notes: --- pluralism/multi-culturalism definition: * a theory that there are more than one or more than two kinds of ultimate reality * a state of society in which members of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, or social groups maintain and develop their traditional culture or special interest within the confines of a common civilization when Christians and non-believers are the only two options, life is simple * throwing in Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, * Diana Eck’s four points on pluralism[1] * First, pluralism is not diversity alone, but the energetic engagement with diversity. Diversity can and has meant the creation of religious ghettoes with little traffic between or among them. Today, religious diversity is a given, but pluralism is not a given; it is an achievement. Mere diversity without real encounter and relationship will yield increasing tensions in our societies. * Second, pluralism is not just tolerance, but the active seeking of understanding across lines of difference. Tolerance is a necessary public virtue, but it does not require Christians and Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and ardent secularists to know anything about one another. Tolerance is too thin a foundation for a world of religious difference and proximity. It does nothing to remove our ignorance of one another, and leaves in place the stereotype, the half-truth, the fears that underlie old patterns of division and violence. In the world in which we live today, our ignorance of one another will be increasingly costly. * Third, pluralism is not relativism, but the encounter of commitments. The new paradigm of pluralism does not require us to leave our identities and our commitments behind, for pluralism is the encounter of commitments. It means holding our deepest differences, even our religious differences, not in isolation, but in relationship to one another. * Fourth, pluralism is based on dialogue. The language of pluralism is that of dialogue and encounter, give and take, criticism and self-criticism. Dialogue means both speaking and listening, and that process reveals both common understandings and real differences. Dialogue does not mean everyone at the “table” will agree with one another. Pluralism involves the commitment to being at the table — with one’s commitments. * challenges of pluralism * compete for adherents, financial contributions, legitimacy, political influence * intermarriage (raising children), national identity, public education (Halloween for Christians), workplace (prayer time for Muslims, Sabbath for Jews) * specific challenge to Christianity * is Jesus really the only way? * are all non-Christians going to hell? (more than 2/3 of the world) * isn’t it intolerant and bigoted to say we have the only right way to God? * cultures have their own moral standards, how can we say they are wrong * blind men and the elephant…all religions are equal paths to God * for example consider the crucifixion of Jesus * Islam teaches it never happened * Judaism teaches it happened but it is at best martyrdom and at worst just punishment * Christianity teaches it happened and because of it our sins are forgiven * These cannot all be right! modernism * rise of modern science * progress * reason will eventually give every answer * reason was king and faith was second * 20th century * like humans working together on the unified project of constructing the tower of babel, trying to reach the heavens and build a monument to his own achievement post-modernism * taylor mali video * like people after the tower of babel fell, when they no longer have shared assumptions and a shared context, but each has his own view expressed in his own way…combined with a unique distrust of the mentality that went into constructing the utopian world (symbolized by the tower) that has crashed down around them * suspicion of all truth claims, since often truth claims are really just attempts to control people * reality is not out there but is constructed as your mind experiences it * interpretation is everything * incredulity toward all meta-narratives (big stories), rejection of any one story * concrete experience is better than abstract principles * socially constructed truth objective truth: something is true regardless of who believes it * ex: there is only one moon orbiting the earth subjective truth: something that is true for some people but not others * peanut butter cup is the best ice-cream * I can say, “I’m married to Ruth Finnegan” but you can’t * true for me not for you relativism: denial of objective truth * self-defeating * the statement “there is no objective truth” requires there to be at least one objective truth, namely that “there is no objective truth” but this is a contradiction the law of non-contradiction A ≠ ~A Buddhist and Christian in a coffee shop * Buddhist (B): “Why can’t we all be right?” * Christian (C): “if Jesus offers the only way of salvation then there cannot also be other ways of salvation” * B: “that may be true for you, but not for me” * C: “but this violates the law of non-contradiction” * B: “so, then I guess I don’t believe in that law” * C: “let’s call your principle the law of relativism” A=~A Law of Relativism A≠~A Law of Non-Contradiction * C: “do you believe the Law of Relativism is true and the Law of Non-Contradiction is false?” * B: “Yes, the law of non-contradiction is clearly false” * C: “let’s call the law of relativism A and the law of non-contradiction ~A” A=~A Law of Relativism => A A≠~A Law of Non-Contradiction =>~A * C: “so you agree that A ≠ ~A?” * B: “yes” * C: “but that is the law of non-contradiction! you simply used the law of non-contradiction to disprove it, but if it is false, then you can’t use it at all!” this law works for objective truths but not subjective ones PB cup icecream is the best is equally true as cookie dough icecream is the best so is religion like icecream preference or like the moon orbiting the sun? are some religions subjective? * is New Age: “the law of attraction”, “there is an energy that pervades everything”, etc. * is the religion of pluralism? “all religions contain partial truth”, “we should not say any one religion is right” For example consider the bedrock of Christianity—the resurrection of Jesus * “God raised Jesus from the dead about two thousand years ago” * this is an objective truth, right? either it happened or not! * this is because historical events are objective truths * listen to Paul (1 Corinthians 15.14, 17, 20) As Christians we are stuck with exclusivism: exclusivism is the idea that there is only one right way * John 3.13-21 believe in the Son to attain eternal life * John 5.16-30 Jesus is the one who will judge (unique combination of humility and authority) * John 6.39-40, 44, 53-54 Jesus will resurrect on the last day * John 8.23-30 The Pharisees must believe in Jesus or else die in their sins * John 12.44-50 Jesus came to save and his word will judge on the last day The “I Am” Statements * I am the bread of life (John 6.48-51) * “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.” * I am the light of the world (John 8.12) * “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” * I am the door (John 10.9) * “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” * I am the good shepherd (John 10.11) * “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” * I am the resurrection and the life (John 11.25) * “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies’” * I am the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14.6) (The most exclusivistic verse in the Bible) * “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” * I am the vine (John 15.5) * “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” ——————————- [1] from the pluralism project at Harvard University (pluralism.org/pages/pluralism/what_is_pluralism)

