Restitutio

Last Saturday while I was attending a Christian festival in Ohio, a 21 year-old man entered a Walmart in El Paso, TX and murdered 22 people, injuring 24 more, making it the 7th deadliest shooting in modern US history.  What’s so crazy about this, is that walking into a huge store like Walmart and shooting a semi-automatic assault rifle and hitting 46 people is only 7th!  Can you agree with me that we have a gun-violence problem in America? Then, the next day, a 24 year-old man shot 10 people outside a bar in Dayton, Ohio, injuring 27 more. He used another semi-automatic assault rifle.  What is the Christian response to all of this? Well, today we are going to hear from two Christians who think it’s time for Christ-followers to lead the way in enacting and living out the prophecies of Isaiah and Micah to beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks (and our guns into mattocks.)  In fact, they’re already doing just that. I went to see Shane Claiborne and Mike Martin on their “Beating Guns” tour when they came to New Haven, CT (the same town as Yale University).  I stood there outside the church watching as a woman whose life was traumatized by gun violence beat on a glowing hunk of metal, that had once been a gun, confiscated by the police and now being transformed into an actual garden tool.  As she brought the hammer down on the softened metal, she began weeping.  As she continued hitting it harder and faster she started wailing.  I stood there watching as she took out her overwhelming pain and personal loss on that piece of metal. It was cathartic, prophetic, and transformative. Now I realize that gun-violence is a hot-button issue in our culture today and that many of you listening to this own guns for a variety of purposes.  I don’t expect you to just change what you believe about guns after a single podcast episode, but I simply ask that you listen to these guys as they talk about this subject from a Christian perspective. —— Links —— Check out RAWtools.org and follow them on twitter @RAWtools Get the Beating Guns book in print or in audio format through Christian audio or Audible or visit the website You can follow Shane Claiborne on twitter @ShaneClaiborne Listen to Restitutio episodes Podcast 15: A Theology of Nonviolence, Podcast 67: It’s Just War (Debate), Off Script 38: Killing in War: A Christian View of Violence, and Off Script 43: Can Christians Use Non-Lethal Violence? (Q&A). Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Bill Schlegel lived in Israel for 34 years, much of that time spent studying and then teaching about the geography of the scriptures.  In this interview he provides three reasons why every bible-student should study the land of Israel: historical accuracy archeological accuracy geographical accuracy He also talks about his upcoming tour to Israel (March 19-April 2).  Get more information about that here.  Lastly, he weighs in a little on the modern situation between the Israelis and the Palestinians. —— Links —— visit Schlegel’s new website at One God Report read his blog Land and Bible get the Satellite Bible Atlas the details about the trip to Israel Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

An Antique Map of Palestine What do you know about Palestinians?  In this eye-opening interview with Gloria Olivier, we discuss the plight of Palestinians today.  Did you know that thousands of Christians live in the West Bank today under Israeli occupation?  In this interview, you’ll learn a little about the history of this conflict as well as what conditions are like on the ground.  Now I realize this can be a sensitive subject, but I just ask that you hear out Gloria and keep an open mind on this important topic. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts Also, here’s a picture of some of Gloria’s family when she was only 9 years old and visited Ramallah.  (She’s on the right with white top and dark skirt.) —— Links —— Books mentioned in this episode: Blood Brothers by Elias Chacour, Fast Times in Palestine by Pamela Olson, Justice and Only Justice by Naim Ateek, and A Wall in Jerusalem by Mark Braverman Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

