"Luther"

Being that tomorrow is Reformation Day marking the anniversary of when German monk Martin Luther nailed his infamous 95 Theses on the Wittenburg Castle Church door, we will be watching the 2003 movie Luther at the parsonage. I hope you will make it. If not, below is the movie.

The Prince of Egypt: The 10 Plagues

The God Who Became Man: Millard Erickson on the Implications of the Humanity of Christ

In preparation for tonight's Bible study, I came across the following paragraphs from Millard Erickson's great systematic theology text Christian Theology regarding the implications of the doctrine of Christ's humanity.  We wholeheartedly affirm the deity of Christ, but too many of us, as Evangelical, Conservative, Baptist Christians, fail to reflect, study, and apply the important doctrine of Christ's deity.

What Erickson offers below is a good summary of the practicality of this doctrine.  Remember that all doctrines are practical and all of us are theologians. Thus what we believe about the doctrine of Christ (Christology) matters and thus it is important to consider both the deity and the humanity of Christ.  Erickson gives us a good sample as to why.

1.  The atoning death of Jesus can truly avail for us.  It was not some outsider to the human race who died on the cross.  He was one of us, and thus could truly offer a sacrifice on our behalf.  Just like the Old Testament priest, Jesus was a human who offered a sacrifice on behalf of his fellows.


2.  Jesus can truly sympathize with and intercede for us.  He has experienced all that we might undergo.  When we are hungry, weary, lonely, he fully understands, for he has gone through it all himself (Heb. 4:15).


3.  Jesus manifests the true nature of humanity.  While we are sometimes inclined to draw our conclusions as to what humanity is from an inductive examination of ourselves and those around us, these are but imperfect instances of humanity.  Jesus has not only told us what perfect humanity is, he has exhibited it.


4.  Jesus can be our example.  He is not some celestial superstar but one who has lived where we live.  We can therefore look to him as a model of the Christian life.  The biblical standards for human behavior, which seem to us to be so hard to attain, are seen in him to be within human possibility.  Of course, there must be full dependence upon the grace of God.  The fact that Jesus found it necessary to pray and depend upon the Father is indication that we must be similarly reliant upon him.


5.  Human nature is good.  When we tend toward asceticism, regarding human nature, and particularly physical nature, as somehow inherently evil or at least inferior to the spiritual and immaterial, the fact that Jesus took upon himself our full human nature is a reminder that to be human is not evil, it is good.


6.  God is not totally transcendent.  He is not so far removed from the human race.  If he could actually live among us at one time as a real human person, it is not surprising that he can and does act within the human realm today as well.


With John we rejoice that the incarnation was real and complete:  "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).

-Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 737-738.

Let me also point you to one other point hinted at in the list above (regarding Jesus' work as our Intercessor and Mediator).  And that is the fact that the sacrifice of God only is problematic for a number of reasons.  First of all, God is eternal and not subject to human weakness and the Fall.  In other words, God can never and will never succumb to death.  But there is another reason beyond this obvious point.  Jesus has to be both God and man because both are necessary for Him to be our propitiatory sacrifice and our mediator.  How?  The Docetic belief that it was God (who only "appeared" to be a man) who was on the cross is problematic for the same reason that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away human sin (Hebrews 10:4).  Animals aren't human enough to be the perfect sacrifice and mediator for salvation.  Similarly, if Christ is not both Divine and Human, then He is not human enough to be the perfect sacrifice and mediator for our salvation.  Christ, as our Mediator, must be both.

This is why Paul boldly proclaims, "For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).


For more:
Sermon - December 26, 2010 - Jesus is Man  
GBC - Mahaney on the Person and Work of Christ:  Christ Our Mediator  
GBC - Stomach Virus' and the Humanity of Christ:  Moore on the Suffering and Sick Servant
GBC - Sayers on the Incarnation of Christ  
GBC - If Jesus Were Born in Our Digital Age
Blogizomai - We Are All Theologians: The Root of Everything We Are and Do 

Jesus Chrsit is Divine: The Biblical Evidence

Tonight we'll be discussing the doctrine of Christ as we continue our Wednesday night series on some basic beliefs of Christianity loosely based on Wayne Grudem's great book Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know.  Here are some of the reasons to believe that Jesus was fully and completely God.

