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The Old Testament Law given to Moses after Israel’s deliverance from Egypt was filled with rituals and sacrifices. All of this was designed to teach God’s people two very basic principles. These principles are fundamental for any civilization that seeks to perpetuate itself. The first principle is to comply with righteous and just rules that transcend human desires. For Israel, this meant they could have the favor, protection and leadings of God if they remained in harmony with His commands. This required sacrifices. The second principle is to live with humble gratitude for the freedoms that righteousness and justice provide. Israel was to learn this power of thankfulness by practicing heart gratitude towards God for all of His mercies. All of this required animal sacrifices. Why?
In the Old Testament, it is hard to avoid animal sacrifices. They first appear in Genesis after Adam and Eve sinned. The Bible tells us God provided them with animal skins as clothing. This would be an obvious reference to the fact that covering humanity’s sins could only be done through a sacrifice. This one example lays out how God would illustrate the need for justice to be satisfied up until Jesus came.
What about the Tabernacle?
When Israel was wandering in the wilderness, God instructed them to build the Tabernacle. This would be their portable place of worship. It would be the place where God’s presence could be felt, and His favor would be evident. It was within this structure that many different kinds of sacrifices took place. There were sin offerings, burnt offerings, peace offerings and wave offerings just to name a few. As we look at this from our 21st century perspective, we wonder why.
What was the point of all these rituals?
This is a really good question. Though detailed, the answer is even better. Let’s start with the sin offering made on the annual Day of Atonement. These were the very basis of all the rest of the sacrifices, as they were in place to satisfy justice, to cover the people’s sins. The sin offering made annually was a specific requirement to maintain God’s favor. Without them, any and all other offerings could not have been acceptable to God. Comprehending the importance of this piece helps us grasp how the other pieces fit into the puzzle.
Check out our November 04, 2024 podcast, “What’s the Difference Between Burnt Offerings and Sin Offerings?” for more. We clearly define the how and why of the sin offerings, including what they represented for Christians. We then look into how the burnt offerings are different and what they represent for us as well. Further, we examine what a peace offering is and how it’s given based on these other sacrifices. What we find is a startling explanation that unfolds how God’s plan unfolds through Jesus. The connections are amazing! Join us as we make what sound like complex ancient rituals simple and meaningful! -
Demons are scary. Not only are they mysterious, but they are also powerful beyond our human capacity. In our last episode, we mentioned scriptures that assure us they are restrained in “chains of darkness.” While this condition does limit them, they can still exert great influence on our world - and on individuals as well. We know Jesus cast many demons out of many people and some of his followers were able to do the same. The big question here has to do with whether or not such power and authority is still present within Christianity. Are we supposed to be casting out demons today? If so, who is supposed to be doing this and what scriptural instruction have we been given to follow?
Then and now
Looking through denominational Christian history over the last 1,900 year or so, we can observe a wide range of exorcism practices. From rituals, to prayers, to incense to relics, crosses and commands, these varied practices have widely been in use. The tragedy here is that until recently, there was not a deep understanding of mental health issues. Many of the “exorcisms” performed over the centuries ended up further harming those afflicted people instead of helping them. Looking at this in the most positive way, we see well-meaning efforts creating damage due to medical science ignorance.
How did Jesus do it?
This brings us to the fundamental question about what Jesus’ actual instructions were regarding casting out demons. It is important to note that when he himself cast demons out, it was basic. His command simply brought them out. Every time. Interestingly, all of the other recorded examples of demons being cast out by his followers seem to follow that same pattern of simplicity. We have no record of any rituals, lengthy prayers or ceremony.
An amazing fact is the Greek word for “exorcist” is only used once in the New Testament. It may be surprising that this word actually means “one who binds by an oath (or spell) i.e. by implication an exorcist (conjurer).” This definition of the practice of exorcisms gives us a very different perspective on casting demons out than what Jesus did and taught. The sole use of this word was to describe some Jewish individuals in the Apostle Paul’s day who were in Ephesus. These men were posing as authorities regarding the casting out of demons and had their fraudulence dramatically exposed.
Check out our October 28, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Be Involved in Exorcisms?” for more. We examine what Jesus instructed his followers to do and thoroughly look into one of the more dramatic examples of Jesus casting out demons. Through this example, we are able to glean an understanding of the powerful principles that cast demons away from their personal manipulation of individuals. We then directly address the question of what our role is and is not regarding demon possession today. Join us for this sobering and enlightening conversation. We follow the biblical path to knowing and handling our current-day Christian responsibilities. -
Eksik bölüm mü var?
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The world is such a confused place. For many, discussing evil spirits is fascinating, as looking into dark mysteries beyond our world can be a thrilling and adrenaline-packed ride. For Christians, such conversations are entered into with a fear and respect, as we are speaking of dark and evil things beyond our realm and understanding. It is therefore with caution that we approach this subject. The Bible clearly teaches us that demons do exist, and they are opposed to God and His righteousness. Further, we know this topic is far too easily glorified and dramatized. The specific focus of our present conversation will be to better understand how the Bible defines and separates demonic possession and influence from the serious mental health challenges that are so prevalent today.