Brian and Rochelle Allen of Vermont share their journey of faith, including how they became discontent with the traditional evangelical doctrines they grew up believing. In this interview they discuss how recontextualizing the bible in its Hebrew thought-world opened their eyes to understand Jesus so much better. He is the Jewish Messiah sent to redeem Israel, not an eternally generated, second-person of a metaphysical Trinity. In addition, they discuss how they studied their way out of the rapture ideology, popularized by the Left Behind book series. I think you’ll find their story intriguing and heartfelt, but even more compelling is their intellectual humility. This husband and wife team is a true example of what it means to be a Berean in the 21st century.

Apologetics 1: Introduction Have you ever heard of apologetics? This is the field where Christians seek to provide the reasons for why they believe what they believe. In a post-Christian society, it is increasingly important to understand the reasons for your faith. For example, why do you believe in God’s existence? Why do you think the bible is true? How do you know God raised Jesus from the dead? What about pain and suffering, modern science, or Christianity’s sexual ethics? In the next fifteen lectures, you’ll get answers to these important questions so you can build your own faith as well as get better at sharing it with others. If you would like to take this class for credit, please contact the Atlanta Bible College so you can register and do the necessary work for a grade. Here now is lecture one: Introduction. Notes: --- The Biblical Mandate for Apologetics * 1 Peter 3.14-16 * apologetics has nothing to do with apologizing, it is simply giving a reasoned defense of the faith * two key guidelines: (1) gentleness, (2) respect * ἀπολογία: a speech of defense, the act of making a defense * as a speech: Acts 22.1 * as written: 1 Corinthians 9.3 * in court: 2 Timothy 4.16; Acts 25.16 * defending the gospel: Philippians 1.7 “The task of apologetics is to show that the evidence that the New Testament calls people to commit their lives to is compelling evidence and worthy of our full commitment. That often involves a lot of work for the apologist. Sometimes we would rather duck the responsibility of doing our homework, of wrestling with the problems and answering the objections, and simply say to people, ‘Oh, you just have to take it all in faith.’ That’s the ultimate cop-out. That doesn’t honor Christ. We honor Christ by setting forth for people the cogency of the truth claims of Scripture, even as God himself does.[1]” Objections: * Faith by definition excludes the possibility of certainty “Sadly, in our day many Christians argue that we ought not to be engaged in attempts to ‘prove’ the truth claims of Christianity, that faith and proof are incompatible. ”[2] * blind faith vs. informed faith * what did Jesus do? did he ask people to just believe that he was the Messiah without offering any reasons for that belief? John 5.36; John 10.24-25, 37-38; 14.10-11 * Later on Jesus’ resurrection became the single most important proof of his claim to be Messiah. Acts 17.30-31; Romans 1.1-4 In the book of Acts, Jesus’ resurrection was mainly argued for on the basis of eye-witness testimony. Acts 1.22; 2.32; 3.15; 10.39-42; 13.31 * this is not to say we can have complete certainty, faith is still required, but it’s not a leap of blind faith “The Bible never tells us to take a leap of faith into darkness and hope that there’s somebody out there. The Bible calls us to jump out of the darkness and into the light. That is not a blind leap.[3]” * only the holy spirit can illuminate someone’s heart to believe * much of apologetics is clearing out of the way barriers to belief * Bible is full of contradictions * Christians are all hypocrites * How can there be a God if there is so much pain and suffering? * Doesn’t God command genocide? * Hasn’t science disproved miracles? * What about evolution? * What about the Big Bang? * think of it like picking up rocks from the field before planting the seeds * besides, God has chosen to work with the spoken word. foolishness of preaching (1 Cor 1.21) * but doesn’t knowledge puff up? (1 Corinthians 8.1) * this takes the verse out of context, see ESV of 1 Cor 8.1 “Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.” Paul is confronting their slogan “all of us possess knowledge” in a specific context, i.e. with regard to food offered to idols. The issue was how they were using their knowledge. They were using it in a way that disregarded their weaker brothers. Reasons to Study Apologetics * we are commanded to do it in 1 Peter 3.15 * it builds your own faith even when you have emotional doubt * it helps you build other Christians in their faith when they face tough questions * it is necessary for evangelism, especially in our day and time —————— [1] R. C. Sproul, Defending your Faith, Crossway, p. 25. [2] ibid., p. 17. [3] ibid., p. 25.