(Much of what follows is taken from Mark Driscoll, Doctrine: What Christians Should Believe (RE: Lit), beginning on page 221.)

God the Father said He was God

• Hebrews 1:8 -  “But of the Son [the Father] says, ‘Your throne, O God, is forever & ever.’”

Jesus Said He Was God

• Matthew 26:63-65 – his enemies declare JC spoke blasphemy
•  John 6:38, 41-46 – JC clams He was eternally God in heaven before coming to earth
•  John 5:18; 10:30-33 – JC enemies said He made “himself equal with God.”

Demons Said He Was God

• Mark 1:24; Luke 4:3-34 - "the Holy One of God."
• Luke 4:40-41 – “the Son of God.”

The Bible Says He Was God

• John 20:28 – Thomas’ confession: “My Lord and my God!”
• Romans 9:5 – “the Christ who is God over all.”
• Titus 2:13 – “our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
• Titus 3:4 – Jesus is “God our Savior.”
• 1 John 5:20 – Jesus “is the true God.”

Jesus has the names of God

• Son of Man
• Son of God
• Lord
• Alpha and Omega 

Jesus Posesses the Attributes of God

• He is Omnipotent
• Matthew 28:18 - "All authority has been given to me."
• Matthew 8:26-27 – quieted the storm
• Matthew 14:19 – fed thousands with little boys lunch
• John 2:1-11 – turned water into wine
• He is Omnipresent - Psalm 139:7-12
• Matthew 28:20 - "I'm with you always, even to the end of the age."
•  He is Omniscient - Matthew 11:27; John 2:25; 4:18
• John 16:30 – (Disciples) “Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God.”
• He is Immutable/Unchanging - James 1:17
• Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
• He is Sovereign Over the Future - Matthew 16:21; 17:22; 20:18-19; 26:1-2
• Predicted the certainty of His own death.
• Predicted the certainty of His own return.
• He is Eternal - John 1:1; Phil. 2:6; Heb. 1:11-12
• John 17:5 - "And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
• He is Creator -  Isa. 37:16; 44:24; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2
• John 1:2-3 – “He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through im, and w/o him was not anything made that was made.”
•  He is Soverign
• 1 Cor. 15:27 – “For God has put all things in subjection under his feet.”
•  He is Sustainer – Heb. 1:3
• Colossians 1:17 - “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
• He is Savior - Joel 2:32
• Rom. 10:13 - “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Jesus Did the Works of God

• Performed Miracles
• John 20:30-31 - “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
• Remained Holy and Sinless
• John 8:46 – “Which one of you convicts me of sin?”
• Peter – Acts 3:14; 1 Pet. 1:10; 2:22; 3:18
• John – 1 John 3:5 
• James - James 5:6
• Paul - 2 Cor. 5:21
• Judas - Matthew 27:3-4
• Pilate - Luke 23:22
• Executing Soldier - Luke 23:47
• Robber on the Cross - Luke 23:41
• Forgave Sins
• Mark 12:1-12– JC forgave paralytics sins.  Pharisees replied, “who can forgive sins but God?
• Judges Eternal Destinies
• John 5:21-22 - "“For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.  The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son.”
• Grants Eternal Life
• John 10:28 - “I give them [my sheep] eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”
• Accepted and Demanded Worship
• Jesus said to pray to Him – John 14:13-14; 15:7
• Stephen prayed to Jesus – Acts 7:59-60
• Canaanite woman prayed to Jesus 
• Matthew 15:25 – Bu she came and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, help me.’”
• Jesus is worshiped by a man He healed 
• John 9:38 – “He said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshiped him.”
•  John 5:23 – “All may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father.  Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.”
•  Colossians 2:9 – “in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily.”

How one can look at this evidence (and this barely scratches the surface of the wealth of biblical evidence of the deity of Christ) and deny that Jesus Christ is God.  Liberals, Jehovah Witnesses (who are in the tradition of Arius and the Arian heresy), when they deny Christ deity are at the same time questioning the authority and clarity of Scripture. 

