Press On Journal

Despite the paucity of references in the New Testament to the role of Israel in God's purposes, we have argued that the trumpets in Revelation highlight the sequence of events which will lead up to the point at which those in Israel who are prepared to accept Christ as their Messiah will be saved.

Genealogies were not used in ANE in the same way we use ours today. This article outlines the theory and models of genealogies as used in the Hebrew bible, and explores their purpose: to record the blood relationships and lineage of the people of Israel among the peoples of the ANE; to emphasise their identity as people in covenant relationship to their God, Yahweh; to summarise covenant history; to identify relationships in order to authorise claims to lands and roles, such as priestly and royal ones, especially for those returning to the land after the exile.

The teachings of Jesus challenge us to rise above cultural norms and self-centered ambitions, calling us to a life of genuine love, humility, and service. The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us to embody compassion and mercy, not as an outward display but as a true reflection of Christ's values in every aspect of our lives. To follow our countercultural Messiah is to love God and our neighbors unconditionally, even when it's difficult, inconvenient, or counter to societal expectations.

God's desire to adopt us as his children is at the very heart of the gospel. Understanding the role of adoption in Greco-Roman times, enriches the process of us being adopted out of slavery to sin, and becoming coheirs with Christ. There is no greater joy than the privilege of being adopted by God through faith in Jesus. For in Jesus, we enjoy the liberties and privileges of being the children of God, both now and in the kingdom to come.

Jesus's ministry exemplified best practices in advocacy and change strategies. In it, one can identify clear objectives, specifically chosen audiences, deliberate message points, and various tactics we would still see in modern communication campaigns.

In reading the Old Testament, Jesus seems to be selecting the most important verses – the verses which apply most fully to himself and his mission at that time, and the verses which he wants his hearers to understand both about him and about their own discipleship. Jesus does not simply applying Old Testament examples indiscriminately. Instead, we see him applying the Scriptures with wisdom; filling out their full meaning; reading towards mercy; and Jesus is the one who now embodies God's Word fully. He is the one through whom God has now fully spoken.

We are used to the idea that doctrine is defined and held together by straightforward literal – almost legal – language. Historically, the teaching of scripture has been reduced to a series of propositions in a ‘statement of faith' or a ‘creed.' But Jesus didn't teach like that, and the parables are an essential part of the way he encouraged his audience to think for themselves. ‘That is curious' they might say. ‘What is this young rabbi driving at?'

The three ancient Greek transcendentals—truth, goodness, and beauty—reflect essential principles which are also seen in the Bible. While truth and goodness receive ample attention in Christian discourse, beauty is often neglected despite its crucial role in attracting people to God through love, grace, and emotional connection.

The seven seals in Revelation represent the Divine process for working with people. The first four seals speak of the conditions under which people respond to God's invitation, while the final three reveal God's plan for gathering those followers.

The witch hunts from the era of King James I have echoes in today's political landscape. Just as religious authorities once twisted Bible verses to justify persecuting women, religious nationalists now use faith-based arguments to marginalize and restrict roles for women in society.

We each have an arc in our lifetime Bible-reading habits, and some people eventually choose to set aside regular reading. Others maintain the practice despite having read the Bible many times. Bible reading can be like therapeutic coaching that provides perspective, correction, and renewal, much like how athletes and artists require ongoing training.

For Christians, change is a crucial aspect of living a spiritual life. While we tend to want to keep things just as they are, God has different plans. God pushes us to grow and develop in a gradual process that requires trust.

The author shares his experience with a major health emergency: an aorta dissection. He explains the subsequent surgery, and his emergence with renewed perspective. The discussion touches on mortality and faith, approach to prayer, the importance of acceptance, and the overwhelming impact of love from family and community.

The crucifixion of Jesus is examined through the lens of honor-shame culture, highlighting the public humiliation he endured. His cry on the cross is interpreted as a biblical lament, demonstrating faith rather than doubt. God's vindication of Jesus' honor is shown through supernatural signs and ultimately his resurrection.

Burnout arrives with recognizable signs, and there are biblical strategies to overcome it. Mitigating burnout requires rest, reliance on God, reframing purpose, honest prayer, trusting God's timing, and community support. Elijah's story and various Bible verses illustrate these points and can encourage us when facing burnout.