Some say faith-healing is a charade, concocted by charlatans to build their empires on the backs of the afflicted and suffering. Others think that Christians who reject healing contradict what Jesus said and did, preferring the comfort of tradition instead of unleashing God’s mighty power. What do you believe about supernatural healing? Listen in to this interview with Bill and Ann DeNenno to hear what they’ve learned in four decades of pursuing and practicing healing. In this interview they discuss the benefits of keeping an open mind so that you can learn from others outside your own tradition. They go on to talk about deliverance (casting out demons), including both some of the excesses they witnessed as well as the genuine results they’ve encountered. Next they explain inner healing and how God can set us free from emotional wounds that happened long ago, but still push us around today. Lastly, they share about Christ-centered healing, where they look to Christ as both the example and the active agent in healing today. You can contact the DeNennos directly via email at [email protected].

I’m starting a series of videos assessing the Trinity. I want to begin by asking, “Does the bible teach the Trinity?” In order to answer this question, we need to define what we mean. In one sense the Trinity is biblical and in another it is not. Watch this video to find out more:

How much time do you spend with God alone? Do you have a quiet time each day for scripture reading and prayer and meditation? Drawing on the image of the vine in John 15, Keith Daniel passionately advocates for a daily devotional time to abide in him. He argues that this time is the key to holy living. If we commune with God consistently, then we can draw on the strength we receive then to walk with God the rest of the day. Daniel believes this time is always under attack so you have to fight for it each and every day.

