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outlii.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i)Introductory Lesson 1The Book of GenesisIntroduction Part I: Inspiration and Progressive RevelationIntroduction Part IIIntroduction Part I: Inspiration and Progressive RevelationIntroduction Part II: Authorship and the Historical Narrative6TABLE QTop of PageIntroduction Part IIIIntroduction Part II: Authorship and the Historical NarrativeIntroduction Part III (Themes and an Outline of Genesis)Introduction Part IVLogically, What Should I Expect from Religion?RTABLE NIntroduction Part III (Themes and an Outline of Genesis)Introduction Part IIntroductory Lesson 1The Book of Genesis337=CIOW_eI.A.1.a.(1)(a)i)a)1)&TABLE RIntroductory Lesson 1Introductory Lessons 2 & 3Introductory Lesson 4(b$0  0` (#(#2#   .3  0 ` (#` (#(xir$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#2#(  0  )3  0 (# (#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#2#(  a  )3  0h(#(#(F$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#2#(   )3  0h(#h(#($0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#2#  0  )3  0(#(#({$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#2#  a  )3  0p(#(#(F$0  0` (#(#0 ` (#` (#0 (# (#0h(#(#0h(#h(#0(#(#0p(#(#2#     )3  0p(#p(# x˽3OSW[_cgkSquare BulletIntroductory Lesson 5Introductory Lesson 6Introductory Lesson 7Introductory Lesson 8Introductory Lesson 9: The BibleTeaching and Spiritual GrowthTABLE AWhy Rebound and the Filling of the Holy Spirit are Important:The Mosaic LawIntroductory Lesson 10: The BibleTranslations, Textual CriticismIntroductory Lesson 11: The BibleChristian Apologetics and Biblical ProphecyIntroductory Lesson 12: The BibleNatural and Logical Apologetics, FaithIntroductory Lesson 13: The BibleApologetics, Science and the Bible}Introduction Part IIntroduction Part IIIntroduction Part IIIIntroduction Part IVLogically, What Should I Expect from Religion?}Introductory Lesson 1Introductory Lessons 2 & 3Introductory Lesson 4Introductory Lesson 5Introductory Lesson 6Introductory Lesson 7Introductory Lesson 8Introductory Lesson 9: The BibleTeaching and Spiritual GrowthIntroductory Lesson 10: The BibleTranslations, Textual CriticismIntroductory Lesson 11: The BibleChristian Apologetics and Biblical ProphecyIntroductory Lesson 12: The BibleNatural and Logical Apologetics, FaithIntroductory Lesson 13: The BibleApologetics, Science and the BibleIntroductory Lesson 14: The BibleContent of the BibleThe Book of GenesisIntroduction Part I: Inspiration and Progressive RevelationIntroduction Part II: Authorship and the Historical NarrativeIntroduction Part III (Themes and an Outline of Genesis)TABLE LIntroductory Lesson 14: The BibleContent of the BibleThe Book of GenesisIntroduction Part I: Inspiration and Progressive RevelationIntroduction Part II: Authorship and the Historical NarrativeIntroduction Part III (Themes and an Outline of Genesis)TABLE ATABLE LTABLE AThe 3 Sections of the Old Testamenthttp://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=51&lang=2http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/index.php?action=getVersionInfo&vid=51&lang=2http://www.easyenglish.info/english-learners-bible/index.htmhttp://e-sword.net/files/bibles/bbe.exehttp://www.bible.org/netbible/The Mosaic LawSome Basic PropositionsA Summary of the Introductory MaterialThe Various DispensationsThe Various DispensationsThe Principles of CanonicityThe Principles of CanonicityHow Do We Know that There are Legitimate Changes for theThe Doctrine of the Mystery of GodThe Basic Themes of the BibleMan is Fallen"Man is Sinful"Man is Separated from GodAll Men are Condemned to DeathAll Men are Condemned to DeathOur Morality, Good Deeds and Works will not Save UsOur Morality, Good Deeds and Works will not Save UsThe Doctrine of the Mystery of GodTABLE TGod is Holy: God is Perfect Righteousness and Absolute JusticeGod will Raise up a Messiah/Savior/Mediator to ManGod will Raise up a Messiah/Savior/Mediator to ManA Summary of the Introductory MaterialJesus is the Savior/Mediator of Mankind, the Messiah PromisedJesus is the Savior/Mediator of Mankind, the Messiah PromisedJesus, the Messiah, is Holy; He is Righteousness and JustJesus, the Messiah, is Holy; He is Righteousness and JustJesus Died on the Cross for our SinsTABLE SJesus Died on the Cross for our SinsJesus Rises from the Dead and Sits at the Right Hand of theJesus Rises from the Dead and Sits at the Right Hand of theGod Will Forgive Us; Salvation is by Faith in Christ JesusGod Will Forgive Us; Salvation is by Faith in Christ JesusDispensationsDispensations}TABLE LTABLE AThere are a few quick points to be made about the Apocrypha:The Written Word of God and the Living Word of GodThe Written Word of God and the Living Word of GodHebrew TensesThe 3 Sections of the Old TestamentHow Do We Know that There are Legitimate Changes for theHebrew TensesHebrew StemsHebrew StemsExamples of Hebrew StemsExamples of Hebrew StemsA Short Exegesis of Eph. 3:16!19Christian apologeticsChristian apologeticsThe Accurate TranslationsThe Bible translations which are not always word-for-wordJesus and apologeticsThe Jews as a fulfillment of Old Testament propheciesThe Jews as a fulfillment of Old Testament propheciesOld Testament prophecies about nations and citiesOld Testament prophecies about nations and citiesNatural and Logical ApologeticsNatural and Logical ApologeticsLinks to Doctrines in the Introductory MaterialLinks to Doctrines in the Introductory MaterialLinks to Doctrines to the Introduction to the BibleA Short Exegesis of Eph. 3:16!19Links to Doctrines to the Introduction to the BibleFaith and EvolutionFaith and EvolutionBooks on apologeticsThe Accurate TranslationsBooks on apologeticsThe Christian faith, Apologetics and ScienceThe Christian faith, Apologetics and ScienceThe Outline of the Book of GenesisLinks to Doctrines in the Introductory MaterialVerbal Plenary Inspiration The Author of GenesisJesus and apologeticsThe Bible, prophecy and historical trendsThe Jews Enter the Land of PromiseThe Bible, prophecy and historical trendsProphecies About Jesus ChristProphecies About Jesus ChristThe Bible and scienceThe Bible and scienceThe general content of the BibleThe Author of GenesisOld Testament Summary ChartsLinks to Doctrines to the Introduction to the BibleThe Torah (the Law of Moses) + JobVerbal Plenary Inspiration The Jews Enter the Land of PromiseLinks to Doctrines in the Introduction to GenesisThe United Kingdomhttp://e-sword-users.org/users/node/744The Bible translations which are not always word-for-wordThe Kingdom DividedLinks to Doctrines in the Introduction to Genesis70 Years in Captivityhttp://e-sword-users.org/users/node/2120The Jews Return to the Land70 Years in CaptivityThe Kingdom DividedThe United KingdomThe Torah (the Law of Moses) + JobOld Testament Summary ChartsThe general content of the Biblehttp://studybible.info/NSBFalse Doctrines of InspirationWhat to Look for in a Pastor-Teacher and in a ChurchFalse Doctrines of Inspiration  } }$XXXX      5  @XX  _WhenthisBiblestraysfromancarefultranslation,ittakesnoteofthisinitsextensivefootnotesection.What to Look for in a Pastor-Teacher and in a Church(`3Ά$ !XXXX       The Jews Return to the Land TABLE ULinks to Doctrines in the Introduction to GenesisLinks to Doctrines in the Introductory MaterialLinks to Doctrines to the Introduction to the BibleLinks to Doctrines in the Introduction to GenesisLinks to Doctrines in the Introductory MaterialLinks to Doctrines to the Introduction to the BibleLinks to Doctrines in the Introduction to Genesishttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis301_400.pdfhttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis301_400.htmhttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis301_400.wpdHGenesis, the Book of BeginningsGreat Themes of the Bible found in Genesishttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Introtoexegesis.wpdThe Outline of the Book of Genesishttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis1_100.wpdhttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis101_200.wpdhttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis201_300.htmhttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis201_300.pdfhttp://kukis.org/Basicexegesis/Genesis201_300.wpd})!dxdx)Hairline d d2d   7 l  =,!&!9" =42 RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines $ : intheIntroduction % ; totheBible6c!ROw!  7 ! =,!&!<" =4R RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines $ = intheIntroduction % > toGenesis6"RO"  7 " =,!&!?" =6,*$ @"    6A@ d{(#A   InternalLinks  (<$A Y$4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIB(#Salvation6$RO$  7 (#$Ԉ +*{%B 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIID(#Rebound6%RO%  7 (#%Ԉ 2+&C 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIII> > C(#Doctrine6o&RO&  7 (#&Ԉ 9,'D 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIV(#Logically,WhatShouldIExpectfromReligion?6Y'ROm'  7 (#'Ԉ @-(E Ї4t RO  5  IntroductoryLesson1:TheBible(#BasicThemesoftheBible/IntroductiontotheBible6i(RO}(  7 (#(Ԉ !q 4w RO  5  IntroductoryLessons2!3:TheBible2(#BasicThemesoftheBible6)RO)  7 (#)Ԉ (x 4z RO  5  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'4YPa6RO  5  TheTorah(theLawof #@ Moses)+Job6lROl   7#p l '$nA" '4@PagRO  5  TheJewsEntertheLand J&B ofPromise6mROm   7#ޥ m '0' C" '4XlaXRO  5  TheUnitedKingdom6nROn  7n 'J&D" '4WlaURO  5  TheKingdomDivided6oROo  7!o 'J&E" '4Vla/RO  5  70YearsinCaptivity6wpROp  7Y p '(H"F" ' '(H"G" '4UlaRO  5  TheJewsReturntothe (H"H Land6qROq  7q").#I"  "  *D$I *pqfd d( dd ( ( dd ( ( dd (  f(#(#,( dd ,( dd ,( dd +  B- EdB% r LinkstoDoctrinesintheIntroductiontoGenesis%rs H>3d"  Ed H4_P?RO  5  FalseDoctrinesof   Inspiration6\tROpt   7ԓ t '" '4<*?pRO  5  VerbalPlenaryInspiration  (theAccurate  UnderstandingofBiblical  Authorship)6duROxu  7*?u 'x " '4G%RO  5  TheAuthorofGenesis6vROvp  7o"v '" '4 RO  5  Genesis,theBookof  B  Beginnings6wROwhe  7ut w ' ( " '4>URO  5  GreatThemesoftheBible  B  foundinGenesis6xROx  7x ' ( " '4tRO  5  TheOutlineoftheBookof  B  Genesis6yROyA  7>y" ("  "TheorganizationandgenesisofthisprojectbeganwhenIsentanexplanationofafew  $  versestoafriend.Somethingalongthislinehasbeendonebefore;J.VernonMcGeeput   togetheraseriesofhalfhourlessonscalledThrutheBible,whichlessonsarestillfound   ontheradiotoday(andontheinternetaswell).Theonlyproblemwithhisseriesis,he   usestheKingJamesVersionoftheBible.So,whenhequotesaverse,itisdifficultto n  understandtheverse,eventhoughhisexplanationisoftenexcellent. T  Atthispointintime,IdonothaveanyideahowlongIwillcontinuethisparticularproject.  p Idowriteaverydetailed,wordbywordcommentaryontheBible,butitissodetailed V orientedastobemoresuitableforseminarystudentsorpastorsorevangelists.This < projectwhichIhavebegunhere(atthispoint,Ihavewritten13lessonsinthepastweek) " issortofabreakforme.ExaminingtheBiblewordbywordisamoreexhaustingprocess,  andIfiguredthatIshouldbeabletoputtogetherashorter,muchlessdetailed  commentary,designedmorefortheaverageperson.  *hfd d( dd ( ( dd ( ( dd ( pqf(#(#,'dd ,Qdd +  (PP (Theremaybeasmanyas100EnglishtranslationsoftheBible.Herearesomewhich  Irecommend. H3  f2H%  RecommendedBibles% bM3d!"  f2 fbType U@+""f fURecommendations Pq;0#"  f PAccuracy Aq,!F!$q AYoumaywanttohaveaBiblenearby,justincaseyouwanttorefer F!% toit.Foraccuracy,Irecommendthe4V RO  5  NewKingJamesVersion6˃RO߃  7 Ԁ(dont ,"|& beputoffbythename),the4W RO  5  NewAmericanStandardBible6RO  7 + 4,orthe #b' 4] ; RO  5  EnglishStandardVersion6߅RO  7 1.Herein,Ihavegivenyoulinksto #H( 4 ; RO  5  www.Biblegateway.com6RO   7 uGԀwhere,ifyouhaveinternetaccess,youhave $. ) these,alongwithdozensupondozensofotherversionswithinclicking %!* distance.Ifyouonlyhaveoccasionalaccesstotheinternet,thenI &!+ recommendyougoto4 RO  5  www.esword.net6وRO  7 +Ԁanddownloadtheirfree '", program,andselectafewtranslationswhichtheyoffer(mostofthem, v(#- liketheESV,arefree). Aq,!\)$.q AReadability Aq,!*&&/q AIfyouaremoreconcernedwithreadabilitythanwithaccuracy,thenI *&&0 highlyrecommendthe4 RO  5  OpenBible6KRO_  7 ,alsocalledthe4 RO  5  NewLiving + '1 Translation6,RO@  7 ~. Aq,!,'2q ALimited Fd  Vocabulary Aq,!2 Pq AIfyouhaveavocabularyproblemandhavealimitedcommandofthe Fd Englishlanguage,thenmayIsuggesttheincomplete4 wRO  5  _EasyEnglish_ , J Bible6dROx  7 ,alsocalledtheEnglishlearnersBible.Thereisalsothe4 !RO  5  Bible  0 inBasicEnglish6ROÏ  7 ,foundasaneswordmodule(youmusthaveesword   alreadyinstalledtousethis).TheNewSimplifiedBiblecanbefound   onthe4\С RO  5  internet6HRO\  7?ԀorasadownloadforEsword4ORO  5  8.x6RO'  7UԀ4TNRO  5  9.x6ROђ  7X.The4 RO  5  NetBible6lRO  7 "   (alsocalledtheNextBible)isavailableforfreeontheinternet.1'%    q 1*hfd d'dd 'Qdd Qhf(#(#,xdd +  $  $Whateveryourstrengthorlimitationsare,thereisaBibletranslation"probablyseveral $B  infact"whichareforyou." (  "Inmostcases,ifaverseneedstobequoted,Iwillquoteitwithinthestudy. $  IbeganthisseriesoriginallybyexegetingthefirstfewchaptersofGenesis.Thatwas   problematicforseveralreasons.Inmostcases,teachingtheBibletoanunbelieverisa   wasteoftime;teachingtheBibletoabelieveroutoffellowshipisawasteoftime.So,the   firsttwolessonsdealwiththoseissues.  Then,althoughGenesisisagoodstartingpoint,itisimportanttofirsthavesomesortof Pn ideaastowhattheBibleisinthefirstplace.Myintentionwastokeepeverything 6T reasonablysimple.So,theendresultis,therewillbeabout10lessonswhichintroduce : aversebyversestudyoftheBible.    %  A@ ZPdAIntroductionPartI%B(#Salvation  %C @!!qq!Ǚ@IfyouareabelieverinJesusChrist,thenpriortoanytimethatyoustudytheBible,you h  needtonameyoursinsdirectlytoGod.YoucanmentallytellyoursinstoGodoryoucan N!l evensaythemoutloud,ifnooneelseisaround.WhenyounameyoursinstoGod(ifyou 4"R havealreadybelievedinJesusChrist),thenGodforgivesyouforthosesinsandHe #8 cleansesyoufromallunrighteousness.Ifyouunderstoodthisparagraph,thenyoumay $ skipthislessonandmoveto4 RO  5  IntroductionPartII6ޜRO  7 , . $  Therearesomeoneshotdecisionswhichimpactyourlifeforever.Whenyouchoseto &" marrysomeone,evenifyourmarriagelastsonlyafewmonthsbeforeyougiveuponit, '# thatmarriageandthatunionwillimpactyourlifeforever.Ifyouchoosetomarrysomeone ~( $ andyougivecredencetothevowswhichyoutook(...insicknessandinhealth,tilldeath d)!% doyoupart),thischoicehasessentiallydefinedyourentirelife.Ifyouchoosetomoveto L*j"& anothercityorifyouchoosetotakeajobwhichmaybecomealifetimecareer,theseone 4+R#' shotdecisionsdefine,enrich,andlimityourentirelife. ,8$(   -%) Thedefiningdecisionofyourlifeandthenextlifeis,whetherornotyoubelieveinJesus   Christ.LetmelayoutthegospelandtheplanofGodforyou(IwillprovidemoreScripture  lateroninthisseries):wearefallencreatures,separatedfromGod.Wehaveasinnature, | whichtemptsustosin(todowrong,toactimmorally);everysingleoneofushaschosen b tosin(todowrong,toactimmorally);andmostofusmakethisdecisiontosinmanytimes H aday.OurancestorAdam,chosetosin,andGodimputedhissintoallofus,which . ~ meansthat,evenfrombirth,wearebehindthe8ballwithGod.Youlookatababyand  d thinkhowmarvelousandwonderfulthisbabyis;GodlooksatababyandseesAdamssin.  J Weconstantlyseeandexperiencetheresultsofsinallaroundus.Wecheatonourwives    orhusbands,wedivorce,andourchildrennotonlygothroughgreattrauma,buttheirlives    areimpactedforeverbythedissolutionofthemarriageoftheirparents.Manychildrenwill   liveinpovertyfortheirentirelives,participateindestructiverelationships,andpossibly x  destroythelivesoftheirownchildren,allbecausetwoparentschosetodivorce.Thisone ^  example,thisonesin,thisbreakingofthisonevow,canimpactanentirefamilyandtheir D  descendantsforseveralgenerations. *z  Wehearaboutnationswhereingenocidetakesplace,whereonegroupofpeopleseeks F todestroyanothergroupofpeople,overracial,religiousorethnicreasons.Furthermore, , wecannotsendinanenvoyofcleverdebaterswhowillbeabletoreasonwiththetwo  groupstoachieveaceasefireoralastingpeace(IsraelandthePalestiniansareexamples  ofthis).Whenthereisunreasonableandunrelentinghatred"amentalattitudesin"there  islittlethatwecandotoalleviatethesufferingortostoptheactionswhicharebasedupon t thisanimosity.Weliveinaworldofgreatpainandsuffering,andmuchofthis(notall) Z comesfromourdecisiontosin. @ Ipersonallyhavelostajob,ultimatelybasedupon3womenwhosataroundandgossiped  \ together.Now,thiswascompletelywithinGodsplanandtheendresultwaswonderful; B but,thepointis,theseeminglyminorsinimpactedmylifeforyears.Sinisavery ( destructiveforceonthehumanrace,andweallsin.Everysingleperson"nomatterwhat  hisethnicbackground,nomatterwhathisupbringing,nomatterwhathisreligion"sins.  Youmaynotwanttorecognizeeventheconceptofsin,muchlesstheuniversalityofit. p!  Thatsfine.However,inyourlife,evenifyouareunabletorecognizeitinyourself,there X"! arepeoplearoundyouwhodothingstoyouthat,evenifyourefusetocallitwrong,evil >#" orsin,itstillangersyouconsiderably.Furthermore,therearelimitsastowhatyouwillput &$v# upwith.Thisiswhypeopleleavejobs,leavemarriages,disowntheirchildren,disowntheir %^ $ parents,andoccasionallyjustwanttopunchsomeoneout.Godcallsthethoughts,words %D!% andactionsleadinguptothesethings,sin;youcancallitwhateveryouwant.Inanycase, &*"& youhavecausedotherpeoplepain,andtheyhavecausedyoupainaswell.Itisallbased '#' uponsin,whetheryouwanttorecognizethatconceptornot. (#( BecausewehaveAdamssinimputedtous;becausewehaveasinnature;andbecause t*%* wechoosetocommitpersonalsins,weareseparatedfromGod.Wemaychoose,at Z+&+  somepointintime,tostartstraighteningoutourlives,butwewillalwayshaveAdams @,', imputedsin,wewillalwayspossessasinnature,andwewillalwayscommitpersonalsins,  eventhoughwemightbeabletocutbackonthem.   Godisperfectlyholy"thismeansthatHeiscompletelysetapartfromus.Heisperfect b righteousness.Wemightbeabletofindsomepersoninacircleoffriendsthatwefeel H morallysuperiorto,andthushavewhatmightbetermedasrelativerighteousness. . ~ However,sinceGodisperfect,andsincewehave3strikesagainstus(Adamsoriginalsin,  f andindwellingsinnature,andacollectionofpersonalsins),wewillalwaysbeseparated  L fromGod,andthereisnothingthatwecandoaboutit.  2 Letmegiveyouanillustration:someonemightmurderamemberofyourfamily.However,    hegoestothecourtsandsays, Youknow,IwasjusthavingabaddayandIamnotgoing   todosomethinglikethiseveragain.Hemightbesincereandtruthful.Shouldthecourts z  simplyallowhimtocontinuehislifeasafreeman?Ofcoursenot!Oursenseofjustice, `  oursenseofrightandwrong(whichwehavefromGod)wouldcryoutagainstsucha F  result.Iknowapersonwhodoesnotbelieveinrightorwrongorinmorality.However,if ,|  anyoneeverlaidahandonanyofhischildren,therewouldbehelltopay.Herightfully b recognizesthatthereareboundariesoverwhichnooneshouldevercross,and,if H necessary,hewouldpersonallyexactapunishmentforsuchanoffense.Thisissomeone . whodoesnotbelieveinrightorwrongorinevil.  Mypointinthisis,Godisperfectrighteousness,andHecannotjustletusoffthehookfor  those3reasonswhichIhaverepeatedlystated.Evenifwedecided,rightnow,thatweare v goingtolivetheverybestandhonestandmorallivesthatwecanlive,thiswouldnoterase \ ourpastdeedstoGod,nomorethanacriminalspromisenevertodowrongagainerases B hiscriminality.So,westand"everyman,womanandchild"estrangedfromGod.And, (x inthegrandschemeofthings,thereisnothingthatwecandoaboutit. ^ ThereissomethingwhichGodcandoaboutthis,and,inHissovereignty,Hechoseto * provideasolutiontoourestrangement.JesusChrist,inthefulnessoftime,wasborn.He  isGodcomeasamanintothisworld,subjecttoallofthefrailtiesofman,exceptfor3  things:becauseJesuswasbornofawomanbytheHolySpirit,Hewasnotsubjectto   AdamsimputedsinnorwasHebornwithasinnature.Godchose,becauseofthe r!  differencebetweenthesinofAdamandthesinofEve,togeneticallypassalongthesin X"! naturethroughthefather;andtolegallypassalong(or,toimpute)Adamsoriginalsinto >#" allofthosebornwithasinnature. &$v# JesusvoluntarilygaveuptheuseofHisdivineattributesasGodandfunctionedasaman %B!% inthisworld,apartfromhavingasinnature.ThroughoutHislifeinthisimperfectworld, &("& Jesusdidnotchoosetosin,notevenonce.ThismadeHimsinlessinallrespectsand '#' thereforequalifiedtotakethepenaltyofoursinsuponHim.HadJesussinned,thenHe (#( wouldnotbequalifiedtoendurethecross,duringwhichtime,GodtheFatherpouredout )$) onJesusallthesinsoftheworld,andjudgedthosesins. p*%* God,Whorespectsourvolition,thengivesusasimple,freewillchoice.Ifwebelievein <,', JesusChrist,wearesavedandwillspendeternitywithGod.IfwedonotbelieveinJesus, "-r(- noteventakingafewsecondsoutofourlivestobelieveinHim,wearenotsaved,butthe  wrathofGodisuponus.  OneoftheobjectionswhichIhaveheardinmylifeis,CharleyBrownisagoodpersonand, b eventhoughheneverbelievedinJesusChrist,hetriedtoleadagoodlife.Howisitfair H forhimtospendeternityintheLakeofFire?Yes,itisfair,andletmegiveyou3reasons . ~ whyitisfair:CharlieBrownhasAdamsimputedsin,hehasasinnature,andhehas  d sinnedinhislife,eventhoughhissinsmightnotbequiteasobservabletousassomeone  J whomurdersandrapes.Furthermore,CharleyBrownhadto,inordertobesaved,choose  0 justonetimetobelieveinJesusChrist;toputhisfaithinwhatChristdidforhimonthe    cross.Thisistheoneactofpositivevolitionwhichanyonecandoandwhichisthenon    meritoriousactionwhichsavesus.Wedonotdeservesalvation;wearenotofferingup   anysortofworkforsalvation;wesimplyacceptwhatJesushasdoneonourbehalf.Itis x  agiftwhichisfreetous. ^  However,whatGoddoesnotdoiscontrolourownvolition.Goddoesnotalterourfree *z  will.GodmayallowthingstooccurinourliveswhichencourageustolooktowardHim ` (suchas,severesuffering),butHedoesnothingtoalterthefreewillchoiceoffaithin F Christ,whichchoiceHeoffersus.Wehaveto,forafewsecondsinourlife,chooseto , believeinJesusChristinordertohavearelationshipwithGod.Nooneelsehastobe  awarethatwemakethischoice;andwedonthavetotellanyone.Wesimplybelievein  Him.Now,ifweareunwilling,overthecourseof70years,tospend2or3seconds  exercisingfaithinJesusChristinordertohavearelationshipwithGod,thenwewillnot t wanttospendeternitywithGod.Ifyoudonotwanttospendafewsecondsoutofyour Z entirelifeexercisingpositivevolitiontowardGodandHisplan,thenyouarehardlygoing @ tobeinterestedinspendingeternitywithGod. &v Afterdeath,youwilleitherbewithGodorapartfromGod;butyouwillmakethatchoice. B Youcannotmakethatchoiceforanyoneelseandnoonecanmakethischoiceforyou. ( A@ ZPdA %  IntroductionPartII% D(#Rebound   e @r!!!qq!@Thereisanotherthingwhichwe,inthisintroductorylesson,mustknow:rebound. X"  ReboundisnotatermfoundintheBible,butitdescribeswhatputsabelieverbackinto @#! playintheChristianlife.OnlyaChristiancanhaveaChristianlife"thekindest,nicest, &$v" mostmoralpersonintheworldcannotcanhaveaspirituallifeunlesshehasfirstbelieved  %\ # inJesusChrist.However,afterweexpressfaithinChrist,oneofthefirstthingsthatwe %B!$ doafterwardissin.Thisisournature.Allbelieverssin.Somedohorrendous,shocking &("% thingsandotherscommitfewerandlessovertsins;butallbelieverssinaftersalvation. '#& Whatthisdoesis,breaktemporalfellowshipwithGod.Atthemomentofsalvation,weare (#' baptizedbytheHolySpiritandplacedintoChristandwearefilledwiththeHolySpirit.The )$( firstministryremainswithusourentirelives,thesecondislostassoonaswesinforthe p*%) firsttime.However,thefillingoftheHolySpiritisrecoverable,andrecoveringtheHoly V+&*  Spiritisreferredtoasrebound.TheBiblereferstothisaswalkinginthelightversus <,'+ walkingindarkness;asyieldingtoChrist;asbeinginfellowshipwithGodasopposedto  beingoutoffellowship.   A@ dbA%  WhyReboundandtheFillingoftheHolySpiritareImportant: %Ԁ b  D(#33D"3"  32#  1  .3  0    WeareabletounderstanddoctrineandtoaccessourfullunderstandingofGod 4  onlywhenfilledwiththeSpirit.3 ݌ j(#(# Ќ  "3"  3-2#  2  .3  0    WehavefellowshipwithGodintimeonlywhenwearetemporallycleansed.3-Z݌ P(#(# Ќ  "3"  3F2#  3  .3  0    OurliveshavenospiritualimpactapartfromGodtheHolySpirit.3Fs݌ 8(#(# Ќ  @ @Althoughtherearemanypassageswhichdealwiththisparticulartopic,wewillonlylook    atoneofthem:1John1:6!10:   Ifwesaywehavefellowshipwithhimwhilewewalkindarkness,welieanddonotpractice f  thetruth7Ԁ(1John1:6).IntheBible,eachauthorhashisownvocabulary.Johnspeaksof L  fellowship(beingfilledwiththeHolySpirit)withGodaswalkinginthelightandpracticing 2  thetruth.Johncalltheoppositeofthistemporalstate,walkingindarknessandlying. j Thisepistle(letter)waswrittentobelievers,asarealltheotherepistles(withthepossible 8 exceptionofHebrews,whichspeakstobothJewishbelieversandunbelievers).Thefirst  3versesofthebookof1JohnmakeitfairlyclearthatJohniswritingtootherbelievers.  Butifwewalkinthelight,asHe[GodtheFather]9gԀisinthelight,wehavefellowshipwith  oneanother,andthebloodofJesusHisSoncleansesusfromallsinԀ(1John1:7).The h bloodofJesuscontinuestocleanseusfromallsinwhilewearewalkinginthelight,and N whileweenjoyfellowshipwithoneanother.Johnwritesintermsofabsolutes,andthe 4 purposeofthisletteristhatourjoymightbecomplete(1John1:4). j Ifwesaywehavenosin,wedeceiveourselves,andthetruthisnotinusԀ(1John1:8).Sin, 8 inthesingular,oftenreferstothesinnature.Ifweclaimthatwehavenosinnature,we   aredeceivingourselves.Thereareafewgoofycultsouttherewhopresenttheirmembers  assinless.However,mostreasonablepeoplerecognizethatChristianssinjustasall   peoplesin. !  Johnthengivesusmechanics,andoneofthemostsorelylackingaspectoftheChristian N#" theologytodayis,fewchurchesorseminariesteachmechanics.Mostchurchesteachthe 4$# mostfundamentalmechanic,believeinJesusChristandyouaresaved;and,afterthat, %j $ theydroptheball.Johnteachesthemostfundamentalmechanicforthebeliever,andthat &R!% isrebound:IfwenameԀ[acknowledge,confess]oursins,Heisfaithfulandjusttoforgive &8"& usoursinsandtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness0Ԁ(1John1:9). ' #' Johnisteachingthisdoctrinesothatourjoy(ourinnerhappiness)maybefulfilledor )$) completed.Johnteachesusthatwehavetonameoracknowledgeoursins(thatisthe *%* mechanic;i.e.,thatisthethingwemustactuallydotogetbackintofellowship).Ifwedo j+&+  this,theGoddoestwothings:Heforgivesusforthesinsthatwehavecommitted,andHe P,', alsocleansesusfromallunrighteousness(whateversinsthatwecommittedbutdidnot  nametoHim).Thesearetheknownandtheunknownsins.   Youwillnoticetwothingsinthemechanicshere:wearenotnamingthesesinstoan b intermediaryparty(likeapriest)norarewerunningaroundandfindingpeoplewesinned H againstandtellingthemwhatwedid.WenameoursinstoGod.Secondly,thereisno . ~ emotionattachedtothisverbtoname,toacknowledge,toconfess.Sometimes,as  d believers,wewillfeelemotionalandsometimeswewillnot.Sometimesthisemotionwill  L berelatedtotheconfessionofsinandsometimestherewillbenoemotion.Thisisa  2 simplemechanicandonewhicheverybelieverneedstoknow.Beforeyoudoanything    relatedtothespirituallife,youneedtodoaquick,personalinventory,andyounamethese    sinstoGodbeforeyoutakeanotherstep.YoudothisbeforeBiblestudy,beforegiving,   beforedoinganythingwhichyoumayassociatewiththeChristianlife.Infact,whenever z  yousin,yourimmediatereactionshouldbetorebound,tonamethatsintoGodrightthen `  andthere.Thenyouarewalkinginthelightandyouarepracticingthetruth;your H  fellowshipiswithotherbelieversandwithGod.Ifyousinanddonotnameyoursinsto .~  God,thenyouarewalkingindarkness,youlie,youdonotthetruth,andyouhaveno d fellowshipwithGodorwithotherbelievers.ThisiswhatJohniswritingandtellingother J believers.Thisisnotsomethingwhichisdirectedtowardunbelievers.Ifyouhavenot 0 believedinJesusChrist,youcanconfessyoursinstoGod,toapriest,toallofyour  friends,andthereisnospiritualimpact.  Mechanicscomeinaspecificorder,andGodclearlylaysthesemechanicsoutintheBible. x ThefirstthinganunbelievermustdoisbelieveinJesusChrist.Thefirstthingthata ^ believermustdois,afterhesins,namethatsintoGod.Andrepeatwhennecessary. D Therearesomeselfrighteousbelieverswhoaregoingtoobjecttotheconceptofrebound ` Theywillclaimtoliveperfectornearlyperfectlivesandthattheydonotsin.John H anticipatesandanswersthisobjection:Ifwesaywehavenotsinned,wemakeHimaliar, . andHisWordisnotinusPԀ(1John1:!0).Nobelievercanlayclaimtolivinganearlysinless  life.Now,youmight,onagoodday,goforafewhourswithoutsin;butallbelieverssin,  andtheonlytemporalcureforthisistonamethissintoGod.   OneofthethingswhichIfindhumorousis,Ihaveunbelieverfriendswho,whensomewell \"! knownChristiancommitssomehorrendoussin,theysendmeweblinksaboutthesins B#" thesepeoplecommit.Thewriterofthesearticlesoftenreportsthisnewsgleefully,so ($x# happytoexposethegreathypocrisyofChristianity.But,thereisnohypocrisy.Believers %^ $ sin.Allbelieverssin.Somebelieverslearntorefineandhidetheirsinsfromthosearound %D!% them,butGodknowsthattheysin,andsodoesJohn,whotellsus,Ifwesaythatwehave &*"& notsinned,wemakeGodouttobealiar]. '#' Letmemakesomethingcleartoyouwhichyoumaynotquiteunderstand.Ifyouhave )$) beensavedandyouarestillalive,thenyouhavesomesortofalifeinfrontofyou.God r*%* keepsbelieversaliveaftersalvationbecauseHewantsustofunctioninHisplan.The X+&+  Biblehasinformationabouthowwearesavedinthefirstplaceandwhatwasinvolvedin >,', orderforthattohappen;however,theBiblealsotellsusaboutourlivesaftersalvation,and  whatissupposedtohappenafterwebelieveinJesusChristandwhatweneedtodo.   Whatmaynotbeobvioustoyou,butistaughtintheBible:somepeoplebelieveinJesus b Christandthentheirlivesturntocrapbecausetheychoosetolivetheirlivesasifthey H wereunbelievers.Paulcallsthesebelieversenemiesofthecrossalongwithanumberof . ~ otherchoicedescriptions.  f Godallowsusourfreewillfortheentiretyofourlivesonearth.Wecanchoosetobelieve  2 inChristornot;wecanchoosetoreboundornot;wechoosetohaveaspirituallifeornot.    Sothatthereisnomisunderstanding,thisdoesnotmeanthatwecanbelieveinJesusand   thentellGod, SeeYouineternity,andgobacktoourlivespriortosalvationwithout z  consequence.WecertainlydohavethatoptionofbelievinginChristandthendoing b  whateverwefeellikedoing.However,whenwebelieveinJesusChrist,GodtheFather J  becomesourFather,andwefacedivinedisciplineforsinaswellastheconsequencesof 0  sin.YoucanbelieveinJesusChristandthentunaroundandmurdersomeone,and, f althoughyouaresavedandwillspendeternitywithGod,thisdoesnotmeanthatyour L actioniswithoutconsequences.YouarestillsubjecttodisciplinefromGodandyouare 2 stillsubjecttothelawsofyourcountry.  Tosumup,therearetwomechanicswhichweneedtoknowupfront:inordertobesaved,  wemustbelieveinJesusChrist.Thisactionmaytakeallof2or3seconds.Thisisaone z shot,irrevocabledecision.Theremaybealotwhichleadsuptothis(intensepressures ` inourlives;illness;greatdifficulties),buttheactualchoicetobelieveinChristtakesjust F afewmoments,andthatoneshortdecisiondecidesyoureternalresidence. ,| Thesecondmechanicisrebound;younameyoursinorsinstoGod,andyouare H temporallyforgivenandputbackintofellowshipwithHim.Thisfellowshiplastsaslongas 0 youdonotsin.Inotherwords,thisfellowshipwithGodmaylastforallof5secondsorit  maylastforafewhours.Asmypastorteacherhassaidmanytimes, Keepshortaccounts  withGod.Whenyousin,rebound.   A@ ZPd^"A %  IntroductionPartIII%C(#Doctrine  "! @,$|!!qq!@WhenIwasfirstsaved,IsoonunderstoodtheBibletobemyultimateauthority.Idonot %b # reallyknowhowIcametothatconclusionorwhy.Ialsobegan,earlyon,listeningtothe %H!$ teachingofR.B.ThiemeJr.Atthistime,Ihadbouncedaroundfromchurchtochurch, &."% andtheyallseemedtohaveagimmickoravarietyofgimmicks.Oneseemedtohavesort '#& ofabalancebetweenmusic,prayer,teaching,andfellowship.Atanother,Ijustabouthad (#' myhandshakenoffbyallofthefriendlypeople.Iwenttoseveralcharismaticchurches, )$( wherethemostpowerfulmoments(andIdontnecessarilymeanthisinagoodway)were v*%) peoplespeakingintongues,allatonce,oftenattheendoftheservice.Imustadmitto \+&* beingabitfreakedout.Irecallonepastorwhostrappedonanelectricguitarand,if B,'+ memoryserves,hewasmostlytalkingabouttheoldstandardsandhowtheyarereally (-x(, good(byoldstandards,hemeanttheoldgospeltunes).AbouttheonlychurchwhichI  attendedwhichseemedtoemphasizetheBibleoverallelsewasachurchadjuncttoa  Bibleschool,andthatprimarilywhentheassistantpastortaught.Hewassomewhatofa ~ dullspeaker,buthedidmakeanattempttoexplaintheBible. d WhenIbegantolistentoR.B.ThiemeJr.,Iquitefranklydidnotreallylikehimverymuch 0  andthoughtthatthisdoctrinethingwashisgimmick.ButIdidcontinuetolisten.More  f thananywhereelsethatIhadbeen,hisemphasiswasonteachingtheBible,wordbyword  N sometimes,andversebyverse.  4 Afterawhile,Ibegantorealizethat,myunderstandingoftheauthorityoftheBible   comportedquitewellwiththewaythatThiemetaughttheBible.Healsoacceptedthe   Bibleasthefinalauthority. |  AsIbegantorecognizetheimportanceoftheWordofGod,Itriedtosharethiswithother H  believers.Mostofushavewitnessedtoahostileunbelieverbefore"andmostofus .~  recognizethatmanyunbelieversjustdonotwanttohearit.TheylookatChristiansas d freaks,asstupid,asbrainwashed,asclosedminded,astooradical.Theyoftendonot J wantanypartofit.Ifoundthat,speakingtootherbelieversabouttheimportanceofthe 0 teachingoftheWordofGodoftenelicitedalmostthesamereaction.Irecallmeetingwith  severalcouplesafterchurch,andwealllistenedtoasermonbyThiemetogether,aspart  ofthisgettogetherand,theguywhowastheleader,tookmeasideattheendand  confidedthat,wemightcontinuetomeet,butwewerentgoingtolistentothisBible x teachingtapeseries.Justasanewbelieverissometimesexcitedabouthisfaith,Ihad ^ becomequiteexcitedaboutlearningwhatwasintheBible.Whatwasashocktomewas, D howfewChristianshadthesameinterest. *z Thesamethingisfoundinmostchurches.Whatmightsurprisetheaverageunbeliever F isjusthowlittleBibleteachingisactuallyfoundintheaveragechurch.Eveninthefew , churcheswhereIhavefoundtheBibletaught,oftenitistaughtwithoutintellectualrigorand  manytimesincorrectly.WhenIretired,IattendedamiddayBiblelesson,anditwasall  womenanditwastaughtbyawoman,whoplayedavideotapeofawomanteachingthe   samething.Imustadmittobeingstruckastohowweaktheteachingwas.Therewasan t!  attempttheretodotherightthing,butitwasverypoorlyexecuted. Z"! Thelasttopicwhichwecoveredwasrebound.Reboundsimplyrestoresfellowshipwith &$v# God.Wedonotgrowwhenwerebound.InourlivesasbelieversinJesusChrist,we  %\ $ eithergrowspiritually,weretrogressorwetreadwater.Wearecommandedtogrowinthe %B!% graceandknowledgeofourLordJesusChrist%Ԁ(2Peter3:18a).Thisphraseisinthe &("& imperativemoodintheGreek;thatmeans,thisisamandate(anorder,acommand)from '#' Godtous.Growthinvolvestwothings:graceandknowledge. (#( GraceisoneoverarchingprincipleinourrelationshipwithGod.Wedonotdeservetobe p*%* saved.JesusChrist,inHisgrace,wenttothecrossanddiedforoursins.Thisis V+&+ somethingthatwedonotdeserveinanyway.Theworstpersonintheworlddoesnot <,', deservesalvationandthebestpersonintheworlddoesnotdeservesalvation. "-r(- ЇWedonotdeservetohaveaspirituallifeaftersalvation.WedonotdeservetohaveGod  temporallyforgiveussins,andthentowalkinfellowshipwithHimandwithotherbelievers.  God,inHisgrace,allowsustodothis;andGod,inHisgrace,allowsustobeapartofHis | plan. b Graceisverymuchapartofourpostsalvationexistence.Godmakesitpossibleforus . ~ togrowspirituallyandtohavesomesortofaspirituallifeaftersalvation.Letmequellyour  d fearsaboutthis:justbecauseyoudecidetostartgrowingspiritually,thisdoesnotmean  J thatGodisgoingtomakeyoudosomethingthatyouabsolutelyhate.Myoriginalfear  0 was,Godwouldsendmeofftobeamissionarysomewhere.Itwasanirrational,goofy    fear,butmostbelieversarenotsurehowmuchtheywanttocommittotheChristianlife    forfearofwhatGodmightmakethemdo.Maybeyoudontwanttobethatguypassing   outtractsonthestreetcorner;orworse,thatcrazyguyinarobeandabeard,proclaiming x  thattheendisnear.JustbecauseyougrowinthegraceandknowledgeofourLordJesus ^  Christ,doesnotmeanthatGodisgoingtomakeyoudosomethingthatyouabsolutely D  hate.Spiritualgrowthisanormalpartofthepostsalvationlife.Itisnotsomethingthatwe *z  oughttofear. ` TheillustrationthatIliketogowithisthelittleboylearninghowtotiehisshoesforthefirst , time.Theremaybesomefrustrationinvolvedhere,andthechildmaywanthismomor  dadtotiehisshoesforalongtimeafterward;however,itisclearlyinthechildsinterestfor  himtolearntotiehisownshoes.Itisclearlyinanychildsinteresttogrowup,stepby  step.Lifeisfrustratingandgrowthisfrustrating,butthelastthingthatyouwantarea t housefulofkidswhocannotblowtheirownnoseswithoutparentalhelpandguidance.The Z endresultis,humanmaturitycoupledwithselfsufficiency. @ TheChristianlifeisthesameway"GodwantsustogrowandGodmandatesforusto  \ growspiritually,and,evenifitisfrustratingattimes,itiswhatisbestforusinthispost B salvationlife.Theendresultisspiritualmaturityandspiritualselfsufficiency.Thisisa ( clearmandatefromGod.ThelastthingthatGodwantstodoistiethespiritualshoesof  abelieverwhohasbeenaChristianforumpteenyears.  Allchildrenrequireguidance,trainingandknowledge,andifyoutakeahandsoffapproach p!  toraisingyourchildren,itwillcomebacktohauntyouintheworstways.Believersalso V"! requireguidance,trainingandknowledge;andbelieverswhodonotgrowspiritually,are <#" oftengreatembarrassmentstoJesusChrist,justasa22yearoldkidisanembarrassment "$r# tohisparentsifhestillactslikeheis14.. %X $ Whatisthekeytoourgrowthisknowledge.GodhasgiventousHisWord,andwegrow &$"& byknowingandunderstandingHisWord.Thisdoesnotmeanthat,rightaftersalvation, ' #' wesitdownandstartreadingtheBible.Ifapastororsomesortofspiritualleadertoldyou (#( that,rightaftersalvation,whatyouneedtodoisreadyourBible,thismanhasabdicated )$) hisownresponsibility.EventhoughtheBibleistheWordofGod,youcannotjustpickit n*%* upandstartreadingandexpecttogetmuchoutofit. T+&+   :,', Thisdoesnotmeanthatyoucantgetsomethingoutofit.Ifyoureadthefirstfewchapters   ofthebookofJohn,youwillgetabasicunderstandofWhoJesusChristisandhowwe  aresaved.However,whatyoucantakeoutfromasimplereadingoftheBibleislimited. | Letmegobacktotheanalogyofraisingachild"letssayyouwrotedowneverythingyou b knowaboutraisingachild.Wouldyouhandthatbooktoa3ora4yearoldchildandsay, H  Okay,readthisandtakeitfromhere.Idontcarehowgoodthebookis,youhave . ~ abdicatedyourresponsibilityasaparenttodothat.  d GoddidnotjustgiveusHisWordandsay, Okay,readthisandtakeitfromhere.Part  0 ofgraceis,GodprovidesforusaBibleteacherandthisteacherleadsusthroughtheBible    andteachesuswhatweneedtoknow.InthepostcanonChurchAge(asetoftermsIwill    soondefine),Godgivespastorteachersasthehighestspiritualgift,andpastorteachers   helpusnavigatethroughtheWordofGod.Theyteachspiritualinformation,andthenwe, x  whenwehearthisinformation,decideonwhetherwebelieveitornot.Iftheirteachingis ^  accurateandwebelievewhattheysay,wegrowspiritually.Iftheirteachingisinaccurate D  orifwechoosenottobelievewhattheyteach,thenwedontgrowatall.Spiritualgrowth *z  isaprocess.Justasyoudonothandyour6yearoldsonabriefcaseandtellhim,itis ` timeforhimtogooutintheworldandfendforhimself;atthesametime,youdontwant F himtobeadirectionless25yearoldlivinginyourhouse,moochingoffofyou,withouta , thoughtintheworldastowhatheoughttodo.Asaparent,youwantyouchildtogrow  stepbystepfromchildhoodtoadulthoodtowherethischildcanbecomeselfsufficientin  life.Ourspiritualgrowthisquitesimilar.Goddoesnotexpectustogositonaparkbench  allcallouttoHim, Giveusthestuffweneed. t WhenGodentrustsyouwithachild,howoftendoyouteachhimaboutgrowingup?How @ oftenareyouteachinghimthestepstowardmaturity?Ideallyspeaking,unlessyoubelieve &v thatyoucanfoistthisoffondaycareoronourschoolsystem,youteachthischilddaily  \ aboutwhatisrightandwrong,abouthowheoughttotreatotherchildren,abouthowhe B oughttotreathisorotherchildrenstoysandpets;andyouteachhimnormalskills,from ( toilettrainingtotyinghisshoestocatchingaball.Youwillalsofindthereisapointintime  when,thiskidasksyoueverythingunderthesun.Allofasudden,aroundage4or5,he  hitsamentalgrowthspurt,wherehecanputthoughtstogether,whenheunderstandshow   tocommunicate,whenhebeginstoappreciatejusthowfantastictheworldis,and,atthat p!  point,hewantstoknoweverything.Ataboutthattime,thekidisreadyforschool,where V"! hewilllearnthesethings,onadailybasis,inasystematicway. <#" Thechildwillmakeupforthissomewherebetween18and25,atwhichpointhethinksthat %X $ heknowseverythingthereistoknow. %>!% Iwasamathmajorincollege.WhenIwentthroughTrigonometry,LinearAlgebra,Set ' #' TheoryandCalculusI,Ifeltprettycocky,andthoughttomyself, Thisisntallthatdifficult. (#( However,neartheendofmycollegecareer,afteracourseinTopologyandadvanced )$) ProbabilityandStatistics,andaftertakingawalkthroughthemathsectionoftheUniversity l*%* ofHoustonlibrary,Ibecamequitehumbledinmyownfield.OutsideofthoseIwentto R+&+ schoolwith,IknewmoremathematicsthananyotherpersonIknew;andwhatIknew 8,', barelyscratchedthesurfaceofmathematicalknowledge. -n(- ЇIvebeenabelieverforover35yearsandIhavespentaconsiderableamountoftime  studyingtheBible.Inthefirstfewyears,IwasprettycockyandfiguredIknewprettymuch  allIneededtoknow.Atthispointintimeinmylife,Irecognizejusthowmuchthereisin | theWordofGodwhichIdonotunderstandandhowmuchmorethereistolearn. b Ourspirituallivesoftenmirrorthelearningofachild.Thereisthispointwhere,ifweare . ~ onpositivevolitiontowardBibledoctrine,welearnthebasicvocabularyand,suddenly,we  d wanttoknoweverything,andwearereadyforthepastortositusdownandgiveusthe  J entirescopeofBibledoctrine.Justlikethe4or5yearoldkid.However,wesoonfindout  0 thatittakeslongerthananextendedsessionwiththepastor,andwelearnthatspiritual    growth,likehumangrowth,isadaybydaything.Weneedphysicalfoodeveryday;we    needBibledoctrineeveryday.   Wewillprobablygothroughaknowitallstageandeventuallyastagewherewerealize ^  justhowlittleweknowabouttheWordofGod,evenafteryearsandyearsofstudy.But, D  makenomistakeaboutit:Goddoesnotwanttotieourshoesforuseveryfewhours. *z  Letmementiononemorething:prayer.Ababylearnstocrywhenitwantssomething:to F haveitsdiaperchanged,togethismilk,ortobecuddledandcomforted.Mostbelievers , learnaboutprayerearlyon,andtheybegintouseitlikeababylearnstousecrying.  Wheneveryouwantsomething,youprayforit.Ifithurts,yourprayaboutitoraskothers  toprayaboutit.YouwantGodtotakeitaway.Youseesomethingyouwant,andyou  prayaboutit.Youseeanattractivememberoftheoppositesexandyoumightpraytoget t toknowthem.Prayerisagoodandeffectivetool,butitislikehavingatoolboxwithone Z toolinit"likeahammer.Youcandoalotofstuffwithahammer,butitshouldnotbeyour @ onlytool.Ababycangetalotofstuffdoneonitsbehalfbycrying,but,onceacertain &v stageofgrowthisreached,hefiguresouthowtogototherefrigeratorandpourhimself  \ aglassofmilk(or,helearnshowtoaskpermissiontogetaglassofmilk). B Withspiritualgrowth,youlearnhowtoprayproperlyandeffectively,andyoulearnwhat  toprayfor.Withspiritualgrowth,youalsobegintofillupyourtoolboxwithalotmorethan  justahammer.Youwillalsolearnthat,togofrompointAtopointB,theanswerisnot   alwaystoprayaboutit"sometimes,youjusthavetotieyourownshoesandwalkfrom p!  pointAtopointB. V"! Believersfallapartspirituallyfortworeasons:(1)theydonotreboundortheyrebound "$r# infrequently;and(2)theyneverrecognizetheimportanceoftheWordofGodorspiritual %X $ growthundertheauthorityofawelltrained,educatedpastorteacher. %>!% Therefore,itisimportanttoseewhattheBiblesaysaboutitself: ' #' TheWordofGodisaliveandpowerful;sharperthananytwoedgedsword,piercingeven )$) tothedividingapartofsoulandspiritFԀ[distinguishingbetweenthesoulandthespirit],and l*%* ofthejointsandmarrow,anddiscernsGԀ[theWordofGodfullyunderstandsandaccurately R+&+ judgesandevaluates]thethoughtsandintentsoftheheartHԀ(Heb.4:12).Notonlydoes 8,', Godknowwhatwearethinkingandisabletoevaluatethethoughtsandintentsofour -n(- thinking,buttheBibleisabletodothisaswell.TheBiblecriticallyexaminesourthinking  andourmotivation.Nootherbookexaminessocarefullywhatgoesoninoursouls.  StudytoshowyourselfapproveduntoGod,aworkmanthatneedsnottobeashamed, b rightlydividingthewordoftruthdJԀ(1Tim.2:15).Althoughthisisdirectedtowardapastor,the H pastoristoknowtheWordofGodsothathecanteachittohiscongregation. . ~ AllScriptureisGodbreathed,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,for  J instructioninrighteousness,thatthemanofGodmaybeperfected,thoroughlyfurnished  0 toeverygoodworkKԀ(2Tim.3:16!17).Bibledoctrineinthesoulisrequiredforgoodworks.    YourwordisalamptomyfeetandalighttomypathBMԀ(Psalm119:105).Whenyouwalk,   youputonefootinfrontoftheother;theBiblelightsthepathinfrontofyou. x  Doesnotwisdomcall?Doesnotunderstandingraisehervoice?Allthewordsofmy D  moutharerighteous;thereisnothingtwistedorcrookedinthem.Takemyinstruction *z  insteadofsilver,andknowledgeratherthanchoicegold,forwisdomisbetterthanjewels, ` andallthatyoumaydesirecannotcomparewithher[wisdom]:NԀ(Prov.8:1,8,10!11). F Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge;becauseyouhaverejectedknowledge,I  rejectyoufrombeingapriesttoMe.AndsinceyouhaveforgottenthelawofyourGod,I  alsowillforgetyourchildrenPԀ(Hosea4:6).  HeavenandearthshallpassawaybutMyWordsshallnotpassawayNQԀ(Mat.24:35). Z LookcarefullythenhowyouwalkQ[thisisyourdaytodaylife]%,notasunwisebutaswise &v ;R[wisdomcomesfromBibledoctrineinthesoul],redeemingthetime,becausethedaysare  \ evilR[youaresurroundedbyhumanviewpoint;eachday,youarebombardedbyhuman B viewpoint].Thereforedonotbefoolish,butunderstandwhatthewilloftheLordisS ( [knowingtheWordofGodishowyouunderstandthewillofGod](Eph.5:15!17).  