Consider following what James Boyce had to say on the importance of this doctrine:

The importance of this fact of the Scripture teaching cannot be over-estimated. In its appropriate relations to the other truths taught it becomes the foundation of every hope. It is not a mere speculation. It enters into the very life of the Christian, enabling him to say: “I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Tim. 1:12. It is not sufficient for us to know that the person who died for us was divine before he came into the world. The Scriptures assure us, and we need to comfort ourselves with the assurance, that he was equally divine when a babe in Bethlehem, when suffering upon the cross, when ascending from Olivet, and even now, while in human nature, he rules as Mediatorial King, or makes intercession with the Father as our great high Priest. We must even go beyond the idea of some kind of divinity, and recognize him as the unchangeable God, who was, and is, and ever shall be, the Almighty, the well-beloved Son of the Father, whom that Father always hears, and to whom all things have been entrusted, in order that the consummation of his glorious kingdom may be fully attained. The incarnation has been indeed, of only one person of the Godhead, but of a person truly and essentially divine, whose relations to the divine nature have remained unaltered during his incarnation on earth and in heaven. -James Boyce, Abstract of Systematic Theology, 275-276


For more:
Sermon - December 19, 2010 - Jesus is God
Grudem on the Deity of Christ 
The Gospel Coalition on the Deity of Christ   
December 5, 2010 - Jesus is Lord 
The Nicene Creed  

Repost | A Letter & Gift From God: Palin's Letter on Trig & the Challenge of Down Syndrome

Former governor of Alaska and Vice-President candidate Sarah Palin needs no introduction.  Unlike anyone else in recent memory, Alaskan Sarah Palin has managed to remain in the news though her voice is limited to Twitter, Facebook, books, and appearances on Fox News.  Palin is an outspoken political conservative, but what I find most fascinating about her story isn't what she believes about tax cuts or ANWAR, but how her life changed with the birth of her Down Syndrome child named Trig Palin.

Palin admits in her book Going Rogue: An American Life that she had contemplated abortion due to her son's extra chromosone.  Most would, if honest with themselves, confess that raising a Down Syndrome child would radically alter one's life and present new life-long challenges and abortion (at least on the superficial surface) may seem like an attractive option.  But Palin, as we know refused to abort Trig holding fast to her pro-life convictions.

The reason this story is timely is because of the recent release of over 24,000 emails hacked from Palin's account and poured over by the mainstream media.  It is certainly fascinating that for many politicians we know virtually nothing (for example, we do not have current President Barack Obama's grades from college), but we are constantly bombarded with another attempt by the media and the left to uncover the smoking gun of a woman who has stepped down from her governorship in a state most in America ignore and is right now not a candidate for anything.  She just has her Twitter and Facebook account.  Even her reality TV show has ended.  What are we to gain with these emails?

Nonetheless, these emails have uncovered one gold jewel.  A letter, written by Mrs. Palin, has been released regarding the soon-to-be birth of their child with Down Syndrome.  Palin writes from the persective of His Creator.  As a Christian, I find this fascinating and encouraging.  Palin's language is right in seeing that Trig is not an accident nor unwanted.  God made no mistake by allowing him to have an extra-chromosone.  This does not mean that God rejoices in genetic deficiencies, but that He is greater than any deficiency.  In the letter, Palin seeks to portray God celebrating Trig's birth and thus encouraging the Palin family to celebrate his creation.

Portions of the letter had been released, but now the entire letter has been made available to the public and I strongly encourage you to read the entire thing.  This is not profound theology written by an academic scholar.  It is not a speech to be given by a sitting governor.  It is instead a letter written from a mother to her family as she herself struggles and joyfully anticipates the birth of her child who will have his challenges but bring with him unyielding joy.


SARAH PALIN’S COMPLETE LETTER TO HER FAMILY ABOUT TRIG 

To the Sisters, Brother, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends of Trig Paxson Van Palin (or whatever you end up naming him!):

I am blessing you with this surprise baby because I only want the best for you. I’ve heard your prayers that this baby will be happy and healthy, and I’ve answered them because I only want the best for you!

I heard your heart when you hinted that another boy would fit best in the Palin family, to round it out and complete that starting five line-up. Though another girl would be so nice, you didn’t think you could ask for what you REALLY wanted, but I knew, so I gave you a boy because I only want the best for you!