Today Hugh Knowlton joins Restitutio to talk about how to handle important doctrinal differences with other Christians. So often such intra-Christian discussions generate more heat than light. Does that mean we should all just ignore our differences, forcing smiles and hoping that no one peers beneath our thin veneer of unity? Or should we charge headlong like a bull at the matador, eager to present our case and defeat all objections whatever the cost? This interview will help you strike the balance between empathy and courage as Knowlton shows how he stood up for his monotheistic beliefs in a gracious way that refused to forsake kindness while disagreeing on a core issue. In the course of the interview, Knowlton addresses five main questions from a biblical unitarian point of view: * Based on John 1.1, do you believe that Jesus is eternal? * Do you believe that Jesus is the creator? * Does Isaiah 9.6 refer to Jesus when it calls him “God” and “eternal?” * Why does Jesus receive worship if He is not God? * If you do not believe that Jesus is God, who is he? Here is the text of the letter he sent: Dear Ben, As I have mentioned I don’t come from a traditional Trinitarian background and as a result, I have a different paradigm or way of thinking in regards to the relationship of God and His son, Jesus. Even though there is a difference I sincerely pray that what I believe will not bring offense or cause you to think that I am diminishing the Son if I believe, as I do, that he is not exactly the same (identical) as the Father. You will surely agree that Christology is a massive subject! I don’t consider myself a theologian or a master on this subject but do enjoy studying it occasionally; more so during the last several years when I have been attending an orthodox church where the Trinity is not questioned and alternative beliefs as to who Christ is are not generally welcomed. I am not out to change the Christian world to my beliefs but do like to do “a check up from the neck up” to see if what I hold true still makes sense or whether I need to consider changes. By fellowshipping with men like you, Larry and many others, I have grown in my respect and understanding of your mindset and beliefs. It is good to gain understanding even if it does not end up with agreement on all points. Before I address your questions I want to say that my answers are, in my estimation, more of a summary of what I believe; they are certainly incomplete and are not as full an explanation with all the reasoning, historical evidence and scriptural support that I would like to include. I think that would take writing a book, which I want to avoid! I am sure more questions will be raised and if we want to continue a dialog, either in person or by email, we can both share more. In your email below you express a concern about ‘agreeing on His nature’. I don’t see a similar concern shared by Jesus, Paul, John or the other writers in the New Testament. I am not saying the concern does not exist but I don’t recall scriptures that place an abundant emphasis on it other than what I read in Math 16:13-17 where Jesus asks his disciples ‘Who do you say that I am?’ and Peter’s reply ‘You are the Christ (the Messiah), the son of the living God’. I think this is a great start for having common ground. And this is where I would like to start by addressing your last question as who I think Jesus is. I believe him to be the son of God, the Christ, the Messiah, the promised seed, my redeemer and savior, the image of the invisible God, the first born of all creation, the resurrection, the way, the truth and the life, the bread of life, the living Word of God, He declared the Father and reveals Him today. Jesus has given me access to the Father, is my mediator, my High Priest, my King, forgiver of my sins, given me the new birth of eternal life, has made me absolutely complete in Him, has made unto me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, has filled me to capacity in all the fullness of God’s gift of Holy Spirit, has called me and set me in the heavenlies, and has given me his joy, peace and love. I’m sure there is more that can be added! I like to think in simple terms and God uses the simplicity of a father – son relationship to communicate family, intimacy, and similarity and, also, distinct differences between himself, who I believe is the Father, and his only begotten son, Jesus. Things that are similar are necessarily identical. With your first question regarding John 1:1 the question that can be asked is who or what is the Word? The common answer is Jesus, but I have a problem with that interpretation (that understanding), because I don’t see the word ‘Jesus’ in the verse. It does not explicitly say Jesus but it is commonly supplied by inference. I told you when we met that I have grown to disdain the phrase “Jesus is not God” because it does nothing to explain the deity connection between the Father and the Son. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” Col 2:9 (NIV). The word ‘deity’ or ‘Godhead’ is a translation of the Greek word ‘theotes’ (used only once in the Bible), which can be translated divinity or divine nature. How is this expressed in Jesus? The word “Word” as you certainly know is ‘logos’ in the Greek. There is much that can be written about this word; it has a wide range of meanings along two basic lines of thought: products of the mind like reason and logic and the other is expressions of that reason as a ‘word’, ‘saying’, ‘command’, etc. My understanding of logos as it has been previously used in scripture (to mention only a few references: Psalm 33.6,9; Psalm 147:15,17-18; Isaiah 55:10-11) is that it refers to God’s creative self-expression … His reason, purposes, wisdom, and plans, especially, as they are brought into action. Jesus was God’s plan for man’s redemption as foretold in Genesis (the promised seed in Gen 3:15); Jesus was the manifestation, the reality in the flesh of that plan. What the ‘Word’ was, Jesus became. This is my understanding of ‘logos’ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (KJV) And [now] in His own appointed time He has made manifest (made known) His Word and revealed it as His message through the preaching entrusted to me by command of God our Savior Titus 