Inordertobegintogrow,andinordertobeginastudyoftheWordofGod,youneed3   things:(1)youneedtobesavedbyhavingbelievedinJesusChrist;(2)youneedtobe p!  familiarwiththereboundtechnique,whichmeansthat,wheneveryousin,thatyouname V"! thissintoGod;and(3)youneedtorecognizetheimportanceoftheBibleastheWordof <#" God,asyourguidebookthroughthislifeyouareabouttoembark. "$r# Withregardtothis3rdpoint,youneedtobeunderthedailyteachingofapastorteacher. %>!% Goddidnotdesignyoutogooutthereonyourown.Godgivesallbelieversapastor &$"& teacherwhohasspentyearsstudyingtheWordofGod,whounderstandsthatthisisdivine ' #' truth,andwhodoeshisbesttoconveythistruthtohiscongregants.Rememberyour (#( leaders(X[pastorteachers],thosewhospoketoyoutheWordofGodX[thisistheteaching )$) oftheBible].Considertheoutcomeoftheirwayoflife,andimitatetheirfaith.Yieldto l*%* thoseleadingyouY[pastorteachers]^,andbesubmissive,fortheywatchforyoursouls,as R+&+ thosewhomustgiveaccount,thattheymaydoitwithjoyandnotwithgrief;forthatis 8,', unprofitableforyouYԀ(Heb.13:7,17). -n(- ЇNowthese[Berean]Jews...receivedtheword[ofGod]withalleagerness,examiningthe  Scripturesdailytoseeifthesethingswereso.Manyofthemthereforebelieved,alongwith  manyGreekwomenofhighstandingaswellasmenZԀ(Acts17:11!12). | Onmywebsite,Ihaveprovided  4tCRO  5  alist6b\ROv\cher  7t\Ԁofwhatareprobablygoodandaccuratepastor H teachers.Ifyouarenotinthepropergeographicalareaofanyoftheseteachers,many . ~ ofthemprovidelessonswhichcanbeorderedordownloadedfromtheinternet.Ilookfor  d 4thingsintheministryofapastorteacher:(1)Ismoneyanissue?Dotheybegfor  J money?Ismoneytiedtoreceivingspiritualgrowth?Dotheyagreetosendyoubooksor  0 MP3files,but,theysuggestaloveoffering?Godprovidesforeverygoodministry,andno    oneshouldeverhityouupformoney.Itislegitimateforachurchtotakeupanoffering,    andatthechurchIattend,thisisdoneonceaweekonly.Iwouldpersonallybeleeryifa   churchistakingupanofferingeverytimetheyopenthedoorsandholdaBibleclass. x  (2)DotheyteachsalvationbyfaithaloneinChristalone?Nothingismorefundamental ^  thanthis.(3)AreyouencouragedtoreboundbeforebeginningaBiblestudy?Doesyour D  ministerjuststartin,ordoesheremindyoutogetbackintofellowship?And(4)doesyour *z  pastorteacherteachversebyverse?Hemaynotdothiseverytime,buttherewillbe ` occasionswhenapastorstartsabookatverse1andtakesthestudyallthewaytoverse F last(andsuchastudyshouldtakemonths,ifnotyears,tocomplete).Ifyoupastordoes , notappeartoeverdothis,Isuggestfindingadifferentchurch.  Godgivesusjustsomanydaysoflife,andweneedtoredeem(purchase)thistime  (Eph.5:16Col.4:5).Forourphysicaldailysustenance,wesleepdailyandweeatdaily. t Ourspirituallife"ourdailywalkwithGod"isthemostimportantdimensionofourlives. Z Therefore,itisreasonabletotakeintheWordofGodonadailybasis.Forthoseofyou @ whoseechurchasaonceaweekfunction,Irealizethatthismayseemincrediblyradical &v toyou.However,weoughttoliveeverydayalike,whichmeans,everydayshouldinvolve  \ somespiritualgrowth,whichmeanslearningBibledoctrinefromaqualifiedpastorteacher. B Andthey,continuing daily withoneaccordinthetemple,andbreakingbreadfromhouse  tohouse...AndtheLordaddedtothechurch daily suchaswerebeingsaved.fԀ(Acts2:46a,  47b).And daily inthetemple,andineveryhouseg[localchurch]Q,theyceasednottoteach   andproclaimJesusChrist+hԀ(Acts5:42).Andsowerethechurchesestablishedinthefaith, !  andincreasedinnumber daily hԀ(Acts16:5).Andiftherewasnolocalchurch,Paulwould h"! gooutinthemarketplaceandintothesynagoguesanddailydiscussanddisputewith T#" thosethere:NowwhilePaulwaitedforthematAthens,hisspiritwasstirredinhim,when <$# hesawthecitywhollygiventoidolatry.Thereforedisputedheinthesynagoguewiththe "%r $ Jews,andwiththedevoutpersons,andinthemarket daily withthemthatmetwithhimj &X!% (Acts17:16!17). &D"& Thesefirst3lessonscomprisedthemostfundamentalmechanicsofthespirituallife:first, ($( believinginJesusChrist,thennamingyoursins(silently)whenyouareoutoffellowship; )$) and,thirdly,growthviatheteachingoftheWordofGod.Inthenextlesson,Iwillintroduce *%* theBibleaswellascoversomefundamentalthemesfoundthroughouttheBible. r+&+   X,', A@ ZPdA %  IntroductionPartIV(#Logically,WhatShouldIExpectfromReligion? %mԈ !q  @~!!qq!mm@Peoplehaveavarietyofreasonsforadheringtothisorthatreligion,goingtothisorthat d church,orbeingadversetoeither.IknowsomeMuslims,CatholicsandBuddhists,and J theprimaryreasonfortheirfaithis,theywerebroughtupthisway.Fromtheearliestage, 0  theyweretaughtthattheirreligionwascorrectandmoral,andtheyoftenadheretotheir  f beliefssimplybecauseoftheirupbringing.Manyoftheseadherentsdonotevenknow  L someofthefundamentalsoftheirownfaith.Letmegiveyoutwoexamples:many  2 Catholicsdonotknowtheconceptinfusedgrace,eventhoughonemightarguablyassert   thatthisnotioniswhatfundamentallyseparatesCatholicsfromProtestants.Second   example:askaMuslimwhatishisreligionsviewofJesusChrist.Manydonotknowthat   IslamofficiallyrecognizesJesusasoneofthegreatprophetsfromGod(alongwithmany |  Jewishsaints).However,thesesamepeople,whoknowpreciouslittleabouttheirfaith, b  willclingtoitandevenargueitsaccuracyandexclusivity. J  Somepeoplearemovedtoapositionoffaithbaseduponpeerpressureand/or f brainwashing.FaithdoesnothavetobedirectedonlytowardGod;faithcanbedirected L towardgovernment,educationand/orscience.Peopleincollegeoftenhavethisinordinate 2 trustinscience,theyshedtheirreligiousupbringing,andtheyoftenclingtoliberalpolitics  becausethatisthepredominantview.Sometrulybelievethatconservativesareselfish,  richracists.Theymaybelievethattheyhavecometothesepositionsbyintelligent  discourseandlogicalreasoning,but,mostofthetime,itisbecausetheyhaveirreligious, z liberalprofessorsandbecausetheyaresurroundedbystudentswiththoseviews.When ` mosteveryonetellsyouthatthesesortsofbeliefsarereasonableandlogical,andtheyare F thefundamentalthinkingofanintellectual,thenpeoplebuyintothis. ,| Somepeopleattendaparticularchurchforavarietyofreasons:ithasadaycarecenter H orteenclasses,oryoungmarriedclasses;itisnearby. . Inanycase,IwanttomoveawayfromthisapproachtoGodandtoreligion.Letssaythat,  youhaveabsolutelynoreligioustrainingoranintensivereligiousbackground,oryouare   somewhereinthemiddle"whatexactlyshouldyouexpectfromGod,fromGodsWord, v! orfromreligioningeneral?Whatwouldmakesense?Irrespectiveofyourbackground, \"  letsjustforamoment,recognizetheremaybeaGod;HolyWritmayexist;andtheremay B#! besomesortofatruereligion"whataresomelogicalthingswhichwouldhavetobetrue ($x" aboutthesethings? %^ #  ConcerningGod:  &*"% Godshouldmakesense.Godshouldconformtosomesemblanceoflogic.Someone (#' shouldbeabletoexplainbasicthingsaboutGodtomewhichmakesense,andIshould )$( beabletoexplainthesethingstosomeoneelseandtheyshouldmakesense"nomatter x*%) whatmybackgroundis,nomatterwhatmynationalityis,nomatterwhatmyreligionis.If ^+&*  Goddoesnotmakesense,howexactlywouldIreachHim,understandHim,fellowshipwith D,'+ Him?HowcouldsomeoneconveyinformationtomeasanunbelieversothatIwouldwant  toknowmoreaboutGod?   TherearethingswhichIexpectGodtobe:IwouldexpectHimtoberight;forHimtobeall b knowingandallpowerful;IwouldhopethatHewouldbeaGodoflove;IwouldexpectHim H to,atsomepointintime,enactjustice.Iveknownoftoomanypeopleinmylifetimewho . ~ havegottenawaywiththisorthat,andIthinkthatthereshouldbesomesortofretribution  d forwhattheyhavedone.  J Somepeoplesay, Godwouldhavetoappeartome;ifHeappearedtome,thenIwould    probablybelieveinHim.Andifyouweretopresssuchaperson,asking, Andhowwould    youknowthatthisisGod?Somehow,theywouldanswer, Oh,Idknow.AndIhave   heardthisbefore"frompeoplewhohavenointerestinGod,whoclaimthat,ifGod x  appearedtothem,thentheywouldjustknowitisGod.Suchthinkingcouldnotbemore ^  illogical(andmoretypicalofman).Onthecontrary,wewilleventuallystudypeopleto D  whomGodappearedandtheydidnotknowthatHewasGod. *z   ConcerningGodsWord:  F TheremustbesomewaytoknowsomethingaboutGod.  Iwouldliketohavemyinstructions/information/doctrinefromGodinwriting.  Thiswritingshouldmakesense.Thiswriting,ifancient,shouldstandthetestoftime.It ` wouldmakesensethatthewritingisancient,asweareawareofatleast5000!6000years F ofhumanhistory.ItwouldnotmakesenseformetohavetheWordofGodinwriting ,| today,butsomeone3000yearsagowouldnot. b Thiswrittendocumentshouldmakesense.Ishouldbeabletoreaditandmakesenseout . ofit.  IfGodisallknowing,andthereisadocumentfromHim,thenthisdocumentshouldstand   thetestoftimeineverypossibleway.Itshouldnotbeantiscience,itshouldcontain v!  informationonlyavailablefromGod,itshouldbeauthoritative,itshouldmakesense,it \"! shouldmakelogicalsense.Thisdocumentshouldbeselfauthenticating.Thatis,itshould B#" standbyitself,andbetheWordofGod. ($x# IfthereissuchadocumentknownastheWordofGod,itshouldbeavailabletovirtually %D!% everyoneintheirlanguage. &*"& TheWordofGodshouldspeaktomeasfundamentallyasitspoketoman100yearsago (#( or2000yearsago.Itshouldspeaktome,whetherIamraisedintheUnitedStatesorin )$) thedeepestregionsofAfricaorunderarepressivepoliticalregime,suchasIranorNorth r*%* Korea. X+&+   >,', TheWordofGodshouldtellmethatitistheWordofGod.Notonlyshoulditspeakwith   authority,butitshouldjustflatouttellme, ThisistheWordofGod.Itshouldnotbe  nebulouswithregardstowhatitis. | IfthereissuchadocumentastheWordofGod,itshouldnotbetheproductofoneortwo H men.Ihave,throughoutmylife,seensomeverycharismaticandpersuasivemen,ina . ~ varietyofareas.Idontthinkadocumentshouldstandsimplybecausesomevery  d charismatic,persuasiveguywroteit(orclaimedtohavesomesortofaccesstoit).Infact,  J IdoubtthatIcouldtrustadocumentwrittenbyoneperson.Iwouldbesuspiciousofa  0 documentwhichclaimedtobetheWordofGod,butbenefittedtheauthorinsomeway.    IwouldbesuspiciousofadocumentclaimingtobetheWordofGod,ifitwasproduced    insomedubiousmanner"likesomeguyfoundamagicpenandsatdownandwroteit   (whichmagicpenhassincedisappeared). x  IwanttheWordofGodtobetransparent.WhatImeanis,Iwanttobeableto D  independentlycheckthisorthatdetailoutaboutit.Ifsomeonetellsmethatthisancient *z  wordmeanssuchandsuch,Iwantsomewayofcheckingthat.Ifsomeonetellsmethis ` orthataboutthetext,thenIwanttobeabletocheckthis.Idonotwanttohavetodepend F uponsomeoneelsetotellmeeverythingIneedtoknowaboutGodsWord.WhenIam , taughtsomething,thenIwanttobeabletoverifythisformyself.  IftheWordofGodisancientandifGodisallknowing,thenGodmustknowsomethings  willhappenbeforetheyactuallyoccur.ItseemsthatGodshouldbecapableofthis. t Therefore,itwouldmakesenseforGodtotellusaboutthingsbeforetheyhappen. Z Furthermore,theremustbesomewaytoindependentlyverifythatthesethingsare @ predictedandthencometopassafterthepredictionsarewrittendown.Thesepredictions &v havetobemorethanjustachecklistthatsomeone,lateron,cansimplypickup,dothem, ^ andthenclaimthatthepredictionshavebeenfulfilled. D  Concerningthislife:   Ihavefeltalotofpaininmylife,bothemotionalandphysical.Ihaveseenothersandtheir   lives,andtheyseemtohavebetterlivesthanIhave.Ineedtoknowwhydopeoplefeel x!  pain.IneedtoknowwhythingsdontworkoutlikeIwantthemto.Whensomeoneseems ^"! togetawaywithdoingsomethingwrong,Iwanttoknowwhy,andIwouldliketoseethe D#" booksbalancedonthatperson"particularlypeoplewhohavedonemeharm,intentionally *$z# andcruelly. %` $ Iwantmylifetomakesomesortofsense.IdontwanttobelievethatIjusthappenedon &,"& thisearth.Idontwanttobelievethatmythoughtsarenothingmorethanchemicals '#' sloshingaroundinmyhead,andneuronsfiringoffelectricalcurrents.Mybrainandmy (#( thinkinghavetobemorethanjustchemicalreactionsandelectricalimpulses. )$) Iknowthattheremustbesomesortofrightandwrong,moralityandimmorality.Imaynot Z+&+  beabletodefineitmyself,butIknowitexists.Ineedtounderstandwhatitis,whyit @,', exists;andIwanttoknowwhysomanypeoplehavesuchwildlydifferingideasaboutwhat  isrightandwrong.   Therehastobesomesortofevilinthisworld"therearejustsomanyterriblethingswhich b happenthat,theycouldnotmakesenseunlesssomehow,somewhere,inthisworld,there H wereevilforcesorevilpeople.Theideathatonemancouldeffectivelyorderthedeathof . ~ 6millionJews;orthattwopoliticalleaderscouldsimplymurder3millionVietnameseand  d Cambodiansinthespaceofafewyears;orthatatyrantcoulddestroythelivesofmore  J than10millionpeopleonlyfortheexpressedpurposeofaneconomicsystem"amere  0 philosophy;orthatmenwoulddowhatevertheycould,includekillingthemselvesortheir    ownchildren,inordertokillotherinnocents"thesethingsmakelittlesensetomeapart    fromtherebeingsomesortofevilforceinthisworld,orevilmen,orboth.Theideathat   ayoungmotherwouldintentionallysmotherherownchild,theideathatamaniscapable x  ofrapingachildwhohasnotevenreachedpuberty,theideathatsomeonecouldnotjust ^  comeupwiththeideaofdraggingsomeonetodeathbehindtheirpickup,butwould D  actuallydosuchaheinousthing"theseactsseemtodemandthatevilofsomesortexists. *z  IneedtoknowifthereissuchthingasGod,howcouldHepossiblyallowthesethingsto ` goon. F Thereseemstobethisthingcalledlove,anditseemstobeoverpowering,anddesperately  wonderfulaswellasunbelievablyheartbreaking.Iwantittomakesensetome.  Therehasneverbeenayearinmanshistory,insofarasIknow,whentherehasnotbeen t awargoingon;whyisthis?Ihavehearditsaidthat,rightnow,atthismoment,thereare Z 50warsgoingonintheworld.Canweendwar?Whynot?Whydoesitseemtobesuch @ anintegralfunctionofman? &v Therehasneverbeenatimeinmanshistorywheretherehavenotbeenhungrypeople. B Therehasnotbeenatimeinmanshistorywhentherehasnotbeensomesortofnatural ( disasterwhichseemstokillorruinpeopleslives.Thisneedstomakesensetome.  Ihavebeenwatchingpoliticsasoflate,andIhaveneverseenourcountrymoredivided.   Eventhosewhoclaimtobeinfavorofunitingusasapeople,dojusttheopposite.Ihave p!  watchednewsmenintentionallydistortthenews.Iknowsomanypeoplewhosebeliefsare V"! sodiametricallyopposed;whyisthat?Howcanwe,asman,differsodramaticallyinour <#" thinkingfromoneanother.Howcanwetakepointsofviewwhicharesodifferent,andyet "$r# eachofusbesoassuredthatwearecorrectandourrivalsarenot?Thisneedstomake %X $ sensetome. %>!%  MoreaboutGod:  ' #' HowcanIbeassuredthatGodreallyknowswhatmylifeislike?HowcanIbecertainthat )$) HeknowsthepainandthefrustrationwhichIhavefelt?DoesHehaveanyideaastowhat r*%* unrequitedlovereallyis?DoesHeknowwhatpainreallyis?CanGodappreciatemy X+&+  emotionalstressandmyphysicalpain?CanGodappreciatehowdifficultitistolivethis >,', life?MaybeGodwouldtreatmebetterifHehadtospendadaywalkinginmyshoes,  livingmylife.   UnderstandingwhoGodis;understandingwhoJesusChristis;knowingtheBibleandall b abouttheBible"thesethingsshould,atsomepoint,answerallofthequestionswhichI H haveraised,andfulfilltheexpectationswhichIhave. . ~  Whatthingsdoweknow?Whatthingscanweagreeupon?   J Weliveinanextremelycomplexworld.Themorethatweknowaboutsomething,the    morethatthereistoknowaboutit.Weusedtoviewthesinglecellasbeingsimpleand    fundamental;wehavesincefoundoutthat,asinglecellisnotonlyextremelycomplex,   havingsomefunctionswhichwedonotfullyunderstand,butitcarrieswithitanextremely ~  complexsetofinformationwithinitcalledDNA,whichappeartobeblueprints,forwantof d  abetterword,foramorecomplexstructurebeyondtheindividualcell. J  Weusedtoviewthepartsofanatom"neutron,protonandelectron"asbeingthemost f fundamentalbuildingblocksofmatter,andnowitappearsthattheymaybemadeupof L somethingthemselves.Furthermore,althoughweunderstandagreatdealaboutthe 2 bondingofvariousgroupsofmoleculesandwehavereasonswhythisorthatgroupwill  adheretooneanotherornot,wedonotfullyunderstandthatbondingwithinanatom.We  donotunderstandwhyasetofatomscanbealiveandthesamesetofatomscanalsobe  dead. z Wehaveobservedbrainwashinginourlives,andweknowthatvariouspoliticalsystems F doit.Itisclearthattherewassomesortofmasshypnosisormassbrainwashingwith ,| Hitler;anditisclearthatCommunismattemptstodothesamething(butwithlesssuccess, b astheyhavetokillorimprisonthosewhodonotgoalongwiththeirdoctrines).Wesee H thesamethinginourowncountry,howvariouspoliticianswhobelongtothesameparty . allofasuddenstartsayingthesameslogans.Idontmeantogetpolitical,butmostofyou  haveheard,JohnMcCainisGeorgeBushs3rdterm;withregardstoourenergycrisisand  itshighcost,wecannotdrillourwayoutofthis.Apoliticalpartyknowsithassucceeded   whenyouaskarandompersononthestreet,andtheyspoutoneoftheseslogans.In4 z!  years,therewillbeanothersetofslogans.Ifyouarereadingthis,anddonotrecognize `"! theseslogans,thenyoumightberemovedfromthiswritingbymanyyears. F#" Weliveinaneraofgreattechnologicaladvancement.Whathasbeendevelopedby %b $ sciencetodayisbeyondhumancomprehension.Youmayknowallthereistoknowabout %H!% computers,abouttelevisions,aboutcars,aboutcellphones;butnoneofuscouldbuildany &."& oneofthesethingsfromscratch.Not1personinamillioncouldassembleoneofthese '#' thingsifallitscomponentpartssatinfrontofthem. (#( Weliveinaneraofgreatmedicaladvancement.However,itappearsthat,everytimewe v*%* getthisorthatdiseaseorailmentundercontrol,anothersetofdiseasestakeitsplace. \+&+ And,asoflate,weareshowingprogressagainstcertaindiseases(diabetes,AIDS, B,', cancer),butwehavenocuresforanyoftheseailments. (-x(- ЇWithallofthesethingswhichoftenaredesignedtomakeourliveseasierormore  enjoyable,forsomereason,theydontquitedothetrick.Forinstance,Ilikeowningacar  andarefrigeratorandhavetroubleimaginingalifewithouteitheroftheseconveniences. | However,IdontknowthatIamactuallyhappierwiththeseitemsthanIwouldbeifthey b didnotexist.Manhaslived1000'sofyearswithouttheseconveniences,andIdontknow H thatwecouldsaythatmantodayishappierandmoreadjustedthanmanfrom200years . ~ ago,whenthesethingsdidnotexist.  d TeensinAmericahavethingstodaywhichIcouldnothaveimaginedinmyyouth.They  0 havegreaterconveniencesandmanymorewaystospendtime.Yet,teensuicideisabout    the10thgreatestkillerofteens;moreteensdieeachyearofsuicidethanbyhomicide.One    wouldthinkthatasourliveshavemoreandmoreconveniencesandmoreandmorethings   toentertainus,thatlifewouldsimplybebetterforthepersonwhoisinsideofus.50years x  ago,teensuicidewasalotmorerare. ^  WhatIamsayingis,ononelevel,lifeseemstobegettingbetter;and,onanother,itisnt. *z  Iamnotreadytosellmycarorgetridofmytelevision;butmyactualcontentmentand ` happinessisnotdirectlycorrelatedtothesethings.Onewouldthinkthat,asweadvance F inscienceandmedicine,astherearemoreandmorethingsthatIcanbuy,andasI , becomemoreabletoindulgeinthesethings,thatmaningeneralshouldbecomemoreand  morehappy"butthatdoesnotseemtobethecase.Infact,Iwouldarguethecasethat  familiesofthe1950'swerehappierstatisticallythanfamiliesofthisera.Therewasmore  familyunityandagreaterfamilybond,andthisisreflectedinourtelevisionshowsofthat t era.Childrenandfamiliesoftodayseemtobemoreunhappy,moredisjointed,and Z certainlylessunified.Inthe1950's,ayoungteengettingpregnant,anunhappyteenkilling @ himselforfellowsstudents,wasalmostunheardof.Ateentakingdrugswasextremely &v rare.Evenalcoholabuse,althoughitoccurredatthattime,wasnothinglikeitistoday.  \ Mypointis,science"evenpsychology"cannotseemtospeaktosomethings.Science, ( medicine,technology,andpsychologyhavemadegreatstrides,butthesethingshavenot  madeushappierormorewelladjusted.  Itaughtteenagersfornearly30years,andthereweresomefairlysimpleobservations p!  whichImadeovertheseyears.Thosewhoweredisciplinedseemedtobehappierthan V"! thosewholeanedtowardselfindulgence.Thosewhowerereligious"andIamspeaking <#" ofanyreligion"weregenerallyhappierthanthosewhowerenot.Thosewhoseemedto "$r# havemoralimperativesintheirlivesseemedtobehappierthanthosewhodidnotlimit %X $ themselvesortheirbehavior. %>!% MyrecollectionofgrammarschoolincludedsingingChristmashymns.Atthetime,even ' #' thoughImemorizedmanyofthelyrics,Ididnotknowwhattheymeant,butthesewere (#( greatsongsandthoroughlyenjoyable.Today,ourschoolshaveundergonesomebizarre )$) transformation,wheresomegrammarschoolswillnotsingthesesongs;otherschoolswill l*%* carefullyregulatesuchsinging,astorequireforotherreligioushymnstobesungaswell. R+&+ Peoplehaveactuallygonetocourtoverthesehymnsandarequiteangryaboutthem. 8,', Howcanthesehymnsbethatpowerfultorequiresomepeopletowanttobanthem? -n(- ЇYoumaysay, Well,thisisreligion,andweshouldnothaveanyreligionintheschools.  However,mostschoolsteachmythology,andthecharactersofmythologywereconsidered  godsatonetime.Thereisnonationwidemovementtoremovethereadingofmythology | fromEnglishclasses.However,ifthiswerethereadingoftheBible,asignificantnumber b ofpeoplewouldbeupinarmsoverit.WhatissopowerfulabouttheBiblethatweneed H toguardouryoungpeoplefromit? . ~ Inanycase,thereissomethingmoretolifethanscience,psychology,philosophy,  J medicineandtechnology.Thereseemstobesomethingwhichismorefundamentaland  0 moreimportantthanthesethings.Atthesametime,thereseemstobeanattackonsuch    things(Christmashymns,theChristmasholidaysingeneral)that,50yearsago,would    havebeenseenasabsurd.   *nhfd dxdd xhf(#(#n,(#dd +  $^ ^  $Thereissomethingtherewhichspeaksmorefundamentallytothesoulofmanthan   doesscienceorpoliticsortechnology.Jesussaidthatwearemorethanthefoodthat   weeat;wearemorethantheclothesthatwewear.WhatIhopetopresent,inthisBible   course,is: A,t PddA%  SomeBasicPropositions%5 Uq@0>"  Pdd U! !"3"  32#  1  .3  0 l   Thereismoretolifethanjusttheexternals.Havingenoughfoodonthetable,  havingaplacetolive,havingclothestowear,andhavinganassortmentofthings  toentertainusisnotenough.Therehastobemoretolife.3 ݌  Uq@0ll"l"  q U"3"  32#  2  .3  0 l   Whenwehavealloftheseexternalthings,butnothingelse,thereisa 6 fundamentalpartofourliveswhichismissing.3݌  Uq@0l"l"  q U"3"  3t2#  3  .3  0 l   TheGodoftheBibleisreal,Heislogical,Heisdependable,Heisperfect F righteousness,Heisperfectjustice;Heisomnipotentandomnipresent.Itis ,| possibletoknowHim,eventhoughwedonotseeHimwithoureyes.3t݌  Uq@0bl"l"  q U"3"  3z2#  4  .3  0 l   JesusisGodintheflesh.Heisnotjustagreatmoralteacheroramanwho  sufferedgreatindignities;HeisGodcomeintheflesh,livingaswedoand r  sufferingaswehavesuffered(infact,sufferingfargreaterthanwecould X! imagine).Furthermore,thisisnotsomecoatofdivinitywhichwe,hundredsof >" yearslater,haveputuponthisman;Heclaimed,innouncertainterms,tonotjust $#t befromGod,buttobeGod.3z݌  Uq@0 $Z l"l"  q U"3"  32#  5  .3  0 l   3݌  Ashasbeenpointedoutmanytimesbymanyotherteachers,youcannotsimply % ! callJesusagoodmanoragoodteacherwithoutacknowledgingthatHeisalso j&!" God,becausewhatmanwouldclaimtobeGod,exceptacharlatan,aninsane P'"# personorGodHimself,comeintheflesh?Agoodmanoragoodteacherwould 6(#$ notlieaboutsuchathing. Uq@0)l$%l"l"  q U"3"  3$2#  6  .3  0 l   Everythingthatweviewinthisworldhasorder,design,andpurpose.Whether *%& weexamineamolecule,amouseoramountain,thereisorder,designand |+&'  purpose;aswellasanadherencetoaspecificsetoflaws.3$Q݌  Uq@0b,'(l"l"  q U"3"  3)2#  7  .3  0 l   Ourlivesmakesense.Ourliveshavemeaning.Wearenotjustarandom d  collectionofmoleculesmeanderingaboutaimlessly,withoutpurpose,direction J orboundaries.Weareactuallyputhereonearthforareason.3)V݌  Uq@00l"l"  q U"3"  322#  8  .3  0 l   TheBibleistheWordofGod.TheBibleiseverythingthatwewouldexpectitto   be.Evenamongotherreligiousliteratureandsacredbooks,theBibleisunique.   Itisasrelevanttodayasitwas2000yearsago.32_݌  Uq@0 vl"l"  q U"3"  302#  9  .3  0 l   WeshouldexpectanythingrelatedtotheBibletobeattacked,includingahigh R  schoolcourseontheBibleorChristmashymns.30]݌  Uq@08l"l"  q U"3 "  32#  10  .3  0 l   Wewillfindthatspiritualinformationcutsacrossculturallinesandtime.What P  Jesussaid2000yearsagoispertinenttoourlivestoday.WhatMoseswrote 6  3500yearsagoispertinenttoourlivestoday.WhatthewritersofGenesissaid ~  4000!5000yearsagoisactuallymoremeaningfultodaythanitwaswhenwritten, d  aswenowhavesciencetoverifymuchofwhatwefindinthebookofGenesis.3݌  Uq@0J l"l"  q U"3 "  32#  11  .3  0 l   Thesethingsinourliveswhichweviewasevilorwrongorinanegative b sense"war,mansinhumanitytoman,sickness,naturaldisasters"domake H sense.Theyarenotjustrandomeventsinarandomuniverse,withoutmeaning. . Thegoodthingsinourlivesalsomakesense.3݌  Uq@0vl"l"  q U"3 "  32#  12  .3  0 l   Allofthesethingsrequiretimetolearn.Ashort5or6lessonBiblestudyoreven  ayearinaseminary,isnotenoughtimetoputitalltogether.Lifetakesalong t time,andGoddesignedourspirituallivestooccupythatentiretime.Wedonot Z runoutofthingstoknow.Wedonotreachapointinourliveswhen,everything @ iscompletelyclearandcompletelyexplained,andweknowallofournextmoves. & However,Goddiddesignourlivestobefulfillingandmeaningfulandhappy. n  Eveninthemidstofaworldfilledwithsuffering,painandheartache,God T designedustobecontent,evenwhenthesethingstouchusdirectly.3'݌  Uq@0:l"l"  q U"3 "  32#  13  .3  0 l   Youwilleventuallyfindthat,learningaboutGod,GodsplanandGodsWord,is  R notanimpositiononyourlife,buttimewellspent,whichwillgiveyourlife !8 meaning,guidance,purposeanddefinition.Nolongerwillyourlifeseemrandom " orpurposeless.32݌  @64f#l"l"   q @*nhfd dxdd (#hf(#(#n,xdd +  $b%b% $Letmereviewwhatwehavecovered:"%d "*lddxdd xhf(#(#l,xdd +  >)&z &z  dd>%  ASummaryoftheIntroductoryMaterial% Ut@0@' "  dd U! !"3"  32#  1  .3  0 l   BeingaChristianmeansthatyouhavebelievedinJesusChrist.Youhave ("! trustedwhatHedidonthecrossonyourbehalf.BecomingaChristiandoesnot )v#" requireyoutogotochurch,tobegood,tobemoral,tobebaptized,toreform *^$# yourwickedways,torenounceworldlypossessions,etc.ItisfaithaloneinChrist +D%$ alone.IfyouhavemixedwithyourfaithinChrist,gettingbaptized,goingtoa ,*&% particularchurch,adheringtothedoctrinesofaparticularchurch,leadingagood r-'& andmorallife,thenyouarenotsaved.Salvationcomesonlyfromfaithalonein d Christalone.BelievinginJesusChristgivesyouaneternalrelationshipwithGod, J andthisisarelationshipwhichyoucannotlose,giveaway,orsinyourwayout 0 of.GodisnotourFatherbybirth;GodisonlyourFatherbyfaithinJesusChrist.3 ݌l"l" Ќ  "3"  32#  2  .3  0 l   Asabeliever,wehaveatwostatusconditioninlife;andthesetwostatusesare  mutuallyexclusive:wecanbefilledwiththeHolySpiritorwecanquenchthe   Spirit;wecanbeinfellowshiporoutoffellowship;wecanwalkinthelightorwe x  canwalkindarkness.Theykeytothisisnamingyoursinsoracknowledgingyour ^  sinsbeforeGod.Thisisnottoapriest,nottothepersonyousinnedagainst,and D   notaloudinfrontofachurch,butquietlyorsilently.GodisfaithfulUԀ(Hedoesthis * z  everytime)andjustԀ(thisissomethingHecandowithoutcompromisingHis `  perfectrighteousness)toforgiveusoursinsEԀ(whateversinswehavenamed)and F  toforgiveusofallunrighteousnessԀ(anyunknownsinswhichwehavecommitted) ,  (1John1:9b).WhereIgotochurch,namingyoursinstoGodwhenyouareout   offellowshipiscalledrebound.Atanypointinyourlifewhenyousin,youneed   tonamethatsintoGod.Thisisknownaskeepingshortaccounts.3݌ l"l" Ќ  "3"  32#  3  .3  0 l   ThemostimportantthingyoucandoasabelieverisJesusChrististoknowthe x WordofGod;toknowBibledoctrine.Goingtochurchonceaweekfora25 ^ minutesermonisnotenough.Youneedachurchorasourcewhereyoucanget D doctrinedaily.3݌*zl"l" Ќ  "3"  32#  4  .3  0 l   These3thingsarethefundamentalsofChristianityandChristiangrowth.3݌  @64`l"l"   t @*lddxdd x(#(#l,dd ,dd ,dd ,dd +  ) \ \ )4 RO  5  TopofthePage p andtheTableof V Contents6RO  7   '<" '4| RO  5  Introductiontoany p BibleStudy6RO   7 7 'V" '4} RO  5  Introductiontothe p Bible6RO  7 6 'V" '4~ 4RO  5  Introductiontothe p BookofGenesis6RO  7 ;"/ 1'V"  14; bRO  5  LinkstoDoctrines   intheIntroductory ! Material6RO  7 < '"" '4I RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines # intheIntroduction $ totheBible6RO1  7 _ '%" '4M RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines & intheIntroduction ' toGenesis6DROX  7  '(" '')"   'A@ d~ A4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIB(#Salvation6RO  7 (#Ԉ  ?* 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIID(#Rebound6RO  7 (#Ԉ !F+ 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIII> > C(#Doctrine6 RO   7 (# Ԉ "M, 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIV(#Logically,WhatShouldIExpectfromReligion?6 RO   7 (# Ԉ $T- 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson1:TheBible(#BasicThemesoftheBible/IntroductiontotheBible6 RO   7 (# Ԉ &b!/ 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLessons2&3:TheBible2(#BasicThemesoftheBible6 RO   7 (# Ԉ 'i"0 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson4:TheBiblell:(#TheOldTestament6 RO   7 (# Ԉ  (p#1 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson5:TheBible:(#TheNewTestament6RO  7 (#Ԉ ')w$2 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson6:TheBiblexx1(#Dispensations,anOverview6RO  7 (#Ԉ .*~%3 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson7:TheBibleA(#Canonicity6RO  7 (# Ԉ 5+&4 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson8:TheBible%(#InspirationandtheOriginalLanguages6RO  7 (#Ԉ <,'5 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson9:TheBible.(#TeachingandSpiritualGrowth6RO  7 (#Ԉ C-(6 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson10:TheBible,(#Translations,TextualCriticism6RO  7 (#!Ԉ !q 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson11:TheBible (#ChristianApologeticsandBiblicalProphecy6RO  7 (#.Ԉ (x 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson12:TheBible%(#NaturalandLogicalApologetics,Faith6RO  7 (#GԈ / 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson13:TheBible)(#Apologetics,ScienceandtheBible6RO-  7 (#[Ԉ 6 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson14:TheBible@@7(#ContentoftheBible6)RO=  7 (#kԈ =  4 RO  5  TheBookofGenesis<(#AnIntroduction6,RO@  7 (#nԈ K  0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartI:InspirationandProgressiveRevelation6'RO;  7 iR (#(# 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartII:AuthorshipandtheHistoricalNarrative62ROF  7 JtY (#(# 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIII(ThemesandanOutlineofGenesis)6?ROS  7 ` (#(# @ !!qq!@A@ ZPd A % l IntroductoryLesson1%l:TheBible%(#BasicThemes/IntroductiontotheBible  ^  @k !!qq!|@SothatyouunderstandwhereIamgoingwiththis,Iwouldliketoexegeteafewbooksof Q  theBible,buttherewillbesomeintroductorymaterialwhichisrequiredfirst.Thosefirst 7 fewlessonsdealwiththeessentialsofChristianity,aswellaswhatoneoughttoexpect m fromGod,JesusChristandtheBible. S BeforeIbeginexegetingtheBible,IneedtointroducetheBible.  TherearebeentensofthousandsofbookswrittenabouttheBible.Figuringoutwhatto  sayandwhatnottosayinabasic,introductorylessonisquitedifficult.  Doyouknowwhatbooktoppedthebestsellerlistlastmonth?TheBible.Doyouknow M whichbooksoldmorecopiesthananyotherbookthemonthbeforethat?TheBible.How 3 aboutthemonthbeforethat?Surprisinglyenough,theBible.TheBibleisthealltimebest i seller,monthaftermonthaftermonth,sincetheadventofprinting.Priortothat,itwasthe O mostproducedbookintheworld,eventhoughithadtobecopiedbyhand,laboriously. 5 Intheancientworld,thefirstbooktobetranslatedintoanotherlanguagewastheBible. ! TheancientbooktranslatedintomoreancientlanguagesthananyotheristheBible.The " booktodaywhichistranslatedintomorelanguagesthananyotheristheBible.Noother }# book,religiousorotherwise,comesclose. c$  Therehavebeenalotofauthorsasoflatewhohaverecentlyputoutsomeantireligion, /&!" antiGodandantiBiblebooks,andthesebookssellalotofcopies.Thereis4smRO  5  GodIsNot 'e"# Great:HowReligionPoisonsEverything6%RO%rit  7sn%byChristopherHitchens.Thereisalso4sRO  5  God:The 'M#$ FailedHypothesis:HowScienceShowsThatGodDoesNotExist6&RO&rit  7s'byVictorJ.Stenger. (5$% And4seRO  5  AtheistUniverse:TheThinkingPerson'sAnswertoChristianFundamentalism6(RO(rit  7s "H(Ԁby )%& DavidMills.And4s RO  5  AtheistManifesto:TheCaseAgainstChristianity,Judaism,andIslam6%)RO9)rit  7s0"g)Ԁby *&' MichelOnfray.4s RO  5  TheGodDelusion6<*ROP*rit  7sL~*byRichardDawkins.Thesearenotnew.Bookswhich +&( attackChristians,Christianity,God,theBibleandfaithareasalmostoldasliterature.Over ,') theyears,andforhundredsofyears,therehavebeenbooksputoutdisparagingtheBible k-(* andChristianityingeneral.OneofthebooksIownthatisnowabout40or50yearsold,  anditpromised,throughlogicaldiscussion,toputanendtotheBible.Idontrecallthe  nameofthebookortheauthor(itissomewhereinoneofmybookcases),butonething | thatIdorecallaboutthatbookis,itdidnotputanendtotheBible. b BookswrittenagainsttheBiblegobackatleastto1stcenturya.d.Apion,andmanyothers, . ~ questionedthebooksoftheOldTestament;theyquestionedtheirhistoricity,they  d questionedtheiraccuracy,aswellastheirdivineauthority(thatis,theycontendedthatonly  J menwrotethesebooksandthatthewordsintheBiblewerenotfromGod).Thesemen  0 claimedthatIsraelwasnotasoldanationasclaimed;andthatIsraeldidnothavethe    ancientanduniqueorigins,asfoundinthefirstseveralbooksoftheBible.Thesemen    claimedthattherewereallofthesecontradictionsinJewishwritingsandintheOld   TestamentBible(which,atthistime,existedasaunit,muchasweseetheBibletoday). x  FlaviusJosephus(37!100a.d.),thegreatancienthistorian,answeredtheseclaimsina ^  bookcalledAgainstApion,whichisavailablefreeforourreadingeventoday: D  4sRO  5  http://bible.christiansunite.com/jos/apiindex.shtml6!2RO52rit  7suc2ԀJosephuswasnotansweringjustApion, ,|  butawholehostofcritics,justasauthorstodaywritebookstodefendChristianity,the b Bible,andthetruepersonofChrist(4sRO  5  GodandtheNewAtheism:ACriticalResponseto H Dawkins,Harris,andHitchens63RO3rit  7s. 4ԀbyJohnF.Haught;4s<RO  5  TheDevil'sDelusion:AtheismandIts 0 ScientificPretensions64RO4rit  7s5 -5ԀbyDavidBerlinski;4s.RO  5  What'sSoGreatAboutChristianity65RO6rit  7sf=6Ԁby_Dinesh_  _D'Souza_,tonameafew).  ThehistoricalbackdroptothewritingofFlavusJosephus(whoseworkswehaveand | whoseworkscanbeeasilyfoundwithadogpileorgooglesearch)isimportant.Rome,at b thistime,washostiletowardChristiansandJews.JewswerehostiletowardChristians. H So,towritebooksandessaysagainstJewishtraditions,againstthebooksoftheOld .~ TestamentandagainstthenewChristianswasaverypopularthingtodo.In70a.d.,the d RomansslaughteredtheJewsinJerusaleminagruesomemassacre.Romanscontinually J persecutedChristians,martyringmanyoftheearlyApostlesandevangelists.Inthefirst 0 centurya.d.,RomansdidnotliketheJewsortheChristians,ortheirwrittenworks,soat  thetimeoftheincarnationofJesusChrist,earlyRomewasaperfectenvironmentforanti  JewishandantiChristianliterature.   Mypointinallofthisis,theveryconceptofaBible,theveryideathatGodwouldseethat ^"! manrecordedHisWord,isnotaveryeasypilltoswallow,andmenhavebeenarguing D#" aboutthissinceatleastthe1stcenturya.d.ToreadJosephus,itisapparentthatsuch *$z# argumentshavebeengoingonlongbeforethis.Whatisevenmorefascinating,is,most %` $ ofthesearethesameargumentsaswereadtodayinmodernliterature. %F!% IfweweretocollectallofthebookswrittenagainsttheBible,allthebookswrittenin '#' supportoftheBible,andalloftheadditionalliteraturewrittenabouttheBible,therewould (#( beagreaternumberofbooksinthiscollectionthanyouwouldfindatyourlocallibrary.At )$) myownhouse,Ihavealibrary,andtheprimarycategoryofbookswhichIownarerelated t*%* totheBible.Iliterallydonothaveenoughroomfortheminmyhouse(Ihavebookcases Z+&+ innearlyeveryroom),andIownfarlessthan1%ofthebookswhichareavailabletome. @,',  &-v(- WhatisactuallyintheBible?Letmebeginwiththemostbasicthemewhichisfound  throughouttheBible:GodcreatedmanandmanchosetosinagainstGod.Thismeans  that,manchosetodowrong,manchosetodothatwhichGodtoldhimnottodo,man | brokeGodslaw,mandisobeyedGod.Forthisreason,manisunderjudgmentfromGod. b Godisperfectlyholy,justandgood;manisfallenandinrebellionagainstGod.Asaresult H ofoursin,manfeelspainandeventuallydies.Theworldinthehandsofmanbecomes . ~ aplaceofinjustice,anger,frustration,pain,suffering,andgreatinhumanity.  d TheBiblerevealsthatGodisalwaysherewithus,inoneformoranother,readytocomfort  0 usandreadytoguideus,butthisisachoicethatwemustmake.Godisagentlemanand    doesnotforceHimselfuponanyone.However,wearenotbornwitharelationshipwith    God"atleastnotafriendlyone.Thefundamentalproblemis,Godisperfect,Heis   righteousandjust,andwearenot.WeareunderjudgmentbyGodfor3things:Adam, x  thefirstmancreatedbyGod,sinnedagainstGod,andGodimputedthissintoeachand ^  everyoneofusthemomentweareborn.Wehaveanoldsinnaturewhichseemsto D  affecteveryaspectofourlives;thisisthatwhichisanintegralpartofourbeing,and *z  temptsustocontinuetorebelagainstGodandtocontinuetosinagainstHim.Thirdly,we ` allsin;everypersononthisearthsinsagainstGod,includingthegreatestreligiousleaders F inmanshistory.Everymanbornfromtheseedofman,sins"withoutexception.Sowe , standbeforeGodwiththese3strikesagainstus.  TheBiblealsotellsusthatGodislove,andthatGodsendsHisSon,JesusChrist,todie  foroursins.Thatis,HetakesuponHimselfthepenaltyandthejudgmentwhichwe t deserve,andthisgivesusthepotentialforarelationshipwithGod.ThisiswhatJesus Z sufferedonthecross.Now,theactualcrucifixionitself,andthephysicalmiseryassociated @ withbeingcrucified,wasnotthepunishmentwhichJesusenduredthatsavedusfromour &v sins;whileJesuswasonthecross,GodpouredoutuponHimthepenaltyandpunishment  \ foreverysinthateverysinglepersonhasevercommittedandeverwillcommit,andthis B providesforusapotentialrelationshipwithGod.Eventhosewhowitnessedthiseventdid ( notseeGodpouringoutthepenaltyforoursinsonJesus,asGodcoveredthisareawith  athickdarkness(Matt.27:45).  TheBiblealsotellsus,incasewedidnotknow,thatwearecreatedwithfreewill.Adam, p!  thefirstman,couldonlydoonethingtosinagainstGod:hecouldeatfromtheTreeofthe V"! KnowledgeofGoodandEvil.ThiswastheonlythingwhichGodtoldhimnottodo.Sin <#" beganwhenAdamexercisedhisvolitiontowardthistreeandagainstGod.Today,welive "$r# inaworldentrenchedinsin;youhaveobservedthateverypersonyouknowsins(heor %X $ shedoesthatwhichiswrong)andyouknowthatyouyourselfsinaswell.Thereisa %>!% secondtreewhichGodpresentsus:thecross(occasionallycalledatreeintheNew &$"& Testament);andthistree"thecrossofJesusChrist"alsoinvokesustomakeachoice, ' #' toexerciseourvolition:ifwebelieveinJesusChrist"ifweputourtrustorourfaithin (#( Him"becauseofwhatHedidforusonthecross,weareeternallysaved.Atthemoment )$) thatwebelieveinHim,webeginourrelationshipwithGod.Adamcouldexercisehis n*%* negativevolitioninonlyoneway,byeatingfromthetreeoftheknowledgeofgoodandevil; T+&+ today,wecanexercisepositivevolitioninonlyoneway,whichisexercisingfaithinthe :,', savingworkofJesusChristonthetree.  -p(- ЇThesebasicthemes"Godsperfectrighteousnessandjustice,mansfallennature,and  salvationthroughfaithinJesusChrist"arethefundamentalconcernsoftheBible,from  covertocover.ThisisthemessageoftheBible.Therearealotofdetails,history, | genealogies,psalms,propheciesanddoctrinescontainedintheBible,butmansfallen b nature,Godsperfection,andsalvationthroughJesusChrist,theSonofGod,arethe H essentialelementsoftheBible.FromtheverybeginningoftheBible,totheveryend, . ~ theseareitsessentialthemes.  d WeseetheBibleasonebook(and,inonesense,itis),butitisacollectionofdozensof  0 books,poems,compositionsandletterswrittenoveraperiodofatleast1600yearsby    dozensofauthors.Theseauthorswerebothrichandpoor;theywerepoliticalleaders,as    wellasshepherds;theywerereligiousmenaswellasnonreligious(i.e.,theyhadvarying   degreesofformalreligioustrainingandwerenotalwaysrecognizedasreligiousmen);and x  theywerewellknownfiguresaswellasobscuremen.Menfromeverystationoflifewrote ^  downthewordswhichwereadintheBible. D  ThewritingoftheBibletookplacewhileleadingahostofJewsthroughthedesert,while ` sittingonthethroneofIsrael,whiletendingsheepoutinalonelyfield,whileimprisoned, F whileonamissionaryjourney,andwhileinbetweengreatwarsagainstchildsacrificing , heathen.Menwrotethesewordsduringtimeswhentheywereelatedandduringtimes  whentheyweredistressed,depressedorstressed.Theirwritingstylesmaybecomplex,  withthoughtsandthemeswhichcontinuefor20or40verses;whileotherswroteinparallel  thoughts;somewroteinproseandotherswrotepoetry;theywroteexactlythewordswhich t Godspoke,andtheywrotehistoryastheyobserveditoraccordingtothetestimonyof Z thosewhowerethere.ThewordsofScripturevaryfrombeingmelodic,tomatteroffact, @ tosarcastic,toacarefulsetofreasonedarguments,tohistoricalnarrative.Wehavethe &v complexvocabulariesandsentencestructureofMoses,LukeandPaulandtheabsolutely  \ simplestructureandvocabularyofJohn. B EventhemostseverecriticsoftheBibleagreethattheBiblewaswrittenindifferentplaces  bymanydifferentmenoveraverylongperiodoftimeandthattheBibleisfilledwitha  varietyofwritingstylesandformats.Themostseverecriticswouldatleastgrantthatthe   Biblewaswrittenovermanyhundredsofyearsbymanydifferentmen,andmostwill p!  acknowledgeatleast1100yearspassedbetweenthewritingofthefirstandlastwordsof V"! theBible. <#" Eventoday,ifyoutookthewritingsofdozensofmenfromavarietyofcountries,evenover %X $ theshortspanofseveralhundredyears,andputthesewritingstogether,youwouldend %>!% upwithananthology.Therewouldbenobeginning;therewouldbenofocalpoint;there &$"& wouldbenoshadowimagespointingtothingswhichwouldoccurinthefuture.Youwould ' #' justhaveananthologyofwritings,withoutabeginningoranend;withoutafocalpoint;and (#( withadisjointedandcontradictoryphilosophyatbest.Wewouldexpectsuchareligious )$) booktobefilledwithcontrarythemesandideas(haveyoueversatdownatyourfamily l*%* Thanksgivingdinnerandbeganadiscussiononreligion?). R+&+   8,', However,theBibleisquitedifferentfromananthology.Ithasabeginning,anend;and   ithasafocalpoint.Wefindthesamebasicthemesrepeatedagainandagain:thatman  isasinner,separatedfromGod;thatGodisperfectrighteousnessandjustice;thatman | needsaSaviororaMediatortostandbetweenhimandGod;andthatJesusisthe b Messiah(theChrist),WhoisGodcomeintheflesh,tomediatebetweenGodandman,to H saveman.WhethertheauthorisMoses,DavidorIsaiah,whoallwrotehundredsofyears . ~ beforeChrist,orPaul,JohnorPeter,whowroteafewdecadesafterthecrucifixion,they  d allwriteaboutthesameJesus;theyallwriteaboutthesamefundamentalthemes.  J Letsapproachthisfromadifferentview:Ichallengeyoutochoosefromthewritingsfrom    thepastMillenniumandputtogetherasetofwritingsbyatleast20differentauthors,a    cohesivebook,withaclearbeginning,anunmistakableend;withacontinuousnarrative;   andwithasetofspecific,religiousthemeswhich,whentakentogether,presentthegrand x  relationshipbetweenGodandman.Yourchoice.Youchoosetheauthors,youputthe ^  booksinwhateverorder.Ifyouhadtodothat,thebestyoucouldcomeupwithisa D  religiousanthology,withsomecommonthemes.Youmightbeabletocomeclosertothis *z  end,ifyouhadfulleditingprivileges,sothatyoucouldjusteditoutanythingthatyoudid ` notlike.However,evenwitheditingprivileges,youwillbeabletoputtogetherabookwith F somecommonthemes,andlittleelse.Interestinglyenough,aswewillcometofindout , inalaterstudy,thehistoryofthepreservationoftheBibleprecludessuchwholesale  editing.  Letmegiveyouamorespecificexample:letssayyoudecidedtoputtogetherthewritings t ofthosewhobelieveinevolution.Theyallbelieveinonebasicthing:macroevolution(one Z specieofanimalcanevolveintoanother"afishcanbecomeareptilewhichcanbecome @ abird).However,thatiswheretheagreementends.Whenarguingagainstevolutionists, &v creationistsandIntelligentDesignbelieversoftenusetheirwordsagainstthem.Foralmost  \ anyagreeduponprincipleofevolution,worksofnotedevolutionistscanbecitedwhich B disagree.Youwouldbesurprisedastotheamountofdisagreementbetweenevolutionists ( whenitcomestohumanfossilremains"towhatperiodoftimedoweassignthissetof  bonesandtowhathumanorprehumanfamilythesebonesbelongaredisagreements  whicharegenerallykeptoffthegrid.But,mypointis,youcouldnoteventakethewritings   ofevolutionists,whohaveonlybeenwritingforacouplehundredyears,andputtogether p!  acohesivebook,withabeginning,anendandwithaspecificsetofthemes(beyondthe V"! generalbeliefinmacroevolution). <#" Yet,theBibleiswrittenbydozensofmenwithagreatvarietyofbackgrounds;andthey %X $ wroteoveraperiodoftimewhichclearlyexceeds1000years.YettheBiblehasaclear %>!% beginning,aclearend,aseriesofhistories,andaplethoraofcommonthemes,which &$"& themeswewillcoverinmoredepthinthenextlesson. ' #'   """""""""" )$) qForthenexttwolessons,therewasnologicalplacetodividethemup,soIamsendingout R+&+ twolessonsforthenexttwoweeks. 8,',  -n(- A@ ZPdA % u IntroductoryLessons2&3%ur:TheBiblehh2(#BasicThemesoftheBible  !q @~!!qq! r@*hfd ddd dd dd dd (#(#,(#dd +  $dd $WhatislistedbelowarespecificthemesfoundthroughouttheBible,fromcovertocover.  TheScripturequotedineachinstanceisnotanexhaustivelistbyanymeans,buta  representativeone,wheremyintentwastotakerepresentativepassagesfromawide   rangeofauthorsandtimeframes.Thisissothatyoucanseethat,eventhoughthe z  Biblewaswrittenbydozensofmenoveraperiodof1000'sofyears,theyseemtohave `  allbeenofthesamemind. A,F  =2A%  TheBasicThemesoftheBible%%w Uq@0  "  =2 UManissinful;manisfallen;manisseparatedfromGod.PeopleintheBibleare r  presentedwartsandall.Theyarerealpeople.EventhegreatestbelieversintheBible X  areshowntofail. Kq6&>   q KBecausemanisseparatefromGodandbecausemanhassinned,manissentencedto   death. Kq6&  q KOurgoodworks,goodintentions,andmoralitydonotsaveus.TheBibleisnotabook h whichtellsushowtobehaveinordertoimpressGod.TheuniversalityofsinandGods N penaltyuponallofusisdeathintheLakeofFire. Kq6&4  q KGodisholy;thismeansthatHeisperfectjusticeandperfectrighteousness. Kq6&^  q KJesusChristisholy;HeisperfectlyrighteousandHeisperfectjustice. Kq6&(  q KGodwillsendaMessiah/Mediator/Saviortoman.TheSaviorsentbyGodisJesus,His R Son. Kq6&8  q KJesusdiedonthecrossandtookuponHimselfthepenaltyforoursins. Kq6&  q KWearesavedbyplacingourfaithinJesusChrist.6,*,|  q 6*nhfd  dxdd (#hf(#(#n,xdd +  $B B  $ThesearenottheonlythemesintheBible,butthesearethemostfundamental."  "Now,letslookatsomeofthesefundamentalthemesandseehowtheyarefound " throughouttheBible,frombeginningtoend. # *lnhod dxdd xhf(#(#l,rdd ,dd +  3fT% T%  3Ihavementionedseveralthemes;letmegiveexamplesofwhattheseauthorshavesaid %! concerningthesebasicthemes.Wewillbeginwithallmenaresinful. Hf3$&!f HIfollowacertainconventionwhenitcomestoquotingScripture:Iuseblue؁Ԁwhenquoting (j# anOldTestament%Ԁpassage;red`ԀforaNewTestamentԀpassage;andmagenta͂Ԁwhenan )P$  OldTestamentpassageisquotedelsewhereinScripture. WB$)6%!f ZP2W%  ManisFallen"ManisSinful"ManisSeparatedfromGod% bM3d"  ZP2 ZP(bAuthor/Time   Period U@+"ZP( ZP(UScripture Pt;0"  ZP( PUnknown/ 2  Unknown  n (before  Z 1440b.c.) At,! Ft ANowtheearthwascorruptinGod'ssight,andtheearthwasfilled 2   withviolence.AndGodsawtheearth,andbehold,itwascorrupt,for  h  allfleshhadcorruptedtheirwayontheearthԀ(Gen.6:11!12).This  N  passagetechnicallyreferstoacorruptionofmankind,notjust  4  throughsin,butbyanothermeans.However,theillustrationisapt,    asmanythingsintheOldTestamentillustrateessentialtruthsfound   elsewhereintheBible. At,! t AJob/ `  Unknown L  (before 8  1440b.c.) At,!$t ATherefore,Idespisemyself,andIhaverepentedondustandashes% `  (Job42:6). At,!F t ADavid/ T circa1000b.c. At,!@t AThefoolsaysinhisheart,"ThereisnoGod."Theyarecorrupt,doing T abominableiniquity;thereisnonewhodoesgood.Godlookeddown : fromHeavenonthesonsofmankind,toseeiftherewasany  p discerning,whowasseekingGod:Everyonehasturnedaside, V togethertheyarecorrupted,notoneisdoinggood,notevenone!_ < (Psalm53:1!3).Iwasbroughtforthininiquity,andinsindidmy " motherconceivemeAԀ(Psalm51:5).. At,!t ASolomon/ 2 circa950b.c. At,!n t AForthereisnotajustmanonearthwhodoesgoodanddoesnotsin 2! (Eccles.7:20). At,!h"t AIsaiah/ # 740!680b.c. At,!$t AAllwelikesheephavegoneastray;wehaveeachoneturnedtohis % ownway;andJehovahmademeetinHimtheiniquityofallofusŎ & (Isa.53:6). At,!j't APaul/  4( 56!58a.d. At,!! )t AForwehavechargedbothJewsandGreeksbefore,allwithbeing  4* undersin;accordingasithasbeenwritten,RԀ"Thereisnotarighteous !+ one,notevenone!""Thereisnotoneunderstanding;thereisnot ", oneseekingGod."Allturnedaway,theybecameworthlesstogether, #- notoneisdoinggoodness,notsomuchasone!"Ԁ(Rom.3:9b!12; |$. PaulisquotingPsalm13:1!3).Allhavesinnedandcomeshortof b% / thegloryofGodqԀ(Rom.3:23).1'%H&!0 t 1*h`d  drdd rdd nho(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3fD(#1D(# 3Therefore,sincewehavesinned,westandguiltybeforeGodandaresentencedto (#2 death: WB$)$3f 2W%  AllMenareCondemnedtoDeath%ڔ bM3d"  2 (bAuthor/Time  Period U@+"( (UScripture Pt;0"  ( PUnknown/ 2   Unknown  n (before  Z 1440b.c.) At,! Ft AAndJehovahGodcommandedtheman,saying,Eatingyoumayeat 2   ofeverytreeinthegarden;butoftheTreeoftheKnowledgeofGood  h  andEvilyoumaynoteat,forinthedaythatyoueatofit,indyingyou  N  willdieԀ(Gen.2:16!17). At,! 4 t AEzekiel/ v   593!570b.c. At,!b t AThesoulthatsins,itwilldieԀ(Ezek.18:4b). At,!v t APaul/ 2  56!58a.d. At,! t AGod'swrathisrevealedfromHeavenonallungodlinessand 2  unrighteousnessofmen,whoholdthetruthinunrighteousness.For   thewagesofsinisdeath,butthegiftofGodiseverlastinglifein   ChristJesusourLordԀ(Rom.1:186:23). At,! t AJohn/ ^ 95!96a.d. At,!Jt AAndIsawaGreatWhiteThrone,andtheOnesittingonit,from ^ whosefacetheearthandtheheavenfled;andaplacewasnotfound D forthem.AndIsawthedead,thesmallandthegreat,standing * beforeGod.Andbookswereopened.AndanotherBookwas  opened,whichistheBookofLife.Andthedeadwerejudgedoutof  thethingswritteninthebooks,accordingtotheirworks.Andthesea  gaveupthedeadinit.Anddeathandhellgaveupthedeadinthem. r Andtheywereeachjudgedaccordingtotheirworks.Anddeathand X hellwerethrownintotheLakeofFire.Thisistheseconddeath.And >  ifanyonewasnotfoundhavingbeenwrittenintheBookofLife,he $t! wasthrownintotheLakeofFireԀ(Rev.20:11!15).Thisisthefinal  Z" endforthosewhodonotbelieveinJesusChrist.1'%@#  t 1*phqd drdd rdd h`(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3f<$< 3NotonlydowestandguiltybeforeGod,butthereisnothingthatwecandoaboutitby P % wayofworks,moralityorgooddeeds. WB$6!&f 2W%  OurMorality,GoodDeedsandWorkswillnotSaveUs%  bM3"'"  2 (bAuthor/Time b$( Period U@+N% )"( (UScripture Pt;0b$*"  ( PUnknown/ &"+ Unknown ' #, (before (#- 1440b.c.) At,!)$.t AAndintheendofdays,ithappened,CainbroughttoJehovahan &"/ offeringofthefruitoftheground.However,Jehovahdidnothave '#0 respecttoCainandtohisoffering.AndCainglowedwithanger,and (#1 hisfacefellNԀ(Gen.4:3,5). At,!)$2t AJob/ 2 d Unknown  P (before  <  1440b.c.) At,! (t AWhatisman,thathecanbepure?Orhewhoisbornofawoman, 2 d thathecanberighteous?Ԁ(Job.15:14). At,! Jt AIsaiah/ v  740!680b.c. At,!bt AButweareallastheuncleanthing,andallourrighteousnessesare v   asamenstruationcloth.Andweallfadeasaleaf,andlikethewind \  ouriniquitiestakeusawayԀ(Isa.64:6). At,!Bt t AJesus/   30!33a.d. At,! t AThentheysaidtohim,"Whatmustwedo,tobedoingtheworksof  God?"Jesusansweredthem,"ThisistheworkofGod,thatyou  believeinhimwhomhehassent."Ԁ(John6:28!29). At,! t APaul/ 4  61!63a.d. At,! t AForbygraceyouaresavedthroughfaith,andthatnotofyourselves, 4  itisthegiftofGod,notofworks,sothatnooneshouldboastG   (Eph.2:8!9). At,! t AJohn/ Hz 95!96a.d. At,!4ft AThenIsawagreatwhitethroneandhimwhowasseatedonit.From Hz hispresenceearthandskyfledaway,andnoplacewasfoundfor .` them.AndIsawthedead,greatandsmall,standingbeforethe F throne,andbookswereopened.Thenanotherbookwasopened, , whichisthebookoflife.Andthedeadwerejudgedbywhatwas  writteninthebooks,accordingtowhattheyhaddone.Andthesea  gaveupthedeadwhowereinit,DeathandHadesgaveupthedead  whowereinthem,andtheywerejudged,eachoneofthem,  accordingtowhattheyhaddone.ThenDeathandHadeswere x  thrownintothelakeoffire.Thisistheseconddeath,thelakeoffire. ^! Andifanyone'snamewasnotfoundwritteninthebookoflife,he D v" wasthrownintothelakeoffire۬Ԁ(Rev.20:11!15).Maniscondemned *!\# totheLakeofFirebaseduponhisworks.1'%"B$  t 1*hd  drdd rdd phq(#(#,xdd +  /f&#X$&#X /Thisthemeinitselfisrevolutionary.Howmanytimeshaveyouheardthelie,ifyouare #% good,youwillgotoheavenandifyouarebad,youwillgotohell?Everyreligion r$& developedbymanoffersupsomesystemofworksbywhichyouplacateoringratiate Z%' God.TheBibleisjusttheopposite.TheBibleteachesthatthereisnosetofgood @&r( workswhichwillgainGodsfavor.1'%&'X) f 1*l_hcd dxdd xh(#(#l,rdd ,dd +  3f")T *")T  3ThecharacterofGod: WB$) +f @2W%  GodisHoly:GodisPerfectRighteousnessandAbsoluteJustice% bM3d"  @2 @(bAuthor/Time  Period U@+"@( @(UScripture Pt;0"  @( PAsaph/ 2   circa1000b.c. At,! nt AAndtheheavensshalldeclareHisrighteousness,forGodHimselfis 2  judgeԀ(Psalm50:6). At,! ht AIsaiah/    740!680b.c. At,!  t AForastheheavensarehighfromtheearth,soMywaysarehigh    fromyourways,andMythoughtsfromyourthoughtsݸԀ(Isa.55:9). At,!  t AEzra/  Z  circa450b.c. At,!F t AOJehovah,GodofIsrael,YouarerighteousGԀ(Ezra9:15). At,! Z t AJesus/ v  25!30a.d. At,!b t AButseekfirstthekingdomofGodandHisrighteousness,andall v  thesethingswillbeaddedtoyouVԀ(Matt.6:33). At,!\ t AJohn/ 2 95!96a.d. At,!t ALordGodAlmighty,Yourjudgmentsaretrueandrighteous 2 (Rev.16:7b).1'%  t 1*vh{d drdd rdd _hc(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3f   3TheMessiahtocome: WB$4f `2W%  GodwillRaiseupaMessiah/Savior/MediatortoMan% bM3"  `2 `(bAuthor/Time ` Period U@+L"`( `(UScripture Pt;0`"  `( PJob/  Unknown  (before   1440b.c.) At,!!t AForIknowthatmyRedeemerlives,andHeshallriseontheearthat " thelastԀ(Job9:25). At,!#t AMoses/  `$ circa1400b.c. At,! L%t AJehovahyourGodshallraiseuptoyouaprophetfromamongyou,  `& ofyourbrothers,onelikeme;youshalllistentoHim-Ԁ(Deut.18:15). At,! F't AIsaiah/ |"( 740!680b.c. At,!h#)t AForaChildisborn;tousaSonisgiven;andthegovernmentison |"* Hisshoulders;andHisnameiscalledWonderful,Counselor,The b#+ MightyGod,TheEverlastingFather,ThePrinceofPeaceԀ(Isa.9:6). At,!H$,t AMalachi/ %!- 450!425b.c. At,!&!.t AListen,IwillsendMymessenger,andHewillclearthewaybefore %!/ Me.AndJehovah,whomyouseek,shallsuddenlycometoHis &!0 Temple,eventheAngeloftheCovenant,inwhomyoudelight. '"1 Behold,Hecomes,saysJehovahofHostskԀ(Mal.3:1). At,!t(#2t AMatthew/ )>%3 45!60a.d. At,!**&4t AAndashethoughtuponthesethings,behold,theangeloftheLord )>%5 appearedtohiminadream,saying,Joseph,sonofDavid,donot *$&6 feartotaketoyouMaryasyourwife.Forthatinherisfatheredofthe + '7 HolySpirit.Andshewillbearason,andyouwillcallHisname ,'8 Jesus:forHewillsaveHispeoplefromtheirsinsnԀ(Matt.1:20!21).1'%-(9  t 1Ї*fhgd drdd rdd vh{(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3f 3JesusisthisMessiah: WB$df `2W%  JesusistheSavior/MediatorofMankind,theMessiahPromised% bM3"  `2 `(bAuthor/Time @ Period U@+, |"`( `(UScripture Pt;0@"  `( PDavid/   circa1000b.c. At,! t ASingtoYehowah,andpraiseԀ[or,celebrate]Hisname;everyday,   announce[thegoodnews]ofHisdeliveranceSԀ[or,proclaimHisJesus]    (Psalm96:2).Ihaveexegetedthisverse,wordbyword,inthe |   Hebrew,anditsays, ProclaimHisJesusintheHebrew. At,!b  t AIsaiah/ ,  740!680b.c. At,! t AForaChildisborn;tousaSonisgiven;andthegovernmentison ,  Hisshoulders;andHisnameiscalledWonderful,Counselor,The   MightyGod,TheEverlastingFather,ThePrinceofPeaceGԀ(Isa.9:6). At,! t ALuke/ "r  64!70a.d. ^ Jesus/ 6 25!30a.d. At,!"t AAndHecametoNazareth,whereHehadbeenbroughtup.And,as "r  Hiscustomwas,HewentintothesynagogueontheSabbathday X andstooduptoread.AndthebookoftheprophetIsaiahwas > handedtoHim.Andunrollingthebook,Hefoundtheplacewhereit $ waswritten[andHereadthesewords],R"TheSpiritoftheLordison   Me;becauseofthisHehasanointedMetoproclaimtheGospelto  thepoor.HehassentMetohealthebrokenhearted,toproclaim  deliverancetothecaptives,andnewsighttotheblind,tosetatliberty l thosehavingbeencrushed,toproclaimtheacceptableyearofthe R Lord."ԀAndrollingupthebook,returningittotheattendant,Hesat 8 down.AndtheeyesofallinthesynagoguewerefastenedonHim. n  AndHebegantosaytothem, TodaythisScriptureisfulfilledinyour T! ears.Ԁ(Luke4:16!21). At,!:"t APaul/ d# 56!58a.d. At,!P$t AChrist[Messiah]isGodoverall,andisblessedforeverԀ(Rom.9:5b). At,!d%t AUnknown/  & circa60a.d. At,!! 't ALongago,atmanytimesandinmanyways,Godspoketoourfathers  ( bytheprophets,butintheselastdaysHehasspokentousbyHis !) Son,whomHeappointedtheheirofallthings,throughwhomalsoHe "* createdtheworld.HeistheradianceofthegloryofGodandthe #+ exactimprintofhisnature,andHeupholdstheuniversebytheword h$, ofhispower.Aftermakingpurificationforsins,Hesatdownatthe N% - righthandoftheMajestyonhighԀ(Heb.3:1!3). At,!4&!.t APaul/ '"/ 63!67a.d. At,!(#0t AThereisoneGodandoneMediatorbetweenGodandmen,theMan '"1 ChristJesusԀ(1Tim.2:5).1'%(#2  t 1*eyfd  drdd rdd fhg(#(#,xdd +  ))%2)% )IshouldpointoutthatChristmeansMessiah;andeverytimeyousaythenameJesus *j%3 Christ,youareaffirmingthatJesusistheMessiah.'+R&4  '  ,j'4 *lmhsd dxdd xeyf(#(#l,rdd ,dd +  3f 3 ThecharacterofJesus: WB$df `2W%  Jesus,theMessiah,isHoly;HeisRighteousnessandJust% bM3"  `2 `(bAuthor/Time @ Period U@+, |"`( `(UScripture Pt;0@"  `( PIsaiah/   740!680b.c. At,! t AForaChildisborn;tousaSonisgiven;andthegovernmentison   Hisshoulders;andHisnameiscalledWonderful,Counselor,The    MightyGod,TheEverlastingFather,ThePrinceofPeaceԀ(Isa.9:6). At,!x  t AJeremiah/  B  626!580b.c. At,!. t AThisisHisnamebywhichHeshallbecalled,Jehovahour  B  RighteousnessԀ(Jer.23:6b). At,!( t APontiusPilate/ ^  28!33a.d. At,!J t ASoPilatesaidtothechiefpriestsandthecrowd,Ifindnofaultinthis ^  manԀ(Luke23:4). At,!D t AJohn/  circa90a.d. At,!t AInthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andthe  WordwasGod.AndtheWordbecamefleshandlivedamongus.  AndwebeheldHisglory,gloryasofanonlybegottenfromthe  Father,fullofgraceandoftruthԀ(John1:1,14). At,!|t APeter/ F 55!64a.d. At,!2t AJesuscommittednosin,neitherwasdeceitfoundinhismouth F (1Peter2:22).1'%,  t 1*jhkd drdd rdd mhs(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3f44 3ThebasisofoursalvationisChristsdeathonthecross;byHisdeath,wearesaved. H HisdeathforoursinswasrevealedinmanywaysintheOldTestament. WB$.~f 2W%   JesusDiedontheCrossforourSins%  bM3 "  2 (bAuthor/Time Z! Period U@+F""( (UScripture Pt;0Z#"  ( PUnknown  $ Unknown !% (before "& 1440b.c.) At,!#'t AGodclothesAdamandthewomaninanimalskins,whichindicates  ( thatananimalwassacrificedinordertocoverthem.IntheOld !) Testament,sinceJesushadnotyetcome,theirsinsaresaidtobe "* coveredratherthanforgiven.Gen.3:21. At,!x#+t AUnknown  %Z , (before %F!- 1440b.c.) At,!&2".t AGodasksAbrahamtosacrificehissonwhomheloves(Isaac).Itis  %Z / possiblethatAbrahameventookhissontomountainofGolgothato %@!0 offerhimup(GolgothaiswhereourLordwassacrificed,anditwould &&"1 havebeena3dayjourneyforAbraham).Themomentbefore ' #2 Abrahamistocutthethroatofhisson,Godprovidesa (#3 substitutionarysacrifice.ThisallrepresentsGodgivingHisSonon )$4 ourbehalf,tobearoursinsasasubstituteforus.Gen.22. At,!n*%5t ADavid/ 2 d circa1000b.c. At,! Pt APsalm22providesusmoredetailsaboutthecrucifixionofourLord 2 d thandoanyofthegospels.nMyGod,MyGod,whyhaveYou  J forsakenMe?WhyareYousofarfromsavingMe,fromthewords  0  ofMygroaning?ButIamawormandnotaman,scornedby   mankindanddespisedbythepeople.AllwhoseeMemockMe;they   makemouthsatMe;theywagtheirheads;"HetrustsintheLORD;   letHimdeliverHim;letHimrescueHim,forHedelightsinHim!"   ManybullsencompassMe;strongbullsofBashansurroundMe;they |  openwidetheirmouthsatMe,likearaveningandroaringlion.Iam b  pouredoutlikewater,andallMybonesareoutofjoint;Myheartis Hz  likewax;itismeltedwithinmybreast;Mystrengthisdrieduplikea .`  potsherd,andMytonguestickstomyjaws;Youlaymeinthedustof F  death.FordogsencompassMe;acompanyofevildoersencircles ,  Me;theyhavepiercedMyhandsandfeetIcancountallMybones   theystareandgloatoverMe;theydivideMygarmentsamongthem,   andforMyclothingtheycastlotsLԀ(Psalm22:1,6!8,12!18). At,! t AIsaiah/ &X 740!680b.c. At,!Dt A"Comenow,letusreasontogether,saystheLORD; thoughyour &X sinsarelikescarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyare  > redlikecrimson,theyshallbecomelikewool.SurelyHehasborne $ ourgriefsandcarriedoursorrows;yetweesteemedHimstricken,   smittenbyGod,andafflicted.ButHewaswoundedforour  transgressions;Hewascrushedforouriniquities;uponHimwasthe  chastisementthatbroughtuspeace,andwithHisstripesweare  healed.Allwelikesheephavegoneastray;wehaveturnedevery p onetohisownway;andtheLORDhaslaidonHimtheiniquityofus V all.MyServant,willjustifymany,andHewillbeartheiriniquities  < n (Isa.1:1853:4!6,11b). At,!"!Tt AZechariah/ "  520!518b.c. At,!#!t A"AndIwillpouroutonthehouseofDavidandtheinhabitantsof "" Jerusalemaspiritofgraceandpleasformercy,sothat,whenthey ## lookonMe,onHimWhomtheyhavepierced,theyshallmournfor h$$ Him,asonemournsforanonlychild,andweepbitterlyoverHim,as N%% oneweepsoverafirstborn.rԀ(Zech.12:10). At,!4&f&t AMatthew/ 2 d 45!60a.d.  P Jesus/  ( 25!30a.d. At,! t AJesusmadeitcleartoPeterthatthecrucifixionwasabsolutely 2 d necessary.FromthattimeJesusbegantoshowHisdisciplesthat  J HemustgotoJerusalemandsuffermanythingsfromtheeldersand  0 chiefpriestsandscribes,andbekilled,andonthethirddaybe    raised.AndPetertookHimasideandbegantorebukeHim,saying,    "Farbeitfromyou,Lord!Thisshallneverhappentoyou."ButHe    turnedandsaidtoPeter,"GetbehindMe,Satan!Youarea    hindrancetoMe.Foryouarenotsettingyourmindonthethingsof |  God,butonthethingsofman."Ԁ(Matt.16:21!23). At,!bt APeter/   55!64a.d. At,! t AHepersonallyboreoursinsinHis[own]bodyonthetree[asonan   altarandofferedHimselfonit],thatwemightdie(ceasetoexist)to   sinandlivetorighteousness.ԀByHiswoundsyouhavebeenhealed   (1Peter2:24;paraphrasingIsa.53:5). At,! t APaul/ :  65!70a.d. At,!&t AWearewaitingforourblessedhope,theappearingofthegloryofour :  greatGodandSaviorJesusChrist,whogavehimselfforusto   redeemusfromalllawlessnessandtopurifyforhimselfapeoplefor  hisownpossessionwhoarezealousforgoodworksԀ(Titus2:13!14).1'% t 1*fd  drdd rdd jhk(#(#,xdd +  ) )ThemostimportantaspectofoursalvationisconfirmedbyJesusbeingbroughtback L fromthedead,toliveevermoretomakeintercessiononourbehalf.Thistellsusthat 2 GodtheFatheracceptedtheworkofJesus,HisSon,asefficaciousintheforgiveness  ofoursins.'  '*lhd dxdd xf(#(#l,rdd ,dd +  B- `2B%   JesusRisesfromtheDeadandSitsattheRightHandofthe Fx  Father%  bM3d !"  `2 `(bAuthor/Time "H" Period U@+#4#"`( `(UScripture Pt;0"H$"  `( PJob/ $% Unknown n%& (before Z&' 1440b.c.) At,!F'x(t AForIknowthatmyRedeemerlives,andatthelastHewillstandupon $) theearth.Andaftermyskinhasbeenthusdestroyed,yetinmyflesh h%* IshallseeGod4 Ԁ(Job19:25!26).Thefactthatwewillberesurrected N&+ isadoctrineoftheOldTestament.AswefindoutintheNew 4'f, Testament,ourLordsresurrectionisthebasisforourresurrection. At,!(L-t AUnknown P d (David?)/ < P circa1050b.c. At,!( <t AWhenthewomansawSamuel,shescreamed,andthensheasked P d Saul,"Whydidyoudeceiveme?YouareSaul!"Butthekingsaidto 6 J her,"Don'tbeafraid.Whatdoyousee?""Iseeaspiritformcoming  0 upoutoftheearth,"thewomananswered Ԁ(1Sam.28:12!13).   Samuelwasraisedfromthedeadtemporarily,notforthebenefitof    Saul,buttodrawfurtherparallelsbetweenSamuelandJesusto   come. At,! t ADavid/ .B  circa1000b.c. At,!. t AYouwillnotabandonmysoultoSheol,orletyourHolyOnesee .B  corruptionԀ(Psalm16:10).TheLORDdeclaredtomyLord:"SitatMy ( righthanduntilImakeYourenemiesYourfootstool."^Ԁ(Psalm110:1). At,! t AIsaiah/ t  740!680b.c. At,!`t t AYourdeadwilllive;theirbodieswillrise.Awakeandsing,youwho t  dwellinthedust!Foryouwillbecoveredwiththemorningdew,and Zn  theearthwillbringforththedepartedspiritsԀ(Isa.26:19). At,!@T t AJesus/   30!33a.d. At,!t AJesusansweredthem,"Destroythistemple,andinthreedaysIwill   raiseitup."(HewasspeakingaboutthetempleofHisbody)~  (John2:19,21). At,!t AJohnMark/  writingin  60!70a.d.of  whatheheard  fromPeter At,!t AWhentheSabbathwasover,MaryMagdalene,Marythemotherof  James,andSalomeboughtspices,sotheycouldgoandanointHim.   Veryearlyinthemorning,onthefirstdayoftheweek,theywentto ! thetombatsunrise.Theyweresayingtooneanother,"Whowillroll " awaythestonefromtheentrancetothetombforus?"Lookingup, # theyobservedthatthestonewhichwasverylargehadbeenrolled ~$ away.Whentheyenteredthetomb,theysawayoungmandressed d x% inalongwhiterobesittingontherightside;theywereamazedand J!^& alarmed."Don'tbealarmed,"hetoldthem."Youarelookingfor 0"D' JesustheNazarene,whowascrucified.Hehasbeenresurrected!He #*( isnothere!SeetheplacewheretheyputHimuԀ(Mark16:1!6). At,!#)t APaul/ P d 55!56a.d. At,!< Pt ANowIwouldremindyou,brothers,ofthegospelIpreachedtoyou, P d whichyoureceived,inwhichyoustand,andbywhichyouarebeing 6 J saved,ifyouholdfasttothewordIpreachedtoyou--unlessyou  0 believedinvain.ForIdeliveredtoyouasoffirstimportancewhatI   alsoreceived:thatChristdiedforoursinsinaccordancewiththe   Scriptures,thathewasburied,thathewasraisedonthethirddayin  accordancewiththeScriptures,andthatheappearedto_Cephas_,   thentothetwelve.Thenheappearedtomorethanfivehundred   brothersatonetime,mostofwhomarestillalive,thoughsomehave   fallenasleep.NowifChristisproclaimedasraisedfromthedead, fz   howcansomeofyousaythatthereisnoresurrectionofthedead? L`  Butifthereisnoresurrectionofthedead,thennotevenChristhas 2F  beenraised.AndifChristhasnotbeenraised,thenourpreaching ,  isinvainandyourfaithisinvainԀ(1Cor.15:1!6,12!14). At,! t AUnknown/ x  circa60a.d. At,!dxt ATheformerpriestsweremanyinnumber,becausetheywere x  preventedbydeathfromcontinuinginoffice,butHe[Jesus]holdsHis ^r priesthoodpermanently,becauseHecontinuesforever. DX Consequently,Heisabletosavetotheuttermostthosewhodraw *> neartoGodthroughHim,sinceHealwayslivestomakeintercession $ forthem Ԁ(Heb.7:23!25). At,! t AJohn/ p 90!96a.d. At,!\pt AWhenIsawHim[JesusChrist],IfellatHisfeetasthoughdead.But p HelaidHisrighthandonme,saying,"Fearnot,IamtheFirstandthe Vj Last,andtheLivingOne.Idied,andbeholdIamaliveforevermore, <P andIhavethekeysofDeathandHadesJ#Ԁ(Rev.1:17!18).1'%" 6 t 1*Xhdd  drdd rdd h(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3f"2"2 3Howarewesaved? WB$" f 2W%  GodWillForgiveUs;SalvationisbyFaithinChristJesus%F& bM3#!"  2 (bAuthor/Time %" Period U@+&#"( (UScripture Pt;0%$"  ( PUnknown (.% Unknown )& (before ) ' 1440b.c.) At,!* (t AAndAbrahambelievedtheLORD,andHe[God]countedittohim (.) [creditedthisfaithtohisaccount]asrighteousnessz(Ԁ(Gen.15:6). At,!)*t AIsaiah/ 2 d 740!680b.c. At,! Pt A"Comenow,letusreasontogether,saystheLORD; thoughyour 2 d sinsarelikescarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyare  J  redlikecrimson,theyshallbecomelikewool.MyServant,willjustify  0 formany,andHewillbeartheiriniquities)Ԁ(Isa.1:1853:11b). At,! t AEzekiel/ ^  593!570b.c. At,!J|t AThenIwillsprinklecleanwatersonyou,andyoushallbeclean.Iwill ^   cleanseyoufromallyourdefilementandfromallyouridols.AndI Dv  willalsogiveyouanewheart,andIwillputanewspiritwithinyou. *\  AndIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgive B  toyouaheartofflesh.AndIwillputMySpiritwithinyouandcause (  youtowalkinMystatutes,andyoushallkeepMyjudgmentsanddo   them+,Ԁ(Ezek.36:25!27).Althoughthispassagespecificallyrefersto   Israel,thisisapplicabletomankindingeneral. At,! t AJesus/ "T  30!33a.d. At,!@ t A"ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlySon,thatwhoever "T  believesinhimshouldnotperishbuthaveeternallife.Whoever :  believesinhimisnotcondemned,butwhoeverdoesnotbelieveis   condemnedalready,becausehehasnotbelievedinthenameofthe  onlySonofGod./Ԁ(John3:16,18,36). At,!t APaul/ 4f 56!58a.d. At,! Rt AForwhatdoestheScripturesay? 2Ԁ"AbrahambelievedGod,anditwas 4f countedtohimasrighteousness."P2ԀNowtotheonewhoworks,his L wagesarenotcountedasagiftbutashisdue.Andtotheonewho 2 doesnotworkbutbelievesinhimwhojustifiestheungodly,hisfaith  iscountedasrighteousness,justasDavidalsospeaksofthe  blessingoftheonetowhomGodcountsrighteousnessapartfrom  works:2Ԁ"Blessedarethosewhoselawlessdeedsareforgiven,and   whosesinsarecovered;blessedisthemanagainstwhomtheLord ~ ! willnotcounthissin."4Ԁ(Rom.4:3!8;PaulquotesfromGen.15:6and d!" Psalm32:1!2). At,!J"|#t APaul/ #$ 65!70a.d. At,!$%t A[Godsloveandgracecometous]notbyworksofrighteousness #& whichwehavedone,butaccordingtoHismercyHesavedus, $' throughthewashingofregenerationandrenewaloftheHolySpirith6 %( (Titus3:5). At,!v&)t AJohn/ '"* circa90a.d. At,!( +t AWhoeverbelievesintheSonhaseternallife;whoeverdoesnotobey '", theSonshallnotseelife,butthewrathofGodremainsonhimH8 ( - (John3:36).1'%) . t 1*ahbd  drdd rdd Xhd(#(#,xdd +  /f*".*" /ThisisthemostimportantthemeoftheBible;theoneswhichcomebeforeessentially 6+h"/ setusupforthis.1'%,N#0 f 1 2-d$0 TheBiblehasmanythemes,buttheseIbelievetobethemostcentral.Thesethemes  stretchallthewaybacktoGenesisandthebookofJob,whichareprobablythefirsttwo  bookswritten.Conservativesplacethewritingofthesebookstobearound1400b.c., | takenfromtheoraltraditions.SkepticswhoareantagonistictoChristianityplacethema b fewhundredyearslater.Ibelievethattheywerewrittenpriorto2000b.c.(atleastthe H majorityofGenesis).Inanycase,wehaveaseriesofthemesnotfoundanywhereinany . ~ othersetofreligiousbooks.Wehaveasurprisingcontinuityofthemes,whichisnotfound  d outsideoftheWordofGod.AsIsuggestedbefore,ifyoucouldhandpickthereligious  J writingsofmenoverthepast1000years,youwouldendupwithananthology,nota  0 completeandcohesivework,withthematicelementsfoundthroughout,butnotfound    outsideofChristianity.Itisimportanttorecognizethat,mostoftheessentialthemesof    ScripturearenotfoundanywhereelsebutintheBible(andliteraturewhichdiscussesthe   Bible). x  Ihopethatthesetwolessonsallowedyoutoappreciatetheunityandthecontinuityof D  Biblicaltheology.This,initself,suggestsdivineinvolvement. *z  A@ ZPdF A % x IntroductoryLesson4%x:A:TheBible:(#TheOldTestament  g @!!qq! @@TheBibleisdividedintotwoparts:theOldTestamentandtheNewTestament.Wemay  thinkoftheseastheOldandNewCovenantsortheOldandNewContracts(betweenGod  andman).TheseportionsofScripturecannotstandalone"muchofwhatisforetoldinthe v OldTestamentisfulfilledintheNewTestament.TheOldTestamentalonetellsofa \ Messiahtocome,theNewTestamentisabouttheMessiah.TheOldTestamenttells B aboutthecontinualanimalsacrificeswhichareofferedforsin"animalswithoutspotand (x withoutblemish.IntheNewTestament,wehavetheLambwithoutspotorblemish"Jesus ^ Christ"beingsacrificedonourbehalf.TheOldTestamentmerelycoversoversins;inthe D NewTestament,sinsareforgiven.IntheOldTestament,agreatKingdomispromisedto * theJews;intheNewTestament,JesusoffersthisKingdomtotheJews.  TheOldTestamentwaswrittenbydozensofauthorsoveraperiodofatleasta1000years   (and,inmyopinion,overaperiodof2000!3000years).MostbelievethetextoftheOld r! Testamenttobewrittensomewherebetweentheyearsof1440and400b.c.Ithinkthat X"  portionsoftheBible(GenesisandJob)gobackmuchfurtherthanthis,toasfarbackas >#! 3000b.c.orbefore. $$t" MostbelievethatMoseswroteatleast4ofthefirst5booksoftheBible;thatJobwrote %@!$ Job,theIsaiahwroteIsaiah,etc.Wehavemenfromincrediblydifferentbackgroundsall &&"% contributingtotheOldTestament.Someoftheseauthorswere: ' #& *lhd dxdd xahb(#(#l,edd ,dd +  3f)$()$ 3TheauthorsoftheBiblewereverydifferentfromoneanother. WB$)<%)f fdW_%  SomeoftheAuthorsoftheBible%J eP3d"  fd fdeScripture XC+"fd fdXText/Commentary Pt;0"  fd P Moses At,!Ft AMoseswasacrownprinceofEgypt,eventhoughheisbornaJew.He F leavesEgyptafterkillingamanandbecomesanomadfor40years.He , | thenreturnstoEgypttoleadhispeople(theJews)totheLandofPromise  b (thelandofCanaan,whichJewswouldbecomethenationIsrael). At,! Ht AJoshua At,!r  t AJoshuawasageneralofthefirstarmyofIsrael,wholeadstheJewsinto r   thelandofCanaantoconquerit. At,!X  t ASamuel "   l At,! t ASamuelwasapriestfromoutsideofthefamilyofLevi(whichisunique), "  andaprophet(onewhospeakstheWordofGod)whohelpsIsraelchoose   herfirstking. At,! t ADavid At,!h t ADavidwasashepherdboywhobecomesthekingoverallIsrael,whois h  saidtobeamanafterGodsownheart.Davidwasashepherdboy,an N accomplishedmusician,awarriorandaking. At,!4t ASolomon At,!^t ASolomonwasthethirdkingofIsraelwhowasageniusinmanyfields,from ^ architecturetotheartofchasingofwomen.Solomonledaveryflawed D existenceformuchofhislife,andalsowroteseveralbooksoftheOld *z Testament(someofthese,likeProverbs,werebaseduponhisbeing ` taughtBibledoctrinebyhisfather,David). At,!Ft AJob At,!pt AJobwasoneoftherichestpeopleintheworldinhistime,wholost p everything,includinghishealth,atthehandsofSatan. At,!Vt AEsther At,! t AEstherwasaJewishwomanwho,whenexiledwiththerestoftheJews,   becamethequeenofthePersianempire. At,! t AHosea At,!0!t AHoseawasamancompletelyandfullyinlovewithhiswife,whichwife 0" continuedthroughoutmuchoftheiryoungerlives,tobeunfaithfultohim(as  f# thenationofJewswereunfaithfultotheirGod). At,! L$t AAmos At,!v"%t AAmoswasashepherdandkeeperofafigorchard. At,!v"&t AMicah At,!#F't AMicahwasprobablyapeasantfarmer.1'%#F( t 1*hd  dedd edd h(#(#,xdd +  /f%b (%b  /TheseareonlysomeoftheauthorsoftheOldTestament,andtheyaredifferentasnight v% ) andday;theirwritingstylesaredifferent,thetopicswhichtheycoveraredifferent,but \&!* everyoneofthem,insomewayoranother,speaksofthebasicthemesofScripture: B'"+ fallenman,arighteousGod,andJesus,theMediatorbetweenGodandman. Af,!((x#,f AIfyouexamineanyreligionorcultwithaspecificsetofholywritings,thereisusuallyone )$- personwhowritestheinspiredword;andwhoisalsotheoriginalleader:Mohammed *%. andIslam;MaryBakerPattersonGloverEddyandChristianScience;JosephSmithand n+&/ Mormonism.1'%T,'0  f 1 j-(0 ЇThereare2thingsinthisareawhichdifferentiatetheOldTestamentfromallotherreligious  writings.Formostifnotallreligionsorcults,thereisoneprinciplecharismaticfounderwho | bothfounds,promotesandwritesthedoctrinesoftheirreligion.MohammedfoundsIslam; b BuddhafoundsBuddhism;Mormonism,aslightexceptiontothisrule,hasessentially2 H founders.Secondly,areligionorcultappearstocomefullydevelopedonthescenewithin . ~ onegeneration.Thereligionmayormaynotcontinuetogrowafterthedeathofits  d charismaticleader,butitisgenerallyafullblownmovementbeforeitsfounderhasdied.  J ThisisnotthecaseoftheOldTestament.Dozensofauthorswrotethesebooksoverat  0 leastaperiodofa1000years,andyetthereisthismarvelouscohesivenessfromthe    beginningtotheend.ThemovementofOldTestamentbelieversinJehovah(Yehowah)    ElohimseemstocomeandgothroughouttheOldTestament;sometimes,thepeopleshow   greatfaithandsometimestheyaregreatfailures.However,theredoesnotappeartobe x  abeginningforOldTestamentfaithinJehovahElohim,unlessyougoallthewaybackto ^  thefirstmanandwoman.TherearecharismaticleadersintheOldTestament(principally D  Moses,David,IsaiahandJeremiah),buttheyneitherfoundJehovahworshipnoris *z  Jehovahworshipcompletelydependentonanyofthesemen. ` EachtimeanewcharismaticleaderintheBiblecomesonthescene,hedoesnotgivethe , worshipofJehovahElohimhisownpersonalspin.TheGodandthedoctrinesoftheOld  Testamentremainquiteconstant,whethertaughtbyMoses,Joshua,Samuel,David,  Isaiah,orJeremiah.However,theirpersonalitiesarequitedifferent,andtheauthorityof  theirleadershippositionsisquitedifferent.Yet,theyallspoketheWordofGod. t Christiancults,ontheotherhand,generallybeginwithinonegeneration,andarefounded @ byaverycharismaticleaderwhosetsdownalloftheirpeculiardoctrinesallatonce.The &v endresultisaformofChristianity"acult,infact"whereaparticularspinisputupon  \ Christiandoctrine,whichspininvolvestwothings:(1)anindulgenceoftheproclivitiesof B thefounder,whoisoftenverycharismatic;and(2)asetofworksbywhichtogainGods ( favor.  ThepeopleofIsraeloftenstrayedfromtheworshipofJehovahElohim;however,they   neversplinteredintoavarietyofdenominations"thosewhofollowedthepreceptsof p!  MosesversusthosewhofollowtheteachingsofIsaiah.WhenthepeopleofIsraelstrayed V"! fromtheworshipofJehovah,itwouldbetotheworshipofsomesetofgodsfromanearby <#" nation.GodwoulddisciplinethemandbringthembacktoHimself(aswefindoverand "$r# overagaininthebookoftheJudges). %X $ Ifdozensofauthorsoveraperiodof1000ormoreyearswereenjoinedtoputdowntheir &$"& religiousthoughts,theendresultwouldbeareligiousanthology.Eveniftheseauthors ' #' werespecificallyrequiredtocoverafixedsetoftopicswithintheirwritings,theresultwould (#( stillbeareligiousanthologywithtremendousdisagreementsbetweenauthors.And,if )$) theseauthorswereallowedtoreadwhatothershadalreadywritten,theirmostnatural l*%* inclinationwouldbetosay, Well,CharlieBrownsaysthis,butIdontfindhisopiniontobe R+&+ credible.HereswhatIthink...Theendresultwouldbeapotpourriofreligiousideasand 8,', themesanddiffering,ifnotcontentious,opinions.Wewouldnotexpecttheretobea -n(- consistentwitnessoraconsistentsetofviewpointsofferedonthemostdisagreedupon  subjectintheworld,religion.  Thereisonemorethingwhichwewouldfind"somewriterswouldnotbeauthoritative. b WhenIcompletelyexegeteapassage,Isometimesgiveseveralopinionsastothe H meaningofthepassage;andwhenIcomparecertaintextswhicharedifferent,thereare . ~ timeswhenIdonotfeelqualifiedtomakeacallonwhichtextisaccurate.Thereisone  d constantamongthesewritersoftheOldTestament(andoftheNew):theyareabsolutely  J authoritativeabouttheWordofGodwhichtheyspeaktothepeople.Pleaseunderstand  0 mypointhere:Iamnotsayingthat,becauseapersonspeakswithauthority,thattheyare    goodorbadteachers,orthatiswhendifferentiatesamanofGodfromsomeoneelse.I    amsayingthat,thewritersofScriptureallspokewithauthority,andyettheyareunifiedin   whattheyhavetosay.Again,ifyougatheredupthewritingsofafewdozenmenoverthe x  periodofathousandyears,somewouldbeauthoritativeandsomewouldnot. ^  Muchofwhatthesemenconsistentlytaughtisseenascounterintuitivetomostreligious *z  andsecularthought.ThatGodwouldforgiveHispeopleagainandagainandagain"there ` isapointatwhichevensomecontemporaryChristiansthinkpeoplecrossthelinetoa F placewheretheycannotbeforgivenbyGod.TherearemurderersintheOldTestament , whoreceiveforgivenessfromGod;therearemenwhohavespectacularfailuresintheir  lives(DavidandSolomon);yetmostofusrecallthatDavidisamanafterGodsownheart  andwerecallSolomonsgreatwisdom.  TheideathatmanoughttobringaperfectlambwithhimtotheTabernacleandallowthe Z priesttoslitthelambsthroatisanoddreligiouspractice(itwasmorecommonduring @ ancienttimes,butitcametoahaltaboutthetimethatJesusdiedforoursinsonthe &v cross).  \ ThatmanhasasinnatureandthatitishisnaturetosinagainstGodisanodddoctrine. ( ManyChristianchurchestoday[incorrectly]teachthatbelieverscanreachsome  unspecifiedstateofgodlinessandthatthosewhodont,canlosetheirsalvation.Many  secularteachersseemanastheultimatepoweronthisearth,abletodoanything;powerful   enoughtoevenchangetheweatherofplanetearthandtoraiseorlowertheoceans. p!  ThemostcounterintuitivepropositionfoundintheBibleisthatAbrahamcouldmerely <#" believeJehovahandthiswascreditedtohimasrighteousness(Gen.15:6).Islam,asone "$r# example,requirestheirfollowerstopray5timesaday;Mormonismhasamissionary %X $ requirementofitsfollowers;BuddhismhasrequirementsofthosewhofollowBuddha"and %>!% yet,AbrahamdoesnothingmorethanbelieveGod,andthatcountsasrighteousnessto &$"& God. ' #' TheOldTestament,bookafterbook,offersupJehovahElohimasaperfect )$) God"righteousandjust;andmanisseenconsistentlyasfallenandcontinuallysinning l*%* againstGod;andthatsalvationcomesbyfaithinJehovahElohim.TheOldTestament R+&+ alsocontainsthepromiseoftheMessiahtocome,tobecalledGodwithus.Thebookof 8,', DanielevenprovidesatimelinespecificallytellinguswhenMessiahwouldcome.  -p(- ЇIntheprevioustwolessons,IcoveredthemostfundamentalteachingsoftheBible,and  howthesedoctrinesremainconsistentfromtheverybeginningtotheveryendoftheBible.  WhatisbegunintheOldTestamentwasfulfilledintheNew. | Ishouldpointoutthattherearedisagreementsontheauthorshipofthevariousbooksof H theOldTestament.IpersonallybelievethatthebookofGenesiswastheworkofmany . ~ men,andthatthetextwaspassedalongeitherorallyorinwrittenform(orboth).Moses  d mayhaveeditedthisbook,butIdontbelievethatheistheactualauthorofGenesis(and  J nowhereintheBibleishesaidtobetheauthorofGenesis).Thereisoneopinion,held  0 bymanyscholars,thatagroupofpeoplewrotethebooksofMoses,andthenthese    differentwritingswereintegratedandeditedtogetherbysomeonemanyyearslater.    Personally,Ibelievethistobeaveryfaultytheory,butIwillnotgointothatinthisstudy.   However,whatallscholarsagreeis,theOldTestamentwaswrittenoveralengthyperiod ^  oftimebyavarietyofauthors,andthatitwasclearlycompletedhundredsofyearsbefore D  theNewTestament.YoumayhaveheardofthediscoveryoftheDeadSeaScrolls. *z  Theseareveryancientmanuscriptsonlyrecentlydiscoveredthispastcenturywhichdate ` backtoapproximately100yearsbeforeChrist.Thesemanuscriptsconfirmtheaccuracy F ofthetextoftheOldTestamentwhichwehavetoday.Infact,therearefewerdifferences , betweenthoseancientmanuscriptsandotherswhichwehavefrom1000yearslaterthan  therearebetweenolderandnewerShakespearmanuscripts,whichwereproducedafter  theprintingpresswasinvented.  AnotherreasonthatweknowthattheOldTestamentwaswrittenwellinadvanceofthe \ Newis,thiswastranslatedfromHebrewtoGreeksomewherebetweentheyears300and B 100b.c.ThisiscalledtheSeptuagint,anditwastheBibleusedbytheApostlesandthe (x earlychurch. ^ Therearethosewhothinkthatsomeoneorsomeorganization(liketheCatholicChurch) * somehowchangedgreatportionsoftheBibleinordertoreflecttheirparticulartheology.  Thisisimpossible.WehaveseveraldivergentgroupswhichpreservedthetextoftheOld  Testament.ThereweretheMasoriteJews,whowerecarefulinmakingcopiesoftheOld   Testament"theirlifeswork"andkneweventhenumberoflettersineachbookofthe r!  Bible.TherewereatleasttwodifferentcitieswheretheseMasoreteslivedanddidtheir X"! work.ThereweretheearlyChristians,originallypersecutedbytheJewsandtheRomans, >#" whopreservedtheOldandNewTestaments,primarilyusingtheGreektextoftheOld $$t# Testament(whichtranslationwasmadeabout200b.c.).TheCatholicChurchpreserved  %Z $ theLatintext,and,inthestudieswhichIhavedone,JeromestranslationoftheOld %@!% TestamentintoLatin,isanextremelyaccurateancienttranslationoftheOldTestament. &&"& TherewereseveralothergroupswhopreservedcopiesoftheOldTestament.Therewere ' #' ancientlibrarieswhichhadtheOldTestamentbooks(liketheDeadSeaScrolls,which (#( wereinthelibraryofareligiousgroup).Someofthesegroupswereantagonistictoward )$) oneanother;butmostly,therewaslittleinteractionbetweenthesevariousgroups.Itwould n*%* havebeenjustasdifficultinthepasttomakewholesalechangestothetextoftheOld T+&+  Testamentasitwouldtomakesuchchangestoday.ToomanypeoplehaveBibles,so :,', changingthetexttoreflectthisorthattheologicalviewpointisimpossibletodayandwould  havebeenimpossibleinancienttimesaswellforessentiallythesamereasons.   Mypointis,withreferencetotheOldTestament,therewasnolargeorganizationwhich b oversawandpreservedthecanonoftheOldTestament.Therewereasmanyas10 H completelyseparateorganizationswhooversawandpreservedthecanonoftheOld . ~ Testament;aswellashundredsoflibrariespossessingallorportionsoftheOldTestament  d text(theDeadSeaScrollsbeingoneoftheselibraries).Therefore,thereisnowaythat  J somegroupatsomepointintimehadasetofreligiousideaswhichtheyimposedonthe  0 BiblebychangingthetextoftheOldTestament.    And,sothereisnoconfusion,wehaveanumberofHebrewmanuscripts(Hebrewisthe   originallanguageoftheOldTestament,alongwithAramaicinacoupleofbooks).Today, x  intheageoftheinternet,anyonewhowantstoviewtheancientHebrewtextoftheOld ^  Testamentmaydoso.OtherancienttranslationsoftheOldTestamentarealsoavailable D  online,aswellasinbookform(onecanfindtheGreekortheLatintextoftheOld *z  Testamentonlinequiteeasily,aswellastranslationsofthistext). ` IpersonallystudywholebooksoftheOldTestamentwordbyword,andcomparethe , Masoretictextwiththemostancienttranslations.Now,therearedifferences,butthese  differencestendtobequitetrivial(forinstance,theLatinaddsanandwheretherewas  nonepreviously).IntheentirebookofSamuel,whosetextisknowntobetheleast  accurateintheOldTestament,Ihavefoundnotevenahandfulofdifferencesbetweenthe v ancientmanuscriptswhichhaveanyrealaffectontheactualmeaningofaverse.The \ moststrikingthatIhavecomeacrossis,KingSaulcallsfortheArkofGodtobebrought B tohim,butsomeancienttranslationsreadtheEphodofGodinstead.Thatisareal *z difference.ThewordsarequitesimilarintheHebrewtext,whichexplainshowtheywere b possiblyconfounded.Furthermore,weareabletoreasonablydeducethatthecorrecttext H istheEphodofGod,asthatwouldhavebeenmoreapropostothenarrative.That . exampleisthemostdramatictextualdifferenceinallof1Samuel,eventhoughKingSaul  neveractuallyusedtheEphodofGodinthepassage.Therearemanyothertextual  differences,tobesure,butnoneofthesedifferenceshaveanyaffectonanymajoror   minordoctrine. x!  Mypointinallofthisis,weknowwithgreatcertaintywhat96!99%oftheOldTestament D#" textis.Wequitefranklyhavefarmoredifficultytranslatingcertainwordsandphrasesand *$z# fullyapprehendingtheirmeaningthanwedowiththeactualaccuracyofthetextitself. %` $ TheOldTestamentwhichwehavetodayisbasedupondozensofmanuscriptscoming &,"& fromdifferentcontinents,andspreadoutoveratleasta1400yeartimeperiod(thatisa '#' conservativeestimate;IpersonallybelievethatthewritingoftheOldTestamentactually (#( occurredovera3000yeartimeperiod).AsIhavementioned,therearesometextual )$) problems,butfarfewerthanwefindinShakespearswritings.Wedonotfindany t*%* evidenceof,forinstance,ofthisorthatgroupappropriatingtheOldTestamentandmaking Z+&+ wholesalechangestoit.TheOldTestamentpreservedbytheCatholicchurchdifferslittle @,', fromthatpreservedbytheJewishMasoretes,whichvarieslittlefromtheGreektextfound &-v(- indozensofancientlibraries.Whatisamazingishowcloselythesevarioustexts,written  evenindifferentlanguages,agree.  IhavementionedthesecentralthemesofScripture,ofGodofferingupHisSontopayfor b oursins.AlthoughweassociatethiswiththeNewTestament,wefindshadowimagesof H ourLordssacrificebackinGen.22Psalm22andIsa.53,3chapterswrittenincompletely . ~ differenteras,allofwhichpointtoJesusdyingforoursins.  d *nhfd dxdd xh(#(#n,(#dd +  $ 0 0 $WedividetheEnglishBibleupinto3sections: A,D   ddA%  The3SectionsoftheOldTestament%s Uq@0  "  dd UthehistoricalsectionbeginswithGenesisandrunsthroughNehemiah.Thesebooksare p  roughlyputintotheorderinwhichtheywerewritten,whichalsoputsthemroughlyintro V  achronologicalorder.Chronicles(whichwebreakupinto1and2Chronicles)runs <  paralleltoSamuelandKings(whichwedivideinto1and2Samuel;1and2Kings). "r  SamuelandKingsappeartobehavebeenwrittenduringtheerainwhichtheseevents X tookplace;Chroniclesseemstohavebeenassembledhundredsofyearsafterthefact. > Esther,thefirstofthewisdomsection,chronologically,wouldprecedeEzraand $ Nehemiah,thelastbooksofthehistoricalsection. Kq6&   q KThe2ndsectionintheOldTestamentistheliteraturebooks.Jobappearstobewritten 4 almostasearlyasGenesis,andisuniqueintheScripturefortworeasons:wegetavery j goodlookatouradversarySatan;andJobandhisfriendsdiscussGodandwhatour P relationshiptoGodactuallyis.MuchofthebookofJobisatheologicaldiscussion.The 6 restoftheliteraturesection(Esther,Psalms,Proverbs,EcclesiastesandSongof  Solomon)areprimarilywrittenbyDavidandSolomonaround1050!950b.c.andthey  provideuswithauniquelookintothesoulsofbelieversofthatera. Kq6&  q KThe3rdsectionofourEnglishBiblesistheprophets,andtheyseemtohavejustbeen b putinarandomorder,primarilybaseduponlength.Eachprophetlivedduringaspecific H timeperiodandwasrecognizedbythepeopleofIsraelasaprophet.ProphetsofGod . gavemessageswhichappliedtothenearfutureofthosetowhomtheyspoke,aswell   astothefarfuture,speakingabouttheMessiahtocomeandIsraelduringthefinal ! portionoftheAgeofIsrael,calledtheTribulation.Manypropheciesdodouble " duty"theynotonlyapplytothepeopleandthetimesduringwhichtheywereproclaimed v#  andthenwritten,butalsotoafutureerabeyondthetimeofthosewhoheardthese \$! prophecies.Someoftheseprophetsareeasilytiedtospecifichistoricalevents(like B% " Isaiah,JeremiahandDaniel)andsomeseemtoberathergeneric(Joel,Obadiah,and (&x!# Habakkuk).WhatImeanbygenericis,theseprophetscouldhavecomealongalmost '^"$ anytimeduringIsraelshistory.However,someoftheirprophecieswereMessianicand 'D#% quitefantastic.6,*(*$&   q 6*nhfd dxdd (#hf(#(#n,xdd +  $)@%&)@% $TheHebrewBiblehasthesamebooks,butinadifferentorderandindifferentsections."T*%' "  P,'( SpeakingoftheMessiah"andmostbooksoftheOldTestamentspeakoftheMessiahin   onewayoranother"thebookofDanielevengivesusatimetablewheretellsustotheday  whenJesuswouldwalkintoJerusalemtothePassoverwhenHeoffersupHimselfasthe | LambofGod,topayforoursins. b TheHebrewBiblehasthesamebooks,butadifferentcategorizationandamuchdifferent . ~ order(Ivehaditexplainedtomeonmanyoccasionsanditstillseemsweirdtome).  d However,bookbybook,thetextisconsistent.  J IfyouexaminedwithmeachapteroutofSamuel,whereIexaminethisbookwordbyword,    andcoverthedifferencesbetweenthemajorancienttexts(Hebrew,Latin,Greekand    Syriac),whatwouldstrikeyoufirstishowtrivialthesedifferencesare.Mostofthe   differencesaresotrivialastomaketheaveragereaderask, Whymentionthisatall?It x  doesotchangethemeaningoftheverse. ^  WemayconcludethatthetextoftheOldTestamentwasaccuratelymaintainedthroughout *z  history;thattheauthorsoftheOldTestamentwereaverydiversegroupofmen;andthat ` theystillappearedtospeakwithonevoice. F A@ ZPd A % r IntroductoryLesson5%rD:TheBible:(#TheNewTestament  3 @!!qq! @400yearsafterthefinalfewwordsoftheOldTestamentwerepenned,Jesus,theSonof v GodandtheSonofMan,isborn.Thistimeperiodisquiteimportant.Eventhemost \ criticalofhistorians(thosewhoactuallyknowsomethingabouthistory)mustadmitthatthe B OldTestamentScripturesprecededtheNewTestamentScripturesbyatleastafew (x hundredyears,eveniftheydenyeverythingelseabouttheOldTestament.Thereason ^ thisisimportantis,allofthepropheciesabouttheMessiahareclearlywrittenbeforeJesus D came.Thatanyonecouldfulfillthesepropheciesisquitefantastic. * Again,weknowthisforthesereasons:(1)Thereexistedlibrariesofthesebooksbefore  thetimeofChrist,e.g.,theDeadSeaScrolls.(2)TheHebrewtextwastranslatedinto   GreekbeforethetimeofChrist.(3)Ancienthistorianstestifyastotheaccuracyandtime r! frameoftheOldTestament(e.g.,Josephus). X"  TheNewTestamentwaswrittenby8or9authorsoveraperiodofabout50!60years. $$t" OneofthefascinatinganduniqueaspectsofScriptureis,(1)Jesushadaveryshortpublic  %Z # ministry(about3years);(2)HespokeHiswordsinaverysmallgeographicalarea;and %@!$ (3)JesusdidnotwriteanyofthebooksintheBible.TheBibleisallaboutJesus"from &&"% covertocover;JesusisquotedextensivelyintheBible;andtheBibleiscalledthemind ' #& ofChrist;butJesusHimselfdidnotwriteanyoftheBible.Hechosetohavemantestify (#' astoWhoHewas.Thisisverydifferentfromallotherreligions.Religiousfigureswho )$( foundareligionoraculthaveaministrywhichlastsforseveraldecades(aminimumof2 n*%) or3decades)becausethesefiguresmustestablishthemselvesasanimportantreligious T+&* figure,andthentheyneedtogettheirmessageoutthere.Thistakesalongtime. :,'+ Furthermore,otherreligiousfiguresneedtotaketheirmessagegeographicallyasfaras  -p(, possible,somostofthesereligiousfigurescoveredmanysquaremiles;theyhaveto  spreadtheirmessageoutasfarastheypossiblycan"butnotJesus.Jesusconfined  Himselfnotonlytoarelativelyshortperiodoftimeinhistory,butalsotoaverylimited | geographicalarea.Furthermore,allotherreligiousleadersareflawed.JosephSmithhad b manywives;MaryBakerPattersonGloverEddychangedhusbandsratherfrequently; H Buddhalefthiswifeandfamilyinordertowalkaroundandgetphilosophical;Mohammed . ~ personallymurderedhundredsofpeople.Jesusispresentedasflawless,asthe  d unblemishedLambofGod.  