Transracial Adoption and the Gospel
Posted: September 20, 2007 Filed under: Adoption, Dan Cruver, The Gospel Leave a commentRecently my friend Dan had the chance to interview Thabiti Anyabwile on “Transracial Adoption and the Gospel.” You can read the article on Carolina Hope Adoption’s blog.
Derek Webb: I don’t want to Fight
Posted: September 13, 2007 Filed under: Derek Webb Leave a commentcould be my favorite by Mr. Webb
John Piper: How Does a Person Make a World Wide Difference?
Posted: August 31, 2007 Filed under: John Piper Leave a commentSatanology: Part Six (Destiny of Satan)
Posted: August 28, 2007 Filed under: Satanology 2 CommentsDestiny of Satan
· Loosening of the leash
° It seems as if the Lord lets Satan have his complete way on the earth during the tribulation period. Satan begins to deceive the world into following his directly controlled servants: the Antichrist and the false prophet (a duplicate of the trinity??).
° Revelation 13
· First attempt
° During the rise of the complete world system of Satan during the Tribulation, Satan gathers about one-third of the angels with him to overthrow heaven. But he was defeated by Michael and the other angels. He was ultimately defeated by the blood of Christ. It was at this defeat that Satan was permanently kicked out of heaven and restrained to earth. This probably took place at the midpoint of the tribulation, because Satan then pursues to destroy the nation of Israel.
° Revelation 12
· Second attempt
° At the end of the Tribulation period, Satan will gather all the world forces with him at the battle of Armageddon. It is here that they will meet with Christ’s return with His army. Satan’s army will be defeated and sent to the Lake of Fire, but he will be bound and thrown into the Abyss.
° Revelation 16:12-16; 19:17-21:3
· Final attempt
° After have been bound for 1000 years, Satan will be released. He will take this opportunity to deceive many and gather yet another army to oppose God. At the battle of Gog and Magog he will again be defeated, and this time the Devil himself is also thrown into the Lake of Fire to reside for eternity.
° Revelation 20:7-11 and Matthew 25:41
Satanology: Part Five (Defeating Satan)
Posted: August 27, 2007 Filed under: Satanology Leave a commentDefeating Satan
· In our constant, everyday battle with Satan, we need to follow God and His Word if we are to defeat Satan. We need to rely on God through faith and prayer. We need to study His word to determine what is truth and what’s not (for it was by Scripture that Jesus refuted Satan at His temptation). We need to guard our lives and make sure they match what the Scriptures say. Lastly we need to strengthen each other by wholesome Christian fellowship, edification, and forgiveness.
· II Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 4:27; 6:13-18; I Timothy 3:7; II Timothy 2:26; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8
Satanology: Part Four (Interaction of Satan)
Posted: August 25, 2007 Filed under: Satanology Leave a commentInteraction of Satan
· With God
° God the Father
· Although Satan is now the ruler of the earth with his mind set on opposing God, we see from Scripture that Satan is still under the sovereign authority of God. Satan is not God’s coequal. Satan has to approach the throne of God and give a report on his actions. He has great powers, but they are only as great to the extent God gives him permission to express them. Even with Satan’s mindset to be contrary to God, God uses him to do His will.
· Job 1:6-2:7; II Samuel 24:1 and I Chronicles 21:1;
II Corinthians 12:7 and Galatians 4:12-15; Luke 22:1-6; John 13:2,3,21-30; I Corinthians 5:5 and I Timothy 1:20.
° God the Son
· It was Satan who caused Judas to betray Christ to his death, but it was definitely the will of God for Christ to suffer death. It is through Christ’s death (which required the incarnation) by which the power of Satan over death and over the individual is broken. This is why Satan tried tempting Christ to take a “short-cut” which would not require His death. Peter was called “Satan” for not wanting Christ to suffer death!
· Genesis 3:15; Matthew 16:23; Luke 22:1-6; John 13:2,3,21-30; Hebrews 2:14; I John 3:8-10.
° God the Holy Spirit
· Satan opposes the work of the Holy Spirit through his interaction with people, which will be discussed next point.
·With people
° Unbelievers
· If one is not a believer, he is at the mercy of the Devil. Unbelievers are considered the children of the Devil. He controls us through the world’s systems and our sinful, fleshly lusts. His primary goal is to keep the Word of God from getting to the unregenerate heart either through opposition to spreading it, or by blinding the individual from truth.
· Matthew 4:15; Luke 8:12; John 8:44; Acts 13:10; 26:18; Ephesians 2:1-3; I Thessalonians 2:18; I John 3:8-10.
