All Episodes

Coherent (def.): clear, consistent, logical and reasonable (equitable/just). Coherent things are intelligible, they make sense. Christ Covenant Church seeks to a place that possesses coherent Christianity. The reason for this endeavor is the following: 1. Coherency is essential to the confirmation of something as truth especially as it relates to what you believe. 1.1. In Philosophy this is known as the Coherence Theory of Truth: an individual proposition (or belief) is only true if it is coherent with existing propositions or a system of propositions (or beliefs) already determined to be true (e.g.,) I [Scott Jarrett] am 54 going on 55. For that belief to be true, then it must cohere with other beliefs or truths such as: 1. My birth date is 11/1/69, 2. I am still alive. My statement/proposition (54 going on 55) sb considered true b/c it is logically coherent.  1.2. That coherency is essential to truth (or what we believe to be true) can be seen by considering Satan’s first attack against humanity. It was an attack on the coherency of God’s words (Gen 3:1-5) = Satan’s contribution to humanity’s first act of rebellion was his ability to get our original parents to believe that what He had said was incoherent. This then is the power of incoherency (and once more, why coherency is so essential): incoherency leads to distrust and ultimately open rebellion against God.1.3. As humans, we have been hard-wired to trust only those things that are coherent: that make sense because they are clear, consistent, logical and reasonable (Pro 29:18 “vision” [Heb., hazon = Prophetic vision that makes clear or coherent what God’s people are to do]) = Without such coherency, God’s people will be “unrestrained” in their moral behavior. IOW: they will become distrustful and disobedient to God’s Law. This is confirmed also by the author’s response to the first couplet (“But happy is he who keeps the law [Heb., torah = God’s special revelation or message – most especially His Law). When God’s Word -or what we believe about it is coherent (clear, consistent, logical and reasonable), it is much easier to trust it and obey His laws. 2. If the Bible is truth, then what it teaches (and Christianity believes) must be coherent[1]. 2.1. Jesus testifies to the Bible (or God’s Word) as truth (Joh 17:17).2.2. Jesus also testifies to the Bible’s coherency (Deu 30:11-14; Joh 1:1 “Word” [Grk., logos = Logic, the coherent word; in re: to the mind it refers to the function of reason/logic and calculation]) = Jesus’ identity as the divine Logos (“Word”) communicates to us not only the nature of God (as logical or coherent) but also the nature of Scripture (God’s divine written words – OT, NT): they are likewise logical (or coherent) giving us (humans made in the image of our logical/coherent God) the ability to know Him w/certainty (v18 “explained” [Grk., exegeomai = Exegesis; coherent explanation). [2]  2.3. Jesus uses logic – or the Law of Noncontradiction [A ≠ non-A][3] to prove the existence of life after death/resurrection and His deity – Mat 22:31-32 [Jesus also confirms plenary inspiration]; Mat 22:41-46)[4].2.4. Paul likewise uses a logical syllogism to prove the necessity of the resurrection to salvation/Christianity (1Co 15:12-20). 2.5. Other passages related to the Bible’s teaching as coherent (Psa 19:7b-9, 119:105; 2Ti 3:15-16 = None of these texts are truthful unless what the Bible teaches is indeed coherent; 1Pe 3:15 “defense” [Grk., apologia = Out of logic]).2.6. To say that the Bible’s teaching is coherent is not the same as saying that it is not (at times) difficult to understand (e.g., 2Pe 3:15-17) = According to Peter, the reason Paul could be difficult was not due to incoherency (i.e., what he wrote was unclear, inconsistent, illogical or unreasonable) but rather the moral instability (“unstable”) and intellectual deficiency (“untaught”) of others (“unprincipled men”).2.7. Oftentimes the incoherent (and therefore false) doctrines believed by many Christians today are labeled as incomprehensible. Incomprehensibility however is not the same as incoherency. The difference between the two from the standpoint of cognitive understanding is experience versus intellect. Though what is incomprehensible can be intelligible (it can be understood intellectually), it is beyond that person’s ability to understand experientially (e.g., hell). By contrast, what is incoherent fails to be something that can be understood both by experience and intellect (e.g., 2 + 2 = 3).[5] 2.8. Finally, coherency is necessary not only to our knowledge of God, but to distinguishing between the divine and the demonic. “If a transcendent God really does have a logic all His own, no criteria can exist in the realm of the transcendent to distinguish between Yahweh and Satan.” – Nash (ibid) “If the law of non-contradiction is irrelevant in the sphere of transcendent ontology, the God and not-God, the divine and the demonic, cannot be differentiated.” – Clark (ibid) 2.9. Point (then) Not To Miss: never should we accept as biblical truth any belief or doctrine that fails the test of coherency. 3. A great place to start when determining whether the version of Christianity you are following is true or false is the test of coherency (it fails to be clear, consistent, logical or reasonable). 3.1. As it re: to consistency consider: Is our doctrine of God or salvation consistent w/what was what was established in the OT? IOW: is their coherency between the NT and OT based on what you believe? Or do you possess a “canon within a canon”? (Luk 5:36-39) = NT (“new wine”) orthodoxy/orthopraxy is determined by its coherency or consistency w/what has already been established (“is good enough”) from the OT (“the old wine”) .3.2. As it re: to clarity and logic consider: Jesus appeals to the Pharisees’ clarity and ability to use logic (or logical inferences) to indict them for their rejection of Him as Messiah (Mat 16:1-4 = Their problem was moral not intellectual. IOW: it was not an issue of coherency).3.4. As it re: to reasonableness (it is equitable and just) consider: Jesus appeals to reasonableness (bib. jurisprudence) in His claims to deity when condemned by the Jewish leaders (Joh 5:31 w/31-47; also Joh 7:24). 4. Our God-given mission is to fight to re-establish the coherency to Christianity. 4.1. (Jud 1:3; 1Ti 6:20-21 “opposing arguments” [Grk., antithesis = Incoherent beliefs]).4.2. Why would we need to re-establish the coherency of Christianity? Because what was taught at the church’s inception by Jesus, the apostles and early church fathers (Ante-Nicene) regarding the Bible’s three main pillars: God, the gospel and man have been lost to incoherency (Jud 1:3 w/4). “The Christian experience requires not simply a surrender of the will but a rational [coherent] assent to the truth.” – Nash  5. Modern Christianity – or Christianity after the Ante-Nicene period (325 A.D. to the present) has been incoherent in its view of the Bible’s three main pillars of truth: God, the gospel and man.5.1. None of this should come as a surprise given: 1) this is Satan’s first – and frequent play (hence 2Co 10:5; 1Ti 6:20-21), 2) the consequences of incoherency (distrust and disobedience to God).5.2. Incoherency in re: to the doctrine of Man (e.g., Calvinism) = Not only incoherent because it violates the law of noncontradiction (man has a free will yet God has already decreed what man will do before he was created), but bc it is also unreasonable (unjust) – God judges or condemns men who had no free will to choose Him (Unconditional Election) or ability (ability establishes culpability) to live up to His standards (Total Depravity) (Deu 30:9-14).5.3. Incoherency in re: to the doctrine of the Gospel (e.g., the Faith Alone Gospel [WCF]:faith is the only necessary instrument of salvation) = Incoherent in its attempts to reconcile: 1) the NT’s teaching on faith and works,[6] 2) the framework of salvation presented in the OT w/what is presented in the NT.[7] 5.4. Incoherency in re: to the doctrine of God (TBD – next week!) “A Christian might say that the Trinity is an utter mystery and cannot be logically explained yet insist that if a defining doctrine of another worldview is ‘an utter mystery logically,’ then that worldview must be rejected. But this will not do. If we allow opaque mysteries in our own worldview, we have to allow them everywhere. Or if we demand logical consistency in other worldviews, we must demand it of our own. That is, the criteria for rational evaluation must be objective. Special pleading should be apologetically out of bounds…If Christians desire to demonstrate the truth and rationality of Christianity to those who hold other worldviews, they must apply objective criteria to the contending worldviews. If none are given, there is no apologetic, but only preaching.” – Douglas Groothuis (Christian Apologetics)                                                [1] See Jack Symes, “When God Is Too Ineffable.” = Symes makes the comment that America’s rejection of Christianity (due to incoherency) is trending behind the U.K.[2] “Christians believe the rational [logical or coherent] world is the projection of a rational [logical or coherent] God who objectifies His eternal thoughts in the creation [and through Scripture] and who endows the human creature, the apex of creation, with the image of God which includes a structure of reason similar to God’s own reason [i.e., with a logical mind]…The laws of reason (reason means logic) are the same for both God and humans…The Logos teaching of the New Testament and the early church fathers entailed a similarity between the rational structure of the human mind and the rational structure of the divine mind” – Dr. Ronald Nash (The Word of God And the Mind of Man)[3] “The same attribute cannot at the same time belong and not belong to the same subject in the same respect.” – Aristotle; Examples: 1) 2+2 = 4 and 2+2 ≠ 4 cannot both be correct. 2) my dog Tevi is alive and my dog Tevi is not alive cannot both be true at the same time and in the same place.[4] “The denial of the law of noncontradiction leads to absurdity…If the law of noncontradiction is denied, nothing has meaning…significant human action also becomes impossible…If God is to communicate his thoughts to human beings, that communication must accord with the law of noncontradiction.” – Nash (ibid)[5] Some have attempted to posit that what God knows to be true might indeed mean that 2+2 = 3. Though there is no doubt that what God knows to be true is far more than us, it cannot contradict what has been revealed (2+2 = 4). If so, then what has been revealed – or is shared as truth by both God and man would no longer be true – at least from the perspective demonstrated in Scripture -i.e., what is true is coherent and therefore logical. In response to those who appeal to Isa 55:8-9 (“For my thoughts are not your thoughts…As the heavens are higher than the earth…so my thoughts than your thoughts”) Gordon Clark’s words are fitting, “Of course the Scripture says God’s thoughts are not our thoughts. But is it good exegesis to say that this means his logic, his arithmetic, his truth are not ours? If this were so, what would the consequences be? It would mean not only that our additions and subtractions are all wrong, but also that all our thoughts, in history as well as in arithmetic are all wrong…To avoid such nonsense…we must insist that truth is the same for God and man.” (“Apologetics”, Contemporary Evangelical Thought) [6] As it relates to the James consider the following syllogism: 1) Are the producing of works necessary to salvation or for my faith to be effective until salvation? Yes (Jam 2:14-26), 2) Who is responsible for producing those works? WE are (Jam 2:14-26), 3) Is the context of James’ salvation (justification before God or men)? God (Jam 2:14)CONCLUSION: works are another necessary instrument/condition of our salvation (Jam 2:24, faith is the root and works are the fruit is false).[7] (Evangelical soteriology): Under the OT it was salvation by works then under the NT it became salvation by faith (or somebody doing the works for us) (e.g., the Covenant of Works) versus (the Biblical and coherent view): salvation has always been (OT/NT) a marriage covenant between Jesus and His people operating according to the marital mechanics of gain by grace through faith (Rom 3:28) and maintain through faithful obedience (Jam 2:24; Deu 28:1-2).

Coherent (def.): to be clear and consistent, logical and reasonable.The accusations of our critics:[See PREVIOUS SERMON (Coherence Part 1) for accusations 1-3] 4. Your requirement of faithful obedience to be a Christian is too difficult. We are totally broken and unable to live faithfully obedient lives to God. It is for this reason the message of salvation is faith in Christ not faithfulness to Christ. It is also the reason Jesus came to earth – to obey so we wouldn’t have to! The standard of obedience preached at your church is just making people into self-righteous Pharisees. God doesn’t expect nor require this level of commitment to get heaven. Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 4.1. Though we are born depraved – or with a strong desire for sin (or to serve self over God and His commands), we still possess the ability to choose and do good – or obey His commands. If this were not true, then God would be unjust for condemning people to hell based on their deeds (ability establishes culpability) (Job 34:11; Psa 62:12; Jer 17:10, 21:14; 2Co 5:10; Rev 20:11-15).4.2. God’s requirement of faithful obedience (not perfection) has never been too difficult – including for those under the OC (those w/o the indwelling Spirit, regeneration or propitiation) (Deu 28:1 w/30:11-14). 4.3. The message of salvation has always been both faith and faithfulness (to Christ). Faith itself is a pledge or personal promise to faithfulness to God over self or anything else (i.e., to live for or love God above anyone and anything else) (Gen 15:6 [w/Joh 8:56] w/Gen 17:1-8 [God confirming His promise and pledge to Abraham and the condition of that promise - Abraham’s former faith pledge to Him]; Exo 24:7-8 w/1Pe 1:1-2, 3:21). That our faith pledge mb followed by faithfulness for salvation to be secure is confirmed by James (Jam 2:14-26).4.4. If Jesus did indeed come to earth to obey on our behalf (with the assumption that we could not do it ourselves), then this too incriminates/indicts God given His expectations of obedience and severe judgments against disobedience in the OT (e.g., most of the first generation died and went to hell because of their unfaithfulness – Heb 3:12-19 [v19, apistis = unfaithfulness, See Num 14:33 w/4:6-11]).4.5. The Pharisees were self-righteous - or viewed themselves as righteous, but not for valid reasons. They claimed to keep (or be faithful) to God’s laws but were - in reality, hypocrites - not willing to exert the smallest amount of effort to obey God’s commands (Mat 23:1-4 w/ 28). Like Evangelicals, the Pharisees believed they were saved simply because of their faith and being a part of Abraham’s family. What they failed to accept is that God will remove from Abraham’s family all those who are unfaithful (Mat 3:1-10 w/Luk 7:30 [they did not believe they could be removed for unrepentance/unfaithfulness]; Joh 8:31-39; Rom 11:21-23). 4.6. If God doesn’t require this level of commitment to get to heaven, then why do those who fail to possess faithfulness end up apostate and in hell – i.e., under God’s eternal and unforgiving wrath (Mat 7:21-27; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5-6; Heb 10:26-30)? 5. Your church places loyalty to Christ and His church above loyalty to biological family including one’s spouse, children, and parents. As a result, you divide families and even approve of divorce. God made the marriage and the family to be the most important institutions on the planet. God also commands that children respect their parents. Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 5.1. Our choice to place loyalty to Christ and His church above loyalty to biological family – including one’s spouse, children, and parents has always been a condition of God’s (or Jesus’) covenant/salvation/eternal promises (Gen 12:1 w/2-3; Gen 22:1-2,3-18 w/Jam 2:21-22; Deu 6:4-5; Mar 12:29-30; Luk 14:25-35). 5.2. That loyalty to the church is how we express loyalty to Christ is confirmed by the facts: 1) the church is identified as the Body and Bride of Christ. Can a person sin against a man’s body or wife and not sin against the man himself? (Pro 6:27-35). 2) the church is the fullness of Christ on earth (Eph 1:22-23). In these two ways, Christ essentially made loyalty to Him synonymous with loving our covenant brothers and sisters. Hence why (Joh 13:34-35). 5.3. Hence the reason this was a major focus of John the Baptist and Jesus’ earthly ministry: to turn God’s people back to Him and His family over their human families as the first loyalty (Mal 4:6 w/Luk 1:17).5.4. Hence the reason also Jesus predicted that many families would be divided over His message (Mat 10:34-39).5.5. The only divorce we approve of are those sanctioned by Jesus: divorce for sexual immorality (Mat 5:31-32). To not allow what God allows is no different than allowing what God does not allow - which also brings God’s wrath against the covenant community (Isa 5:20, 23-25).5.6. The most important institution on earth is marriage and the family, Christ’s marriage to the church and the covenant family that it creates (i.e., the church). Every other form of marriage and family is subservient to this given: 1) The marriage of Christ to His church is the archetype/model for human marriage and family (Eph 5:22-32). 2) the creation of the holy family (not the biological family) was the goal of all Creation (Eph 1:1-11 w/3:1-11 = God the Father’s plan for Creation was to gather a people for His glory – and future inheritance - a holy family [made holy] thru the redemption [and marriage covenant] realized and accomplished thru His Son, Jesus Christ ). 5.7. Respecting one’s parents looks different when a person is a child under the home and headship of their parents versus once that child becomes an adult and is no longer dependent – or living at home. The former requires full submission to their parent’s commands and wishes (sans anything directly opposed to God or His Word) (Eph 6:1-3), whereas the latter no longer requires such submission but only that the (now) adult independent child see to it that the needs of their elderly non-apostate parents are being met (Mat 15:1-6). 5.8. Based on what was just discussed, children being loyal to their parents above God or His church has never been acceptable or expected by God.  6. If your church is doing everything right then why have there been so many disciplinary cases – including excommunications and apostasies --as well as betrayal and moral failures among those serving as officers? The church is to be a place of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Again, these things signal a problem. Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 6.1. The NT churches were filled with disciplinary cases -including excommunications and apostasies. As a matter of fact, many – if not most of the NT epistles or letters to the churches were written to deal with disciplinary matters (Rom 2:1-29; 1Co 3:1-18, 4:1-5, 18-21, 5:1-5, 6:1-11, 7:1-2, 8:1-13, 10:1-33, 11:1-22, 15:1-24; 2Co 1:21-2:11, 6:1-7:2, 10:1-11:33, 12:19-13:11; Gal 2:11-5:26; Col 2:8-23; 2Th 3:6-15; 1Ti 1:3-4, 18-20, 4:1-10, 6:20; Tit 1:10-16; Heb 3:12-14; 2Pe 3:14-18; Jud 1:3-4; Rev 2:1-3:22). If this was true for churches planted and pastored by the apostles, how much more those living in the worst or last days? We should therefore expect the church in the last days to feel as though they are over-run with such difficulties (Mat 24:10-12; 2Ti 3:1-17 = NOTICE where our confidence is to be in these difficult and confusing times). 6.2. Consider also the covenant communities under: 1) Moses (most went apostate – i.e., almost the entire 1st generation out of Egypt), 2) Jesus (many - if not most, of the Jewish religious leaders and people of Israel went apostate). 6.3. With regard to betrayal and moral failures among the leadership, this was also true for Moses (Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Korah and his family). The same was true for Jesus. Though all-knowing, He was still burned by betrayal and moral failure among those He picked (e.g., again Judas and also Peter). Paul also suffered betrayal (Demas and Titus – 2Ti 4:10)6.4. To speak of the church in terms of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit as though these are the only things that should characterize the church is highly misleading, especially given that the verse which speaks to this effect, starts with the attribute of righteousness (Rom 14:17 “righteous, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”). Paul could not have conceived of a church filled with Holy Spirit peace and joy that was not also filled with righteousness given that the Spirit will not provide such things without it. IOW: You need to first be practicing righteousness (adherence to all of God’s law) - as prescribed by the Spirit in God’s Word, to receive His peace and joy.6.5. The only problem signaled by the aforementioned concerns is that we are indeed living in difficult times. IOW: it is the world that has the problem not our church – unless we start looking and acting like the world (i.e., looking the other way rather than dealing w/the sin among us). Any church not filled with disciplinary issues is a church not being faithful to the Spirit (which means their peace and joy is false) (e.g., the majority of men and pastors are looking at porn~ how many are being disciplined out of the church? For many – if not most, this would cause them to close their doors). 7. Your church blindly follows the pastor or his interpretation of the Bible rather than listening directly to the Bible. The majority of Christians on the planet disagree with what you believe making your church a cult. 7.1. Many – if not most of the people in our church could hardly be labeled as “blindly” following their pastor given their regular and rigorous reading of the Bible, books on church history, theology, philosophy and ancient Jewish culture and beliefs. Not only that, but many in the congregation are also involved in apologetic or evangelistic forms of ministry where they are exposed to and learning about the beliefs of others claiming to be Christian. Last but not least, the congregation is frequently encouraged to vet the church’s beliefs against those who oppose it as well as ask questions where they find confusion or contradiction. 7.2. Though it is true that the congregation follows the teaching or interpretation of their pastor, this is true of all churches. The pastor is the one tasked with interpreting the Scriptures and teaching what he believes it to be communicating to his congregation. As part of this role, he is also to demonstrate that his interpretation and teaching on a particular text or subject are in agreement with the rules of literary communication (grammar, context) and the rest of what the Scriptures teach (2Ti 1:13, 2:15). This has been the regular practice of this church’s pastor.7.3. The belief that one can listen directly to the Bible without the need for interpretation reveals a high level of ignorance in those making such claims given that the Bible does not interpret itself – nor does it always communicate in such a way that it can understood by simply reading alone. The fact that it was written in ancient languages unknown to most readers, with backstories, idioms and other literary devices also unknown to most readers, means that it is more likely that the average – or untrained reader will grossly misinterpret its message than truly understand what is being communicated. The probability of this is enhanced by the sinful instability of most along with their inability to understand the individual or smaller parts while not losing the larger metanarrative or message presented by the whole (e.g., 2Pe 3:15-18). The chances of getting a correct interpretation are therefore greatly increased for those afforded the aid of a person well-trained and able to demonstrate proficiency in the aforementioned disciplines.7.4. All comments calling for the people of our church not to listen to their pastor and the teaching of our church – or accusing people of not thinking for themselves are in the end, hypocritical. If those making such claims were following their own advice, they would be forced to shut their mouths since by their advice, they are not truly calling for independent thinking but rather that people would (instead) listen to them. 7.5. Regarding what the majority believes as the litmus test for what we should believe, biblical history teaches otherwise. The majority is -more often than not, the place of error (e.g. OT and NT Israel). It is likewise a logical fallacy to think something to be true or correct because of its acceptance by the majority (Ad Populum).7.6. The first Christians were condemned as a cult. We should therefore receive such accusations as a compliment. 

