Thirdmill

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass form the Law until all is accomplished."- Matt. 5:17-18. Because of Jesus' work on the cross, we are no longer slaves to the law - but that doesn't mean believers have no obligation to obey the law. The law is still the standard for behavior and is compatible with the gospel's good news of grace!

Illumination and inward leading are just two of the ways that the Holy Spirit works in human beings to reveal the truth about God. Illumination is given as a free gift of knowledge to both believers and unbelievers, while inward leading is displayed in individual consciences.

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass form the Law until all is accomplished."- Matt. 5:17-18. Because of Jesus' work on the cross, we are no longer slaves to the law - but that doesn't mean believers have no obligation to obey the law. The law is still the standard for behavior and is compatible with the gospel's good news of grace!

Illumination and inward leading are just two of the ways that the Holy Spirit works in human beings to reveal the truth about God. Illumination is given as a free gift of knowledge to both believers and unbelievers, while inward leading is displayed in individual consciences.

When we say that Scripture is “clear,” we don't mean that everything in the Bible is easy to understand, or that everything in the Bible is stated plainly and directly. Instead, we mean that the Bible is not obscure. It's not filled with hidden meanings that can only be discovered through mysterious means, or through special spiritual gifting, or by those who hold special offices in the church.

When theologians speak of God's simplicity, they have in mind that God's essence is not a composite; it's not divided.

Although some theologians treat the Ten Commandments as if they were just another portion of the Mosaic law, the Bible indicates that the Ten Commandments have a special primacy over Scripture's other commandments.

All good works must be done with the proper goal in mind. If our works are to please God, immediate goals like caring for our families, honoring our parents, going to church, and the like, must be part of a bigger picture.

To introduce our approach to the proper standard, we'll touch on three aspects of God's revelation.

It's generally obvious to most people that actions can properly be considered right and wrong. The Bible teaches Christians to conform every aspect of our lives and beings to God's moral standards. So, Christian ethics must address not only behavior, but also emotions, orientations, predilections, inclinations, preferences, thoughts, imaginations, beliefs, and even our very natures.

All four gospels are unified by the theme of the kingdom of God. But the Gospel of Matthew is the only book in the Bible that uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven.”

The Bible consistently speaks of God's own personal goodness as the absolute standard by which all ethical issues are to be evaluated. God's law is right and good because it comes from God, who himself is right and good. Because he is righteous, everything he does and everything he expresses — including his laws for us — manifests his goodness.

When we say that Scripture is “clear,” we don't mean that everything in the Bible is easy to understand, or that everything in the Bible is stated plainly and directly. Instead, we mean that the Bible is not obscure. It's not filled with hidden meanings that can only be discovered through mysterious means, or through special spiritual gifting, or by those who hold special offices in the church.

When theologians speak of God's simplicity, they have in mind that God's essence is not a composite; it's not divided.

Although some theologians treat the Ten Commandments as if they were just another portion of the Mosaic law, the Bible indicates that the Ten Commandments have a special primacy over Scripture's other commandments.

All good works must be done with the proper goal in mind. If our works are to please God, immediate goals like caring for our families, honoring our parents, going to church, and the like, must be part of a bigger picture.

To introduce our approach to the proper standard, we'll touch on three aspects of God's revelation.

It's generally obvious to most people that actions can properly be considered right and wrong. The Bible teaches Christians to conform every aspect of our lives and beings to God's moral standards. So, Christian ethics must address not only behavior, but also emotions, orientations, predilections, inclinations, preferences, thoughts, imaginations, beliefs, and even our very natures.

All four gospels are unified by the theme of the kingdom of God. But the Gospel of Matthew is the only book in the Bible that uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven.”

The Bible consistently speaks of God's own personal goodness as the absolute standard by which all ethical issues are to be evaluated. God's law is right and good because it comes from God, who himself is right and good. Because he is righteous, everything he does and everything he expresses — including his laws for us — manifests his goodness.

To enjoy this series fully, start each week with the devotional, then watch the video and complete the personal application questions.

“Imputation” simply means “assignment” or “reckoning.” But when we speak about the imputation of our sin to Jesus on the cross, we're referring to the act in which God assigned the guilt of sinners to the person of Jesus.

“Imputation” simply means “assignment” or “reckoning.” But when we speak about the imputation of our sin to Jesus on the cross, we're referring to the act in which God assigned the guilt of sinners to the person of Jesus.

Jesus performed more miracles than any other prophet in Israel's history. The New Testament mentions at least 35 specific miracles, and the Gospel of John indicates that he performed innumerable miracles beyond these.

Jesus performed more miracles than any other prophet in Israel's history. The New Testament mentions at least 35 specific miracles, and the Gospel of John indicates that he performed innumerable miracles beyond these.