J TheNewTestamentisdividedupintothegospels,thebookofActs,theepistles(letters    tothechurches)andthebookofRevelation.Gospelmeansgoodnewsandthefirst4    booksoftheNewTestamentaretheGoodNews[aboutJesus].Theseare4differentmen   whoallbearwitnesstoJesusChrist.BeforeIknewverymuch,Iwondered,why4 |  gospels?Whydoweneed4peopletotellusaboutthelifeofJesus?Weneedthis d  because,historicaleventsinhistoryaremadeknowntousbyeyewitnessestothese L  events.Themoreeyewitnessestoaparticulareventwhorecordwhattheysee,themore 2  likelyitisthatthiseventtookplaceastheysayitdid.Youwouldbeamazedatthe h threadbareevidencewhichwehaveforeveryhistoricaleventpriorto,letssay,1600a.d. N Oftenwehaveeitheraneyewitness,orsomeonewhospoketoaneyewitness;andthe 4 writingwhichweoftenpossessishundredsofyearsremovedfromtheeventitself,asa  copyofacopyofacopyoftheoriginalwriting,whichmaynothavebeenbysomeonewho  actuallyobservedtheeventitself.  The4menwhowrotethe4gospelscertainlyunderstoodjusthowincrediblethesefew b yearshadbeen"Godchosetocometothisearthasamanandwalkamongus.Noevent H inhistorycouldbemoreimportant;andtherefore,theywereallmovedtowriteaboutit. .~ Whatisinterestingis,noonewrotebookstodisputethegospels.Noonecamealongand d said, No,itdidnothappenthisway.ManypeoplewerequitehostiletoChristianityand J toJesusChrist,butnoonewroteduringthiseradisputingthefactsofthegospels,during 0 anerawherewritingandlibrarieswerebecomingmoreandmorecommon;andduringan  erawhereantiChristianliteraturewouldhavebeenwellreceived.  Therewerethosewhohadphilosophicdifferenceswhowrotearoundthiseraandsoon x!  thereafter"thehumanityofJesuswasquestionedforhundredsofyears"largegroupsof ^"! gnosticsandothersacceptedthatJesuswasGod,buttheyhadtroublebelievingthatHe D#" wastrulyman.SomeevenhaddifficultiesbelievingthatJesuswasrealfleshandblood. *$z# SometaughtthatHewasanapparition(butarealapparition)oranimmaterialfigure, %` $ becausenomancoulddowhatHedid.However,thehistoricityofthegospelsandHis %F!% Deitywerenotquestionedforseveralhundredyears(ifmemoryserves,HisDeitywasnot &,"& questioneduntilafter1700a.d.). '#' Twoofthegospelswerewrittenbyeyewitnesses"byApostleswhowerethereand )$) actuallysawwhathappened.Matthew,aJewishtaxcollectorandJohn,aJewish t*%* fishermanbothobservedJesusfromthebeginningofHisministryandwroteaboutwhat Z+&+ theysawwithinafewdecadesoftheirobservations.Wehavecopiesoftheirwritings @,', whichdatewithinabout100yearsoftheirwritingtheiraccounts.Thatisquiteunusual &-v(- insofarashistoricalevidencegoes"havingtwoaccountsbytwoeyewitnesseswithcopies  oftheiraccountsinourpossessiontoday,writtenlessthan200yearsoftheirwritingtheir  account. | Interestinglyenough,thesetwoaccountscouldnotbemoredifferent.Eventhough H MatthewwasgenerallydespisedbyhisfellowJews,becausehecollectedtaxesforthe . ~ Romangovernment,hewasextremelyknowledgeableabouttheScriptures,and,nextto  d PaulandthewriterofHebrews,showedamorethoroughunderstandingoftheOld  J TestamentthananyotherNewTestamentwriter.So,moreoftenthannot,whenMatthew  0 observedsomethingthatourLorddidwhichfulfilledhistoricalprophecy,hemadewritten    noteofthat.    John,ontheotherhand,hadaverylimitedvocabularyintheGreekinwhichhewrote.He x  alsowasmoreofapeoplepersonthanMatthewwas,andifyouwanttoknowanything ^  abouttheotherApostles,thebookofJohniswhereyougoforthisinformation.Matthew D  puttogetheranaccountoftheeventsinourLordsministryinroughlyachronologicalway, *z  withemphasisuponourLordfulfillingtheOldTestamentprophecies.Johnwasmuch ` moretopical,andcertainthingswhichourLordsaidstruckhim,andJohnmadenoteof F thesethings.JohnrecalledthosethingswhichJesustaughtabouttheChurchAge; , MatthewwroteaboutJesusteachingsontheTribulation.  Johnalsoseemedtohaveanagendaofsorts.Oneofthecultsofhisdaywerethe  gnostics,andwhatwefindinthebookofJohnandinhisfirstepistlearewordsand t thoughtswhichappeartobedirectedtowardgnosticthinking.Wherethereappearedto Z besomeagreementbetweenwhatgnosticstaughtandthetruth,Johnwouldbringthisout; B andthenhewouldsuddenlyindicatewheretheywerewrongintheirthinking.Ifyouare (x unfamiliarwithgnosticphilosophy,youwouldnotnoticethis.However,timeandtime ^ again,itisclearthatJohnisspeakingtoorthinkingabout_gnosticism_. D JohnMark(whowrotetheGospelofMark)wascloselyassociatedwithPeterandhewrote  downwhatPetertoldhimabouttheministryofJesus.Giventhiscloseassociation,John  MarkmayhavecomeintocontactwithotherApostlesfortheirinputaswell.Marksgospel   ismoreofautilitariangospelandanactiongospel.WhatChristdoesisoftencoveredas r!  muchaswhatHesays.ThisapproachcomportswellwiththepersonalityofPeter,who X"! tendedtobeactiveandimpulsive.Therearesomeremarkablesimilaritiesbetween >#" MatthewsandMarksgospel,anditunclearwhetheronedependedupontheotherone $$t# forsomeoftheirinformation.AlthoughMarkundoubtedlyknewMatthew,itisnotclear  %Z $ whetherMarkinterviewedMatthew;butMarkwrotewhatwemayunderstandasPeters %@!% gospel.GiventhatPeterwasmoreamanofactionthanamanofwords,itmakessense &&"& thatacloseassociatewouldwritehisgospel. ' #' LukeistheonlyGentiletowriteabookoftheBible"hewritesthegospelofLukeandthe )$) bookofActs.Letmecaveatthatwith,RuthmayhavewrittenthebookofRuth,and, n*%* althoughshebecameaJew,shewasoriginallyaMoabite.Esther,whomayhavewritten T+&+ thebookofEsther,wasaJew,butwasthoroughlyentrenchedinaGentileculture. :,',   -p(- Lukeisaverymethodicalhistorian.HehadaccesstothosewhoobservedourLordand  thosewhowerearoundintheearlyyearsofthechurch,andhemadeeveryefforttoput  togetherachronologicalgospelofourLord,pullingtogetherwhatevermaterialthathe | couldfind,andfillingininformationwith,presumably,interviewswitheyewitnesses.Luke b probablyusedthebooksofMatthewandMarktowritehisgospel,butnotthebookof H John,asJohnwrotehisgospellast,severaldecadeslater.Therefore,wehavealotof . ~ similarityandoverlapinthefirst3gospelsofMatthew,MarkandLuke.ThebookofJohn  d coversthesamematerial,followsthesamepersonasJesus,butitisawholedifferent  J book.TheGreekofthebookofJohnisthemostsimpleofallthebooksoftheBible;and  0 yet,histhoughtsarethemostprofound.    LukealsowrotethebookofActs,whichisachronologicalhistoryoftheearlychurch.The   verylengthofhisgospelandthebookofActsmakeLuketheauthortowritethegreatest x  portionofNewTestamentScripture. ^  TheApostleswentfromcitytocitytospreadthegoodnewsofJesusandofsalvationby *z  faithinHim.Paulisthemostwellknownforthis,and,aboutathirdofthewaythroughthe ` bookofActs,Paultakescenterstage.PaulwasnotoriginallyadiscipleofJesus.Infact, F PaulpersecutedChristians.JesuscametoPaulwhenhewasoutpursuingmore , believers,andstruckPauldown(JesusappearedtoPaullongaftertheresurrection).Paul  knewWhoJesuswas,andbecameabeliever.LikemostpeopleoftheBible,thenthere  wasatimeofpreparation(afewyears)forPaulbeforehewentoutandproclaimedJesus.  Atthispoint,whenPaulcomestotheforefront,wearetoldlessandlessaboutthe Z remaining11Apostles.WeknowthechurcheswhichPaulfounded,andwemay @ reasonablyassumethattheotherApostleswereengagedinthesameactivity.Theysoon &v recognizedPaulssincerityandtheaccuracyofhisteaching,andPaulwastakeninasa  \ brother. B WhatPaulwoulddois,hewouldgotoacity(generallyaGentilecitywheretherewere  someJews)andhewouldproclaimChrist.Hewouldsetupalocalchurchandtrytoget  themsetupwithapastoraswell.Then,withinafewmonths,hewouldgoofftoanother   city.Hewasessentiallyanevangelist,butanevangelistwhohadaprofound p!  understandingofScriptureandtheerainwhichhelived.Whenthechurchexperienced V"! problems,becameconfusedaboutdoctrines,orbrokeintofactions,Paulwouldwritethem <#" lettersinordertostraightenthemout.SeveralotherApostlesandchurchleaderswrote "$r# lettersaswell,tochurchesortogroupsingeneral(e.g.,theHebrews).OurChurchAge %X $ doctrinecomesprimarilyfromtheepistles(theseletterswrittentolocalchurchesorto %>!% groupsofbelievers). &$"& ThefinalbookintheBibleistheRevelation,whichisavisionthatJohnhaswhileexiled (#( toPatmosIsland.Thisvisionisbrokendownintotwoparts:messagesfromtheLiving )$) Christtothechurchesandvisionsofthetimestocome(theTribulationandMillennium). l*%*   R+&+ |wF62rz1 h `*@EShf >|ThepreservationoftheNew Testamentis,inpart,relatedtotheOldTestament  preservation;buthassomeveryspecifichistory.TheChurchAgebeginswithanumber  oflocalchurchesbeingestablishedthroughouttheancientworld,andthesenewbelievers | inChristfaceanumberofproblems,includingpersecutionbytheRomanauthoritiesand b infiltrationbythosewhowereantagonistictothechurchanditsdoctrine.Whatthese H churchesdidwas,informally,insofaraswecantell,recognizedwhichwritingswere . ~ important,andtheywouldcopyanddisseminatethesewritingstootherchurches.Atfirst,  d thiswasprobablyafairlydisorganizedprocess.However,thebooksandletterswith  J authoritywereeventuallyrecognizedbyvariouscouncils.Inanycase,theendresultfor  0 ustodayis,wehaveawhopping26,000handcopiedcompleteandpartialmanuscripts    whichwehavefoundtodate.Someofthesemanuscriptsdatebacktothe2ndcentury.    Wealsohavealitanyofearlychurchfatherswhocorrespondwithoneanotherorwho    (#(#wrotetheirownbooksandsermons, x  andinthesewritings,theyquotethe ^  NewTestamentScripturesas D  authoritative.Myunderstandingis,if *z  allofour26,000manuscriptssuddenly ` disappeared,wecouldreconstruct F about98!99%oftheNewTestament , simplyfromthewritingsoftheearly  churchfathers.  Thisplethoraofancientmanuscriptsso t closetothedateoftheoriginalwritings Z isunheardofwithregardstoancient @ worldliterature.Ancientliteraturefrom &v thesameeraastheBibleisbased  \ uponahandfulofmanuscripts(1!20 B formostofthem)removedfromthe ( originalwritingby,onaverage,  1000yearsormore.Oursenseof   (#(#ancienthistoryisbasedprimarilyupontheseancientwritings. ~#  1      ׀Ifweweretodismissthe   OldandNewTestamentsasnothavingenougheyewitnessesornothavingenough p!  manuscriptstorecommendthemasaccurate,thenwewouldhavetodismissallancient V"! historyascompletelyandtotallyunknown.Allthatweknowabouthistorypriorto,say, <#" 1600a.d.isbaseduponmanuscriptsandhistoricalrecordswhicharefarlessreliablethan "$r# eithertheOldorNewTestamentdocuments. %X $ Ifyouareanewbeliever,orifyouareunfamiliarwiththetermapologetics,thenIhighly &$"& recommendoneofthe4t RO  5  JoshMcDowellbooks6ROwen  7tlԀe.g.,EvidencethatDemandsaVerdictorany ' #' oneofhisbooksproducedlater,butbasedinpartonthatfirstbook(AReadyDefense, (#( TheNewEvidencethatDemandsaVerdict).Josh,inhisbooks,explainsjusthow )$) reasonableandhowcredibleChristianityis.Althoughwhatwebelieveisbaseduponfaith, t*%* itisbaseduponamountainofevidenceaswell.Forinstance,Ibelievethatthereisa Z+&+ countrycalledEngland,eventhoughIhaveneverbeenthere.Itakeitsexistenceonfaith  andItakethehistoryoftheUnitedStatesandBritainonfaithaswell.Ihavenever  observedthehistoricaleventsbetween1500!1900,butthosewhichIlearnedaboutearly | AmericaandaboutEnglandIbelieve.IfindthattheevidencetobelieveinEnglandand b thehistoryofourtwocountriestobeoverwhelming.Idontneedtohoponaplanewith H aplaneticketforLondoninorderotprovetomyselfthatEnglandexists.McDowellsbooks . ~ presentoverwhelmingevidencefortheChristianfaithandtheresurrectedChrist.  d Mypointis,weallhavefaithandweallbelieveanddisbelieveinanumberofthings.Itis  0 estimatedbysomethatbetween70!95%ofwhatweknowisbaseduponfaith.Thereare    somethingsforwhichthereisoverwhelmingsupportingevidence(theexistenceof    England,forinstance)andthereareotherthingsthatwestronglybelieveinwhichhasvery   limitedevidence.ThebackgroundoftheNewTestamentgivesusgreatreasontobelieve x  that,thisisthefulfillmentoftheOldTestament;andthattheJesusoftheNewTestament ^  istheMessiahoftheOld.Everythingthatweknowaboutthehistoryandbackgroundof D  theOldandNewTestamentshasoverwhelmingextraBiblicalevidence;everythingthat *z  weknowdirectlyfromtheBibleisatestimonywhichcannotbereasonablydisputed.That ` wehavesomanyeyewitnessestothePersonofJesusChristandthatwehavehistorical F documentswrittensosoonaftertheeventsandwithcopiessoclosetotheactualevents, , that,doubtingthehistoricityofthesedocumentswouldrequireustoscrapallrecorded  historypriorto1600_a.d._"noothersetofhistoricaleventshasasmuchwritteneyewitness  evidence.  A@ ZPd@Z A %  IntroductoryLessons6!7% :TheBible1(#Dispensations,anOverview   @@(x!!qq! = @EveryChristianbelieverbelievesindispensations,eveniftheysaythattheydontandeven ^ iftheydonotknowwhatdispensationsare.ThefactthatnooneoftheChristianfaith D haulshispetlambtoacentralizedsinglechurchtypebuilding(andintheOldTestament, * therewasonlyone)andthenwatchesthislambbesacrificedindicatesthatwedonotdo  thingstodayastheyweredone2200yearsago.Nomodernchurchfollowsallofthe  teachingsoftheOldTestament,eventhefewgoofycultswhichattempttorediscover   someancientfaithintheBiblebyfollowingsomeoftheOldTestamentritualsandprecepts t! (likekeepingtheSabbath).NomatterwhattheydecidetofollowfromtheOldTestament, Z"  theywillignoreabout99%oftheproscribedformsofworshipforIsrael. @#! Properlyspeaking,dispensationreferstotheadministrationofahousehold.Intheancient  %\ # world,whensomeonewaswealthy,theyhadalargehouseholdoffarmers,cooks,maids, %D!$ servantsandslaves(slavesoftenfunctionedinthoseothervocations),andthishousehold &*"% neededtobeadministered.Youcannothavealloftheseservantsmeanderingabout '#& aimlesslywithoutdirection.Thereneedstobeasystemofauthority;thereneedstobe (#' rulesandregulations.ThayerdefinestheGreekwordwhichistranslateddispensationas )$( follows:themanagementofahouseholdorofhouseholdaffairs;specifically,the r*%) management,oversight,administration,ofothersproperty;theofficeofamanageror Z+&* overseer,stewardship;administration,dispensation. B,'+  *-z(, ThehouseholdbeingmanagedisGodspeopleandGodsWord;andtherehavebeen  variouspeopleinchargeofmanagingthishousehold(thepeopleandnationofIsraelinthe  previousdispensation;thechurch"thosewhohavebelievedinJesusChrist"inthis | dispensation). b Wefindthiswordinthefollowpassages(amongothers):1Cor.9:17,Eph.1:103:2, . ~ Col.1:25.CloselyrelatedtotheconceptofdispensationsistheMosaicLawandtheword  d mystery(Rom.16:251Cor.2:7Eph.1:93:3!43:95:326:19Col.1:26!27).Letme  J brieflytouchonthese3concepts:  2 *lhd dxdd xhf(#(#l,<dd ,<dd +  3f    3IntheOldTestament,afterMoseshadledthechildrenofIsraeloutofEgypt,Godgave b  theLawtoMosesonMountSinai.ManybelieverstodayconfusewhattheLawisto H  them,and,asaresult,thereareSabbathkeepersandtherearethosewhobelievethat .  theirspiritualityistiedtotheirobediencetotheLawofMoses.. WB$ f @2W%  TheMosaicLaw%ԀintheChurchAge bM3> "  @2 @(bScripture U@+@"@( @(UCommentary Pt;0@"  @( PAndeveryonebelievinginthisOne[Jesus p Christ]isjustifiedfromallthingswhichyou V couldnotbejustifiedbytheLawofMoses < (Acts13:39). At,!"rt AWearenotjustifiedbeforeGodbykeeping p theLawofMoses;wearejustifiedby V believinginJesusChrist. At,!<t A[AfterarrivinginJerusalem],someofthose  roseupfromthesectofthePhariseeswho  hadbelieved,saying,Itisnecessaryto h circumcisethemandtocommandthemto N keeptheLawofMoses.Andtheapostles 4 andtheelderswereassembledtosee j aboutthismatter.Andmuchdisputation P havingoccurred,risingupPetersaidto 6  them, Men,brothers,yourecognizethat  ! fromancientdays,Godchoseamongus !" thatthroughmymouththenationsshould "# heartheWordofthegospel,andto ~#$ believe.Godmadedistinctioninnothing d$% betweenbothus[Jews]andthem J% & [Gentiles],havingpurifiedtheirheartsby 0&!' faith.Now,then,whydoyoutestGodby 'f"( puttingayokeontheneckofthedisciples 'L#) whichneitherourfathersnorwehad (2$* strengthtobear?Butthroughthegraceof )%+ theLordJesusChrist,webelievetobe *%, saved,accordingtowhichmannerthey +&- alsobelieved.Ԁ(Acts15:5!7,9!11).. At,!z,'.t AOneofthefalsedoctrineswhichthe / Apostleshadtocorrectwastheideathat, 0 onceapersonbelievedinJesusChristthat h1 heoughttokeeptheMosaicLawashis N2 spiritualduty.Inthisexample,thoseofthe 43 sectofthePhariseeswereteachingthat j4 newGentilebelieversoughttobe P5 circumcised. 66 Petertaughtherethat,subjectingthe !8 GentilestotheLawofMoseswasputting "9 ayokeonthemwhichtheirfathershad ~#: beenunabletobear(i.e.,noone,apart d$; fromJesusChrist,couldkeeptheLaw). J% < Therearesomethingsintheceremonial 'f"> Lawwhicharestilltobefollowed:theJews 'L#? werenottobeinvolvedinheathenworship (2$@ (sacrificestoidols)orinfornication(which, )%A atthattime,occurredintheheathen *%B temples).Acts15:29. At,!+&Ct ABytheworksofLawnofleshwillbe Fd  justifiedbeforeHim,forthroughLawisfull , J knowledgeofsin&Ԁ(Rom.3:20). At,! 0t ATheMosaicLawdoesnotjustifyus(see Fd alsoGal.2:16).TheMosaicLawmakesit , J clearthatwesin. At,! 0t AButnowtherighteousnessofGodhas   beenrevealedapartfromLaw,being r  witnessedbytheLawandtheProphets, X v  eventherighteousnessofGodthrough >\  faithofJesusChristtowardallanduponall $B  thosebelieving;forthereisnodifference  (  [betweenJewsandGentiles]'   (Rom.3:20!21), At,! t AWearemaderighteousapartfromthe   Law,bybelievinginJesusChrist.This r  meansthatwearenotsavedbykeeping X v theLawofMoses. At,!>\t AThereisthereforenownocondemnationto Pn  thoseinChristJesus.FortheLawofthe 6T  SpiritoflifeinChristJesussetmefree :  fromthelawofsinandofdeath.Forthe   Lawbeingpowerless,inthatitwasweak  throughtheflesh,GodsendingHisown  Soninthelikenessofsinfulflesh,and  concerningsin,condemnedsininthe  flesh,sothattherighteousdemandofthe  Lawmightbefulfilledinus,thosenot f walkingaccordingtoflesh,butaccordingto Lj Spirit+Ԁ(Rom.8:1!4). At,!2Pt AWehaveadifferentmeansofspirituality Pn  thanattemptingtokeeptheLaw.Our 6T  spiritualityisachievedbynamingoursins : ! toGodafterwehavesinned(whichishere  " called,thelawofSpiritoflife;see # 1John1:9). $ OurfaithinJesusChristfulfillsthe & righteousdemandsoftheLaw.Jesus ' ChristfulfilledtheLaw,and,inbeingin h( Him,wealsofulfilltheLaw.Therefore, Nl) ChrististheendoftheLawforallwho 4R* believeO0Ԁ(Rom.10:4). At,!8+t AChristredeemedusfromthecurseofthe , Law,havingbecomeacurseforus;forit z - hasbeenwritten,%1Ԁ"Cursediseveryone `!~. havingbeenhungonatree;"1Ԁ(Gal.3:13 F"d/ Deut.21:23). At,!,#J0t ATheLawputsusunderacurse;Jesus 1 Christredeemsusfromthecurseofthe z 2 Law. At,!`!~3t ABrothers,Ispeakaccordingtoman,a Fd covenanthavingbeenratified,evenamong , J mankind,noonesetsasideoraddstoit.  0 ButthepromiseswerespokentoAbraham   andtohisSeed(itdoesnotsay,Andto   seeds,asofmany,butasofone,s3Ԁ"Andto   yourSeed,"4ԀwhichisChrist).45Ԁ[Gen.3:15;   21:1222:18Rom.9:6Heb.11:18]And  Isaythis,Acovenanthavingbeenratified v  beforetoChristbyGod,theLawcoming \z  intobeingfourhundredandthirtyyears B`   after,doesnotannulthepromise,soasto (F  abolishit.ForiftheinheritanceisofLaw, ,  itisnomoreofpromise;butGodhasgiven   ittoAbrahamthroughpromise5   (Gal.3:15!18). At,! t AEvenAbraham,thefirstJew,wasnot Fd subjecttotheLawnorwastheAbrahamic , J CovenantrelatedtokeepingtheLaw,  0 sincetheLawdidnotcomeintobeinguntil   430yearsafterGodmadepromisesto   Abraham.Paulismakingthepointthat,if   Abraham,thefirstJew,wasnotsubjectto   theLaw,whyarewetryingtomake  ourselvessubjecttotheLaw?1'%v t 1*hd  d<dd <<dd <h(#(#,xdd +  /f /TheMosaicLawhadaplace"itwasthelegal,ceremonialandcivillawforthenation :X Israel;and9ofthe10commandmentsdefinesinandcondemnallmankind.1'% > f 1*nDhfd dxdd xh(#(#n,(#dd +  $:: $ThenextthingwhichweneedtounderstandisthemysteryofGod. A, 2A%  TheDoctrineoftheMysteryofGod%= Uq@0"  2 U! ! D(#33D"3"  3V>2#  1  .3  0 l   MysteryistheGreekword_mustrion_Ԁ(_+%)S#_)[pronouncedmoosTAY_ree_Ԅ  on],anditmeans1)hiddenthing,secret,mystery;1a)generallymysteries,   religioussecrets,confidedonlytotheinitiatedandnottoordinarymortals;1b)a ~! hiddenorsecretthing,notobvioustotheunderstanding;1c)ahiddenpurpose f " orcounsel;1c1)secretwill;1c1a)ofmen;1c1b)ofGod:thesecretcounsels N!l# whichgovernGodindealingwiththerighteous,whicharehiddenfromungodly 6"T$ andwickedmenbutplaintothegodly.Strongs#3466.3V>>݌#<%l"l" Ќ  "3"  34B2#  2  .3  0 l   ItistechnicallyusedforthedoctrinesoftheChurchAgewhichwerenotrevealed $$& duringtheAgeofIsrael.34BaB݌$ 'l"l" Ќ  "3"  3~C2#  3  .3  0 l   InRom.11,PaulspeaksofthenaturalbranchesoftheolivetreebeingtheJews, %( andhowtheyhavebeenprunedandnewbranchesgraftedin(theGentiles).He &) speaksofthisasamysterythatweoughttoknowandunderstandinRom.11:25.3~CC݌'*l"l" Ќ  "3"  3^E2#  4  .3  0 l   Thismysterywasnotknowninprevioustimes,buthasbeenmadeknownin ( + propheticwritingsduringouttime(Rom.16:25!26Col.1:26).3^EE݌j)!,l"l" Ќ  "3"  3F2#  5  .3  0 l   PartofPaulsministrywastorevealthismysterytobelievers(Eph.3:1!12).3FF݌  @64P*n"-l"l"   q @*nhfd dxdd (#Dhf(#(#n,xdd +  $f+#-f+# $Thismystery,whichwasapartofPaulsministry,isrelationtodispensationalism."+#. "  ,$. *nhfd dxdd xhf(#(#n,xdd +  $ $ BeforeIcoverthevariousdispensations,letmeshowhowthiswordisusedintheNew d Testament. A,J 2A%  Dispensations%J Pq;0t"  2 PFirstofall,theGreekwordtranslateddispensationis_oikonomia_Ԁ(_;_)[pronounced & v oy_kohn_Ԅno_MEE_Ԅah]anditmeans1)themanagementofahouseholdorofhousehold  ^ affairs;1a)specifically,themanagement,oversight,administration,ofothersproperty;  F 1b)theofficeofamanageroroverseer,stewardship;1c)administration,dispensation.  . Strongs#3622.1'%   q 1*nhfd dxdd xhf(#(#n,<dd ,<dd +  >) ,  ,  (>Scripture U@+@ "( (UCommentary Pq;0@ "  ( PHecausedtoaboundtowardusinall   wisdomandunderstanding,makingknown   tousthe mystery ofHiswill,accordingto   HisgoodpleasurewhichHepurposedin x  Himself,forthe dispensation ofthe ^ fullnessofthetimestoheadupallthings J inChrist,boththethingsintheheavens, 0 andthethingsonearth,inHim,inwhom f wealsohavebeenchosentoan L inheritance,beingpredestinatedaccording 2 tothepurposeoftheOneworkingall  thingsaccordingtothecounselofHisown  willOԀ(Eph.1:8!11). Aq,!q AGodgavetheApostleswisdomand   understandingofthemystery,whichwas   accordingtoHispurposeanddesign,of   thedispensationofthefullnessofthe t  times.Thisdispensationisthechurch \ (believersinJesusChrist,whetherJewor D Gentile)runthehouseholdofGodhereon *z earth. Aq,!`q ABecauseofthis,I,Paul,theprisonerof ^  ChristJesusonbehalfofyou,the[Gentile] D! nations,if,indeed,youheardofthe *"  dispensation ofthegraceofGodgivento # meforyou,thatbyrevelationHemade $ knowntomethe mystery ,asIwrote  % beforeinbrief,bythereadingofwhichyou ~!& areabletorealizemyunderstandinginthe d"'  mystery ofChrist,whichwasnotmade J#( knowntothesonsofmeninother 6$) generations,asnowitwasrevealedtoHis %l * holyapostlesandprophetsintheSpirit,for &R!+ the[Gentile]nationstobejointheirs,and &8", ajointbodyandjointsharersofHis '#- promiseinChristthroughthegospel,of ($. whichIwasmadeaministeraccordingto )$/ thegiftofthegraceofGodgiventome, *%0 accordingtotheworkingofHispowerT f+&1 (Eph.3:1!7).. Aq,!L,'2q AThroughrevelation,Godmadeknownthe ^3 mystery(hiddendoctrinesofaparticular D4 group)toPaul,whichhemakesknownto *5 thosewhobelieveinJesusChrist. 6 Paulherementionsthedispensationofthe  8 graceofGod,whichreferstotheChurch r!9 Age. X": Thejointheirsandjointsharersrefersto $$t< theJews,towhomGodfirstrevealed  %\ = Himself,andtotheGentiles,towhomGod %B!> wasnowrevealingHimself. Aq,!&("?q AAndyou[Gentiles]havingbeenalienated d  andhostileinyourmindbyevilworks,but zJ nowHereconciledinthebodyofHisflesh, `0 throughdeath,topresentyouholyand F  withoutblemishandirreproachablebefore ,  Him,ifindeedyoucontinueinthefaith   groundedandsettledandnotbeingmoved   awayfromthehopeofthegospelwhich   youheardproclaimedinallthecreation    underHeaven,ofwhichI,Paul,becamea z  minister,whonowrejoiceinmysufferings `  onyourbehalfandfillupinmyfleshthe vF  thingslackingoftheafflictionsofChriston \,  behalfofHisbody,whichistheassembly, B  ofwhichIbecameaminister,accordingto (  the dispensation ofGodgiventomefor   you,tofulfilltheWordofGod,the mystery   havingbeenhiddenfromtheagesand  fromthegenerations,butnowwas  revealedtoHissaints;towhomGodwilled  tomakeknownwhataretherichesofthe h gloryofthis mystery amongthe[Gentile] ~N nations,whoisChristinyou,thehopeof j: glory;whomweannounce,warningevery P  manandteachingeverymaninall 6 wisdom,thatwemaypresenteveryman  fullgrowninChristJesus,forwhichalsoI  labor,strugglingaccordingtotheworking  ofHimwhoworksinmeinpower]\  (Col.1:21!29). Aq,! q AAtonetime,Gentiles,ingeneral,were d reticenttotrustintheGodoftheJews zJ  (however,manydidbelieveinJehovah `0! Elohim).Paul,again,presentshimselfas F " aministerofthisdispensationofGod(the , # ChurchAge),whichwasamysteryto  $ previousages(whichmeans,thereisno  % OldTestamentprophecyconcerningthe  & ChurchAgespecifically).  ' OneofthecharacteristicsoftheChurch ` ) AgeisthefillingoftheHolySpirit,which vF * Paulspeaksofinmostofthesepassages, \, + referringtotheHolySpiritworkinginhimin B , power.1'%( -  q 1*hfd d<dd <<dd <hf(#(#,xdd +  $!-! $Thisisnot,inanyway,acompleteexaminationoftheconceptofdispensations. .". Essentially,thisintroducesyoutotheconceptofdispensations,sothat,aswego #/ throughtheBibleversebyverse,youhaveanideaastowhereyouare."#0 "Ourmodernunderstandingofadispensationis,thisreferstoaneraduringwhichthereare %1 specificauthoritiesinplacealongwithrulesandprotocols,whichauthoritiesandprotocols & 2 aredifferentfrompastdispensations.Myintenthereistopresentthisteachingtoyou '!3 withoutgoingintodepthaboutitsScripturalevidence. ~#  2      ׀Inthisbasicseriesoflessons,my (x"4 focusisuponthebasicissuesandthebasicunderstandingoftheBible. )^#5  t*D$6 *lhhid dxdd xhf(#(#l,F$$ ,[$$ ,'$$ ,$$ +  B- <B%  TheVariousDispensations%l bM3d" < bAge/  Dispensation U@+" UCharacteristics U@+" UScripture U@+" USub  categories ^tI0"   ^Ageofthe  P Gentiles ftQ< < t   fNosin,nomorality,nohumangood.  P  Adamandthewomandesignedtolive  6  forever Ut@+  t   UGen.1!2 Ut@+ P "t   UInnocence D:+ P"t  D 6t!  2  6Adamandthewomanbannedfromthe F  garden;childrenareborn;manworksto , | eat,thereissickness,death,andone b  language. Ut@+H t   UGen.3!7 Ut@+F "t   UPre F  Deluvian D:+, |"t  D 6t! ^   6Aftertheflood,therearemanylanguages r  andnations.Eachfamilyappearstobe X  responsibleforitsspirituallife. Ut@+> t   UGen.8!11 Ut@+r "t   UPost r  Deluvian YD+X "t  pP2YAgeofIsrael fQ<ypP2 pP2fAbrahambecomesthefirstJew.God  primarilyspeakstoAbrahamandhis  descendantsandGodprimarilyworks  throughthem. U@+j pP2 pP2UGen.12!49 U@+!"pP2 pP2UPatriarchal D:+""pP2 D 65! " pP26GodtakesthenationIsraeloutofEgypt 4# andestablishesitintheLandofPromise. $ Heestablisheslaws,ceremonies,feast % days,andanimalsacrificestobefollowed & bythecitizensofnationIsrael.Thereisa |' specializedpriesthood.Thereisa b( unificationofchurchandstate(thenation H) IsraelwastieddirectlytoGod).Thisisa 0* timeofprophecyandfulfilledprophecy. f+ Specificbelievershadimpactduringthe  2- AgeofIsrael;thosewithgreatimpactmay !. becalledspiritualAtlass. "/ Spiritualityfortheaveragebelievermay |$1 bereasonablycalledthefaithrestlife.A b% 2 personlearnedthepromisesofGodand H&!3 dependeduponGodtofulfillthese .'~"4 promises. U5@+(d#55pP2 pP2UEx.1!Malachi4 U5@+46"5pP2 pP2UNationIsrael D:+47"5pP2 D 6!  pP26TheAgeofIsraelistemporarily  d interruptedandtheChurchAgeis  J inserted.Althoughtheceremonialaspect  0 oftheMosaicLawdoesnotappeartobe   ineffect,theexactspiritualassetsand    functionrequiressomediscussion. U@+~ pP2 pP2UMatt.24!25  d Rev.4!19 U@+ J"pP2 pP2UTribulation U@+ d "pP2 @<UAgeofthe \  Hypostatic H  Union U@+4 @< @<UThisperiodoftimeisoftenconsidereda \  partoftheAgeofIsrael.Jesus,theSon B ofGod,walksonthisearthandpresents ( HimselfandHiskingdomtoIsrael.   AlthoughtheMosaicLawisineffect   alongwiththeceremoniespertainingto v  theLaw(whichlawsourLordobeys); \  Jesus,inHishumanity,functionsonthe B  basisofthefillingoftheHolySpiritand (  knowledgeoftheWordofGod,which r thingswillbecomeourprimaryspiritual X assetsintheChurchAge. > Jesusintroducestheconceptofthe   separationofchurchandstate( Render  toCsarthatwhichisCsarsand r rendertoGodthatwhichisGods),which X wasaradicalconceptforthattime,both > toJewsandtoGentiles. $ Thisisatimeofprophecyandfulfilled  T! prophecies. U@+!:"@< @<UMatthew!John U@+\#"@< @<UHypostatic \$ Union YD+B%"@< (YChurchAge fQ< dD( (fAfterourLordisresurrected,Hesends  d theHolySpirittousasourmentorandas  J ourpower.Wenolongerobservethe  0 laws,ordinancesandceremoniesas   foundintheMosaicLaw;butaresubject   toahigherlaw,thelawoftheSpiritand ~  death.Whenwesin,wenamethissin d directlytoGod.Godforgivesusoursins J  andfillsuswiththeHolySpirit.During 0  thistimeperiod,therearetemporary z  spiritualgiftstotakeuptheslackfor `  havingnocompletecanonofScripture: F   knowledge,tongues,interpretationof ,  tonguesandhealingsareexamplesof   thesegifts.   Jesusprophesiedastoparticular ` doctrineswhichwouldbeanintegralpart F oftheChurchAgeintheUpperRoom , Discourse. U@+v( (UActs U@+ d"( (UPreCanon D:+ d"( D 6!  (6OnceGodhasseentoitthatHisfully  d revealedrevelationisavailableto  J believersintheChurchAge,the  0 temporarygiftsdisappear.Manlearnsto   walkintheSpiritandtoliveandgrow   accordingtothefullWordofGod. ~  Inboththepreandpostcanonperiods, J wehavetheconceptofseparationof 0  churchandstate.Individualnationsmay z  enjoywhatiscalledclientnationstatus, `  butthiscanchangefromtimetotime.It H  dependsuponhowmanybelieversarein .  anationandwhatexactlytheyaredoing   withrespecttotheplanofGod.   Therearenopropheciestobefulfilled b duringtheChurchAgeitself,apartfrom H therapture.Wedonotknowwhatleads . uptotherapture.Noristhisanage x wherewehaveprophetsandprophecy. ^  Weliveduringatimeofhistoricaltrends. D Welearnanddiscernthesehistorical * trendsfromknowingtheWordofGodand  byobservingcurrentevents.  EveryindividualbelieverintheChurch ^  Agepotentiallyhasimpact.Every D! individualisincludedintheplanofGod. *" Wehaveauniquespirituallifeinthis #t dispensation,whichcharacteristicsare #Z notfoundinotherdispensations.Jesus $@  Christ,inHishumanity,testdrovethe %&! powersystemwhichweallpossess, &" whichincludesthefillingoftheHolySpirit, '# alongwithanumberofotheroperating v($ spiritualassets. U@+\) %( (UEpistles,  d& Rev.1!3 U@+ J'"( (UPostCanon U@+ d("( pP2U(AgeofIsrael  d continued) U@+ PpP2 pP2UChronologically,theTribulationfollows  d theChurchAge;however,sinceGod  J worksprimarilythroughtheJewsinthe  0 Tribulation,thisisactuallythefinal7    yearsoftheAgeofIsrael.Jews,atthis   time,willbescatteredallovertheearth, ~  andtheywillfunctionasevangelists. d  TherewillbeanationIsraelatthistime J  aswellasaTemple.Logically,believers 0  ofthisportionoftheAgeofIsraelwill z  probablyhavethesamespiritualassets `  thatwedo. F  Thereisagreatdealoffulfilledprophecy   intheTribulation. U@+ pP2 pP2UMatt.24!25  d Rev.4!19 U@+ J"pP2 pP2UTribulation U@+ d"pP2 @UMillennium U@+r@ @UJesuswillrulefromJerusalemoverthe r entireearthwhileSatanandhisfallen X angelsareincarcerated.Althoughthis > willbeastateofperfectenvironmentand $ theknowledgeofGodwillfilltheearth,   somemenwillstillsinagainstGod.I  hypothesizethat,whenapersonsins,he r willprobablygainasinnature;butthe X perfectenvironmentwillnotbechanged. U@+>@ @UIsa.9:6!7 r Jer.23:5!6 X  Ezek.36!48 >! Daniel7:13!14 $" Luke1:32b!33  # Rev.20 U@+$"@ @UMillennium Uq@+r%"@ UTheEternal & State Uq@+ 'q UGodwillplaceSatan,hisfallenangels ( andfallenmanintotheLakeofFire.God  ) willcreateanewheavensandanew !* earthwherewewilldwellforever. Uq@+j"+q URev.21!22 Uq@+,"q UEternal - State;1/ ." q ;*fd dF$$ F[$$ ['$$ '$$ hhi(#(#,xdd +  )#.# )ThesevariousagesarenotconfinedonlytotheportionsofScripturewhichIhave #H/ indicated.Forinstance,theUpperRoomDiscourseofJohn14!17covers,forthemost $.0 part,ChurchAgedoctrine.'%1  'Dispensationsareimportanttounderstand,sothatyoudont,forinstance,startreading '2 portionsoftheMosaicLawoneday,andsuddenlydecidethatyouneedtostartobserving (3 theSabbathorattendingtheFeastofBoothsorthatyouneedtostartraisinglambstotake x) 4 tochurchtoslaughter.Thedoctrineforourlivescomesprimarilyfromtheepistles; ^*!5 however,allScriptureisimportantforustoknowandtolearnfrom.Sincetheflooduntil D+"6 thistimeperiod,manisessentiallythesame;sothecharacteristic,actions,and *,#7 consequenceswhichwereadaboutintheOldTestamentarepertinenttous. -t$8 Dispensationalteachinghelpsustorecognizewhatispertinenttoourdailylives(say,the -Z%9 lifeofDavid)asopposedtowhatisinformative,butnotsomethingweshouldfollow(the  Leviticalsacrifices).  Now,somethingsareconstantinalldispensations.GodisOneWhoexistsin3persons: b GodtheFather,GodtheSonandGodtheHolySpirit.TheessenceofGodremainsthe H samethroughoutalldispensations(Godisperfect,just,righteous,love,omniscient, . ~ omnipresentandomnipotent).JesusChrist,theSonofGod,isourSaviorandthe  d revealedmemberoftheTrinity.WearesavedbebelievinginHimbywhatevernameHe  J isknownby(eitherJehovahElohimintheOldTestamentorJesusChristintheNew).Our  0 salvationisalwaysbaseduponfaithinHim;OldTestamentsaintswerenotsavedbytrying    really,reallyhardtokeeptheLaw.Theownerofahouseholdmightfireallofhisstaffand    hireanewstaff,thusinitiatinganewgroupwhorunhishousehold;however,itisstillthe   samehouseandthesameowner.So,therearedifferencesfromdispensationto x  dispensation(andevenwithinthesamedispensation),buttherearepointsofcontinuity ^  aswell. D  A@ ZPd@` A %  IntroductoryLesson8%1:TheBible@(#Canonicity ~#  3        @@.!!qq! @Oneareawhichconfusespeopleofallopinionsiscanonicity.Whodecidedwhichbooks  shouldbeintheBibleandwhichbooksshouldnot?MaybeGoddidspeakthroughthisor  thatauthor,buthowdowedecidewho?Letmeprefacebysaying,thistopiccouldbea  bookinitself.WhatIhopetodohereisjustprovidesomebasicinformation. v Themostproperunderstandingofcanonicityisthis:Godspokethroughspecificmen,and B theirwritingsarecanonical;andmansimplyrecognizeswhatisGodsWord.Mensimply (x recognizedtheauthorityofthesewritings,thattheywerefromGod. ^ AlthoughtheJewsdidnotusethewordcanon,theyunderstood,fromtheearliestoftimes, * thatsomeofthewritingswhichtheyhadwerefromGod.Theoriginalsacredtext(probably  thePentateuch)wasplacedintotheArkoftheCovenant(Deut.31:24!26)beforetheJews  crossedovertheJordanRiverintotheLandofPromise.WhentheTemplewasbuiltby   Solomon,about500yearslater,thosebookswhichwereseenassacredwerekeptinthe r! Temple(2Kings22:8).Whenthenorthernkingdomandlaterthesouthernkingdomwere X"  conqueredandforcedoutoftheland(in721and586b.c.respectively),theJewscould >#! notcarryandpreserveeverythingthattheyhadwritten,socertainbookswereunderstood $$t" tobefromGod,andtheyspecificallypreservedthesebooks.  %Z # Apion,anancientauthorwhosewritingshavebeenlost,apparentlyquestionedtheidea &&"% thattherewasasetofspecificbookswhichformedtheOldTestament,andJosephus ' #& answeredhim,writing,From_Artaxerxes_Ԁuntilourtimeeverythinghasbeenrecorded,but (#' hasnotbeendeemedworthyoflikecreditwithwhatpreceded,becausetheexact )$( successionoftheprophetsceased.Butwhatfaithwehaveplacedinourownwritingsis r*%) evidentbyourconduct;forthoughsolongatimehasnowpassed,noonehasdaredto  addanythingtothem,ortotakeanythingfromthem,ortoalteranythinginthem(from  ContraApion1:8).Thesuccessionofprophets,fromMosestoMalachi,seemedtobe  universallyrecognizedamongtheJewsandtothosewhoadheredtowhatwasseenasthe f Jewishreligion. L Somewherebetween300and100b.c.,itwasdeterminedthattheJewishScriptures  h shouldbetranslatedintoGreek,sotherehadtobeanagreementastowhichbooksthese  N were.ThistranslationisknownastheSeptuagint(theSeventy,abbreviatedtheLXX).A  4 numberofotherancienttranslationsweremade"intoLatin,Arabic,Syriac,etc."and    thesetranslationsalwaystranslatedthesameOldTestamentbooks,thebookswhich    comprisetheOldTestamentcanontoday.Somecontainedtheapocrypha,whichwillbe   discussedbrieflyattheend.Somedidnot. ~  Letmemaketwoobviousstatements:theCatholicChurchwasnotaroundwhentheOld J  Testamentwastranslatedintosomeoftheselanguages,sotheCatholicChurchhadno 0  sayinthematterofearlyOldTestamentcanonicity.Secondly,translationsoftheOld f Testamentweremadebydifferentsetsofpeople;thosewhotranslateditintoGreekare L notthesameasthosewhotranslateditintoAramaic.Soweknowwhatwasrecognized 2 asauthoritativebywhichbooksaretranslated.  Jesus,theSonofGod,alsoverifiedthecanonicityoftheOldTestamentwritings  throughoutthegospels.Jesussaid,400yearsafterthecompletionoftheOldTestament z canon, ThereforeIsendyouprophetsandwisemenandscribes,someofwhomyouwill ` killandcrucify,andsomeyouwillbeatinyoursynagoguesandpersecutefromtownto F town,sothatonyoumaycomealltherighteousbloodshedonearth,fromthebloodof ,| innocentAbeltothebloodofZechariahthesonof_Barachiah_,whomyoumurdered b betweenthesanctuaryandthealtar.Ԁ(Matt.23:34!35).ThebloodofAbelisinGen.4;the H bloodofZechariahisinthefinalbook(2Chronicles)oftheHebrewBible . (2Chron.24:20!22).Withthesewords,JesustakesintheentireHebrewcanon(which  excludestheApocrypha).TheHebrewOldTestamentwasbrokendowninto3sections  (TheLaw,TheProphetsandtheWritings),which3sectionsJesusspeaksofin   Luke24:27,44:AndbeginningwithMosesandalltheProphets,He[Jesus,afterhaving v!  beenresurrected]interpretedtotheminalltheScripturesthethingsconcerning \"! Himself...sayingtothem,"ThesearemywordsthatIspoketoyouwhileIwasstillwithyou, B#" thateverythingwrittenaboutMeintheLawofMosesandtheProphetsandthePsalms ($x# mustbefulfilled."Ԁ %^ $ TheNewTestamentcanonhasadifferenthistory.TheApostlesandthoseclosely &*"& associatedwiththeApostles,wrotethegospelsandActs(thehistoryofJesusChristand '#' thehistoryoftheearlychurch)and,afterfoundingchurchesthroughouttheancientworld, (#( PaulandotherApostleswouldsendletterstothesechurchestohelptostraightenout )$) variousdifficultieswhichwerehappeninginthesechurches(theselettersarecalled r*%* Epistles).Attheveryend,JohnwrotethebookofRevelation,whichisJesusspeakingto X+&+ thechurches(Rev.1!3)andthenJohnhasavision(arevelation)oftheendtimes @,', (Rev.4!22).Althoughmanyofthesewritingswereacceptedearlyonasauthoritative, (-x(- believersrealizedthattheyneededtoformallyrecognizethecanonicalbooks(thosebooks  whichwereGodbreathed).  *n h fd dxdd xf(#(#n,(#dd +  $dd $VarioustestsandstandardsweredeterminedinordertorecognizebothOldandNew  Testamentcanonicity.HavingarecognizedOldTestamentcanonhelpedtocodifytests  forcanonicityingeneral. A,  `2A%  ThePrinciplesofCanonicity% Uq@0 ^"  `2 U D(#33D"3"  32#  1  .3  0 l   Isthebookauthoritative?3 ݌ l"l" Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  a  .3  0 l"l"  Aretherephrasessuchas,theLordsaidorGodspokeinthebook?    Againandagain,forinstance,inthepropheticbooks,wefindsimilar   phrasingastheprophetsspoke.;݌t  " " Ќ  ";"  ;|0 l 2#  b  .3  0 l"l"  Werethesebooksrecognizedasauthoritative?Prophetsmayhavebeen Z  persecutedandevenkilled,butweretheirwritingsrecognizedashaving @  comefromGod?;|݌&v  " " Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  c  .3  0 l"l"  PaulclaimedtheauthorityofGodinhiswritings,forinstance,inGal.1:1,  \ whenhewrites:Paul,anApostle"notfrommennorthroughman,but B throughJesusChristandGodtheFather,Whoraisedhimfromthedead.+Ԁ;L݌( " " Ќ  ";"  ;#0 l 2#  d  .3  0 l"l"  TherewereforgedandfalseepistlesevenduringthetimeofPaul.Paul  indicatedthatwhattheyreceivedinwritingshouldbeinaccordancewith  doctrineswhichtheyhadpreviouslyreceivedfromhim(see1Thess.2:2,  forinstance).Atthesametime,thishistoricallycalledintoquestionthe p epistleof2Peter,becausethewritingstyleofPeterinthisepistlewas V differentfromhiswritingstylein1Peter.;#P݌< " " Ќ  "3"  32#  2  .3  0 l   Isthebookprophetic?3/݌"rl"l" Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  a  .3  0 l"l"  ThetestofanOldTestamentprophetwas,didtheymakeaccurate X predictionsofwhatwouldhappenduringthatprophetslife?Aprophet > whoutteredprophecieswhichwereinaccurate,wastobeexecuted. $ Theseprophetsalsospokeofthedistantfuture,andifwhattheysaid   duringtheirlifetimespannedout,theirwritingsandwordswereaccepted  asfromGod.;݌  " " Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  b  .3  0 l"l"  Ashundredsofyearshavepassed,thepropheciesrecognizedasapplying l! totheMessiahclearlyapplytoJesusChrist,givingfurthercredencetothe R"  accuracyofOldTestamentprophecy.;݌8#! " " Ќ  "3"  3N2#  3  .3  0 l   Doesthebookcomportwellwiththefaithalreadydelivered?3N{݌$n"l"l" Ќ  ";"  ;T0 l 2#  a  .3  0 l"l"  EachbookoftheBibleneedstoconformtothedoctrinesalreadydelivered %T # anditneedstobeinalignmentwithrecognizedtextsfromGod.When %:!$ Paultaughtthe_Bereans_,theyhauledouttheOldTestamentScripturesto & "% makecertainwhathetoldthemwastrue(Acts17:11).;T݌'#& " " Ќ  "3"  32#  4  .3  0 l   Istheauthorknownandishisauthorityacceptedamongbelievers?3݌(#'l"l" Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  a  .3  0 l"l"  Moses,whowrotethePentateuch,wastheleaderoftheJewsinthe )$( desert,andtherefore,verywellknown.Hiswritingshavebeenaccepted h*%) astheWordofGodsincetheirinception.;݌N+&* " " Ќ  ";"  ;d0 l 2#  b  .3  0 l"l"  Certainprophets,likeIsaiahorJeremiah,toldofeventstocome,andthey 4,'+ werealwaysaccurate,eventhoughthepeopleofIsraeldidnotalwayslike -j(, F $   whattheyhadtosay.Theircollectedwritings(whichwere,essentially, d theiroralteachings)wereacceptedalmostimmediately.;d݌J " " Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  c  .3  0 l"l"  Thewritingsoftheoriginal11disciples,Paul,andthosecloselyassociated 0 withthese12wereacceptedascanonical;݌x  " " Ќ  "3"  3B2#  5  .3  0 l   Howdidbelievers(andunbelievers)respondtothesewritings?3Bo݌^ l"l" Ќ  ";"  ;J0 l 2#  a  .3  0 l"l"  BelieversrespondedfavorablytotheteachingofIsaiah,forthemostpart; D  andwithhardenedheartstotheteachingofJeremiah.However,their *  bookswereacceptedbybelieversfromthebeginning.;Jw݌  " " Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  b  .3  0 l"l"  WehaveastoryofhowthebookoftheLawhadnotbeenavailabletoone    particularking,andwhen_Hilkiah_Ԁthepriestdiscoveredthebook,andgave z  ittothesecretaryoftheking,whoreadittotheking,KingJosiahreacted `  emotionallytohearingGodswordsbeingspoken(2Kings22:8!11).;C݌F  " " Ќ  ";"  ;y0 l 2#  c  .3  0 l"l"  Theearlychurchfathersofthefirst2or3centuries(beforetheinception ,  oftheCatholicchurch)clearlyrecognizedsomewritingsasauthoritative t  andquotedthesewritingsinordertosupporttheirteachinganddoctrines. Z  AlmosttheentireNewTestamentcanbesalvagedfromthewritingsofthe @  earlychurchfathers.;y݌& " " Ќ  ";"  ;0 l 2#  d  .3  0 l"l"  PeoplerespondtotheBibleeventoday.AlthoughIhadgonetochurch   andhadknownsomereligiouspeople,IknewverylittleabouttheBibleat  age21,whenIwasatalowpointinmylife,andIpickedupandbeganto v readthebookofJohn.Likemostunbelievers,whatcaughtmyattention \ was, BelieveinJesusChristandyouwillbesaved.Ԁ(John3:16,18,36).;݌B " " Ќ  "3"  32#  6  .3  0 l   Howwasthebookreceived?Whorecognizedthebooksascanonical?3݌  @64(l"l"   q @*nhfd dxdd (# h f(#(#n,(#dd +  $$$ $Whataboutwhendispensationschange?Howdoweknowthatthenewdoctrines  beingtaughtarelegitimate?Forinstance,therewereagreatmanyfundamental n doctrineschangedwhenwemovedfromtheAgeofIsraeltotheChurchAge.Howdo T weknowthatthesechangesarelegitimate? A,: dA%  HowDoWeKnowthatThereareLegitimateChangesforthe ! ChurchAge?%. Uq@04""  d U(1)0 l JesustaughtsomefundamentalChurchAgedoctrinesintheUpperRoom # Discourse,whichteachingisfoundonlyinthebookofJohn(John13!17). Uq@0$j l"l"  q U(2)0 l JesussenttheHolySpirittobelieversonceHehadascended(Acts1:52:1!4). Uq@0F&!l"l"  q U(3)0 l GodprovidedcertainmiraculousgiftstotheApostlesandtosomeoftheir '^!" disciples,whichgiftsactedasacreditcard,ifyouwill;asproofthattheywere (D"# fromGod.Thesegiftsincludedtheabilitytospeakinaknownforeignlanguage )*#$ whichisunknowntothespeaker;theabilitytohealsickpeople;andtheabilityto r*$% performsignsandwonders(althoughwedonothavemanyexampleshere). X+$& OncetheauthorityoftheApostleswasestablishedandChurchAgedoctrine >,%' committedtowriting,thesegiftsbegantofadeawayandwereallgonebytheend $-&( ofthe1stcentury. Uq@0dl"l"  q U(4)0 l MenwhowereclearlyknowntobedisciplesofJesusattestedtotheauthorityof ^  theteachingofothers(PeterendorsedthewritingsofPaulin2Peter3:16!17). Uq@0D l"l"  q U(5)0 l Godprovidedothertemporarygiftstoearlybelieverswhichallowedthemto  > speakChurchAgedoctrineintheircongregation(thegiftsofknowledgeandthe  $ giftofprophecy).ThesegiftsalsofadedfromthesceneonceChurchAge   doctrineswereestablished(seeIntroductoryLesson#6). Uq@0pl"l"  q U(6)0 l CertainJewishritualswerenolongercompatiblewiththeChristianfaith.Animal j sacrificeslookedforwardtothecomingofJesusChrist.SinceJesushascome P  intheflesh,thesesacrificesarenolongerneededinordertopresentashadow 6  imageofJesusandHisworkonthecross.ThewriterofHebrewsspendsmuch   ofhisbookexplainingwhy_weo_ԀdonotcontinuewiththeritualsfoundintheLaw   ofMoses:WehavebeensanctifiedthroughtheofferingofthebodyofJesus h  Christonceforall.Everypriestindeedstandsdaybydayministeringandoften N  offeringthesamesacrifices,whichcannevertakeawaysins,butHe,whenHe 4 hadofferedonesacrificeforsinsforever,satdownontherighthandofGod.So  whenthese[sins]havebeenforgiven,anofferingtotakeawaysinsisnolonger  neededԀ(Heb.10:10!12,18).