Demons are real.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, he came across several demon-possessed individuals. In each and every case, the afflicted individual’s life was filled with pain, sadness and hopelessness. In each and every case, Jesus was able to bring relief to their traumatic circumstances by casting the offending demons out of them. Throughout the last 2,000 years of Christian history, Jesus’ followers have countlessly revisited these accounts as faith-strengthening examples of hope. The bottom line here is simple: Demons are real, but the power of God’s spirit through Jesus can always overcome them.
This is all well and good for those who are demon possessed, but what about those who have mental health challenges? In many cases, the “symptoms” of mental health issues are similar to demon possession. This can be confusing. Throughout history many mental health cases have gone undiagnosed and untreated because they were thought to be demon-possessed individuals. This at the very least is tragic. How many people, even today, end up without appropriate treatment because we incorrectly jump to a demon possession conclusion?
Demon possession or mental health challenges?
Fortunately, the Bible shows us that there is a difference between demon possession and mental health issues. Even better, Jesus shows us his compassion and clarity when dealing with such an issue. Many of us have never heard of this aspect of the gospel, but it is right there in black and white. It all has to do with the mental health of a young man whose father begged Jesus for help.
Check out our October 21, 2024 podcast, “Are There Different Kinds of Evil Spirits?” for more. We break down how the Scriptures differentiate between the internal challenges of mental health and the external issues of demons. We examine how Jesus went about healing this suffering person and all of the lessons he left for us to learn as a result. Mental health issues are very serious and are on the rise in our present day. They can be triggered by a wide variety of circumstances. As Christians, we need to understand what to do when confronted with them. Join us as we walk through this often mysterious and sometimes scary world. Learn with us about how to respond with appropriate Christian wisdom and compassion! -
When we read the Bible, it sometimes appears to say things that just don’t make sense. Think about the scripture that plainly says God did not want the Apostle Paul to preach the gospel in Asia. Why not? Jesus told his disciples to preach the word throughout the world. Didn’t Asia count? This apparent discrepancy can stimulate all kinds of questions and even provoke doubt as to the equity of God’s character. The good news is, the answer to all of this is not only sensible, but also profound and inspiring as well. When we understand the lay of the land, the literal geography of the area and the big picture of the mission the disciples were given, a whole new conclusion emerges.
Paul was called to be an evangelist.
When he was converted while on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, it was made plain to him that he would bring the gospel before Gentiles and kings. Paul answered this call with a remarkable passion. He would preach. He would stand before anyone and everyone, from the lowest peasant to the highest ruler. Paul would set up churches and expand the cause of Christ. Being told to NOT preach in a specific territory was not a normal - and likely not an expected - command to have to follow.
There are several aspects to this seemingly questionable command. First, it needs to be clarified that the Asia that was “forbidden” in this command was Asia Minor, which was actually a Roman province. This was not the massive continent of Asia that we know today. It is important to realize the gospel would be extremely prominent in this area and Paul would have much to do with the churches founded there.
All of this being said, why was he forbidden to preach?
There’s more. Paul obeyed this command decisively and journeyed north through Asia. As he approached its northern edge, he proposed to leave that province and go into Bithynia and evangelize. He was again forbidden to go there and preach. Now wait a minute! What's happening here? Why is Paul the evangelist seemingly being shut down from what he was called to do? Why were the core desires of his heart to spread the gospel being denied?
Check out our recent podcast, “Why Didn’t Paul Preach in Asia?” for more. We pull all of the pieces of context together and put them in order. We discover the reason for these denials was not to stifle, but to bring a magnificent increase to the work. The bottom line here is all about fulfilling the big picture of the gospel mission. It’s all about Paul being shown that his efforts would be focused and concentrated on those specific things that God wanted him to do at the specific time that God wanted them done. Join us as we take this very straightforward question and unveil a very straightforward scriptural answer! -
By definition, being a Christian is all about following in Jesus’ footsteps. It’s all about learning how to walk the walk and talk the talk that he himself lived. Of course, this is no easy task, as we are challenged with applying the life lessons he taught us 2,000 years ago to the very different lives we live in our present digital age. As different as all of this is, some things are very much the same. Jesus’ promise to prepare a place for his true disciples in heaven is the same. His assurance that God’s spirit would guide us is the same. His alerting us to the trials that come to us because we follow him is the same. Having Christ in us producing the hope of glory is the same. So, what does it mean to have "Christ in you"? Is this an automatic thing that happens when we believe, or is it the end result of a long journey of growth?
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“Tell the truth!” For many of us, we can recall that strongly stated advice as coming from our parents when we were caught doing or saying something that we shouldn’t have. The immediate dilemma was obvious. If I tell the truth, then I’m going to get in trouble. If I lie or just tell a part of the truth, I may get away with it. But what if they found out I lied? Then I might be in even more trouble! While we as adults may look back upon such dilemmas and smile, the reality is, we as Christians must always be on our guard to practice being truthful and having integrity every day and in every way. What does this mean? How are we supposed to handle the countless compromising circumstances of life where half-truths and exaggeration come into play? And what about little white lies?
The Bible is very specific about God’s standards for truthfulness.