1:3 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) I don’t understand incarnation as you do. I do not think that God literally became a man (Jesus). Similarly, I do not share the Catholics belief that we are literally eating the flesh and drinking the blood of Jesus in communion. I believe that the plan of God, the word of God became incarnate in Jesus (he did nothing of his own but only what the Father told him). I have difficulty understanding if Jesus was literally God how could he die (Philip 2:8 if God “alone possesses immortality” (I Tim 6:16). Why did he say, “I can do nothing on my own initiative (John 5:30) while God “can do all things” (Job 42:2)? Why doesn’t he know the day and hour when he will return, and yet his Father, God does know (Matt 24:36)? How can he be tempted by the devil (Matt 4:1) when “God cannot be tempted by evil” (James 1:13)? Why should he be in subjection to the Father for all eternity (1Cor 15:28)? If Jesus is God how could he say that the Father is greater than I (John 14:28)? If Jesus is literally God how could Jesus call us brothers (Heb 2:11)? I am not asking you to answer these questions, but I simply want to express that orthodox Christology doesn’t make sense to me. Jesus was a perfect man whose physical lineage was the line of believers as mentioned in Matthew chapter 1. His mother, Mary, believed the word of the Lord as delivered by Gabriel that she would conceive in her womb and bear a son and that she should call him Jesus. Conception comes from the woman contributing an egg and a man contributing a sperm. God did not need to break his natural laws. I have no problem seeing God create a perfect sperm with dominant genes, which resulted in the second Adam (the son of man), a perfect man with no sin nature. Soul life is in the blood as Leviticus states (Lev 17:11 ‘the life of the flesh is in the blood’). Soul life is passed on from the male side. Jesus had perfect unblemished blood, which originated from His Father, God. Jesus did not have any sin nature but that was not enough. He had to learn obedience; he had to study the Word, the scriptures, to learn of himself and His Father’s mission for His life. He was tempted in all things but without sin. I believe Jesus could have sinned just like Adam did but (by the freedom of his will) he chose not to. Romans 5:11-21 tells us that by the disobedience of one man death was passed on to all and that by the obedience of one man, Jesus Christ, the gift of grace has abounded unto many. Jesus had a beginning, a genesis, as told in Matt 1:18. ‘Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on the rise’. The word ‘birth’ is genesis the same root word in Gen 1:1 for beginning. The personal pre-existence of Christ is fundamental to the doctrine of the Trinity. What needs to be determined is whether that pre-existence was as a person or as an idea or plan in the mind of God. I am not able now to give the subject adequate attention but what I believe is that Jesus existed in the foreknowledge of God as the pre-existent plan and purpose of God. God also foreknew us ‘He has chosen us before the foundation of the world … having predestinated us unto adoption of children …’ Eph 1:3,4. Also, Rom 8:29; 2Th 2:13; 2 Tim 1:9). God calls things that are not as though they are: Rom 4:17 (related verses to that idea are Isa 43:13; Isa 46:9-11; Jer 1:5). “He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end times for your sake.” 1Peter 1:20. The word translated ‘destined’ literally means ‘to know beforehand’. From it we get the word ‘prognosis’ meaning ‘known in advance’, usually used of doctors in predicting the course of an illness. On the basis of his foreknowledge the doctor can offer a good or bad prognosis about the outcome of the disease. In this passage I believe Peter is telling us that Jesus was known in advance by God in the sense that His plan for him was predetermined and at the appropriate time Jesus was born. Peter does not indicate that Jesus personally existed before he was born. There are verses in John that do apparently indicate Jesus’s pre-existence, which should be examined, but I will need a separate email. Do I believe Jesus is the creator? No and Yes is my answer. No to the first (old) creation but He plays an integral part in the new creation. There are abundant scriptures that indicate that the Lord God created the heavens and the earth with no explicit mention of Jesus (Gen 1; Neh 9:5-7; Ps 33: 6-9; Ps 104:30-33; Isa 45:3, 5, 8, 12, 18; Mal 2:10; Acts 7:48-50). God delegated Christ His authority to create. Eph 2:15 (NKJV, NIV) refers to Christ creating “one new man” (his church) out of Jew and Gentile. In pouring out the gift of Holy Spirit to each believer (Acts 2:33,38), the Lord has created something new in each of them, that is the “new man,” their new nature (2 Cor 5:17; Gal 6:15; Eph 4:24). The Church of the Body of Christ was a brand new entity, created by Christ out of Jew and Gentile. He also had to create the structure and position that would allow it to function both in the spiritual realm and the physical world (Rom 12:4-8; Eph 4:7-11). The Bible describes these physical and spiritual realities by the phrase, “things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (Col 1:16). I believe the passages that allude to a creative role for Jesus in Col 1:15-17 and in Hebrews 1:2 refer to the new creation and to a new perfect order on earth when Christ returns to rule on the earth and eventually paradise restored (Rev 21 & 22). Col 1:15 (NASB) says Christ is “the firstborn of all creation”. I believe Him to be the author, the firstborn of a new race of men and women. I believe that we will be the second, third, fourth born, etc. When he returns we will receive a new body fashioned like His glorious body. Phi 1:20, 21 “For our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the savior: the Lord Jesus Christ who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned unto his glorious body according to the working whereby he is able to even subdue all things unto himself.” In regards to Isaiah 9:6 there is way more that I would like to say than time permits. This verse gives 5 attributes of the son prophesied by Isaiah. I believe it is a basic tenet of the Trinitarian doctrine that