@64fl"l"   q @*nhfd dxdd (#hf(#(#n,xdd +  $|| $TheNewTestamentepistlesgiveusthechangesforthisnewdispensation.These ` changesprimarilyhavetodowith(1)thehistoricityofChristsofferingforsin(wenow F lookbackwardratherthanforward)and(2)thegivingoftheHolySpirittoallbelievers.", "Earlychurchfathersspokespecificallytotheconceptofcanonicity.CyrusofJerusalem ( (circa315!386a.d.)recognizedthesamesetofbooksoftheNewTestamentaswedo,  withtheexceptionofthebookofRevelation.Eusebius(circa325!340)recognizestodays t canon(includingRevelation),butlistsJames,2Peter,2and3JohnandJudeasdisputed  Z books.Jerome(circa340!420)andAugustine(circa400)bothrecognizethesamecanon !@ aswedotoday. "& Canonswereofficiallyestablishedby_Marcion_Ԁ(circa140),andtherearethefollowing r$ namedcanons:the_Muratorian_Ԁ(circa170),_Barococcio_Ԁ(circa208),Cheltenham(circa360), X% and_Athanasuis_Ԁ(circa367).Although_Marcion_scanonwasfairlysparse,theother5 >& canonsagreeinalmostallbooks(2donotlistRevelation,onedoesnotlistJude,2donot $'  listHebrewsorJames,onerejectsthe_Petrain_Ԁepistles,andonelists2Peter,2and3John  ( ! asdisputed). (p!" Fourcouncilsofnotemetbetween325!410anddiscussedwhichbooksoughttobe *<#$ consideredcanonicalandwhichshouldnot.SomeofthetestswhichIhavespokenof +"$% wereapartofthesediscussions.AlthoughmostoftheNewTestamenthadbeen ,%& informallyacceptedasauthoritative,atsomepoint,thisneededtobeformalized.Thefinal n-%' 3agreedonourpresentNewTestamentcanon;thefirstonequestionedJames,2Peter,  2and3JohnandJude.PeoplemistakenlythinkthattheCatholicChurchdidallofthis,but  theCatholicChurchwasonlyonecomponentoftherecognitionofcanonoftheNew | Testament. b OnecontroversialsectioninsomeBiblesiscalledtheApocrypha,whicharewritingsmade . ~ aftertheclosingoftheOldTestamentcanonandbeforethe1stAdventofJesusChrist.  d MuchhasbeenwrittenabouttheApocrypha,andwhyitisnotapartofGodsWord.Some  J writingsonthistopicwhichappeartobeaccurateare:  0 4thRO  5  http://www.inplainsite.org/html/apocrypha.html6z RO !%  7 Ԁ    Themostlengthyandthoroughtreatmentoftheapocrypha: x  4$RO  5  http://www.studytoanswer.net/rcc/rvb_apocrypha.html6 RO !%  7> Ԁ D  Onesourcedoesnotappeartotakesides,butseemstoberelativelyaccurate: ` 4"RO  5  http://_www.probe.org_/site/_c.fdKEIMNsEoG_/b.4225141/k.1102/_The_Old_Testament_Apo , crypha_Controversy.htm_6 RO !%  74 J Ԁ  A@ (d@ A%  ThereareafewquickpointstobemadeabouttheApocrypha: % Ԁ  ! ! D(#33D"3"  32#  1  .3  0    NeitherJesusnortheApostlesquotedfromtheapocrypha.3$݌#(#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  2  .3  0    Josephus,thegreatJewishhistorian,explicitlyexcludedtheapocryphafromthe * canonofScripture.3'݌(#(# Ќ  "3"  3<2#  3  .3  0    Someearlychurchfathersspokeoutagainsttheapocrypha(Origen,Cyrilof  Jerusalem,_Athanasius_).3<i݌(#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  4  .3  0    Nocanonorcouncilforthefirst4centuriesrecognizedtheapocryphaasinspired.3݌(#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  5  .3  0    TheCatholicChurchdidnotclaimthattheapocryphawascanonicaluntil1500a.d.3݌ (#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  6  .3  0    AlthoughthesebooksshouldnotbeapartofthecanonofScripture,thisdoesnot   meanthattheyarewhollyfalse.Thereiscertainlysomeaccuratehistoryin ! Maccabeesandsomeaccuratedoctrinesfoundintheapocrypha.However,there "  isinaccuratehistoryandfalsedoctrinealsofoundintheapocrypha.3 ݌t#!(#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  7  .3  0    Earlychurchfatherswhospokeonthismatterrejectedtheapocryphaascanonical. {$" JustinMartyr,_Melito_ԀofSardis,_Athanasius_,andGregoryof_Nazianzus_Ԁrejectedthe a% # apocryphaascanonical.EvenJerome,whomadetheLatintranslationforthe G&!$ CatholicChurch,andspecificallyseparatedtheapocryphafromtherestoftheOld -'}"% Testament.3C݌(c#&(#(# Ќ  @@)$11! @Onemorething:therearenobooksouttherewhichalmostmadeitintotheOldorNew j*%( TestamentCanon.ThereisnotsomeadditionalgospelofJudasorStephensuchthat R+&) thereweregreatargumentsoveritsinclusion.EverydisputedOldandNewTestament 8,'* bookwhichwaseverdisputedisfoundintheBible. -n(+ (#(#K(#A@ ZPd@A % 6 IntroductoryLesson9%6:TheBible%(#InspirationandtheOriginalLanguages  W @@d!!qq!@TheBibleissaidtobetheWordofGodanditisoftenreferredtoasinspired.Although J thereareseveral[false]approachestotheconceptofinspiration,whatisknownasVerbal 2  PlenaryInspirationisthecorrectunderstandingoftheinspirationoftheBible.Wedefine  j inspirationas, GodtheHolySpiritsosupernaturallydirectedthehumanwritersof  R Scripturethat,withoutwaivingtheirintelligence,theirindividuality,theirpersonal  < feelings,theirliterarystyle,oranyotherhumanfactorofexpression,Hiscomplete  & andcoherentMessagetomankindwasrecordedwithperfectaccuracyinthe    originallanguagesofScripture:theverywordsbearingtheAuthorityofDivine   Authorship . ~#  4      ׀   TheBibleistheWordofGodanditpresentsitselfastheWordofGod.IntheKJV(the d  KingJamesversion),thephrase,saiththeLordoccurs815times.Godsaidoccurs46 J  times.TheLordsaidoccurs222times.TheBiblepresentsitselfasGodsmessageto 2 manratherthanmansmessagetomanaboutGod.TheBiblerevealswhatGodhasdone j andwhatGodwilldo.Everythingwhichweseeandeverythingthatwedonotseeis R createdbyGodandsubjecttoGod;yetportionsofGodscreationhavefreewillwhichcan 8 operateindependentlyofGod(manandangels).YetHiscreatedcreatureswithfreewill  findtheirbestandgreatestfulfillmentwhenactinginaccordancetoHiswill.  Thisiswhywecanhavesomanydifferentauthors,whohavecompletelydifferentliterary  andwritingstyles,allcommunicatingtheWordofGod.Johnsstyleofwritingis f deceptivelysimple"heusesverysimpleandbasicKoineGreek,yetcommunicatesvery L profoundthoughtsanddoctrines.JohnwasprobablynotaneducatedmanandtheKoine 2 Greekwasprobablyhissecondlanguage.Hisliteraryshortcomingsarequiteapparentin h hiswritings.Paul,ontheotherhand,usesverycomplexKoineGreek,usingwordsnow N andagainfromotherGreeklanguagesordialects(Classical,Attic,Doric,Aeolic)to 4 illustrateapoint;andPaulsthoughtmaycontinuefor10or20versesatatime.  GodscompleteandcoherentmessageisfoundintheBible.Wecanfindallthatweneed ! toknowaboutthereasonforourbeingalive,ourrelationshiptoGod,aswellasdivine |"  guidance,allfromknowingtheWordofGod.SincetheCanonofScripturewascompleted, b#! thereisnoneedforadditionalrevelationfromGod."Isolemnlydeclaretoeveryonewho H$" hearsthewordsoftheprophecycontainedinthisbook,thatifanyoneaddstothose .%~ # words,Godwilladdtohimtheplaguesspokenofinthisbook;andthatifanyonetakes &d!$ awayfromthewordsofthebookofthisprophecy,Godwilltakefromhimhisshareinthe &J"% TreeofLifeandintheholycitythethingsdescribedinthisbook. )Ԁ(Rev.22:18!19). '0#&   ($' ThemeansbywhichGodspoketoandthroughthesemendiffersgreatly.TheMosaicLaw   presentedinmuchofExodus,LeviticusandNumbersisaresultofdictation"Godspoke  andMoseswrotedownwhatHesaid.However,theonlyMosaicpsalmandbookof | Deuteronomyrepresentagreatdeparturefromthatapproach.InPsalm90,Moseshas b beeninsortofalimbowiththeserecalcitrantJews,stuckoutinthedesert,andhewrites H thispsalm,despairingsomewhatoftheirsituation,notevenrealizingthatwhatheiswriting . ~ isapartoftheWordofGod.BeforeIsraelisabouttocrossoverintotheLandofPromise,  d totakeit,Mosesspeakstohispeople,andthisiswhatwefindinthebookof  J Deuteronomy.AlthoughhiswordswereclearlyinspiredbyGodtheHolySpirit,itisquite  0 adeparturefromhimcarefullywritingdowntheexactwordswhichGodspeaks.Wealso    haveGodspeakingtomenthroughdreamsandvisions;onoccasion,therearetimeswhen    Godspeaksthroughmen,butwearenottoldtheexactprocess;andtherearetimeswhen   certainbelievers,likePaul,havesuchabuildupofdoctrineintheirsoulsthattheycan x  speakorwrite,andtheresultistheWordofGod. ^  *lhd dxdd xhf(#(#l,<dd ,<dd +  3f*z *z  3ThereisaparallelbetweenthewrittenWordofGodandthelivingWordofGod,Jesus   Christ. WB$tf 2W%  TheWrittenWordofGodandtheLivingWordofGod%2 bM3>"  2 (bTheBible U@+"( (UJesusChrist Pt;0"  ( PTheBibleisthewrittenWordofGod.  p Ex.24:4a:AndMoseswrotedownallthe V wordsoftheLORD.l4ԀSeealso < Ex.34:!27!28.ԀThenJeremiahcalled " _Baruch_Ԁthesonof_Neriah_,and_Baruch_  wroteonascrollatthedictationof  JeremiahallthewordsoftheLORDthat  hehadspokentohim5Ԁ(Jer.36:4). At,!jt AJesusisthelivingWordofGod.Jesusis  p GodtheSon,the2ndmemberoftheTrinity. V InthebeginningwastheWord,andthe < WordwaswithGod,andtheWordwas "  God.HewasinthebeginningwithGod. ! Allthingsweremadethroughhim,and " withouthimwasnotanythingmadethat # wasmade.AndtheWordbecameflesh j$ anddweltamongus,andwehaveseen P% hisglory,gloryasoftheonlySonfromthe 6 & Father,fullofgraceandtruthM7Ԁ(John1:1!3, !l' 14). At,!"R(t ATheBibleisclearlywrittenbyman. Fd Deut.31:22:SoMoseswrotethissongthe , J samedayandtaughtittothepeopleof  0 Israel.%:ԀGodHimselfdivineinstitutiondid   notphysicallywritedownthewordsofthe   Bibleandthereareneverclaimsthatsome   angelcamedownandwrotethewordsof   theBible. At,!t AJesusistruehumanity.Sincetherefore Fd  thechildren[ofmen]shareinfleshand , J  blood,Hehimselflikewisepartookofthe  0  samethings<[fleshandblood],thatthrough    deathHemightdestroytheonewhohas    thepowerofdeath,thatis,thedevil,and   deliverallthosewhothroughfearofdeath   weresubjecttolifelongslavery<[tosinand  thesinnature].Forsurelyitisnotangels v thatHehelps,butHehelpsthechildrenof \z Abraham.ThereforeHehadtobemade B`  likeHisbrothersineveryrespectF>[Jesus (F   hadtobetruehumanity],sothatHemight ,  becomeamercifulandfaithfulHighPriest   intheserviceofGod,tomakepropitiation   forthesinsofthepeoplew?Ԁ(Heb.2:14!17). At,! t AThewrittenWordofGodwastobestudied :X withalldiligence.Youshallthereforelay  > upthesewordsofmineinyourheartand $ inyoursoul,andyoushallbindthemasa   signonyourhand,andtheyshallbeas  _frontlets_Ԁbetweenyoureyes.Youshall  teachthemtoyourchildren,talkingofthem  whenyouaresittinginyourhouse,and   whenyouarewalkingbytheway,and j! whenyouliedown,andwhenyourise. Pn" Youshallwritethemonthedoorpostsof 6 T# yourhouseandonyourgatesA !:$ (Deut.11:18!20).Studytoshowyourself " % approveduntoGod,aworkmanthatneeds "& nottobeashamed,rightlydividingthe #' wordoftruthCԀ(2Tim.2:15). At,!$(t AJesusistobestudiedwithalldiligenceand :X) known.AndweknowthattheSonofGod  >* hascomeandhasgivenusunderstanding, $+ sothatwemayknowHimwhoistrue;and  , weareinHimwhoistrue,inHisSon - JesusChrist.HeisthetrueGodand . eternallifeJEԀ(1John5:20).Weknowthat / Christ,beingraisedfromthedead,will 0 neverdieagain;deathnolongerhas j1 dominionoverhimFԀ(Rom.6:9).Lookto Pn2 JesusG[whichrequiresknowledgeofHim], 6 T3 thefounderandperfecterofourfaith,who !:4 forthejoythatwassetbeforehimendured " 5 thecross,despisingtheshame,andis "6 seatedattherighthandofthethroneof #7 God.ConsiderHimwhoenduredfrom $8 sinnerssuchhostilityagainstHimself,so %9 thatyoumaynotgrowwearyor &: faintheartedHԀ(Heb.12:2!3).1'%f';  t 1*hd d<dd <<dd <h(#(#,xdd +  /f|( ;|(  /TheBibleisallaboutJesusChrist,inboththeOldandNewTestaments.[Jesussaid] ( <  ForifyoubelievedMoses,youwouldbelieveMe;forhewroteofMeWKԀ(John5:46).1'%)!= f 1Ihavedoneseveralstudiesoftheconceptofinspiration,andinfarmoredetailat: +#> 4RO  5  http://kukis.org/page10.html6rLROL  7RLԀ -%@ ЇWeshouldalsospendsometimeontheoriginallanguages.TheBiblewaswrittenin  Hebrew,Chaldean,andKoineGreek.Theselanguagesarenolongerextenttoday,but  theyhavebeenstudiedfarmorethananyotherancienttongue.Withinarmsreach,Ihave | about50booksonthe(ancient)HebrewandKoineGreeklanguages.Thisisasmall b percentageofthebookswrittenabouttheselanguages. H MostoftheOldTestament,apartfromacoupleofbooksandafewpassageshereand  d there,iswritteninHebrew.TheoriginalwrittenformofHebrewiswrittenfromrighttoleft  J (theoppositeofEnglish)andtheyonlywrotedownconsonants.TheJewsknewenough  0 abouttheirownlanguagetobeabletoreadtheBible,automaticallyfillinginthevowelsas    theyspoke.Later,whenthelanguageofHebrewhadbeguntodie,whatwasbeinglost    wasthepronunciation,sothatvowelpointswereaddedtothetext.Thesearetinymarks   madeaboveandbelowtheconsonants,sothattheoriginaltextcouldbemaintained x  precisely. ^  *lhd dxdd xh(#(#l,rdd ,dd +  B-*z *z  pP2B%  HebrewTenses%FS bM3 "  pP2 pP(bTense U@+@"pP( pP(UMeaningoftheTense Pt;0@"  pP( PPerfect At,!t ACompletedaction At,!t AImperfect At,!:t AIncompleteorcontinuousaction,generallyreferringtopresentor : futureaction.1'% p  t 1*hd drdd rdd h(#(#,rdd ,dd +  3fll 3Eachverbcanhaveadifferentstem,whichaffectsthemeaningoftheverb. WB$f pP2W%  HebrewStems%W bM3J"  pP2 pP(bStem U@+"pP( pP(UMeaningoftheStem Pt;0"  pP( PQal At,!,|t Asimpleactiveaction At,!,|t ANiphal At,! t Asimplepassive(andsometimesreflexive)action At,!  t APiel At,! "p!t Aintensiveaction(sometimescausative) At,! "p"t APual At,!##t Aintensivepassiveaction At,!#$t AHithpael At,!%d %t Areflexiveaction At,!%d &t AHiphil At,!&!'t Acausativeactiveaction At,!&!(t AHophal At,!(X#)t Acausativepassiveaction1'%(X#* t 1*hd  drdd rdd h(#(#,xdd +  /f)n$*)n$ /Therearemorestemsthanthese,andthesestemsarenothardandfastrules,butthey )$+ areguidelines.Themeaningandunderstandingoflanguageisbaseduponitsactual h*%, usage.Also,itisrareforaverbtooccurinallofthestemsabove.1'%N+&- f 1  d,'- *lh,d dxdd xh(#(#l,dd ,dd ,dd ,dd ,dd +  3f 3 NoteveryverbintheHebrewisfoundineverystem;nordothemeaningsconform d exactlytomyoversimplificationofthestems. WB$Jf pP2W%   ExamplesofHebrewStems% a bM3t"  pP2 pP(bStem U@+& v"pP( pP(U_F kal_Ԁ(_ ( ' _) U@+& v"pP( pP(U_n thak_Ԁ(_ (  ' _) U@+& v"pP( pP(U_q tsaph_Ԁ(_ (  '  _) U@+& v"pP( pP(U_t phas_Ԁ(_ , (  '  * _) Pt;0& v"  pP( PQal At,!  t A&>f%XXtoeat;todevour    (offire,sword),to z   consume; At,!N  "t Atopourout[forth], At,!  "t Atobeangry,tobe   furious At,!z "t Atolayaholdof,to   seize[capture, z  arrest];tograsp; N  touseskillfully At,!" r"t A#XX%&>fe#Niphal   &>f%XX(passive)#XX%&>fBh# At,!p t A&>f%XXtobeeaten,tobe   devoured,tobe ^  consumed At,!2 "t Atobepoured[out] At,! "t A At,! "t Atobeseized;tobe   arrested[caught, ^  taken] At,!2 "t A#XX%&>fh#Piel   @XX(intensive)#XX@j# At,! t A&>f%XXtoconsume At,! "t A At,! !"t A At,! ""t Atocatch,tograsp  # [withthehands] At,!n $"t A#XX%&>fuk#Pual &% &>f%XX(intensive  & passive)#XX%&>fm# At,!'t A&>f%XXtocausetoeat,to &( feed,tocauseto ) devour At,!~*"t A At,!&+"t A At,!&,"t A At,!&-"t A#XX%&>fm#Hithpael H. @XX(reflexive)#XX@xo# At,!./t A&>f%XX At,!H0"t A At,!H1"t Atoputoneselfinto H2 arage,towork 3 oneselfintoan 4 anger At,!t5"t A At,!H6"t A#XX%&>fp#Hiphil ,7 XX(causative)#XXq# At,!8t A&>f%XXtofeed,tocause ,9 toeat At,!:"t Atopourout,to ,; melt At,!<"t Atoprovoketo ,= anger At,!>"t A At,!,?"t A#XX%&>fkr#Hophal h@ _@XX(causative_ NA passive)#XX@Xt# At,! Bt A&>f%XX At,!hC"t Atobemelted At,!hD"t A At,!hE"t A1'%hF" t 1#XX%&>fu#*-h.d  ddd dd dd dd dd h,(#(#,xdd +  /fF /Thesearejustafewexamples,andithelpstoexplainwhythesameverbmaybe  ^G translatedinseveraldifferentways(ifyoufollowoutthevariousplaceswherethesame  DH verbisused).1'%!*I f 1ThemorphologyofaHebrewverbalsoincludestheperson,numberandgender. #&J Therefore,wecanlookatanyverbintheHebrewanddecide, Thatmustbea3rdperson $ K masculinesingular,Qalimperfect(orwhatever).Thatwouldmeanthatwewouldbe % L lookingatthecommondefinitionforthisverb,thattheactioniscontinuousorfuture,and &!M thatthepersondoingtheactionoftheverbisaman(orathingwhichhasamasculine n'"N gender). T(#O EswordprovidesaBiblewithabasicmorphology(withthestemandthetense);thereis  *p%Q a4volumesetofbooksbyJosephOwen,whichprovidesacompletemorphologyforthe +V&R entireOldTestament,whichsetofreferencebooks,Idependupon. +<'S   ,"(T TheGreekisquitedifferentfromtheHebrewandtheEnglish.Weareusedtoapast,   presentandfuturetenses.TheGreekpresenttensereferstocontinuousaction;theGreek  imperfecttensereferstocontinuousactioninthepast;theperfecttensereferstoaction | whichwascompletedinthepast,butwhichhasresultswhichcontinueintothefuture;the b aoristtensereferstoapointintimeortopointsintime(oftenpast,butpossiblypresentor H future);andthefuturetenseissimilartoourfuturetense. . ~ EachGreekverbcanbeidentifiedbyitstense,voiceandmood,aswellaspersonand  J number.  0 EventhoughtheKoineGreekisadeadlanguage,weknowalmostasmuchaboutthis    Greekaswedoanymodernlanguage.Firstofall,itisequivalenttoLatin"itwasspoken   atthesametimebythesamepeople,sotheselanguagesbecameessentiallyequivalent x  languages;andsecondly,wehaveahugeamountofKoineGreekliterature,rangingfrom ^  contractsanddeedstoliteraturetogrammarbooks. D  Thefinalresultis,weknowwithgreatprecisionwhateveryverseintheNewTestament ` means,andweknowwithareasonableamountofprecisionwhateachverseintheOld F Testamentmeans. , ProbablyoflessinteresttomostpeoplearefurtherstudieswhichIhavedoneinthe  originallanguages,someofwhichcanbefoundatthefollowingpage:  4>RO  5  http://kukis.org/page9.html6ʂROނson,  7p Ԁ Z OneofthethingswhichIdois,ItakeabookfromtheOldTestamentandexamineitword &v bywordintheoriginalHebrew,presenttheessentialsofthemeaningandmorphologyof  \ everysingleword,andInotewhateverdiscrepanciesthatthereareforeachverse.Most B ofthediscrepanciesarequitetrivial.TheGreekverbusedintheSeptuagint(theGreek ( translationoftheOldTestament)maynotmatchtheHebrewverbexactly.TheLatin  VulgatemayhaveasingularnounwheretheHebrewhasapluralduetotheusageofthat  language(forinstance,faceintheHebrewisapluralnoun;intheEnglish,wewould   translateitasasingular).ThebookofSamuelissupposedtobethemostpoorly r!  transmittedbookoftheOldTestament,andIamaboutthsofthewaythroughexegeting X"! it.AlthoughIhavefounddozensofdiscrepanciesineachchapter,Ihaveonlyfound2in >#" theentirebookof1Samuelwhicharesignificant.Apartfromthesediscrepancies,there $$t# arenodifferencesbetweenanyoftheHebrewtextsorbetweentheHebrewandtheGreek,  %Z $ Latinand/orSyriactextswhichareseriousenoughtoaffectanymajororminortheological %@!% doctrines. &&"& TogiveyouanideaofwhatIspendmostofmytimeon,herearethelinkstothechapters (#( ofSamuelwhichIhavestudiedandwrittenabout: )$) 4@pRO  5  http://kukis.org/Samuel/Samuel_links.htm6ROson,  7pIԀ T+&+  (#(#K(# :,', A@ ZPdA % r IntroductoryLesson10:TheBible.(#TeachingandSpiritualGrowth %r`Ԉ !q  @@~!!qq!@ Teachingandspiritualgrowth:  d WegrowintheChurchAgethroughagracesystemandthroughtheknowledgeofJesus 6  Christ.Petercommandsus:Growingrace,andintheknowledgeofourLordandSavior  l JesusChristԀ(2Peter3:18a).Godmakesitpossibleforallbelieverstounderstandthe  R doctrinesoftheWordofGod,regardlessoftheirhumanI.Q.Paulprays,Accordingtothe  8 richesofHisglory,Hegivesyou[thisgift]tobestrengthenedwithpowerthroughHisSpirit   inyourinnerbeing,sothatChristmaybeathomeinyourheartsthroughfaith"sothat    you,beingrootedandgroundedinlove,mayhavetheabilitytocomprehendwithallthe   saintswhatisthebreadthandlengthandheightanddepth,andtoknowtheloveofChrist   thatsurpasses[human]knowledge,thatyoumaybefilledwithallthefullnessofGod f  (Eph.3:16!19). L  *l3h4d dxdd x-h.(#(#l,Sdd ,%dd +  3fhh 3Thisisaverytechnicalprayer,andactuallyrequiresseveralhourstoexegeteit.Letme | brieflyrunthroughit. WB$bf 2W% " AShortExegesisofEph.3:16!19%"q bM3,"  2 (bScripture U@+"( (UCommentary Pt;0"  ( PAccordingtothe ^ richesofHisglory̓.JԀ( At,!Dt AJesusChristwasresurrected,toshowthatHisworkwasaccepted ^ byGod,andHewasglorified;andinthisglorification,Hehasgreat D spiritualrichestobestowuponus.Thesericheswillbeherein * discussed. At,!t AHemaygiveyou : [thisgift] At,! pt AIntheChurchAge,wehaveapowernotpreviouslygiventoall : believers"thepoweroftheHolySpirit.Wedonothavetoearn  p thispower,wedonothavetoworkforitoragonizeforit.TheHoly V Spiritisgiventoallbelievers.ThatthisgiftistheHolySpiritand <  spiritualgrowthwillbecovered. At,! "!t Atobestrengthened;uNԀq At,!L""t ATheHolySpiritstrengthensourspirituallife;itisnotanexperience L"# anditisnota2ndblessing(i.e.,itdoesnothappensometimeafter 2#$ salvation).Thestrengtheningprocessisnextdescribed. At,!$h%t Awithpowerthrough % & HisSpiritinyour x&!' innerbeing,$PԀ At,!^'"(t ABymeansoftheHolySpirit,wearestrengthenedinourinner % ) being,whichisthehumanspirit.TheHolySpiritisourpower;He x&!* makesourspiritualgrowthpossible. At,!^'"+t AsothatChristmay (($, beathomeinyour )%- hearts  At,!*%.t ATheheartisoftenusedforthesoulandthespiritofthebeliever; (($/ ourentireabilitytothinkandtorelatetoGod.Theprocessherein )%0 describedhastodowithJesusChristbeingathomeinour *%1 thinking. At,!+&2t Athroughfaith  At,!Fdt AAnintegralpartofthisprocessisfaith.WecannotjustlearnBible Fd  doctrine;wehavetoalsobelieveit.Weallknowthatfaithiskey . L insalvation;butitisalsokeyinthesubsequentChristianlife. At,! 2t AԄthatyou,being   rootedand t  groundedinlove,ڟTԀT At,!Z xt AThereareacoupleofverycommonphrasesfoundthroughoutthe   NewTestamentwhicharerarelygiventheirdue:inloveandin t   Christaretwoofthesephrases.Inlovedoesnotmeanthatwe \ z  havetorunaroundandfeelsomethinginsideofus,eitherforGod Db  orforotherpeople.Itisatechnicalphrasereferringtothefilling *H  oftheHolySpirit,whichisachievedbynamingyoursinstoGod .  afteryouhavesinned(1John1:9).Oneoftheessentialsto   spiritualgrowthisbeingfilledwiththeHolySpirit,whichisidentical   tobeinginfellowshipwithGod,whichiscalledhere,beingrooted   andgroundedinlove.Ԁ At,! t Amayhavethe "@  abilityto & comprehendwith   [inassociationwith]  allthesaintsT At,!t AThisisthephrasewhichtellsus:withtheseotherfactorsinplace, "@  wemayunderstandBibledoctrinealongwithallotherbelievers. & Thistellsanybelieverthatheorsheisabletounderstandalong   sideallotherbelieversthedoctrinesoftheBible. At,!t Awhatisthebreadth 4R andlengthand 8 heightanddepth,Ӧ\ԀS At,!t ATheseareallaspectsofChristiandoctrine.Thelengthrefersto 4R humanandangelichistory"weknowthebeginningfromtheend. : TheheightreferstotheGodheadandthetotalityoftheology(as    muchasHewantsustoknow).ThedepthreferstotheAngelic ! Conflict,withtheemphasisuponthefallenangelsandtheir " interrelationshipwithourlives.ThebreadthisourownChristian # life,frombeginning(salvation)todeathandbeyond. At,!$t Aandtoknowthe !2% loveofChristthat !& surpasses[human] "' knowledge,9 At,!#(t AThewordshereindicatethatweareabletounderstandallaspects !2) oftheplanofGodwhichHeneedsforustounderstand.This !* spiritualunderstandinggoesbeyondhumanknowledgeand "+ humancomprehension.Thewordforknowledgeherecanrefer #, eithertohumanknowledgeordoctrinewhichhasbeentaughtbut $- notyetbelieved. At,!%.t Athatyoumaybe '0/ filledwithallthe ' 0 fullnessofGod At,!( 1t ATheendresultis,wearefilledwiththefullnessofGod,whichis '02 anotherwayoflookingatspiritualmaturity.Whatarewefilled ' 3 with?ThecomprehensionofallaspectsoftheplanofGod ( 4 designedforourlives.ThisiswhatGodhasdesignedforusin )!5 thislife. 1'%*"6 t 1*5h7d dSdd S%dd %3h4(#(#,xdd +  /f /WhatwearedoingisbringingourthinkinginlinewithGodsthinking.Wearebringing d everythoughtintocaptivityforChrist(2Cor.10:5).Wearerenovatingourthinking J  (Rom.12:1!2).Thisgoesfarbeyondsimplybeingmoralormakingattemptstostop 0 ourselvesfromsinning. Af,!f ASo,Godhasgivenustheabilitytocomprehendwithallotherbelieversallthatthereis @  toknowabouttheplanofGodforourlives,thisthinkingwhichsurpasseshuman & v thinking.ThisisdonebymeansofGodtheHolySpiritinus,Whofillsus(afterwehave  \ namedoursinstoGodtheFather),whichstrengthensandfillsourinnerbeing,sothat  B JesusChristiscomfortable(athome)inourthinking. Af,! ( f AMyprimarypointisthis(althoughthispassagecoversagreatdealofground):ifyou R  haveahumanI.Q.highenoughtounderstandandtorespondtothegospel,thenyou 8  canunderstandandrespondtothedoctrinesoftheBible. Af,!n f AApersonwithalowhumanI.Q.canhaveasrichaspirituallife"basedupongrowingin   graceandknowledgeofJesusChrist"asabelieverwithahighhumanI.Q.1'%~   f 1IntheChurchAge,apersonshouldbeprimarilytaughtunderapastorteacherinachurch. z However,thereareactuallyveryfewpastorteacherswhodotheirjobs.Manychurches, ` unfortunately,teachnothingmorethanaBiblicalmorality;andafeweventeachsomesort F ofcontemporarymorality"includingthingslike,careoftheplanetandclimate ,| awareness"andthatisthethrustoftheirministry.FindingachurchwheretheWordof b Godisbeingtaughtregularlyandaccuratelyisextremelyimportant. H Thesecondapproachistogatherwithotherbelieversregularlyandlistentosermonsby  agoodpastorteacherbymeansofacomputer.Itisherewheremoderntechnologymeets  withtheimportanceofgoodteaching.  Thethirdapproachistodothisonyourown.Gettingaccesstoaccurateteaching \ nowadaysisquiteeasy,giventheInternet.Bibledoctrinecanbelistenedtowhileonline, B bymeansofMP3filesonCDs,on_ipods_Ԁorothersuchdevices,orevenona_cellphone_. ( x Personally,thisishowIbeganmyownspiritualgrowth,butitwaswithataperecorderand !^ manyboxesoftapes,and,forashorttime,IthoughtIwasabouttheonlypersoninthe !D worldwhowasgrowinginthisway. "* Atbest,mybasicteachingherewillcom_pliment_Ԁwhatagoodpastorteacherteaches. $! Belowisalistofanumberofchurchesandpastors,mostofwhichhavetheirsermons r&!# availableeitheronlineorbyordering.Noneofthesechurcheschargefortheirmaterials X'"$ (mostofwhicharesentoutasMP3files). >(#% 48eRO  5  http://kukis.org/Links/thelist.htm6RO0tht  7e^Ԁ  *Z%' WhatisnotrecommendedisforyoutoreadtheBibleandstudyonyourown.Thisishow +&') cultsareformed.Whatpeopletendtodois,theyglomontoahandfulofversesandhold ,(* tighttotheseverses,which,inmostcases,areinagreementwiththenormsandstandards -(+ theyhadpriortobecomingaChristian.ThentheyinterpretallotherportionsoftheBible  inaccordancewiththeseverseswhichtheyreallylike(somepeopleemphasizetheMosaic  Law;andothersemphasizetheSermonontheMount).PriortobelievinginJesusChrist, | youlearnedcertainnormsandstandardswhichyoumayormaynothaveadheredto.If, b afterbelievinginJesusChrist,youholdtoamajorityofthesenormsandstandards,and, H theprimarydifferencebetweenyoubeforeandaftersalvationis,nowyouaremoremoral, . ~ thenyoudonotunderstandtheChristianwayoflife.Iamnotsayingthatyouneedto,  d afterbecomingabelieverinJesusChrist,startbeingimmoral;Iamsimplysayingthat  J moralityisnottheChristianwayoflife.  0 Letssaythatyouarehiredbyalargeapartmentcomplextohandletheirplumbing    problems.Thisdoesnotmeanthatyougoaroundthecomplexcleaningthetoilets.Now,   itmaybeaverygoodthingthatyouarecleaningtoilets,butthatisnotyouractualjob. x  Yourjobismorecomplexthanthat.MostChristianswhoshouldbeplumbersare ^  wanderingaboutcleaningtoilets.Thatisnottheirprimaryfunction. D  Mypointis,apartfromagoodpastorteacher,youaregoingtowanderaboutaimlesslyin ` theChristianlife,evenifyoureadand/orstudyyourBibleeachandeveryday. F Hereiswhatyoudonotlookforinapastor.Ishekind,doeshemakeyoulaugh,ishethe  kindofguyyouwanttobefriendswithandhangoutwith;doesheseemholyand  dedicatedandsincere?Thesethingsarerelatedtothepersonalityofthepastor,whichis  notanissue.Thepastorspersonalityisunimportant.Youmayormaynotlikethe v personalityofyourrightpastor.ThefirstpastorIlistenedtoandgrewupunder,Idisliked \ forthefirstfewmonthsoflisteningtohim.Afteratime,Igrewtolikethemanand B appreciatehissenseofhumor,butthatwascertainlynotmyinitialreactiontohim. (x Aq@ d@DA   % ^ WhattoLookforinaPastorTeacherandinaChurch %^) e  D(#33D"3"  3$2#  1  .3  0    TheprimarythrustofthechurchshouldbeBibleteaching.Youmaysingnowand r again,theremaybeanursery,theremaybeplaysoractivities"but,theprimary X focusofthechurchshouldbeuponteachingtheWordofGod.Iwouldthinkthat >  4onehourclassesaweekarebareminimumforspiritualgrowth.3$Q݌$!t(#(# Ќ  "3"  3`2#  2  .3  0    ThepastorshouldhaveaworkingunderstandingoftheGreekandtheHebrew,and +"{  heshouldbeabletocommunicatethistoyou.Tohaveafullunderstandingand #a! appreciationforcertainpassagesofScripture,youneedtoknowwhatisbeingsaid.3`݌#G"(#(# Ќ  "3"  3E2#  3  .3  0    Thepastorshouldhaveafullunderstandingoftheology,which,inmostcases, $N # requiresadegreefromanaccreditedseminary.Althoughsomepastorscanteach %4!$ withoutthisdegree,thatshouldbetheexception,nottherule.Ifyourpastorhas &"% beenabelieverfor,say,lessthan5years,thenheisnotready.Ittakestimefora '#& newbelievertogrowintomaturity,andthentimeforthatbelievertorecognizetheir (#' spiritualgift.Thenpreparationforthepastorateisinvolved(seminary).3Er݌|)$((#(# Ќ  "3"  3a2#  4  .3  0    Thepastorshouldregularlyremindhiscongregantstonametheirsinssilentlyto *%) God.Youcannotgrowspirituallyapartfromthis.Apastorwhodoesnotmakethis i+&* anissuepriortoteachingislikegoingonalongdrivewithoutputtinggasinyour O,'+ car"youarenotgoingtogetanywherewithoutit.3a݌5-(,(#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  5  .3  0    Thepastorshouldnotcounsel.Ifhespendshistimecounseling,thenhecannot !q bespendingenoughtimestudyingandteaching.Counselingwilloccurwithinthe W functionofhisspiritualgift,whichisteachinghiscongregation.3݌=(#(# Ќ  "3"  3m2#  6  .3  0    Achurchshouldhaveavailablesomewheretheirbasicdoctrinalbeliefs(onlineor D asahandout),whichshouldincludethefollowing:3m݌*(#(# Ќ  ";"  ;0  2#  a  .3  0` (#(#  AbeliefintheTrinityofGod,thatGodtheFather,GodtheSonandGodthe  1 HolySpiritarecoequalandcoeternalmembersoftheTrinity.;݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;L0  2#  b  .3  0` (#(#  ThatJesusChristwenttothecrosstobearoursins.ItisbyfaithinHim   alonewhichisthemanwardsideofsalvation.Noworksareinvolvedin   salvationforus.Wedonotneedtobebaptized,followsomesetofrulesor    sacramentsofthechurch,andwedonothavetobecomenicepeople.It   shouldbeclearthat,afterbelievinginJesusChrist,youcangooutand f  committhemostheinoussinsyoucanimagine,andyouwillremainsaved. L  However,thepastorshouldquicklyadd,whenyousinafterbecominga 2  believer,thenGodpotentiallywilldisciplineyou.Furthermore,thereare h  naturalresultstosinning.Forinstance,ifyoubreakthelaw,youmightbe N arrestedandjailed.Ifyoutakedrugs,youmightbecomeaddictedtothem. 4 Ifyougooutofyourwaytoactlikeanass,peoplemaynotwanttobe  aroundyou.But,tobeclear,insofarasGodisconcerned,ifyouhave  believedinJesusChrist,thenyouaresavedandyoucannotlosethat  salvation.;Ly݌|` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;0  2#  c  .3  0` (#(#  JesusChrististheGodman,theonlymediatorbetweenmanandGod.  Jesusisfullyman,havingbeenbornofawoman,butwithoutasinnature. i JesusisfullyGod,andtheseattributesarenotmixedorcompromisedor O heightened.;(݌5` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;0  2#  d  .3  0` (#(#  Salvationispermanentanditcannotbelostthroughsinoralaterlossof < faith.;'݌"r` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;>0  2#  e  .3  0` (#(#  Atsalvation,allbelieversaregiventhefillingoftheHolySpiritandthe )y indwellingoftheSpirit.Thefillingislostthefirsttimethatwesin;the _ indwellingisneverlost.ThefillingoftheHolySpiritisregainedwhenwe E nameoursinstoGod.TheindwellingoftheHolySpiritandthebaptismof  + theHolySpiritarenotseparateexperiencesfromsalvation.;>k݌!` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;0  2#  f  .3  0` (#(#  TheBible,intheautographs(completelyaccuratecopiesoftheoriginal)is "  theWordofGodtomanandallthatweneedtoknowisfoundintheWord #! ofGod.Wedonotrequireadditionalrevelationfordivineguidanceor $" doctrine.; ݌z% #` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;0  2#  g  .3  0` (#(#  LearningandbelievingBibledoctrineisthekeytospiritualgrowth.; ݌&!$` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;0  2#  h  .3  0` (#(#  Thechurchmustbelieveindispensations;theymustclearlydifferentiate '"% betweenIsraelandthechurchandtheymustclearlyunderstandthatthe n(#& JewstodayarestillGodspeople,sotospeak.GodhasnotcasttheJews T)$' aside.Intermsoftheirfunctionatthepresenttime,abelievingJew :*%( functionsthesameasabelievingGentile.However,theirgeneticlineis  +p&)  goingtocometotheforefrontofGodsplaninthefuture.;/݌,V'*` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  32#  7  .3  0    Givingshouldneverbeanissueataprospectivechurch.Youchurchshouldnot !q  useemotionaltacticsinordertogetyoutogivethemmoney.Theyshouldnotsend W youofferingcardsinthemailunlessyouhaverequestedthem.IfaBibleclassis = heldseveraltimesaweek,anofferingdoesnotneedtobetakeneachandevery # time.ThatseemstoomuchlikeyouarepayingfortheBibleclass.Takingupan   offeringonceaweekisreasonable,but,again,thisshouldbedonewithouttheatrics   oremotionalbullying.Youshouldneverreceiveemergencyofferinglettersinthe   mail.IfIreceivedoneletter,Imightignoreit.IfIreceivedtwo,Iwouldfindanother k  church.Thechurchshouldnotprescribeaspecificpercentagethatyoushouldgive Q  andthen,insomewayoranother,trytoholdyoutothatpercentage.Achurch 7   shouldneveraskfororknowanythingaboutyourownpersonalincome.Thelonger m  Ihavebeenabeliever,themoreIbelievethatChristiansshouldnotgiveadime S  untiltheyhavegrownspiritually.3,݌9 (#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  8  .3  0    Thepastorshouldteachmorethanmorality;thepastorshouldteachmorethan,it @  iswrongtosin.Thespiritualwayoflifeisnotsimplytostopsinning(whichyou (  cannotdoanyway)ortoreducethenumberofsinsyoucommit.TheChristianway  oflifeisnotsimplemorality.3݌(#(# Ќ  "3"  32#  9  .3  0    Donotbeshockedthatfindingsuchachurchisalmostimpossible.Itisamazing  howfewchurchescarefullyteachtheBibleversebyverse,teachthebasic  mechanicsofspiritualgrowth,andwhichoperatesongraceprinciples.3݌y(#(# Ќ  @@ !!qq!@ Ifyouhavealocalchurchwhichisavailable,oryouareabletogatherwith2ormoreother  believerstostudytheWordofGodunderaspecificpastorteacher,thatisalways  preferabletostudyingaloneathome.Mypersonalexperienceisthatmanywhostudy  underapastorteacherontheirown,whenthereareotheralternatives,become h disconnectedfromthebodyofChristintheirownthinking. N IttakesapastorteachertopullBiblicalconceptstogether,sothatyoudonotemphasize j oneverseoverallotherversesintheBible.LoveyourenemyԀ(Matt.5:44)doesnot P precludeyoufromshootingsomeonewhobreaksintoyourhouse;however,thisshould 6 notkeepyoufromgivinghimthegospelwhileheislayingtheredyingwithyourbullet   throughhisstomach.Youmayhaveamanwhohascommittedaviciouscrimeagainst ! yourfamilywhoissentencedtodiebyexecution"thisshouldnotpreventyoufrom "  forgivinghimandgivingthismanthegospel.Youmaybeatwar,fightingforyourcountry, ~#! killingasmanyoftheenemyaspossiblewhilefilledwiththeHolySpirit.However,this d$" doesnotmeanthatyououghttohateanyofthesepeopleyouarekillingnordoesitmean J% # that,undertherightcircumstances,thatyouwithholdthegospelfromoneofyourcaptured 0&!$ enemies.Killingtheenemiesofyourcountryisapartofyourservicetoyourcountry; 'f"% givinghimthegospelisapartofyourservicetoGod.Theseactionsdonothavetobe 'L#& mutuallyexclusive.Youshouldstillendeavortokilltheenemyofyourcountry(andyou (2$' shouldnottrytosimplyincapacitatethem,unlessthoseareyourorders). )%( Mypoint,inallofthisis,youcangooffonatheologicaltangentifyouchoosethisorthat +&* passagetobethebeall/endallofChristiantheology.Often,whatappeartobeclear z,'+ declarationsaremodifiedelsewhere.Agoodpastorteacherisgoingtobeabletoexplain `-(, theproperapplicationwhichyoumaynotquitegetbyreadingyourBible.Thisiswhy,in  thepreviousstudy,Ispokeoffindingapastorteachertolearnunder.  A@ ZPd@bA % u IntroductoryLesson11:TheBible,(#Translations,TextualCriticism %ukԈ # @@0 !!qq!'@ Translations:   f TheBiblehasbeentranslatedintomorelanguagesthananyotherbookinhumanhistory.  8 Theversionwhichsellsthemostcopiestoday(thelasttimeIlooked)wastheNIV(theNew   InternationalVersion).Inthelastfewcenturies,theKingJamesVersionreignedsupreme,    anditdidsofortworeasons:itwasveryaccurateandithadagreatliterarystyle.Inthe   past20years,thistranslationhasbeenallbutabandoned.   ItisverydifficulttodeterminehowtotranslatetheBible.Doyoudoawordforword L  translation,maintaining,asmuchaspossible,thewordorderfoundintheoriginal,and 2  consistencythroughoutthetranslation?IsitmostreasonabletorenderoneGreekword h tosetfreeinonepassage,andyettranslateittofaintinanother? N Sometimes,apassagehasaveryliteraltranslation,butitrepresentsafairlycommon  figureofspeech.IntheEnglish,wecansaythingslike,Iamdeadtired,andthisphrase  hasnothingtodowithbeingdeadorbeingneardeath.Whatshouldwedoincasesof  hyperbole,metonymy,ellipsis,oralliteration?IuseaveryexcellentbookwrittenbyE.W.  BullingeronthevariousfiguresofspeechfoundintheBible,andthisbookisasthickas f theBible.Atranslatorhastomakeadecisionhere:shouldIbeabsolutelyliteralhere,or L shouldItakeintoaccounttheliteraryidiomsinvolved? 4 Thereistheproblemofaccuracyversusreadability.ThesentencestructureoftheOldand R NewTestamentsismuchdifferentthanourEnglishsentencestructure.Wegenerallyhave 8 thesubject,thentheverb,andthenthedirectobjectorthepredicatenominative,followed  byaperiod.TheGreekandHebrewdonothavemarksofpunctuation.Theymaystart  asentencewiththeverb,thedirectobject,orthesubject.YouhavetoknowGreekand   Hebrewinordertofigureoutwhereasentencestartsandstops.Furthermore,inHebrew ! narrative,itappearsthatsomepassagesareonevery,verylongrunonsentence,held f"  togetherbyaseriesofconjunctions(calledw wconsecutives). L#! Asecondproblemis,ifyoucannotunderstandatranslation,regardlessofhowliteralitis, %h # whatgoodisit?Thisiswherethepastorteachercomesintothepicture.Insomeareas, &P!$ aversemeansexactlywhatitappearstomean.John3:16,whereweareadvisedto &8"% believeinJesusChristinordertoreceiveeternallife,itmeansjustthat,andthisis '#& repeatedseveraltimesinthebookofJohn.However,thereareotherverseswhichrequire ($' acarefulapproachincontext:Loveyourenemies ;doesthismean,ifathiefbreaksinto )$( yourhome,armedwithaweapon,thatyoudonotprotectyourownfamily?Elsewherein *%) theNewTestament,apersonwhogivessomuchtothechurchthatheneglectshisown f+&* familyiscalledworsethananinfidel .Surely,allowingyourfamilytobeterrorizedisfar L,'+ worsethanneglectingthephysicalneedsofyourfamily. 4-(, ЇWhenJesusphysicallyejectedthemoneychangersfromtheTemple,whenHecalledthe  religioustypesofHisday,apitofvipers,weretheseexamplesofhowyouloveyour  enemies?Or,canwetakeourLordsactionsandthewordsthatHesaysandmakesense ~ outofthem?Again,agoodpastorteacher,awareofmostoftheBible,isabletopullthese d thingstogetherforus. J FortheseriousBiblestudent(whichshouldbeallbelievers),yououghttohave2or3  f versionsoftheBible.IfyouuseyourcomputerasatooltostudytheBible,thenIwould  L stronglysuggestthefreeprogramesword,availableat4 RO  5  www.esword.net6RO   7 Ԁwhereyoucan  2 getdozensoffreetranslations(Iuseabout50translationsinmyownstudies).Make    certainthatyoudownloadtheBDBLexiconfortheHebrewandtheThayerLexiconforthe    Greek,ifyouwanttoknowmoreabouttheHebrewandGreekwordsbehindourEnglish   words.Onesword,youcangetBiblemoduleswhicharekeyed,wordbyword,tothe z  originalGreekandHebrewlanguagesandsomegivesomeofthemorphologyofthe `  words.However,theonlyplaceIhavefoundacompletemorphologicallistingfortheOld F  TestamentisOwens4volumeset,AnAnalyticKeytotheOldTestament,whichveryfew ,|  peoplewouldhavearealinterestin(apartfrompastorsandcommentators). d *lh d dxdd x5h7(#(#l,( dd ,( dd ,( dd +  B-00 @2B% 6 TheAccurateTranslations%6  bM3D"  @2 @(bAccurateandReadable U@+F"@( @(UAccuratebutnotas F Readable U@+2"@( @(UReasonablyAccurate F andReadable Pt;02"  @( PTheNewKingJames b Version;theNewAmerican H StandardBible,theEnglish .~ StandardVersion,the d LiteralTranslationofthe J HolyBible,theWorld 0 EnglishBible,theModern  KingJamesVersion,the   AmplifiedBible,Greens  ! LiteralTranslation,the x!" VoiceintheWilderness, ^"# TheScriptures,the D#$ AmericanKJV. At,!*$z%t AYoungsLiteralTranslation b& (whichisprobablyoneof H' themostliteraland .~( consistenttranslation d) available);TheEmphasized J* Bible,theKingJames 0+ Bible,theThirdMillennium , Bible,andtheConcordant - LiteralVersion. At,! .t ANewRevisedStandard b/ Version,theNIV,the H0 NIV!UK,NewJerusalem .~1 Bible,NewAmericanBible, d2 theNETBible` ~#  5      ׀(_aka_Ԁthe J3 NEXTBible),Holman 04 ChristianStandardBible, 5 BibleinBasic_English._Ԁ1'%6  t 1*!h#d d( dd ( ( dd ( ( dd ( h (#(#,xdd +  /f@% 6@%  /Ofallthese,theNKJVisprobablythemostreadableandthemostaccuratefollowed % 7 closelybytheNASB,whichisslightlylessreadable(inmyopinion).Dontbeafraidof &!8 thenameanddonotconfuseitwiththeKJV.ItisasreadabletodayastheKJVwasin p'"9 itsday.TheESVisexcellent,exceptthattheydonotcapitalizepronounswhichrefer V(#: tomembersoftheTrinity,whichismybiggestproblemwiththeESV.1'%<)$; f 1  R*%; *l%h&d dxdd x!h#(#(#l,: dd ,: dd , dd +  B- @2B % & TheBibletranslationswhicharenotalwayswordforword%&# bM3d"  @2 @(bModeratelyAccurate U@+"@( @(UMoreofathoughtfor  thoughttranslation U@+"@( @(UTooimaginative Pt;0"  @( PTheBibleinBasic 2  English,theComplete  h ApostlesBible,Gods  N Word),theHolman  4  ChristianStandardBible,    theJPSTanakh(which   isanexcellentOT   translation),thevarious |  incarnationsoftheNIV(I b  thinkthereare4or H  more),andthe .~  Scriptures(1998).At d thispointintime,theNIV L isthebestsellingBible 2 translation. At,!t ATheNewLivingBible(a 2  personalfavorite).The  h RevisedEnglishBible,  N theNewAmericanBible  4 andtheNewJerusalem   Bible,theNew   InternationalReaders   _Version._ԀOfthisgroup, |  theNewLivingBibleis b  probablythemost H  readableandgenerally .~  asaccurateastheother d  translationslisted. At,!J!t ATheContemporaryEnglish 2 " Version,althoughitlinesupwith  h# mainstreamChristianity,iswhat  N$ charitablymightbedescribedas  4% imaginative.TheMessageand  & theGoodNewsBible(Todays   ' EnglishVersion)arealso  ( imaginativetranslations.This  ) doesnotmaketheseversions j * worthless;therehavebeena P + handfuloftimeswhen,after 6 , lookingatoneofthese l- translations,thattheir R. interpretationofaverseopened 8/ itupforme.1'%0  t 1*12d d: dd : : dd :  dd  %h&(#(#,xdd +  4f404 4Thethoughtforthoughttranslationsneedtobereadwithagrainofsalt.Theyvary H1 greatlyinaccuracy,butaregenerallyveryreadable.Thoseinthefirstcolumnare .~2 moderatelytrustworthywhenitcomestoaccuracy,andthoseinthesecond,lessso d3 (however,thetranslatorsdoallthattheycantogiveusanaccuratetranslation,within J4 theconfinesoftheirtranslationphilosophy).However,whenmakingthisorthatdoctrinal 05 point,donotgotoanyoftheseBiblestobackitup.Betweenthereasonableandthe 6 imaginativeversionsfalltheNewCenturyBibleandtheNewLifeBible.Theycouldnot 7 beclassifiedasparticularlyaccurate,buttheystraylessfromthetextthandoes,for 8 instance,theCEV.6,*x9  f 6YoushouldhaveaBiblewhichyoufindreasonablyeasytoreadandunderstand.Forme, t : theidealistheNKJVfollowedbytheNASB.Ifyoufindthatreadingofanyofthesetobe Z!; difficult,thengotothesecondlist,firstcolumn,andchooseaBiblefromthere.Ifyou @"< simplywanttoreadthroughtheBibleandyouwantonewhichflowswell,letmesuggest &#v= theNLT.  $\> Ifyouhaveaccesstotheinternetregularly,thereareseveralplacesthatyoucangotoin %(!@ ordertouseorexamineothertranslations: &"A 4' RO  5  http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/64RO4How  7$5Ԁor4(FRO  5  www.studylight.org65RO5How  75Ԁ (#C 4)RO  5  http://_www.studylight.org_/par/_view.cgi?query_=gen+1§ion=0&l1=en&t1=lit&l2=en&t2 p)$D =erv&Enter=Search6x6RO6How  7 6Ԁ V*%E YoumayusethesetwowebsiteseitherasyourBibleortopreviewBiblesuntilyoufind1 ",r'G  or2or3whichappealtoyou.Theotheroptionistouseeswordonyourcomputerand -X(H restrictyourselftothemodulesavailablethere49CRO  5  http://www.e-sword.net/bibles.html69RO9yed,  7e+ C9ԀThefirst  groupofBiblesmustbepaidforandthesecondgrouparefree.   Thereareusermodulesat4;e RO  5  http://www.e-sword.net/usermods/6b:ROv:=  7:Ԁandyoucanoftenfindother b modulesontheinternetbyusingasearchenginetofind eswordmodules. H 4=eRO  5  www.esnips.com6;RO;=  7 <Ԁisagoodsiteforfindingusermodules,asis4?eaRO  5  http://esword.pbwiki.com/6<RO<=  7+#<Ԁ . ~  TextualCriticism isthescienceofdeterminingwhatistheoriginaltext.Whenreadingthis  J orthattranslation,weoftenhavenoideaastothebehindthesceneschoiceswhichwere  6 made.SomeBibles,liketheNRSV,listseveralalternatereadings.Mostdonot.    Firstofall,itisimportanttorecognizethatthereareveryfewactualvariantsintheBiblical   text.JohnLea,inTheGreatestBookintheWorld(publishedin1929)wroteItseems ~  strangethatthetextofShakespear,whichhasbeeninexistencelessthan208years, f  shouldbefarmoreuncertainandcorruptthanthatoftheNewTestament,nowover18 N  centuriesold,duringnearly15ofwhichisexistedonlyinmanuscript...Withperhapsa 6  dozenortwentyexceptions,thetextofeveryverseintheNewTestamentmaybesaidto n besofarsettledbygeneralconsentofscholars,thatanydisputeastoitsreadingsmust V relaterathertotheinterpretationofthewordsthantoanydoubtsrespectingthewords > themselves.But,ineveryoneofShakespears37playsthereareprobablyahundred & readingsstillindispute,alargeportionofwhichmateriallyaffectsthemeaningofthe  passagesinwhichtheyoccur.  However,therearevariants,andmostofwhicharetrivial.Idoawordbyword t examinationofthebookof1SamuelandIlisteveryvariantwhichIamawareof.Thebook Z ofSamuelisfamousforhaveagreatnumberofvariants.However,thereareonlytwo @ timesinthisbookwhereadoctrinalunderstandingofsomethingiscalledintoquestion. &v Saul,whenneedingsomeguidance,callsfortheArkofGod.TheArkofGodisnever  \ usedintheBibleforguidance.Infact,fewpeopleactuallyeverevensawtheArkofGod, B asitwaskeptinsideofapartitionwhichwasinsidetheTabernacle(calledtheHolyof ( Holies),andonlytheHighPriestenteredintotheHolyofHoliesonceayearontheDayof  Atonement.ThealternatereadingforthisverseisEphodofGod,whichwordwhichis   quitesimilarintheHebrew.Thiswouldmakesense,astheEphodwasusedtoprovide !  