This Sunday at Church: Consider a Meal Train for a Mom who recently gave birth

For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Consider a Meal Train for a Mom who recently gave birth.

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Fascinating: Messianic Prophecy and Trinity in Isaiah 48:12-16

I found this passage in Isaiah 48:12-16.

Here’s what the passage says:

“Listen to Me, Jacob, Israel whom I called;
I am He, I am the first, I am also the last.
¹³ Assuredly My hand founded the earth,
And My right hand spread out the heavens;
When I call to them, they stand together.
¹⁴ Assemble, all of you, and listen!
Who among them has declared these things?
The Lord loves him; he will carry out His good pleasure against Babylon,
And His arm will be against the Chaldeans.
¹⁵ I, yes I, have spoken; indeed I have called him,
I have brought him, and He will make his ways successful.
¹⁶ Come near to Me, listen to this:
From the beginning I have not spoken in secret,
From the time it took place, I was there.
And now the Lord God has sent Me, and His Spirit.”

I think in the near future I’ll have to study this passage more in-depth as its nearly 3 AM here and its late to start looking at the Hebrew.  But some quick observations.

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Quick Thoughts on Jesus saying He won’t drink yet He drank on the Cross

 

A second refutation of an alleged Bible contradiction in one week? This is not something on the list of alleged Bible contradiction on the Skeptic Annotated Bible.  Someone asked a quick question:

Do you have a Bible Contradiction article on the issue of Jesus’ words in Matt 26:29 (“I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”) and the account of him drinking sour wine on the cross (John 19:29-30)?

Let’s look at the two passage first:

“But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it with you, new, in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matt 26:29)

“A jar full of sour wine was standing there; so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a branch of hyssop and brought it up to His mouth. ³⁰ Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” (John 19:29-30)

Here’s my thoughts on reconciling the passage:

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God’s attribute: The Love of God Part 2

This is a series on the attributes of God.

The Love of God Part 2: God’s Love for others in the New Testament

Purpose: In this session we shall explore the attribute of the love of God as taught in the New Testament and also draw implication for the Christian life as a result of our study.

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Free PDF of Master’s Thesis: The New Left in American Evangelicalism

Here’s a thesis for a Master’s Degree in history that Liberty University’s College of Arts and Sciences has made available titled “The New Left in American Evangelicalism.”   So much have often been focused about Evangelicalism with the political conservative movement but with the change of trajectory of the younger generation (my generation of Millennial and younger) that has made its way into the church there’s not as much focus on the roots of the New Left in American Evangelicalism.  A case can be made that there needs to be discernment and concern for the Left especially with its rise in power in the establishment and institutions in today’s society and the church in the next generation picking things up from the world uncritically.

The thesis was written by Jonathan E. Harris and was completed on August 2020 as part of his completion of his Masters’ Degree in History.  I am thankful Liberty University has made this thesis available online for free.  Mr. Harris has published another book last month in September on social justice titled “Christianity and Social Justice: Religions in Conflict.”

Here’s the abstract for the thesis:

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This Sunday at Church: Pray for your church’s Deacons

For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Pray for your church’s Deacons.

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Quick Devotional from Matthew 7:1 (Observation from the Greek)

This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading some time ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.

Our text is from the Greek translation of Matthew 7:1.  Here is my translation:

“Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε· ”
Do not judge in order that you not be judged

Here are some observations:

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God’s attribute: The Love of God Part 1

This is a series on the attributes of God.

 

The Love of God Part 1: God’s Love for others in the Old Testament

Establish the need: Sometimes you hear people say that the God of the New Testament is a God of love but the God of the Old Testament is not a God of love; but is that true?

Purpose: In this session we shall explore the attribute of the love of God as taught in the Old Testament and also draw implication for the Christian life as a result of our study.