Coherence (def.,) to be intellectually clear and consistent, logical and reasonable.The accusations of our critics:1. Your list of capital crimes and their punishments are completely arbitrary. The NT possesses no such list or penalties. The only law is love.Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 1.1. The NT (or more specifically, Jesus) affirms the OT Law’s (including its capital crimes) continuing authority under the NC and for the Christian (Mat 5:17-18, hence 19-20).1.2. The NT likewise establishes excommunication as the new and consistent application of the prior established (OT) principle of death prescribed for capital crimes (OT = physical, NT = spiritual) (1Co 5:1-5; 1Ti 1:20).1.3. Given that God prescribes the same punishment for all capital crimes, the time assigned to excommunication likewise must be the same no matter the kind of capital offense committed (Num 15:16). Biblical equity also requires that repeat offenders receive an increased sentence or level of severity commensurate to the original established time multiplied by the number of times they have reoffended (A-Jud-Sys.: recidivism rate) (Deu 25:2).  1.4. That God is indeed prescribing a set or fixed amount of time as well as the fact that this time is to be determined by the covenant community is made apparent by the NT evidence of time being assigned to those excommunicated while by the same token, making no mention of exactly how much time was actually assigned (2Co 2:6-7 w/1Co 5:1-5). 1.5. To speak as though love is a replacement to God’s Law – or stands opposed to the Law, is a complete oxymoron. From God’s perspective, there is no love without His Law. His Law – not the laws of men, is what determines true and righteous love to others. Said differently, it is impossible to love anyone, without strict adherence to God’s Law. The Law/establishing of equity = Love (Gal 5:13-14; Rom 13:8-10; Lev 19:15-18 w/Mat 22:39). 1.6. The question is therefore not whether we are going to follow love or the Law as our authority, but which Law (or laws) will define our love? The very arbitrary, always changing, completely subjective, laws of men based entirely on their sinful and selfish desires or the very equitable, never changing, completely objective laws of God based entirely on His perfectly righteous and immutable character? 1.7. Whether people realize it (or not), there is really only two choices: autonomy (self-law – [Jug 21:25; Pro 18:1]w/Pro 13:13; Gen 3:5[1]) or theonomy (God’s law – Deu 4:2, 5-8, 6:24).2. There is no such thing as apostasy[2] and even if there was, that is between God and that person. It is not something that the church can know or has the authority to declare.Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 2.1. Per God’s promise, the church in the OT (the Old Covenant community or kingdom of God on earth) was supplied with priests-judges who were ordained (deputized) with divine authority from the Holy Spirit and able (therefore) to bind in apostasy those who knowingly rebelled against their authority and/or refused to comply with the discipline/justice for their sins and stop their practice of rebellion against God and His laws (i.e., who refused to repent) (Exo 19:6 w/Deu 17:9-13 w/Num 15:30-31; Deu 29:18-20).  2.2. Per God’s promise, priest-judges ordained (or deputized) with the same authority and ability were provided to the church in the NT (New Covenant community or kingdom of God on earth) (Isa 66:21; Rev 1:6; Mat 16:17-19 w/Joh 20:21-23 [w/Mat 12:32]; Mat 18:15-20).2.3. If the OC priest-judges had the authority and ability to know who was apostate and bind them in apostasy how much more those functioning as priest-judges under the NC whose possess an added measure of the HS (bringing true regeneration and cleansing from sin thru the blood of Christ) and the completed (“perfect”) version of God’s Word to instruct them leading to greater clarity or understanding and less impact from personal depravity (Rev 1:5 w/Deu 28:20; 1Co 13:9-12). 2.4. Though not in relation to eternal things, we nonetheless believe the state possesses authority from God and can make decisions which promote or preserve justice and purge evil. We believe also that such authorities should be respected and submitted to (Rom 13:1-3). If this true for the state whose government and courts are secular why would we consider the church whose government and courts are sacred to be any less competent or called by God? (1Co 6:1-6).3. Your views on what constitutes sexual immorality and the severity of punishment inflicted (excommunication) on such sins as porn and masturbation are too extreme. Porn and masturbation are the regular practice of many if not most Americans – including those claiming to be Christians[3]. Studies also suggest that their practice may not only be essential to mental health and longevity of life, but near impossible to resist because of the way we have been created.Our biblically obedient and coherent response: 3.1. Per God’s Word, the sin of sexual immorality has but one punishment, death (OT- physical, NT- spiritual/excommunication; again 1Co 5:1-5) and has been committed any time a person voluntarily participates in any sexual activity w/someone not identified by God as their spouse: 1) Adultery (Exo 20:14 [versus 20:17]Lev 20:10; Deu 22:13-24), 2) Homosexuality (Lev 20:13), 3) Fornication and Incest [all sexual acts with unbelievers or those we have no intention or biblically sanctioned ability to marry] (Lev 20:11-14; Num 25:1-8 w/1Co 10:8 w/1Co 6:15-20; 2Co 5:20-6:2, 14-18; Exo 34:12-16), 4) Bestiality (Exo 22:19; Lev 20:15-16), 5) Rape (Deu 22:25-27), 6) Masturbation [immoral] (Mat 5:27-30), 7) Voyeurism and Pornography [illicit viewing of sexual acts or nakedness] (Lev 18:1-20).3.2. To not excommunicate those guilty of biblically defined sexual immorality would constitute rebellion by the church and secure God’s curse on the congregation (1Co 5:2 w/12-13 w/Deu 13:1-18; e.g., Jos 7:13). 3.3. If pornography (and masturbation) is the regular practice of most Americans, then most Americans are going to hell. This is perfectly inline (coherent) with Jesus’ prediction as it re: to humanity (Mat 7:13-14; Luk 13:22-24).3.4. A person’s mental health and longevity of life is more often (if not always) the result of sin – not its resistance (again, Deu 28:20 [“until you perish quickly”] along w/v34, 65-66; Deu 32:47).3.5. Sexual immorality only becomes “near impossible to resist” when we fail where it starts and what is easy to prevent: 1) succumbing to sinful sexual lust/coveting (Exo 20:17 [versus 20:14]; Job 31:1; Eph 1:12-18), 2) living for this world instead of the next world (this is the key to contentment or the removal of coveting) (Pro 29:18; Col 3:1; Phi 3:14 versus 2Pe 1:9).       [1] “Such then is the graveyard of autonomous ethics; each gravestone reads the Satanic temptation, ‘Ye shall be gods, knowing [determining] good and evil.’” – Greg Bahnsen (Theonomy In Christian Ethics)[2] The unforgiveable sin or the inability to ever be forgiven by God. This curse can only befall those who were formerly saved -or in saving covenant relationship with God. That person’s sins are placed back upon them w/no hope of future pardon. They are bound in a state of damnation from which they cannot escape no matter the repentance that may follow (Heb 12:15-17). [3] Consider the following statistics (2023): 1) 47% of families in the United States reported that pornography is a problem in their home. Pornography use increases the marital infidelity rate by more than 300%. 2) 56% of American divorces involve one party having an “obsessive interest” in pornographic websites. 3) 68% of church-going men and over 50% of pastors view porn on a regular basis. 4) Of young Christian adults 18-24 years old, 76% actively search for porn. 5) Only 13% of self-identified Christian women say they never watch porn—87% of Christian women have watched porn. 6) 55% of married men and 25% of married women say they watch porn at least once a month. 7) 57% of pastors say porn addiction is the most damaging issue in their congregation. 69% say porn has adversely impacted the church. My reason for lumping masturbation into this is Jesus’ statements in Matthew 5 regarding the eye and the hand (vv28-30, what the eye sees, the hand does)- a reference to sexual lust and the subsequent act of masturbation. If lust will lead someone in this direction, how much more the viewing of actual nakedness or porn? For more information see “Biblical Sexual Ethics” – R. Scott Jarrett