In our last episode, we laid the theological foundation for a new covenant doctrine: Christ fulfilled the Law and ratified the new covenant, which opened a new way of relating to God apart from obedience to Torah.  Now we will discuss a number of texts that sometimes confuse Christians into thinking the Law is still in effect today.  We’ll cover Jesus’ obedience to Torah, several scriptures that imply the Torah is forever, the sabbath’s association with creation, and a number of prophecies that mention keeping aspects of the Law in the kingdom.  Although, I realize these are not all of the texts and strategies that Torah-observant Christians use to make their case, these are some of the significant ones. —— Notes —— State the Doctrine Simply Because of Christ’s obedient life, atoning death, and justifying resurrection, he has opened a new way of relating to God via the new covenant.  Thus, the old covenant (the Law of Moses) is obsolete for both Jews and Gentiles. Texts that Support This Teaching Acts 15.23-29; Rom 2.25-29; 3.21-31; 4.13-16; 6.14-15; 7.1-7; 8.1-4; 13.8-10; 1 Cor 9.20-21; 2 Cor 3.1-18; Gal 2.14, 19-21; 3.10-29; 4.21-31; 5.1-6; 5.13-25; 6.15-16; Eph 2.11-19; 3.4-6; Col 2.11-17; Heb 7.11-12, 21-22; 8.4-13; 9.11-15; 10.8-22; 12.18-29 The Example/Teaching of Jesus Hebrews 4.15 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. in the context of Jesus’ life, sinless means he kept the Law just b/c Jesus kept the law, doesn’t mean we should continue to keep it, especially if his whole mission was to open a new way for us to relate to God Think of the generation that first received the Torah in the time of Moses. They were not free to continue living the old way if they wanted to relate to God through the new way Moses had delivered to them. Numbers 15.32-36 (the guy who collected sticks on the Sabbath) 32 While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation.  34 They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him.  35 And the LORD said to Moses, “The man shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.”  36 And all the congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him to death with stones, as the LORD commanded Moses. Matthew 5.17-20 17 “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.  18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.  19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. booster rocket analogy of N. T. Wright Jesus did not abolish, but to fulfill the Law, but once he fulfilled it, a new way became available what is a covenant? it’s a way God has set up to relate to him all of Hebrews teaches that the new way is better he is a better mediator of the covenant than the angels (Heb 1) he offers better salvation (Heb 2) he is better than Moses as a son is better than a faithful servant (Heb 3) his priesthood is better than Aaron’s b/c it’s after Melch

We are now in our second-to-last episode in this 24-part theology class, covering the major biblical doctrines as well as various counterarguments.  Today we will focus our time on the New Covenant.  We’ll make our way through biblical history in order to understand the grand sweep of the bible, paying special attention to the old and new covenants.  Of special note for this lecture is what happened when Gentiles started entering Jewish Christianity.  We’ll briefly touch upon the first Jerusalem council, Judaizers, and Paul’s capitulation to Jame’s request.  Lastly, we’ll see how Paul’s epistles as well as Hebrews make it clear that neither Jewish nor Gentile Christians need to keep the law in order to be saved. —— Notes —— New Covenant Basics testamentum: covenant, testament, will your bible has one main division between Malachi and Matthew Old Testament relates to the old covenant and NT to the new that came through Christ Jer 31.31-34 is the origin for all talk about the new covenant Jesus’ ministry new wine into new wine skins antitheses in Sermon on the Mount Last supper is when Jesus talks about his death as ratifying the new covenant in his blood nothing happens until the Gentiles start to come in   Historical Progression Gentiles begin entering the church Samaritans? Ethiopian treasurer (he’s the first!) Cornelius, the Italian soldier Peter confronted for entering the house of “uncircumcised men” and eating with them (Acts 11.3) Peter defends his actions by telling them God accepted them so how could he stand in the way? speaking in tongues => God granted them spirit => God accepts them => Peter baptized them, accepting them into the family (Acts 11.15-18) The Antioch Church (lots of Gentiles enter) some Christians preached in Antioch to Greeks (Acts 11.19-21) The Jerusalem leadership sent Barnabas (Acts 11.22) Barnabas “saw the grace of God” and “he was glad” and lived there (Acts 11.23-24) Barnabas went to get Paul and ministered together in Antioch for a year (Acts 11.25-26) Antioch was B&P’s home base before going on missionary trips Paul’s Influence Cyprus: proconsul Sergius Paulus believed (Acts 13.6-12) Pisidian Antioch: B&P turn to Gentiles (Acts 13.45-47) other cities: Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, then reverse order and go back to Antioch Controversy Breaks Out read Acts 14.27-15.5 Paul confronts Peter:  “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews” (Gal 2.14) Jerusalem Council first council meets: council called to deal with controversy over Gentiles coming in Peter talks about Cornelius Barnabas & Paul tell about what God has done among the Gentiles James speaks they pen an official letter (Acts 15.23-29) double standard allows for table fellowship Some “Judaizers” teach Gentiles need to keep the Law, especially in Galatian churches Paul started Paul writes to congregations, strongly arguing against Law-keeping Gal 2.19-21 righteousness does not come through the law Gal 3.10-29 no one is justified by the law; Christ redeemed us from the law’s curse for disobedience by becoming a curse; Abrahamic promises before law; God gave law to deal with transgressions until the offspring of Ab. came; law was guardian until Christ came; now that faith

