Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
(Romans 12:2)
The following are articles which address difficult questions without getting too in-depth. If you’d like to dig deeper, challenge your presuppositions, or seek to understand God’s underlying purpose, methods, and goals more fully, consider registering for our Discovery Series self-study program.
How Traditionalism Conflicts with the Divine Council Worldview
The Divine Council Worldview (DCW) illuminates the role of created spirit beings, sometimes called the Sons of God (elohim), and their part in biblical history. What this article seeks to show is that for those of us who appreciate and accept the DCW, it would be inconsistent and incoherent to also hold to the perspective of traditionalism.
What is the Impact of the New Creation View – Part 2?
In the last of this series we look at the completed work of Christ and how all the milestones of humanity’s history served to multiply the children of God upon the earth and to preserve the seed from the first Adam to the last Adam. Each Adam fulfilled their respective roles; one in the natural realm, the other in the spiritual realm. When viewed from…
What is the Impact of the New Creation View – Part 1?
This six-part series explores the biblical events in Eden from a fresh perspective, suggesting disobedience of Adam and Eve wasn’t a fall but a necessary step to gain discernment of good and evil. It presents the mystery of God, the divine plan which includes redemption via Christ. Highlighted is that Adam and Eve weren’t complete or immortal; they were made to mature outside Eden, facing…
What’s the Real Lie of the Serpent?
Was Eve being tempted with the truth or with outright lies? We saw previously that the truth claims made by God and the serpent regarding death could be easily resolved when viewed from the redemptive work of Christ. In this article we review the other claims made by the serpent and see what the narrative reveals about them.
What is the Death Adam and Eve Died?
If one presupposes that God’s will and purpose for creating Adam and Eve was initially one of perfection and completeness then the traditional view of “the fall of mankind” seems an appropriate one. But is this the way the garden scene appears to a Christian who seeks the new creation in Christ? Come and see.
Did God Tempt Adam and Eve?
When faced with all the conditions before them, all of which were there directly or indirectly by God’s will, some might wonder whether Adam and Eve were being tempted by not only the serpent, but by God himself. Was the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil a simple test of obedience which resulted in their judgment and banishment from the garden and God’s presence,…
Was “the fall” just a possibility, or was it planned?
In this third installment we review numerous declarations by God which contradict the traditional interpretation of humanity’s “fall.” Through the lens of the redemption in Christ, we can recognize that Adam and Eve were created imperfect, incomplete, and mortal. This establishes the need for the future role of the Lamb of God, and reflects the process God intended to bring many sons and daughters to…
Did Mankind have Free Will before eating of the Tree of Knowledge?
This second article reviewing the events of the garden of Eden, addresses the existence and application of Adam and Eve’s free will. When viewed from the context of the work of God in Christ, their choice is as essential to humanity’s future as our Lord’s death and resurrection. Both had a role in imparting righteous and eternal life which comes through disobedience; the power of…
Was Christ’s work of redemption foreordained or Plan-B?
This introductory question about God’s plan for humanity forces us to look at our presuppositions about God and his work in Christ. Scripture leads us to conclude that, in the case of the new creation in Christ, God’s plan was conceived and established before the foundation of the world. This reflects clearly God’s proactive character and nature in providing for the completion of his children…
Lazarus & the Rich Man – He Who has Ears to Hear
It was common for Jesus to teach those around him in parables. Obviously the meaning behind the parables was not clear. Sometimes these parables were followed by the mysterious saying, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Yet, when he was alone with his disciples, they regularly asked the meaning of his parables. Why were there repeated questions about what Jesus was teaching?…
Reflections on the New Creation and the Cross
In the cross we see an act that appears as significant as the creation itself. Yet, if we look at the cross through man’s eyes only, we’re left with an incomplete picture. It requires God’s ability to transcend conventional paradigms of the beautiful. All that humanity perceives as ugly or beautiful must stand silent at the paradox of the cross. Let’s glimpse into the paradox.
Resurrection – the Bridge between Death and Judgment
We look further into the relationship resurrection has to Christ’s new creation work by addressing how it bridges death and judgment. Death is where we perish if we do not have our confidence and faith in Christ. It’s not the first death in which the unbeliever perishes, but in the second death. That is the death Christ gave his life to save all from. Although…
How many resurrections are spoken of in scripture?
The two resurrections we’re most familiar with; the resurrection of the faithful, and a later resurrection of the unjust, are not the full story. There is another harvest spoken of for the disobedient in Israel, God’s chosen people. We get a hint of it in Paul’s Letter to the Romans. The Apostle Paul understands God’s plan for Israel; to redeem it from exile, restoration and…
Tribulation and Israel’s Expectation – Part 8
This final article focuses on Israel’s expectation for one or more future resurrections as suggested in the book of Daniel. Here is a faithful prophet desirous to see the restoration of his people and the end of their exile. Though God has a plan and reveals elements of it to Daniel, much of it remains a mystery until an anointed one is revealed. It is…
Tribulation and Israel’s Expectation – Part 7
This seventh article focuses on Israel’s expectation of tribulation and how and why that might include the Gentiles. In God’s plan to be the God of all the nations he exhibits long-suffering with Israel’s descendants though they profane his name among the nations where he has dispersed them. Yet he will achieve all that he’s set his hand to do by including the Gentiles in…
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Many of the questions addressed in these articles come from topics covered in my recent book . . .
The Rapture Question: An Unfiltered View
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