The Ninth Commandment tells us to not bear false witness against our neighbor. In the book of Leviticus, we are told to not slander anyone. In Proverbs, “a lying tongue” is on the list of the seven things God hates. Obviously, telling lies should not be on our “things that are okay to do” list, but is it really that easy? Are there ever circumstances were hiding the truth is acceptable or speaking a partial truth is okay? Is it ever okay to be deceptive? And what about exaggeration, is that lying?
Based on all these questions, the challenge of understanding how to apply truth telling in many situations is significant. To complicate things, we can find several instances in the Bible where God Himself advised deception or the telling of a partial truth. Now wait a minute. Why would He do that? Why would our God, who hates lying, appear to contradict that hatred by instructing His people to do these things? The key point here is that, taken out of context, God would appear to be contradicting His own character. He does NOT do that, but He DOES give us specific guidelines and examples to adhere to in very unusual situations.
Check out our September 30, 2024 podcast, “Is It Ever Okay for a Christian to Lie?” for more. We dive into the hard questions using biblical examples of God’s guidance at specific times as a backdrop. What we find is a wide variety of applications of how truth works. Make no mistake, none of these examples in Scripture glorify lies in any way. What they do is they teach us how to detect and understand the nuances of life’s challenges. With this understanding we can apply godly wisdom to help us respond with appropriateness to our experiences. While this is challenging, it is also doable. Join us as we navigate these rough waters of truth telling in a dark and evil world. This episode will make you think, as it lays out biblical principles and direction. -
To many Christians, the fear of an eternal place of torment for unbelievers is very real. In the first four parts of this Hellfire Series, we addressed many of the sources of these fears one at a time. What we have seen is straightforward. First, the concept of "unquenchable fire" comes from the Old Testament and simply means a fire of destruction that burns until its work is done. Second, “weeping and gnashing of teeth” refers to deep regret on the part of those who should know better and has nothing to do with flames and torture. Third, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is just that. It is a parable that demonstrates the unfaithfulness of the Jewish nation when they rejected Jesus. Fourth, history plainly reveals the origin of torture and flames in an afterlife comes from pagan origins and is not at all biblical. Finally, here we are looking at the book of Revelation. Do its graphic statements fit in with all that we have previously discovered? Absolutely!
Sounds scary!
The book of Revelation reveals some pretty ominous descriptions of penalties for ungodly activities. Reading things like, “he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb,” and "the smoke of their torment" in Revelation 14:10 and, “they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” in Revelation 20:10 can easily give us a sense of fear and foreboding. Even though we know Revelation is a book of extremely symbolic language, we need clear explanations. What is really being said here?
The first point to consider may sound simplistic but is necessary when interpreting these texts. That is, Revelation is part of the whole Bible, and its symbols are consistent with the rest of God’s word. Accepting this simple premise allows us to build a solid foundation for true understanding. Let’s take the word for "torment" that appears in both of these Revelation texts as an example. This same word appears in its different forms (noun, verb) in several other New Testament scriptures. When we examine how it is used in all these cases, a clear meaning begins to emerge. This word is NOT at all describing the physical pain and suffering that would come from a hell of torment. Rather, it reveals the genuineness of a person or system. Does this person or religious system truly represent what it proclaims to stand for?
Check out our September 24, 2024 podcast, “What Does 'The Smoke of Their Torment Rises Up Forever' Mean? (Hellfire Series Part V)" for details. We consider these symbolic Revelation scriptures in the light of their immediate context using the foundation of the rest of biblical testimony. What we find is a clear and harmonious message. It reveals the consequences for misrepresenting God’s sanctified truth as destruction and NOT torment. Join us for this unfolding of these very symbolic texts in the light of God’s love and plan for all of humanity.
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Morality can be a tricky thing. For the most part, humans do want to behave in a moral fashion. The tricky thing is figuring out how to actually define what qualifies as "moral behavior" and what does not. As Christians, this task of defining is supposed to be easier than for most, because we have God’s word as our clear foundation for our moral principles. I say "it’s supposed to be easier" because Christianity has demonstrated for thousands of years that claiming the name of Christ is far from a guarantee of moral behavior. So, what are we supposed to do with this? How do we take what God has clearly given us in His word and live it daily? How do we handle it when fellow Christians see aspects of God’s moral principles in a different light that we do?
Clearly, I'm right and you're wrong.
Disagreements about right and wrong regarding morals are surprisingly plentiful among Christians. Usually, the big glaring issues like not killing, not stealing and not bearing false witness are relatively easy to agree upon. That changes when we get down to the more personal and detailed aspects of life. In these grey areas, the subtlety of choosing this path or that one often comes down to personal perspective. It’s not just what I see that influences me, it’s also how I feel about what I see. How I feel and what I do can be very different that how you feel and what you do. Now what?
The Apostle Paul is brilliant on this dilemma.
In several of his letters, he taught us how to find the objective truth of our morals by solely focusing on God’s word. He taught us to firmly embrace and hold onto these clear moral truths. He then taught us how and when to take these sacred principles out of our central focus and consider more subjective human reasoning instead. Wait a minute, did Paul REALLY teach us to consider subjective sinful human conclusions as a primary focus? Yes, he did! However, before we get all tied up in knots, let’s put this in perspective.