Interpreting the Bible is like having a dialog with the most authoritative figure we can imagine, God himself. It's a dialog because it involves a type of conversational “give and take” between readers and the Scriptures. On the reader's side of the dialog, we all come to the Bible with many questions, preconceptions, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences. And each of these things influences what we understand from the Bible. On Scripture's side of the dialog, God continually speaks to us through his Word, sometimes confirming what we believe, sometimes correcting it.

For centuries, objectivism has greatly influenced the interpretation of the Bible. Scholars have believed that they can interpret Scripture impartially, and that they can know its meaning with relative certainty.

Subjectivism has influenced both critical biblical studies and evangelical biblical studies. In general, we can say that subjectivists recognize that human beings and the world, and especially matters of faith, are often too complex to be discerned by scientific rationalism.

The Son's motive for redeeming sinners was complex and can be described in a variety of ways. But one of the most well-known words Scripture uses to describe the Son's motive in redemption is “love” — love for God, love for creation and love for human beings.

When Christians talk about God creating the world, our minds normally go to the person of God the Father. But Scripture teaches that the Son was at the Father's side during creation, and that the Father created the world by or through him.

When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, John objected because Jesus was already righteous. But Jesus responded by saying that it wasn't enough for him to be personally sinless; he also had to fulfill all the necessary righteous works that had been appointed to him.

Interpreting the Bible is like having a dialog with the most authoritative figure we can imagine, God himself. It's a dialog because it involves a type of conversational “give and take” between readers and the Scriptures. On the reader's side of the dialog, we all come to the Bible with many questions, preconceptions, cultural backgrounds, and personal experiences. And each of these things influences what we understand from the Bible. On Scripture's side of the dialog, God continually speaks to us through his Word, sometimes confirming what we believe, sometimes correcting it.

For centuries, objectivism has greatly influenced the interpretation of the Bible. Scholars have believed that they can interpret Scripture impartially, and that they can know its meaning with relative certainty.

Subjectivism has influenced both critical biblical studies and evangelical biblical studies. In general, we can say that subjectivists recognize that human beings and the world, and especially matters of faith, are often too complex to be discerned by scientific rationalism.

The Son's motive for redeeming sinners was complex and can be described in a variety of ways. But one of the most well-known words Scripture uses to describe the Son's motive in redemption is “love” — love for God, love for creation and love for human beings.

When Christians talk about God creating the world, our minds normally go to the person of God the Father. But Scripture teaches that the Son was at the Father's side during creation, and that the Father created the world by or through him.

When Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized, John objected because Jesus was already righteous. But Jesus responded by saying that it wasn't enough for him to be personally sinless; he also had to fulfill all the necessary righteous works that had been appointed to him.

Many Christians tend to think of Abraham merely as an example of faith and trust in God. This is an important theme in Abraham's life, and it is highlighted in several New Testament passages. But we must never overlook the fact that God commanded Abraham to be obedient, to give him his loyal service.

Like images of false gods and of kings in the ancient Near East, images of the true God are intended to reflect his character wherever they appear. And God's character is utterly pure, holy and righteous.

The visible church includes everyone who is regularly part of the gathered church, regardless of the condition of their hearts. There are several different ways people can be counted as part of the visible church.

Humanity was so central to God's kingdom purposes, that our rebellion brought a curse on the entire universe. We've constantly rebelled against God's will, so that his kingdom on earth has failed to display his perfect glory as its benevolent King and Creator.

Many Christians tend to think of Abraham merely as an example of faith and trust in God. This is an important theme in Abraham's life, and it is highlighted in several New Testament passages. But we must never overlook the fact that God commanded Abraham to be obedient, to give him his loyal service.

Like images of false gods and of kings in the ancient Near East, images of the true God are intended to reflect his character wherever they appear. And God's character is utterly pure, holy and righteous.

The visible church includes everyone who is regularly part of the gathered church, regardless of the condition of their hearts. There are several different ways people can be counted as part of the visible church.

Humanity was so central to God's kingdom purposes, that our rebellion brought a curse on the entire universe. We've constantly rebelled against God's will, so that his kingdom on earth has failed to display his perfect glory as its benevolent King and Creator.

Paul faced a serious challenge to his longstanding belief when Jesus came but didn't bring creation to its climactic end as Israel had expected. How did Paul come to his understanding of eschatology?

Systematicians have to establish theological facts, and to do this they often use theological propositions.

Paul faced a serious challenge to his longstanding belief when Jesus came but didn't bring creation to its climactic end as Israel had expected. How did Paul come to his understanding of eschatology?

Systematicians have to establish theological facts, and to do this they often use theological propositions.