Christians should “neither confound the Persons nor divide the Substance” (Athanasian Creed). I do not believe that this prophecy of the coming Messiah, Jesus, is equating him to God, the Father. I believe the phrase is mistranslated. The word translated ‘everlasting’ is actually ‘age’. I believe that Jesus will be called “father of the (coming) age”. Jesus ‘fathered’ eternal salvation. The words ‘everlasting life’ can also be translated ‘life in the age to come’. I believe the phrase ‘Mighty God’ can also be better translated. The word “God” in the Hebrew culture had a much wider range of application than it does in our culture. English makes it clear distinction between “God” and “god”, but the Hebrew language, which has only capital letters, cannot make a clear distinction. In the Old Testament the original word for God, elohim, is used of God (Ps 19:1; Deut 6:4) but, also, of angels (Ps 8:5; Ps 89:6), rulers, judges, mighty men (Ex 21:6; Psalm 82:1-26. Note: in John 10:34 Jesus quotes Ps 82:6 in a way that confirms that the reference is to mortal men.) and the false gods and idols of the heathen (Ex 12:12; Ex 15:11; Ex 20:3; 1Kings 11:33) and it’s application to the Messiah is, in my opinion, no proof that he is the second person of the Trinity. A better translation would be “mighty hero” or “divine hero”. Both Martin Luther and James Moffatt translated the phrase as “divine hero” in their Bibles. Regarding your comments concerning question 4 you see worshipping Jesus as a declaration of his divinity. I see worshipping Jesus as someone definitely worthy of worship as Rev 5:24 declares, “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” The Father and the Son are deserving of equal honor. John 5:23 “That all men should honor the Son, even as the honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which has sent him.” The way I understand Thomas’s words “My Lord and my God” is similar to the way I understand Jesus saying to Philip in John 14:9 “He that has seen me you have seen the Father.” John 1:18 “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.” You can’t see God but you can see Jesus who is the image of the invisible God (Col 1: 15). If Christ is God why doesn’t this verse just say so? The Father is plainly called God in dozens of places and this would have been a good place to say that Jesus was God. Instead it says that Christ is the image of God. If one thing is the ‘image’ of another thing, then the “image” and the “original” are not the same thing. My understanding is that things that are similar are necessarily identical. Jesus revealed the father in the senses world; I believe he was the exact representation (likeness, resemblance) of God’s will in a man. Jesus “being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person (Heb 1:3) There is so much more that could be shared on Jesus being the image of God. You mention, Ben, that Jesus saying “Because you have seen me you believe” as equivalent to Him labeling the declaration of His own Deity, belief. After reading the entire section of John 20:24-29 I think that the emphasis in not on His Deity but on Thomas believing that Jesus was alive … that Jesus was resurrected; He had been dead 3 days and nights but was brought back to life. I love verse 29 because it talks about us. We do not have the opportunity today of seeing in his hands the print of the nails or to be able to thrust our hands into his side but we are blessed because we believe without seeing. My understanding of Christ is today He is the head of the body. He is Lord who has been given all authority and power. I believe that today Jesus functions as God in a relationship similar to what Joseph had with Pharaoh in Egypt, but some day in the future I Cor 15:28 tells us “And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.” I think doctrinally in the Scriptures there similarities and there are differences between the Father and the Son, but on the practical side or the relationship side there is little distinction between the Father and the Son (unless the Holy Spirit indicates otherwise). I John 1:3 says “truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” If you Google “greek prepositions diagram” and click on ‘images’ you will see a handy diagram which helps to explain the prepositions in I Cor 8:6 which says “Yet for us there is but one God, the father, from (ek = out of) whom all things came and for (eis = unto ) whom we live (unto God), and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through (dia w/ genitive) whom all things came and through (dia) whom we live.” (NIV) I do not believe “all things came through him” is referring to the creation of all things in the beginning; rather, it is speaking of the Church. God provided all things for the Church via Jesus Christ. The whole of 1 Cor is taken up with Church issues. I believe the verse states clearly that Christians have one God who is the ultimate source of all things, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the way by which God provided all things to the Church. In my words Jesus is the ‘user friendly interface’ to God. Everything that comes from God to us comes through Christ and everything we do for God goes to Him through Christ. Well, in conclusion, my prayer is that you don’t consider this an attack on what you believe but I offer my reply (as incomplete as it is) as a different understanding of Christology than the orthodox view … which believes Jesus is God; whereas, I believe it is God living/working in Christ. “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ and the head of the woman is man; and the head of Christ is God.” (I Cor 11:3) I ask that you honor my request that the things I’ve shared are meant to be confidential between the four of us. This is not because I am embarrassed by what I believe, but I also have a pastor’s heart. I understand my beliefs can be divisive and cause confusion, which is not my intent at all. My mindset has been and will continue to be to place my differences in beliefs and understanding in subjection to His love and Lordship … to think more highly of others than myself. This is why I have kept silent on the subject and plan to continue with body of believers I fellowship with. All my love in Christ Jesus, our Lord! Hugh