Check out our September 16, 2024 podcast, “What Defines Moral Behavior? Part II” for details. We look at two full chapters in the apostle’s writings. These chapters address real, everyday issues in the lives of early Christians that were triggering and divisive. His approach was simple: From God's perspective, state the truth of whatever matter is being argued over. Next, pause and consider how your brother or sister in Christ is able to comprehend it. Has their life experience made this particular issue traumatic in any way? Does their background hinder them from seeing things through the same lens of Christian liberty others may be using?
Join us as we unravel this fascinating collection of principle, compassion, wisdom, humility and love. Our Christian morals - especially within our own brotherhood - must be driven by the highest God-honoring way in which we can support and include our fellow disciples. While this may not be easy, it is certainly well worth the effort! -
To be moral is to conform to a standard of right behavior. Ideally, to be moral is to stand for principles and actions that are positive and contributory to the world in which we live. This sounds great. It sounds like something we would all (with the exception of those who just don’t care) want to live by. However, there is a problem. Who defines what is moral and what is not? Upon whose proclamation do we decide whether someone is acting in a positive and contributory way or in a way that is destructive? Outside of the laws of the land we live in, each of us for the most part has the capacity to develop a personal moral code. The big question is, do we each define that moral code based on personal experience and preference, or do we define it by what we would consider to be higher guidelines?
There are several ways one can go about defining morality. In a very simplistic approach, we will touch on two very different methods to define what moral behavior should be driven by.
Let’s begin with Humanism
Humanism very basically says that instead of relying on God and religion for moral guidance and direction, one should focus on individual and collective wellbeing. This is attained by a reliance upon natural means such as science and reason. Knowing our place in the world comes from observing and understanding the world and not relying on supernatural sources for answers.
On the other hand...
Christians assert that all of the principles for our moral guidance come from God and are based on the Bible. We look heavenward to the plans and purposes of the Creator of our world to understand and determine what our moral responsibilities should be. We see this approach as providing a constant and unchanging basis for the justice, mercy and love with which we are required to treat one another.
As we compare these two approaches, we can see certain questions immediately appear regarding both sides. There is obviously a subjective aspect to Humanism that needs addressing. What do we do with the clear cultural and experiential biases we all have as we absorb science and interpret what is reasonable? When does a new approach to right and wrong come into play? And who decides? Questions regarding the biblical approach revolve around the proclamation that one ancient and never-changing approach to morality will always be right.
Check out our September 9, 2024 podcast, “What Defines Moral Behavior? (Part I)” for more. We break down these philosophical approaches step-by-step and use several lines of scriptural reasoning for support. What we find may be surprising, as the need for aspects of the subjective humanistic approach become very clear. Are we saying to not count on God’s objective approach to morality? Absolutely not. Join us and see how the Bible walks us through grasping the loftiness of God’s morality for humanity by showing us how to fine tune our own subjective approach. -
Jesus is Lord. He sits at the right hand of the throne of God, which is the position of highest power and authority in ALL of God’s glorious creation. This position was not thoughtlessly given. It was awarded to Jesus because his loyalty to and reverence for the heavenly Father were and are without equal. This position of unfathomable power and glory was attained by Jesus as a result of his willing submission to a grueling test of loyalty. This test was not only unique, but it was also profoundly necessary for the good of God’s angelic creation, as well as for the future of the entire human race. This test required Jesus to experience change, hardship and uncertainty. It required him to learn, adapt and grow while always being exactly on target with fulfilling God’s will. So, how did he do this?
When Jesus came to earth as a man, he essentially wrote a new chapter in history. Never before in all of God’s creation was one sent from the spiritual realm to become human and live a human life. This change would mean leaving all the glory behind and replacing it with the simpler, lower-level existence called humanity. If this wasn’t enough of a shock to the system, Jesus would also be required to give up any and all human ambitions and focus only on doing what God would instruct him to do.
Let’s think about all that is involved here.
Jesus was given a perfect human body with its natural physical limitations. His mind would also have human limitations, even though it was perfect. When Jesus went to be baptized by John, God gave him His holy spirit. This power and influence would aid him with not only discerning scripture, but also with reading other’s hearts and performing miracles. This was all a completely new and completely untested combination. A physical body, a physical mind and the power of God’s influence driving you. No wonder he needed to learn obedience!
So, how did these lessons in obedience take place?
Right from the start, Jesus learned by being engaged. Immediately following his baptism, he went to the wilderness to fast and pray. His objective was to be in full harmony and understanding with what God had sent him to do. It is in this environment that Satan came to him with the focused objective of derailing him from accomplishing his God ordained mission. Jesus’ learning had begun with a massive confrontation!