° Believers
· Satan is also opposes God through His people. Satan can, and will, oppress believers through physical pain and suffering (not all physical aliments are from Satan). He tries to make shipwreck of believer’s testimonies and lives by causing us to fall into sin. Satan is the author and dispenser of false doctrine. He tempts believers to go against the Word of God and follow our own desires, and he accuses believers before God the Father. God can use Satan’s oppression to chastise disobedient brothers; but ultimately, God will use His saints to crush Satan.
· Genesis 3:15; Zechariah 3:1; Matthew 13:39; Luke 13:16; Acts 5:3; Romans 16:20; I Corinthians 5:5; 7:5; II Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:27; 6:11-12; I Timothy 1:20; 3:7; 5:15; II Timothy 2:26; James 3:15; I Peter 5:8; I John 3:8-10; Revelation 2:9-10; 3:20-25.
Satanology: Part Three (Attributes of Satan)
Posted: August 24, 2007 Filed under: Satanology Leave a commentAttributes of Satan
· His person
°As previously discussed, he was created to be a guardian Cherub (angel), but now he is the ruler of this world and everything in opposition to God. Although losing some glory from his moral fall, he still is an angelic spirit being with authority and incredible power even over weather and disease. He is the head of the demonic hosts, along with this world’s evil systems. Satan can directly control (possession) and indirectly control (through our fleshly desires) individuals; he can also control groups of people and even entire governments.
° Genesis 3:15; Job 2:13-19; Ezekiel 28:14**; Matthew 25:41; Mark 3:23-26; 9:34; 12:24; John 12:31; 13:2,27; II Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; 6:11-12; II Thessalonians 2:9; Jude 9 and
Revelation 2:9-10; 12:7-9
· His character
° Satan’s character is like his person: anything that opposes God. Everything he does to oppose God is out of his pride and rebellion against God. Satan is a deceiver. He makes himself appear as the “Angel of Light.” He twists God’s word and God’s work. He is a liar, false accuser, murderer, slanderer, tempter, destroyer, and malicious.
° Genesis 3:4,13; Job 1:9-10; Matthew 4:1,6; Mark 1:12; Luke 4:2,9; John 8:44; Acts 13:10; II Corinthians 11:14; II Thessalonians 2:3-4,9; I Timothy 3:6; I Peter 5:8;
Why Is It Hard to Get Excited?
Posted: August 21, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges Leave a commentSatanology: Part Two (Satan’s Origin)
Posted: August 21, 2007 Filed under: Satanology Leave a commentSatan’s origin
(Satan’s origin is not clear in Scripture. The following points are our speculation based on two ambiguous passages. Our points are a practical attempt to fill in holes and remain consistent with the more clear descriptions of Satan found elsewhere. Outside these two passages we believe there are no explicit Scripture describing his origin.)
• His glory
He was originally created as a specimen of wisdom, beauty, and perfection.He was in direct contact with God’s throne and God’s glory as a guardian Cherub.
Isaiah 14:12* and Ezekiel 28:13-15**
• His rebellion
He became proud and obsessed with himself, so much so that he was determined to overthrow the throne of God, and establish himself in God’s place.
Isaiah 14:13-14* and Ezekiel 28:15-17**
• His fall
Because of Satan’s rebellion, he lost his glorious position. He no longer has the same kind of direct access to God’s throne. His primary residence is now the earth although he still has some access to heaven. Despite being overthrown, he will not be disbanded from heaven completely and his destruction consummated until later.
Job 1:6; 2:1-2,7; and Luke 10:18
A Message to 20-Somethings
Posted: August 21, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Randy Alcorn Leave a commentThe Time I Almost Gave Up
Posted: August 21, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges Leave a commentSatanology: Part One (introduction)
Posted: August 12, 2007 Filed under: Satanology Leave a commentIntroduction
·Contrary to some people’s opinion, Satan exists, and he is very, very, very real, very immanent, and very powerful. Due to all the scripture references found on him, it would be beneficial to understand the character and workings of Satan, so that we don’t fall into his craftiness and perversion.
The Theology of Adoption
Posted: August 11, 2007 Filed under: Adoption, Carolina Hope, Dan Cruver Leave a commentRecently a friend good friend of mine (Dan Cruver) has begun a new job at Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency where he serves as the Ministry Outreach Coordinator. Dan was interviewed here of late by a radio station “Calling for Truth” about the topic of the Theology of Adoption.
You can also read more about adoption and the agency that Dan works from their web site.
Or from Dan’s blog.