1. Relevance of this study 1.1. Unbelief wb at an all-time high at the return of Christ (Luk 18:8).1.2. Without sustaining belief (or faith) in God, His Person and Words (1Ti 1:5 [“love” = For God and others – loyalty/equity]; Heb 10:37-39 [w/Heb 11:6]; 1Jo 5:4-5; 1Pe 1:5-7), it is impossible to sustain faithfulness to God and others (the other necessary instrument of salvation and to receiving divine blessings) (Jam 2:14-24; Luk 17:3-10; hence 2Pe 1:5-11; our examples – Heb 11:33 and 12:2). 1.3. Transformation from a foolish, spiritually darkened, deceived person led by their flesh/feelings to a person who is wise, discerning, enlightened and led by the Spirit, is also impossible without sustained belief (or faith) in God  (Psa 119:66; 2Co 4:4; Eph 6:16; 1Th 2:13, 3:5-7, 5:8; 1Pe 5:9). 1.4. Un-sustained belief (or faith) in God will eventually lead to apostasy (Heb 3:12-14; Rom 11:20-23).1.5. Every weapon in Satan’s arsenal has this as its goal: the destruction of belief in God, His Person and Words (Gen 3:1-5; Satan continues to operate from the original playbook. Hence the reason Paul can say “we are not ignorant of his schemes – 2Co 2:6-11 [w/2Sa 24:1 w/2Sa 7:8-16 – most eps. vv14-16]).2. Definition of belief (or faith) in God (the action not the object or religion – e.g., Jud 1:3) 2.1. What belief in God is not: mere mental ascent or agreement to His existence or the Bible as His words.2.2. What belief in God is (the biblical definition): The choice (Mar 16:11 “refused to believe” = Made a choice not to believe) to give unquestioned trust and allegiance exclusively to God, His Person and Words as eternally and infinitely perfect in truth, beauty, righteousness, justice, mercy, love, power, wisdom and knowledge (versus self, others or anything in Creation – e.g., Rom 1:18-25 “honor…give thanks” = Acts demonstrating allegiance; “worshipped” = Acts demonstrating where – or w/whom, we place our highest trust/allegiance; Heb 11:1; belief = Trust/Allegiance – Exo 19:9; Num 14:11, 20:12; Deu 1:30-35 w/Heb 3:19; Deu 9:23, 32:51; 2Ki 17:14; Psa 27:13, 78:22 w/32, 106:12 w/24; Psa 146:6 “keeps faith” = Allegiance; Joh 1:12 [“believe in His name”] = Trust/Allegiance to that person and their word]//unquestioned trust and allegiance - Act 8:37 “believe with all your heart” = No division in your heart [in your trust/allegiance]). 2.3. Our choice to believe in God (to give unquestioned trust and allegiance exclusively to Him) is an operation of the will that must not be governed by: 1) earthly thinking (Luk 24:11; Joh 3:12 “earthly things” versus “heavenly things” = Belief in only what can be seen or is common/comfortable to the natural world/way of thinking [materialism or naturalism] versus belief also in the unseen or what is uncommon/uncomfortable to the natural world/way of thinking [belief in the immaterial and supernatural]; Isa 53:1; 1Co 1:21; hence 2Co 5:7 and 1Pe 1:8; [Lam 3:65; Eph 4:18; Mar 16:14 “hardness of heart”] = Refusal to believe in the unseen/unrealized – Pro 22:3; e.g. From an ability perspective, this is the brain function of animals. We however possess the higher faculties and function [ability] of foresight, forecasting and faith – belief in what is yet to be seen or realized. Our failure to use such faculties/function is therefore not due to ability but our will. We refuse -or choose not to do so for immoral reasons – Mat 16:1-4; hence Luk 16:31), 2) emotions (Rom 4:18-20; Mat 17:17 “sign” = emotional experience). To say that our choice is not governed by natural thinking is not the same as saying there is no evidence to support what we believe. There is enough to leave every person w/o excuse on Judgment Day (Rom 1:19-20; Consider also Joh 2:22 w/Joh 20:27-31). To say that the trust/allegiance we give to God must be unquestioned is not the same as saying God expects blind trust. IOW: God does not expect us to trust Him if He fails to be or do what He has promised in His Word (the Bible) (e.g., Mal 3:10).3. How we sustain/strengthen our belief in God.(Luk 8:15) “hold it fast” = Belief in God will be met w/challenges and therefore requires the constant and consistent practice of certain things to preserve it: 1) removal of all stumbling blocks/overcompensation (Mat 13:44-48, 18:7-9; Luk 19:8; 2Co 7:1 w/11; Col 2:5 w/8; 1Ti 4:1, 6:20-21; Heb 12:1), 2) apologetics (1Pe 3:15; 2Ti 2:15-18; Jud 20), 3) spending time receiving spiritual bread from others (Rom 1:11-12; 1Th 3:2 w/10; Eph 4:11-13), 4) sharing our spiritual bread w/others (Heb 3:12-14), 5) self-discipline (body and mind) (1Co 9:27; 1Ti 4:6-10), 6) being doers of God’s Word (Jam 1:22-25 “prove yourself doers [“one who looks intently at the perfect law…and abides by it”] versus “hearers who delude themselves” [who deceive themselves into thinking they believe but instead are “like a man who looks…in a mirror…and…immediately [forgets] what kind of person he was [a person who used to trust but not anymore]”) = Sustain that trust/allegiance [true belief in God] through obedience. It goes both ways: we need to sustain our belief to obey and we need to obey to sustain our belief - i.e., there exists a symbiotic and synergistic relationship between belief and obedience), 7) right attitude in trials (Jam 1:1-3). 4. Signs/Causes of unbelief (What to keep in mind: the choice of unbelief is sin – Joh 16:8-9).Given that the belief in God refers to two things: His Person and His Word means that there are essentially two types of unbelief related to this subject: 1) unbelief as it relates to God’s Person (trust in His existence and/or attributes – e.g., His love, justice, wisdom) and 2) unbelief in His Word (trust that what He says is true and accurate; trust that I need to place the same level of seriousness He places on certain subjects or issues – e.g., repentance/change/faithful obedience/getting to heaven/the requirement urgency, overcompensation and living for the whole, etc.). What then are the causes and/or signs of these two sins of unbelief?4.1. (S/C) hardness of heart (Lam 3:65; Eph 4:18; Mar 16:14 “hardness of heart” = Refusal to believe in the unseen/unrealized – Pro 22:3; e.g. From an ability perspective, this is the brain function of animals. We however possess the higher faculties and function [ability] of foresight, forecasting and faith – belief in what is yet to be seen or realized. Our failure to use such faculties/function is therefore not due to ability but our will. We refuse -or choose not to do so. IOW: the problem is moral not intellectual).4.2. (S/C) ignorance/folly/bad influence or intel in re: to God, His Person and Word or even other religions (Eph 4:18 “ignorance”; 1Co 15:32-34; hence Col 2:8; 1Ti 6:20) (e.g.,): 1) As it re: to the spiritual books of other religions: Hinduism’s Bhagavad Gita = Never claims to be written by a personal God Who has spoken to humanity; Mormonism’s Book of Mormon, Islam’s Qur’an = Both rely on and are counterfeit versions or distortions of Christianity (Mormonism started almost 2000 years after Christianity’s inception, Islam almost 600 years after). Each claim that the Bible is corrupted and their books are the fix. 2) As it re: to morality – or those who claim there is no such thing as good and bad or morality = Everybody has a moral point of view – including those who say there is no morality since that is a moral point of view or position - they are being moral about no morals— which also means that everyone is religious since this is at the heart of what defines religion (a system of morality). Now, knowing this is true and inescapable, which do you think is the wise choice, a religion or morality determined by a perfect God or one driven by the sinful desires and agendas of imperfect men? 3) As it re: to General Revelation – or the impression one gets from observing nature. The flowers are growing, the sun’s shining, people are laughing and having a good time while we are torturing ourselves over the little stuff. Maybe we got it all wrong? God’s there but there is no test, so just go with the flow (live and let live). Or it’s a test and “go with the flow” is the test. Vetted: a) what one observes in the present is not always a reliable indicator of reality (Mat 24:37-39 [2Pe 3:1-7]), b) if no test, then why so much suffering (i.e., there is more to the world than just the sun shining and flowers growing – there is also disease, death and destruction)? God is a monster. c) if this is the test, can you establish equity from this “go with the flow mindset”? What if the flow is kill all babies like it was for the Jews in Egypt? Or you need to worship the Emperor [president] like it was in Rome? Or kill all those retired, retarded or crippled like it was in Nazi Germany? d) change all of that to “everybody needs to just love and accept everyone for who they desire to be” and the problems still persist since a large part of those you need to love and accept are pedophiles, rapists and serial killers. At some point you are prohibiting and condemning certain groups of people and the question of who decides who those groups are becomes immediately relevant: perfect God or imperfect sinful men?4.3. (C) the failure of other Christians or the church (Mat 18:6-7; Rom 2:24; 2Co 2:7 w/11 w/2Sa 24:1 w/1Ch 21:1). 4.4. (S/C) inconvenience or uncomfortableness/cowardliness/wimpiness/lack of self-control/emotion-driven [feelings = facts] (Pro 14:12; Mat 13:20-21, 53-58; Luk 8:13, 22:31-34; 1Co 16:13 “stand firm in your faith, act like men”; Cancer is also inconvenient and uncomfortable but we don’t act like it doesn’t exist as a means to escaping it).4.5. (S/C) unrealistic expectations (Mat 16:1-3 w/4 = Linear thought and deductive reasoning is enough to make the right choice in relation to God. That choice however often requires change that causes pain. As a result, people can [sinfully] expect an experience to accompany their belief which will alleviate - or make easy, the painful changes necessary to live for Him. Such expectations are unrealistic – and rebellious given this life is meant to be painful since it is a test. Hence why 1Pe 1:6 “distressed with various trials” w/13 and 4:12-18; Act 14:22). The unbelief that results from unrealistic expectations is therefore nothing more than that person pouting and an attempt to manipulate God/hold Him hostage (e.g., child who says to his parents, “I hate you” when they don’t give them what they want). 4.6. (S) inability to think properly about spiritual things or morality (Rom 1:21, 28).4.7. (C/S) apathy/lack of zeal or urgency to spiritual things/arrogance (don’t need God) (Amo 6:1-3; Luk 18:1-8; Joh 3:36 “obey” [Grk., apatheo = apathetic – is viewed by John as the opposite of belief or essentially synonymous w/unbelief]; Hos 13:6; Hab 2:4 w/3:18-19 = Those who live by faith are those who believe God’s warnings and responds w/urgency [in this case the coming judgment of the Assyrians and the need to flee to the mtns for safety] versus the person who thinks he knows better or doesn’t believe things to be so serious or dangerous —the arrogant person who makes God’s 10s into 2s). 4.8. (S/C) insecurity (need the praise of men) (Joh 5:44, 12:42-43).4.9. (S/C) infatuation w/the things of the world/FOMO (Mat 13:22 versus Joh 6:35; Rom 9:33 w/10:11).4.10. (S/C) pleasure in wickedness or rebellion/exercising the authority of our free will (2Th 2:11-12; Important not confuse the need to exercise our free will w/what it means to be truly free [Satan’s biggest and beginning lie – Gen 3]; e.g., the Montrose Mouse – “the last great act of defiance”; Ad Seg). 4.11. (S) little or no spiritual fruit/spiritual immaturity (Luk 8:14 [Grk., ou telesphereo] = Not bringing to completion/maturity – not fulfilling your full potential for God] versus v15).

1. Relevance of this study  1.1. Unbelief wb at an all-time high at the return of Christ (Luk 18:8). 1.2. Belief (or faith – Mar 11:22-23) in God, His Person and Words is the first necessary instrument of salvation and to receiving God’s blessings (Gen 15:6; Isa 7:9; Mat 13:58 ; Luk 1:20, 45; Joh 3:15-18, 5:24, 10:26; Act 10:43, 16:31; Rom 1:16, 3:28; Heb 3:18-4:2; 11:6 [He is there and He is not silent]; 2Ti 3:15; Contra – hell, Rev 21:8).  1.3. Without sustaining belief (or faith) in God, His Person and Words (1Ti 1:5 [“love” = For God and others – loyalty/equity]; Heb 10:37-39 [w/Heb 11:6]; 1Jo 5:4-5; 1Pe 1:5-7), it is impossible to sustain faithfulness to God and others (the other necessary instrument of salvation and to receiving divine blessings) (Jam 2:14-24; Luk 17:3-10; hence 2Pe 1:5-11; our examples – Heb 11:33 and 12:2).  1.4. Transformation from a foolish, spiritually darkened and deceived person who is addicted to their feelings, sin and the world to a person who is wise, discerning, enlightened and led by the Spirit, able to withstand the attacks of Satan, the flesh and world is also impossible without sustained belief (or faith) in God, His Person and Words (Psa 119:66; 2Co 4:4; Eph 6:16; 1Th 2:13, 3:5-7, 5:8; 1Pe 5:9).  1.5 Un-sustained belief (or faith) in God, His Person and Words will eventually lead to apostasy (Heb 3:12-14; Rom 11:20-23). 1.6. Every weapon in Satan’s arsenal has this as its goal: the destruction of belief in God, His Person and Words (Gen 3:1-5; Satan continues to operate from the original playbook. Hence the reason Paul can say “we are not ignorant of his schemes – 2Co 2:6-11 [w/2Sa 24:1 w/2Sa 7:8-16 – most eps. vv14-16]). 1.7. Some of those who are struggling w/unbelief can be snatched from the fire (Jud 1:22-23). 2. Definition of belief (or faith) in God (the action not the object or religion – e.g., Jud 1:3)  2.1. What belief in God is not: mere mental ascent or agreement to His existence or the Bible as His words. 2.2. What belief in God is (the biblical definition): The choice (Mar 16:11 “refused to believe” = Made a choice not to believe) to give unquestioned trust and allegiance exclusively to God, His Person and Words as eternally and infinitely perfect in truth, beauty, righteousness, justice, mercy, love, power, wisdom and knowledge (versus self, others or anything in Creation – e.g., Rom 1:18-25 “honor…give thanks” = Acts demonstrating allegiance; “worshipped” = Acts demonstrating where – or w/whom, we place our highest trust/allegiance; Heb 11:1; belief = Trust/Allegiance – Exo 19:9; Num 14:11, 20:12; Deu 1:30-35 w/Heb 3:19; Deu 9:23, 32:51; 2Ki 17:14; Psa 27:13, 78:22 w/32, 106:12 w/24; Psa 146:6 “keeps faith” = Allegiance; Joh 1:12 [“believe in His name”] = Trust/Allegiance to that person and their word]//unquestioned trust and allegiance - Act 8:37 “believe with all your heart” = No division in your heart [in your trust/allegiance]).  2.3. Consider (Jam 1:21-25): 1) v21 “receive the word implanted” = Give unquestioned trust/allegiance to God’s Word, 2) v22-25 “prove yourself doers [“one who looks intently at the perfect law…and abides by it”] versus “hearers who delude themselves” [who deceive themselves into thinking they believe but instead are “like a man who looks…in a mirror…and…immediately [forgets] what kind of person he was [a person who used to trust but not anymore]”) = Sustain that trust/allegiance [true belief in God] through obedience. Which means it goes both ways: we need to sustain our belief to obey and we need to obey to sustain our belief (i.e., there exists a symbiotic and synergistic relationship between belief and obedience).  2.4. Our choice to believe in God (to give unquestioned trust and allegiance exclusively to Him) is an operation of the will that must not be governed by: 1) earthly thinking (Luk 24:11; Joh 3:12 “earthly things” versus “heavenly things” = Belief in only what can be seen or is common/comfortable to the natural world/way of thinking [materialism or naturalism] versus belief also in the unseen or what is uncommon/uncomfortable to the natural world/way of thinking [belief in the immaterial and supernatural]; Isa 53:1; 1Co 1:21; hence 2Co 5:7 and 1Pe 1:8; [Lam 3:65; Eph 4:18; Mar 16:14 “hardness of heart”] = Refusal to believe in the unseen/unrealized – Pro 22:3; e.g. From an ability perspective, this is the brain function of animals. We however possess the higher faculties and function [ability] of foresight, forecasting and faith – belief in what is yet to be seen or realized. Our failure to use such faculties/function is therefore not due to ability but our will. We refuse -or choose not to do so for immoral reasons – Mat 16:1-4, 17:17; hence Luk 16:31), 2) emotions (Jer 12:6; Rom 4:18-20; again Mat 17:17 “sign” – an emotional experience).  2.5. To say that our choice is not governed by natural thinking is not the same as saying: 1) there is no evidence to support what we believe. There is enough to leave every person w/o excuse on Judgment Day (Rom 1:19-20; Consider also Joh 2:22 w/Joh 20:27-31).  2.6. To say that the trust/allegiance we give to God must be unquestioned is not the same as saying God expects blind trust. IOW: God does not expect us to trust Him if He fails to be or do what He has promised in His Word (the Bible) (e.g., Mal 3:10). CLOSING CONTEMPLATION: Have you made the choice to give unquestioned trust and allegiance exclusively to God, His Person and Words and are you doing what it takes to sustain that? NEXT WEEK: 1) How we sustain/strengthen our belief in God, 2) signs/causes of unbelief. 

1. The book, "Life for Dummies" is the Bible, which means the less you know and believe, the more you reveal yourself to be a dummy. (Is 8:20) 2. Life is a test, and God is the proctor of that test. He is the one judging/grading how you do. It is why you exist. This is our purpose: pass His test. Those who pass the test seek Him through the constant, consistent, and permanent practice of learning about Him. (Heb 11:6; Jer 29:13; Jer 9:24; Col 1:28; Col 2:1-10; Joh 1:18; 2 Pe 3:17-18; 2 Pe 1:16-190 3. Because life is a test, you will be tested. (Deu 8:2; 1 Pe 4:12-18; Jam 1:1-2; Phi 1:28 w/ 1 Pe 4; 1 Co 10:13; Eze 3:8; Rom 6:20-22). 3.1 We choose one or more of 3 things that are overcomer killers (e.g., enhancers).3.1.1 Ignore, or refuse to believe, God's Truth. (Rom 1:18-24; Deu 8:2)3.1.2 Give in to fear. (Eze 3; Rev 21:7-8; Psa 11)3.1.3 Listen to the lies of your flesh and the world. (1 Joh 2:15-17; 1 Joh 2:3; Eph 5:5-6; Jer 17:9; Heb 3:12; Rom 8:4-14; Eph 4:17-24). 4. The key to passing life's test is overcompensating conviction, the inverse of the overcomer killers. 5. Dummies go to hell. Don't be a dummy.

QUESTIONS1. Can you give the Big Picture (from God's Word)?2. Can you show that salvation is a marriage?3. Can you show it is a marriage to Jesus?4. Can you show who Jesus is and what He did?5. Can you show that baptism necessary as the place where we pledge our allegiance to Jesus?6. Can you show that God's vow to us is dependent on us being faithful?7. Can you show that obedience is necessary to salvation?8. Can you show that the obedience God requires is faithfulness and not perfection?9. Can you show that this is something you can do?10. Can you show faithfulness means our new life will be characterized by righteousness and repentance? ANSWERS1. (Heb 11:6; Romans 2:6-8)2. (Jer 31:31-32)3. (Eph 5:32; Acts 4:12; Jude 1:5)4. (1 Cor 15:1-4; John 1:1-5, 14)5. (1 Pe 3:21; John 3:5; Gal 3:26-27)6. (Luk 10:25-28; Hebrews 3-4)7. (Jam 2:24)8. (Deu 28:1; Mat 25:14-30; Mat 5:48 w/ Col 1:28)9. (Deu 30:10-14)10. (1 John 3:4, 7-10; Luk 13:1-9; Acts 26:20)

1. God is real. This life is the test. 2. Extreme ownership.3. Self suspicion before evil suspicion.4. See something, say something.5. No victim mentality.6. Use the courts.7. Those who fail to fulfill the second greatest commandment are fit only for the pit. CLOSING THOUGHTS1. The first generation ministry is to raise up the second generation.2. Hold them accountable so that their generations are not marked by the same failures.3. we all need to own the failures of our first generation and vow to be better.