Check out our recent podcast, “Why Did Jesus Need to Learn Obedience?” for more. We trace the “why” of his learning obedience by linking the sins of Satan with the sin of Adam and Eve. We dig deeply into the details of how his responses to his experiences were in stark contrast to all that had been done before him. Join us on this revealing pathway to understanding what true obedience looks like. Let Jesus’ example inspire you to daily and steadily rising to higher heights of Christlikeness. -
When Jesus taught, he made many profound and life-changing statements. Here we are thousands of years later, appreciating how what he said can daily lift us up and inspire us. As beautiful as this is, it only scratches the surface. Our theme scripture is a classic example of this. It is awe inspiring to know Jesus is the "bread of life" that vanquishes hunger for all who truly follow him. Now let’s think more deeply. Let’s ask why. Why did Jesus say this? What was the deeper meaning that not only inspires but transforms our lives? Let’s check the context. The scriptures preceding this saying, tell us Passover was coming. In Jewish culture, this time of year brought anticipation for remembering the greatest deliverance in Israel’s history. Jesus would capitalize on this and show them something even greater.
Looking for Jesus?
Jesus had just miraculously fed over 5,000 people with five barley loaves and two fish. This was after performing miracles of healing as well. That night his apostles got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus went into the mountains for solitude. In the middle of the night he came down, walked on the water and rescued his apostles from a storm as he delivered them across the sea. That next day, many who had been fed could not find Jesus and crossed the Sea of Galilee to find him because they had questions!
They found him.
Jesus could read their hearts and knew the magnetic pull they felt towards him was based on his miracle of feeding thousands and not on his real message. His first words to them were to stop pursuing the physical advantage they perceived could be theirs by following him. Instead, he instructed them to pursue the “food that would endure to eternal life” he would give them. Jesus had offered them something powerful and unique. Their response was not, “Let’s follow;” rather, it was to ask him for a sign. They offered the manna from heaven God had supplied to Israel in the wilderness as an example. Didn’t they just see Jesus work miracles and feed thousands the day before?
Jesus didn’t miss a beat. He told them he was God’s "bread of life" that came from heaven, and this began to unsettle them. Then he went further. He talked about eating his flesh and drinking his blood as a requirement to follow him. Why would he say that?
Check out our August 26, 2024 podcast, “Why Is Jesus Called the Bread of Life?” for more. We follow this entire teaching as it was unfolded in John chapter 6. We pay special attention to the profound reasoning Jesus gave for being this bread of life. It's easy to observe the growing unrest and anger that built within his audience. Join us on this uncertain journey as we learn how easy it is to see powerful truths from the wrong perspective. Jesus IS the bread of life. The question is, are we being nourished by him? -
The subject of eternal torment can be volatile, as there are so many variations in its explanations. Aside from all of the questions and debates regarding the interpretation of Scripture, there’s one fundamental question that often gets overlooked: If a hell of torment is the ultimate consequence for sin, did God’s people always know that? Think about the power of this question. For the many Christians who see the eternal torture of hell as a deterrent from sin, wouldn’t God in His justice have given all of His people through all of history ample knowledge of this overwhelming consequence? Is the doctrine of eternal torment plainly revealed throughout the whole Bible? When do we see this teaching revealed in any ancient pagan belief systems? What is the history of hellfire?
The biblical account of Adam and Eve speaks volumes.
It is a straightforward way for us to understand how the principles of justice emanate from the mind and hand of God to the human race. God creates Adam and then Eve. He puts them into this garden to cultivate and gives them everything they need for a perfect and eternal life. God gives them the rules and plainly expresses that death is the penalty for disobedience. They disobey. They are removed from the Garden and the dying process begins. God had said that they came from the dust of the ground and to that dust they would return.
Such a clearly defined explanation of life and death at the very beginning of humanity’s course SHOULD be the basis for any conversation about the doctrine of eternal torment. Our first important question:
If such an eternally painful and horrifying consequence did come from God, why would He not proclaim it from the beginning?
Why would God tell Adam he would return to the “dust of the ground” if he was to be eternally tortured? Built upon this first question are two further fundamental questions:
Why in the almost 4,000-year history of Old Testament writings is a hell of torment never referenced? Why would God be silent with so much at stake?
What did pagan history during that same period of time teach in great detail about afterlife torture? In how many different pagan cultures did these afterlife torture teachings appear?
Check out our recent podcast, “Did a Belief in Hell Always Exist? (Hellfire Series Part IV)." We delve deeply into these three questions. We trace pagan history in great detail. This history of hellfire reveals clear and incontrovertible evidence of afterlife torment and torture in many cultures. We compare the timeframe in which these beliefs were relevant with what was simultaneously happening in biblical history. The conclusions the evidence presents are more than just thought provoking, they are profound. Join us for this amazing and factual journey through questions rarely asked. What is at stake is our comprehension of the very character of God. What we find are glorious answers! -
The teaching of a burning hell as the end result for those who reject Jesus is widely accepted in many Christian circles. Our emphatic belief is that this teaching is not based on the Bible, but rather on traditions that have misinterpreted what the Bible teaches. In the first two parts of our series, we addressed what “unquenchable fire” in Scripture does and does not mean, as well as how to understand the true meaning of “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Here in Part III, we examine what Jesus meant in his teaching about the Rich Man and Lazarus. Of all the verses in the Bible, some of the descriptions in this teaching can most easily be accepted as supporting being consciously tortured in flames. So, what’s the answer? Can being “tormented in this flame” be clearly and biblically explained?