Pursuing Faithfulness
Posted: August 9, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges 2 CommentsGodliness
Posted: August 9, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges Leave a commentThe Fear of God
Posted: August 9, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges Leave a commentA Word Picture from Helen Reseveare
Posted: August 2, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Noel Piper Leave a commentThe Middle Class Threatens Faithfulness
Posted: July 29, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges Leave a commentAngelology: Part Six (The Angel of the Lord)
Posted: July 28, 2007 Filed under: Angelology Leave a commentThe Angel of the Lord
· Introduction and Overview
° The Angel of the LORD, often mentioned as the Angel of God, is a heavenly being sent by God as His representative and spokesman. The Hebrew words are Malak Jehovah or messenger of Jehovah. Many scholars believe this Angel to be the pre-incarnate Christ. Proponents of this view assert that names given to Jesus in the Old Testament were preparing people to be able to understand His work after incarnation. Also, some of the work of the Angel of the LORD in the Old Testament parallels with Christ’s work for believers in the church age. In the Old Testament, interactions between the Angel of the LORD and mankind reveal that He is often treated as if He were God. In the New Testament, the wording is more ambiguous. Instead of using the Angel of the LORD, an angel of the Lord (Luke 2:9) is used. This shift further supports the idea that the Angel of the LORD is the pre-incarnate Christ because the appearances of this angel cease after the Son’s incarnation. Below is detailed Biblical information concerning the Angel of the Lord.
· His functions and appearances
° Identified as the LORD by humans
· Hagar talks to the LORD in the wilderness – Genesis 16:7, 21:17
· Abraham talks to the LORD at Isaac’s sacrifice – Genesis 22:1
· Moses talks to the LORD at the burning bush – Exodus 3:2
· Gideon talks to the LORD under the terebinth tree – Judges 6:11
° Protector and provider for the LORD’s people
· Led the Israelites in the wilderness – Exodus 14:19, 23:20, 32:34
· Promised protection for those who seek the LORD – Psalm 34:7
° Agent of destruction and judgment
· Stood in the way of Balaam – Numbers 22:22-35
· Told Israel of its disobedience and judges – Judges 2:1-4
· Judged Israel for David’s sin – 2 Samuel 24:16-17, 1 Chronicles 21:12-30
· Destroyed Sennacherib’s army – 2 Kings 19:35, 2 Chronicles 32:21, Isaiah 37:36
· David prayed for the Angel of the LORD to deliver him from his enemies – Psalm 35:5
° Offers guidance and gives instruction
· Guided Israel in the wilderness – Exodus 23:23
· Told Elijah where to go – 1 Kings 19:7, 2 Kings 1:3, 15
· Instructed Joseph about Jesus’ birth and Herod’s plan to kill Him Matthew 1:20-24, 2:13
· Told Philip where to go to minister – Acts 8:26
° Foretold the births of special men
· Explained the future ministry of Samson to his parents – Judges 13:3-21
· Promised and gave the name for John the Baptist – Luke 1:11
· Told of Jesus’ birth to Joseph – Matthew 1:20-24
· Additional information and research
° The name “Malak YWH” is a special title denotes a higher status, possibly the LORD himself
° His identity is regarded through the scriptural record as equal with YWH
· Genesis 16:10 – promise to Hagar that her son will have many descendants. These promises can be made by God alone. It should be noted that in Chapter 17 of Genesis, the LORD appears to Abram and makes the same promise.
· Exodus 3:2-6 – it would seem the angel of the LORD and the LORD are one here.