An important ministry in the church is the ministry of mercy. This study will discuss various aspects related to this subject. 1. Historically the church has recognized the existence of only two forms of ministry: the ministry of mediation and the ministry of mercy. The ministry of mediation includes all those gifts and tasks related to teaching (e.g., preaching, discipleship, counseling, music/worship, sacraments), justice (e.g., discipline, establishing policy, counseling, judgment/JUDCO, sacraments) and operations (security, administration, finances, building and grounds maintenance) whereas the ministry of mercy includes all those gifts and tasks related to caring for the disadvantaged (e.g., poor, elderly, sick, injured and incapacitated) and dying. Support for this two-fold division is as follows:1.1. The division of labor practiced by the church of the apostles (Act 6:1-4) = A division between those officers who would oversee the ministry of mediation (“ministry of the word”) and those who would function in the ministry of mercy (“serve tables”; e.g., chaplains). 1.2. The charge to Paul by the Jerusalem church (Gal 2:1-10) “remember the poor” = IOW: make sure that in addition to your preaching of the gospel and planting churches (the ministry of mediation) that you make sure those churches also possess ministry devoted to mercy. 1.3. The distinction that seemingly exists among the angels between those who report truth and carry out judgment (i.e., mediators or messenger angels; e.g., Gabriel and Michael, the watchers and cherubs – Dan 4:17) and those who help the disadvantaged and dying (i.e., angels of mercy – Luk 22:43-44; Heb 1:14).  2. Pastors (the ordained officers) are commanded to spend their time and energy on the ministry of mediation and therefore need the help of others in the congregation to fulfill the ministry of mercy.  (Act 6:2) “it is not desirable” = It is not what God wants us to do (Hence v4).  3. This was true even in relation to Jesus. Though involved in acts of mercy, His ministry focus was mediation. (Heb 12:24 “mediator of the new covenant”; Luk 4:38-44 = Notice how the people tried to monopolize His time in the direction of mercy).  4. Because the ministry of preaching and teaching takes so much energy and time, Jesus prohibited those He recruited to this task, to be involved in mercy-related ministry – including with those who are dying.(Luk 9:59-60) = Based on Jesus’ charge to this man (a faithful Jew), he is being called to a ministry of mediation – most specifically preaching (“go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God”)[1]. To do so however, this man would need to leave the care of dying saints (his faithful Jewish father) to others – those involved in the ministry of mercy. He was not allowed to do both (“Let the dead bury their own dead”) = Ancient idiom referring to those whose function was to care for the dying in the covenant community (“their own dead”).A paraphrase of Jesus’ words to this man: “Let those tasked with caring for the dying worry about caring for your dad’s death. Your responsibility is to grow the covenant community through preaching the gospel.” That this is what Jesus is indeed communicating versus calling this man to ignore the death of his father and condemning anyone involved in the care of the dead (or dying) as spiritually undead (a common way of looking at the phrase “Let the dead bury their own dead”) is supported by the fact that Jesus cared deeply and did not ignore the deaths of those close to Him – including not only family but also friends (e.g., friends – Lazarus, Joh 11:1-15; family – John the Baptist, Mat 14:12-13).    5. The only time we see pastors involved in the care of the sick, is when it concerns the baptism of those dying. (Jam 5:14-16) = This person’s sickness is unto death. He is also bed-ridden. Hence why the elders “pray over him. Their prayer is due to his request for salvation. In such circumstances, ancient tradition prescribed a baptism (“anointing”) with oil (rather than water). Since it is only the ordained officers (“elders” or pastors) who possess such authority - i.e., the authority to baptize or “loose” someone from their sins” (Mat 16:19 w/Joh 20:21-23; 1Pe 3:21; Act 2:38), it is their services (or the ministry of mediation) that is necessary (versus the ministry of mercy). Do not miss the fact that the pre-requisite to receiving this death-bed baptism is no different than what is required in normal cases (v15 “prayer of faith” [belief], v16 “confess your sins” [repentance]). Notice also that it is the “effective prayer” (calling out to God) by the “righteous man” (i.e., the elders – Mat 28:19 “I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost”) that secures the repentant and believing person’s restoration to God and future resurrection (v15 “restore the one who is sick [to God] and the Lord will raise him up [in the resurrection].”).   6. Why God has made such a division in the church with respect to these two ministries is no doubt related to:6.1. The opportunity it provides to every person to be productive for kingdom – something absolutely necessary to our faithfulness and fitness for heaven (Mat 25:14-46).  6.2. The equity it establishes in the covenant community. IOW: no one person is doing all the work or carrying all the burden. It is instead an “every member ministry” (1Co 12:14-25 “The body is not one member, but many…[Therefore] the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you.’”). 7. Three conclusions should be drawn from this study: 7.1. Those not laboring in the ministry of mediation, need to give themselves to the ministry of mercy (Luk 10:1-2) “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest = Similar to the twelve commissioned before them, the seventy were most likely also sent out “in pairs” (Mar 6:7) to fulfill the tasks of mediation and mercy (Luk 9:2 “He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and perform healing”). The reason these men were sent in pairs was due to the church’s two-fold division of ministry (mediation and mercy); one would be focused on preaching and teaching, while the other was focused healing and caring for people’s needs.The POINT NOT TO MISS: Jesus’ plea for additional workers (“beseech the Lord of the harvest…”) is not just in relation to preaching; the kingdom also needs people to labor in the fields of mercy! 7.2. Pastors are in the ministry of mediation, and therefore should never be expected to function in those roles related to the ministry of mercy. We must be careful not to confuse the role of pastor with the role of chaplain.  7.3. The chaplain is an officer whose focus is overseeing the ministry of mercy in the church (i.e., seeing that the needs of the disadvantaged or dying in the covenant community are being met; e.g., Epaphroditus – Phi 2:25-30 w/1:13).   [1] That this man was a Jew and faithful to God is supported by the fact that: 1) the focus of Jesus’ ministry was the Jewish community (Mat 10:6). 2) Hardly would Jesus have attempted to recruit this man to preaching about the kingdom had he been an unfaithful Jew. He would have instead called him to repentance (Luk 13:1-5). Based on the context (vv57-62), each of the men mentioned were more than simply faithful Jews, they were already disciples of Jesus. This includes the third or final man (v62, no one after putting his hand to the plow…”).

1. Culpability: without exception, every person able to reason, who knows that what they are doing is wrong (Jam 4:17) is not only fully culpable for their actions but also fully capable of turning from them (repentance) (Act 17:30; Deu 30:9-14). With respect to one’s ability to reason consider:1) God makes such a distinction in multiple OT texts (Jon 4:11 “know the difference between their right and left hand”; Isa 7:15-16 “know enough to refuse evil and choose good”; Isa 8:4 “My father...my mother” ) = A person able to demonstrate (e.g., in conversation w/others) cognitive reasoning skills (i.e., able to make distinctions for the purpose of comparing and contrasting -or use deduction as part of their thinking process [“if this then that”]). 2) God’s makes a punitive distinction between those who are able/old enough to reason and those who are not in (Deu 1:39 “have no knowledge of good and evil”) = Not yet old enough to reason. A person’s ability to reason therefore renders that person subject to the full weight (or punishment) of the Law with respect to their sin (e.g., penalties related to restitution, death for a capital crime).3) That no distinction should be made between a person’s ability to reason in general and a person’s ability to reason from a moral perspective (i.e., one implies the other) is confirmed in Jesus’ condemnation of the Jewish leaders (Mat 16:1-4).4) Though not fully culpable, those unable to reason still commit sin and possess some level of culpability (e.g., Isa 48:8; Psa 51:5 [hence, vv6-9]; Psa 58:3). Hence the reason God commands parents to be diligent and severe in the corrective punishment of their children (Pro 23:13-14). 5) The age at which a person is able to reason is not the same as the age of bar/bat mitzvah (“son/daughter of the law”), the age at which all legal rights were extended to a Jewish boy or girl including the ability to marry and own property.  2. Correction: God’s relatively easy first expectation of parents in relation to their children is that the level of correction (negative reinforcement) applied to their children will be swift, consistent and severe enough to immediately establish their authority and stop those children from practicing all forms of overt rebellion against them or any other authority figure before those children possess the ability to reason. (Exo 21:15; Deu 21:18-21) = All capital crimes are crimes that could have been easily avoided had the responsible parties been obedient to God’s preventative prescription. They are therefore crimes which are the result of sizable neglect, unbelief, cowardice and selfishness. Hence why: 1) parents who fail to meet this first expectation are said to be desiring their child’s death (Pro 19:18).2) spanking is required until this first expectation is met (Pro 29:19 “does not respond”) = Words will not be enough to secure compliance.  This is especially true in children not yet old enough to reason. In this respect, they are like a slave (Gal 4:1-3 “elemental things”) = Rudimentary means of learning/education – i.e., spanking or “association training.”. This is the law of the animal kingdom or the base level of brain operation found in creatures possessing a brain (e.g., canines – wolves establish order/peace through the association training of negative reinforcement)[1]. 3) Though the indwelling Spirit given at baptism allows us to eventually leave spanking behind, the Spirit does not replace a person’s ability to reason. Rather the Spirit works w/our ability to reason. Hence in those unable to reason, other measures must be adopted.   4) the modern world’s embrace of only those forms of correction which employ reason reveals their great ignorance of - and obstinance to, both General and Special Revelation (Ecc 8:11 and Isa 26:9-10) = Justice (swift and painful punishment fitting the crime) is the key to effective correction and the mitigation of similar actions in others. 3. Compliance: doing better than you did before, yet still not meeting God’s expectation (of faithfulness) means that you are still in sin (or not fully) repentant and will go to hell if you do not do what it takes to become fully compliant. Consider:1) The serial killer who reduces his murders from five every month to two every month is still guilty of practicing murder. 2) (1Jo 3:7-10; Heb 12:1-4; Mat 5:29-30, 18:8-9; 1Co 9:27-30; Mat 16:24-26 w/27).   4. Counsel: attempting to play the spiritual physician in the covenant community when you do not possess the proper training or have passed the proper tests is worse than medical malpractice (Mat 18:6-7). Hence the reason all spiritual council (advice) given by the church’s members should be immediately reported to its licensed spiritual physician, the (ordained) pastor (“physicians of the soul” – Richard Baxter). 1) (Pro 6:19, 13:10, 16:28, 17:19, 18:1-7 w/15; Rom 16:19 w/1Co 5:1 w/2Co 7:7; Phi 2:19; 1Th 3:5; 1Co 1:10 w/ Phi 1:27 = Standing together for the gospel requires we be of the same mind which is impossible if the counsel we give or receive is contrary to God’s appointed teacher in the church – i.e., the ordained pastor). 2) In this light consider (2Co 10:3-6) = Paul saw the censorship, removal and even prosecution of every form of bad counsel, thinking or theology posited by the congregation as an important part of his role as a pastor and responsibility to protect the flock (“spiritual warfare…fortresses” = Mental strongholds inhibiting people’s obedience that will eventually lead to their apostasy). 3) How we should think about our relationship to the ordained pastor: like the doctor-nurse relationship in a hospital (nurses are to report all treatments administered or new symptoms to the attending doctor) or the relationship between the Executive Director of an Assisted Living facility and his staff (e.g., Richard Conklin’s job as E-D at Morning Star = Protective oversight req’g all depts and staff to share all counsel and situations affecting the safety and prosperity of the residents – e.g., staff tells a resident that it is okay to keep a coffee table in their apartment who unbeknownst to them has a history of falling). 4) How we should NOT think about our relationship to the ordained pastor: like the relationship between the police and a criminal (“criminals don’t rat out fellow criminals to the cops”). This is the mindset of the wicked and the world w/respect to authority – including the authority in the church (a ghetto or street theology/mindset; e.g., “I want to confide in others or receive advice from others who will not seek pastor’s counsel”) = I am a stumbling block/attempting to make another guilty of collusion or malpractice.5) If we are truly family, then nothing should be hidden from those God has made our spiritual parents for our protection and prosperity (pastor = our spiritual father; “father knows best”; 1Co 4:14-15; 2Ti 1:2).  [1] Colorado Law: A parent, guardian, or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor or an incompetent person,and a teacher or other person entrusted with the care and supervision of a minor can use reasonable and appropriate physical force, if it is reasonably necessary and appropriate to maintain or promote welfare of child. Sec. 18-1-703.[Cr.] "Reasonable" or "appropriate" physical force which is "reasonably necessary and appropriate to maintain or promote the welfare of the child" is defined as follows: not excessive or abusive.Colorado Law: “Abuse” or “child abuse or neglect” means an act or omission that threatens the health or welfare of a child in one of the following categories: Skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, or death and: The condition or death is not justifiably explained; The history given concerning the condition is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death; The circumstances indicate that the condition may not be the result of an accidental occurrence. Those investigating cases of child abuse shall take into account child-rearing practices of the culture in which the child participates [this includes the religious beliefs of the home]. The reasonable exercise of parental discipline is not considered abuse. Citation: Rev. Stat. §§ 19-1-103; 19-3-103. 

GOD’S EXISTENCE (The Moral Test argument)1. Through our inescapable drive to assess (judge) all things from an ethical perspective (right and wrong), we (humanity) are not only confirming our unique identity as moral creatures but also our belief in: 1) this life as a test (ethics indicate a test) and 2) the existence of God (i.e., an objective test-grader) Who in the after-life, will reward or punish us based on our performance of the test.1.1. Hence the reason humans suffer guilt, depression and mental illness, b/c we as moral creatures sense our failures in relation to the test we instinctively know exists (Deu 28:20, 28). 1.2. The Moral Test argument cannot be refuted nor should anyone want to refute it given the other options: 1) this life is the only life or 2) everyone goes to heaven makes all suffering and evil meaningless and unbearably cruel (Deu 28:34 “you will be driven mad by what you see”). 1.3. Support: (Rom 1:18-21; Luk 20:35; Rev 3:4-5; Jam 1:12 [Hence Jam 1:1-3]; Psa 62:12 Pro 24:12; Mat 16:27; Joh 5:28-30; Rom 2:6, 14:12; 1Co 3:13; 2Co 5:10; Eph 6:8; Col 3:25; Rev 2:23, 20:12, 22:12). RELIGION2. The principles (i.e. rules for the test) established by God’s Word and gospel is the only ancient system of morality (i.e., religion) that creates true equity in the world. 2.1. There are two important things to consider when determining the rules of the test:2.1.1. He is there and not silent. It is only reasonable to assume that when God created humanity, He provided them with the rules to the test – i.e., the system of morality (religion) they would need to follow to pass the test. 2.1.2. Ancient is better. Given the correspondence between time and corruption - or the fact that the reliability of something diminishes the further you move from its point of origin, those religions closest to the beginning of Creation would therefore be the most likely to possess an accurate record. Two of the oldest possessing a record of rules are: 1) the religion of the Babylonians (Code of Hammurabi [18th century BC]), 2) the religion of the Hebrews/Jews (Mosaic Code [15th century BC]).[1] 2.2. Though the similarities between these two ancient religions confirm prior oral tradition (the laws originally given to Adam and Eve were passed down to Noah and his sons and their descendants)[2], only the Mosaic Code establishes the same moral expectations and justice for all people without discrimination due to status, health or race (Deu 16:20; Num 15:16. IOW: it is the only ancient religion that truly establishes equity (or love – Lev 19:15-18).    GOSPEL3. The only way human beings have ever received salvation (i.e., passed the test/avoiding failing the test) is by entering into a marriage covenant with God (i.e., by marrying Jesus)[3]. Support: (Jer 31:31-32 w/Jud 1:5)         4. Because the way we get saved is through entering into a marriage covenant with Jesus: 4.1. Gaining that relationship has always required a faith-pledge of our allegiance - i.e., our solemn promise to obey the latest version/application of Jesus’ moral law (e.g., 1Co 5:1-5 versus Lev 20:11) and observe its associated covenant signs (“clean laws”)[4]. Support: (Deu 32:51)[5] Covenant signs associated w/our faith-pledge in our human marriages = Wedding rings exchanged at the time of our vows (our faith-pledge of allegiance to one another) Covenant signs (CS) associated w/our faith-pledge in our marriage to Jesus:4.1.1. Adamic and Noahic Covenants (Gen 6:9 “Noah walked with God) = Most likely indicating that pledges or vows of allegiance have been taken and that the respective parties have entered into a covenant relationship with one another – (Consider for example, Amo 3:3 “Can two walk together unless they are in agreement?” = Context is that of covenant agreement); CS = Animal sacrifice (Gen 3:21 ,8:20).  4.1.2. Abrahamic Covenant (Gen 15:6); CS = Animal sacrifice and circumcision (Gen 17:1-14) = The obligation to obedience being communicated by God is not new to Abe. No doubt this is what Abe originally committed to in his pledge of faith. Seeing however that this is what his new “sign in [the] flesh” is meant to communicate, necessitates its rehearsal by God. 4.1.3. Old Covenant (Exo 24:7-8); CS = Animal sacrifice, circumcision, separation and sabbaths. In the NT these are referred to as “the works of the law”(Exo 31:13). 4.1.4. New Covenant (1Pe 1:2 w/3:21 “appeal to God”) = Pledge of allegiance; CS = Baptism and the Lords Table. 4.2. Maintaining that relationship has always required faithfulness to our prior faith-pledge of allegiance.Support: Human marriage = Unfaithfulness leads to divorce (Mat 5:32); Marriage to Jesus = Unfaithfulness likewise leads to divorce/apostasy (Heb 10:26-30, 12:14-17; Isa 50:1; Jer 3:38; 1Co 10:1-12 [5-6 and 11-12]) = The only way the OC Jews can serve as an example w/respect to NC salvation is if the same consequences suffered by them for unfaithfulness can also be suffered by us.  5. To simply say that people under the OC gained their salvation by observing the OC clean laws erroneously implies they were only necessary – or needed to be observed at the initial point of a person’s salvation. Reductio Absurdum: no bacon on the Israelite’s burger the day they got saved, but after that it was okay. 6. That a bi-partite distinction exists within God’s Word and that it is the OT covenant signs that Paul is opposed to when speaking of the end of the Law (Rom 10:4) is not only confirmed by their proximity to the phrase “works of the law” (e.g., the mention of circumcision in Rom 3:28-30 where Paul also states that we are “justified by faith apart from the works of the law”), but also what Paul says in (1Co 7:19 “circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, what matters is keeping the commands of God” ). 7. Though they may look different in application, the principles established by the moral commands of the OT remain in full force today as confirmed not only by their repeated mention in the New Testament, but also the principle of stare decisis.[6]  7.1. In re: to repeat: (Rom 13:9) “if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” = Love is accomplished through obedience to God’s moral commands (w/Gal 5:13-14) “through love serve one another…the whole Law is fulfilled…in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” = Paul’s command to love is a repeat of the second greatest commandment which requires observance of all God’s moral commands to accomplish [again, Rom 13]). 7.2. In re: to stare decisis: (e.g., 1Co 6:18) = Unless I am willing to think that only sex with a prostitute (v16) constitutes immorality, I need the OT to determine the scope of the crime which means the moral commands established in the OT remain authoritative.   [1] The distinction between these two religions is the different path taken by the sons of Noah and their descendants: 1) the descendants of Ham and Japheth who rebelled against God (Gen 10:1-11:9 = The Tower of Babel, the Babylonians), and 2) the descendants of Shem who continued following God (Gen 11:10-35:29 = Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - or Israel, the Hebrews/Jews).[2] For example consider: 1) (CH197) “If he has broken a [landowner’s] bone, they shall break his bone.” with (Lev 24:19-20) “Anyone who maims another shall suffer the same injury in return: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; the injury inflicted is the injury to be suffered.”; 2) (CH195) “If a son has struck his father, they shall cut off his hand.” with (Exo 21:15) “Whoever strikes father or mother shall be put to death.”[3] As should be expected, the concept of divine marriage for salvation was likewise a part of ancient religion – including the religion of the Babylonians, “The very ancient rite of the sacred marriage was of the utmost importance, if not the essential and pivotal element of Babylonian religion. The principal role was played by the god of the city-state, and the sacred marriage was celebrated in order that, by a species of sympathetic magic, the resulting fruitfulness might be extended to the people and the whole land, that is to say, that fertility and abundance might be bestowed upon the head of every family, his flocks and herds, and the land he cultivated.” – E. Douglas Van Buren (“The Sacred Marriage in Early Times in Mesopotamia”)[4] Jesus represents the Law’s personal embodiment and author – including its historical codification at Sinai (Joh 1:1; Heb 9:16). [5] See Matthew W. Bates, Salvation By Allegiance Alone[6] This principle assumes - among other things, that laws established in the past remain authoritative in the future unless overturned. As a result, it is this legal maxim that allows us to assume that when previous laws are cited as support for present cases – or used to understand them, it is because those laws continue in force. As such this too provides an irrefutable argument for the Law’s continuing authority under the New Covenant since how could Jesus, the apostle Paul and the rest of the New Testament authors use the Old Testament as their support unless those commands are still in force?

