Early in my ministry, I made a conscious commitment to biblical preaching. My first priority has always been to answer the ques- tion, "What does this passage mean?" After I've explained as clearly and accurately as possible the meaning of God's Word, then I exhort people to obey and apply it to their own lives. The Bible speaks for itself to the human heart; it is not my role as a preacher to try to tailor the message. That's why I preach my way through entire books of the Bible, dealing carefully with each verse and phrase--even though that occasionally means spending time in passages that don't readily lend themselves to anecdotal or motivational messages.
But, fortunately, that is not how God chose to speak to us. Rather, he chose to speak his eternal truths within the particular circumstances and events of human history......... The Bible is the Word of God given in human words in history.” So whilst being divinely inspired and having 'eternal relevance', the Bible also has 'historical peculiarity' – each text is conditioned by the language, time and culture in which it was written – interpreting the Bible means understanding these things – i.e. understanding the context in which the text is written. It is important to recognise that interpretation has already taken place for most people reading the Bible; translators have 'interpreted' words and meanings in their Bible translations.
He believes that people need to be taught the word “of God”, conviction can take place so the counselee can repent of his sins, be set free, and change will take place. With the theory that Adams developed God’s word is the only way to receive the truth of God, psychology is an outside source and has nothing to offer when trying to help a person to change based on truth. According to Adams changing people or sinners from the inside out is not done by education alone, but by prayer, reproof, and encouragement (p. 65). Scripture is the way to obtain quick results where true
If God is assumed to be good, then all of his actions are good, and this would include the creation of right and wrong. The idea of “wrong” would never exist in this case as God only does and creates things that are good. While the author never gives up the idea of God being good, as he states that all theologians also believe this and then proceeds to brainstorm potential reasoning for the creation of “wrong.” He suggests that a deity, more superior than God, gave him orders to do so. This is a plausible conclusion to the premise of God being good, but also creating right and wrong. But he seems more certain about the idea of the devil creating this
Analytical Review of the Book of James The book of James has been called the practical book of the New Testament by many. This review will cover the purpose of the book, why it was included in the Bible, what would be missing if not included, and how it applies or is relevant to today. The purpose of the book of James is to foster practical Christian living. The church people in James’ day were beginning to have undermining attitudes and practices. James speaks against these in his teaching.
Andrea Young BT 3180 – Bible and Theology Prof. Tommy Harrison Week 4 - Assignment 1 Miller’s Book Review This is a review of Patrick D. Miller’s book entitled Deuteronomy: Interpretation - A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Miller begins with an introduction to his book by declaring himself and what this book is about, where Miller (2012:1) states, “The aim of this introduction is to ask some typical questions having to do with the background of the literary work and to think about it as a whole.” Miller pointed out that in doing so the book of Deuteronomy may give readers some clues to understanding the book and its purpose. He stated that the title of the book normally gives some indication of the subject matter and that sometimes the title may be clear upon reading the book. Miller claims that Deuteronomy gives readers some indication of the book’s character (Miller, 2012:1-5). The author provides a rich and comprehensive interpretation of the text through the book, describes the revelation of the Book in the New Testament, analyses the blueprint for a moral and just society as prescribed by The Laws of Moses, defines the proper role of leaders and priests from the Biblical perspective, and expounds upon exactly how individuals must interact in a divinely-inspired society.
But also Absolutism does not take other situation into consideration, things change and people change, so should the rules change as well? Personally, I think that they need to be amended; this could cause even worse conflicts than they are in this day and age, although it might be necessary, Common sense isn’t that common. An example of the Absolute theory is the Divine law theory; this is all stated in the bible, it dictates what’s good and what’s bad, according to the will of God. Everything we do, has the question behind it: Does it follow the will of God? This is the question absolutes ask before making any decisions.
Believing that God is searching for leaders to bring about changes on the earth, he begins the book by highlighting the principle: true greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in manipulating others to serve you, admonishing, “we must put more into life that we take out," and that history will only remember a man for "the quality of his deeds and the character of his mind and heart" (15). Somewhere in the midst of this tension a true Christian leader will develop themselves and their abilities to be in service of God’s purpose. In the end, he writes, “Spiritual leadership is not a calling we choose to pursue; it is a calling we choose to answer. We don’t decide to become leaders; we decide to respond and keep responding to God’s call in our lives. Along the way, whether we like it or not, that involves us in leadership.” Although we can learn about leadership skills or develop and refine natural talents, spiritual leadership is a gift or grace of God bestowed to us, which we can accept or reject.
To have faith in someone on past knowledge, according to McCloskey, is reasonable however; it is unreasonable to have faith in God as we have no past knowledge of God. Theists base their knowledge of God on the revelations that He has given us, the Bible, and the
In these sixty-six books are the revelation of God, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Since I recognize that God is real and that he has reveled himself to man. I must study his revelation so I may know him better. The Bible carries the same authority as God himself on all matters is discusses, because the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God, given to us by inspired men. These men were inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit ensuring God’s message was recorded accurately.