divinedirection.Inanycase,Saulcalledforoneofthesetwothings,andthen,inthis p"! passage,heneveruseditinanyway.InthebookofSamuel,therearemoreglaring V#" differencesandvariants,butnoneofthemseriouslyaffecttheoverallmeaning. <$# WhenIexaminetheoriginalHebrewtext,IlineitupagainsttheGreektextofthe &X!% Septuagintandnoteanyofthedifferences.IhaveEnglishtranslationsmadefromthe &>"& LatinandfromtheSyriac,towhichIalsorefer.Youdonotneedtodothis.Theperson '$#' orgroupwhotranslatedyourBibledependeduponaGreekandaHebrewtextwhichwas ( $( carefullyexaminedbytextualcritics(ifyoureadtheprefaceofyourBible,theywill )$) generallytellwhichtextstheydependedupon(forinstance,theymayspecifythatthe *%* WestcottHorttextwasusedfortheNewTestament,ortheNestleAlandOvum l+&+ TetamentumwastheirNTtext).Thisisnotsomethingthatyouasanindividualbeliever R,', needtoworryabout.Imentionthesethingssothatyouunderstandthattherearevariant 8-(- readings,thatmostofthesevariantreadingshavebeenfiguredoutalready,andthatthere  isthisentireBiblicalscienceprocesswhichgoesonbehindthesceneswhichisabsolutely  necessaryinorderorustohaveanEnglishtranslationinourhandsoronourcomputer. | Ifyouwereinterestedinsomeofthesetopics,e.g.,howdidwegetourBible,howdid H thesebooksgetchosen,butnotothers,etc.,Ihave2generalsuggestionsforfurther . ~ reading:  d NormanGeisler,inconjunctionwithseveralotherauthors,haswrittenanumberof  0 excellentbooks.Asaveryyoungbeliever,IwasfortunatelyexposedataBibleinstitute    toAGeneralIntroductiontotheBiblebyGeislerandNix.Fewpeoplehaveany    appreciationfortheactualbackgroundandhistoryoftheBible.Inthisparticularbook,   thereare3topicscovered:InspirationoftheBible,CanonizationoftheBibleandthe z  TransmissionoftheBible. `  See: ,|  4/ RO  5  http://_www.amazon.com_/General-Introduction-Bible-Norman-Geisler/_dp_/0802429165/ref H =sr_1_2?_ie_=UTF8&s=books&_qid_=1219836867&sr=1-26'QRO;QHow  7 iQԀ . GeislerandNixalsowroteabookcalledFromGodtoUs:HowWeGotOurBible.  AlthoughIhavenotreadthisbook,itdealswiththefollowingquestions:Wheredidthe  Biblecomefrom?HowdoweknowtherightbooksareintheBible?DoestheBiblecontain z errors?WhataretheoldestcopieswehaveoftheBible?HowdoweknowthattheBible b hasn'tbeenchangedovertheyears?WhyaretheresomanytranslationsoftheBible,and J whichoneshouldIuse?Itsoundslikeanexcellentbooktome,buttherewasacriticism 2 on_Amazon.com_Ԁthatitwastoointellectuallyrigorousforonereader. j A@ ZPd@6A % g IntroductoryLesson12:TheBible (#ChristianApologeticsandBiblicalProphecy %gGVԈ W @@!!qq!V@ % # Christianapologetics %# WԀisallabouttakingwhatweknowabouttheBibleandwhatisinthe   Bibleanddeterminingwhetherthesethingsarereasonableandlogical.Justastextual ! criticismdoesnotmeanthatwesitaroundandcriticizethetextoftheBible,apologetics l"  doesnotmeanthatwemeanderaboutapologizingforourfaith.Someofthetopicsmay R#! include:isitreasonabletobelieveinGod?IsitreasonabletothinkoftheBibleasthe 8$" WordofGod?Shouldntwejusttakeitasagreatreligiouswork?WhoisJesusreallyand  %p # didHeevenexist?DoesitmakesensethatHeisGod?Didntpeoplejustlaterdecideto &X!$ makeHimouttobeGod,butisntthatjustreligiousnonsense?Whatisthemostlogical &@"% andreasonableapproachtoGod,theBibleandJesus?IsnttheBiblefilledwitherrors? '(#& ArentthepropheciesoftheBiblewrittenaftertheeventsoccurred?Arenttheprophecies ($' oftheBiblesogeneralthattheycouldapplytoalmostanysetofhistoricalevents?These )$( arethekindsofquestionswhichnewbelieversoftenhave,andcertainlythequestions *%) whichskepticscomeupwith.Weoughttoknowtheanswerstothesequestionsourselves. v+&* Nowandagain,wearegoingtorunintoanunbelieverwhoposesoneofthesequestions, \,'+ notasasignofnegativevolition,butasanindicationthathehasthoughtaboutthese B-(, thingsandthequestionwhichhehasisaroadblocktohim.HonorChristtheLordinyour  heartsassetapart ^Ԁ[differentfromallelse],alwaysbeingpreparedtomakeadefenseto  anyonewhoasksyouforareasonfortheconfidencethatisinyou;yetdoitwithgrace | orientation^Ԁ[i.e,withoutarrogance]andwithrespect_Ԁ(1Peter3:15). b  % ' Jesusandapologetics%'_:  . ~ TherehavebeenhundredsofbookswrittenaboutChristianapologetics.Letmebriefly  P coveronetopic:WhoisJesus?IwillletthefamousCecilAdamsdealwiththequestion,  6 didJesusactuallyexistat40 RO  5  http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_275.html6+aRO?ates  7 <maԀInsofaras    Iknow,CecildoesnotbelieveinGodnorisheaChristian(thingsmayhavechangedover    thepastdecadeorso),butCecildoesclaimtoknoweverythingandassertsthatheis   neverwrong.Heisalsoaveryentertainingguytoread.   Thequestion,however,thatIwanttodealwithis,ExactlywhoisJesus?Mostpeople L  haveanopinionastoWhoJesusis.Mostpeople,includingatheists,willsaythatJesus 4  wasagreatteacherofhighmoralstandards.SomeportrayHimasthisgreatsocial j reformer,lookingoutforthepoor(LiberationTheology).Thosewhothinkofthemselves P asbeingspiritualbutnotreligiouswilloftenlumpJesusinwiththegreatreligiousfigures 6 throughouthumanhistory,likeBuddhaorMohammed.However,itisimportantto  recognizethatJesusclaimedtobeGod.Hesaid, IandtheFatherareOne.f  (John10:30).Wecan,2000yearsafterthefact,trytoputsomesortofspinonwhatJesus  reallymeant,butthosewhoheardHimunderstoodexactlywhatHemeant.Inthenext ~ verse,theytookupstonestostoneHim.TheyunderstoodHimperfectlyandthissortof d claimwasblasphemous.JesusdidnotputupHishandsandsay, Whoa,brothers,Ididnt J meanwhatyouthoughtImeant!Letmeexplain. 2 OneofJesusdisciplesaskedJesus ShowustheFather,andthatisenoughforus[i.e., N thatwouldcompletelyconvinceusthatYouarefromGod].hԀ(John14:8).Jesusanswered 4 him,"HaveIbeenwithyousolong,andyoustilldonotknowMe,Philip?Whoeverhas  seenMehasseentheFather.So,howcanyousay,'ShowustheFather'?xiԀ(John14:9).  TherewastheincidentwherethereligiouscrowdconfrontedJesusbecauseHewas |!  healingontheSabbath.John5:16!18:AndthiswaswhytheJewswerepersecuting b"! Jesus,becausehewasdoingthesethingsontheSabbath.ButJesusansweredthem, H#" "MyFatherisworkinguntilnow,andIamworking."ThiswaswhytheJewswereseeking .$~# allthemoretokillHim,becausenotonlywasHebreakingtheSabbath,butHewaseven %d $ callingGodHisOwnFather,makingHimselfequalwithGod.jԀAsbefore,wemaytrytogive %J!% avarietyofinterpretationstowhatJesussaid,butthosewhoheardHimunderstoodwhat &0"& Hesaid,andwerequiteupsetthatHemadeHimselfequalwithGodm. '#' Therearemanyexamplesfromthegospelslikethis,butletsdealwiththequestion, )$) exactlyWhoisJesus?IfyouwillacceptthatHeisagreatmoralteacher,Ihavegivenyou z*%* 3instanceswhereHeclaimedequalitywithGod(therearemanymore).IfJesusisnot b+&+ God,then,(1)Heisaliaror(2)Heisquiteinsane,nodifferentfromanycrazyperson H,', wanderingabouttodayclaimingtobeGod.ItiscompletelyillogicaltoassertthatJesus .-~(- [ $$   isaliarorinsaneand,atthesametime,claimthatHeisthisgreatmoralteacher.You  maywanttoofferupsomeillogicalexplanationlike,thereisafinelinebetweeninsanity  andbrilliance;buteveninsuchastatement,youaresaying,thereisaline.Youmayoffer ~ uptheexplanation,Jesuswasjustshowingmanthatinallofus,thereisthedivine;but f Jesusnevercalledanyoneelsedivine;JesusneverturnedtoPeterandsaid, Before N Abraham,youexistedeternally.Heneverturnedtoaphariseeandsaid, Iamcalledthe 4  SonofGod,butyouarethesonofGodaswell.Themostlogicalexplanationis,Jesus  l isagreat,moralteacher and JesusisGod,exactlyasHeclaimed.Theotheroptions,that  T Jesusiseitheraliarorinsane,justdonotcomportwellwiththosethingswhichpeoplewill  @ readilyaccept"thatHeisagreatteacher,agreatmanofGod,agreatreligiousfigure.  &  Therefore,fromasubjectivepointofview,yououghttoeitherrejectJesusasaliar,asa   crazyman(and,therefore,repudiateHisteachings),oryouaccepttheentirepackage,   JesusChrist,thehypostaticunion,theGodman,Whowasagreatteacher.   Thisargumentisanapologeticargument.ItapproachesWhoJesusis,basedwhatHe T  said,andexaminesHiswordsandHischaracterandhowHeisperceivedinthelightof :  humanlogic.Theskepticsays, Obviously,Jesuswasagoodmanandagreatmoral  p teacher,butthisstuffaboutHimbeingGodisjustsilly.Thisapologeticapproachtakes V thispersonsopinionexaminesitandshowsthatitisillogical.Agoodmanwouldnot < pretendthatHeisGod;agreatmoralteacherwouldnotteachthingswhichHeknewtobe " untrue(andJesusHimselfknewwhetherornotHewasGod).  Unbelieversmakealotofillogicalstatementsinordertoexplainwhytheydonotbelieve  inJesusChrist(theLivingWordofGod)orintheBible(thewrittenWordofGod).These j statementsoftensoundreasonableandwellthoughtout,but,mostofthetime,theyare P not.Whenyouwitnesstoanunbelieverandtheymakeastatementlikethis,theyare 6 eitherexpressingtheirnegativevolitionortheyareindicatingthattheyhavegiventhese l thingssomethought.Inanycase,apologetics,inpart,examinessuchstatementsof R unbelieverslogically. 8 IwantyoutonoticesomethingelseaboutJesus,whichisnottrueofanyotherreligious  figure:peoplearealwaystryingtomoldJesusasendorsingorembodyingtheirownbeliefs.   IheardMichaelMoore,thefarleftfilmmaker,arguethatJesussupportedhispolitic.This !  wasmorethananaside;thisissomethingwhichhewasarguingpassionatelyand f"! repeatedly.Ivereadletterstotheeditor,wherepeoplewouldnamethisorthatcause,and L#" then,somehow,pullJesusintoit,sayingthatthisiswhatHewouldbepetitioningfor. 2$# ThereisLiberationTheology(anditsoffshoot,BlackLiberationTheology)whereJesusis %h $ moldedintosomesortofanidealized_Che_ԀGuevaraorFidelCastrofigure,apersonofthe %N!% people,movingpeopletowardrevolutionarychange(despitethefactthatJesusnever &4"& madeanypoliticalstatements,beyondtellingustopayourtaxes;anddespitethefactthat '#' Jesusneverledanypoliticalmovement).EvenMohammedtriedtoclaimJesusasoneof ($( theprophetsofAllah.Nooneinhistoryissotakenoutofhistoryandgivensuchwide )$) applicationtothemostcontradictorysystemsofphilosophy,religionandpoliticsasJesus. |*%* Wedontfindpeoplewhoareanimalrightsactivistssaying, Now,ifMohammedwashere b+&+ today,hewouldberunningananimalshelter;orcivilrightsleadersclaimingConfucius H,', wouldbemarchingrightalongsidethem;orsocialistsandcommunists,intheguiseof .-~(- LiberationTheology,assertingthattheyareteachingtheessenceofBrighamYoungs  religion.However,Ihaveheardpeoplefromallofthesemovementssomehowclaim  Jesus.PeopleallseemtowantJesustosignoffontheirparticularagendaorcause. | However,whatisreallyhappening,whethertheyrealizeitornot,isthattheyaremaking b Godintheirownimage. H  % ? TheBible,prophecyandhistoricaltrends%?:   d Letmegiveyouanothertopicfromapologetics.Inourlifetimes,Godisnotgoingto  6 appeartous,pointtotheBibleandsay, ThatisMyWord.So,isthereanythingabout    theBiblewhichlogicallyindicatesthatitistheactualWordofGod?Certainly.TheBible    isfilledwithprophecyintheOldTestamentaboutthecomingMessiah.Inaprevious   lesson,IhavereasonablyexplainedhowweknowtheOldTestamentwaswrittenlong ~  beforetheNewTestament(weactuallyhavecopiesoftheOldTestamentfromtheDead d  SeaScrollswhichpredateourLord;furthermore,aGreektranslationoftheOldTestament J  wasmadepriorto100b.c.). 0  *l:h<d dxdd x12(#(#l,<dd ,<dd +  3fLL 3LetslookatsomeofthesepropheciesaboutJesusChrist: WB$`f 2W% B PropheciesAboutJesusChrist%B bM3*"  2 (bOldTestament U@+"( (UNewTestament Pt;0"  ( PThereforetheLordHimselfwillgiveyoua  \ sign.Behold,thevirginshallconceiveand B bearason,andshallcallHisname ( Immanuel[thatis,Godwithus]Ԁ(Isa.7:14).  Now,criticssuggestthattheHebrewword  heredoesnotmeanvirgin,butyoung  womaninstead.Thisisillogical.Itisnota t signforayoungwomantohaveachild;it \ isasign,ontheotherhand,foravirginto D  bearaSon. At,!*!zt ANowthebirthofJesusChristtookplacein  \  thisway.WhenhismotherMaryhadbeen B! betrothedtoJoseph,beforetheycame (" togethershewasfoundtobewithchild # fromtheHolySpirit...Now,beingroused $ fromsleep,Josephdoesasthemessenger % oftheLordbidshim.Andheacceptedhis p& wife,andhedidnothaveintimaterelations V' withheruntilshebroughtforthaSon,and < ( hecallsHisnameJesusԍԀ(Matt.1:18, "!r) 24!25). Et0!"X*t EBesidesallofthis,therearetheologicalreasonswhyJesusmustbebornofavirgin, #+ whichgobackasfarasGen.3:15.Thesinnatureispasseddownthroughthemanand h$, notthewoman;soifawoman,apartfromaman,givesbirth,herchildwillnotbeborn N% - withasinnature. Ht3$4&!.t HAsanaside,IhopeyourecognizedthatIsa.7:14alsorevealsthatpropheciesaboutthe '"/ MessiahincludethefactthatHeisGod. Dt/$(#0t DJesuswouldbeborninthelineof *^%1 Abraham,Isaac,Jacob,Judah,Jesseand *D&2 David(Gen.21:12Num.24:17 +*'3 Gen.49:10Isa.11:1Jer.23:5). At,!,(4t AOurLordslegalandmatriarchallinesboth *^%5 comethroughthesemen(Matt.1Luke3). Et0!*D&6t EItisalsofascinatingtoseehowthesepropheciesaboutthelineoftheMessiahare Fd  scatteredthroughouttheBible,andinplaceswhereonewouldnotexpectthemtobe , J found(e.g.,IsaiahandJeremiah).WhenJacobspokeabouttheMessiahcoming  0 throughhissonJudah,bearinmindthatJacobhighlyfavoredhissonsBenjaminand   Joseph. Ht3$ t HAlthoughtherearemanygenealogiesthroughouttheBible,thegenealogiesofthe X v Messiaharerepeatedonmanyoccasions,inmanydifferentbooks,andoften,butnot >\ always,tiedtotheMessiah.Furthermore,theonlycompletegenealogyfromAdamto $B theNewTestamentisthelineofJesus(the400silentyearsarefilledin,inMatthewand  (  Luke). Dt/$ t DTheMessiahwouldbeborninBethlehem: j  Butyou,OBethlehem_Ephrathah_,whoare Pn  toolittletobeamongtheclansofJudah, 6T  fromyoushallcomeforthformeoneWho :  istoberulerinIsrael,Whosecomingforth   isfromofold,fromancientdays  (Micah5:2). At,!t AJesuswasborninBethlehem(Matt.2:1). j  YouwillnotethatJesushadnothingthat Pn  Hecoulddoabouttheseprophecieslisted 6T  sofar.Ihaveheardonecriticsuggestthat :  JesustookachecklistwithHimanddid   stuffintheOldTestament,andthen  checkeditoffthelist. At,!t AThussaystheLORD:"Avoiceisheardin Hf _Ramah_,lamentationandbitterweeping. .L Rachelisweepingforherchildren;she 2 refusestobecomfortedforherchildren,  becausetheyarenomore."Ԁ(Jer.31:15). At,!t AThenHerod,whenhesawthathehad Hf beentrickedbythewisemen,became .L furious,andhesentandkilledallthemale 2  childreninBethlehemandinallthatregion ! whoweretwoyearsoldorunder, " accordingtothetimethathehad # ascertainedfromthewisemen5 $ (Matt.2:16). Et0!%t EThisintroducestheconceptofthedoublefulfillmentofaprophecy.Jeremiahwas  !*& speakingofwhatwouldhappenwhenJudahwasoverrunanddispersedbythe !' Chaldeans.However,theoverallpassageinJeremiahwasMessianic(see "( Jer.30:20!33:26).Suchdualfulfillmentsarefoundthroughoutthepropheticpassages, #) andwereunderstoodassuchevenbythetheologianspriortothetimeofJesus. Dt/$$*t DTheMessiahtocomewouldbecalled &<+ Lord.Psalm110:1 At,!'",t AForuntoyouisbornthisdayinthecityof &<- DavidaSavior,whoisChristtheLord '". (Luke2:11;seealsoMatt.22:43!45). At,!' /t AIwillpouralibationonMyKing,OnZion, d)!0 MyholymountainԀ(Psalm2:6). At,!J*h"1t AAndtheyplaceaboveHisheadHischarge d)!2 written:"ThisisJesus,theKingofthe J*h"3 Jews."Ԁ(Matt.27:37). 1'%0+N#4 t 1*AhBd d<dd <<dd <:h<(#(#,xdd +  /f /Ihavelisted5prophecies,andthereareprobablyahundredorsoprophecieswhich d dealwithJesustheMessiah.Whenitcomestothecross,itshouldbefascinatingthat J  whatoccurredonthecrosswascoveredingreaterdetailinPsalm22orIsa.53(written 0 centuriespriortothecross),thanwhatisfoundinanyofthegospels.Whenyou  examinethesepropheciesandcomparethemtotheirfulfillment,hundredsofyearslater,  theyarequiteamazing. Af,! f ATheskepticmayarguetwothings:(1)thesewerenotpropheciestobeginwith,but  \ somethingwhichpeoplelaterdecidedtoapplytoJesus.(2)thewritersofNew  B TestamentScripturejutmadeupstuffinordertomatchtheOldTestament. Af,! ( f ATheanswertothefirstobjectionis,thesepassagesintheOldTestamentweregenerally R  acceptedbyJewishtheologiansforcenturiestobeabouttheMessiah.Wehave 8  commentarieswrittenbyancientJewstoindicatethis(theTalmudandheMishna). Af,!n f AThosewhowrotetheNewTestamentdidsowhenpeoplewerealivewhosawandeven   metJesus.Therewasalotofwritingfromthistimeperiodandthousandsofpeople ~  couldhavewrote, No,itjustwasntlikethisatall.However,theydidnot.New d Testamentwritingswerealldonewithinthefirstcenturybythosewhoactuallyknewour J Lord.ClaimingtobeaChristianwouldsubjectapersontopersecution,discrimination 0 andpossiblyevendeath.BeingaleaderamongChristiansalmostcertainlydoomeda f persontodeath.ItisillogicalforJesusdisciples,likeMatthewandPeter,whoranfor L theirliveswhentheirMessiahwastakenintocustodybytheJewishauthoritiesand 2 Romansoldiers,tothenturnaround,aftertheirMessiahwasdead,andbecomemore  emboldenedintheirfaith.Howlogicalisitforthesepeople,whoareshowntohavelittle  nervetobeginwith,tolaterwriteandpromotethingswhichtheyknowarefalse,which  wouldensuretheirdeaths. Af,!|f AAsanaside,youcannotsay, Well,thereareMuslimextremiststodaywhowilldiefor F theirfaith.Itisnotthesamething.Muslimextremistsbelieveinwhattheyaredoing. , Thesedisciples,whopromotedfaithinJesus,eithersawJesusraisedfromthedeador  theydidnot.Thesedisciples,priortothecrucifixion,showedthemselvestobemen  withoutcourageorconvictionand,quitefrankly,menwhowerequitestupidabout   theologicalmatters.Somethingdramaticallychangedthemallafterthecrucifixion. t! Whatthesediscipleswerewillingtodieforinthelatterhalfofthefirstcenturywas Z" somethingwhichtheyknewtobetrueortheyknewtobefalse.Howoftenisacoward @#  willingtodieforsomethingheknowstobecategoricallyfalse? Af,!&$v!f AIhavecompiledseverallistsoftheOldTestamentpropheciesaboutJesusChrist: % " 4C RO  5  http://kukis.org/Doctrines/JesusChristOT.htm6ROlist  7J@Ԁ l'"$ 4EJRO  5  http://kukis.org/Doctrines/Chart_Jesus_Old_New.htm6ROlist  7J~(Ԁ 8)$& 4FJRO  5  http://kukis.org/Charts/Messianic_Prophecies.htm6ԶROlist  7JHԀ Af,!+T&(f AIneedtoaddonemorething:theOldTestamentisfilledwithpropheciesandshadow d imagesofJesusChrist.TheNewTestamentdoesnotexplicitlyidentifythemall.Even J  thoughMatthewwillgiveanarrativeaboutsomethinginthelifeofJesus,andthentell 0 whatOldTestamentversewasbeingfulfilled,hedoesnotdothisforeachandeveryOld  TestamentMessianicprophecy.Inmystudies,2000yearslater,Ihavediscoveredat  leastoneshadowimageofJesusintheOldTestamentwhichisnotspecificallyidentified   intheNewnorhasiteverbeenwrittenaboutbefore.TheBibleisfilledwithsuchthings x  stillawaitingtobediscovered.1'%^   f 1ThatChristianitygotoffthegroundinthefirstplaceisamazinginitself.Religiousfigures Z   likeBuddhaandMohammedhadlongministrieswheretheythemselvesproducedreligious @  literature.Theyspreadtheirteachingsfarandwide,Mohammedgoingsofarastousethe &v  militarytoimposehisreligiononothers.Jesuswrotenothingdown,nordidHeseemto  \  requireHisdisciplestowriteanythingdown.AlthoughHesaid, Iamtheway,thetruthand B  thelife,DԀHedidnotthendirectPeterto Writethatdown.Hispublicministrytookplace (  overaveryshortperiodoftime:3!4years.TheareawhereHetaughtwassmallerthan  mostofourstates.TheresponsewhichHereceived,inmanycases,wasquitenegative.  Believersdidnotbegintocommitanythingtowritinguntilatleast10!15yearsafterHis p death,burialandresurrection.Theyweretoobusyspreadingtheword, BelieveinJesus V Christandyouwillbesaved.ԀHowever,HisdisciplesdidwritedownHishistory(calledthe < gospels)whilethousandsofotherwitnesseswerestillaliveandcouldattesttothetruthof "r theirbiographiesofJesus.Thegospelswerewrittenbeforeenoughtimehadelapsedfor X Jesustohavebeenmythologized.Thatwouldhavetakenseveralgenerations,andthe > firstwritingswouldhavehadtohavebeenwrittennotbyeyewitnesses,butbyreligious $ adherentsseveralcompletegenerationsafterthefact.Theideathatanythingcameofthis   faithisamazinganddoesnotfitthemoldofanyotherreligionorcult.   % ( TheJewsasafulfillmentofOldTestamentprophecies%(: Inorderforfutureprophecies l tobefulfilled,theremustbeanumberofJewslivingonthisearth.Jewsdatebacktothe X timeofthePhilistines,theHittites,theChaldeans,andahostofotherancientpeoples. >  AlmosteveryoneofusknowsseveralJews.NoneofusknowsaChaldean,oraPhilistine $!t oraHittite,asthesegroupswerewipedout.EverytimeyouseeaJew,youareawitness  "Z  toGodsfutureprophecies. "@! TheJewshaveauniquehistoryaswell.Nootherreligiousandracialgrouphasfaced $ # whattheyhavefaced.Forinstance,theEgyptianshavebeenaroundaslongastheJews % $ havebeenaround.WedonothearaboutnationwidemovementstopurgetheEgyptians &!% fromtheirmidst,ortogatherandexecuteallEgyptians.However,Jews,becauseoftheir n'"& uniquehistory,assimilatewellintoanysociety,andbecomegreatassetstothissociety, T(#' andyet,therewillbeoutbreaksofhatedagainsttheJewswhichareincrediblysurreal. :)$( TheJewsoccupy0.2%ofthelandintheMiddleEast.Thisisapostagestampsized +V&* country.Theyoccupylandwhichhasnooil.YettherearemillionsofArabscompletely +<'+ upinarmsaboutthisJewishstate.Someblametheireverynationalproblemonthe ,"(, existenceofIsrael.TherearenationalleaderswhocallforthedestructionofIsrael;there -)- arevariousnationswhohavebondedtogetherinordertowipeoutthislittlenation;andwe  havevariousterroristgroupswhobombIsraeleverysingleday"groupswho,iftheydid  notcontinuallybombIsrael,wouldbeabletoeasilycoexistwiththeseJews,andeven | benefitbysuchacoexistence.Theychoosenotto.MillionsofArabfamiliesbringtheir b childrenuptobelievethatJewsaredescendantsofpigsandmonkeys,andtohaveadeep H andabidinghatredforJews.WehaveprejudiceinAmerica,butnothingquitelikethis. . ~ YetGodpreservesHispeopleandSatandoeseverythinginhispowertodestroythem,  J somethingwhichisastruetodayasitwas4000yearsago.AnyonewhoreadstheBible  0 wouldexpectforthispersecutionoftheJewstobetruethroughouthumanhistory.There    isnootherbookandnootherpeoplesoindeliblyintertwined,wherehistoricaltrendsare    setandcontinueeventothisday.   Justthinkaboutrecenthistory:we(speakingofusintheUnitedStates)wereatwarwith ^  theGermansandtheJapanese,andwesavedtheFrench.Hereitis,70yearslater,and D  wehaveagreatrelationshipwithallthreegroupsofpeople.WedontliketheFrencha *z  littlemorebecausetheywereourallies;wegetalongwellwithallofthem.Therehave ` evenbeenpublicreconciliations(oneofthetopgeneralsoftheWWIIJapanesemilitary F spokeatourchurchsomeyearsback).Ihavemetandgottentoknowpeoplefrom , Germany,JapanandFrance,andthereexistsnothingbywayofbitternessorangereven  thoughwecameoutofanincrediblyviciousconflict.ButArabsandJews,ontheother  hand"thatisadifferentstory.TherewillalwaysbeanimositytowardtheJews;therewill  alwaysbeantisemitism.ThatisamodernfulfillmentofBiblicalprophecyandthehistorical t trendssetintheBible. Z  % * OldTestamentpropheciesaboutnationsandcities%*: TheBibleisfilledwithprophecies &v concerningvariousnationsandcities. b ThecityofTyreisanotableexample.ThebookofEzekielisfilledwithdates.Itbegins . with:Inthethirtiethyear,inthefourthmonth,onthefifthdayofthemonth,asIwasamong  theexilesbythe_Chebar_Ԁcanal,theheavenswereopened,andIsawvisionsofGod.On  thefifthdayofthemonth(itwasthefifthyearoftheexileofKingJehoiachin),thewordof   theLORDcametoEzekielthepriestԀ(Ezek.1:1!3a).Forthisreason,weareabletoput v!  anexactdatetothewritingsofEzekiel.TheOldTestamentwascompletedaround \"! 400b.c.,adatewhichcanbeconfirmedbyhundredsofvarioussources.Abookwithas B#" manydatesinit,aswefindinEzekiel,couldneverhavebeenacceptedintothecanonof ($x# Scripture,ifthesedateswerespurious.Ezek.26claimstohavebeenwrittenin586b.c., %^ $ the11thyearofthereignofKingZedekiahofJudah.Onnineseparateoccasions %D!% throughoutthechapter,thewriterclaimstohavebeeninspiredbyGodwithstatements &,"& suchas"thussaystheLordGOD."ԀThetextdescribesthefallofmainlandTyretothe '#' armiesofNebuchadnezzarthefollowingyear.ItfurtherdescribestheeventsofAlexander (#( theGreat'ssiegeagainsttheislandfortressofTyre(ahalfmileoffthecoastofmainland )$) Tyre)253yearslater[70yearsafterthecompletionoftheHebrewcanon].Thechapter |*%* describeshowtheinvaderswouldteardowntheruinsofmainlandTyreandthrowitinto d+&+ thesea.Thattheywould"scrapeherdustfromherandleaveherasthetopofarock"(v4). L,', That"theywilllayyourstones,yourtimber,andyoursoilinthemidstofthewater"^Ԁ(v12). 4-(- "Iwillmakeyoulikethetopofarock;youshallbeaplaceforspreadingnets"Ԁ(v14).  SecularhistoryrecordsthatAlexandertheGreatlaidsiegetotheislandfortressofTyrein  332b.c.HisarmydemolishedmainlandTyreandthrewitintothesea.Intheireffortto  constructacausewaytotheisland,theyscrapedeventhedust,leavingonlybarerock. h HistorianPhillipMyersinhishistorytextbook,GeneralHistoryforCollegesandHigh P Schools(Boston,_Ginn_Ԁ&Co.),writes,"AlexandertheGreatreducedTyretoruinsin 8  332b.c.Tyrerecoveredinameasurefromthisblow,butneverregainedtheplaceshehad  p previouslyheldintheworld.Thelargerpartofthesiteoftheoncegreatcityisnowasbare  X asthetopofarock--aplacewherethefishermenthatstillfrequentthespotspreadtheir  @ netstodry"(pg.55).ThefateofmainlandTyrewasaccomplishedasforetoldinthebook  (  ofEzekiel.    Thistextwastakenfrom4_A RO  5  http://www.allabouttruth.org/biblical-prophecy.htm6RO  7A ԀThereare   otheraccountsofthisprophecyanditsfulfillmentwhicharemuchlongerandgointomuch t  greaterdetail.However,itoughttobeamazingthatBibletakesoneofthegreatestcities Z  oftheancientworldandtellsusthatitwillbecomeaplaceoffishermen,and,2700years @  later,thatisstilltrue.ItwouldbelikesomeonesayingthesamethingaboutNewYorkCity &v orLondonorParistoday,andthenhavingthatprophecycometopassandremaininplace  \ for3000years. B Inthisparticularlesson,IbarelyscratchedthesurfaceofBiblicalprophecyandBiblical  apologetics.Theideais,thereisnobookquiteliketheBible.Therearemanythings  whichIhaveleftout,andevenmajortopicswhichIhaveleftout.Ijustwantedtopresent  enoughmaterialsothatyoucouldsee,itisreasonableandlogicaltobelievewhattheBible p says.YoudonothavetosetintellectualcuriosityorrigorasideinordertobelieveinJesus V ChristortrustthattheBibleistheWordofGod.ThatisthefunctionofChristian < apologetics. "r A@ ZPd@>A % v IntroductoryLesson13:TheBible%(#NaturalandLogicalApologetics,Faith %vԈ _ @@ !!qq!@ % , NaturalandLogicalApologetics%,:    Thisisanareawherebelieverspresentlogicalandwellreasonedargumentsforthe t"  existenceofaCreatorGod.Thisapproachwillnotconvinceanyunbelieverwhoissimply Z#! negativetowardGod.Thisapproachwillnotchangethemindofsomeonewhobelieves B$" inGodbutisinvolvedinsomecultorfalsereligion.Naturalandlogicalapologeticssimply (%x # approachGodinatheoreticalwayandinalogicalway.Thereareafewunbelievers &^!$ teeteringontheedgeofbeliefwherethisapproachgivesthemenoughreasontobelieve &D"% inJesusChrist.AlthoughtheseargumentsdonotdealwithJesusChristdirectly(oreven '*#& withtheBible),theymakefaithinGodreasonable,whichisagoodthing.Apologeticsin ($' thisrealmwereveryhelpfultomewhenIfirstbelievedinJesusChrist.Iknewalotof )$( Christians,bothintimatelyandfromafar,andthelastthingIwantedtodowastobelike *%) them.Someofthemwerelikepodpeopletome.Letmegiveyouaspecificexample.My r+&* girlfriendatthetimewhenIbelievedinJesusChrist,hauledmeofftoaCampusCrusade X,'+ meeting.Alloftheguystherehadfashionablylonghair(nothippylong),theywere >-(, otherwise,cleancutandgoodlooking,andverypersonable.Whentheywouldtalkto  somenubilebeliever,theywouldappeartobeextremelysincere,oftenmakinginnocent  appearing,butclearphysicalcontact(puttingtheirarmaroundtheyounglady),andthe | wholethingstruckmeasbeingratherphony.Iwaspersonallyuncomfortablewhenevery b singleguyseemedtobecutfromthesamemold.Ididnotdislikethem;Iwasnot H threatenedbythem;theyseemedlikeveryniceguys.However,theywereso,sosimilar . ~ thatitconcernedme.So,personally,Ifoundsolaceandconfidenceinreadingand  d studyingapologeticstogivemeconfidenceinbelievinginGodandbelievinginJesus  J Christ.WhateverpathIfoundmyselfon,atthatpoint,Ihadatleastbegunwithpremises  0 whichwereintellectuallyhonest.    TheseareapproachestoapologeticswhichdonotdealwiththeBiblebutwiththelogical   reasonswhywebelieveinGod. x  Thereisthefirstcauseapproach.Weliveinaworldofcauseandeffect.Weopenour D  refrigeratordoors,thelightgoesoninside;wepressbuttonsontheremoteandthe ,|  channelchanges;weapplyforajobandweeithergethiredorrejected.Foreverything b whichoccursinourlife,thereisacauseorcauseswhichcausethatthingtooccur.There H isnothingwhichis,nothingwhichoccurs,whichwasnottheresultofthethingorthings . whichcausedit.Whenwegobackwardsinhistory,wekeepgoingbacktoapointwhere  ithastobegin,wheretheremustbeafirstcause;andthatfirstcausewecallGod.  TheimageofGodapproach:Allmenhavecertaincharacteristics"somesenseofright x andwrong,somesenseofjustice,someconceptoflove.Wemaydisagreeastotheexact ` tenetsofrightandwrong,wemaydisagreeonhowjusticeshouldbebroughtabout,and F wemayhavewildlydifferingideaswhenitcomestolove;butwestillhavethesenotions, ,| theseconcepts,theseideals.WearesimplyreflectingtheidealwhichisGod,Whois b perfectjustice,righteousnessandlove. H Theremusthavebeenadesignerapproach:Whenwefindawatchlayingontheground,  noonesupposesthatwatchsortofevolved;noonethinksthatthewatchisaresultofcars  drivingby,peoplewalkingby,windandrain,allactingtoshapethisthingintoawatch.We   knowthatsomethingcreatedthiswatch.Ifwegatheredupallthewatchesintheworld, x!  wewouldneversuggest,0.1%oftheseoccurredinnaturewhile99.9%ofthemweremade ^"! byawatchmaker.Weallknowandagreethat100%ofallwatchesintheworldwere D#" createdbymen.We"ourbodiesandourminds"areexquisitelymade.Thecomplexity *$z# ofthehumanbeingisfarbeyondourabilitytoexplainortoknow.ThepointwhichIhave %` $ madebefore,youcouldtakejustonecellofyourbodyandwriteadoctoralthesisonthis %F!% onecell.Ourbodiesaremadeupofmillionsofcells,allofwhichinteractinspecificand &,"& complexways,someofwhichcanbeexplained,butmostofwhicharestilltobestudied '#' andquantifiedandqualifiedbyscience.Muchofwhatwassettledscienceaboutthebody (#( decadesagoisnolonger.Weusedtobelieveinvestigialorgans(organswhichnolonger )$) havearealfunctioninrelationshiptothebody,whichfunctionfelloutofusedueto t*%* evolution).Wehavesincefoundusesandfunctionsforprettymucheveryorganinthe Z+&+ body. @,',  &-v(- Outsideofourbody,therearethelawsofnature,ofgravity,ofmotion,etc.;areallvery  specificandcanbestudiedandquantified.Allthingswhichweobservehavebeenvery  carefullydesignedanddemandaDesigner,WhomwecallGod. | Thereistheuniversalconceptofrightandwrong.Societiesmakelawswhichprotectlife H andpersonalproperty.Thesearelawswhichareverysimilarfromsocietytosocietyand 0  lawswhichseemtohaveverylittletodowithDarwinssurvivalofthefittest.Fewsocieties  f condonebehaviorwhereayoung,strong,healthygoodlookingguycanwalkintothe  L houseofsomeonewhoisweakerandnotasattractivephysically,andsimplytakeit  2 becauseheisthefittestofthespeciesandtheoriginalownerofthehouseisfrominferior    stock.Mostsocietiesuniversallyagreethat,themostattractiveandintelligentoftheir    populationdonothavearighttokillthosewhoarelessattractiveandlessintelligent.   Whenthissortofthinghappens(thekillingofDownSyndromebabies/fetuses;themass z  killingofJewsinGermany),thereisoftenoutragefrompeoplebothwithinandoutsideof `  thatsociety.Inwhatsocietycouldyouobtainthegeneralapprovalofthatsocietyifyou F  tookagunandkilledthepeoplewholivedinahomethatyouliked,andthenbeganliving ,|  inthathome?Therewouldbealmostuniversalscornforsuchanact.Ifmanhadevolved b andoneofthecornerstonesofhisevolvingwassurvivalofthefittest,thentheconceptof H survivalofthefittestshouldoverridetheconceptoflifeandpropertyinmostsocieties.My . pointis,wehaveanessentiallyuniversalconceptofrightandwrongwhichisatoddswith  oursupposedorigins.ThisconceptofrightandwrongcanbefoundintheTen  Commandments,manyofwhicharefound,inoneformoranother,inessentiallyevery  nationonearth.Thisalmostuniversalconceptandagreementuponrightandwrong(at | leastinsomeareas)suggeststhatwereflectadivinestandard. d Asacaveat,wehavesocietieswheretheprotectionoflifeandpropertyisdone 0 imperfectly,includingourownsociety.However,thatsimplyreflectsthesinnaturewhich f allmenhave. L Theargumentofthehumanbrain.Scienceisabletomeasurecertainaspectsofthebrain  andtorecognizethatthereisarelationshipbetweenvariouspartsofthebrain,electric  signalsinthebrain,andthesloshingaroundofvariouschemicalsinthebrainandthinking   ofallsorts.However,sciencecannotfullyexplainthehumanbrain.Wearethoughttodie |!  whenthesparkleavesourbrain(theelectricalsignals)anditisjustasreasonableto b"! supposethatthereissomesortoflifewhenourbrainsbegintohavetheelectrical J#" impulses(whichcanbemeasuredinafetusasearlyas3weeksold).Wedonotknow 0$# whatstartsuptheseelectricalimpulsesandwedonotknowexactlyhowtheyfunction %f $ withinthebrain,exceptforthefactthat,theymeanthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath. %L!% Thehumanbrain...simultaneouslyprocessesanamazingamountofinformation.Yourbrain '#' takesinallthecolorsandobjectsyousee,thetemperaturearoundyou,thepressureof ($( yourfeetagainstthefloor,thesoundsaroundyou,thedrynessofyourmouth,eventhe )$) textureofyourkeyboard.Yourbrainholdsandprocessesallyouremotions,thoughtsand *%* memories.Atthesametimeyourbrainkeepstrackoftheongoingfunctionsofyourbody h+&+ likeyourbreathingpattern,eyelidmovement,hungerandmovementofthemusclesinyour P,', hands. 8-(- ЇThehumanbrainprocessesmorethanamillionmessagesasecond.Yourbrainweighs  theimportanceofallthisdata,filteringouttherelativelyunimportant.Thisscreening  functioniswhatallowsyoutofocusandoperateeffectivelyinyourworld.Abrainthatdeals  withmorethanamillionpiecesofinformationeverysecond,whileevaluatingitsimportance h andallowingyoutoactonthemostpertinentinformation...diditcomeaboutjustby P chance?Wasitmerelybiologicalcauses,perfectlyformingtherighttissue,bloodflow, 8  neurons,structure?Thebrainfunctionsdifferentlythanotherorgans.Thereisan  p intelligencetoit,theabilitytoreason,toproducefeelings,todreamandplan,totake  X action,andrelatetootherpeople.Howdoesoneexplainthehumanbrain?_l ~#  6      _Ԁ  @ Howdoesthehumanbrainjustcomeabout?Whyisitthiscomplex?WhyamIableto    transferthethoughtsofmybraintothethinkingofyourbrainwithoutusevenbeinginthe   sameroom?Thehumanbrainisoneofthemostamazingthingsonthisearth.The   humanbrainhasmadeitpossiblefortensofthousandsofpeopletoflyallovertheworld p  everysingleday.Thehumanbrainhasmadeispossibleforustodevelopbuildingswhich V  standhundredsoffeethigh.Thehumanbrainhasdevelopedprocessesforgrowing, <  processingandmovingfoodsothat,insomesocieties,thereisanincrediblechoiceof "r foods,includingfreshones.Thehumanbrainhasdevelopedthingsfarmorecomplexthan X theaveragepersoncanevenunderstand.Iuseacomputerandatelevisionandacar > almosteveryday.IfIhadalifetime,Icouldnothavedevelopedanyofthesethingseven $ intheirmostrudimentaryform.Yetthecombinationoftensofthousandsofhumanbrains   developedthesethings.Somepeoplebelievethatthehumanbrainjusthappened;itjust  evolved.OthersofusbelievethatitisthemarvelouscreationofGod.  TheargumentofmansuniversalfaithinGod:billionsofpeopleonthisearthbelievein R God.Throughoutthecourseofrecordedhumanhistory,billionsofmenhavebelievedin : God.Ahugenumberofpeoplearewillingtodiesimplyforthisbelief.Peoplehavebeen  p literallygiventhechoicebetweenprofessingadisbeliefinGodinordertolive,andthey V havechosendeathinstead.IntheBible(aswellasinotherreligiousbooks),somemen < layclaimtoactuallycommunicatingwithGod.Obviously,somepeoplearenutcases,but, " howdoesamanwritedownwords3000yearsago,claimingdirectcontactwithGodand  howisitpossiblethatthesewordsarestillrelevanttoday?IfthesewordscomefromGod,   thensuchathingmakessense;ifthesewordsaresimplytheravingsofanutcase,how !  cantheyhavesuchafundamentalimpactonpeopletoday?Wehavehadatheistswrite l"! allkindsofcleverthingslike,IfGoddidnotexist,thenmanwouldhavehadtoinventHim. R#" Butwhatdoesthatreallymean?WhywouldmanhavetoinventGod?Menliketoexalt :$# themselves;thatismansnormalinclination.ThatsomanymenhaveastrongfaithinGod "%r $ andthatancientwordswhichclaimtobethewordsofGodarerelevanttoday,arestrong  &Z!% argumentsfortheexistenceofGod. &@"& AsIhavementionedinapreviouslesson,morepeoplepurchaseaBibleeverymonththan ( $( anybookonthebestsellerlist.Nomatterhowgoodabookisandnomatterhowmuch )$) Oprah_Winfrey_Ԁtoutsthisorthatbook,theBiblewillstilloutsellit.Howcanthatbeina  societywherewecelebrateyouthandwewantthenewestthing?IfthisistheWordof  God,thatmakesperfectsense;iftheBibleisthereligiousramblingsofsomeoldreligious | guys(andarguably,crazyreligiousguys,astheyclaimthatGodspeaksthroughthem),this b makeslittleornosense. H ArgumentfromthesubjectivewitnessofGodinman:Therearetwopartstothisargument:  d theinternalworkingsofthepersonwhobelievesinanddependsuponGodandtheway  L thispersonisperceived.PeoplewhobelieveinGodtendtobehappier.Surveysandpolls  2 conductedyearafteryearconfirmthis.Theytendtobebetteradjustedtolifeandthey    tendtoenjoytheirlifemorethanthepersonwhoeitherdoesnotbelieveinGodorclaims    thatheisanagnostic.IffaithinGodisselfdelusion,whydoessuchadelusioncausea   persontobehappierandbetteradjustedtohislife?Thesecondpartis,fromtheviewpoint |  ofotherpeople:weallknowpeoplewhoweretheirownworstenemies,whodestroyed d  theirliveswithdrugsoralcoholorwithgambling,orwhoweresimplydifficulttobearound J  becauseoftheirpersonality;andwehaveobservedthesesamepeopleafterthey 0  developedafaithinGod,andtheirselfdestructivetendenciestendtobecomelessand f lessafactorintheirlives.Ifweknowsuchpeoplewell,wemayknowoftheillegaland L immoralbehavior;whichislessenedorevencompletelydisappearsafterprofessingfaith 2 inGod.Letssayyouwerewalkingdownanalmostemptystreetinthemiddleofthenight,  and6orsobigmenofadifferentracearewalkingtowardyou"doyoufeelbetteror  worse,knowingthattheyhavejustcomefromaBiblestudy?Obviously,peopleare  hypocritesandobviouslyreligiouspeopledobadthings;but,asageneralrule,whena z personclaimstohavebeentouchedbyGod,hislifetendstobecomebetterforhimand ` forthosearoundhim. F Theargumentfromlifeandfaith:Everypersonhasfaithandeverypersonbelievesin b something.ApersonwhodoesnotbelieveinGodmustbelievethatthisuniversejustsort J ofhappened.Themostpopularbeliefsarethebigbangtheoryandtheevolutiontheory. 0 Now,personally,Ihavealwaysequatedthebigbangtheorywith,Inthebeginning,God  created9,Ԁ[outofnothing]theheavenandtheearth,Ԁ(Gen.1:1).But,whenitcomesto  evolution,thatbecameahardpilltoswallowwhenIbegantostudyit.Theearthwas   somehowhere(wearenotsurewhyitis),withalloftheingredientsforlife.Therewas x!  somesortofsoupand,insomeway,notunlikewhatwefindin_superhero_Ԁcomicbooks, ^"! lifecametobe.Asimplesinglecellamoebawasbornfromnonlivingmatter.Perhaps D#" lighteningstrucksomematterandwaterandpoof,itbecamealive,andthesimplesingle *$z# cellbecamealivingthing.Asanaside,wehavesincefoundoutthatthefunctionsofa %b $ singlecellarequitespecificandcomplex,andmanyofthem,weasofyetdonot %H!% understand.Likemanythingsinthisworld,aPhDcandidatecouldisolateasinglecelland &."& generatevolumesofinformationaboutthatonesinglecell,andneverfullyplumbthe '#' depthsofthissimplelivingthing.Inanycase,theatheisthasfewchoicesbuttobelieve (#( that,acreaturethiscomplexitysuddenlywasbornfrommatter,forwhichtheatheisthas )$) noexplanationforeither,and,perhapsbylightningstrikingit(likeFrankenstein)orgamma x*%* rayspiercingthemud(liketheFantasticFour),nonlivingmatterbecamelivingmatter.A ^+&+  personeitherignoresthesefundamentalquestionsortheyhavetobelievesomething. D,', Believingthatmatterjustsortofhappenedandthatlifealsojustsortofhappenedisfar  lesslogicalandreasonablethanbelievingthatGodcreatedmatterandthatHecreatedlife.   ThereareanumberofargumentsfortheexistenceofGod,and20ofthemarelaidout b here: H 4KRO  5  http://_www.peterkreeft.com_/topics-more/20_arguments-gods-_existence.htm_64RO4x*  7 4Ԁ  d  % 3 FaithandEvolution%35:   0 Theatheist/agnosticupstheantebybelievinginevolution:Outofsomeprimordialsoup,    lifesuddenlycametobe"perhapssparkedbyaboltoflightening(notunlikewhatweread   in_superhero_Ԁcomicbookfiction).Suddenly,therearetheseverycomplexsinglecelled ~  livingthings,whosefunctionsaremorecomplexthancontemporaryscientistsareableto d  enumerateandclassify.Then,somehowandforsomereason,someofthesesinglecelled J  creaturesdecidedtobandtogetherintoagroup,and,eventuallythisturnedintoaplant. 0  Othersbandedtogetherandtheyturnedintosomerudimentaryanimal(despitethefact f thatthesimplestanimalintheworldiswildlycomplexbeyondour21stcenturyscienceto L fullycomprehend).But,evolutiondoesnotstopthere.Theanimalsomehowwasableto 2 reproduceitself,andeventuallyevolveintoallthatweseetoday.Reptilessomehow  developedwingsandturnedintobirds.Seacreaturesdecidedtomoveontolandand  changetheirgillsintolungs.Totheevolutionist,timeisagod;and,givenenoughtime,  anythingcanhappen.Theyhavetremendousfaithintimeandinunguidedevolution. |  Reptilesdidnotturnintobirdsovernight;thatwouldbesilly.Theyevolvedintobirdover d aperiodofmillionsofyears,theevolutionistexplains,bowingonceagaintothegodof J time.Eventually,ascant3millionyearsago,veryprimitivemanwalkedtheearth,having 0 hisultimateoriginsinthatlittlebitofmudmillionsofyearspreviously. f Believinginevolutionrequiresgreatfaith,whetherthebelieveracknowledgesthisornot. 2 Mostchildrenareexposedtoevolutionvery,veryearlyinschool,andtheyhaveit  reenforcedyearafteryearafteryear.Neverisanyevidencetothecontrarypresentedand  examined,and,overandoveragain,childrenaretold,thisisthescientificapproach;this   iswhatscientistshavestudiedandthisiswhattheevidenceallpointsto.So,mostpeople ~!  developthisfaiththroughindoctrination.Atage18,Icertainlybelievedinevolutionand f"! almosteveryoneIknewdidaswell. L#" Whatyouplaceyourfaithin,isachoice.Whatyoubelievein,isachoice.Quite %h $ obviously,ifyouhavebeentaughtasetofprinciplesfromaveryyoungageandhavehad %N!% theseprinciplesreenforcedyearafteryear,itislikelythatyouwillbelieveinwhatyouhave &4"& beentaught. '#' AsayoungChristian,Ibelievedinevolution,butIwasbeginningtobelieveintheBible )$) moreandmore.Likemanybelievers,Ireconciledevolutionandthefirstfewchaptersof |*%* Genesisbyassumingthateachdayrepresentedmillionsofyears,andthatGenesiswas b+&+ asimplewayoflookingatevolution.However,therewerethosewhodidnotbelievein H,', evolution,andthatideafascinatedme,becauseitseemedsoflatearthytome.SoIread .-~(- everythingthatIcouldgetmyhandsonwhichrefutedevolution,and,afterawhile,Ino  longerbelievedinevolution.Allofthesocalledevolutionarysciencewassmokeand  mirrors,indoctrination,andhalftruths.Icametotheseconclusionsindependently.Noone | browbeatmetobelieveanything.IdidnotattendachurchwhereIheardoverandover b again, Evolutionisalie.Idontknowifevolutionwasmentionedatallinthefirstfew H churchesIattended.Icannotrecall.However,formetorejectmypreviousfaithin . ~ evolutiondidnotcomeaboutbecauseofsomesocialorreligiouspressure;Ijustreadand  d consideredtheevidenceandeventuallychangedmymind,baseduponlogicalarguments  J andthepresentationofscientificevidence.  0  % 5 Booksonapologetics%5G:     Everyonehasdifferentinterests.IdevelopedastronginterestinapologeticswhenI ~  believedinJesusChristandwassavedforfairlysimplereasons"IknewsomeChristians d  andmanyofthemseemedfoolishtome,andIdidnotwanttobetrappedinsome J  theologicalcagewhereIhadtobephonyorintellectuallydishonest.Forthisreason,I 0  mostlykeptmyheaddown,mymouthshut,andIdidalotofreadingandstudying,tofind f outwhatIgottenmyselfinto.Themostobviousquestiontomewas,doIbelievein L somethingwhichactuallymakessense?Apologeticsprovidedtheanswertothatquestion. 4 ThereareanumberofargumentsfortheexistenceofGod,and20ofthemarelaidout  here:  4LRO  5  http://_www.peterkreeft.com_/topics-more/20_arguments-gods-_existence.htm_6KROKx*  7  LԀ d Inthisstudy,Ihaveonlyscratchedthesurfaceofthisparticulartopic.GeislerandNix 0 havewrittenseveraloutstandingbooksonavarietyoftopics;allowmetorecommendthe f followingFromGodtoUs:HowWeGotourBible: L 4R RO  5  http://_www.amazon.com_/God-Us-How-Got-Bible/_dp_/0802428789/ref=sr_1_1?_ie_=UTF8&  s=books&_qid_=1219836867&sr=1-162NROFNture  7 tNԀ  Therearehundredsofbooksonapologetics,butIthinkthatsomeoftheverybestare |!  writtenbyJoshMcDowell,whohas,moreorless,writtenthesamebookahalfdozen b"! times,withmanyrevisionsandadditions. H#" 4SJRO  5  EvidenceThatDemandsaVerdictVolume16QROQture  7JDQ %d $ 4TJRO  5  AReadyDefense6QRORture  7J .R &2"& 4UJRO  5  TheNewEvidencethatDemandsaVerdict6RRORture  7JRԀ ($( Thereisavolume2ofEvidenceThatDemandsaVerdict,butthetopicsareless ~*%* interestingtomostpeople. f+&+   L,', OneofmyfavoritebookswhichIreadveryearlyasaChristianwas4WDRO  5  MereChristianity6TROTich  7""Tby   C.S.Lewis.  Oneofmyfavoritebooksonevolutionandcreationismis4XvRO  5  BonesofContention6UROUich  7! VԀby d Lubenow. L A@ ZPd@ hA % o IntroductoryLesson14:TheBible**)(#Apologetics,ScienceandtheBible %oWԈ   @@ 6!!qq!V@ % 8 TheChristianfaith,ApologeticsandScience%8W:    Theearthisverywellsuitedforitsinhabitants.Oxygenmakesup21%oftheatmosphere,   whichisaperfectamount.Ifitwere25%,fireswouldbesetoffcontinually.Ifitwere15%,   wewoulddiefromlackofoxygen. j  Thetemperaturerangeofourplanetisunusuallytemperateforthisuniverse,ranging,for 6  themostpart,fromabout!30$to120$.Suchanarrowtemperaturerangeishighly l unusualinouruniverse,andidealforlife.Minoralterationsinthesunorinourorbitwould R changethesetemperaturerangedramatically,makingtheearthuninhabitable. 