Pull up a chair and listen in as we discuss and wrestle with some verses that proponents of eternal security use to make their case.  Now there will be some overlap here with our last episode, but also some new content as well.  We’ll discuss texts that seem to imply that salvation has nothing to do with works, that we already have eternal life, that salvation is permanent, and lastly that the holy spirit guarantees salvation. —— Notes —— State the Doctrine Simply Salvation is a gift given by God’s grace that we receive by faith and repentance, resulting in a lifestyle of obedience.  If someone turns away from following Christ, whether in a definitive moment of rejection or through a gradual turning away into sin, he or she becomes lost. Texts that Support This Teaching Mat 7.21-23; John 15.1-8; Rom 11.16-24; 1 Cor 6.9-10; 9.27; 15.1-2; Gal 5.19-21; 6.8-9; Eph 5.3-12; Phil 3.11-14; Col 1.22-23; 1 Tim 4.16; 5.8; 2 Tim 2.11-13; Heb 2.1-3; 3.12-14; 4.1, 11; 6.4-8; 10.26-29; Jam 2.18-20; 2 Pet 2.20-22; Rev 3.1-5   Difficult Texts Below are a number of texts used to teach that salvation cannot be lost.  Also, here’s a website (jesus-is-savior.com/Believer’s Corner/eternal_security.htm) to present a strong argument for eternal security. Salvation Is Based on Faith Alone Not Works John 3.16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. “believe” in John is more than just mental assent; it implies obedience John 3.36 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.   Ephesians 2.8-9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. The initial moment of salvation is truly by grace through faith. However, once saved we need to perform works Ephesians 2.10 (very next verse) 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. several other verses in Ephesians make it clear that sinful living results in destruction Ephesians 5.5-8 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.  6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.  7 Therefore do not become partners with them;  8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light   2 Timothy 1.9 [God] who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began yes, the calling is not because of our good works but, once we accept the call we must live that out I once got a call from Anastasia at BU, offering me a scholarship I had to accept it, but then I also had to move away and enroll and go to the school the calling was free, but it required action or else it would result in nothing   Titus 3.5-6 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  6 which he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior yes, we

We’ll delve into the multifaceted theology of salvation (aka soteriology).  We’ll look at all three tenses of salvation: how we were saved, are being saved, and will be saved.  Now, I realize this can be a very sensitive and controversial subject, depending on what your preexisting doctrinal commitments are.  However, I simply ask that you listen carefully and test what I say here against the scriptures to see whether it holds up.  Be a good Berean and see where God leads you. —— Notes —— Past Tense[1] In Paul’s letters we find several different ways of talking about what God has done in Christ.  The most common is that we are “saved.”  Here is (perhaps) the most famous Scripture about how God has saved us. Ephesians 2:8-9   God’s salvation is a gift that we accept by faith.  His grace reaches down, and we reach up through faith.  Then He pulls us up and out.  Because salvation doesn’t depend on works, no one can say, “I’ve earned it; I’m so great.”  Instead, we say God did it.  Isn’t He glorious? In addition to describing gracious act as “salvation,” we also see these other ways of talking about, each emphasizing a different aspect of what He has done for us through Christ: justified Rom 2:13; 3:4, 20, 24, 28; 4:2; 5:1, 9; 8:30; 10:10; 1 Cor 6:11; Gal 2:16-17, 3:11; 3:24; 5:4; Tit 3:7 reconciled Rom 5:10-11; 1 Cor 7:11; 2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 2:16; Col 1:20-22 adopted Rom 8:15, 23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5 sanctified 1 Cor 1:2; 6:11; Eph 5:26 redeemed Gal 3:13; 4:5; Tit 2:14 regenerated Tit 3:5 When considering salvation (in the past tense), we may ask the question, “What are we saved from?”  This question is extremely helpful in clarifying our understanding.  Fortunately, we need only go back up to the beginning of the chapter to get the answer we seek. Ephesians 2:1-10   According to verses 1-3, we’re saved from being dead in sin, going along with evil spiritual forces, living in the passions of our flesh, and being a child of wrath.  Verse 7 tells us we have a future to look forward to as well.  But, if we’re saved, what does that mean about how our lives should look?  Verse 10 tells us the purpose of our salvation is for good works that we should walk in.   Present Tense[2] 1 Corinthians 15:1-2   The Corinthians had already received the gospel some time ago; they believed it when they heard it.  Now they are “being saved.”[3]  Salvation is not just a one-time event, though there is an entry point.  We become saved, and then we continue in that reality.  Is it possible to lose your salvation?  Southern Baptist Convention Article Nine: The Security of the Believer[4] We affirm that when a person responds in faith to the Gospel, God promises to complete the process of salvation in the believer into eternity. This process begins with justification, whereby the sinner is immediately acquitted of all sin and granted peace with God; continues in sanctification, whereby the saved are progressively conformed to the image of Christ by the indwelling Holy Spirit; and concludes in glorification, whereby the saint enjoys life with Christ in heaven forever. We deny that this Holy Spirit-sealed relationship can ever be broken. We deny even the possibility of apostasy.   Lutheran Churches Formula of Concord: XI Election Therefore we should judge concerning this our election to eternal life neither from reason nor from the Law of God, which lead us either into a reckless, dissolute, Epicurean life or into despair, and excite pernicious thoughts in the hearts of men, for they cannot, as long as they follow t