Stranger things = Those fringe[1] subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds.  Why we are discussing these kinds of subjects = So that we are viewing of our world in the same way Jesus and those living in the ancient near east (the bible’s authors) viewed their world since this is not only the real world but also vital to proper biblical interpretation (or the avoidance of projecting on the text/reading into the text our modern ideas and assumptions [eisegesis] – e.g., Gen 2:18-20).  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced the Bible…The biblical context was produced by men who lived in the ancient near east (ANE). Seeing the Bible through the eyes of an ancient reader [therefore] requires shedding the filters of our [modern] traditions and presumptions. They processed life in supernatural terms.” – Michael S. Heiser (The Unseen Realm) Doorstep theory (def.,): Many of those currently living today (2024) will witness the return of Jesus (i.e., we are living on the “doorstep” of Jesus’ return) (Mat 24:32-35). 1. What makes this kind of claim (theory) provocative or (once more) fringe?1.1. The great number of people who misunderstand what Jesus taught regarding knowledge of His return: 1.1.1. They think Jesus taught that the time of His return was unknown (even to Him) (Mat 24:36, 25:13; Mar 13:32-33).1.1.2. Though Jesus did say we cannot know the exact day or hour, such statements were made in the context of telling His disciples what to look for as the sure-fire signs that His return was imminent (or would take place during the lifetime of many who witnessed them; again Mat 24:32-34; Mar 13:29). IOW: we may not know the exact day or hour, but we can be confident with respect to a small window of years (Mat 24:22). 1.2. The great number of people who fail to consider that Jesus gave such sure-fire signs so that those living at the time of His return would be prepared.1.2.1. (Mat 24:42-51) = Those who are ignorant – or not convinced that Jesus’ return is imminent run the risk of falling away or being found unfaithful when He comes. 1.2.2. We as a church would therefore be foolish to avoid discussing such things if the evidence of these sure-fire signs seem to be present in our time.2. What are the reasons for believing that we may be on the doorstep of Jesus’ return? Four sure-fire signs have been confirmed:2.1. We are living less than ten years away from the 7th or Sabbath millenium.Per God’s perspective and plan, each millennium represents one of the days of Creation. As such, the time the world will end and Messiah will return is on the Sabbath -or the beginning (seventh) millennium (i.e., 6,000 years after the 1st day of Creation).[2] We will officially enter the Sabbath or seventh millennium in 2033/34. Support for saying Jesus will return during the Sabbath millennium which begins in 2033/34:2.1.1. Peter confirms this as God’s view (2Pe 3:8). 2.1.2. The context of Peter’s words (in 2Pe 3) is Jesus’ return and the end of human history (2Pe 3:1-10). 2.1.3. Peter confirmed 2033/34 as the year we enter the Sabbath millennium in his preaching on Pentecost. (Act 2:17-20) = Peter’s divinely inspired interpretation of Joel 2:28 as “And it shall be in the last days” indicates that the IPO of the indwelling Spirit marks the beginning of the final two millennia before the Sabbath millennium/time of Christ’s return. Why? 1) Peter indicates there will be plural days [or millennia] before the end – or Christ’s return (17, “last days”). 2) At the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, we were already somewhere in the range of 4,000 years – which means Peter’s reference cannot be more than two. This puts Jesus’ return somewhere around 2033/34 (or two thousand years after Christian Pentecost which took place in 33/34 A.D.).2.1.4. Ancient Jewish tradition also taught this view (e.g., Talmud, Midrash literature).2.2. Satan’s global misinformation campaign has begun and been successful.(Rev 20:7-8a) = One thousand years after Satan’s incarceration in the abyss - or the advent of the church age (Rev 19:1-20:6), the dimensional portal will be opened allowing him to “deceive the nations” into thinking they are worshipping Jesus - when in reality, they have embraced false gospels and gods.Support for saying that Satan has been released and poisoned the world w/false versions of Christianity and the gospel:2.2.1. The official start of the false Christian religions of Roman Catholicism (RC) and Eastern Orthodoxy (EO) happened almost exactly 1,000 years (11th century Great Schism) after the establishment of Christ’s church on earth (Rev 20:7).2.2.2. In fulfillment of Peter’s words, Martin Luther twisted the words of Paul and invented the FAG leading to the equally false  Protestant Reformation (16th century) (2Pe 3:15-17) = As before, the context of these verses is the end of human history/the return of Christ.2.2.3. False Christianity is now not only the predominant form of Christianity in the world but also the largest group of people on the planet. Almost 3 billion human beings (37.5% of all humanity) claim to be Christian according to some version of its main three false religions (PR, RC, EO).2.3. The FAG has become the dominant gospel and those not adhering to it are heavily persecuted. (Mat 24:8[3]-13) = The gospel being preached by the “false prophets” just before Christ’s return will be antinomian in nature (it will amount to “lawlessness”). IOW: obedience to God’s Law will be considered “nice but no longer necessary.” This lawless/antinomian gospel will also be the dominant gospel of the day. Hence the reason it “mislead many” (not few) causing “many” to “fall away and betray one another and hate another” (i.e., violate their covenant allegiance to Christ and/or His people, the church). The desire for this gospel to remain dominant will also cause its lawless recipients to heavily persecute those who preach against it and lay siege to those remaining vestiges of God’s divine council on earth (Jud 1:8-10 w/14-15 = Rejection of the church’s DC/authority will also characterize the time just before Jesus’ return). Support for saying the FAG gospel has become dominant and the authority of Christ’s churches and gospel are rejected and reviled: 2.3.1. The FAG is now a part of all popular versions of Christianity around the world - including RC/EO. IOW: Most – including those in Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, teach some version of the FAG in that obedience is nice but not ultimately necessary to that person getting to heaven.2.3.2. It is currently hard (impossible?) to find churches teaching a gospel where obedience to all of God’s Law is necessary to be saved (Rev 20:8-9) “surrounded the camp of the saints” = Indicates that Christ’s churches - or those covenant community embracing the true gospel, will (at that time) be few in number and therefore easily outnumbered (“surrounded”) by those in Satan’s false gospel (FAG) churches. 2.3.3. The Evangelical church’s rejection of church authority/DC (2Pe 2:10).2.3.4. With respect to persecution: our experience at Christ Covenant Church (e.g., the lies, slander and other forms of ill-treatment we have endured for speaking against the FAG, asking questions or attempting to create dialogue) (Mat 10:25). 2.4. Just before Christ’s return, the true gospel will be recovered and revealed to the world.(Mat 24:14) “preached to the whole world as a testimony to all the nations and then the end will come.” = Just before Christ’s return, the gospel lost through the deception of Satan and suppression of false Christianity will be found and bore witness to as not only part of God’s final judgment against the nations, but also the means to saving those few who remain welcome to Him (2Pe 3:9). Support that the true gospel has been recovered and is being preached to the whole world:2.4.1. The gospel of G&M preached throughout redemptive history by Jesus has been recovered by Christ Covenant Church (“Judaism 2.0.”, covenantal nomism).2.4.2. Our internet presence has allowed us to accomplish this global gospel witness almost instantaneously given that most (if not all) of the civilized world (who Paul is referring to) has access to the internet. 3. What things remain unfulfilled – yet seem to be on the horizon (what should we be looking out for)? Two things:3.1. Satan and his demons’ returning to earth as Jesus and His angels/holy ones.Satan’s entire global misinformation campaign has been leading to one major event: the great Jesus fake-out. He and his demon’s will return to the 3rd dimension as Jesus and his angels/holy ones in supposed fulfillment of the Scriptures – or more specifically, its Dispensational Premillennial interpretation. This means the immediate establishment an earthly, global kingdom of unified peace, healing miracles (e.g., healing cancer), massive blessings and last chance salvation. All nations and people (even those formerly not Christian) will unite under him (as Jesus) given he will (in his big reveal) also save the planet from nuclear war; a war he has secretly been instigating and influencing between the US and Russia for many years (also consistent w/Dispy Pre-mill doctrine).  Support for this view:3.1.1. (Mat 24:15-28) = Satan presenting himself to the world as the returning Jesus; (2Th 2:1-10) [v3, 9] “apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction…the one whose coming is in accord with/conforming to the activity of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders” = Satan disguising and designating himself as the returning Jesus and promoting the lawless – “lawless” obedience is nice but not necessary FAG. [v7a] “mystery of lawlessness is already at work” = The seeds of the Evangelical FAG will precede and prepare the stage for his arrival along w/its most popular eschatological system: Dispensational [Pre-Trib Rapture] Premillennialism. [v6,7b] “what restrains him now” = Not who but what: the tech to not only get back to the 3rd dimension in corporeal form but also stop the nuclear war he secretly instigated to win the rest of the planet to him. [v8] = The reign of Satan-Jesus will be short lived as the real Jesus’ return will bring immediate destruction [“slay with the breath of his mouth”] to him and his rebellious FAG followers (2Th 1:7b-10 and Rev 20:9b).3.1.2. (Rev 20:8 “Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war”; See also Eze 382 and 39:1) = Many scholars believe this is a reference to modern day Russia and the (nuclear) war they will (be influenced by Satan – vv7-8) to start. 3.1.3. Becoming the savior of the problem/war you (secretly created for that very purpose) is a proven age-old tactic for winning the masses to you or your cause (e.g., create gun violence as a means to getting legislation against gun ownership; “Lest we forget…[we must acknowledge] the very first radical…known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom – Lucifer.” - Saul Alinsky, Rules For Radicals).3.1.4. Evidence of UAPs/UFOs shutting down nuclear missile silos in the US and Russia coupled w/the fact that the rise in UAP/UFO activity started when we gained nuclear capability in 1945. Is it possible this is also the reason for the frequent number of UAP/UFO sightings off our coasts by our Navy? In all of this are we simply witnessing the test flights of the vessels they intend to bring down the missiles, stop the war and save the planet? Is it possible that alien abductions are real and additionally a means to testing the tech they will eventually use to stage a mass “pre-trib rapture” of Evangelicals (before the nuclear launch)? Is it possible Satan is behind all of the recent pre-occupation with aliens and UFO/UAPs(e.g. Government and govt official’s admission of UAPs and/or alien lifeforms, Congressional hearing with David Grusch [Air Force intelligence officer], David Fravor [Navy pilot] and Ryan Graves [Navy pilot], Jacques Vallee [famous astronomer, computer scientist who believes aliens may be angels: “when God exited, the angels beamed in”], Cymone’s Homeland Security briefs [w/Space Force, regarding disclosure from the Vatican]) as a means to getting us ready to receive the supernatural w/open arms? (e.g., military dropping propaganda leaflets to influence/prepare the people to be favorable to them when they arrive). 3.2. A large number of Jews will become true Christians.The nation of Israel will receive the recovered gospel and convert to true Christianity rejecting the counterfeit Jesus and his false FAG.Support for this view:3.2.1. The Jews will never receive or recognize as Messiah anyone who rejects their Law as necessary to salvation. 3.2.2. Paul seems to predict a future mass conversion of Israel (Rom 11:25-27; Also Hos 3:4-5) 3.2.2. John seems to predict that the time of Israel’s conversion will be right after the great Jesus fake out – or just before true Jesus’ return (Rev 20:9) “camp of the saints and the beloved city” = Very possibly a reference to the nation of Israel’s conversion to Christianity [G&M gospel/law-loving gospel/Judaism 2.0.] in defiance of Satan-Jesus and his “lawless” FAG. If so, then God’s justice will prove to truly be poetic (since according to Premillennial doctrine and expectations, Israel will not oppose – but submit to Pre-mill Jesus). 4. What are the practical implications and application of what we just learned? 4.1. Deep conviction in relation to Marriage Covenant Gospel and the ability to prove it from the Scriptures will be the only thing that will keep you from being duped by Satan-Jesus and falling away when things get crazy (Mat 24:13,35-44 22; 2Th 2:11-15). 4.2. There is no time to waste when it comes to not only doing what it takes to produce the aforementioned conviction and knowledge but also faithfulness to God’s law, church and gospel (Mat 24:42-25:46).  [1] Subjects not part of the mainstream; topics or understanding that are unconventional and/or uncomfortable to modern culture and thinking.[2] “The belief that the seventh millennium will correspond to the Messianic Age is founded upon a universalized application of the concept of Shabbat—the 7th day of the week—the sanctified 'day of rest'. This tradition maintains that each day of the week corresponds to one thousand years of creation: Just as the six days of the work week culminate in the sanctified seventh day of Shabbat, so too will the six millennia of creation culminate in the sanctified seventh millennium (Hebrew years 6000–7000) — the Messianic Age.” – Wikipedia (Year 6000)[3] “the beginning of the birth pangs” = Adverse weather and wars (vv6-7) are not the definitive signs that the end is near but “merely” the pre-requisites or precursors to what will be.