Then, I put the idea in your hearts that his name should be “Trig”, because it’s so fitting, with two Norse meanings: “True” and “Brave Victory”. You also have a Bristol Bay relative with that name, so I knew it would be best for you!

Then, I let Trig’s mom have an exceptionally comfortable pregnancy so she could enjoy every minute of it, and I even seemed to rush it along so she could wait until near the end to surprise you with the news – that way Piper wouldn’t have so long to wait and count down so many days – just like Christmastime when you have to wait, impatiently, for that special day to finally open your gift? (Or the way the Palins look forward to birthday celebrations that go on for three, four days… you all really like cake .) I know you, I knew you’d be better off with just a short time to wait!

Then, finally, I let Trig’s mom and dad find out before he was born that this little boy will truly be a GIFT. They were told in early tests that Trig may provide more challenges, and more joy, than what they ever may have imagined or ever asked for. At first the news seemed unreal and sad and confusing . But I gave Trig’ s mom and dad lots of time to think about it because they needed lots of time to understand that everything will be OK, in fact, everything will be great, because I only want the best for you!

I‘ve given Trig’s mom and dad peace and joy as they wait to meet their new son. I gave them a happy anticipation because they asked me for that. I‘ll give all of you the same happy anticipation and strength to deal with Trig’s challenges, but I won’t impose on you…

I just need to know you want to receive my offer to be with all of you and help you everyday to make Trig’s life a great one.

This new person in your life can help everyone put things in perspective and bind us together and get everyone focused on what really matters . The baby will expand your world and let you see and feel things you haven’t experienced yet. He’ll show you what “true, brave victory“ really means as those who love him will think less about self and focus less on what the world tells you is ”normal“ or ”perfect”. You will grow and be blessed with greater understanding that will be born along with Trig.

Trig will be his dad‘s little buddy and he’ll wear Carhartts while he learns to tinker in the garage. He’ll love to be read to, he’ll want to play goalie, and he‘ll steal his mom’s heart just like Track, Bristol, Willow and Piper did. And Trig will be the cuddly, innocent, mischievous, dependent little brother that his siblings have been waiting for in fact Trig will – in some diagnostic ways – always be a mischievous, dependent little brother, because I created him a bit different than a lot of babies born into this world today.

Every child is created special, with awesome purpose and amazing potential. Children are the most precious and promising ingredient in this mixed up world you live in down there on earth. Trig is no different, except he has one extra chromosome. Doctors call it “Down’s Syndrome”, and Downs kids have challenges, but can bring you much delight and more love than you can ever imagine! Just wait and see, let me prove this, because I only want the best for you!

Some of the rest of the world may not want him, but take comfort in that because the world will not compete for him. Take care of him and he will always be yours!

Trig‘s mom and dad don’t want people to focus on the baby’s extra chromosome. They’re human, so they haven’t known how to explain this to people who are so caring and are interested in this new little Alaskan. Sarah and Todd want people to share in the joy of this gift I’m giving to the Palin family, and the greater Alaska family. Many people won’t understand… and I understand that. Some will think Trig should not be allowed to be born because they fear a Downs child won’t be considered “perfect” in your world. (But tell me, what do you earthlings consider “perfect” or even “normal” anyway? Have you peeked down any grocery store isle, or school hallway, or into your office lunchroom lately? Or considered the odd celebrities you celebrate as “perfect” on t.v.? Have you noticed I make `em all shapes and sizes? Believe me ,, there is no “perfect”!)

Many people will express sympathy, but you don’t want or need that, because Trig will be a joy. You will have to trust me on this.

I know it will take time to grasp this and come to accept that I only want the best for you, and I only give my best. Remember though: “My ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts… for as the heavens are higher than the earth, my ways are higher than yours!”

I wrote that all down for you in the Good Book ! Look it up! You claim that you believe me – now it’s time to live out that belief!

Please look to me as this new challenge and chapter of life unfolds in front of you. I promise to equip you. I won‘t give you anything you can’t handle. I am answering your prayers. Trig can’t wait to meet you. I’m giving you ONLY THE BEST!

Love,
Trig’s Creator , Your Heavenly Father


HT:  The Blaze


And for my own enjoyment, here is my favorite clip from Palin's famous speech at the 2008 Republican National Convention of her daughter brushing the hair of Trig.