Finally, we arrive at practical theology or Christian ethics.  Although, we could easily spend fifteen lectures together building up a full edifice of how God wants us to live, in this episode we’ll simply lay the foundation stones of following Jesus.  What I mean by follow is to read his words and do them, especially when what he says conflicts with our sensibilities, comfort, or common sense.  If we only “follow” Jesus when what he says agrees with us and then diverge when he disagrees, then we are not following, but merely walking in the same direction occasionally. —— Notes —— Two requirements of Christianity believe the gospel (conversion/soteriology) follow Jesus (ethics)   Following Christ is worth it Jn 10.27-28 sheep hear voice and get eternal life Mt 19.27-30 what will we get for following you? those who follow Christ get eternal life!!! that’s worth it   Confess Jesus as Lord to be saved (Rm 10.9-10) Jesus says can’t call him “Lord” if you don’t do what he says (Lk 6.46) Jesus defines the word “Lord” as those who do what he says if you are a Christ-follower you do what he says even when it disagrees with what you think   Different Jesuses hippie Jesus (love is all that matters) one and done Jesus (salvation and then do what I want)…oh yeah, I prayed a prayer once American Jesus (patriotic, my country right or wrong), we forget Jesus was a middle-eastern Jewish rabbi who counseled against violent revolution against Rome prosperity Jesus (he wants me to be rich!, sow/reap blessings) poverty Jesus (unless I’m dirt poor I’m not a true follower) part-time Jesus (compartmentalized life, Sunday Christians, cafeteria Christianity) real Jesus average Semite was 5’1, weighing 110 pounds (meaning he DIDN’T look like this! [muscular Jesus]) if Jesus worked outdoors as a carpenter, he probably would have weathered tan skin popular mechanics the real Jesus is the one we read about in Scripture but how do we know which Jesus is the REAL Jesus? we are not left without help here the bible tells us who Jesus is and what he wants us to do “The Christ that Harnack sees, looking back through nineteen centuries of “Catholic darkness”, is only the reflection of a Liberal Protestant face, seen at the bottom of a deep well” –George Tyrrell[1]   Absolute Commitment Mk 3.31-35 Those Who Do God’s Will Are Jesus’ Family notice what Jesus doesn’t say he doesn’t say, the one who has an emotional connection to God he doesn’t say, the one who sings uplifting, positive, and encourage Christian music he doesn’t say, the one who prays or reads the Bible or goes to church he says, the one who does the will of God here Jesus redefines the family! this might seem radical to you, but it is merely the first step your closest relatives, according to Jesus, are not truly your mother or brother or sister anymore, but those who are unrelated to you by blood but do the will of God are the Palestinian Christ-follower is more your family than the apple-pie eating American who shares your politics but doesn’t follow Jesus just look at what Jesus says about his own mother   Lk 11.27-28 Blessed Mary Becomes Blessed Obedient 27 While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 But he said, “On the