Scholars agree that the subject of Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 is corporate worship on the Lord’s Day (Sunday). What many also agree on is the interchangeability of the terms “psalms”, “hymns” and “spiritual songs.”[1] IOW: these terms do not refer to different types of songs but rather function as “overlapping near synonyms”[2] meant to emphasize the imperative of congregational singing.[3] With that in mind, here (then) is God’s prescription for our congregational singing: 1. The focus must be on God and His work not us or ours. 1.1. (Eph 5:19, “singing…to the Lord”; Col 3:16 “singing… to God”) 1.2. Too many songs in MCW (modern Christian worship) are guilty of placing the focus on us (what we are feeling, doing or going to do for God) w/very little – to no communication in respect to God (Who He is and what He has done or is doing). IOW: they are heavy on us and light on God.[4] 1.3. Compare: 1) (Psa 8, 46) = Words focused on God: Who He is and what He has done.[5] 2) Crown Him With Many Crowns (“the Lamb upon the throne…Awake my soul and sing of Him Who died for Me; And hail Him as they matchless King thru all eternity…Crown Him the Lord of heaven; One with the Father known…His glories now we sing; Who died and rose on high; Who died eternal life to bring; And lives that death may die.”) = The focus is on God (Jesus): Who He is and what He has done (not us or what we are going to do).to [Last week’s top 20 worship songs, CCLI]: 1) I Speak Jesus (“I just wanna speak the name of Jesus, Over every heart and every mind, Cause I know there is peace within Your Presence, I speak Jesus, I just wanna speak Jesus”) = The focus of this song is what we are going to do – not Jesus or His work. 2) How Great Is Our God (“sing with me, how great is our God and then the world will see how great is our God…name above all names worthy of all praise, my heart will sing…”) = Besides being entirely about what we are doing or singing (we are the primary acting agent), the song makes no mention of Who God is or what He has done or is doing, nor speaks any of words directly to God. Consider also [the 7 top cliches in MCW]: 1) I want you, 2) I need you, 3) I lift you up, 4) I lay it down, 5) I’m in awe, 6) I’m alive in you, 7) I am living for you. = All focused on us as the primary acting agent.1.4. PNTM: We are here to sing to God – or about God not ourselves (i.e., bows not vows is how we give praise to God).[6]2. The words (and music) must communicate God as our King not our girlfriend.2.1. (Eph 5:19) “Lord” = A term used to confer majesty to those in positions of authority. Our songs must therefore communicate this majesty. IOW: the songs we sing must sound like an expression of majesty to a king versus a solicitation for intimacy with our girlfriend. 2.2. Example: All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name (“All hail the power of Jesus’ name let angels prostrate fall, to Him ascribe all majesty and crown Him Lord of all, to Him all majesty ascribe and crown Him Lord of all!”).2.3. Compare: The Secret Place by Phil Wickham (“Where are you going to run my soul…How you gonna keep this flame alive…In the fading light when night is breaking, I know you will always be waiting, You’ll always be there, I running to the secret place. Where you are…you stole my heart, stole my heart. Better is a moment I spend with you…I’m running, I’m running to the secret place.”). to The Secret Place by RC Sproul (“He who dwells within His most secret place, Is never far from His blessed grace…The secret place of God Most High, The shadow of our Mighty King, The dwelling place where angels cry, Is where our praise will forever ring.”).2.4. Examples from other MCW songs: 1) “Capture my heart again, your love is extravagant, your friendship, intimate.” (Your Love Is Extravagant by Casting Crowns), 2) “As I feel your touch, you bring a freedom to all that is within.” (Pour Out My Heart by Craig Musseau), 3) “A sloppy wet kiss and my heart turns violently inside my chest.” (How He Loves – John Mark McMillan), 4) “Lay back against you and breath, hear your heartbeat, this love is so deep, it’s more than I can stand” (The More I Seek You - Kari Jobe), 5) “We’re going all the way, and the wonder of it all is that I’m living just to fall more in love with you.” (Deeper ’99  by Delirious) 2.5. It is not just a song’s lyrics that can make us be guilty of treating God like our girlfriend. It can also be the music. Does the music [melody etc.,] make you feel like God is your king or your lover? Does it sound more like the Michigan Wolverine’s fight song, Hail To The Victors! or Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On?2.6. PNTM: what we sing and how it sounds must be majestic. If it doesn’t feel majestic, then we probably shouldn’t be singing it. “Care must always be taken that the song be neither light nor frivolous, but that it have weight and majesty.” – John Calvin “There is a great difference between music which one makes to entertain men at table and in their houses, and the [songs] which are sung in the Church in the presence of God and his angels.”- St. Augustine3. Songs must also communicate rich wisdom and theology that will aid in the congregation’s spiritual formation and fortitude. 3.1. (Col 3:16) “Let the word of Christ [or early manuscript version: the Lord] richly dwell within you [in] all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” = Because of its large biblical content, our congregational singing should represent the first sermon of our church service. Our worship in song should feel like “the meal before the main course.”3.2. With the exception of the Getty’s (and a few other modern hymn writers), the wisdom and theology found in most MCW is extremely lacking or completely non-existent. "Too often today the church serves up affective sentiments without much care for the discipline of the Word." - R. Kent Hughes“One of the saddest features of contemporary worship is that [it is filled with] trite jingles that have more in common with contemporary advertising ditties than with [God’s inspired music], the Psalms. The problem here is not so much the style of the music, though trite words fit best with trite tunes and harmonies. Rather the problem is with the content of the songs…Today’s songs reflect our shallow or nonexistent theology and do almost nothing to elevate one’s thoughts about God.” – James Montgomery Boice“Many American evangelicals continue to exhibit a considerable gap between the materials they sing and the theology they preach. They confess to believe in a transcendent God who is above all creation, yet they sing few [songs] which properly reveal God’s excellences. Some congregations expect “strong meat” in biblical preaching but seem to be satisfied with “milk” or even lollipops in song.” – Donald Hustad3.4. MCW Examples: Oceans by Hillsong (“You call me out upon the waters; The great unknown where feet may fail; And there I find You in the mystery; In oceans deep my faith will stand, I will call upon Your Name; And keep my eyes above the waves; When oceans rise; My soul will rest in Your embrace; For I am Yours and You are mine; Your grace abounds in deepest waters; Your sovereign hand will be my guide; Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me; You’ve never failed and You won’t start now; Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders; Let me walk upon the waters; Wherever You would call me; Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander; And my faith will be made stronger; In the presence of my Saviour; I will call upon Your Name; Keep my eyes above the waves; My soul will rest in Your embrace; I am Yours and You are mine.”) = This song could be talking to any (so-called) God given there is nothing specific or any theology which exclusively ties it to the God of the Bible. It is completely void of any biblical wisdom or theology. 3.5. We need to be concerned about more than simply making sure the lyrics are orthodox, they need to also be rich in wisdom and theology (“Poor songs [also] lead us to idolatry. Not just inferior worship – idolatry. It’s that important.” – Chris Anderson). [7]3.6. In contrast, most hymns - including modern hymns (e.g., Getty’s) are packed full of wisdom and theology that aids the saints in their spiritual formation and fortitude. 3.7. Example: Crown Him With Many Crowns (“The Lamb upon the throne; Hark How the heav'nly anthems drowns; All music but its own! Awake, my soul And sing; Of Him Who died for thee; And hail Him as thy matchless King; Thru all eternity [Rev 5 and 7]…Crown Him the Lord of heav'n; One with the Father known; One with the Spirit thru him giv'n; From yonder glorious throne; To Thee be endless praise; For thou has died for me; Be Thou, O Lord, thru endless days; Adored and magnified [Heb 1; Rev 15 and 22]; …His glories now we sing; Who died and rose on high; Who died eternal life to bring; And lives that death may die.” [Rom 4 and 5; Rev 5, 12 and 13]).[8]3.8. PTNM: Worship (in song) is not testimony it’s teaching (“rhythmic theology” – Anderson). The question then to ask when deciding whether a song should be sung by the congregation: What is it teaching? Is it (this “first” sermon) doctrinal sound or sinfully idolatrous? Additionally, how much wisdom or theology is being communicated through its verses and chorus? Is it an aid to the congregation’s spiritual formation and fortitude?[9]4. The words and music must be beautiful but without a feminine vibe. 4.1. Similar to the above point, much of MCW makes God seem more like a metrosexual than the mighty warrior portrayed in Scripture (e.g., most if not all music/songs by Chris Tomlin especially when it is sung by Chris Tomlin).4.2. Among the many reasons God only identifies Himself in masculine terms in the Scripture is most certainly this: to make clear that His tastes are not feminine. The words we sing and the music we use must therefore never be anything less than fully masculine. No feminine vibes allowed! 4.3. That being said, our God also cares deeply about beauty – especially in His house and what takes place there (Exo 28:2, 40; Psa 27:4, 50:2, 96:6). 4.4. What this means is that: 1) beauty is not a feminine invention - nor something that only women should care about. It is instead at the heart of masculinity (rightly understood), 2) the masculine music we sing must also be beautiful (e.g., masculine music that is not majestic/beautiful = Country worship music [words may promote aspects of masculinity but the music is not beautiful – it is instead as the saying goes, “like clean underwear covered in a sh*tty suit”]). 4.4. “The Christian Life should not only produce truth– but also beauty” – Francis Schaeffer4.5. Beauty is achieved when our music/songs are “skillful” (i.e., complexity performed w/excellence; Psa 33:3), “glorious” (i.e., filled w/rich wisdom and right theology; Psa 66:2) – and (again) majestic (def., beauty expressed in dignity, power, perfection and stateliness). PNTM: We must protect the masculinity of God and the beauty He loves (and is!) in the songs we sing since anything less can also make us guilty of idolatry.   CLOSING COMMITMENT: 1) song-writing group to start writing hymns, 2) a hearty diet of singing only hymns for the next 8 weeks (to inspire our song-writing group and strengthen our souls) 3) a removal of all music from our congregational singing that do not meet the criteria discussed today.   [1] See for example, F.F. Bruce, The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians; Douglas J Moo, The Letters to Colossians and Philemon; Andrew Lincol, Ephesians; Frank Thielman, Ephesians; See also David F Detwiler, “Church Music and Colossians 3:16”[2] Scott Aniol (Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs: Assessing the Debate”). That the terms psalms, hymns and spiritual songs should be viewed as referring to the same thing (as overlapping near synonyms) is supported by their interchangeable use in Scripture. For example: 1) all three terms are used in the LXX as titles for the Psalms, 2) The NT writers use the term “psalm” (Grk., psalmois) to refer to “hymns” ([Grk., hymnois]1Co 14:26; cf. 1Co 14:15) and spiritual songs ([Grk., odais] Jam 5:13). “Since [these three Greek terms] are each used as translations of psalm titles in the LXX and are employed interchangeably in the NT, the weight of evidence seems to suggest that Paul did not intend the terms to designate clearly identifiable genre of corporate song.” – Aniol (ibid) [3] That Paul expects the church to be characterized by singing that involves the entire congregation (versus a select few – or one) is established by the “one another” phrase found in both verses. Additional PNTM: 1) the people leading us in worship are not the only ones ministering to others thru singing (we are all “speaking [ministering] to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs”), 2) singing is not optional (how we accomplish the command to “let the word of Christ [or the Lord] dwell richly in [us]” is by “singing”), 3) refusing to sing or singing w/an unthankful heart is sin which not only qualifies as a threat to our eternal future (Heb 10:26-30), but may also place us under God’s immediate and special wrath (Heb 13:28-29 w/13:15), 4) the songs we sing together must be something that is easy for us to sing (hymns are “songs for unmusical people to sing together” – Erik Routley) .[4] “In many cases, congregations have unwittingly begun to sing about themselves and how they are feeling rather than about God and His glory.” – Chris Anderson (Theology That Sticks)[5] Keep in mind that not all of the Psalms were meant to be sung by the congregation. Only 55 of the 150 are directed to the choirmaster. Most of the psalms were meant for special music or special occasions (e.g., songs of ascent).[6] Music must be tethered to God – His attributes, His names, His works, His purposes, and His glory. This is vital, perhaps more than anything else.” – Anderson (ibid)[7] "Careful attention to the selection of hymns and praise songs is important. People learn from everything that happens in a worship service, not just the sermon. Indeed, there are probably many Christians who imbibe more of their theology, for good or ill, from what they sing than from what they hear taught.” – Carl Trueman (“The Trinity and Prayer”)[8] “The old hymns expressed the theology of the church in profound and perceptive ways and with winsome, memorable language. They lifted the worshiper’s thoughts to God and gave him striking words by which to remember God’s attributes.” – James Montgomery Boice[9] “Congregational song is part of the teaching ministry of the church. Church musicians and pastors should ask themselves: if our people learned their theology from our songs what would they know in twenty years about God, the cross, the resurrection, the offices of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, creation, justification, election, regeneration, the church, the sacraments, and all the other fundamental doctrines of the faith?” – Anderson (ibid)

Stranger things = Those fringe[1] subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds.  Why we are discussing these kinds of subjects = So that we are viewing of our world in the same way Jesus and those living in the ancient near east (the bible’s authors) viewed their world since this is not only the real world but also vital to proper biblical interpretation (or the avoidance of projecting on the text/reading into the text our modern ideas and assumptions [eisegesis] – e.g., Gen 2:18-20).  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced the Bible…The biblical context was produced by men who lived in the ancient near east (ANE). Seeing the Bible through the eyes of an ancient reader [therefore] requires shedding the filters of our [modern] traditions and presumptions. They processed life in supernatural terms.” – Michael S. Heiser (The Unseen Realm) Divine council (def.,): a heavenly assembly of beings who have been deputized by God to function as His vice-regents on earth governing and judging the nations on His behalf. 1. Biblical evidence of their existence (Psa 82:1-8)(1) “God (Heb., elohim [singular – see underlined] = Divine being/God) takes His stand taking His stand(participle -singular) in His own the divine (Heb., be el = the divine [See ESV], e.g., el shaddai = God of the mountain, Gen 35:11) congregation (or council); He judges in the midst of the rulers (or gods) (Heb., elohim [plural – see verse 2], “you” [plural] = Divine beings/Gods/gods). See also verse 6, “I said, ‘you are gods’” (again, elohim).  2. Who are the plural elohim that make up this divine council? After considering the possible options, there is only one that meets all the biblical tests: the anointed priests and levites (judges) of the covenant community.[2]   3. What are the practical implications and application associated with the God’s divine council being the priests and levites in Christ’s churches (the New Covenant community)?3.1. Deacons/officers are a part of the DC by proxy (i.e., they are deputized not anointed, e.g., Korah the levite - Num 16:3 “we are all holy” [anointed]) (Deu 21:5 [priests are judges] w/2Sa 15:1-4 and 2Ch 26:21 [kings are judges] = Deu 17:8-9) = The king and priests are the anointed judges in the CC (high court judges or divines[3]). Levites and the heads of households help the king and priests in judging. They are the low court judges (2Ch 19:8). They have been deputized to represent the high court judges – i.e., the divine council or council possessing divines or those w/divine authority/anointing (Deu 16:18 “judge the people…tribes…in all your towns”; “judging ones [participle; the wise heads of household in each tribe[4]] and officers” [Levites] versus 17:8-9 “if any… cases of dispute” are “too difficult…then you shall arise and go to…the Levitical priests and judge” [priests and king/the anointed/divines]; NC = Pastors and deacons, Isa 66:21 [priests and deacons selected as heads of their households] w/1Ch 17:6 “the judges of Israel whom I commanded to shepherd My people”). 3.2. Jesus confirms that the NC possesses a DC just like the OC which means there is supernatural authority, power, protection and guidance in our church that Jesus Himself backs up or supports – which is what makes it a divine council issuing divine judgments: 1) (Mat 18:15-16) = [Deu 16:18, 17:6], 2) (Mat 18:17a) = [Deu 17:8], 3) (Mat 18:17b-20) = [Deu 17:9-12].3.3. The way God perfectly cares for and leads His people to heaven is through the fallible and fallen leadership of His DC which means: 1) though fallible and fallen, God’s DC can judge/rule with justice (or equity) and righteousness (e.g., 2Sa 8:15). 2) unless it can be disproven to the congregation, our default position as a congregation should be to view the decisions and judgments made by our DC as coming directly from God (Pro 16:10; 2Co 1:21 w/4:6-7; Consider also 1Ti 3:1-16 = The P+D are what make the church the pillar and buttress [fortress] of truth; Mat 10:40 and 18:19-20; Act 15:22).  3.4. Anyone who thinks the church possesses no DC (i.e., no human judges w/divine authority): 1) is ignorant of the Scriptures and God’s power (in the church) (Mat 22:29).2) has not considered the implications of such thinking w/respect to not only the preservation of justice and righteousness in the church but protection from demons and demonic influence (e.g., how many of us wb okay w/getting rid of the American judicial system which appoints secular men as judges w/final authority in relation to laws and issues of justice? If we deem them necessary to procuring the aforementioned things in this country, why would the same not be necessary for the church? [1Co 6:3-4]. Do we not view the secular judges as possessing authority from God? [Rom 13:1] Then why not those leaders in the church?). 3) are more than likely rebels who despise such authority or judges since they are a threat to their wicked way of life (Pro 21:15).  3.5. The church’s DC will be under stricter judgment by God and so should be careful in their decisions and judgments to make sure they are always promoting justice and preserving equity (Deu 16:20; Jam 3:1; the result of such carefulness wb the ignorant/disobedient viewing many of their decisions/policies as petty or unrighteous – e.g., late = absent; Pro 28:5). 3.6. Understanding that the DC in the church is actually referred to as elohim, brings further clarity and certainty to why insubordination or insurrection amounts to apostasy from God (Deu 17:9-12 [Num 15:30-31; Deu 29:18-20] w/Mat 18:17b-20 [Mat 12:32]; Mat 10:14-15; Rom 13:2 w/5; the crayon-eaters dilemma = When you refuse or reject the counsel of the DC, you have pushed your case to God on J-Day – which allows for no recourse/redemption after judgment). 3.7. It makes sense that the DC of the church will be involved in the final judgment of those who were a part of their congregation given they will also be involved in the judgment of those angels who caused their office and congregation pain and distress (1Co 6:3 = Those angels who caused trouble to the CC over which that DC was responsible. The righteous angels will face no judgment; Heb 13:17; Hence why then even the archangel Michael chose never to speak against the DC – Jud 8-9; Consider the context of Jude: humans treading where no angel would dare to tread; 1Th 5:12-13 “live in peace w/one another” = CC w/their DC; Num 12:1 w/9-10). 3.8. The existence of a DC in the church means that though Jesus has left us for heaven, He has not left us as orphans (i.e., persons w/o a father – or one who through their vision and discernment, discipline and discipleship, provides them with the tools to prospering in this world and passing the eternal test). In the ANE, it was assumed that those w/o fathers were also those w/o the proper leadership in their lives to become wise or make wise decisions. Orphans – or those left as orphans, were as a result, often the idiots and criminals of society. How (then) Jesus (though again in heaven), keeps His church from becoming aimless idiots and crooks who ultimately damn their souls b/c of such folly or lack of wisdom = Through the special anointing of “another Helper…the spirit of truth…the Holy Spirit” on certain members of His DC (Joh 14:16-18a w/25-26). Why we cb confident that John 14 is a reference to the HS’ special anointing of the priests (in Jesus’ DC) and not the HS given to all at baptism: 1) bc the three things Jesus says about it are in perfect agreement w/what Jesus says at the initial special anointing: 1] He will personally deliver it after His death (18-20), 2] it will be associated w/Jesus’ special peace (26-27), 3] it will strengthen their belief (28-29). All three of these things are only found in (Joh 20:19-22). 2) the purpose of the John 14 HS is not the purpose of the Spirit given at baptism/@Pentecost. It can make someone a prophet (the gift of revelation – Act 2:15-18) but not a judge/part of the DC (the gift of remembrance in re: to truth - Joh 14:26; Consider also 1Co 15:29 “others judge” = The judges/DC [v28 w/Act 15:19 “my judgment” = James the anointed priest]. IOW: prophets are not judges. What about the prophet Samuel who “judged Israel”? [1Sa 7:15] Sam was also a priest – 1Sa 2:18 w/22:18 and 7:9 in contrast to 13:12]).     [1] Subjects not part of the mainstream; topics or understanding that are unconventional and/or uncomfortable to modern culture and thinking.[2] In the ANE, the spiritual realm and humanity were inextricably linked. To believe in the spiritual realm meant also believing that its supernatural power had also been given to certain humans who functioned as authorities within specific spiritual communities. Those communities were identified as religions (or the old term, cults) and the dispensers of this power, their priests (e.g., Psa 132:16). To assume then that no such power or authority existed – or still exists today, would have been for those in the Bible, the same as believing the spiritual realm itself was fantasy. The question should therefore never be, are their human beings functioning as God’s divine council today? But rather, who are they? [3] Old term for priests and theologians (e.g., Westminster Divines)[4] In ancient times, being the head of a household or tribe did not require you be the oldest in the family (e.g., David; hence Psa 119:100). It meant that those in the community (or household) viewed you as among the wisest and most righteous of their clan (Exo 18:21). 