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The world of politics IS our world. It is incredibly difficult to go through a typical day of interactions and online activity without being BOMBARDED with some form of political activism or opinion or outrage. With political victory comes power, and with power comes authority. With authority comes the ability to shape the lives and directions of the masses. Because of where we are in the stream of time, the grip of politics is not likely to let up at all. On the contrary, it is likely to grow and dominate. So, what is our role as Christians? Should we apply ourselves to get involved so we can bring sound thinking, righteousness and integrity to the process for the greater good of all people? Or should we stay away from the whole process, knowing it is ultimately going to fall apart anyway?
Politics even back then
Israel, just as any other nation, always had to deal with political wrangling. In Jesus’ day, we find the nation was entrenched in the iron grip of Roman rule. They were allowed to govern themselves as long as they faithfully paid their taxes and didn’t cause trouble for the empire. Even under such limitations, Israel’s politics were obvious and thriving. Three of the several politically driven “ruling class” sects were: the scribes, who were experts in the Mosaic Law; the Pharisees, who were the “champions” of the written and oral Law; and the Sadducees, who strictly adhered to the five books of Moses. While these three groups, along with others, worked together, they also spent a lot of time debating over their disagreements.
What about today?
We as Christians need to know what kind of role to play in today’s political environment. The best place to start is to look at the role Jesus played in his day. This is a fascinating investigation. Not only were there political gyrations in the ruling class, but there were also other subgroups that developed as a result of Roman rule. Two of these groups - the Publicans, who were tax collectors for Rome - and the zealots, who wanted to overthrow Rome - also stirred the pot. So, what did Jesus do with all of these groups? How did they treat him, and how did he act towards them? What can we learn from all of this?
Check out our August 5, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Be Politically Driven?” for answers. We define each of these groups and examine how they looked at Jesus. Remember, in many ways Jesus was a rebel in his day and was NOT generally well-received by those with influence. In fact, many ruling class groups ended up seeking to kill him, as they saw him as a direct threat to their positions. This one conclusion should have us pause and consider as we look at our political world today. Are the Christian principles we stand for today as strong and integrity driven as Jesus displayed? Join us for this intriguing and challenging look at Jesus, politics and our stand as modern-day Christians!
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If you look at any cross section of our present-day society, you will find that most of humanity suffers from physical or emotional maladies of one kind or another. It doesn’t matter what people’s belief systems are, suffering is universal. Who amongst us wouldn’t want to have some of that suffering taken away in a miraculous fashion? Who wouldn’t want their arthritis healed or their cancer cured, or their hearing or eyesight restored? The Christian teaching of faith healing some groups of Christians adhere to can be a very attractive and exciting proposition. If I have enough faith, and if I go and see this or that preacher who can wield the power, praise God, I can have relief! As attractive as this might be, we need to ask the fundamental questions. Is this what Jesus taught? If not, what do we do with it?
The miracles really were miraculous!
Jesus performed many miracles. His most frequently performed kind of miracle was that of healing. He could by his mere touch or words or attention grant healing for a wide variety of physical and mental ailments. Throughout the Gospels, there was not a single ailment that came before him that he did not or could not heal. What is even more dramatic is that some of those who were healed were not even in his presence. He spoke the word to someone who knew the ailing individual and the healing took place.
What about faith?
The next amazing observation is that faith was NOT a driving force in his healing. One dramatic example of this was when he healed the ten lepers. All they did was ask for mercy. All Jesus did was tell them to go before the priest, and as they were on their way, they were healed. Nine of those men didn’t even come back to express gratitude for their restored lives. This healing episode, along with several others, shows us the worthiness of the person being healed was not a relevant consideration. Why then were they healed? Because Jesus had God’s spirit working though him, and he had deep compassion on our sinful and ailing world.
The disciples of Jesus who were granted this gift of healing (which incidentally was a small number) all operated exactly in the same way that Jesus did. They healed because God’s spirit was in them, and they too had compassion. Here is the big question: When we look at those who claim the title of faith healers today, do we see more similarities or differences when compared to Jesus and the apostles? Do today’s healers do their work in public? Do they “heal them all” the way Jesus and his disciples did? Is the delivering of healing based on God’s spirit and deep compassion, or do they require faith?
Check out our July 29, 2024 podcast, “Should Christians Expect to Be Healed?” for more. Join us as we ask the hard questions and search through the sound biblical principles of the gift of healing. The answers we find may cause you to pause and consider!
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Most people know something about the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The core thought that is well known is the concept of helping a total stranger in a time of their great physical need. Think about it, there are laws in place to protect those who engage in helping strangers in case something goes wrong, called "Good Samaritan laws." There are organizations in place to promote these kinds of acts of brotherly kindness. There are ministries and hospitals that bear this name. As wonderful as all this is, the message Jesus was giving when he spoke this parable is far deeper. The bottom line is, if we work on understanding and actually applying his true message, we will learn to become not only true neighbors, but we will also grow to be that much closer to the image of Christ.
Nice try, Pharisees.