In this lecture, you’ll learn what Jesus and the book of Acts have to say about conversion.  From Jesus, we will examine his parable of the Sower with special focus on the good soil–those who hear the message, understand it, accept it, hold it fast, and bear fruit.  Next we’ll work through all of the conversions in the book of Acts to discover the four elements of conversion: belief, repentance, baptism, and receiving the holy spirit.  Lastly, we’ll dig deeper into each of those elements to understand them better. —— Notes —— Jesus on Salvation comparison of soils in Sower and Seed parable Mt 13.23; Mk 4.20; Lk 8.15 hear, understand, accept, hold fast, bear fruit Four Elements of Conversion in Acts These examples of conversion from Acts that show 4 elements of conversion: believe repent get baptized receive the spirit reference belief repentance baptism spirit Acts 2.38 x x x Acts 3.19 x Acts 8.12, 17 x x x Acts 8.13 x x Acts 8.36 x Acts 9.17; 22.16 x x Acts 10.44, 47-48 x x Acts 11.21 x Acts 13.12 x Acts 13.48 x Acts 14.1 x Acts 16.15 x Acts 16.31, 33 x x Acts 17.30, 34 x x Acts 18.8 x x Acts 19.5-6 x x Acts 28.24 x   Believe the Gospel what is the gospel? message preached, that if believed results in salvation 2 Tim 1.10 what the gospel is not music a biography of Jesus (originally called “according to Mark”, etc.) any kind of good news a general communication about the bible (confusion of the “word”)   Understanding the “Word” Old Testament God’s activity in the world “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (Ps 33.6) “he sent his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions” Ps 107.20; cf. Ps 147.15, 18-19; Is 55.10-11 “The three (spirit, wisdom, and word) are simply alternative ways of speaking about the effective power of God in His active relationship with His world and its inhabitants.”[1] God’s message spoken by the prophet “And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite saying, ‘Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the disaster in his days; but in his son’s days I will bring disaster upon his house.’” 1 Kings 21.28-29 a synonym for the law “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.” Psalm 119.16-17 New Testament God’s command in the law “thus making void the word of God by your tradition…” Mk 7.13 typically it refers to the message or gospel “word of the kingdom” Mt 13.19 (shortened to “the word” in vv20, 21, 22, 23) the word (v4) = Christ (v5) = the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (v12) = word of God (v14) = word of the Lord (v25) = the gospel (v25) Acts 8.4, 5, 12, 14, 25 can’t be scriptures b/c in Berea they checked Paul’s word against the scriptures to see if was true Ac 17.11 born again through the living and enduring word of God…this is the word which was preached as gospel to you 1 Pe 1.23 God’s activity in the word to search people’s hearts and find out the truth “11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of Go

Last time we looked at the major categories the scriptures use to answer the question, “Why did Jesus die?”  This time, we’ll take a journey through church history, making stops along the way to see how our forebearers have made sense of the crucifixion of our Lord. You’ll learn about these seven theories: Ransom Christus Victor Moral Exemplar Satisfaction Penal Substitution Governmental Communal Substitution For each I quote someone from Church History who advocated for that position and offer some criticisms.  Note: This episode is from a talk I gave at Restoration Fellowship’s 2016 Theological Conference and you can get the full paper here. —— Notes —— Here is part two of my “Why Did Jesus Die?” paper.  You can find the whole essay here. Introduction Are we satisfied to leave matters where the biblical data lies or should we press on to, as James Orr put it, “seek the inmost secret of atonement?”[19] Alas, for centuries, Christians have meditated on Christ’s redemptive work in an effort to better understand what happened behind the scenes. In this part I will cover seven theories in roughly chronological order. Before we begin, I should note that these various ways of looking at atonement are not mutually exclusive. I will begin with the two theories that emphasize spiritual warfare.   1. Ransom Theory Satan once showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and then said, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will” (Luke 4.6). On the basis of this text, some have concluded that when the first humans rebelled against God, they transferred the dominion and authority over this world to Satan. This is why Jesus called him, “the ruler of this world” (John 14.30), Paul said he was “the god of this age” (2 Cor 4.4), and John termed him “the deceiver of the whole world” (Rev 12.9). In Christ’s atoning work, he delivered humanity “from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son in whom we have redemption” (Col 1.13-14). In fact, when he ascended, “he led a host of captives” with him, liberating them from Satan’s custody. Augustine of Hippo (ad 354-430) writes: For men were held captive under the devil, and served devils; but they were redeemed from captivity. They could sell, but they could not redeem themselves. The redeemer came, and gave a price; he poured forth his blood, and bought the whole world…The blood of Christ was the price. What is equal to this? What, but the whole world?[20] Thus, through Christ’s valuable sacrifice, God paid the devil the required ransom to release us from his custody. But, would Satan just release his captives merely because God offered to purchase them? He probably would refuse. Thus, the ransom theory often includes the element of deception. Somehow God would have to trick the devil into overreaching. The devil only had legal right over those who commit sin. However, when he murdered Jesus of Nazareth, he overstepped his authority. Augustine explains it this way: But the redeemer came, and the seducer was overcome. And what did our redeemer to him who held us captive? For our ransom he held out his cross as a trap;