Expedition 44

Dive into a thought-provoking exploration of original sin and its profound implications for humanity's connection to God. Discover the intricate theology of the tree of knowledge and the dual nature of good and evil. The discussion contrasts Jewish views of desire with Calvinist interpretations, challenging conventional notions of total depravity. Unpack the consequences of Eden's fall, including the promise of redemption, and examine the significance of divine separation. This engaging analysis reveals the complexities of human choice and moral responsibility.

Join two scholars as they uncover the origins of the Doctrine of Original Sin. Discover how this controversial concept, linked to Augustine, was never a consensus in early Christianity or Judaism. They challenge traditional views on inherited guilt and infant depravity, advocating for personal responsibility in sin. Dive into theological debates with players like Pelagius, and explore historical texts like the Didache. This enlightening discussion prompts listeners to rethink the nature of sin and their understanding of God’s character.

We started a series on the church back in July of 2022 and a year and a half later we are wrapping It up.  Today we’re going to recap where we’ve been.  The big idea is that the church is not an institution … it’s an organism (it’s organic)! ·      There was equality- No clergy/laity divide ·      The giftings of the entire body were active to display Jesus ·      They met face to face throughout the week in relationships 7 Churches of Revelation (Nationalism and Dispensationalism) The point of looking at these 7 churches is that it pointed out Jesus’ ideals in his Body. Much of the issues here deals with the World seeping into the church.  Leadership and Oversight the glaring question we need to ask is “Are these offices or simply people using their god given gifts?”  Positional thinking is hung up on nouns, while functional thinking stresses verbs.  The view of oversight in the NT church is about the whole body operating in their giftings and being discipled by those who are wise, mature, and have the character of Christ in them. This is what leadership and oversight looks like rather than the CEO structure that focuses on offices and hierarchy which hurts the church.  5-Fold Ministry Ephesians 4 describes these as “ascension gifts” not “ascension offices”.  This entire chapter focuses on unity in the body of Christ, not positions which divide clergy from laity.Reimagining GiftsSpiritual gifts are not about hierarchy but about building up the body of Christ. The church is a body- a mutual and co-equal body- that reflects Jesus. There is no hierarchy in giftings. These giftings don’t lead to an office, though some might lead or administrate in their gifting better than others based on maturity and humility- we should all mutually submit to each other.  Reimagining Community ·      Spiritually- We need to be together in spiritual friendship gathering around the Way of Jesus, studying scripture, breaking bread, praying for each other. DEVOTED- They devoted themselves to these things. ·      Physically- meeting the needs of the community, being generous and being available.  ·      Emotionally- This is about completeness and transformation- How is our mindset and focus? Is it singularly on Jesus or is there entanglement with the world? ·      Missionally- Do we live in unity or are there offenses and divisions among us that we have swept under the rug? Division and disunity kills the mission to be lights to the world.  Reimagining Giving The main ideals of giving in the New Covenant: ·      Give Cheerfully ·      Take care of fellow believers (and support the work of the Lord)·      Care for the least of these ·      Celebrate God (see communion and the love feast in 1 Cor 11) Whenever the church gathers together, its guiding and functioning principal is simply to incarnate Christ (1 Cor 12:12) The Edenic Ideal: We always take everything back to God’s ideals. The Bible begins and ends with Eden. New Creation has broken into the present through the resurrection, so the church should be living according to God’s ideals in our communities even if the world looks completely opposite. God’s eternal purpose was to have a people in relationship with him working in equality under God’s kingship. This is God’s ideal for his church too. Each of us bringing our gifts to the altar/table and using them to image him to creation.  ·      The western view of leadership connected to authority, hierarchy, control, and covering has handcuffed the bride of Christ - making her ineffective for the kingdom.  ·      We need to get back to the servant mindset rather than the CEO leader mindset in the church ·      We need more feet washing and less discussions about “who’s your covering”  ·      More mutual submission and less “human headship” ·      More family, less institution ·      More verbs, less nouns

Dr. Will Ryan and Dr. Matt interview Dr. Scot McKnight about his newest book- Pivot: The Priorities, Practices, and Powers That Can Transform Your Church into a Tov Culture. Order the Book here: https://a.co/d/9R6hqSY A practical guide to help you build a culture in your church or organization that resists abuse and cultivates goodness.After the release of their groundbreaking book, A Church Called Tov, which recorded the stories of abuse and toxic church cultures at some of the most prominent churches in the United States, New Testament scholar and blogger for Christianity Today Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer heard from a flood of people who had experienced similar instances of abuse. After all they’ve seen and heard, they still believe it’s possible for church cultures to be transformed from toxic to tov―from oppressive to good.In Pivot, Scot and Laura help churches to implement practices,establish priorities, and cultivate the Kingdom Gospel-centered qualities that form goodness cultures. Readers will find answers to the four most common questions people have about culture transformation: How can I transform the culture in my church or organization to make it tov? I believe my workplace has unhealthy values. How do I initiate change? How do I unleash a culture of goodness in my ministry? I’m not in a position of church leadership. What are some red flags that indicate a toxic culture, and what can I do if I see them? The “Tov tool,” a survey to help you discern your organization’s culture and to promote spiritual conversations A “getting to work” section at the end of each chapter with questions and next steps for application Pivot also includes the following practical features:Transformation is never easy. But for the sake of the next generation, we must do it.