We explore how Job's experiences reveal that a right relationship with God stems from His grace, not our own righteousness. Through suffering and divine encounters, Job learns to trust in God's sovereign grace rather than relying on religious observance or moral perfection. This understanding parallels Paul's theological journey and remains crucial for our faith today.

Biblical interpretation can face challenges in understanding aspects of the text such as genre and context. Christadelphian community bible study could benefit from improved hermeneutics, engagement with scholarship, emphasis on humility, and recognition of interpretive authority. These practices can reaffirm beliefs, reduce division, and help adapt to new challenges.

A Christian morality of sex should be based on virtues like respect for others and faithfulness, rather than just rules or consequences. Sex should occur within committed relationships motivated by mutual care and benefit, not merely consent.

Ecclesias face challenges accommodating diverse generational perspectives and expectations regarding worship styles, gender roles, and community engagement. Unity amid diversity is exhorted by examples like the Council of Jerusalem and many of Paul's teachings, and there are good practical approaches to promoting mutual respect and collaboration.

The biblical account of Israel's conquest of Canaan should probably not be read literally – as an exercise in genocide – but understood through the lens of ancient literary conventions using hyperbolic language to convey spiritual lessons rather than factual history.

Churches must prioritize creating welcoming spaces for worship and spiritual growth, not hindering access through traditions. New approaches can facilitate authentic worship and community. Embracing positive change requires humility, open-mindedness, and active participation from all members to shape the future of our churches.

Christian theological views on sexuality could use some responsible re-evaluation as some commonly-held beliefs may be problematic. The body and sexual desires are not sinful, but part of God's good creation. Virginity does not equal purity, lust is not equivalent to adultery, nor is procreation the sole purpose of sex within marriage.

The book of Revelation consists of two parts: God redeeming His people (churches, seals, trumpets) and God redeeming the world (woman, dragon, beasts, bowls of wrath). Symbols may be interpreted as representing God's work rather than historical events, with the overall message intended to inspire believers.

The biblical command to "love your neighbor as yourself" implies the relevance of self-love, yet in modern Western culture, self-judgment and lack of self-acceptance are common issues, which may stem from misinterpreting biblical teachings on humility and selflessness. Readers are encouraged to embrace self-love as a necessary complement to loving others.

God calls us to walk by faith, not sight; embrace the invisible; let go of fear, doubts, hindrances; receive forgiveness; travel together; keep God central.

Jesus proclaimed good news of God's kingdom advancing through healing, teaching, and compassion. Global data shows remarkable progress in health, education, and quality of life, suggesting a present aspect of God's kingdom is growing like seed, though imperfectly.

Christians seem overly focused on condemning sexual sins like premarital sex and homosexuality, neglecting other sins that Jesus and the apostles prioritized, like greed, hypocrisy, and injustice. This disproportionate emphasis on sexual matters may stem from theological roots linking sexuality to impurity, and scapegoating sexual freedoms for Christianity's declining dominance.

There is a depressing predictability to what's currently happening in the Middle-East. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. If you live like that, the whole world ends up blind and whole world ends up toothless. Jesus, didn't lead a violent revolt, and he didn't attack other religions. He taught his disciples to be meek, to love their enemies, to lose their lives and take up the cross.

Sin separates us from God, from ourselves, and from others. What is happening the moment before we sin? The example of Cain is instructive as God pleads him to resist sin's desires, offering comfort and perspective. Sadly, despite God's efforts, Cain's free will leads him to kill Abel. The parable of the prodigal son leaves an open ending, inviting us into repentance and reunion with God's love.

God's kingdom is not only a future event. Jesus taught about the present reality of God's kingdom by urging repentance and transformation as a path to experience it now in righteousness, peace, and joy.

Our Christadelphian community is undergoing gradual but accelerating change regarding gender roles, with an increasing number of churches allowing women more active participation. This transition is happening through various processes, and despite resistance in some quarters, the data shows an exponential trend towards gender-inclusive practices across the UK.

The phenomenon of consciousness challenges the presumption that everything in the universe is purely physical. It indicates that meaning is to be found beyond the material.

Eve was named after the heavenly component of humanity - the breath of life - while Adam was named after the earthly component - the clay. Eve's role was to be a helper and guide for Adam, encouraging him towards godliness, not that of a subordinate assistant.

Divisions tear social fabrics, fraying relationships. Scripture warns against divisiveness as fleshly behavior opposed to unity. Love and harmony should prevail over divisions. Mend nets instead of rending garments.