8 Accordingtoonesource,ifthegravitationalforcewasalteredby1partin1040,thesun  wouldnotexistandthemoonwouldeithercrashintotheearthorcareenoffintospace.  Inorderforustoputasatelliteovertheearth,wehavetohaveveryprecisecalculations.  Therehastobeaprecisebalancebetweenthegravitationpulloftheearthonthesatellite f anditscentrifugalforce.Ithastohavetheexactamountofinertiainordertomoveitaway L fromtheearthequaltotheforceofgravity,sothatthefreefallofthesatellitemaintainsan 2 orbitaroundtheearth.Thisistrueforalltheplanetsinoursolarsystem.Thesuns h gravitationalpull,theirlocationinspace,thespeedwithwhichtheymove,alongwiththeir N mass,areallfactorsintheirmaintainingnice,ellipticalorbits.Somepeoplebelievethat 4 thisjusthappenedandthatalloflifeandenvironmentisaluckyaccident(oratragic  accident,iftheyarepessimistic).Othersbelievethatoursolarsystemisperfectly  designedbyGod;andthattheearthisperfectlydesignedforourlives.Eitherchoice   requiresfaith. ~! Thesizeofouroceanscombinedwitha24hourdaymaintainsourtemperateclimate, J#! whichallowsforanabundanceoflife.Thetiltoftheearthonitsaxisalsopreservesa 0$" relativelymildtemperaturerange,perfectlysuitedtolife.Theatmospherewhichwehave %f # isalsoconducivetomaintainingthetemperateclimateinwhichwelive. %L!$ Theactualsizeoftheearthisidealandmaintainstheatmospherethatweneed.Alarger '#& orsmallerearthwouldaffecttheatmosphere,whichisoneofthemanyfactorswhich (#' preserveslife. )$( Hereisonethingwhichyouprobablydonotconsider:theimportanceofthemoon.Most `+&* ofushaveseenstagnantponds,andhow,atthebeginning,theymightbepleasant,but F,'+ ifthereisnowatermovementorexchangeofwater,theybecomestagnantpoolsofwater, ,-|(, andbacteriaridden.Sincemostoftheearthiscoveredwithoceans,theseoceanswould  becomehuge,stagnantbodiesofwater,exceptforthemoon,whosegravitationalpull  keepstheoceansinconstantmovement,preservingthelifeinthem,andmakingthewater | cleanandrefreshing. b Speakingoftheoceans,97%ofthewateronthisplanetissaltwater,andwehumans . ~ requirefreshwater,sothatmakesmostofthewateronthisearthunusable.However,  d thereisawatercycle,whereonlythepurewateroftheoceansevaporatesandiscarried  J overdryland,anddroppedintheformofrainandsnow,whichisnecessarytoourlives.  0 Thetemperatureoftheearthcombinedwiththegravitationalpullofthemooncombined    withthedistancewearefromthesunallowsforthiswatercycletocontinue,whichwater    cyclepreservesourlives.Rainandstormsalsokeepthewaterintheoceansfrom   becomingstagnantaswell. x  Therearethousandsofnaturalfactors,allinaperfectbalancewithoneanother,with D  respecttotheearthandthesun,whichallowlifetoflourishonthisplanet.Somechoose *z  tobelievethatthisjustsortofhappened"awonderfulconfluenceofnature"andothers ` ofusbelievethatthiscameaboutbydesign.Changinganyofthesethings,evenslightly, F wouldmaketheearthuninhabitable. , Onescientistrelatesoureverexpandinguniversewiththetemperatureoftheearth,saying  thataslightchangeintheexpansionofouruniversecouldraisetheearthstemperature  to10,000$. t Speakingofthetemperatureoftheearth,didyourealizethatoneoftherarestthingsinthe @ universeiswater?H2Oisnotquiteasrare,butwateris.Thereisarathersmall &v temperaturerangewithinwhichH2Omanagestoremainaswater"asaliquid.Onthe ^ earth,wehavewaterinabundance.AboutA_rds_ofourearthiscoveredinwater,which D preserveslifeinhundredsofways.Theevolutionistjusthastobelievethatthiswasa * happycoincidence;thatwehereonearthjusthappenedtoluckout. Theresmillionsof  planets,so,itisreasonablethatononeofthem,therewouldbealotofwater.How  auspiciousthatwehavetheperfectamountofwater,theperfectamountofoxygen,the   perfectamountofgravity,theperfectamountoforbitalforces,theperfectamountof r!  everythingtoproduceanincredibleabundanceoflife,whichjustseemedtohappenbythe X"! godoftime,intheopinionandfaithoftheevolutionist.Itisallahappycoincidencetothe >#" evolutionist.Tohim,itislikewalkingdownthestreetandfindingamilliondollarbillonthe $$t# groundandthenlookingupandseeingabankwhichspecializesincashingoutonemillion  %Z $ dollarbills.Itisnotgoingtohappeneveryday,butonceinagreatwhile,theevolutionist %@!% believesthatheisgoingtofindthatnegotiablemilliondollarbill. &&"& Theevolutionisthasgreatfaithinchanceandtime.Wayne,ofWaynesWorld,hadthe (#( saying, Andmonkeysmightflyoutofmybutt.Fortheevolutionist,givenafewbillion )$) yearsandenoughpeopleonthisearth,and,eventually,monkeyswillflyoutofsomeones p*%* butt.Givenenoughtimeandchance,anythingcanhappenintheworldoftheevolutionist. X+&+   @,', Evolutionisthekeytounderstandingliberalism.Anevolutionistbelievesthatnearly   anythingispossible,becauseoftheamazingconfluenceoftime,rawmaterialsand  evolutiononthisplanet.Asocialevolutionistbelievesthat,inthisfallenworld,inthisworld | ofsin,thereareprogramsandgovernmentswhichcanmakeeverythingequitableandjust b andgood.Theymighthavetotakeawayonesfreedominordertodothis,but,thegreater H goodprevailsintheirphilosophy.Theyhaveanunrealisticexpectationofwhatispossible . ~ onourplanet.Despiteallevidencetothecontrary,therearepeoplewhobelievethat,  d (1)wecouldliveinaworldfreeofwar;(2)wecouldeliminatenuclearweapons;(3)wecan  J haveasocietywhereeveryoneistrulyequal.Ifwestartedoutaschemicalssloshing  0 aroundinalifelessgunk,andsomehowevolvedintowhatweare,thenjustaboutanything    ispossible.    Themechanicsofacaramazeme(backwhenIusedtounderstandmostofwhatwas x  underthehood).Everythingisdesignedwithexactprecision.Ifapistonis1/32"off,itis ^  notgoingtowork.IftheACbeltisaninchtoolongorshort,itcannotbeused.Anexact D  temperaturerangeismaintainedbytheradiator"windtravelsthroughtheradiator,tocool *z  thewater;thereistheproperamountofspacearoundtheengine,whichexpelssomeheat. ` Theenginewillheatuptoaspecifictemperatureandthenitwillholdthattemperature, F whichbecomestheidealtemperaturefortheoperationofthatvehicle.Itcannotvaryfrom , aparticulartemperaturerange.Therearethousandsofpartsinasimpleautomobile,and  theyallhavetoworktogetherandinteractwithgreatprecision.Awelldesigned  automobilemaydrivefor200,000milesormore.Apoorlydesignedcarmaybegintohave  problemsasearlyas20,000miles.Thekeyistheinteractionofthousandsofpartsand t materials.Ourearthissimilarlydesigned"thespecificgasesintheair,thegravitational Z pullofthesun,moonandearth,theamountofwateronthisearth,thetemperaturerange, @ etc.allfunctionlikeawelldesignedautomobile,alldesignedtoaccommodatelifeingreat &v abundance.And,justasmandrivesthecar,manrulesoverthisplanet.Therearelife  \ formssosmallthatwecanbarelyseethemwithmicroscopes,andtheselifeformsare B abletokillus(virusesandparasites);andtherearelifeformswhichdwarfusinsizeand ( strength;yetmanrulestheearth.Godputusincharge.  Withregardstoallofthis,wechoosewheretoplaceourfaith.Wecanbelievethatallof   thefactorswhichallowtheearthtohostmillionsoflifeformsjustsortofhappened"the p!  universeexploded,theearthcooledforafewmillionyears,andthen,lifejustcametobe V"! onthisearthinallofitswonder.OrwecanbelievethatGodcreatedtheearthandthe <#" universewithgreatspecificity,andthencreatedlifeinallitsformsandabundance, "$r# perfectlysuitedforitsenvironment. %X $ Forme,itmakesmoresensethatacreativeGoddesignedauniverseandanearthof &$"& greatcomplexityandgreatperfection,withtheintentionofsustaininglifeforalongperiod ' #' oftime.Nomatterhowmuchtimepasses,wewillnevercomeacrossawatchcreatedby (#( natureandmonkeyswillneverflyoutofanyonesbutt(norwilloneoutofamillion )$) monkeyspoundingonamilliontypewritersendupwritingthefirstchapteroftheGenesis l*%* bychance). R+&+   8,', Youneedtorecognizethefaithisachoice.Ourparentsandourschoolstellusthousands   ofthings,and,wetendtobelievemostofthemuntilacertainage,andthenwebeginto  choosewhatwebelievein.What18yearoldbelievesinSantaClausortheEaster ~ Bunny?Attheearliestage,whateverourteacherstaughtus,webelieved.However,as d timeprogresses,aswehearmoreopinions,witnessmoreevidence,westopbelievingin J someofthethingswhichweweretaught.Mostofthescienceteacherstodaywanttheir 0  studentstobelieveinevolution.Theyteachitasifitisafactandonlyatinypercentage  h everpresentevidencecontrarytoevolution,eventhoughsuchevidenceexistsin  N abundance.Whenwestepawayfromthisclassroomenvironment,whenwenolonger  4 havetogivetheteachertheanswersheorshewants,wecaneitherchoosetobelieveall    thatthisteachertaughtusorwecanexaminealternatetheoriesandevidencenever   presentedintheclassroom.Wechoosethatwhichwewanttobelieve,andveryintelligent   peoplemakeoppositechoicesinwhattheybelieve.Therearebrilliantscientistswho |  believeinGodandbrilliantscientistswhodonot,andtherearebrilliantscientistswho b  believethatwecannotknowonewayortheother.Itallisamatteroffaith,andfaithisa H  matterofonesfreewill. .~  Letmeaddonemorethingtothistopic:thereare3systemsofhumanperception:faith, J empiricismandrationalism.Faithmeans,wehearorreadsomething,andwebelieveit. 0 Peoplehavetoldmeoverandoveragain,thatthereisacountrycalledEngland.Ihear  aboutitinthenewsandmanypeopleIknowclaimtohavebeenthere.Ibelievethat  Englandexists,eventhoughIhaveneverbeenthereandseenitwithmyowneyes.  Empiricismissomethingwhichweobserve,andwebaseouropinionsuponthese x observations.Ifirmlybelievethat,ifIputmilkintherefrigerator,itwilllastlongerthanif ^ Ileaveitoutonthecounter.Thatisamatterofempiricalevidence,havinggonewithout D electricityforstretchesoftime(priortothis,thatwasamatteroffaith).Rationalismis *z baseduponlogicalarguments.Itisestimatedthat75!95%ofeverythingthatweknowat ` anygivenperiodoftimeisbaseduponfaith.Theremaybesomeempiricalevidenceor F somerationalargumentspresentedtoswayourdecision,but,inthefinalanalysis,most , ofwhatwebelievetobetrueisbaseduponfaith.   % D TheBibleandscience%D:    TheBibleisnotascientifictextbookand,attimes,itseesthingsfromavery `"! anthropocentricview:e.g.,theBiblespeaksofthesunrisingandsetting,whichishowwe F#" perceivethingstobe,eventhough,thatisnotexactlywhatishappening. ,$|# However,therearetimeswhentheBiblesayssomesurprisinglyaccuratethingswith %H!% respecttoscience.Isa.40:22reads:ItisGodWhositsabovethesphereoftheearth,and &."& itsinhabitantsarelikegrasshoppers;whostretchesouttheheavenslikeacurtain,and '#' spreadsthemlikeatenttodwellin.ԀFirstofall,theideais,whenyoustandbackfar (#( enough,youcanseethattheearthisasphereandtheinhabitantsoftheearthwouldseem )$) verysmallfromthere.Thereisalsoareferencetotheatmosphereinthisverse,whichwas v*%* notknowninthosedaysasweknowitnow.Weunderstandthatthereisablanket \+&+ (curtain)ofatmosphereabouttheearth,whichmakesitpossibleforustosurvive.Science B,', todaydifferentiatesbetweentheearthsatmosphereandspace;thiswouldhavebeenan (-x(- unusualconceptforsomeonetohaveincirca700b.c.,whenIsaiahspokethesewords.  InGen.1,Godspendsanentiredaymakingtheatmospherefortheearth,anaspectof  ourexistencewhichwetookforgrantedforthousandsofyears.Sciencefiguredoutthat | airhasweightandtookupspacein1643byTorricelli. b Job26:7reads:Godstretchesoutthenorthoverthevoidandhangstheearthupon . ~ nothing.ȘԀThisisalsoanunusualconcept,thattheearthisjustoutthere,notattachedto  d anything,justhangingthereuponnothing.Weknowthistobeaccurateinourdayand  J age,butitisamazingtofindthisinwritingswhicharebetween3000!4000yearsold.  0 Psalm96:11areads:Theheavensrejoiceandtheearthgoesinacircle[injoy].ԀI    personallybelievethattheHolySpirithasasenseofhumor,andsometimesinjectsthings   intoaversetohavemorethanonemeaning.Thepsalmistspeaksoftheheavensand x  earthrejoicing,buttheverbusedwiththeearthisonewhichmeanstodancearoundina ^  circleinjoy.Thepurposeofthisverseistospeakoftheheavensandtheearthrejoicing; F  however,theHolySpiritjustpickedaveryunusualwordforexpressingjoywhenitcomes .~  totheearth,awordnotusedoftheheavens.Theorbitoftheearthissuggestedbythe d useofthisparticularverb,whichorbitwasonlyrecentlyunderstoodbyscience. J GodpromisesAbramthathisprogenywouldbelikethesandoftheseaorthestarsinthe  skyinnumber(Gen.22:17Jer.33:22).Thisisknownashyperbole,asthereare1025  grainsofsandonthisearth.However,itisquitefascinatingthatGodspokeofthenumber  ofstarsinthesameway.Sciencetodayestimatesthatthereare1021numberofstars. x However,whenthesewordswerewritten(andthispromisewasgivenseveraltimes),only ^ about3000starswerevisibletothenakedeye.So,4000yearsago,intheBible,wehave D acomparisonbetweenthesandofthesea(whichisobviouslygreatinnumber)andthe *z starsinthesky(notasobviouslygreatinnumber).However,Godknowshowmanystars ` Hecreatedandwhetherornotthesestarsincreaseordecreaseinnumber.Godknows F thatareahugenumberofstars,andso,thehyperboleusedwithrespecttheAbrams , childrenisapt.  TheZondervanPictorialEncyclopediaoftheBiblelistsanumberofpassageswhich   anticipatemodernscientificdiscovery:theundulatorytheoryofmatterisseeninGen.1:2; t!  wirelesstelegraphyisseeninJob38:35;theconceptofparallaxisseeninJames1:17; Z"! atomictheoryofmatter(Heb.11:3);atomicbindingforces(Heb.1:3);lightasthebasisof @#" allsubstance(Gen.1:3);nuclearfission(Gen.1:4);anesthesiaandmodifiedcloning &$v# (Gen.2:21!23);afinalchainreaction(Isa.34:4Luke21:25!28);anexpandinguniverse  %\ $ (Isa.40:22);motorcars(Joel2:3!4);airplanes(Isa.31:5);radio(Eccles.10:20);television %B!% (Rev.11:3!12);thesphericityoftheearth(Job22:14Prov.8:27Isa.40:22 &("& Mark13:35!37);theconceptofairhavingweight(Job28:25);thewatercycle(Job26:8 '#' 36:27!2837:11Psalm104:10,13135:7Prov.8:28Eccles.1:6!7Isa.55:10);the (#( uniquenessofstars(1Cor.15:41);thatplanets,moonsandstarsallfunctionaccordingto )$) specificlawssetupbyGod(Jer.31:35!36);thatourbodiesaremadeoutofthechemicals p*%* oftheearth(Gen.2:7);thecloseassociationofapersonsmentalandspiritualhealthwith V+&+ hisphysicalhealth(Prov.12:414:3015:3016:2417:22);nuclearweapons <,', (2Peter3:10);andtheconceptofaworldI.D.numberwhichcanassignedandimprinted "-r(- ononeshandorforehead,whichnumberwouldbeassociatedwithcreditanddebit  accounts(Rev.13:16!18"somethingwhichmadelittlesensethen,butmakesperfect  sensetoustoday).SomeoftheseexamplescamefromTheZondervanPictorial | EncyclopediaoftheBible;MerrillTenney,ed.,ZondervanPublishingHouse,1976;Vol.5, d p.295;othersfrom4Ip RO  5  http://www.clarifyingchristianity.com/science.shtml6ɪROݪraph  7el ;andothersIwas L awareofthroughpersonalstudy.Inmostcases,theinterveningtimebetweentheBible 2  andthescientificobservationoftheseprinciplesisthousandsofyears.  h AnoutstandingpagewhichlistsmostofthesescientificprinciplesasfoundintheBibleis:  4 4JpRO  5  http://www.creationists.org/foreknowledge.html6ROraph  7elHԀTherearemoreprincipleslistedherewhich    Ihavenotincludedinthepreviousparagraph.Agreaterexplanationisgiven,alongwith   theapproximatetimethatthepertinentverseintheBiblewaswrittencomparedtowhen   sciencefirstmadethesameobservations. |  When1or2scientificprinciplesarefoundembeddedinthepagesofScripture,wecould H  explainthatawayasamisunderstandingoftheverseorascoincidence.However,weare .~  speakingofdozensofthings,presentedwithaccuracyintheBible,thousandsofyears d priortotheirdiscovery. J ThepointIammakingis,althoughtheBibleisnotascientifictextbook,ithasagreatdeal  ofscientificinformationandallusionsinittosuggestthattheBibleistheWordofGod.Is  itbyaluckycoincidencethatthereadozensofscientificprinciplesfoundintheBible  which,thousandsofyearslater,areconfirmedasaccuratelypresented?Myattempthere x istogiveyouanothersetofreasonswhytheBiblecanbereasonablyunderstoodtobethe ^ WordofGod.IfsomeonesmindismadeupthatthereisnoGodandthattheBibleisjust F anassemblingofvariousmythsandfables,thenthereislittlethatIcouldsaywhichwould ,| convincesuchaperson.Theirmindismadeup;theyhaveplacedtheirfaithinopposition b toGodandtheBible.AstheBiblesays,ThefooltellshimselfthatthereisnoGod^Ԁ[lit.,the H foolsaysinhisheartthatthereisnoGod].ԀHowever,ifyouarereadingthis,thatindicates 0 thatyouhavesomepositivevolitiontowardGodandtowardtheWordofGod.This  informationhelpstoshowyouthatyourfaithisnotablindfaith,thatthereisgreatevidence  forthatwhichyoubelievein.   A@ ZPd@`"A % e IntroductoryLessons15!16:TheBible7(#ContentoftheBible %eöԈ "!! @@.$~!!qq!@ % F ThegeneralcontentoftheBible%F:  %d # TheBiblecontainshistory,prophecy,anddoctrine.TheformatoftheBiblevariesfrom &6"% booktobook.Somebooksarestrictlyhistoricalnarratives,butsomeofthethingswhich '#& aresaidwithinthesebooksareprophetical(Genesis,SamuelandMatthewareexamples ($' ofthis).Someofthesebooksarewritteninapoeticalform(likeJob,thePsalmsandSong )$( ofSolomon),andsometimes,slightlydifferentrulesofinterpretationareapplied.There ~*%) aremanywordsfoundonlyinpoetry,andcertainwordshaveaslightdifferenceinmeaning d+&* whenfoundinpoetry.Someofthebooksarethewordsoftheprophets,butthesewords J,'+ arewovenintoanhistoricalnarrativeinmostcases(IsaiahandJeremiah,forinstance). 0-(, ЇThefirst5booksoftheNewTestamentarehistorical.4booksaredevotedtothelife,  deathandgospelofJesusChrist;andonecoverstheearlyhistoryofthechurch.When  Iwasanewbeliever,Ididnotquiteunderstandwhytherewere4gospels.However,these | arehistoricalwitnessestothelifeanddeathofJesusChrist,andtomanyofthehistorical b eventswhichtookplacearoundHim.2ofthegospelswerewrittenbythosewhowere H actualeyewitnessestotheeventswhichtheyobserved(MatthewandJohn).Markwrote . ~ hisgospelbasedupontheeyewitnessofPeter.Lukebasedhisgospelonthedocuments  d availabletohimatthetime,aswellaspersonalinterviewswithpeoplewhowerethere.  J Theendresultis,therearenoeventsinhistorywhichareaswellattestedtoasthelifeand  0 deathandresurrectionofJesusChrist.Thesegospelswerewrittenanddistributedduring    atimewhenChristianitywashatedbytheRomansandtheJews;andduringatimewhen    thereweremanyeyewitnessestotheseeventswhowerestillalive.Thismeansthat,any   historicaleventwhichyouareawareofwhichtookplace,say,400yearsagoorbefore,is x  notascertainaswhatwereadaboutJesusChristinthegospels.4gospelsmakesthese ^  eventsascertainasanythingthatyoureadinyournewspaper(infact,moreso). D  SomeoftheNewTestamentbooksareletters,writtenfromanApostle(orsomeone ` recognizedbytheApostlesasauthoritative)andsenttoeitheralocalchurchortoagroup F ofbelievers.Thefinalbook,Revelation,isavisionwhichJohnhas,anditspeaksofthe , endtimes.However,propheticpassagesofwhatisstilltocomeisfoundthroughoutthe  Bible,innearlyeverybook.  Interestinglyenough,itisunheardofforaBiblicalauthorofanytypeofwriting,tosay, t  Okay,righthere,Iamgoingtotellyoueverythingthatyouneedtoknowaboutsoteriology Z (thedoctrinesaboutsalvation).Thisisactuallyquitefascinating,whenyougetrightdown @ toit.SomeofthemenwhowroteScripturewereverydevoutmenwhohaddevotedmost &v oralloftheirlivestotheteachingofGodsWord,yetdidnotsitdowntoexploreany  \ theologicalsubjectinitsentirety.Paul,insomeofhisepistles,wouldcoveratopicinsome B detail,butallsuchtopicsstillneedtobefurtherexaminedbystudyingpassagesfrom ( elsewhere.AttheendofthebookofCorinthians,Paulexaminesspiritualgiftsand  contraststhegiftoftongues(foreignlanguagesanddialects)withthegiftofprophecy  (speakingdivinetruth),butnoteverythingonthistopicisfoundin1Cor.12!14.Paulalso   dealswiththegreatresurrectioninthenextchapter,butonemustgotootherbooksto p!  haveathoroughknowledgeofthatsubject.So,evenPaul,whomorethananyoneelse, V"! exploresspecifictopics,doesnotdevelopanendall,bealldoctrineofanything(although <#" hiscoveringsalvationandjustificationinthebookofRomanscomesprettyclose).Inany "$r# case,thosewhoattempttoteachentireconceptstodayareeitherpastorsorwriterswho %X $ writebookscalledSystematicTheology,wheretheauthortakesthemostimportantand %>!% fundamentaldoctrinesoftheBibleandlaysthemallout,onebyone. &&"& InsofarasIamaware,thegreatestofthesebooksisL.S.Chafers4 RO  5  SystematicTheology6=ROQ   7"", (#( whichisan8volumeset,onevolumeofwhichisasetofindexes,giventhathisworkis )$) sovast.Myonlycautionhereis,stickwiththeunabridgedversion. p*%* TheindividualbooksoftheBibleareeachcompleteliteraryworksinandofthemselves. >,', GenesiscoversthehistoryofmanfromthebeginningtoJosephastheprimeministerof $-t(- Egypt.EsthertellsusallaboutJewishlifeinPersia,andaspecificincidentwhich  occurred,whichrevealshowGodhascontinuedtopreservetheJewishpeople,regardless  oftheirspiritualstatus.EachletterofPaultoachurchdealsspecificallywiththeproblems | ofthatchurchaswellasdoctrinalpointswhichwerecausingconfusionamongsomeofthe b congregants.However,together,allofthesebooksformonecohesivewhole,theBible, H whichhasaclearbeginningandaclearending;abookwheremanyofthepropheciesof . ~ theOldTestamentarefulfilledintheNew;abookwherehumanhistoryistakenfromits  d inceptiontothefinalageofhumanhistory.Eachbook,insomewayoranother,tellsus  J justalittlebitmoreaboutGodsrelationshiptomanandhowGodisinvolvedinourlives  0 hereonearth.TheentireBiblegivesusagrandsweepingrevelationofthehistoryofman    andindividualportionsoftheBiblegiveusspecificincidentswhichinturnincreaseour    understandingofourrelationshiptoGod.    % H OldTestamentSummaryCharts%H:  ^  WhenIwasfirstsaved,oneofthemostinstructivesessionsinchurchthatIhadwasa 0  guestspeakerwhosummarizedtheOldTestamentforusinabout45minutes.The f generalinformationwhichhegaveisbelow,whichIhaveexpandeduponeversoslightly. L Idonotrecallthispersonsname,buttheoverviewwasveryhelpful. 2 Thedatesgivenhereinarenotprecisedates,butsimplyapproximatetimeframesforyou  tohangyourhaton.  *lGHddxdd xAhB(#(#l,dd ,?dd +  =(`` d=% J TheTorah(theLawofMoses)+Job%J- \G."d d\Approximately6000!1400b.c. Nt9.v"d NGenesis At,!F"t AThebookofbeginnings:theearth,mankind,theJews.Allofthis F tookplacepriortoMoses.Attheendofthebook,thefamilyof , JacobmovestoEgyptbecauseofafamine.TheywillliveinEgypt  forabout400years,whichisthechronologicalgapbetweentheend  ofGenesisandthebeginningofExodus(interestinglyenough,there   isthesamechronologicalgapbetweentheOldandNew t!  Testaments). Aq,!Z"!t AJob Aq,!d"q AAbookofpoetryaboutamannamedJobwhowastestedbySatan, d whichGodallowed.Thisprobablytookplacepriortothelifeof J Moses.Thisisanextremelytoughbooktoexegete,asitis 0 essentiallyatheologicaldiscussionbetweenJoband3friends.God  doesenterintothepictureattheendofthebooktostraighten  everythingout.   Thekeytothisbookis,JobandhisfriendsponderJobssituation ^   withouttakingintoconsiderationtheAngelicConflict(whichiswhat D   hissufferingisdirectlyrelatedto). * z  SincethisbookdoesnotmentiontheJews,theLeviticalsacrifices, F   theLandofPromise,oranythingelserelatedtoIsrael,most ,  assumethatthisbookwaswrittenlongbeforeAbraham. At,! q AExodus At,!< "t AThebookofredemptionanddeliverance.TheJewslivinginEgypt <  hadbecomeenslavedbytheEgyptians.GodraisesupMoses,a "r JewraiseduptobearulerinEgypt;butwholeavesEgyptandlater X returnstoleadtheJewsoutofEgypt.Circa1520!1440b.c. At,!>t ALeviticus At,!h"t AThebookofworship.Thesacrificesandtheceremonialdaysare h covered. At,!Nt ANumbers At,!"t AThebookofwanderings.AfterreceivingtheLawofGod,theJews  gotoLandofPromise,butbackawayinfearofthoseintheland.  GodkeepstheseJewsinthedesertwildernessuntiltheadult  generation(GenX)diesoff.Thisleavesthosewhowerechildren z atthetimeoftheexodusorwhowerebornaftertheexodus.This ` istheGenerationofPromise.Circa1440!1400b.c. At,!Ft ADeuteronomy At,!"t ASummaryoftheLaw.Moses,whoisnotallowedtogointotheLand   ofPromise,speakstotheJews,remindingthemoftheLawofGod ! andwhatisexpectedofthemoncetheyenterintothelandof  " Canaan.ThereareseverallengthysermonsofMosesherein,and r!# thisbookprobablytakesplaceoveramonthorso.Whatis X"$ particularlyremarkableaboutDeuteronomyis,inpreviousbooks, >#% Mosesisverycarefultodistinguishbetweentheeventswhichtook $$t& placeandthewordsofGod.Deuteronomyareprimarilythewords  %Z ' ofMoses,buttheyaregivenwiththeauthorityofGodtheHoly %@!( Spirit.1'%&&")  t 1  '<#) *NOdddd dd ?GH(#(#,4dd ,dd +  =( d=% L TheJewsEntertheLandofPromise%L \G.d"d d\1400!1100b.c. Nt9."d NJoshua At,!Ft AAbookofsuccess.JoshualeadstheJewsintotheLandof F Promiseandtheyconquerthelandandthepeoplesinit.Onekey , | verse: Thisbookofthelawwillnotdepartfromyourmouth,but  b youwillstudyitdayandnightsothatyoumaybecarefultodoall  H thatiswritteninit,sothatwhenyoumakeyourway,youwillbe  . prosperousandenjoysuccessԀ(Joshua1:8).Circa    1400!1390b.c. At,!  t AJudges At,!$t t AAbookoffailures.ThecyclicalnatureoftheJews.Theyhad $t  freedom,andtheyusedthisfreedomtoworshipidols.Godwould  Z  thendisciplinethem,theywouldcalloutforadeliverer;andGod @  wouldsendthemadelivererwhowouldfreethem.Keyverse: &  therewasnokinginIsraelinthosedays,andeverymandidwhat   wasrightinhisowneyesԀ(Judges21:25).Circa1390!1100b.c. At,!t ARuth At,!lt AAbookoffaithandredemption.AGentilewoman(Ruth,a l Moabite)goestoIsraelwithhermotherinlawaftertheirhusbands R havedied,andtheirmiseryandhardshipisturnedtoblessingand 8 prosperitythroughtheKinsmanRedeemer,Boaz(atypeofChrist). Ef0!t EAlthoughBoazisatypeofChrist,sowasAbraham,Joseph,MosesandJoshua H beforehim.4*(.~  f 4*PQdddd 4\dd NO(#(#,dd ,dd +  =(*z*z d=% N TheUnitedKingdom%N \G."d d\1100!930b.c. Nt9.@"d N1Samuel 8t#!t 8Preparation.Samuelsministry;Saulsreign;thelifeofDavid. 8t#t 82Samuel 8t#!@!t 8Establishment.Davidsreign. 8t#@!t 81Kings1!11 8t#!" t 8Thekingdomachieved.Solomonsreign. F1"!t dFLiteratureoftheKingdom Nt9.@$""d NPsalms At,!%!#"t AThesearepoetrywrittenprimarilybyDavid,butatleastonewas %!$ writtenbyMoses;andmanywerewrittenevenacenturyor &!% moreafterthetimeofDavid. At,!'"&t AProverbs At,!)V$'"t ASolomonwrotethissetofcoupletsaboutwisdom. At,!)V$(t AEcclesiastes At,!*%)"t ASolomondelvesintophilosophy,muchofitdetailinghisattempt *%* tofindmeaninginthisworldapartfromGod. At,!l+&+t ASongofSolomon At,!d"t ASolomon,despitehave1000wivesandmistresses,chasesafter d  this_Shulamite_Ԁwoman,whorejectshim.The_Shulamite_Ԁwoman J isdedicatedtoherrightman,whomshekeepsinhersoul.1'%0 t 1*Z[d d]dd dd PQ(#(#,dd ,dd +  B-FF dB% Q TheKingdomDivided%Q fQ3Z"  d df930!586b.c. St>3 \"  d S1Kings12!22 At,! t ADivision.ThehistoryofIsrael(the10tribesintheNorthern   Kingdom)andJudah(the2tribesintheSouthernKingdom)is r   followedsidebysidein1Kings12!2Kings17.Elijahisaprophet X   duringtheendof1Kings.Majoreventsandthekingsofboth >  kingdomsarecovered. At,!$t t A2Kings1!17 At,! t ADivision.Elijahcontinuesasaprophetatthebeginningof2Kings,   laterbeingreplacedbyElisha.Majoreventsandthekingsofboth   kingdomsarecovered.Israelundergoesthe5thCycleofDiscipline j  circa721b.c.(thereare5cyclesofdisciplinediscussedin P Lev.26,whichGodwouldimposeuponHispeoplewhenthey 6 strayedfromHim;underthe5thcycle,thepeoplewouldbe l removedfromthelandgiventhembyGod). At,!Rt A2Kings18!25 At,!|t ATheSouthernKingdomshistoryandkingsandprophetsare | recordedandwearetakenfromthefalloftheNorthernKingdom b downtothe5thCycleofDisciplineofJudah,circa586b.c. At,!Ht A1Chronicles Et0!t ETheChroniclesisGodsPostMortem.Chronicles,likeSamuel  andKings,isactuallyonebook.However,Chroniclesiswritten  afterlongthefact;fromthedawnofmaninthegenealogiestothe  proclamationtoreturntheJewstothelandafterthedispersionof t bothkingdoms.Thefirst9orsochaptersof1Chroniclesare Z genealogies;1Chron.10picksupwiththedeathofSauland @ parallelsthehistoryofthelastcouplechaptersof1Samuel,andall & v  of2Samueland1and2Kings. Rt=2 !\!t R2Chronicles <t'!"t <+!@"  t +*\]dd]dd dd Z[(#(#,dd ,^dd +  B-""r"""r dBProphetstotheNorthernKingdom Sq>3"#"  d SJoel $V$ (850!700b.c.) Aq,!$B %q AAgreatlocustinvasionofthelandisthebasisforJoelswarning $V& toIsrael,thattheirlandwouldbeinvaded.Hisministryappeared $< ' tobesuccessful. A,!%"!(q AJonah(800b.c.) A,!L'") AJonahisreallymoreofaprophettoNinevehinAssyria,although L'"* hewasnotthatinterestedinthatparticularassignment.Jonahis 2(#+ oneofthebestknownoftheprophets,simplybecauseGod )h$, preparedagreatfishwhichswallowedhimfor3days.However, )N%- fewknowmuchaboutJonahapartfrombeingswallowedbya *4&. whale(whichisnotwhathappened,asitwasnotawhale).Very +'/ fewpeopleknowtheactualmeatofthisstory. Aq,!,(0 AAmos d  (780!755b.c.) Aq,!Pq AAmosisoneoftheeasiestprophetstoplaceintotime,asinthe d firstverse,heidentifiesthekingsoftheNorthernandSouthern zJ Kingdomsduringhisministry.AmoswarnedbothIsraeland `0 Judahofjudgmenttocome. Aq,!F q AHosea   (760!710b.c.) Aq,! |q AHoseaslifewithGomer,thewomanheloves,parallelsGods    relationshiptoIsrael.Hoseaslovewaspowerfullystrongand  v  couldnotbedestroyed;Gomersunfaithfulnesswaswicked,  \  hurtful,andresultedinherownundoing.Weoftenwonder,why r B  dowe,asfaithfulbelieversinJesusChrist,faceincredible X(  difficultiesattime;anexaminationofthisbookmayhelpto >  explainhowGodusesourpersonalpainandhowHeisableto $  comfortus.GodusedGomersactionstoteachIsraelaboutits    ownattitudetowardGod.1'%   q 1*^`dddd dd ^\](#(#,dd ,^dd +  B-   dBProphetstotheSouthernKingdom St>3j: "  d SMicah(740b.c.) At,!t AMicahmakespredictionsconcerningthedestructionofIsraeland  Judah;however,southernkingdomkingsarementionedinthe  text.HewarnsofanattackbyAssyria.Micahtellsusthatthe  EternalRulerwillcomeoutofBethlehem. At,!lt AIsaiah  (740!680b.c.) At,!t AIsaiahhadalongpublicministrytoseveralkingsinJudah.His  presentationofthegospelisclearandunmistakableinIsa.53.  HealsopresentstheTrinityinIsa.48:16.Isaiahisoneofthe  greatestprophetsoftheOldTestament.Becauseofhim,Judah  turneditselfaroundtoturnedtoGod. At,!~t AObadiah(685b.c.) At,!(t AObadiahistheshortestbookintheOldTestament,andsome (  placehimduringthecaptivityandotherspriorto.Thisdealswith ! EdomandtheDayoftheLord.Thedatehereisonlyawild " guess. At,! #t ANahum T"$$ (666!615b.c.) At,!@#%t ANahumwarnsoftheeventualdestructionofNineveh.Thisshould T"$& betakenasaparallelbooktoJonah(butwrittenmuchlaterin :# ' time). At,! $(t AZephaniah %j) (630!620b.c.) At,!&V *t AZephaniahwarnedoftheupcomingjudgmentagainstJudah. At,!%j+t AHabakkuk (!, (627!586b.c.) At,!("-t AHabakkukisacontemporaryofJeremiah.WhereasJeremiah (!. seemedtobeconcernedthatGodspeoplewouldnotturnfrom ("/ theirevilways,HabakkukseemedtobemoreconcernedthatGod )#0 wasnotjudgingJudahmorequickly. At,!*$1t AJeremiah d (626!580b.c.)and At,!Pt AJeremiahwasoneofthelastprophetstowarnJudahofits d imminentdiscipline.Hehadalongpublicministry(approximately zJ  40years).Hisbookmaybedifficultforsome,asitisnotin `0 chronologicalorder.Interestinglyenough,Jeremiahdidnot F  encouragetheJewishpeopletoresisttheirBabyloniancaptivity, ,  whenitbecameclearthattheywouldnotrefrainfromtheirevil. At,! t ALamentations At,! \ t AJeremiahalsowrotethebookofLamentations,hissadelegies  \  aboutIsraelbeingconquered. r B  LikeIsaiah,hisministrycannotbesummedupinafewwords.1'%>   t 1*abd ddd dd ^^`(#(#,dd ,^dd +  =(T$ T$  d=% S 70YearsinCaptivity%S{  \G. "d d\586!516b.c. Rt=.j: "d ROnlytheProphetslistedbelowwroteduringthetimethatJudahwasincaptivity.   However,eventhoughsomeJewsdidreturntothelandundertheedictofCyrus,many  remainedoutsidetheland,havingbeenbornandraisedthere.ThebookofEstherdeals  withthosewhoremainedintheland. R=$lt RProphetsWhileinCaptivity Nt9." NDaniel f (604!535b.c.) At,!Rt ADanieliswellknownforhispropheciesconcerningthecoming f kingdoms,aswellasgivingusatimelineforfutureevents. |L Daniels70thWeekisequivalenttothe7yearTribulation. At,!b2t AEzekiel  (593!570b.c.) At,!t AEzekielwasaprophettothepeopleduringtheirExile.God  continuedtospeaktoHispeoplethroughEzekiel,despitethefact  thattheywereunderthe5thCycleofDiscipline. x Interestinglyenough,wefindmanyofthesameHebrewwordsin t D  LeviticusandinEzekiel.1'%Z!*!  t 1  p"@! *cddddd dd ^ab(#(#,dd ,^dd +  =( d=% h TheJewsReturntotheLand%hF( \G.d"d d\538!400b.c. Nt9."d NEsther F Circa483!479b.c. At,!2 t ATheBookofEsther,likethebookofHaggaibelow,isdated F accordingtothereignof_Ahasuerus_,thePersianking.Estheris , | oneofthebestknownbooksamongJews,andrarelystudiedby  b ChurchAgebelievers.Godisclearlyinvolvedinthelivesofthe  H Jews,butHeactsinthebackground.Ibelievethatthisbook,  .  almostmorethananyother,willevangelizetheJewsatthe    beginningoftheTribulation.Theywillrecognizethesimilarities    betweentheJewsofthisbookandthemselvesasJewswhoare   scatteredthroughouttheworld,whohavemovedawayfromGod. At,!v t AEzra @  Circa538!457b.c. At,!, t AWehavethehistoryoftheJews,fromthetimethatCyrus,kingof @  Persia,conqueredBabylon,andthenallowedEzratoreturntothe &  landandtobuildtheTempleofGodthere. At,! t ANehemiah 6 Circa445!444b.c. At,!"rt ANehemiahwasahighrankingofficialinPersia,andhechoseto 6 returntoJerusalemtobuildwallsaboutthecity. O:!lt dOProphetsDuringtheReturntotheLand Nt9."d NHaggai(520b.c.) At,!"rt AHaggaiwasinvolvedwiththebuildingoftheTemple. At,!"rt AZechariah  (520!518b.c.) At,!t AAlthoughZechariahwasaprophettoJudahwhentheremnant  returnedtotheland,whatstandsoutinmymindisZech.12:10:  IwillpouronthehouseofDavid,andontheinhabitantsof n Jerusalem,thespiritofgraceandofsupplication;andtheywill T looktomewhomtheyhavepierced;andtheyshallmournforhim, :  asonemournsforhisonlyson,andwillgrievebitterlyforhim,as  p! onegrievesforhisfirstborn.22Ԁ At,!V"t AMalachi  # (450!400b.c.) At,!l!$t AMalachiwasthefinalprophettoJudah,bothintime,andinthe  % Bible.1'%f!&  t 1*d ddd dd ^cd(#(#,dd ,dd ,dd ,dd +  )n#'n# )4 RO  5  TopofthePage #"( andtheTableof $ ) Contents6,6RO@6  7  n6 '% *" '4 RO  5  Introductiontoany #"+ BibleStudy6I7RO]7  7 7 '$ ," '4 RO  5  Introductiontothe #"- Bible6H8RO\8  7 8 '$ ." '4 4RO  5  Introductiontothe #"/ BookofGenesis6A9ROU9  7 ;"9 1'$ 0"  14v bRO  5  LinkstoDoctrines 'h"1 intheIntroductory 'N#2 Material6N:ROb:  7 : '(4$3" '4w RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines 'h"4 intheIntroduction 'N#5 totheBible6q;RO;  7 ; '(4$6" '4x RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines 'h"7 intheIntroduction 'N#8 toGenesis6<RO<  7 < '(4$9" '''h":"   'A@ d@*0&A4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIB(#Salvation6&>RO:>  7 (#h>Ԉ Q+&; 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIID(#Rebound6?RO#?  7 (#Q?Ԉ X,'< 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIII> > C(#Doctrine6?RO @  7 (#9@Ԉ _-(= 4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIV(#Logically,WhatShouldIExpectfromReligion?6@RO@  7 (##AԈ !q 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson1:TheBible(#BasicThemesoftheBible/IntroductiontotheBible6AROB  7 (#3BԈ / 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLessons2&3:TheBible2(#BasicThemesoftheBible6CRO%C  7 (#SCԈ 6 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson4:TheBiblell:(#TheOldTestament6DRO0D  7 (#^DԈ =  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson5:TheBible:(#TheNewTestament6ERO.E  7 (#\EԈ D  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson6:TheBiblexx1(#Dispensations,anOverview6FRO,F  7 (#ZFԈ K  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson7:TheBibleA(#Canonicity6GRO3G  7 (#aGԈ R  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson8:TheBible%(#InspirationandtheOriginalLanguages6HRO*H  7 (#XHԈ Y  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson9:TheBible.(#TeachingandSpiritualGrowth6)IRO=I  7 (#kIԈ `  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson10:TheBible,(#Translations,TextualCriticism63JROGJ  7 (#uJԈ g  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson11:TheBible (#ChristianApologeticsandBiblicalProphecy6@KROTK  7 (#KԈ n  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson12:TheBible%(#NaturalandLogicalApologetics,Faith6YLROmL  7 (#LԈ u  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson13:TheBible)(#Apologetics,ScienceandtheBible6mMROM  7 (#MԈ |  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson14:TheBible@@7(#ContentoftheBible6}NRON  7 (#NԈ  4 RO  5  TheBookofGenesis<(#AnIntroduction6OROO  7 (#OԈ  0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartI:InspirationandProgressiveRevelation6{PROP  7 P(#(# 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartII:AuthorshipandtheHistoricalNarrative6QROQ  7 JQ(#(# 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIII(ThemesandanOutlineofGenesis)6RROR  7 R(#(# @@M!!qq!=@A@ ZPd@3A %  TheBookofGenesis%Tx x (#%  IntroductionPartI:InspirationandProgressiveRevelation %WTԈ T @@!!qq!S@Uptothispoint,IhavebeengivingyousomebackgroundmaterialontheBibleitself.Now,  IwillbegintoexegeticallyexamineseveralbooksintheBible.Theprevious14lessons } weredesignedtoprepareyouforsuchastudy.ThefirstbookIwillexegeteisthebook c ofGenesis. I  ThebookofGenesisisanamazingbook.Althoughtheauthorshipandtimeofwritingis "e disputed,itisclearlywrittenbeforetherewasanyideainthemindoftheauthororauthors "K thattherewouldbeaBible,acollectionofdivinelyinspiredbookstoformaunifiedwhole. #1 Furthermore,thebookofGenesisisclearlythefirstbookoftheBible,andintendedtobe $  thefirstbookoftheBible,despitethefactthatitwasputintowritinglongbeforesucha %  concept[theideaofaBible]existed. &!! Ifsomereligiousgroupwasgoingtositdownandputtogetherthisgreatreligiousbook _(## calledtheBible,thenthebookofGenesismakesagreatdealofsense.Ifyoustandback E)$$ fromtheBible,andlookatthebookofGenesis,itmakesperfectsenseforthistobethe +*{%% firstbookoftheBible(justasRevelationisthemostperfectbooktoendtheBible);butthis +a&& bookwasputintowritinglongbeforetherestofScripture.Itwouldhavebeenabsurdfor +G'' someonetositdownandsay, Overthenext3000years,theBiblewillbecomposed,so ,-(( weneedtostartwiththefirstbookwheretheseedsofallthatwillbewrittenaboutwillbe -)) foundinanintroductorybook.SoIamgoingtowritethisreligiousbookwhichgoesallthe  waybacktothebeginningofmanandincludesuchconceptsinitliketheTrinity,Satan,  mansfall,thejudgmentofmanandthejudgmentofSatan,severalremarkableshadows | oftheMessiahtocome,andreferencestotheAngelicConflict.Obviously,theideathat b someonewouldconsciouslythinkthosethingsandwritethebookofGenesisisridiculous; H however,someone(or,severalmen),somehow,wroteabookwithallofthemajorthemes . ~ oftheBibleinit"sin,redemption,reconciliation,propitiation,sanctification,andtheChrist  d tocome,Whoisthesethingstous"andallofthesethemesareexplainedanddeveloped  J overthenext3000years.TherearetiesinthebookofGenesistoalmosteverybookof  0 theBible,OldandNewTestaments;itistheperfectfirstbook,andyet,whenitwaswritten,    theseotherbooksdidnotexist.NootherbookoftheBiblecontainssomuchbywayof    introduction.IftheBibleistheWordofGod,Godbreathed,and,atthesametime,the   wordofman,thenthismakessense.TheDivineAuthor,GodtheHolySpirit,knowsthe x  endfromthebeginning,soHeknowswhatthefirstbookoftheBibleshouldcontain. ^  Acriticmaysay,withoutanyrealknowledge,thatmaybesomeonejustwrotetheBible *z  downallatonce,andinthisway,wehaveabeginningandanend.Historically,thisjust ` doesnotholdwater.TheJews,sincetheinceptionofHolyWrit,haveheldtoa F progressivelyproducedWordofGod,whichwritingstoppedin400b.c.,whichwritingwas , translatedthenintoGreekcirca200b.c.,whichtranslationwasthenusedbytheApostles  andbyJesus.TheOldTestamentwasnotacollectionofallJewishwritings;therewasthe  Mishna,theTalmudandtheApocrypha,noneofwhichwasevergiventhesamestanding  astheOldTestament(thatis,theseotherwritingswerenoteverseenastheWordof t God). Z TheOldTestamentisacompleteunitinitself,albeitunfulfilled;andtheJews,over &v thousandsofyears,havepreservedtheOldTestamentbyitselfupuntilthisday.  \ Furthermore,theyhavehistoricalwritingssubstantiatingthatitisaseparateliteraryunit B fromtheNewTestament).So,evenifoneheldtothegoofierandunsubstantiatedtheories ( oftheunlearned(likethe_JPED_Ԁtheoryofauthorshiportheideathat,insomeway,allthe  OldTestamentwascomposedatthesametime),itisstillremarkablethatGenesishas  withinittheseedsofeveryimportantdoctrine,whichdoctrinesarefulfilledcompletelyin   theNewTestament.Theweirdesttheoriesdonotcancelouthowremarkableitisthat p!  Genesisiswhatitis.IfyouunderstandthattheBibleistheWordofGodandthatitis V"! inspiredbyGod,thenallofthismakesperfectsense.IfyouholdtotheviewthattheBible <#" isjustacollectionofreligiouswritingswithaquestionablehistoryandauthorship,thenthe "$r# ideaofaveryfirstbookcontainingtheseedsofalmosteverymajortheologicalconcept %X $ andtheperfectcoalescencebetweentheOldandNewTestamentsisbeyondremarkable. %>!% Thisleadsustothedoctrinesofprogressiverevelationandinspiration. ' #' Progressiverevelation:theBibletellsuseverythingweneedtoknowaboutGod;however, )$) theBibledoesnottelluseverythingthatweneedtoknowaboutGodinthefirstchapter n*%* ofGenesis.WhenwecomparewhatGodrevealsofHimself,firstinthisverse,thenin T+&+  another,weeventuallygetacompletepictureofHim(ascompleteasGodwantsusto :,', _have).GodrevealsenoughofHimselfandenoughofthedoctrinesthatweneedineach  periodoftime(ineachdispensation).   Underprogressiverevelation,thebookofGenesisintroducesustoalmosteverysingle d majordoctrineandtopicthatGodwantsustoknow.Forinstance,theconceptofthe J TrinityisintroducedintheveryfirstchapterofGenesis,althoughthisisnotadoctrine 0  whichcomestofruitionuntilwereachtheNewTestament,written1500!3000yearslater).  f RevelationmeansthatGodhasrevealedHimselftoman.ThisisthebasisfortheBible.  2 However,therearepeopletoday(andinthepast2000years)whoclaimtohavedirect    revelationfromGod.Mohammedwasoneofthesemen,andtheresultwasIslam,which    isaparticularlyviolentandvilereligion(andMohammedhimselfwasaviolentman).   JosephSmithtoldothersthathereceiveddirectrevelationfromGod(ifmemoryserves, z  heworesomespecialglasseswhichallowedhimtoreadandtranslatethetextofbooks `  writteninreformedEgyptian,andhistranslationjusthappenedtobeinKingJamesEnglish F  ratherthanintheEnglishwhichpeoplespokeinthosedays).Theendresultwas ,|  Mormonism,whichteachesahostoffalsedoctrines(e.g.,salvationrequiresworks, b childrenarebornwithoutsin,andthatthemembersoftheTrinityareallphysicalbeings). H However,theBibleclaimsthatitisthefinalrevelation:Iwarneveryonewhohearsthe . wordsoftheprophecyofthisbook:ifanyoneaddstothem,Godwilladdtohimthe  plaguesdescribedinthisbook,andifanyonetakesawayfromthewordsofthebookof  thisprophecy,Godwilltakeawayhisshareinthetreeoflifeandintheholycity,whichare  describedinthisbookXtԀ(Rev.22:18!19).So,thereisthefirstbookoftheBibleandthelast v book,andwearenottoaddanythingtothesebooksoftheBible.Thatmeans,therewill \ benomorenewdivinerevelation. B WhenpeopleclaimtodaytohaverevelationfromGod,insomeformoranother,thereare ^ tworesults:(1)theirrevelationaddsabsolutelynothingtotheexistingWordofGod,the D Bible.Forinstance,therearecharlatansandselfdeludedpeoplewhoclaimtospeakin * tonguesandotherswhoclaimtobeabletointerpretwhatissaid.Mostofthetime,when  aninterpreteroftonguesspeaks(whichrarelyhappenswhentonguesarespoken),he  saysnothingnew,sowhybother?Ifsomeonestartsspeakingintonguesandthen   someoneelsestandsupandinterpretsthis,saying,forinstance,thefirstfewversesof v!  Psalm2,whynotjustgotoPsalm2andreadandexegetetheseverses?(2)Whatoccurs \"! mostofthetimeis,thosewhoclaimtohaverevelationfromGodsincethecompletionof B#" theBible(circa96a.d.),oftenintroduceawholehostofdoctrineswhichcontradictthe ($x# Bible,andtheendresultis,theyformsomesortofaculticreligion.Theynevercomeup %^ $ withasetofdoctrineswhichcompleteorcomplementorthodoxChristianity.Thetwo %D!% exampleswhichIhavegiven"MormonismandIslam"neithercomplementsorcompletes &*"& orthodoxChristianity,butarefilledwithdoctrinesinoppositiontotheChristianfaith. '#' Inevitably,thesenewdoctrineswillinvolvesalvationbyworks.MormonismorIslammay (#( captureafewsheephereandthere,buttherewillneverbethisgreatunificationof,say, )$) IslamandChristianity,whereChristiansenmasseexamineIslamandsay, Oh,nowwe r*%* understandandseethelight.Wearenowgoingtohangwithyouguys.Whennewand X+&+ differentrevelationisalleged,thosewhoallegethisrevelationandthosewhobelieveit >,', movefurtherawayfromChristianityratherthanclosertoit. $-t(- ЇOnoccasion,priortotheentireBiblebeingwritten,Godcontactedmandirectly,either  throughdreams,bymeansofanothermanwhoactsasanintermediary,orasatheophany  (GodcomingtomanandrevealingHimselfinsomeway,e.g.presentingHimselfasa | burningbush).OncetheBiblewascompleted,therewasnoreasonforGodtocontactus b inthesesameways.TheBiblewasdesignedtobeourcontactwithGod.Wedonotneed H aboltoflightningtostrikeusontheleftshoulderinordertoguideustomakealeftturn . ~ atthestoplightahead.TheBibleisdesignednotonlyrevealtouswhywearehere,what  d ourlifeisallaboutandWhoGodis,buttoguideusdaybydayaswell.  J ThatGodcommunicatestomanbyHisWordisapartofthedoctrineweknowas    inspiration.TheterminspirationcomesfromtheKingJamestranslationof2Tim.3:16:All    scriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof,for   correction,forinstructioninrighteousness.ԀHowever,thewordwhichisfoundthereisGod x  breathed,sothatthisverseoughttoread:AllscriptureisGodbreathed,andisprofitable `  fordoctrine,forreproof,forcorrection,forinstructioninrighteousness.ԀIwillcoverthe H  correctunderstandingofwhatitmeansfortheBibletobeGodbreathed,ortheinspired .