Part 3 of 3 In Parts 1 & 2 we discovered that Paul's call and commission, as the pioneer apostle to the Gentiles, was unique and normative for the church universally. We will now explore these implications for the apostolic mode and message. Mode As the pioneer – and thus proto-type – apostle to the Gentiles Paul modelled God's strategy for the expansion of the Gospel … [Read more...]
The Society Envisaged by Isaiah 60-62
The prophecy in Isaiah 60-62 utilizes figurative and poetic language, related to Israel’s history as a nation, to envision postexilic life in a restored and magnified Zion. As the ideal theocratic society, it is the place of God’s visible glory in his people: righteousness, justice, prosperity, and unceasing peace and joy, causing the influx of the nations to serve Zion. … [Read more...]
The God of Peace
And He Shall Soon Crush Satan Under Your Feet At the birth of our Saviour, Christ the Lord, an angel appeared to the shepherds nearby, declaring the good news for all people. And suddenly, in reply, the heavenly host appeared proclaiming in chorus: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14 NAS Christ’s birth … [Read more...]
The Joyful Sound
“… He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” Col 1:18 ESV “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” 1 Cor 15:20 ESV “When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he … [Read more...]
What on earth is God doing?
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32. The global financial system totters. Whole nations declare bankruptcy. Panic strikes the world markets. Political leaders meet late into the night searching for answers that don’t exist. Militant Islam invades through immigration and population growth. Secularism dominates … [Read more...]