Have you heard about Esther’s courage? She had the audacity to stand for God in an incredibly dark time. Though the Persian Empire had decreed the genocide of her people, she could have easily remained in the closet about her ethnicity and enjoyed the comforts of the palace. Nonetheless, she would not stand idly by, but courageously trusted in God and risked her life to petition the king for the lives of her people. Even if you already know the story of Queen Esther, it’s worth your time to consider how her example can encourage you to stand up for God in your own context. Notes: --- Act 1: Queen Vashti disobeys Ahasuerus Esther 1.15-20 Act 2: The Search for a New Queen Esther 2.17 Act 3: Haman’ Plot Esther 3.8-14 Act 4: Esther Takes a Stand Esther 4.11, 13-14, 16; 5.13-14 Act 5: Mordecai Exalted Esther 6.3-11 Act 6: Haman’s Demise Esther 7.2-6, 8-9 Act 7: The Jews Delivered Esther 8.15-17 * What is one area in your life where fear is holding you back? * What is one change you would make in your life if you had the courage of Esther? * Do you think God would back you up if you made this change?

What does the bible teach about forgiveness? Is it optional or mandatory? Are Christians allowed to hold grudges? Do we only have to forgive if someone apologizes? Join us as we discuss four reasons why you should forgive: (1) if we don’t forgive others, God won’t forgive us; (2) forgiving others makes sense in light of how much God forgave us; (3) forgiveness offers an opportunity to testify; (4) forgiving is better for your health. Forgiving others is simple but far from easy. Even so, it’s something we need to become good at doing.