The Blaze - ‘A Down’s Syndrome Baby Will Expand Your World’: Sarah Palin’s Poignant, Moving Email About Her Unborn Son Revealed in Email Investigation  
Daily Mail - 'A Down's Syndrome baby will expand your world': How Sarah Palin imagined God talking to her in extraordinary and touching letter about her unborn son 


For more:
Blogizomai - When Politics Hits Home:  Sarah Palin and the Defense to Save Trig  
Blogizomai - The Threat of Trig Palin:  The Return of Life Worthy of Life 
Blogizomai - The Other 10%  
Blogizomai - Eugenics in the Present Tense:  The Reality of Eugenics in America Today - Part 2
Reviews - "Going Rogue" by Sarah Palin  
Reviews - "Sarah" by Kaylene Johnson

Driscoll on Trinitarian Heresies and Living the Trinitarian Life

I though the following video from a sermon delivered by Mark Driscoll was helpful in understanding what the Trinity is not.  Today we will be discussing this important topic.  Driscoll spends a lot of time criticizing the book The Shack by William Paul Young.  Though a little unnecessary, he is able to draw out some contemporary examples as to why understanding Trinitarian heresies remains important.




Also consider the following regarding the practicality of the doctrine of the Trinity:





For more:
DeYoung on the Trinity  
MacArthur on the Comfort of the Spirit 
The Nicene Creed 
November 20, 2010 - God is Triune:  God the Father
November 28, 2010 - God is Triune:  God the Spirit
This is Who We Are  What a Baptist Is and Believes - God the Father
This is Who We Are:  What a Baptist Is and Believes - God the Son  
This is Who We Are:  What a Baptist Is and Believes - God the Spirit 
Shai Linne:  Triune Praise 

Some Doctrine of Scripture Resources

Last week we discussed the Doctrine of Scripture and what we as Christians believe about it.  Obviously, we barely scratched the surface.  We weren't able to go into much detail regarding inerrancy, inspiration, or clarity (fancy word is perspicuity), among other things.  We discussed these some, but not in the detail they deserve.  Over the years I have written a good bit on these issues and want to pass some of them along to you.  What follows can be rather technical and academic as most of them were in the context of seminary work.  Forgive me for that, but I do want to make them available in one place.


The Clarity of Ambiguity: The Erosion of the Perspicuity of Scripture in the Emergent Church - the Complete Series | Click this link and it will take you to a series of links taken from a paper I wrote discussing the Emergent Church's understanding of the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture.  In short, they reject it and it is to their own shame.


The Real Divide: Luther, the Reformation, and the Fight Over Perspicuity - The Entire Series | Here is another series of links taken from a paper I wrote on the issue of the clarity of Scripture only this one is more historical.  Here I explore Martin Luther's understanding of perspicuity and argue that it was the central issue of the Reformation.



"God's Word in Human Words": Full Series | This is a series of links taken from a book critique I wrote on the book God's Word in Human Words: An Evangelical Appropriation of Critical Biblical Scholarship.  In the book, Kenton L. Sparks denies the inerrancy of Scripture arguing that it is unbiblical, unnecessary, and unbelievable.


This is Who We Are: What a Baptist Is and Believes - The Scriptures | This is taken from our series in the newsletter.

And here is the link I mentioned regarding what scholars have said is the message of Jesus in one sentence. I have offered two answers to the question of the Bible in one sentence:

The Bible is God's message of the good news of Jesus Christ from Creation to Consummation. 


Below are a couple of helpful videos on the message of the Bible.  Something we discussed in some detail.

Bibledex on Joel

Here is the video from the folks at Bibledex regarding the book of Joel which we'll discuss tonight.  Its shorter than the other videos and the least impressive.  The folks don't really discuss the book in its entirety nor do they even mention the locusts which is the foundation of the book.  Nonetheless, here it is.  Joel, as the video rightly points out, is a call to repentance.  And we need that now more than ever.