Dr. Will Ryan and Dr. Matt talk with Steve Gregg about Biblical Israel and Dispensational Theology.  Steve Gregg is a teacher, author, and international lecturer on the Bible, theology, and discipleship. He is the author of “Revelation: Four Views: A Parallel Commentary”(1997, 2013) and “All You Want to Know About Hell: Three Christian Views” (2013) and most recently his series on the kingdom of God “The Empire of the Risen Son. His talk show, “The Narrow Path,” broadcasts on stations across the USA and  you can find his teachings on the website and mobile app: thenarrowpath.com.  Other teachings by Steve Gregg on this topic: Steve Gregg on The Modern State of Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scz5t_D-ung&t=608s 2 Part Lecture on the Problems of Dispensationalism and Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRD77lqsw4I https://youtu.be/FXrUOtpRWB8?si=iqFgnih6LN-tcBLJ Replacement Theology?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96JcDkZ4bvI

Part 2 of 2 on Giving- Tithes, Offerings, and First Fruits. History tells us that: • Tithing (10%) did not become an accepted “New Covenant Doctrine” in the church for over 700 years after the cross. • Before this in 585 the church at the Council of Macon in France, they tried to enforce tithing on its members and were unsuccessful. • It was not until the year 777 that Charlemagne allowed the church to enforce the collection of tithes. OT Recap • Before the law giving was voluntary not a commandment. This seems to be God’s ideals. o We cannot take these Pre-Law examples too far though. We don’t see that the giving was in regularity or even immediate. It was usually in response of thanks to God for something big He accomplished. • The Commands for tithing were for the children of Israel and to only be done “in the Land” • The Levitical tithe was to the Levites (the priests). Originally the whole nation were to be priests but they rejected this and God commissioned the Levites. Today we are a kingdom of priests in Christ, so we can’t exactly use this for supporting a class of religious professionals. We’ll see in the NT their possessions were at the disposal of the community when in need. • The festival tithe was money saved up for you to use 3x a year to celebrate God with the community- essentially money to take 3 vacations with Jesus. • The Storehouse tithe was about caring for the least of these. It was 10% every 3rd and 6th year in the 7-year cycle. This was for the care of the needy. • The King’s Tithe was a tax for rejecting God. The main ideals of tithing in the OT: • Caring for the Levites (caring for those ministering in the family of God) • Caring for the poor, widow, alien, and fatherless • Fellowship and celebration with God NT Recap • The mentions of “tithing” are in the context of the children of Israel (the pharisees) • Attitude in giving is central in the NT- being a cheerful giver and not out of compulsion • Generosity is key- there is no set amount in the New Covenant • We give because God gave to us • First Fruits- all belongs to him The main ideals of giving in the OT: • Take care of fellow believers (and support the work of the Lord) • Care for the least of these • Celebrate God (see communion and the love feast in 1 Cor 11) o These are just like the OT- not commanded but still expected.

Part 1 of 2 on Giving- Tithes, offerings, and first fruits All the these the audience and commands on tithing are directed to specifically the children of Israel- the ones under the Mosaic Law. And directly connected to being in the Promised Land. • For the gentiles the concepts and commands in the Law are good but they are shadows of the substance which is Christ. They are signposts pointing to something greater. Next episode we’re going to look at the substance. Second, it was always produce, fruit, and animals and never money given to the Lord. Money was always exchanged for an animal, produce, drink, etc, if the trip to the temple was too far to haul your offering. It was not give in the place of these things in the 3 tithes. If we want to take this in context we need to see a few things: • Before the law giving was voluntary not a commandment. This seems to be God’s ideals. o We cannot take these Pre-Law examples too far though. We don’t see that the giving was in regularity or even immediate. It was usually in response of thanks to God for something big He accomplished. • The Levitical tithe was to the Levites (the priests). Originally the whole nation were to be priests but they rejected this and God commissioned the Levites. Today we are a kingdom of priests in Christ, so we can’t exactly use this for supporting a class of religious professionals. We’ll see in the NT their possessions were at the disposal of the community when in need. The Levites would also tithe to the Priests who would tithe to God. So, God actually got 1% of the whole Levitical Tithe. • The festival tithe was saved up for you to use 3x a year to celebrate God with the community- essentially to take 3 vacations with Jesus. • The Storehouse tithe was about caring for the least of these. It was 10% every 3rd and 6th year in the 7-year cycle. This was for the care of the needy. • The King’s Tithe was a tax for rejecting God. The main ideals of tithing: • Caring for the Levites (caring for those ministering in the family of God) • Caring for the poor, widow, alien, and fatherless • Fellowship and celebration with God