~  WordofGod;however,firstletsexaminethefalseapproachestoinspiration: f *phxd ddd dd dd dd (#(#,dd ,dd +  3f44 3Therearealotoffalseviewsofinspiration,someofwhicharefoundbelow: WB$Hf `2W% ] FalseDoctrinesofInspiration%]e bM3"  `2 `(bScripture U@+t"`( `(UCommentary Pt;0t"  `( PTheBiblebecomes D theWordofGod At,!,t ATheBible,inwhateverform,isnottheWordofGod.However, D therearetimeswhenwearereadingorstudyingtheBiblewhen * portionsofitbecometheWordofGodtous.Thatis,inspiration  isanoccasionalandsubjectiveexperience. At,!t ATheBiblecontains "r theWordofGod At,! Zt AGoddidspeaktoman,buttheentireBibleisnotGodsWord. "r Forinstance,the10CommandmentsorthewordsofJesusare X  thewordsofGod,butsomeotherthingswhicharepresentedare >! not.SometeachthattheBibleneedstobedemythologized;that  $" is,weneedtothrowoutcertainsectionswhicharemythsand ! # legends,butkeepotherparts.Forinstance,Jesusteachingthe "$ SermonontheMountmightbeseenasaccurate,andtrueand #% inspired;butJesusfeeding5000peoplewithabasketofa n$& couplefishandbreadcouldnothavehappened. At,!T% 't ATheBibleisinspired &"( likegreatliteratureis '#) inspired. At,!(#*t AThereareavarietyofbookswhichhavebeenwrittenwhich &"+ inspireusashumanbeings,asthisviewsimplysuggeststhatis '#, allthattheBibleis. At,!(#-t AThedictationtheory At,!*d%.t AGoddictatedtheWordofGodtoman.Theproblemhereis, *d%/ eachbookoftheBiblehasitsownstyleanditsownvocabulary. *J&0 ThereareportionsoftheBiblewhichareclearlydictatedtoman; +0'1 butthebulkofScriptureisnot. 1'%,(2  t 1*zh{d ddd dd phx(#(#,xdd +  /f / Underthefirsttwosystems,manistheultimateauthority,nottheBible.Thethird d systemmeansthattheBibleisjustlikeanyothergreatworkofliterature.Thefourth J theorymeansthatmanwasjustasecretary.Withregardstothis4ththeory,thereare 0 portionsoftheBiblewherethiswastrue,and,inmostcases,thisisclearlynotedbythe  author.Forinstance,MosesinthebookofExodusclearlydistinguishesbetweenwhat  ishappeninghistorically(whichherecords)andwhatGodsaystohim,whichherecords   wordforword.However,whatshouldbecleartoanyonewithasuperficialknowledge x  ofScripture,isthatthewritingstylesofMoses,David,JohnandPaularedramatically ^  different.Thatwouldmakethedictationtheory,liketheother3,afalsetheory.1'%D   f 1VerbalPlenaryInspirationmeansthatGodtheHolySpiritsosupernaturallydirectedthe @  humanwritersofScripturethat,withoutwaivingtheirintelligence,theirindividuality,their (x  personalfeelings,theirliterarystyle,oranyotherhumanfactorofexpression,Hiscomplete ^  andcoherentmessagetomankindwasrecordedwithperfectaccuracyintheoriginal D  languagesofScripture(intheautographs),theverywordsbearingtheAuthorityofDivine *  Authorship.PaultellsTimothythattheBibleisGodbreathed(2Tim.3:16).Becausethe  Bibleisinspired,GodspeakstomanthroughandinHisWord.  *lihjd dxdd xzh{(#(#l,dd ,dd +  3ftt 3Letsexaminethedefinitionofinspirationandexamineitphrasebyphrase: WB$(f `dW% K VerbalPlenaryInspiration R (theAccurateUnderstandingofBiblicalAuthorship)%Kě eP3p"  `d `deDefinition XC+"r"`d `dXExplanationoftheDefinition Pt;0"r"  `d PGodtheHolySpiritso  supernaturallydirected  thehumanwritersof n Scripture... At,!Tt AThereisahumanauthorandadivineAuthorofeachbookof  theBible.TheHolySpiritguidedordirectedthehumanauthor,  butdidnotdictateScripturetothehumanauthor. At,!nt A...that,withoutwaiving  theirintelligence,their    individuality,their !! personalfeelings,their "" literarystyle,orany f## otherhumanfactorof L$$ expression,... At,!2% %t AWritersofScripturedidnotturnintohumansecretariesnordid & theirmindsgoblank,andGodfilledtheirmindswithHis  ' Words.Allthatthehumanauthorspossessedwithregardsto !( theirliteraryskills(orlackthereof)wasmaintained.Their ") intelligence,theirindividualpersonalities,theirpersonal f#* feelings,theirliterarystyle,theirvocabulary,theiruseof L$+ commonliterarydeviceswereallretainedandusedinthe 2% , writingofScripture. At,!&h!-t A...Hiscompleteand '". coherentmessageto x(#/ mankindwas ^)$0 recorded... At,!D*%1t AAllthatweneedtoknowinthislifeaboutGod,JesusChrist '"2 andourplaceintheworldisfoundintheBible.Thismessage x(#3 makessense.GodrevealsHimselfinHisWord;Hedoesnot ^)$4 obscuredivinetruth. At,!D*%5t A...withperfectaccuracy d d intheoriginal J J languagesofScripture 0 0  (intheautographs),... At,! t AWhatGodwantedtosayisfoundwrittenwithexactlytheway d d Hewantedittobewritten.Theautographsareeitherthe J J originalwritingsoranexactcopyoftheoriginalwritings.As 2 2 firstwrittendown,thesearethewordsofGod. At,! t A...theverywords    bearingtheAuthority xx  ofDivineAuthorship. At,!^^ t AEventhoughtheBiblewaswrittenbyman,subjecttoeach    mansstyleofwritingandhisthinkingatthetimeofwriting,it xx  is,atthesametime,theWordofGod.JustasJesusisthe ^^ LivingWordofGod,fullyGodandfullyman(John1:1!14),so DD theBibleisfullyGodbreathedand,atthesametime,aproduct ** ofman(asmorethanjustasecretary).1'%   t 1*khmd ddd dd ihj(#(#,xdd +  /f&& &&  /Weknowthisfirst:thatnoprophecy[divineutterance;i.e.,theWordsoftheBible]of   Scripturecameintobeingfromsomeonespersonalapplication[interpretationor pp  explanationofthings].Forprophecy[divineutterance]wasnotcarriedalongatanytime VV  bythewillof[any]man,butsetapartmenofGodspokebeingcarriedby[God]theHoly <<  Spirit(2Peter1:20!21). Af,!""f AAllScriptureisGodbreathed,andisbeneficial[inthefollowingareas]:for[theteaching  of]doctrine,fortesting,forcorrection[oferror],forinstruction[trainingandeducation]  inintegrity[righteousnessandjustice],sothatthemanofGodmaybeprepared, hh thoroughlyfurnished[equipped]toeverygood[ofdivinequality]workKԀ(2Tim.3:16!17). Af,!NNf AScriptureisunabletobeundone[annulled,declaredunlawful,destroyedorsubverted]U  (John10:35b). Af,!f AEverywordofGodispure[refined,freefromimpurities];Itisashield[protection]to (( thosewhotakerefugeinit.DonotaddtoHiswords,orHewillcorrectyou,andyouwill   beshowntobealiar4Ԁ(Prov.30:5!6). Af,! f AAndJesusansweredhim,saying, Itstandswritten,Manwillnotlive[besustained]only n"n  byfood,but[hewillbesustained]byeverywordofGodx.Ԁ(Luke4:4;Deut.8:3). Af,!T#T!f ATothecontrary,werenounceanypersonal[andsecret]agendaofshame[ordisgrace], $" nothabituallylivingourlivesbymeansofspecious[orfalse]wisdom;nordowecorrupt %# [diluteoradulterate]theWordofGod,butrather,weexhibit[ormanifest]theTruth, &$ unitingourselvesfacetofacewitheverymansconsciencebeforeGodԀ(2Cor.4:2). Af,!'%f AWecontinuallythankGodthat,whenyoureceivedtheWordofhearing,[theWord]of (& God,youwelcomeditastheWordofGod,notasawordofmen,becauseitistrulythe ) ' WordofGod,whichalsoeffectuallyworksinyouwhobelieveԀ(1Thess.2:13). Af,!*!(f AFortheWordofGodislivingandpowerful,sharperthananytwoedgedsword,piercing d eventothedividingofthesoulandspirit,aswellasthejointsandmarrow,andisable J  to[accurately]judge[andevaluate]thethoughtsandintentsoftheheart[i.e.,our 0 thinking]Ԁ(Heb.4:12).1'%  f 1TheInspirationofScriptureisoneofthemorefascinatingtopicstome,andIhave   exploredthistopicatgreatlengthat:4MRO  5  http://kukis.org/Inspiration/StudyInspiration.htm6RO  7M!3Ԁ   A@ ZPd@t A TheBookofGenesis0 0 (#%  IntroductionPartII:AuthorshipandtheHistoricalNarrative%G   5 @@B !!qq!޹@ThereareseveralviewsonwhoactuallywrotethebookofGenesis.Whatappeartobe (x  themostpopularviewis,thebookofGenesisexistedinoralform,beingpasseddownfrom ^  generationtogeneration,aswellasaddedtoineachgeneration,andthatMosesfinally D  putthesethingsinwriting.WhothehumanauthororauthorsofthebookofGenesisisan *  interestingdiscussion,soletmegivethebasictheoriesbelow:  *lhd dxdd xkhm(#(#l,dd ,dd +  3f 3TheauthorshipofGenesisisquestioned,sinceitisoneofthetwooldestbooksofthe @ Bible(Jobistheotherancientbook). WB$&f 2W% = TheAuthorofGenesis%=Ѿ bM3P"  2 (bAuthor U@+R"( (UCommentary Pt;0R"  ( PMoses At,!t AMostattributethisbooktoMoses,whichhewrotedownasaresultof  gettingthisfromtheoraltradition.Thatis,menthroughoutthe h centurieskeptrepeatingthesespecificevents,sometimesaddingtothis P history,andMosesfinallycommittedthemtowriting.AlthoughtheBible 6 indicatesthatMosesistheauthorofthenext4booksoftheBible,the l authorshipofGenesisisneverspecificallyattributedtohim. At,!Rt A_Agroupeffort At,!Fdt AThereisaweirdtheoryouttherewhichistaughtinmanyseminaries, Fd thattherewereseveralgroupsofpeopleinvolvedinthewritingofthe , J booksofMoses:oneguywhousedthenameJehovahalot;and  0 anotherwhousedthenameGod(thatis,Elohim)alot.Agroupofmen   latertookthewritingsofthesetwomenandwovethemtogether.Then   apriest,manyyearslater,editedthefinalversion.Somehow,inthis,   therewasanotherwriterwhoapparentlywroteDeuteronomy.Imay   havesomeofthesedetailswrong,butthegeneralnotionisthesame:   thisfirst5booksoftheBiblewereateameffort,writtenoveraperiod z  ofseveralhundredyears.Thefoundationforthisapproachis,certain `~  Biblicalscholarsdecidedthatwritingdidnotexistduringthetimeof Fd  Moses;therefore,theremustbesomeonewhowrotethesethingsdown .L  later.Eventhoughthebasisforthistheoryhasbeenshownby 2  archeologytobefalse,thetheorycontinues.IcallthistheJEPDtheory.   Essentially,thistheorysaysthatmanyofthestatementsintheMosaic    Lawarejustoutrightliesorstuffthatsomeonejustmadeup.Itis   unequivocallyafalsetheory. At,!t ASomeone &D else At,! *t ASomeoneelsewroteGenesisandMosescopieditdown,doingsome &D editing. At,! *t ASeveral  successive l authors At,!Rpt AThisismytheory:Ibelievethatseveralmenrecordedthehistoryfound  inthebookofGenesis.Thiswaspasseddowneitherorallyand/orin l writing(althoughmencouldclearlywriteduringthetimeof Rp Moses"Ex.17:1434:1,27"wedonotknowatwhichpointmen 8V developedawrittenlanguage.IthinkthatthereisaformulainGenesis, < thatwhenyouseethephraseandthesearethegenerationsof,youare " lookingatanewauthor.Ibasemytheoryentirelyoninternalevidence    andonhowpersonalsomeversesare(forinstance,Gen.29:20  ! describeshowJacobfeltinworkingforRachelsfatherinordertomarry !" her:SoJacobservedsevenyearsforRachelandtheyseemedtohim "# butafewdaysbecauseofhisloveforher).Thisisverypersonaland #$ subjective,andwordswewouldexpectJacobtowrite,butnotwordswe j$% wouldascribetoanylaterauthor.Thismeansthattherecouldhave P%n& beenasmanyas10authorsofthebookofGenesis,someofthem 6&T' writingaslittleasachapterortwo.Theprimaryreasonthatthis ':( approachisnotconsideredbymanyis,wedonotknowwhenman ( ) decidedtobeginwritingthingsdown.Asalreadymentioned,foralong (!* time,somearcheologistsbelievedthatMoseswasincapableofwriting )!+ becausetheycouldfindnootherwritingsfromthattimeperiodorbefore *", (archeologyhassinceshownthatwritingpredatedMoses)._ 1'%+#-  t 1*hd ddd dd h(#(#,xdd +  /f /ApartfromtheJEPDtheoryunderagroupeffort,afalsetheory,Christianscancertainly d  disagreeastotheauthorshipofGenesiswithoutbreakingfellowshipwithoneanother. Af,!Lf AIthinkthatifwearealertinexaminingthebookofGenesis,wearegoingtocomeacross v passageswhichimplythatmanhadawrittenlanguage(forinstance,wemaycome \ acrossatreatyorabindingagreement).1'%B   f 1ThebookofGenesisbeginswiththecreationoftheearth,whichisbothmajesticandvery >  matteroffact.Thereisnofightbetweengods,withthecreationof11monstersinorder $ t tocarryoutvengeance.Nogodfeelsaterriblepaininhisstomachandvomitsupthesun,  Z starsandmoon.Thereisnohugeserpentwhosemovementalongthegroundcreatesthe  @  valleysandtherivers.Abearandatigerdonotwishtobecomehuman.Nooneis &  shootingarrowsatthetwosuns.Now,thatisnottosaythattherearenotstriking   similaritiesbetweenthevariouscreationmythsandthefirstfewchaptersofGenesis,but,   veryfewpeopletodaywouldpointtoanyothercreationstoryandsuggestthatitis   accurateandworthyofnote. n  ThereareaspectsoftheGenesisaccountofcreationandrestorationthatpeoplewillscoff : at.Forinstance,thereislightbeforethereisadiscernablesun;Godtakesaribfrom  p AdamandfromitmakesEve.Thesesamepeoplewhoscoffwillbelievethatmatter V suddenlyappeared(theBigBangtheory ~#  7      )andthat,inamixtureofsomekindofgoo,non < livingmatterbecamelivingmatter,andthatlivingmatterevolvedtowhatweseetoday. " Forinstance,afishwasheduponshore,hungoutonthebeachforawhile,decided,hey,  Ilikeitouthere;and,aftermillionsofyears,sproutedlegsandasetoflungs,sothatit  couldhangoutonthebeachratherthaninthesea.Atsomepointintime,oneofthose  reptiliancreatureslookedattheairandsaid,hell,Idliketoflytoo;andso,aftermillions n ofyears,itsproutedwings,itsbodybecameamassoffeathers,anditflew.Tothe V evolutionist,thismakesperfectsense,becausetheyalwaysthrowinthephraseafter < millionsofyears;because,ifthereisenoughinterveningtime,anythingcanhappen.Time $t isamagicwandtotheevolutionist,andwhenyouwavethatmagicwand,whateveryou  \ wanttohappencanhappen.Often,itisthissameevolutionistdoesnotbelievethatman B andanimalscanadapttopollutionintheairandwater,butthatisawholedifferent  ( discussion. ! InthebookofGenesis,manbeginsinaperfectenvironmentandmanbeginsinasinless #! state.ManisgivenonlyonewayinwhichhemaydisobeyGod,andhechoosesto p$" disobeyGod,changinghumanhistorydramatically.Godbothjudgesmanandoffershim V% # redemptioninGen.3.Mankindsredemptioninvolveschildbearing,somethingwhich <&!$ apparentlywasnotapartofperfectenvironment.Havingpersonallywitnessedonfilm2 "'r"% or3birthsandhavingchangedadiaperinmypast,childbearingreasonablyappearsto (X#& metofalloutsidetheconceptofperfectenvironment. (>$'   )$%( Mansredemptionalsoinvolvesthekillingofaninnocentanimal,anditisatthispointwhen   theBiblessubtletybecomesknown.GodclothesAdamandEvewithanimalskins,which,  quiteobviously,involvedthedeathofoneormoreanimals(however,theBibledoesnot | makeabigdealoutofthis).Fromthispointon,itwillbeclearthatmanmustberedeemed b bythedeathofaninnocent;andintheOldTestament,thisisillustratedwithanimals.The H Bibletendsnottoclobberyouovertheheadwithitsdoctrinesandprecepts.Thedeath . ~ ofananimalisinvolvedhere,butnodetailsaregiven.Later,theirsons,CainandAbel,  d willofferupsacrificestoGod,andCainwillbringGodvegetablesthathehasworkedhard  J togrowandAbelwillbringananimalwhichhekillsasasacrificetoGod.Again,thereis  0 noheavyhandedapproach;Godrespectsthesacrificeoftheanimalbutnottheoneof    freshproduce.Imentionedprogressiverevelation.AdamandEvearecoveredwith    animalskins,butnodetailsaregivenbeyondthat.Godrespectstheanimalsacrificeof   Abel,buttheBibledoesnotsaywhy.AswemovefurtherintotheBible,itisclearthatGod x  requiresthesacrificeofaninnocentlambinordertopayforoursins,butwehavetogo ^  allthewaytothebookofHebrewstoread,_Without_Ԁthesheddingofblood,thereisno D  forgivenessԀ[or,releasefrombondage](Heb.9:22b). *z  WitheachchapteroftheBible,weunderstandalittlemoreandalittlemore;andfinally, H theideaofbeingredeemedbythebloodofaninnocentfindsitsfruitioninthepersonof . JesusChrist,Whodiesforoursins.TheapproachtheBibletakesissubtleand  progressive,butleadingtoacleardoctrine,withunmistakableclearroots.  WhatisamazingaboutGenesisis,itpresentsalloftheseedsofthefundamentalsofthe v faith;andthat,throughouttheBible,theseseedsgrowuntiltheybecomeafullblown \ doctrines.Inagoodnovel,thefirstchaptersetsthetoneandlaysthefoundationforwhat B istocome.Theauthorofagoodnovelplantsmanyseedsinthefirstchapter,primarily (x becauseheknowswherehewantstotakehisnovel.Thesamethingistrueofthebook ^ ofGenesis,eventhoughtheactuallywritingofthisbookisseparatedfromtheNew D Testamentbyatleast1500years.ItisasiftheauthorofGenesisknowswhereallofthis * isgoing,andsohesetsthefoundationandthetone.  Thereare3malechildrenwhicharementionedinGenesis:Cain,AbelandSeth.Cain   murdersAbel,andwhatfollowsisathemewhichresonatesthroughouttheBible:thefallen r!  line(Cains)andthelineofredemption(Seths). X"! ThereisathreadbarehistorywhichtakesustothetimeofNoah,whowasbornabout100 $$t# yearsafterthedeathofAdam.Eventhoughverylittleinformationisgivenaboutthistime,  %Z $ manapparentlygeneticallysuperiorthenthannow,manyofthemlivingfornearlya %@!% millennium. &&"& However,atthetimeofNoah,thereisacorruptionofmankind.Manytheologianssimply (#( believethatmanjustbecamemoreandmoredegenerateuntilGodfinallydecidedthatHe )$) neededtowipemostofmankindout.Othersbelievethattherewasanintermixingof n*%* angeliccreation(thefallenangels)withman,andthat,Godallowedforthatsortof T+&+  corruptiontotakeplace.However,whenallofmankind,apartfromNoahandhisfamily, :,', becamecorrupted,Godbroughtagreatfloodupontheearth,yetsavedNoahandhis  familyinanArk(builtbyNoah)inwhichwasarepresentativepairingofalltheanimals.   Ishouldpointoutthat,therearemanycultureswhohavetraditionssimilarotwhatwefind b intheBible.Manycultureshavestoriesofhalfman/halfgodslivingonthisearth;many H culturesspeakofagreatflood;manyspeakofacreationevent;andmanyconfoundthese . ~ eventsasone.ThiscouldbewhatisoccurringinGenesis6,but,unlikemythology,itis  d averysubtleapproach.  J BecausethenarrativeofGenesisissometimesfantastic,somebelievethesestoriestobe    allegoricalratherthanfactual.Iamnotoneofthose.Theseareelementsofdoctrinal    informationwhichwearetogainfromourunderstandingofthehistorypresentedin   Genesis,butthereisnothingintheBiblewhichsuggeststhatthesestoriesaresimply x  fancifulimaginings.Wehavealargesegmentofoursocietythatlooksaroundand ^  concludesthatthisisthewaythingshavealwaysbeen.Becausetheyhavenever D  witnessedamiracle,theycategoricallystatethatamiraclecannotbetrue(theverysame *z  people,whohaveneverwitnessedanyeventapproximatingevolutionbelieveinevolution). ` Sincetheyhaveneverseenanangelorademon,theyconcludethatsuchthingscannot F exist.Somewilltakethisfurthertoproclaimthat,sincenoonehasseenasoul,thatno , onereallyhasasoul,andallthatisgoingoninourlivesandrattlingaroundinourheads  areacombinationofneuronsrandomlyfiringandavarietyofchemicalssloshingaround  inourcerebralcortex.Thesesamenaturalistshavefooledthemselvesintothinkingthat  manisnodifferentfromanimalsandthatourthinking,ournormsandstandards,andour t emotionsarenothingspecial.Thesearejustchemicalandelectricalimpulsesandnothing Z else.SuchpeopleseeGodassimplyacreationofhumanthought,which,strictly @ speaking,doesnotreallyexist. &v Ibelievethat,throughhumanhistory,therehavebeendifferentenvironmentsand B relationships,althoughman,inhisessence,hasalwaysbeenthesame(withtheexception ( ofgoingfromaperfectstatetoafallenstateofbeing).  AfterthefloodinNoahstime,heandhisfamilyemergefromtheArkandbegincivilization.   Thereareseveralchanges:Godallowsmantoeatmeat,lifeisshorteneddramatically,and p!  fermentationoccurs. V"! TheBiblethroughoutfocusesonaparticularline.Infact,thisisafascinatingaspectofthe "$r# Bible"itfollowsthelineofAdamallthewaytoJesusChrist.Itisnotallfoundinoneplace %X $ (apartfromLuke3),butthisgenealogyisfoundinseveralpartsoftheBible. %>!% ThelinewhichGenesisfollowsnextinthebookofGenesisisthelineofAbram,whois ' #' laterrenamedAbraham.Today,heisknownasthefatheroftheJewishracebecausehe (#( isthefirstJew.GodpromisesAbrahamasonbyhiswifeSarai(laterrenamedSarah). )$) GodmakesadditionalpromisestoAbrahamwhicharetobefulfilledthroughthelineofthis l*%* promisedson.Abram,likeallfiguresoftheBible,hassomemissteps,buthecomesto R+&+ age100andfinallyfathershissonIsaacbySarah.Aftermanyyearspassandthisson, 8,', Isaac,growstobeayoungman,andGodtellsAbramtosacrificehisson.Thisisoneof -n(- themoreunusualstoriesfromtheBiblebecause,throughoutlaterportionsofIsraels  history,theywillbetoldtoslaughtervariouspeopleswhosacrificetheirownchildren,and  hereisGodtellingAbrahamtosacrificethesonwhomheloves. | ManytrytopassthisoffasGodmerelyjustseeinghowfarwouldAbrahamgoinhis H faithfulnesstoHim;butitshouldbeclearthat,whatwefindhereisthesacrificeofJesus . ~ Christforoursins,told2000ofyearsbeforethefact.Ifthissortofthinghappenedonce  d ortwice,wemighteasilypassitoffasaninterestingcoincidence;butoverandoverand  J overagain,throughouttheOldTestament,wefindwhatareknownastypeswhichare  0 fulfilledinJesusChrist,theantitype.Atypeisapersonoranincidentorsomethingwhich    standsoutasbeingsomewhatunusual"suchas,GodaskingAbrahamtosacrificehis   son"andthistypedoesnotmakealotofsenseuntilwegettotheNewTestament,where   itisfulfilledinJesusChrist.IprimarilystudytheOldTestament,andIfindthistobea |  phenomenalthing.Thepersonwhostudiesabouttypesbecomesmoreandmore b  convincedoftheaccuracyandthedivinityoftheBible. J  WefollowAbrahamslinethroughIsaacandthentoJacob,andJacobisamanwhich f givesalotofbelieverspause.Hehasatwinbrotherand,byallaccounts,histwinbrother L seemstobeamuchbetterpersonthanJacob.Jacobisselfcenteredandselfish,but,he 2 hasapparentlybelievedinJehovahElohimanditisnotasclearabouthisbrotherEsau.  SothelineiscontinuedthroughJacob.  Jacobhas12sonswhomakeupthepatriarchs(fathers)ofallIsrael,by2wivesandtheir z 2personalassistants(maids),and,again,wearestruckbythefactthattheseguysarenot ` nice,kindorreligious.Theyselltheirownbrother,Joseph,intoslavery,simplyourof F jealousy,astheirfatherplayedfavorites. ,| Inallofthis,Godhasaplan.Godhaschosentokeepthisfamilyalive,andtheirlandis H abouttogointoadrought.JosephendsupinEgyptasaslave,butrisestoapositionof . greatpower,andnotonlysaveshisfamilyfromstarvation,butisreunitedwiththem,as  theyallmovetoEgypt.  ThehistoryoftheBibleingeneralandGenesisinparticularisquiteincomplete.Hundreds v!  ofyearswillpasswithbarelyaword;importanteventswillbeleftout.Godhasinformation \"! whichisimportanttopassalongtous,butitisnotthecompletehistoryofmannorisitthe B#" completehistoryofIsrael. ($x# A@ ZPd@%D!A TheBookofGenesishh(#%  IntroductionPartIII(ThemesandanOutlineofGenesis)%   e&!% @@'#!!qq!9 @AllowmetoquotefromTheNewAmericanStandardBibleinitsintroductiontoGenesis: (#' AnotherimportantfeatureofGenesisshouldnotbeoverlooked,namely,theeminently )$( satisfactorywayinwhichitanswersourquestionsaboutorigins.Manwillalwayswantto x*%) knowhowtheworldasawholecameintobeing.Healsowillwanttoknowhowman `+&* originated.Moreover,hefeelsratherpainfullythatsomemajordisorderhascomeupon H,'+ theworldandwouldliketoknowwhatitsnatureis;inshort,manmustknowifabasicand 0-(, surehopeofredemptionexistsforthisworldanditsinhabitants,whatthathopeis,and  howitcameintothepossessionofman. ~#  8      ׀  ThescopeofGenesisexceedsthatofanyotherbookintheBible.Itbeginswiththe f creationoftheearthandtheuniverse,whichmaybeseveralbillionyearsago,andtakes L ustotheJewsinEgyptseveralhundredyearspriortotheexodus.Humanhistorybegins 2  anywherefrom6,000b.c.toevenasfarbackas10,000b.c.OnlyRevelationrivalsthis  h scopebytakingusfromthebeginningofthechurchageallthewaytothecreationofthe  N newheavensandthenewearth.ItwouldbehardtoimaginehavingtheBible,God'sWord  4 tous,withouttheinclusionofthebookofGenesis.    *nFhGfd dxdd xh(#(#n,(#dd +  $   $Genesisisabookoforiginsorbeginnings. A,J  2A%  Genesis,theBookofBeginnings%  Uq@0t "  2 U0 l Theoriginoftheuniverse&v l"l" 0 l Theoriginofman \l"l" 0 l ThefirstsinofmanBl"l" 0 l Thefirstanimalsacrifice(l"l" 0 l God'sfirstpromisetomanl"l" 0 l Thefirstmurderl"l" 0 l ThefirstUnitedNationsl"l" 0 l Theoriginofthevariouslanguagesofmanpl"l" 0 l TheoriginoftheJewishraceVl"l" 0 l God'sfirstpromisetotheJewishrace@64<l"l"   q @*nhfd dxdd (#FhGf(#(#n,(#dd +  $88 $ThebookofGenesisintroducesustothegreatthemesoftheBible: A, 2A%  GreatThemesoftheBiblefoundinGenesis%  Uq@0f"  2 U! ! (>p3 D"3"  3 2>3  0 l   God,thecreatorandprovider(Gen.1:123).3 / ݌l"l" Ќ  "3"  3 2>3  0 l   TheTrinity(Gen.1:1,5,26!27):3  ݌ l"l" Ќ  ";"  ; 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  GodtheFather(Gen.1:16).; ݌! " " Ќ  ";"  ;! 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  GodtheSon(therevealedmemberoftheTrinity,theCreator).Gen.2:4, z" 73:8;! ! ݌`# " " Ќ  ";"  ;" 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  GodtheHolySpirit(thepowerofGod).Gen.1:2;" # ݌F$  " " Ќ  "3"  3# 2>3  0 l   Sinanditsresults(Gen.3:6,1617,246:5713:1319:129).3# $ ݌,%| !l"l" Ќ  "3"  3$ 2>3  0 l   CategoriesofSin:3$ $ ݌&b!"l"l" Ќ  ";"  ;% 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Originalsin(Gen.3:1!7).;% % ݌&H"# " " Ќ  ";"  ;z& 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Sinnature(Gen.4:4!55:4!5).;z& & ݌'.#$ " " Ќ  ";"  ;j' 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Personalsin(Gen.4:4!5,23).;j' ' ݌($% " " Ќ  ";"  ;V( 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Corporatesin(Gen.15:1718:20).;V( ( ݌)$& " " Ќ  "3"  3D) 2>3  0 l   TheDivineinstitutions:3D) q) ݌*%'l"l" Ќ  ";"  ;* 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Humanvolition(Gen.2:16!17).;* @* ݌d " " Ќ  ";"  ;* 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Work(Gen.2:5,15Gen.3:17!19);* ,+ ݌J " " Ќ  ";"  ;+ 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Marriage(Gen.2:18!23.;+ , ݌0 " " Ќ  ";"  ;, 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Family(Gen.2:24).;, , ݌x  " " Ќ  ";"  ;- 0 l 2>3  0 l"l"  Humangovernment(Gen.11).;- - ݌^  " " Ќ  ! ! (˽yp"3"  38/ 2˽3  0 l   God'sgrace(Gen1:282:18244:1537:82845:11550:1521).38/ e/ ݌D l"l" Ќ  "3"  310 2˽3  0 l   Sanctification(Gen.2:3).310 ^0 ݌* l"l" Ќ  "3"  31 2˽3  0 l   Satan(Gen.3:16).31 /1 ݌ l"l" Ќ  "3"  31 2˽3  0 l   Angelsasapartofmansexistence;however,theyplayaneverdecreasingroll    inthelifeofman(exceptfortheAngeloftheLord).Gen.3:1!6619:1!29 z  21:16!2131 1 ݌` l"l" Ќ  "3"  3_3 2˽3  0 l   God'sjudgement(Gen.3:14197:172419:1529).3_3 3 ݌F l"l" Ќ  "3"  3H4 2˽3  0 l   Redemptionthroughthebloodofaninnocentsacrifice(Gen.3:214:3422:1 ,  14).3H4 u4 ݌t l"l" Ќ  "3"  3f5 2˽3  0 l   ThecomingMessiah(Gen.3:15).3f5 5 ݌Z l"l" Ќ  "3"  3<6 2˽3  0 l   TheeventualfallofSatan(Gen.3:1415).3<6 i6 ݌@ l"l" Ќ  "3"  37 2˽3  0 l   Godinteractingwithman(Gen.31750:20).37 J7 ݌&l"l" Ќ  "3 "  38 2˽3  0 l   TheconceptofacovenantrelationshipbetweenGodandHispeople(Gen.6:18   9:8!1715:1817:1!22).38 .8 ݌  l"l" "3 "  389 2˽3  0 l   Godspeople,theJews(Gen.12!50).389 e9 ݌vl"l" Ќ  "3 "  3: 2˽3  0 l   Theothernationsoftheworld.Gen.113: F: ݌\l"l" Ќ  "3 "  3: 2˽3  0 l   God'spromisestotheJews(Gen.15:4517:5828:1315).3: %; ݌Bl"l" Ќ  "3 "  3; 2˽3  0 l   TheAngeloftheLord(aTheophany;theRevealedMemberoftheTrinity).This ( isGodinteractingwithHiscreation.Gen.16:7!1428:1231:1148:163; < ݌pl"l" Ќ  "3"  3O= 2˽3  0 l   GodofferingupHisonlySontobesacrificedforus(Gen.22).3O= |= ݌Vl"l" Ќ  ! ! (>py"3"  3> 2>3  0 l   ThegenealogywhichwilleventuallyleadtoJesusChrist.Gen.5:1!3211:10!32 < 46:5!273> ? ݌"l"l" Ќ  "3"  3@ 2>3  0 l   TheruleofJudahoverIsraeluntilShilohcomes.Gen.49:103@ A@ ݌  @64l"l"   q @*nhfd dxdd (#hf(#(#n,xdd +  )   )Inlookingatmyownlistabove,Iamnotsureifthereareanysignificantdoctrineswhich   arenotfoundinGenesis.Quiteobviously,themysterydoctrinesoftheChurchAgeare h! nottobefound,buttheyarenotfoundintheOldTestament,sincetheyaremystery N" doctrines.'6#   'Havingbeenateacher,Irealizethattheideaofoutliningabookmayshowmyage,as 2%! suchanapproachtoliteraryworksandtoorganizationalthinkingaretaughtlessandless &" inschooltoday.However,Ibelievethatwithanoutline,apersoncangetamuchbetter & # overallviewofwhatistocome.However,whatIwilldodifferentlyinthisoutlineis,under '!$ thesubpoints,speakofthingswhichstandoutinmymindassignificantfromeach (h"% particularsection. )N#& At) xdE{+pxA |+%(  XX   % : Aq@ d@+%ATheOutlineoftheBookofGenesis #XX F #%:5F  +%) )F  %-&* ! ! (3p"3"  3G 2  I  .3  0    TheCreationofMan,theEarthandtheUniverse.Gen.1!23G G ݌(#(# Ќ  _";"  ;H 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  MuchofGen.1seemstobeinvolvedwiththerestorationoftheearth,rather  thanthecreationofit.;H H ݌|` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;'J 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  Althoughanincrediblestory,thereseemstobenothingherebywayofmyth. b Thatis,wedonothavetheearthbeginningonthebackofaturtle,wedonot H havesomegodbelchingoutmankind(ormakingmaninsomeotherodd . ~ way).;'J TJ ݌ d` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;'L 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  Wehaveanapproachwhich,inretrospect,seemsalmostscientific.For  J instance,anatmospherefortheearthiscreated,whichwerecognizeas  0 beingabsolutelynecessary,butsomethingancientmanmaynothavefully    appreciated.Wehavemanbeingcreatedoutofthedust(chemicals)ofthe    earth"again,atouchwhichwewouldnotexpecttobehandeddown   generationaftergenerationassomecavemanmyth.;'L TL ݌x ` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;O 0  2  D  .3  0` (#(#  WehavethefaintsuggestionofGodbeingmorethanOne,asHesays, Let ^  UsmakemanaccordingtoOurimage.;O /O ݌D ` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;hP 0  2  E  .3  0` (#(#  Theconceptofwhatourimageis,ismorefullydevelopedthroughoutthe *z  BibleaswefindoutmoreandmoreaboutWhoGodis.;hP P ݌`` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3Q 2  II  .3  0    TheFallofMan.Gen.33Q R ݌F(#(# Ќ  ";"  ;R 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  Satanisintroducedwithverylittlefanfareintheformofaserpent(snake).;R R ݌,` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;S 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  ThesinsofAdamandthewomanarequitedifferent,andthejudgmentwhich  Godpronouncesuponthemreflectsthisdifference.;S T ݌` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;UU 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  Amazinglyenough,fromthis,the3rdchapteroftheBible,wehavethe  promiseofaSavior(theSeedoftheWoman)withsuggestionsofthecross t andthefinaljudgment.;UU U ݌Z` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3 W 2  III  .3  0    CainandAbel.Gen.43 W 6W ݌@(#(# Ќ  ";"  ;W 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  ThereisagreatdistinctionestablishedbetweentheofferingsofCainand &v Abel,whichdistinctionbecomesmoreclearlydefinedoverthenext1000  \ yearsorso.However,itisclearthat,Godrequiresabloodsacrificeas B opposedtotheworksofmanshands(thevegetableswhichCainhad ( workedsohardtoproduce).;W X ݌` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;XZ 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  TheactualmurderofAbelandthelearningcurveofCainisalsoquite  fascinatingtome.CainobserveshowAbelkillsthesacrificialanimal   (probablyalamb),andthenkillsAbelinthesameway.Likemuchof p!  Genesis,thatthisoccursinthismannerisclear,butsubtle.Youmightread V"! thischapterofGenesisadozentimesandneverrealizethatthisiswhat <#" happened.;XZ Z ݌"$r#` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3] 2  IV  .3  0    TheDescendantsofAdam.Gen.53] >] ݌%X $(#(# Ќ  ";"  ;] 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  Withthischapter,weintroducethedreadedgenealogicallines.Whenmost %>!% peopleread,WhenAdamlived130years,hesiredasoninhisownlikeness, &$"& accordingtohisimage,andnamedhimSeth.Adamlived800yearsafter ' #' fatheringSeth..._ Ԁandourbraintypicallyturnsoffuntilwecomeacrossthe (#( nextsectionofnarrative.Thesegenealogiesarequitefascinating,andwill, )$) bythetimewegettotheNewTestament,provideastraightlinegenealogy l*%* fromAdamtoJesus.Thatman,somehowovertheperiodofabout3000 R+&+  years,wouldnotonlyrecordcertaingenealogies,butmakecertain_that, 8,', generationaftergeneration,thatoneparticulargenealogyispreserved"that  fromAdamtoJesus"isquiteamazing.;] )^ ݌` (#` (#   ";"  ;b 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  Thereisaveryspecifictimelinewhichisintroducedwhichessentiallytellsus | thenumberofyearsexactlybetweenthefallofmanandthegreatflood(Iam b assumingthatAdambegantoageafterthefall).;b b ݌H` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;vd 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  WhenIchosetoexegetethefirstfewchaptersof1Chronicles,whichare . ~ almostcompletegenealogies,IthoughtIwouldbeboredtodeath.Iwasnt.  d Now,whetherornotIcanengenderthesameenthusiasminyoufor  J genealogiesisyettobeseen.;vd d ݌ 0` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3f 2  V  .3  0    Thecorruptionofmankind.Gen.63f f ݌  (#(# Ќ  ";"  ;vg 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  ThisisprobablythemostfantasticsectionofGenesis,nexttothecreation.    Theologianseventodaystillargueaboutwhatisactuallyhappeninghere,   andhowliterallythischaptershouldbetaken.;vg g ݌x ` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;Di 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  Whatappearstobethecaseis,therearethesegodswhoaresomehowable ^  tofornicatewithmankind,andanewsuperraceiscreated.Wefindthisin D  almostallcultures,themostwellknownofwhichisGreekandRoman *z  mythology.GreekandRomanmythologiesgointogreatdetailonthestories ` ofthesegods,theirinteractionwithwomen,andthesuperracewhich F results.TheBibledoesnotgointothissortofdetail.;Di qi ݌,` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;-l 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  ThereareanumberofthingsintheBible(thecreation,thesuperrace,the  flood)whicharefoundinalmosteveryotherculture.TheBibleapproaches  thesethingsinafairlynononsense,matteroffactway.Thewaythese  thingsareplayedoutinotherliteratureisalwaysmorefantasticand,inmany t cases,moresalacious.Furthermore,thewaythesestoriessoundaswritten Z inotherculturesseemtobemoremythfilled.However,ifyoulookat @ creationmythsorthegreatflood(deluge)inWikipedia,forinstance,youwill &v noticethatthereareanumberofstrikingsimilaritiesbetweenthesemyths ^ andtheBiblicalaccount.Themostnormalsoundingpartsofthisorthat D national/culturalmythisoftenverysimilartotheBiblesapproach.;-l Zl ݌*` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3p 2  VI  .3  0    TheGreatFlood.Gen.7!83p p ݌(#(# Ќ  ";"  ;q 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  AllmenandalllandcreatureswhoarenotintheArkdie.;q q ݌` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;r 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  Thereisacontinuedimportanceplaceduponhavinganimalstosacrificeto   God,evenduringthegreatflood.;r r ݌r! ` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3t 2  VII  .3  0    NoahsFamilyaftertheFlood;GodCovenantwithMan.Gen.93t Jt ݌X"!(#(# Ќ  ";"  ;)u 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  Theconceptofacovenant(oracontract)betweenmanandGodis >#" introduced.Thesecovenantscanbeonesided(Godpromisingjustexactly $$t# whatHewilldo)ortherecanbesomerequirementsplaceduponman.;)u Vu ݌ %Z $` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;v 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  Fermentationisintroducedintotheenvironment.;v *w ݌%@!%` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ; x 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  Thecursingandblessingofapatriarchisintroduced,andhassome &&"& propheticsignificance.; x 8x ݌' #'` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3Xy 2  VIII  .3  0    NoahsGenealogy.Gen.103Xy y ݌(#((#(# Ќ  ";"  ;Bz 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  Essentially,thesearethegreatnations,culturesandpeoplesoftheearth; )$) thosewhowoulddominateworldhistoryforthenextseveralthousandyears.;Bz oz ݌n*%*` (#` (# Ќ  "3"  3{ 2  IX  .3  0    TheTowerofBabelandtheConfusionofLanguages.Gen.11:1!93{ { ݌T+&+(#(# Ќ  "; "  ;| 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  ThebuildingoftheTowerofBabelandtheconfusionoflanguagesis :,', coveredinafairlyshortsection,eventhoughtheseareworldchanging  -p(- events.IdontknowthatthemeaningoftheTowerofBabelisfully  understoodorappreciatedeventothisday.;| } ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "3 "  3~ 2  X  .3  0    ShemsGenealogy.Gen.11:10!323~ ! ݌|(#(# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  LikemanyofthegenealogiesfoundinScripture,thisisaveryspecific b genealogywithgoesinaveryspecificdirection(itwilltieShemoneof H Noahssons,toAbraham,whowilldominatethenextseveralchaptersof . ~ Genesis).;  ݌ d` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  InShemsgenealogy,weareintroducedtoAbraham,anditwouldnotbe  J unreasonabletoentitlethenextsectionofGenesis,Abraham(Gen.12!23)  0 ortheFamilyofAbraham(Gen.12!50).However,therearesomany    subsectionstoeitherapproach,thatIwilllookatthevariouseventsin    Abrahamslifeseparately.;  ݌ ` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;W 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  Theagesofmandecreasefromgenerationtogeneration.Noreal x  explanationisevergivenforthis,althoughwedounderstand,tosome ^  extent,theaffectsofbacteriaandinbreeding,bothfactorsfoundinprevious D  chaptersofGenesis,whichseemtolimitlonglife.;W ݌*z ` (#` (# Ќ  "3 "  3{ 2  XI  .3  0    Abram(Abraham).Gen.12!233{ ݌`(#(# Ќ  "; "  ;e 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  Abraham,IsaacandJacobarethePatriarchsofIsrael;sincetheyarefather, F sonandgrandson,theirlives(and,therefore,thechaptersofGenesis)will , overlapsomewhat.;e ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  ThatGodspeakstoAbramispresentedmatteroffactly,butwithoutany  mechanicsorspecifics.; D ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;i 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  Abramwillinteractwithkings,withhisnephewLot,withSaraihiswife,and t heisnotportrayedasalwaysdoingtherightthing.Likeeveryoneelse Z mentionedinScripture,Abramhasfeetofclay.;i ݌@` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;5 0  2  D  .3  0` (#(#  Oneofthemostsignificanteventsofhislifeis,GodpromisesAbramason, &v eventhoughheandhiswifearepastchildbearingyears,andAbramis  \ promisedthathisseed(descendants)willbelikethesandoftheseaandlike B thestarsinthesky.AsAbramgetsolder,hetriestomakeGodspromises ( cometrue.;5 b ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  E  .3  0` (#(#  Godintroducesthemarkofcircumcision,whichwastoindicatethatAbraham  (andthosewhowerecircumcised)belongedtoGod.Asanymalecantell   you,theideaofremovinganyamountoffleshfromthatportionofamales p!  anatomyissomethingwhichwouldgiveanymanpause.; ˎ ݌V"!` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;ϐ 0  2  F  .3  0` (#(#  GodagainpromisesthebirthofIsaac.;ϐ ݌<#"` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;ӑ 0  2  G  .3  0` (#(#  SodomandGomorraharedestroyed,althoughLotissaved.;ӑ ݌"$r#` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  H  .3  0` (#(#  Isaacisborn,butthereisquiteadisputewhicharisesbetweenSarai %X $ (Abrahamswife)andherEgyptianservantwoman,Hagar(whoboreachild %>!% forAbrahamatSaraisrequest).;  ݌&$"&` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  I  .3  0` (#(#  Gen.22isoneofthemostamazingchaptersoutoftheBible.Isaachas ' #' beenborntoAbraham;Abrahamloveshisson;andthenGodtellsAramto (#( sacrificehisson,asananimalwouldbesacrificed.Thisinvolvesseveral )$) daystravel(IbelievethatIsaacwasoffereduponMountGolgotha)where l*%* AbrahamisgiventimetoponderthisrequestthatGodhasmade.Theend R+&+ resultis,wehaveatypeofChristhere"Isaac,Abrahamsonlysonwhom 8,', heloves,isofferedupasasacrificetoGod.Atthelastmoment,asubstitute -n(- isprovidedbyGod.Thisisawonderfulforeshadowingofthecross,thatGod  wouldofferupHisonlySonasasubstituteforusall.; Ҕ ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "3 "  3 2  XII  .3  0    Isaac.Gen.24!263 ݌|(#(# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  ThesectiononIsaacisrelativelyshort.Aservantissentouttofindawife b forhim,hisfatherdies,andIsaacmovesto_Gerar_.; ř ݌H` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;- 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  IsaacalsohassomedisputeswiththePhilistines,wholiveinthatgeneral . ~ areaaswell.;- Z ݌ d` (#` (# Ќ  "3 "  3x 2  XIII  .3  0    Jacob(andEsau).Gen.27!363x ݌ J(#(# Ќ  "; "  ;e 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  JacobispresentedasthelineofChrist,andEsau,histwinbrotherisnot.  0 Esauslinewillbefollowedtoadeadend.;e ݌  ` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;Ӟ 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  AlthoughmanywouldexpectJacobtobeshowntobethebetterman,that    isnotactuallythecase.Overandoveragain,Esauseemstobeanicerguy,   morelevelheaded,andmorehonest.Jacobrecognizestheimportanceof x  thebirthrightandofbeingthefirstborn(hetrailedEsaubyafewminutesin ^  thisregard)andJacobdoesnot.Apartfromthis,thereisreallynothingto D  recommendJacoboverhistwinbrotherEsau.;Ӟ ݌*z ` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  AsIhavementionedbefore,thereisverbiageassociatedwithJacobbeing ` inlovewithRachelandworkingforherfatherinordertomarryher,which F suggeststhatJacobwroteornarratedthisportionoftheBible.; ݌,` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  D  .3  0` (#(#  Jacobwillhave12sonsand1daughterbymultiplewives(2wivesandtheir  servantgirls).; ģ ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  E  .3  0` (#(#  Jacob,whoispresentedasquitehardheaded,willalsowrestlewiththeLord  JesusChrist(asatheophany"aformofGodbeforeJesuswasincarnated) t andhewillwalkwithalimpfortherestofhislife,alwaysrecognizingthathe Z oughtnottofightGodwhenitcametoGodswill.;  ݌@` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ; 0  2  F  .3  0` (#(#  NotonlyisJacobapoorhumanbeing,inmanyrespects,heisalsoapoor &v father,showingclearfavoritism,whichbecomesproblematicashissons  \ begintogrowupandrecognizeJacobsfavoritism.Theywillselltheir B fathersfavoriteson,Joseph,intoslavery.; K ݌(` (#` (# Ќ  "; "  ;E 0  2  G  .3  0` (#(#  Throughoutthissection,Jacob(abelieverinJehovahElohim)interactswith  histwinbrotherEsau,whoapparentlyisnotabelieverinJehovahElohim.;E r ݌` (#` (# Ќ  "3 "  3Ϊ 2  XIV  .3  0    JosephandtheothersonsofJacob.Gen.37!503Ϊ ݌ (#(# Ќ  ";"  ;̫ 0  2  A  .3  0` (#(#  ThestoryofJosephisquiteamazing.Hisbrotherssellhimintoslaveryand p!  heeventuallyendsupinEgypt.;̫ ݌V"!` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;+ 0  2  B  .3  0` (#(#  JosephispromotedtoaveryhighpositioninEgypt,butnotaftermaking <#" someveryseriousmistakes(hetrustsinmanwhenheshouldbetrustingin "$r# God).;+ X ݌%X $` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;ˮ 0  2  C  .3  0` (#(#  Meanwhile,backattheranch,Jacobsfamilyisfloundering,makingmany %>!% practicalmistakes.;ˮ ݌&$"&` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ; 0  2  D  .3  0` (#(#  JosephinEgyptrecognizes,throughadreamofPharaoh,thattherewould ' #' be7goodyears(economicprosperity)followedby7leanyears(economic (#( depression),andJosephpreparesEgyptforthisbysettingasidehuge )$) amountsofgrainwhichwouldbedoledoutduringthe7badyears.; I ݌l*%*` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;O 0  2  E  .3  0` (#(#  Jacobsfamily,whohadnoclueastoJacobswhereaboutsorlife,were R+&+ forcedtocometoEgypttobuygrain.;O | ݌8,',` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ; 0  2  F  .3  0` (#(#  Josephistherebyreunitedwithhisfamily.; ݌-n(-` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ; 0  2  G  .3  0` (#(#  HisfatherJacob(alsocalledIsrael)speakstoeachofhissons,tellingthem  howtheywouldendupinlifeasatribe.; ݌` (#` (# Ќ  ";"  ;' 0  2  H  .3  0` (#(#  Jacobdiesand,eventually,Josephdies,whichendsthebookofGenesis.;' T ݌|` (#` (# Ќ  @@bBF @At) xdEapxA b Havingageneralideaofwhatistohappen,youshouldbenowreadytoexaminethebook  ofGenesisversebyverse(whichwillbethenextsetoflessons).   A@ d@i A4F RO  5  IntroductionPartIB(#Salvation6 RO   7 (#, Ԉ  * 4O RO  5  IntroductionPartIID(#Rebound6ӹ RO   7 (# Ԉ  1  4P RO  5  IntroductionPartIII> > C(#Doctrine6 ROϺ   7 (# Ԉ  8  4U RO  5  IntroductionPartIV(#Logically,WhatShouldIExpectfromReligion?6 RO   7 (# Ԉ ?  4Y RO  5  IntroductoryLesson1:TheBible(#BasicThemesoftheBible/IntroductiontotheBible6 ROɼ   7 (# Ԉ M  4\ RO  5  IntroductoryLessons2&3:TheBible2(#BasicThemesoftheBible6ս RO   7 (# Ԉ T  4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson4:TheBiblell:(#TheOldTestament6 RO   7 (#" Ԉ  [ 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson5:TheBible:(#TheNewTestament6޿ RO   7 (# Ԉ b 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson6:TheBiblexx1(#Dispensations,anOverview6 RO   7 (# Ԉ i 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson7:TheBibleA(#Canonicity6 RO   7 (#% Ԉ  p 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson8:TheBible%(#InspirationandtheOriginalLanguages6 RO   7 (# Ԉ 'w 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson9:TheBible.(#TeachingandSpiritualGrowth6 RO   7 (#/ Ԉ .~ 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson10:TheBible,(#Translations,TextualCriticism6 RO   7 (#9 Ԉ 5 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson11:TheBible (#ChristianApologeticsandBiblicalProphecy6 RO   7 (#F Ԉ < 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson12:TheBible%(#NaturalandLogicalApologetics,Faith6 RO1   7 (#_ Ԉ C 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson13:TheBible)(#Apologetics,ScienceandtheBible61 ROE   7 (#s Ԉ J 4 RO  5  IntroductoryLesson14:TheBible@@7(#ContentoftheBible6A ROU   7 (# Ԉ Q 4 RO  5  TheBookofGenesis<(#AnIntroduction6D ROX   7 (# Ԉ _ 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartI:InspirationandProgressiveRevelation6? ROS   7  f (#(# 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartII:AuthorshipandtheHistoricalNarrative6J RO^   7 J m!(#(# 0  4 RO  5  IntroductionPartIII(ThemesandanOutlineofGenesis)6W ROk   7  t"(#(# @@#!!qq! @*lddxdd xhf(#(#l,dd ,dd ,dd ,dd +  )$ $  )4 RO  5  TopofthePage %e ! andtheTableof %K!" Contents6 RO   7   '&1"#" '4 RO  5  Introductiontoany %e $ BibleStudy6 RO   7   '%K!%" '4 RO  5  Introductiontothe %e & Bible6 RO   7   '%K!'" '4 4RO  5  Introductiontothe %e ( BookofGenesis6 RO   7 ;"  1'%K!)"  14~ bRO  5  LinkstoDoctrines [(#* intheIntroductory A)$+ Material6 RO   7   ''*w%," '4 RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines [(#- intheIntroduction A)$. totheBible6 RO   7 &  ''*w%/" '4 RO  5  LinkstoDoctrines [(#0 intheIntroduction A)$1 toGenesis6 RO   7 M  ''*w%2" ''[(#3"   '