Richard Hays, Professor of New Testament at Duke Divinity School, explains the incredible effect Jesus’ resurrection has on theology and practice. His lecture divides into two parts: (1) a proper New Testament understanding of the resurrection requires a robust affirmation of the resurrection of the body and (2) resurrection of the body is a sign of God’s power invading creation and therefore preaching resurrection requires embodying resurrection ethics as well.

This is now our third and last episode in our series on work. We’ve talked about the Christian work ethic and honorable work (i.e., what sorts of jobs Christians should shoot for as well as avoid) and now today we are talking about work’s opposite: rest. This is a really important topic to consider. Listen in to the discussion with Sean Finnegan, Rose Rider, and Sean Kelly as we talk about the crazy pace of American life today as well as why we need to take breaks each day, each week, and each year. What is the Sabbath? Should Christians keep the Sabbath? How can we lead balanced lives?

What do you believe about hospitality? The scriptures lay out three major kinds: (1) hospitality to the saints; (2) hospitality to the needy; (3) hospitality to the unbeliever. As it turns out showing hospitality is an important Christian practice, even if it takes courage to invite others into our houses. In our present age, hospitality just might be the secret the church has been looking for to reach out to others with God’s grace and love. For example, when a pastor invited over Rosaria Butterfield, a lesbian, feminist, vegetarian, English professor, she was able to begin seeing through the negative hype about bible-believing Christians and started on a journey that ultimately led to her conversion.

Picking up where we left off last week, we continue discussing the Christian work ethic and, in particular, delve into Max Weber’s “Protestant work ethic” hypothesis. Next Rose shares about her own career path, including graduating with a 4.0 in graphic design and her two year struggle to find a career job. After that, we looked at three criteria for honorable work: * Does your job require you to sin? * Are you contributing to something that causes harm? * Is it dishonest work? If you can say, “No,” to each of these, then you’re in good shape. However, considering that the most common jobs in America are retail salespersons, cashiers, food preparers, and office clerks, all of which pay well under the mean wage, how should a Christian feel about such work? We talk about how we have to be careful to find our identity in Christ rather than in our job, no matter how well or poorly it pays. Drawing on the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi we talked about ideal jobs that produce enjoyment, enable a team mindset, and better our world. Last of all, we addressed how we as Christians should think about unemployment.

Hello I’m Sean Finnegan and you are listening to Restitutio a podcast to get you thinking about biblical and historical Christianity, to inspire you to follow Christ, and to convict you to lead a consecrated life.. Episode 45: Talking with Jesus by John Cortright. This is now the third in a series of messages related to monotheism. Having established that the Father of Jesus is the only true God (John 17.3), we must be careful not denigrate or demote Jesus in any way. He is the perfect one who lived without sin and courageously faced death on behalf of all of us. In this message, John Cortright shares what the scriptures say about talking with Jesus. His full notes are available online here.

What is the Christian work ethic? What does the bible say about work? Join Rose Rider, Sean Finnegan, and Daniel Fitzsimmons for an honest conversation about how the biblical understanding of work challenges us. Leaning on Ecclesiastes and Proverbs, as well as the epistles of Paul, they share how work is God’s gift to us, that we should take pleasure in it, and that we should work hard regardless of who’s watching.

by Sean Finnegan The Shema has been the core creed of Judaism from the time of Moses to today. It stands as an immovable witness to God’s identity as well as our proper relation to him. Even though Jesus confessed the Shema, most Christians today aren’t familiar with it. This is because after the New Testament age, under the influence of Greek philosophy Christian thinking metastasized into Trinitarian dogma, scorning its native Hebrew context in the process. Eventually, “Yahweh” became “Lord” and “one” became “three in one” and the church became estranged from the bible’s legacy of unitarianism. This led to persecuting Jews and Christian monotheists. Listen in to this message about the Shema to find out how to stay true to the bible’s teaching about God’s identity. Notes: --- Deuteronomy 6:4 This verse begins the passage known as “the Shema.” Shema Yisrael, Yahweh eloheinu, Yahweh echad Hear, O Israel: Yahweh [is] our God, Yahweh [is] one Deuteronomy 6:5 Not only is God one, but we are to love Him with everything we have, including all our heart, all our soul, and all our might. These are more than just words on a page for Jews. It’s what they die for, what they live for. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Jews say the Shema each morning and night in obedience to this command. The Shema is not a silent belief but something spoken aloud daily. Deuteronomy 6:8 For prayer, Jews wear tefillin, small black leather boxes with scrolls in them. Deuteronomy 6:9 On Jewish homes all around the world you can find mezuzah, small decorative cases hung on their door posts containing scrolls. Deuteronomy 6:10-15 Sadly, Israel did forget God’s commands, and they did worship other gods, which resulted in their exile from the Promised Land. However, after they returned, they remembered. How do we process this as Christians? We must look to Christ and see what he said about this idea. Did he accept it, reject it, or change it? Mark 12:28-34 Jesus and the scribe completely agree on who God is. “He is one, and there is no one else besides him.” Jesus knows the Shema and endorses it. What about you?