Reimagining Community Acts 2:42-47 Communion Frank Viola (Pagan Christianity): The Lord’s Supper, when separated from its proper context of a full meal, turns into a strange, pagan-like rite. The Supper has become an empty ritual officiated by a clergyman, rather than a shared-life experience enjoyed by the church. It has become a morbid religious exercise, rather than a joyous festival— stale individualistic ceremony, rather than a meaningful corporate event. As one scholar put it, “It is not in doubt that the Lord’s Supper began as a family meal or a meal of friends in a private house . . . the Lord’s Supper moved from being a real meal into being a symbolic meal . . . the Lord’s Supper moved from bare simplicity to elaborate splendor . . . the celebration of the Lord’s Supper moved from being a lay function to a priestly function. In the New Testament itself, there is no indication that it was the special privilege or duty of anyone to lead the worshipping fellowship in the Lord’s Supper.” When Israel had departed from God’s original thought, the prophet cried: “Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls’” (Jeremiah 6:16, NASB). In the same way, can we shun the vain traditions of men and return to the ancient paths . . . those holy traditions that were given to us by Jesus Christ and His apostles?  In the early church this was called the love (agape) feast. It was a full meal and not a thimble of juice and a cracker. What would that look like today?  Communion was a celebration and not a somber event. What would that look like today in our churches? (Yes, there is a remembrance aspect of the crucifixion but the concentration is on the victory not the torture)  Communion emphasized unity. What if we make peace and reconcile before partaking in the meal? Actually, to not do so is defiling the meal. Who do we need to reconcile with in our church family?  Communion is also about equality- there should be no seating arrangements (hierarchy and status). This also defiles the meal. What can we do to bring more equality to our community?  Communion is also about meeting needs. How can we make the Lord’s table about serving each other? For questions and comments please email us at ryan@expedition44.com or matt@expedition44.com

During our 5-fold episodes we never really gave a history of the 5-fold office thinking so we’ll begin with that today and recap those 4 episodes before we look at the other gifts and how we should look at the church as a body of many gifts working together and not a hierarchical system with 5 gifts on the top. X44 Article written last March: Most of the Pentecostal world believes in the 5 fold ministry, and as I don’t disagree with most anything said or taught about the 5 fold gifts specifically, I can also see how this term has become controversial and often thought of as divisive within the body of Christ towards the other gifts. I also Theologically cringe any time a doctrine or movement seems to be derived in large part by a singular text. (In this way the use of Ephesians to frame the 5 fold ministry as a doctrine has often been claimed as a “proof text.”) One of the first things to consider is that Paul gave us two other lists elsewhere in his epistles. The lists vary from this one significantly. This list in Ephesians wasn’t intended to be a doctrinal model; if it was the NT or Paul sure didn’t do a very good job of articulating that. If the intention was to present the list as a model of hierarchy in the church, I would think it would have been presented much differently. In other words, the laws of hermeneutics simply don’t allow a scholar reader to interpret this way. To my point, 1 Corinthians 12 would speak to an 8 fold ministry where the order is different. In the same way Romans 12 presents yet another list. This Seven Fold list moves leadership to the very bottom, just ahead of showing mercy, and it moves service, teaching and encouragement to the top. It takes some theological gymnastics to make a doctrine out of the list in Ephesians. We will get into this a bit more in depth later in the film. OVERVIEW • 5-fold gifts and the other lists (7 and 8-fold?) are not about hierarchy but about building up the body of Christ. • The church is a body- a mutual and co-equal body- that reflects Jesus. There is no hierarchy in giftings. • These giftings don’t lead to an office though some might lead or administrate in their gifting better than others based on maturity and humility- we should all mutually submit to each other. • Faith, Hope, and Love are the foundation for exercising our gifts. It should all be done in edification and grace towards each other. Be incarnational! • There should be a recognition and celebration of people’s gifts- especially the behind the scenes and “on the street” type that aren’t in front of people. • Order- we need to use our gift in an order. It is not about self-elevation but about building up the body. o Serving Christ is the purpose in the gathering. When the gifts are displayed people are built up, Christ is displayed and glorified, and the church is discipled. • Identify your gift and use it- the body of Christ is counting on you and suffers when you don’t. For questions and comments please email us at ryan@expedition44.com or matt@expedition44.com.

Dr. Will Ryan and Dr. Matt interview Dr. Matthew Bates about his new book "Why the Gospel". They cover topics such as malformed gospels, easy-believism, glory, the "nones", and a better way to discipleship. Matthew W. Bates (Ph.D., Notre Dame) is Professor of Theology at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois. Bates is a Protestant who enjoys the challenge of teaching in a Catholic context. Bates’s research interests include the Apostle Paul, Jesus, soteriology, early Christology, the Trinity, the use of the Old Testament in the New, theological interpretation of Scripture, and Justin Martyr. He enjoys hiking, baseball, and chasing around his seven children.He is a co-founded and co-hosts the popular OnScript podcast. His books include Gospel Allegiance (Brazos, 2019) the award-winning Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Baker Academic, 2017), The Birth of the Trinity (Oxford University Press, 2015), and The Hermeneutics of the Apostolic Proclamation (Baylor University Press, 2012). https://matthewwbates.com