For more:
Bibledex on Amos 
Bibledex on Jonah  
Bibledex on Michah 
Bibledex on Nahum  
Bibledex on Habbakuk 
Bibledex on Zephaniah
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians   

Bibledex on Amos

Its been a while since we've been able to meet on Wednesday night for Bible study and prayer.  Tonight we continue our series of the Bible book by book backwards.  We find ourselves in the Minor Prophets still and tonight we will discuss the wonderful book of the Prophet Amos.  In preparation of that, here is the video produced by the folks at Bibledex on the book of Amos.  As always, I don't agree with everything that is said and the conclusions that are promoted, but I do find them to be helpful videos and this one is no different.





For more:
Bibledex on Jonah  
Bibledex on Malachi 
Bibledex on Nahum  
Bibledex on Habbakuk 
Bibledex on Zephaniah
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians   

Holman Dictionary on Jonah

In my preparation for tonight's study of Jonah, I came across some insightful quotes from the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary.  The entry on the book of Jonah is perhaps the best I came across covering the message of the book and the issues surrounding it in brief.

To begin, the editors note how many since the rise of modern liberalism and biblical criticism have enjoyed picking on Jonah arguing that it is simply a fable or a myth rejecting its historicity.  The reasons for this should be obvious on the surface.  For one, fish don't swallow people only to vomit them up again.  Likewise, plants don't grow and then be eaten by a small worm in a matter of minutes or hours.  The problem with such arguments is to assume that the God of creation has no control over His creation.  If God is supernatural and not bound by natural laws, then it is logical to conclude that He can override natural laws in a supernatural way.  Jonah is no exception.

The dictionary writes:

Many since the 19th Century AD have regarded Jonah as a parable or didactic fiction, as if factual history were ruled out by literary artistry or the recounting of miraculous events.  If this narrative, however, whose form bears at every point the mark of a historical account, was judged unhistorical on either of these bases, then most of the Bible would follow easily along.  It is pointless to ask whether Jonah really could have been swallowed by a great fish without also asking whether God really could communicate with a prophet.  Every aspect of man’s encounter with God is miraculous.  Jonah is clearly didactic, but it is not presented as fiction or interpreted as such by Jesus (cp. Matt. 12:40-41).   -942

Also, the entry discusses why Jonah was so adamant to not preach repentance to the Ninehvites.  This is helpful because oftentimes we read Jonah without realizing the difficulty of the task Jonah was asked to complete.  Would we go to the inner circle of the most wicked terrorist and proclaim the gospel to them?  I am willing to bet we wouldn't simply because we would think that they wouldn't deserve the good news.

Jonah was not pleased when God commanded him to go to Nineveh and preach repentance.  The Assyrians worshiped the vicious god Ashur and a multitude of other gods and goddesses.  Assyrian brutality and cruelty were legendary.  The Assyrians were known to impale their enemies on stakes in front of their towns and hang their heads from trees in the king’s gardens.  They also tortured their captives – men, women, or children – by hacking off noses, ears, or fingers, gouging out their eyes, or tearing off their lips and hands.  They reportedly covered the city wall with the skins of their victims.  Rebellious subjects would be massacred by the hundreds, sometimes burned at the stake.  Then their skulls would be placed in great piles by the roadside as a warning to others.  Jonah decided that he would rather quit the prophetic ministry than preach to such people.  Nineveh was about 500 miles to the east, so he headed for Tarshish, probably what is now Spain, the farthest western location he knew, about 2,000 miles.  -945


*  The above picture is of Jonah preaching in Nineveh.

Bibledex on Jonah

Here is the video from the folks at Bibledex.  I must say I am surprised that they don't come out and reject the historicity of the book.  They in fact, almost ignore some of the modern criticism's of the book which is unlike them.  So in that sense, this is perhaps my favorite they have done thus far.



They have also put together a second video with more footage from theologians talking about Jonah. Unlike the video above, one scholar emphasizes that Jonah is a satire.  Although I agree there are satire in the story, I do not believe that the story itself is only satire.  Just like Jesus used satire and humor in His ministry, so too the writer of Jonah offers a historical tale weaving in satire to make an even finer point.  Here it is:





For more:
Bibledex on Malachi 
Bibledex on Nahum  
Bibledex on Habbakuk 
Bibledex on Zephaniah
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians  

Bibledex on Micah

Here is the video from the folks at Bibledex for the book of Micah which we will discuss tonight.  It should be a fascinating discussion.  Again I don't agree with everything that is said here, but I fit a helpful review nonetheless.  One of the things I disagree with is the suggestion that Micah has two authors.  Many suggest that Micah actually wrote (or at least prophesied) the first three chapters while chapters 4-7 were added at a later period.  I reject this wholeheartedly.