Stranger things = Those fringe[1] subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds.  Why we are discussing these kinds of subjects = So that we are viewing of our world in the same way Jesus and those living in the ancient near east (the bible’s authors) viewed their world since this is not only the real world but also vital to proper biblical interpretation (or the avoidance of projecting on the text/reading into the text our modern ideas and assumptions [eisegesis] – e.g., Gen 2:18-20).  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced the Bible…The biblical context was produced by men who lived in the ancient near east (ANE). Seeing the Bible through the eyes of an ancient reader [therefore] requires shedding the filters of our [modern] traditions and presumptions. They processed life in supernatural terms.” – Michael S. Heiser (The Unseen Realm) Previously discussed: Dimensional portals (def.,): doors or gates and their accompanying bridges connecting the immaterial/spiritual/supernatural world to the material/physical/natural world allowing those with access, the ability to travel or send/receive things from one dimension (or realm) to the other (e.g., Rev 4:1 “door” = Portal; Consider also 2Co 12:2 – Like John, Paul most likely travelled through a dimensional portal). BIG TAKEAWAY: In Christ’s churches, we have access to a heavenly portal that allows us to give and receive from God those persons (e.g., receive angels for help – Heb 1:14) and things (e.g., give praise to God, receive forgiveness through the sacraments – 1Pe 3:21; Joh 13:5-15 [context is the LT – v26]) important to our saving relationship with Him.  Divine council (def.,): a heavenly assembly of beings who have been deputized by God to function as His vice-regents on earth governing and judging the nations on His behalf.[2]1. Biblical evidence of their existence (Psa 82:1-8)(1) “God (Heb., elohim [singular – see underlined] = Divine being/God) takes His stand taking His stand(participle -singular) in His own the divine (Heb., be el = the divine [See ESV], e.g., el shaddai = God of the mountain, Gen 35:11) congregation (or council); He judges in the midst of the rulers (or gods) (Heb., elohim [plural – see verse 2], “you” [plural] = Divine beings/Gods/gods). See also verse 6, “I said, ‘you are gods’” (again, elohim). [3]2. Who are the plural elohim that make up this divine council? Considering the options:2.1.  other members of the Trinity (Jesus and the Holy Spirit) (Heb 1:8; Act 5:3-5)Why this is not a viable option: God not only condemns the elohim (“rulers”) of verse 1b of judging unjustly and walking in darkness but also promises they will one day “die like men” because of such behavior (2-7). 2.2. other deities (or the gods of other religions) 1) (Exo 20:3; 1Ki 11:33) Why this is not a viable option: Other deities do not exist (Deu 4:35, 39; Isa 45:5-6)2.3. Dead people – particularly dead saints (1Sa 28:13) Why this is not a viable option:  1) Dead people play no role in governing or judging the affairs of those currently living (2-4). 2) Though communication with or by them is possible, God strictly prohibits such interaction as punishable by death (Lev 20:27). 2.4. Angelic beings  (the view of Michael Heiser)Specifically: Satan and the other fallen angels who are identified as “sons of God” before His throne (Job 1-2) and are responsible not only for the Fall but mating with humanity and promoting global rebellion against God leading to the Flood (Gen 6 w/1Enoch 6-11). God placed these demons over the Gentile nations as their divine council (or spiritual authorities) after their rebellion at Babel (Deu 32:8-9 w/17 = “Sons of Israel” sb “sons of God” referring to “demons”, who inherited the Table of “Nations” as God’s judgment against the Gentiles for the Tower of Babel event [Gen 10-11]). God’s rebuke and condemnation of this council in Psalm 82 is the result of their poor oversight. Though wicked they were still expected to rule righteously.Why this is not a viable option: 1) God never gives angels authority positions over humans – including archangels (Jud 8-9). Rather, it is humans who function as judges (rulers) over the angels (1Co 6:3). Angels exist to serve humans – specifically, those inheriting salvation (Heb 1:14). [4] 2) The idea that angels had sex with women infers not only that angels have the ability to procreate. Yet Jesus makes it clear that angels possess no such capability given they lack the proper context for such activity, marriage (Mat 22:30). To assume sexual activity were possible by angels is to therefore equally accuse God of sin – or providing moral creatures with natural desires and capabilities that possess no righteous application or solution. The fact that giants existed after the global flood (Gen 6:4) lends additional support. They are the mutated offspring of men – not angels[5].    3) Viewing the word “nations” in Deuteronomy 32 as a reference to the 70 nations of Genesis 10 is not only a false assumption – one leading directly to Heiser’s change of the phrase “sons of Israel” (MT) to “sons of God” (DSS), but a failure in reading comprehension.[6] The entire context and focus of the Deuteronomy 32 (Moses’ Song) is God’s inheritance for the people of Israel, a group made up of twelve nations (Gen 17:4-6 w/16) which means the phrase, “sons of Israel” found in the MT is correct. Regarding the reference to “demons” in (v17), Moses is simply recounting the idolatrous acts of the first generation (e.g., Exo 32:1-6; Lev 17:7; Act 7:43 [Amo 5:26-27]) since this is what prohibited them from receiving or realizing this land inheritance.  4) Jesus applies (6) to humans not angels (Joh 10:34 = Jesus’ defense only makes sense if the Jews understood Psalm 82 – including verse 6, as referring to humans). 2.5. the anointed priests/judges of the covenant community (Deu 17:8-9 w/Deu 21:5 = Priests/levites are the judges in the CC)1) the place where the elohim carry out their office as rulers/judges is on earth (not heaven), the same place as the priests/judges of the covenant community (1-4; hence why God will also judge them on the earth – v8 “Arise O God, judge [the unrighteous judges] on the earth for it is You [God] who possesses [owns] all the nations”).2) the judges (priests and levites) of the covenant community are also referred to as elohim (e.g., Exo 21:6 [See “God” Fn]; Exo 22:8-9).3) the word translated “earth” in (5,8 [eretz]) can also be translated as land - as in the land of Israel (i.e., the covenant community) (e.g., 2Ki 5:2 “land” [eretz]).4) the word translated “nations” in (8) can refer to the tribes of Israel (i.e., the covenant community) (e.g., again Gen 17:4-6).5) The predominant concern and scope of Scripture is justice in the covenant community and among its leaders – not the other leaders or nations. To therefore assign a context bigger than God’s people to Psalm 82 (as Heiser does – the 70 nations of the Gentiles from Gen 10-11), is to assume an interpretive position or approach contrary what is most common in the OT – including its largest literary portion, the Prophets (e.g., Jer 22:1-17; Eze 45:9; Amo 5:10-24)[7].6) Paul uses divine council language to speak of Old and New Covenant priests and levites: 1] (Eph 2:6) “seated us” = Paul’s audience according to 1:1-3, is the church (“Paul” along w/the “saints…and faithful…in Ephesus”) not the individual. At the very least then, the “us” of ch.2 refers to the covenant community – most specifically, her priests and levites (“faithful” = Or “faithful ones” – most likely a reference to her priests and levites – See Phi 1:1[8]). This is further supported by Paul’s connecting phrase “with Him in the heavenly places” – a direct allusion to (Psa 89:5-7) = The leaders of God’s assembly/covenant community are viewed as existing in heaven. IOW: this is the origin of their office and authority (Eph 3:10). 2] That Paul is indeed referring to spiritual leaders in the covenant community when using the phrase “rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”) versus spiritual beings such as angels or demons (again, Heiser’s view) is confirmed by the role of the church in explaining and proclaiming the “mystery” and “gospel” of God’s Messiah [Jesus] – most especially to the Jewish nation (Act 1:8; Rom 2:10) - including its spiritual leaders (Eph 3:1-10) = Assuming Heiser’s view, why would the gospel need to be preached to demons or angels – those with no hope of salvation? These verses therefore have to be referring to a human occupied divine council – most specifically those in the OC community. Why the OC divine council (priests and levites) and not those under the NC? Because of (Eph 3:11-15) = Paul’s preaching this gospel (as the ambassador of the “church”) to the aforementioned rulers and authorities has caused him “tribulations” that will bring the Ephesians “glory” (or “glory in the church”). It can’t therefore be New Covenant priests and levites Paul is referring to since not only would they not be guilty of persecuting him, but by such tribulation, bring glory to the church (such actions – if true, would bring shame to the church). How then will Paul’s preaching to OC divine coucil bring glory to the church (one that makes the tribulation/persecutions suffered bc of it worth it)? Through their conversion. They remain a part of “God’s family” (again, vv14-15) and therefore the field of final harvest for the church before Christ’s return (Rom 11:11-12). Consider (Rom 11:11-12). 3] What Paul says about these heavenly rulers or authorities in his letter to the Colossians confirms this is who Paul has in mind (the OC divine council/priests and levites) (Col 2:15-16) “When He (God) had disarmed (or defrocked and dismissed) the rulers and authorities” (through Jesus’ atoning death that removed our debt before God – v14), He made a public display of them having triumphed over them through Him” = IOW: Christ was able to make us righteous before God without the OC priesthood which in turn made them essentially  obsolete (Heb 7:12 w/8:13). Additional support: (v16) = B/C the priests of the OC community have been defrocked and dismissed, we are to no longer recognize them as our spiritual authorities (our divine council). 4] Lastly, consider how Paul uses this phrase (“rulers…in the heavenly places”) at the end of his Ephesian epistle. Close cross examination of this phrase with earlier portions of the letter and other Scripture also points to Old Covenant priesthood.  (Eph 6:11-12) “schemes of the devil” = Schemes accomplished thru the “deceitful scheming” and trickery of men (4:14) = More than likely a reference to the Jews since this was – once more, the main antagonist in Paul’s ministry – and the apostolic church[9]. Additional support (1Th 2:14-18) = Notice Paul views the Jews “hindering” his mission in the gospel as satanic [“Satan hindered us”]). Paul’s point (then) in verse 12 of Ephesians 6: “Our struggle is not (only) against flesh and blood but against the rulers…in the heavenly places” (i.e., the OC divine council) who – though they have been defrocked/dismissed from their former poisitons, are now being empowered by “the powers” related to “the world forces of this darkness…the spiritual forces of wickedness” (i.e., Satan). That Paul is in these verses referring specifically to the Jewish rulers and authorities (“in the heavenly places”) is also supported by the fact that the Greek term Ioudaioi (v14, “Jews”) was the common way to refer to the Jewish priesthood and its levites (e.g., Joh 2:13-18). 7) If the anointed leaders of the Old Covenant community possessed spiritual authority (i.e., represented God’s divine council), how much more this would be true for the New Covenant community given: 1] the biblical evidence of priests and levites (judges) existing under the New Covenant just as they did under the Old (Isa 66:21; Deu 17:8-9 w/Mat 18:15-20; Consider also 1Co 6:1-4 = The church will appoint her own judges who will not only be competent enough to make righteous decisions concerning “matters of this life” but also one day judge the angels. How is that possible unless they like their predecessors have been anointed and/or deputized as God earthly vice-regents?).2] the Body of Christ has also been given the indwelling Spirit to help her leaders - something not present under the OC.3] We possess the “perfect” or completed corpus of God’s revelation for securing justice in the covenant community (i.e., the completed canon of Scripture – 1Co 13:10). 8) In the ANE, the spiritual realm and humanity were inextricably linked. To believe in the spiritual realm meant also believing that its supernatural power had also been given to certain humans who functioned as authorities within specific spiritual communities. Those communities were identified as religions (or the old term, cults) and the dispensers of this power, their priests (e.g., Psa 132:16). To assume then that no such power or authority existed – or still exists today, would have been for those in the Bible, the same as believing the spiritual realm itself was fantasy. The question should therefore never be, are their human beings functioning as God’s divine council today? But rather, who are they?  CLOSING CHALLENGE/CONTEMPLATION: What are the practical implications and application associated with the divine council being God’s anointed leaders in the church (the New Covenant community)? List as many as you can and discuss with others.  [1] Subjects not part of the mainstream; topics or understanding that are unconventional and/or uncomfortable to modern culture and thinking.[2] “All ancient Mediterranean cultures had some conception of a divine council.” – Michael Heiser (“So What Exactly Is an Elohim?”) [3] That the office of this assembly or council is indeed located in the heavens is supported not only by the fact that it is identified as “divine” – a word implying heavenly or spiritual origins, but also passages such as Eph 3:10 and 6:12.[4] Ancient Jewish tradition teaches that this was the reason for Satan’s initial rebellion. Though stronger and more knowledgeable, God placed humans above the angels in authority and made them their servants. It should be mentioned also that though Scripture speaks of Satan as the ruler of this world (1Jo 5:19; also 2Co 4:4 “god”/elohim), his office and authority are illegitimate – having no appointment by God. To assume God did give such appointments/authority to angels (including Satan) would mean as humans we are required to submit to them and all rebellion against them would be viewed as rebellion against God (Rom 13:1-2). [5] The purpose of Genesis 6:1-4 is to communicate the level of devastation produced by the global flood. At the time it took place, the earth was covered by human beings – including their mutated offspring, the giants (“the sons of God [human males] came into [procreated with] the daughters of men” [human females]; See 1Co 11:7). [6] Though I do believe that the intention of God’s language confusion – or the forfeiture of His divine language (Hebrew), was a means of judgment that would ultimately send Babel’s rebels further into the direction of spiritual darkness and false religion (i.e., worshipping and serving demons – Deu 4:19-20 “beware not to…be drawn away and worship them [the moon and the stars] those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven”), such conclusions are of no import to our understanding of Deuteronomy 32 whose concern are the nations of Israel not the world. [7] The Prophets (major and minor) contribute 250 chapters to the Old Testament’s total of 929 chapters – almost as many as the entire New Testament (260 chapters).[8] The Ephesian church is made up of Christians (or “saints”) including also “faithful ones” (priests and levites). See similar in Col 1:2. [9] This only changed after 70 A.D. and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. The Neronic persecution – influenced, aided and abetted by the Jewish priesthood, ultimately back-fired, turning Rome’s destructive forces against them and their religion. 