During his ministry, Jesus had many conversations with the scribes, Pharisees and lawyers who were experts on the Mosaic Law. On one occasion, one of these lawyers engaged Jesus about inheriting eternal life, which led to a very piercing question. The lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?" This query was put in place to attempt to trap him into a theological debate as a way of hopefully exposing a weakness in Jesus. The result was the exact opposite. Jesus took the question and told a story that in the end would settle that debate once and for all.
The story was one of Jesus' more famous parables about a man who is robbed, beaten and left near death along the road. While walking that road at separate times, a priest and a Levite came upon this beaten and dying man. They both avoided him and continued their journeys. Then a Samaritan man saw him and saved his life. The compassion, kindness and selfless giving this Samaritan showed is inspiring.
The power of this story merely begins with travesty of the priest and the Levite ignoring the wounded man. The parable’s true impact is in the hero of the day being a Samaritan man. This would have been surprising and even repulsive to Jesus’ listening audience. Why? The fact is the Jewish people and the Samaritan people were dire enemies. This mutually divisive opposition developed over several hundred years and for a myriad of reasons. It was so bad that one very dramatic insult among the Jews of Jesus’ day was to say to a fellow Jew that they were a Samaritan and had a demon!
Are YOU my neighbor?
Jesus chose a Samaritan as the hero of the story for many powerful reasons. Check out our recent podcast, “What Does Being a Good Samaritan Really Mean?” for more. We not only detail the rivalry between these two peoples, we also dive into all of what Jesus was teaching about being a true neighbor. Join us as we uncover the priceless treasures of what being a "neighbor" really means. This is one lesson that we all need to hear and apply! -
In Part I, we looked into what Jesus really meant when he talked about “hell" and "unquenchable fire.” Gehenna, the Greek word Jesus used for “hell,” describes a valley in which horrible acts of idolatry occurred. God proclaimed this valley would be known as a valley of slaughter, a valley that would symbolize utter destruction. Further, we discovered that when Jesus spoke of “unquenchable fire,” he was referring to Old Testament fires of destruction that would burn until there was nothing left to be consumed. While these realizations take the eternal torture and flames out of the concept of hell, we still have other words of Jesus to consider. What about all of the times that Jesus said some would experience “weeping and gnashing of teeth”? What was he describing?
Seven times
Jesus specifically spoke about "weeping and gnashing of teeth" seven different times. This tells us several important things. First, we see he was relaying a very important message. His words were a warning to his listeners to be aware of themselves so they would be able to avoid having this reaction. Second, we need to know who was being addressed. It turns out there were several categories of people being spoken to. There were the Jews of his day, and Christians - both true and false - throughout the whole age of gospel message going forth. Then he also addressed those at the end of the age, when the "time of trouble" will descend upon the world. Jesus’ message was comprehensive and attention-getting!
What does it mean - and what DOESN'T it mean?
Next, we need to be aware of what this “weeping and gnashing of teeth” phrase meant and what it didn’t mean. This is a deeply important point, as many Christians instinctively associate it with the concept of a burning hell. The problem here is simple. As we discussed in Part I, the idea of torture in everlasting fire is not at all scripturally accurate. That being the case, we need to have a crystal-clear understanding of how Jesus used this particular phrase. By understanding the words and their context, this begins to become clear.
Next, we need to face the fact that most of the time “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is used, it is within the context of parables. Parables by definition are symbolic, and we need to honor that basis in our understanding. So many details and so little time! Check out our July 15, 2024 podcast, “What Does Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth Mean? (Part II)” for more. We systematically go through an overview of all seven times Jesus spoke these words. We identify the "who" and "why" of each instance. Finally, we then highlight the similarities and point out the differences as we compare them. What we find is a sobering and comprehensive lesson Jesus taught to anyone and everyone who would come to know him. Join us to see how weeping and gnashing of teeth makes incredible sense as a learning experience and not as eternal torture. -
To the critical observer, modern Christianity is confusing as we have countless denominations and their countless ways of interpreting Scripture. These widely varied interpretations give birth to widely varied traditions that support those interpretations. As a major subset of this, we have wide discrepancies regarding the destiny of unbelievers. Several times, Jesus plainly taught about the consequences of hell. The enormous question that needs answering is, did he teach hell was a place of agonizing and eternal torture from which there is no escape, or were his several references to hell pointing to a very different meaning? Our focus is on the primary New Testament word Jesus used to describe hell. If we understand the word and its context, we will understand Jesus’ meaning.
Is the fire REALLY "unquenchable"?
Whenever Jesus spoke about hell, it was usually accompanied by descriptions of fire. Not only was there fire involved, but this fire was described as unquenchable. To make things even more dire, there were times when Jesus added descriptions of worms that don’t die. When we put this all together, it looks like we have descriptions of some kind of cataclysmic place, event or time that is wholly unpleasant. Jesus spoke about these things to get our attention. The question is, what was he actually showing us?
For many the answer seems obvious, and their conclusion is that all of this is describing the fiery torment of an eternal hell from which there is no relief. This widely held interpretation has been around for many generations. We would like to respectfully suggest what we consider to be several glaring inconsistencies with this reasoning.
Where is hell, exactly?