For more:
Bibledex on Nahum  
Bibledex on Habbakuk 
Bibledex on Zephaniah
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians 

Bibledex on Nahum

Here is this weeks installment of the Bibledex videos.  This week we are discussing the book of Nahum.  Ironically, Nahum 1:2 introduces us to the doctrine of Divine jealousy which is also our subject this upcoming Sunday.  Anyways, here's the video.




For more:
Bibledex on Habbakuk 
Bibledex on Zephaniah
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Bibledex on Habakkuk

Here is the video from the folks at Bibledex regarding the prophetic book of Habakkuk.  I know its a day late, but I didn't have time to post it yesterday.  I really enjoyed our conversation and discussion with this book.  Read it often!




I'm guessing that since the above video spends much of its time regarding the discovery of the commentary on Habakkuk among the Dead Sea Scrolls (perhaps the most significant archeological find of the 20th Century) the folks at Bibldex have produced two videos for the book of Habakkuk.





For more:
Bibledex on Zephaniah
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Bibledex on Zephaniah

Here is the video from the folks at Bibldex on the Book of Zephaniah.  Again, I don't always agree with some of their arguments and theories, but I do find the videos fascinating.





For more:
Bibledex on Zechariah
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Bibledex on Zecharaiah

Here is the Bibledex video for the Book of Zechariah as we will be discussing it tonight.  This one is rather short considering how long the book is.  It is a fascinating book and next to Isaiah, no other book has more Messianic prophecies and references.  See you tonight.




For more:
Bibledex on Malachi  
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Bibledex on Malachi

Tonight we began looking at the Old Testament.  And since we're going backwards, we begin with the end of our Old Testament:  the book of the Prophet Malachi.  The twelve minor prophets are among the most neglected books of the Bible and so the next 12 weeks will be important.  Here is the video published by the folks at Bibledex discussing the book.  As always, I don't agree with everything said, but the videos are helpful nonetheless.




For more:
Bibledex on Matthew 
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Bibledex on Matthew

Here is the Bibledex videon on the Gospel of Matthew as we will be discussing this book tonight.  I don't care with how the video begins as they deny the authorship of Matthew and argue for a later writing of Matthew.  They suggest that it was written probably in the 80's AD whereas I believe that it came before 70 AD.  But we'll save that for another time.  For now, here is the video.  I liked the section on the Magi and how they point out that the 3 gifts are significance and tells us who Jesus is and what He will do.




For more:
Bibledex on Mark  
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

Bibledex on Mark

Here is the folks at Bibledex's discussion on the Gospel of Mark.  This video is significantly longer than the others.  As always, I don't agree with everything they say, but it should get us thinking.




For more:
Bibledex on Luke 
Bibledex on John 
Bibledex on Romans
Bibledex on 2 Corinthians
Bibledex on Ephesians 
Bibledex on Philippians
Bibledex on Colossians 
Bibledex on 2 Thessalonians

TableTalk Magazine on Mark

Last week I directed you to the article on the Gospel of Luke in RC Sproul's TableTalk Magazine.  In the same edition of the magazine is a good article on the Gospel of Mark written by S. M. Baugh.  The author summarized his article thus:

In conclusion, Mark provides the listener with a dynamic account of the majestic authority of Jesus in word, but especially in powerful deeds that stunned His contemporaries with their supernatural character. These acts were a demonstration that the kingdom of God had indeed drawn near with His arrival. Yet the inauguration of this kingdom was not a political revolution but the King’s own substitutionary sacrifice for His people before His resurrection and ascension to “the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). Mark has told this story in such a way that the attentive listener will be led to confess, along with the first disciples: “You are the Christ.”

Like the others, its a good read that sums up the material and the book quit well.


For more:
Tabletalk Magazine February 2009 - The Witness of Mark  
TableTalk Magazine on Luke