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Bible Contradiction? How many were in Jacob’s family when they came into Egypt?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: How many were in Jacob’s family when they came into Egypt?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

70

“and the sons of Joseph, who were born to him in Egypt, were two; all the people of the house of Jacob, who came to Egypt, were seventy.” (Genesis 46:27)

“All the people who descended from Jacob were seventy people, but Joseph was already in Egypt.” (Exodus 1:5)

“Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.” (Deuteronomy 10:22)

75

“Then Joseph sent word and invited his father Jacob and all his relatives to come to him, seventy-five people in all.” (Acts 7:14)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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Review: Spurgeon’s Catechism: With Scriptural Proofs

Note: For fans of Spurgeon have you checked out my Review: Charles Spurgeon Framed Art Print?

Charles Spurgeon. Spurgeon’s Catechism.  Apollo, PA: Ichthus Publications, August 16, 2014. 54 pp.

4 out of 5

Purchase: Amazon

Are you looking for a resource to go over with kids about Christianity?  This might be a resource for you to consider!  I know some reading this review might think “Catechism?” and wonder if this might be Roman Catholic.  It is actually Baptist.  This Catechism was edited by the Prince of Preacher Charles Spurgeon from a Catechism based upon the Baptist Catechism of 1693.

This booklet consists of 82 questions and answers.  I used this to go over it with my kids and they enjoyed it.  I did explain to them that ultimately we are to go with what the Bible says but we also do appreciate what others learn about what the Bible says whether at our present local church or also in the Past.  It was helpful to look up the Scriptural citation in context and discuss the passages that are Scriptural proofs for the answers and doctrines.  I was struck at the questions at time being of great depths for my kids (you can’t say this work is shallow) and also its simplicity.  I also appreciate that it wasn’t just all doctrinal (and doctrines matter!) but also it has a lot of questions for the ten commandments.

The biggest thing that I found helpful with these questions and answers is the conversations I have with my kids because of it.  I plan to go over other Baptist Catechisms with my kids after this one and this was a good place to start with my elementary school age kids.  I used this as a family worship going over one or two questions each time.  They were part of my family worship plan in which I would go over the book of Genesis with my girls and days when I was exhausted from all the preparation of studying through Genesis I would use this Catechism.  I do recommend this as a resource.

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This Sunday at Church: Encourage a mom with an infant

For this Sunday here’s what you can do:Encourage a mom with an infant.

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Bible Contradiction? Is it good to be foolish?

For today’s post we will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: Is it good to be foolish?

Here are the answers which the skeptic believes indicate a Bible contradiction:

It is good to be foolish.

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)

“Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18)

“We are fools on account of Christ, but you are prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are without honor!” (1 Corinthians 4:10)

It is not good to be foolish.

“The boastful will not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do injustice.” (Psalm 5:5)

“So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise,” (Ephesians 5:15)

(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)

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God’s attribute: The Goodness of God Part 2

This is a series on the attributes of God.

The Goodness of God Part 2: God’s Goodness in the New Testament

Purpose: In this session we shall explore the attribute of the goodness of God as taught in the New Testament and also draw implication for the Christian life as a result of our study.

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Review: The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer

Andrew David Naselli. The Serpent and the Serpent Slayer.  Wheaton, IL: Crossway, November 3, 2020.  160 pp.

5 out of 5

Purchase: Westminster | Amazon

Looking for a book that will make you be enchanted with the beauty of the Bible?  This book might do it for you!  The author Andrew David Naselli is a professor of the New Testament at Bethlehem College & Seminary and he did a masterful job of showing how the Bible has the theme of a hero that fights a monster/dragon in a great epic that results in the rescue and deliverance of many people.  This isn’t just a minor theme; rather it is a subject that spans the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  I believe this book makes a unique contribution in biblical theology and as the book progresses I am convinced that Nasellis is right of how serpent slaying stories found in many legends around the world echoes the greatest story ever told in the Greatest book of all namely the Bible.  It was not only educational but also a fun read!

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This Sunday at Church: Thank the Evangelists in your Church

For this Sunday here’s what you can do: Thank the Evangelists in your Church.

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