Stranger things = Those fringe subjects of the Bible which exist at the intersection of the supernatural and natural, the immaterial and material worlds.  “It would be dishonest of us to claim that the biblical writers read and understood the text the way we do as modern people, or intended meanings that conform to theological systems created centuries after the text was written. Our context is not their context. The proper context for interpreting the Bible is …not the modern world at all, or any period of its history. The proper context is the context of the biblical writers-the context that produced the Bible…The biblical context was produced by men who lived in the ancient near east (ANE). Seeing the Bible through the eyes of an ancient reader [therefore] requires shedding the filters of our [modern] traditions and presumptions. They processed life in supernatural terms.” – Michael S. Heiser (The Unseen Realm) Previously discussed: Dimensional portals (def.,): doors or gates and their accompanying bridges connecting the immaterial/spiritual/supernatural world to the material/physical/natural world allowing those with access, the ability to travel or send/receive things from one dimension (or realm) to the other (e.g., Rev 4:1 “door” = Portal; Consider also 2Co 12:2 – Like John, Paul most likely travelled through a dimensional portal). BIG TAKEAWAY: In Christ’s churches, we have access to a heavenly portal that allows us to give and receive from God those persons (e.g., receive angels for help – Heb 1:14) and things (e.g., give praise to God, receive forgiveness through the sacraments – 1Pe 3:21; Joh 13:5-15 [context is the LT – v26]) important to our saving relationship with Him.  Divine council (def.,): a heavenly assembly of beings who have been deputized by God to function as His vice-regents on earth governing and judging the nations on His behalf.[1]1. Biblical evidence of their existence (Psa 82:1-8)(1) “God (Heb., elohim [singular – see underlined] = Divine being/God) takes His stand ([participle -singular], “taking His stand) in His own the divine (Heb., be el = the divine [See ESV], e.g., el shaddai = God of the mountain, Gen 35:11) congregation (or council); He judges in the midst of the rulers (Heb., elohim [plural – see verse 2], “you” [plural] = Divine beings/Gods/gods; See also verse 6, “I said, ‘you are gods’” [again, elohim]). [2] 2. Who are the plural elohim that make up this divine council? Considering the options:2.1.  other members of the Trinity (Jesus and the Holy Spirit) (Heb 1:8; Act 5:3-5)Why this is not a viable option: God not only condemns the elohim (“rulers”) of verse 1b of judging unjustly and walking in darkness but also promises they will one day “die like men” because of such behavior (2-7).  2.2. other deities (or the gods of other religions) 1) (Exo 20:3) “You shall have no other gods (elohim) before Me”, 2) (1Ki 11:33) “Ashtoreth the goddess (elohim) of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god (elohim) of Moab, and Milcom the god (elohim) of the sons of Ammon.”Why this is not a viable option: (Deu 4:35, 39; Isa 45:5-6) 2.3. Dead people – particularly dead saints (1Sa 28:13) [in reference to Samuel the witch of En-dor says],“I see a god (elohim) coming up out of the earth.” Why this is not a viable option:  1) Dead people play no role in governing or judging the affairs of those currently living (2-4). 2) Though communication with or by them is possible (e.g., besides 1Sa 28:13, see also Isa 29:4), God strictly prohibits such interaction as punishable by death (Lev 20:27).  2.4. Angelic beings 1) (Psa 8:5) “gods” [elohim] translated as “angels” in (Heb 2:7); (6) “I said, ‘You are gods (elohim), and all of you sons of the Most High (a reference to God) = elohim are sons of God w/(Job 1:6) “sons of God” (elohim) which included “Satan” who exists as part of the angelic class known as Watchers/archangels [Dan 4][3] or cherubim [Isa 28]). In the case of Psalm 82, fallen watchers/cherubim -i.e., demons, hence the rebuke and condemnation of (2-7). This is the view of Dr. Michael Heiser.[4] Included in Heiser’s view, is the belief that the global flood was the result of Satan and his fallen watchers/cherubim having sexual relations w/human women (which produced the Nephilim or giants) and convincing humanity to (once more) rebel against God. Heiser’s view comes from an Enochian understanding of (Gen 6:1-4).“The divine transgression before the flood is retold in several Jewish texts from the intertestamental period. At least one has the divine offenders coming to earth to ‘fix’ the mess that was humankind—to provide direction and leadership through their knowledge. They were trying to help, but once they had assumed flesh, they failed to resist its urges. The more common version of events, one with a more sinister flavor, is found in 1 Enoch 6–11…The story begins very much like Genesis 6: “And when the sons of men had multiplied, in those days, beautiful and comely daughters were born to them. And the watchers, the sons of heaven, saw them and desired them. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us choose for ourselves wives from the daughters of men, and let us beget for ourselves children’…The offspring of the Watchers (sons of God) in 1 Enoch were giants (1 Enoch 7)…But what does it all mean? Why is Genesis 6:1–4 in the Bible? What was its theological message? Yes, there were giants, renowned men, both before and after the flood (Gen 6:4). But those offspring and their knowledge were not of the true God—they were the result of rebellion against Yahweh by lesser divine beings. Genesis 6:1–4, portrays…a horrific transgression and, even worse, the catalyst that spread corruption throughout humankind. Genesis 6:5 is essentially a summary of the effect of the transgression. It gets little space—it’s a restrained account. The later Second Temple Jewish literature goes after it full bore. First Enoch 8 goes on to elaborate how certain watchers corrupted humankind by means of forbidden knowledge.” – Heiser (ibid) “They [the Watchers] became servants of Satan and led astray those who dwell upon the dry ground” (1 Enoch 54:6)… “These are the Watchers (Grigori), who turned aside from the Lord, 200 myriads, together with their prince Satan(ail)”(2 Enoch 18:3). 2) (Deu 32:8-9 w/17) “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, When He separated the sons of man, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the sons of Israel” (Masoretic Text) – versus “sons of God” (elohim) (Dead Sea Scrolls) = A reference to God giving over the 70 nations of Genesis 10 (the “table of nations”) to Enoch’s watchers (the “demons” of verse 17) due to the people’s rebellion at the tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9). It is therefore also these individuals that God is rebuking and condemning in (2-7). Though fallen, the demons were still expected to exercise righteous judgment.“Deuteronomy 32:8–9 describes how Yahweh’s dispersal of the nations at Babel resulted in his disinheriting those nations as his people. This is the Old Testament equivalent of Romans 1:18–25, a familiar passage wherein God ‘gave [humankind] over’ to their persistent rebellion. The statement in Deuteronomy 32:9 that ‘the LORD’s [i.e., Yahweh’s] portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage’ tips us off that a contrast in affection and ownership is intended. Yahweh in effect decided that the people of the world’s nations were no longer going to be in relationship to him. He would begin anew. He would enter into covenant relationship with a new people that did not yet exist: Israel. The implications of this decision and this passage are crucial to understanding much of what’s in the Old Testament. Most English Bibles do not read “according to the number of the sons of God” in Deuteronomy 32:8. Rather, they read ‘according to the number of the sons of Israel…’ The difference derives from disagreements between manuscripts of the Old Testament. ‘Sons of God’ is the correct reading, as is now known from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Frankly, you don’t need to know all the technical reasons for why the “sons of God” reading in Deuteronomy 32:8–9 is what the verse originally said. You just need to think a bit about the wrong reading, the “sons of Israel.” Deuteronomy 32:8–9 harks back to events at the Tower of Babel, an event that occurred before the call of Abraham, the father of the nation of Israel. This means that the nations of the earth were divided at Babel before Israel even existed as a people. It would make no sense for God to divide up the nations of the earth ‘according to the number of the sons of Israel’ if there was no Israel. This point is also brought home in another way, namely by the fact that Israel is not listed in the Table of Nations. So what happened to the other nations? What does it mean that they were apportioned as an inheritance according to the number of the sons of God? As odd as it sounds, the rest of the nations were placed under the authority of members of Yahweh’s divine council. The other nations were assigned to lesser elohim as a judgment from the Most High, Yahweh… God decreed, in the wake of Babel, that the other nations he had forsaken would have other gods besides himself to worship. It is as though God was saying, ‘If you don’t want to obey me, I’m not interested in being your god—I’ll match you up with some other god.’ Psalm 82, where we started our divine council discussion, echoes this decision. That psalm has Yahweh judging other elohim, sons of the Most High, for their corruption in administering the nations.” – Heiser (ibid)3) (6b) “sons of the Most High” (elyon).“Elyon is a completely transparent title for deity, both in Hebrew and Ugaritic. The word refers only to God in the Bible and Ugaritic religious texts. The point here is that the phrase ‘sons of Elyon’ in Canaanite (Ugaritic) material always refers to gods/divine beings.” – Heiser (“Divine Council 101: Lesson 2: The elohim of Psalm 82 – gods or men?”). Why this is not a viable option: 1) God never gives angels authority positions over humans – including archangels (Jud 8-9). Rather, it is humans who function as judges (rulers) over the angels (1Co 6:3). Angels exist to serve humans – specifically, those inheriting salvation (e.g., guardian angels) (Heb 1:14). [5] The idea that angels had sex with women (Enochian understanding of Gen 6) infers not only that angels have penises, but sperm – or the ability to procreate. Yet Jesus makes it clear that angels possess no such capability given they lack the proper context for such activity, marriage (Mat 22:30). To assume sexual activity were possible by angels is to therefore equally accuse God of sin – or providing moral creatures with natural desires and capabilities that possess no righteous application or solution. The fact that giants existed after the global flood (Gen 6:4) lends additional support. They are the mutated offspring of men – not angels[6].    2) Viewing the word “nations” in Deuteronomy 32 as a reference to the 70 nations of Genesis 10 and the Tower of Babel incident in Gen 11 is a false assumption[7]. The entire context and focus of the chapter (Moses’ Song) is instead about God’s allotment to the people of Israel, a group made up of twelve tribes or nations (Gen 17:4-6 w/16 = All references to nations in these verses are speaking about the twelve tribes of Israel; See also God’s words to Jacob in Gen 35:11) which means the phrase, “sons of Israel” found in the Masoretic text is correct. How then we should understand Deu 32:8-9:“When the Most High (God) gave the nations (the twelve nations of Israel) their inheritance (Israel btw is the only one ever spoken of in the OT as receiving an inheritance from God), when He separated the sons of man (the Jews), He set  the boundaries of the peoples (God pre-determined the borders of the land that wb given to each Jewish tribe when they entered the Promised Land) according to the number of the sons of Israel (twelve sons equaling twelve nations within the one nation of Israel).”Regarding the reference to “demons” in (v17), Moses is recounting the idolatrous acts of the first generation which eventually led them to being prohibited from entering into the Promised Land (e.g., Exo 32:1-6; Lev 17:7; Act 7:43 [Amo 5:26-27]).  3) Jesus applies (6) to humans not angels (Joh 10:34 = Jesus’ defense only makes sense if the Jews understood Psalm 82 – including verse 6, as referring to humans). Furthermore, though the term “sons of God” can be used for angels and other spiritual beings, the term “sons of the Most High” is only used in relation to humans (Christians) (Luk 6:35).   CLOSING CONTEMPLATION: Who are the members of God’s divine council?     [1] “All ancient Mediterranean cultures had some conception of a divine council.” – Michael Heiser (“So What Exactly Is an Elohim?”) [2] That the office of this assembly or council is indeed located in the heavens is supported not only by the fact that it is identified as “divine” – a word implying heavenly or spiritual origins, but also passages such as Eph 3:10 and 6:12.[3] “The term ‘Watchers,’ meaning ‘wakeful ones’ (Aramaic ןיריע), glossed as ‘sons of Heaven’ in 1 En. 6:2, refers to a class of angels, mentioned in the Bible only in Dan. 4:10, 14, 20. – Angela Kim Harkins (The Watchers in Jewish and Christian Traditions)[4] “The term elohim more broadly does not refer to ‘deity attributes.’ Rather, it points to a plane of existence. An elohim is simply a being whose proper habitation [or origin of office and authority] is the spirit world…An elohim is a divine being, in that an elohim is an inhabitant of [or office-bearer in] the spiritual place of reality.” - Heiser (ibid) [5] Ancient Jewish tradition teaches that this was the reason for Satan’s initial rebellion. Though stronger and more knowledgeable, God placed humans above the angels in authority and made them their servants. It should be mentioned also that though Scripture speaks of Satan as the ruler of this world (1Jo 5:19; also 2co 4:4 “god”/elohim), his office and authority are illegitimate – having no appointment by God. To assume God did give such appointments/authority to angels (including Satan) would mean as humans we are required to submit to them and all rebellion against them would be viewed as rebellion against God (Rom 13:1-2). [6] The purpose of Genesis 6:1-4 is to communicate the level of devastation produced by the global flood. At the time it took place, the earth was covered by human beings – including their mutated offspring, the giants (“the sons of God [human males] came into [procreated with] the daughters of men”[human females]; See 1Co 11:7). [7] Though I do believe that the intention of God’s language confusion – or the forfeiture of His divine language (Hebrew), was a means of judgment that would ultimately send Babel’s rebels further into the direction of spiritual darkness and false religion (i.e., worshipping and serving demons – Deu 4:19-20 “beware not to…be drawn away and worship them [the moon and the stars] those which the LORD your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven”), such conclusions are of no import to our understanding of Deuteronomy 32 whose concern are the nations of Israel not the world.

Resurrection (def.,): The supernatural phenomenon whereby the present state of those who have died is replaced by once more being alive in a physical/material body yet unable to die again. 1. Easter is also known as “Resurrection Sunday” since it marks the day Jesus Christ became the first person to experience resurrection. Jesus’ resurrection is also the reason God’s people corporately worship God on Sunday rather than Saturday (Rom 6:9; 1 Co 15:20; Act 20:7 = Every Sunday is Resurrection Sunday).  2. Jesus’ resurrection (to Paradise): 1) proved that He is the Divine Son of God (Rom 1:4 w/Joh 10:18), 2) means His sacrificial death was sufficient to propitiate - or satisfy God’s requirements for cleansing the sins of His people and make them truly righteous before God the Father. As such, the temporary injunction of animal sacrifices (“pass-over atonement”) was forever canceled (Rom 3:23-25, 4:25 w/Heb 10:10-17; also Mat 1:21).    3. No one since Jesus has experienced resurrection since: 1) the son of the Shunammite woman, the widows’ sons, Lazarus, Dorcas, and Eutychus experienced resuscitations not resurrections given they died again (1Ki 7:17-23; 2 Ki 4:18-37; Luk 7:12-15; Joh 11:39-44; Act 9:36-41, 20:9-10), 2) all those who have died in the past currently exist like God without physical/material bodies ([Due 4:15-18 w/Joh 4:24 w/Luk 24:39] w/1Co 15:20-23; 1Th 4:16-17; 2Co 5:8). 4. Every person who has ever lived will experience a resurrection at the return of Jesus to earth (Joh 5:28-29; Act 24:15 [Dan 12:2; Psa 11:7]). 5. Before Jesus’ resurrection, those who died went either to Abraham’s bosom (the temporary resting place of righteous disembodied spirits) or Hades (the temporary torturing place of wicked disembodied spirits) and neither could cross over to the other (Luk 16:19-26).  6. After Jesus’ resurrection, those in Abraham’s bosom were allowed into heaven (their sins having been propitiated versus simply passed over) to fellowship w/the Trinity, the angels and the righteous disembodied spirits of those who die after Jesus’ resurrection (Heb 9:15-16 w/Eph 4:8-10; 2Co 5:8; Luk 23:43).  7. Experiencing the resurrection of the wicked will: 1) be the fate of most human beings because they chose to love wickedness rather than put faith in and be faithful to Jesus during their earthly life (Mat 7:18-23; Luk 13:23-24; 2Th 2:1:5-9, 2:10-12, 2) be followed by God’s condemning judgment and then being tortured in a lake of fire everyday forever (Psa 11:4-6; Rev 20:11-15; 2Th 2:10-12; again Joh 5:28-29 and Dan 12:2). 8. Experiencing the resurrection of the righteous will: 1) be followed by God’s approving judgment then an eternal life of never sinning, suffering or being bored, as they will be forever equipped with superhuman bodies and forever occupied with discovering, developing and enjoying King Jesus’ perfect new - and infinite universe to His glory (Rev 21-22), 2) require not only pledging your allegiance to Jesus in this life through baptismal faith but then living in faithful obedience to those vows until you die or Jesus returns (1Pe 3:21; 1Jo 3:7-10; Luk 20:35 “those considered worthy to attain to the resurrection [of the righteous] w/Joh 5:29).  9. We should not be surprised that people mock our belief in a future resurrection, the resurrection was as unpopular (a belief) in the ANE as it is today (e.g., Act 17:18 w/31-32). To not believe in a resurrection – most especially, the resurrection of Jesus, will eternally condemn you (1Co 15:1-4 “the gospel which I preached to you” w/Gal 1:6-9 “a different gospel…anathema”).“Nobody in the pagan world of Jesus’ day and thereafter claimed that somebody had been truly dead and had then come to be truly, and bodily, alive once more.” - N.T. Wright (The Resurrection of the Son of God).10. The fact that there will be a future resurrection not only confirms that this is not the only life we will live, but that the point of this very temporal life is to determine what version of eternal life we deserve (1Co 15:32).   TODAY’S TAKEAWAY: GOD IS REAL. THIS LIFE IS THE TEST. GAIN THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS AND THE RIGHTEOUS. PHI 3:10-11“10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

1. David had all the potential to be a great king. - 16:1, 5-13 = Divine blessing, confirmation, & guidance**notice however, humble beginning**notice also, God’s choice for ‘most likely to succeed’ v.716:18; 17:4-11, 26, 32-37, 45-47; 18:30 = Courageous, confident, & great leader (vs Saul hiding in the luggage), giving guarantees ahead of time. 2. David demonstrates his righteous careful character through extreme trials.18:10-11, 17, 19, 25, 19:6, 9-12, 18, 20:41-42, 21:13-22:2, 22:21-23 = Saul’s attempts to kill David -> Saul makes aggressive efforts to kill him, David loses one of his best friends, flees like a criminal, makes himself look insane, and Saul kills the priests in pursuing David.*23:1-14 = stands up to his people, seeks God’s guidance*24 = David’s test of sparing Saul’s life & standing up to his men. Attention to detail despite everything pointing to God’s deliverance.*26 = David spares him again & again stands up to his men. *30 = David’s own peeps talk of stoning him. Seeking God through the situation is part of being righteous.2Sa 1 & 4 = David continuing to respect the King’s office 2Sa 7 = David’s covenant with God8:15 = justice and equity9:1-13 = David’s integrityCharacter tests = Spares Saul’s life, is pressured by his men, is under threat of being stoned, David is reliant on God, trusts God, continues to pray to God (ref Psalms)3. David saves his soul by submitting faithfully and quickly to God’s discipline.2Sa 11 = David’s complacency leads to committing serious sin.2Sa 12:1-25 = discipline (Psalm 51)*Notice that David accepts what God uses to punish him. David doesn’t mope around.*Ref David’s continued rapport with Nathan all the way into 1Kings2Sa 15-18 Absalom’s rebellion and David’s response. David ends his life with the legacy of a man after God’s own heart intact, ‘faithful in all things’, (Act 13:22; 1Kings 15:3-5)Concluding principles that come from comparing Saul & David’s life: 1. What makes a man mighty in God’s eyes is not his ability to physically conquer but rather his commitment to carefully obeying God.2. Response to discipline is a defining moment and test for people, possibly more than anything else.3. Having the deck stacked in your favor is an indicator of future POTENTIAL, not future SUCCESS. New principles from David’s life1. Complacency kills. (David’s comfy in his palace instead of going to battle, Pro 1:32) 2. God expects us to respond righteously to authority even if/when they respond unrighteously. (Rom 13; 1Ti 5:19; 1Pe 3; Mat 5:38-41)3. God expects us to be faithful, NOT perfect. 4. Growing distant from church members and/or your pastor(s) after discipline is a huge red flag. (notice David’s continued comms with Nathan vs Saul)5. God doesn’t hold grudges. (He will bless and work all things for good if you’ll just turn and be faithful to Him. e.g. God doesn’t desire the death of the wicked [Eze 18, 33], and uses Bathsheba to continue David’s bloodline)6. God demands our attention to detail even under pressure. (David slows down when pressured to kill Saul, doesn’t violate God’s command about building the temple, etc. vs Saul’s compromise, or Moses’ rush to strike the rock)7. God expects you to honor your covenants/keep your word even to your own detriment. (Psa 15:4; 1Sa 20:14-17 w/ 2Sa 21:1-2)8. Your sin has consequences and God expects you to accept that and move on. (David’s life was characterized by trouble after what happens with Bathsheba, but he doesn’t complain about it) 9. It’s important to be in your place when the fighting starts. (You don’t have to go sword to sword but do your part! This requires sacrifice, the good of the “ nation” over personal achievement/comfort. Don’t be someone who sits on the sideline or worse, thinks we shouldn’t be fighting)Closing Contemplation: at the end of your life, will your choices reveal you to have been more like Saul or David?