The first question arises when we understand what the word for “hell” means in these teachings of Jesus. “Hell” is the Greek word Gehenna. Gehenna literally translates to “The Valley of (the son of) Hinnom.” This was a literal valley outside of Jerusalem that in Joshua’s day was passed on to the sons of Hinnom. So, this is a piece of real estate. Why would Jesus use a physical piece of land in these graphic descriptions? The sad answer is because of the idolatry that took place in the days of Jeremiah. Israel not only worshipped idols, but they burned their children alive to these idols as sacrifices. In the book of Jeremiah, God plainly stated that such torture had never entered His mind.
Why would God eternally torture people when by His own words he so vehemently condemned it? This is just one of many questions that need asking. Check out our July 8, 2024 podcast, “What Did Jesus Mean When He Talked About Hellfire? (Part I).” We dig deeply into this question, as well as the glaring questions about unquenchable fire, undying worms and Gehenna. The source for the answers to these queries is the Bible. No speculation, no tradition; just scriptures put in place to explain other scriptures. Join us as we walk down this biblical road in search of God’s clearly stated truth.
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Everyone wants to be heard. Being heard is not only an acknowledgment of our existence but also confirms our value. Being listened to helps us find a place of significance in whatever social order we happen to be engaging in. To be heard - to be truly paid attention to - is to be recognized as the individual you are. Because so much rides on our ability to be heard, how do we enhance that ability? How do we better place ourselves in this position of mutual respect and contribution? Do we speak louder? Do we elevate our passion, or raise our voice or talk faster? Many of us likely have little to no idea how to enhance this ability of communication, and what we think we know are in many cases backwards. As we look at this question through the eyes of biblical principles, the answers will become obvious!
To best understand how to be heard as someone who contributes value, we need to understand what methods and motivations to adopt, as well as which ones we need to be rid of. We cannot expect to become great communicators by simply adding a few catch phrases or expanding our vocabulary. Taking the negatives away needs to be one of our primary focal points.
One example of a communication destroyer is gossip.
Think about being in a situation where important things are being discussed, and the person relaying these things is a known gossip. How seriously do you take their input? Do you ever wonder if engaging with them with make you the subject of future gossip? True communication ability depends on having strong credibility, and let’s face it. Gossip is a credibility drainer. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are several other very negative speech habits that derail our ability to be heard.
Let's enhance our communication methods.
On the other side of the issue, there are also several foundational communication enhancing methods of approach. When applied, these draw those listening to become more fully engaged. One example here is authenticity. When we are truly authentic, we are clearly representing ourselves as being fully and sincerely committed to what we are saying as well as how we are saying it. Authenticity is not very common and when people see it, they are drawn to it.
Check out our July 1, 2024 podcast, “How Can I Get People to Listen When I Speak?” for more. We label and discuss seven detractors from effective communication. We examine them scripturally to expose the depth of their damage. As a remedy, we also dwell on four solid foundations for effectively communicating. Embracing these foundations draws us away from those other damaging habits. One more thing. There is another amazingly powerful secret to truly valuable communication most of us just don’t think about. Join us as we assemble all of these pieces and learn how to elevate our ability to be heard and to be effective! -
Habits are BIG! In many ways, habits - whether they are good or bad for us - dominate our lives. The odd thing is we are not even generally aware of how deeply rooted they are and how much control they really have. In Part I of our 2-part habits series, we looked into the habits that define our personal lives, those things we do that may or may not impact those around us. In this episode, we look into the habits that define our public lives, those things we do when others are watching or engaging. The science of habits tells us the human brain is capable of being rewired through our conscious efforts. While this truth might be surprising, it also offers us a foundation for change. The Christian question here is, do I present myself in public in a way that brings glory to God, or do I have work to do? How are my social habits?
In Part I of this 2-part series, we focused on two things:
We learned about how the brain’s neuroplasticity contributes to the forming of habits. New habits can replace old ones.
We focused on our personal habits and assessed whether or not they should be replaced in order to glorify God.
Here in Part II, we took things one step further as we considered our public habits. When you think about it, these public practices say a lot about who we are to others. Do they show our Christianity or display our fallen humanity?
Likely the unfortunate answer to this question is that our habitual behavior in public is generally designed to feed our human inclinations. Because these behaviors are not usually designed with God’s glory in mind, our need to work at changing them becomes evident.
Where do we start?
The first thing to realize is that how we act in public depends upon what type of people are in our present circumstances. If we are among fellow Christians, our often-repeated behavior will fall into a specific category. If we are situated among family, friends or associates of some kind, our habitual natural responses will probably look different. Finally, if we find ourselves among those who would stand against us, our habitual responses would undoubtedly be very preservation-oriented and different once again. What do we do with all of this?
Check out our June 6, 2024 podcast, “Do My Habits Glorify God? (Part II)” for answers. We assess each category of our public habits. Next, we establish what the thought process needs to be to systematically replace any of our subconsciously engrained public habits. We then match this thought process with the science of habit-changing behavior. We end up with a remarkable message! As Christians, we are called upon to reflect godliness at every turn in our lives. As we combine Scripture and science, we see the pathway to this higher godliness unfold. Join us! Changing our lives to better honor God is not only possible, but also joyful as well! - Daha fazla göster