Christmas originated from early Christians calculating the date of Jesus' birth, not from co-opting pagan festivals. Evidence suggests the December 25th date was set before later pagan festivals adopted it; alleged pagan origins like Saturnalia, Tammuz, Mithras, and Yule lack credible evidence of predating or influencing Christmas celebrations.

The Biblical concept of God's holy spirit, its active presence in believers' lives and its role in transforming our character, is contrasted with the unholy human spirit and its selfish destructiveness. Linguistically nuanced Scriptural evidence regarding the spirit's manifestations, gifts, and fruit, underscores its centrality to Christian experience and future blessings.

Faith requires engagement: practicing it, being in community, and wrestling with questions. Anchoring ourselves in God's steadfast love prevents drifting.

Life is unpredictable, yet we try to control it by chasing dreams and desires, believing they'll bring fulfillment. Jesus teaches that surrendering everything to him and denying ourselves daily is true freedom. By relinquishing control and giving our desires to God, we gain Christ and find contentment in any circumstance.

Hagar, an immigrant slave and concubine, faces oppression and mistreatment from her mistress Sarai. But God favors Hagar, promising her innumerable descendants. She is the first to receive such an angelic visitation, demonstrating God's care for the downtrodden, regardless of race or status.

Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, liberated Jews enslaved in Babylon. He allowed them to rebuild Jerusalem's temple, fulfilling prophecies about him. His Cyrus Cylinder promoted freedom, human rights, and religious tolerance, earning him a lasting legacy as a benevolent ruler who foreshadowed Jesus Christ's greater liberation.

Jesus endured immense physical and emotional suffering in his final days, including brutal scourging, mockery, and an agonizing crucifixion, to make a way for humanity's redemption and relationship with God, scorning the shame for the joy set before him of resurrected glory and our eternal inheritance.

Mary Magdalene was a devoted disciple of Jesus who anointed him, witnessed both his crucifixion and resurrection, and was commissioned to share the news of his resurrection. Her story suggests she may have been a former prostitute from the town of Magdala before encountering Jesus and becoming his premier disciple, surpassing even the Twelve Apostles in her spiritual understanding.

Samson is often misunderstood. His story actually portrays a man of unwavering faith serving God despite Israel's spiritual decline. Guided by God's spirit, his actions were aimed at freeing Israel from Philistine oppression. His marriage, riddle, residing with the prostitute, and ultimate sacrifice all align with divine approval rather than personal flaws.

An autistic and ADHD advocate with schizophrenia, shares their journey of self-discovery through difficult life circumstances and discrimination, but ultimately leading to positive self-knowledge and a fulfilling life as a published author, presenter, and civil servant.

The article explores the biblical concept of faith as reliance and trust in God, contrasting it with pride and self-assurance. It examines faith's two aspects: belief in facts about God, and trusting in God. Faith requires humbly allowing God to work in us, while pride opposes this openness to transformation.

We are familiar with the basic story of Esther, a Jewish orphan turned queen, who courageously risks her life to save her people from genocide planned by the wicked Haman. We may be less aware of the Biblical subtext of her righting a generational disgrace sullying her Benjamite lineage.

The Holy Spirit may refer to the angel of God's presence who accompanied and guided Israel from Egypt to the Promised Land. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit continues this role, teaching, guiding, and protecting God's people.

God intended an intimate relationship with humanity, depicted as parent, friend, and husband. Jesus continues this intimacy, offering forgiveness, guidance, and belonging to believers as our Savior, brother, friend, and bridegroom. Developing a personal vision of this relationship through meditation and reflective exercises can deepen our bond.

Loving boundaries respect others' dignity, and enable healthy forms of service. In contrast, confusing burdens and responsibilities leads to unhealthy behaviors. Jesus modeled boundaries by not presuming needs but by helping those according to their asks and according to his gifts, while living within his limits.

The Bible is unique, not like a novel, essay or reference book. It contains diverse voices and messages that can seem contradictory. Jesus, the living Word of God, provides the key to unlock and interpret the Scriptures, acting as the lens through which to understand God's revelation progressively unfolding.

Solomon presents two contrasting paths: marrying Lady Wisdom to pursue virtue, diligence, and righteousness; or wandering the streets at night seeking the adulterous woman and falling into demise.