· Judges 6:12ff – the angel of the Lord appears, the LORD is talking, in 20-21, he is referred to again as the angel of the LORD
° Distinct for YWH
· Zechariah 1:8-14: the angel of the LORD intercedes
· Zechariah 3 – the angel of the LORD calls out to YWH to rebuke Satan
° The Angel of the LORD as preincarnate Christ
· The Son is the visible God of the NT (John 1:14,18; 14:9); so the Son was the visible representative of God in the OT
· The appearances of this angel ceased after the Son’s incarnation (Matthew 1:20 should be taken as AN angel of the LORD)
· Both the angel of the Lord and the Son were sent by God and had similar ministries
Angelology: Part Five (High Ranking Angels)
Posted: July 27, 2007 Filed under: Angelology Leave a commentHigh Ranking Angels
· The Cherubim
° General information
· Seem to be the highest class of angelic beings
· Created with indescribable beauty and power
° Description
· Ezekiel 1:5-14
° Human form
° Four faces and four wings
° Straight legs with hooves
° Gleamed like bronze
° Under the wings 4 human hands
° The wings touched one another
° The faces did not turn
° The faces were (one as a man, lion on the right, bull on the left, and an eagle)
° Two wings covered their body and two were spread out above
· Genesis 3:24 – placed at the Garden of Eden with flaming sword to guard the tree of life
· Exodus 25:17-22 – two cherubim are to be on top of top the mercy seat of the ark, wings upward, facing each other
· 2 Chronicles 3:10-13 – two cherubim were placed in the Holy of Holies, their wingspan was 20 cubits, their image was on the veil
° Duties
· Proclaim God’s glorious presence, sovereignty, and holiness
· Proclaim to men the transcendent and unapproachable God, since they forbid entrance to paradise and guard his presence in the tabernacle
· The Seraphim
° General information
· Another special class of angels associated with the glory and holiness of God
· Mentioned only in Isaiah 6
· The Hebrew word means ‘burning ones’
° Description
· Isaiah 6:2-3
° They have 6 wings (2 covered his face, 2 covered his body, 2 let him fly)
° Duties
· Consumed with devotion to God and praise him perfectly
· Call to one another “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory”
· Praise God’s perfect holiness and proclaim the need for men to be cleansed of sin
· Isaiah 6:6-7 – seraphim put a burning coal onto Isaiah’s lips so that he may have pure speech to talk with Lord
· The Living Creatures
° General information
· Eyes within and around may speak of their extreme intelligence
· There are only four of them (Revelation 4)
· Different than the seraphim and cherubim, but share similarities
° Description
· Revelation 4:6-9
° Covered with eyes within and around
° Six wings
° Duties
· Continually say “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”
· Praise and worship God (Revelation 4:8,9; 5:8-14; 7:11; 19:4)
· Help direct the judgment during the Great Tribulation (Revelation 6:1,6; 15:7)
Angelology: Part Four (Specific Names Given for Angels)
Posted: July 26, 2007 Filed under: Angelology Leave a commentSpecific Names Given for Angels
· Michael
° Meaning: ‘Who is like God?’
° Biblical references to Michael
· Daniel 10:13 – Michael as a “chief prince” of heaven
· Jude 9 – called the archangel, disputes with Satan over the body of Moses
· Rev 12:7 – military leader of God’s army, “Michael and his angels” fought the dragon
· Daniel 10:13-21 – fights “Prince of Persia” to get to Daniel, Michael is the only one who stands firm with Daniel against the spiritual forces
· Daniel 12:1 – great prince, protector of God’s people
° Contemporary / Theological issues
· Some later Jewish scholars associate Michael with the Shechinah
· The Jehovah Witnesses claim Michael is a preincarnate Christ
· Gabriel
° Meaning: ‘Mighty one of God’
° Biblical references to Gabriel
· Appears as a man
° Daniel 9:21 – ‘the man Gabriel’
° Daniel 10 – ‘the one [who appeared to me] in human form’
° Luke 1:26 – ‘the angel Gabriel’
· Undoubtedly an angelic being
° Luke 1:19 –he proclaims, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God’
· Interactions with man
° Daniel 9:21 – talked with and gave instruction to Daniel
° Daniel 10:18 – touched and strengthened Daniel
° Luke 1:19 – appears to Zacharias, tells of John’s birth, and then silences Zacharias because of his unbelief
° Luke 1:26 – appears to Mary, tells her she will bear the Christ, tells her of his purpose, tells her that Elizabeth is pregnant
· Human actions
° Daniel 10:17-20 – spoke with a human voice
° Daniel 8:18, 10:18 – power of touch, like a man’s
° Luke 1:11-12 – stands in a particular location
Relationships, Dependence, and Responsibility
Posted: July 26, 2007 Filed under: Desiring God Conference 2007, Jerry Bridges Leave a commentAngelology: Part Three (Attributes of Angels)
Posted: July 25, 2007 Filed under: Angelology Leave a commentAttributes of Angels
· They are personal beings
° They are created by God – Colossians 1:16
° They are chosen and holy – 1 Timothy 5:21, Matthew 25:31
° They understand God’s holiness and worthiness – Hebrews 1:7, Revelation
° They marvel at redemption – 1 Peter 1:11-12
° They rejoice when a sinner repents – Luke 15:10
° They worship and serve God faithfully – Hebrews 1:7
° They fellowship with God
° They experience joy – Job 38:7
· Distinctions from man
° They have no weight or physical dimensions – Hebrews 1:7
° They do not procreate or die – Matthew 22:30, Luke 20:36
° They do not marry – Mark 12:25
° They are above man. Man is “lower than the angels” – Hebrews 2:7
° They do not need redemption because they never rebelled
· Abilities and powers granted by God
° They can intervene in human affairs – Acts 5:17-20
° They can destroy the wicked – Acts 12:23
° They may control the Earth’s elements – Revelation 7:1, 16:8-9
° They carry on warfare with one another – Daniel 10:13, Revelation 12:7
Gospel-Centered Musings 