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The Problem of Suffering and How We Approach it

...that only salvation brings. As an end point, I’ll just state that I don’t believe “all things happen for a reason” as people often like to say when bad things happen, because that usually implies that everything happens for a divine reason. A God-ordained reason, or fate. Now, in a deterministic/cause-and-effect sort of way, then yes, “all things happen for a consequential reason” in some form, but that’s about as much as I’d ever use that phrase to mean. Either way, it shouldn't be an excuse or reason to just ignore or accept suffering and evil in the world. We, as Christians, have been given the responsibility and ministry of confronting...

Slavery in the Bible – Does God Condone Slavery?

...e gift of salvation. Matthew 11:28-30“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Sources: 1. Modern slavery estimates, Free the Slaves: http://www.freetheslaves.net/about-slavery/slavery-today/  2. Historian Murray Harris, Slave of Christ: http://www.amazon.com/Slave-Christ-Testament-Metaphor-Devotion/dp/0830826084 ...

The Deity of Christ in the Gospel of Matthew - Part 2

...securing salvation for his people as predicted (Matthew 1:21). The gospel was written after his ascension. Matthew has one final question to ask. Having come closer to us than ever before and fulfilling his purpose, especially after predicting the destruction of the second temple, has Jesus left us? This is answered with a resounding “no!”; Jesus promised before ascending to heaven that he would always be with his people, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20); “…behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Just as Solomon realised, the presence of God is not limited to a particular place where he is known to have placed his name. Jesus...

New Covenant Israel is no longer physical (nor literal)!

...le attain salvation separate from Jesus. But I can't see how this is possible, given what the New Testament says. To be clear though, I'm not saying the Church replaced Israel, but rather it is the continuation of what Israel was always meant to be, and so will be the people group in whom the promises from God will be made complete. It's no longer about land or race, but Jesus's righteousness and faithfulness and an expanded plan to include all people – not simply the Jews. God didn't fail in his promises to bless the nations, his plan was just bigger than anyone first imagined! To be against this idea/view that Jesus is Israel t...

Does Jesus mean Hail Zeus?

...) "Jah is salvation." This was a common Jewish personal name during the Hellenizing period; it is the later form of Hebrew Yehoshua (see Joshua).—etymonline.com   If all of that sounds confusing, then see this image below which will hopefully visualise the transition of language a little better: Etymology of the name Jesus To put it simply, “The name Jesus is the Greek transliteration of either the name יהושע (Joshua) or its shortened form (ישוע) Jeshua … The name Jesus means Yah Will Save. The name Joshua is the Hebrew form of the Greek name Jesus, and most probably the name by which Jesus was known by His contemporaries.” If you wa...

The Temptations of Jesus: Complacency

...out your salvation with fear and trembling and go with the love of God. Amen....