Restitutio

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;

Why did Jesus die? Historically, we could say it was because the Roman Empire perceived him as a threat or the religious leaders in Jerusalem feared he would ignite an unwinnable revolution. Even so, the bible offers a number of theological answers that go far beyond the immediate circumstances of his crucifixion. In this lecture you’ll learn about the eight main biblical reasons why Jesus died. Then we’ll cover the sometimes controversial subjects of substitution and propitiation. —— Notes —— Definitions at-one-ment: bringing together God and humanity through the death of Christ justify: to make just, right; to declare free from blame reconcile: reestablish a close relationship between those who are not unified sanctify: to make holy (pertains to how you live) 1. He died for our sins 1 Cor 15.3-4 Christ died for our sins in accordance w/ the scriptures was Paul the first person to understand the theological significance of the cross? no, b/c he delivered to the Corinthians what he received himself (from others!) so, who first gave the cross a meaning and when? Jesus explained the meaning of his broken body and poured out blood at the last supper (Mat 26.28; cp. Lk 22.19) but Jesus also firmly believed that the OT explained the meaning (Luk 24.25-27, 44-48) a fact to which Peter likewise testified (1 Pet 1.11) does anyone know the two primary OT texts that point to the cross? Psalm 22 Isaiah 52/53 also the typology of the Levitical sacrificial system (especially the Day of Atonement) as explained in Hebrews also Passover celebration no coincidence that the Last Supper was actually a Seder meal! a number of other texts also[1] 1 Cor 11.23-26 communion memorializes his death (bread is body which is broken for us) 2 Cor 5.17-21: if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. God reconciled us to himself through Christ, not counting our trespasses against us.  For our sake God made Jesus to be sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Rom 3.23-26: We are justified by grace (as a gift) through the redemption in Christ Jesus whom God put forward as propitiation by his blood. In this God demonstrated his righteousness because he had passed over previously committed sin and in such a way God is righteous and the one who makes those who have faith in Jesus righteous (justified) as well. more on propitiation 1 Jn 2.2: Jesus Christ the righteous is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world 1 Jn 4.10 God sent his son to propitiate for our sins. Is he then the source and the recipient? Heb 2.17 Chris is the high priest making propitiation for the sins of the people Heb 7.27 he offered himself as the final sacrifice ὁ ἱλασμός BDAG 1. appeasement necessitated by sin, expiation (τῶν θεῶν, Arg. 39; Plut., Fab. 18, 3; cp. Plut., Sol. 12, 5. In these cases we have the pl., prob. referring to the individual actions to be expiated. But also sg.: Plut., Mor. 560d, Camill. 7, 5; Lev 25:9; Ps 129:4; Philo, Leg. All. 3, 174) εἰς ἱ. ἐμοί for my expiation GJs 1:1; so perh. abstr. for concr. of Jesus as the ἱ. περὶ τ. ἁμαρτιῶν ἡμῶν 1J 2:2; 4:10. But mng. 2 has been popular. 2. instrument for appeasing, sacrifice to atone, sin-offering (Ezk 44:27 προσοίσουσιν ἱ. cp. Num 5:8; 2 Macc 3:33) s. above.—S. also lit. cited s.v. ἱλάσκομαι. DELG s.v. ἱλάσκομαι M-M. TW. ὁ ἱλασμός LSJ a means of appeasing, in pl., Plu.Sol.12, Orph.A.39,554,etc. atonement, sinoffering, LXXEz.44.27, 2 Ma.3.33, 1 E

In this episode we’ll consider what the bible says about angels, demons, and Satan.  My goal here is to be as biblical as possible, not giving in to wild speculations or dismissing an understanding because it offends my modern sensibilities.  The scriptures have a lot to say about the spiritual realm, and we can’t possibly work through it all in one episode, but we can at least overview the various major categories of thought. —— Notes —— Angels “…[A]ngels are spiritual beings separate from God, yet, unless they be fallen, of unquestioned integrity, goodwill and obedience to him.” (New Bible Dictionary, p. 37) 1. Worshipers ever notice God is usually portrayed with others? seraphs, cherubs, living creatures Isaiah 6.1-3 Ezekiel 1.1-3, 5, 22, 26-27; 10.15, 20 Daniel 7.9-10 Revelation 4.1-11; 5.11; 7.11 Genesis 1.26; 3.22; 11.7 2. Messengers The angel of Yahweh speaks to Hagar (Gen 16.7-13): this is called the principle of agency another example is Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3.3-7, 2) deceptive messages: Micaiah’s vision shows how God involves the spirits in carrying out his plans also Luke 1 where Gabriel announces the birth of Christ to Mary 3. Warriors angels who destroy Assyrian army (2 Kings 19.35) angels blinded then destroyed Sodom & Gomorrah (Gen 19) angel killed Herod (Acts 12.23) typically they begin by saying “Do not be afraid” Joshua met an angelic warrior (Josh 5.13-15) God is the LORD of hosts (battle name) 4. Helpers fed Elijah when he was severely disappointed (1 Kings 19.5-8) sees a 4th man in fiery furnace (Dan 3.24-25, 28) God sent Daniel an angel to shut the lions’ mouths (Dan 6.22) broke apostles out of jail (Acts 5.19-20) ministering spirits set out to serve (Heb 1.13-14) 5. national vicegerents Deuteronomy 32; Daniel 12: Michael your prince Daniel 10: Gabriel said he was fighting w/ prince of Persia   Demons 1. Some spirits “fell” in the time of Noah 1 Peter 3.18-20 2 Peter 2.4-5 Jude 6-7 Genesis 6.1-5 this also happened later Numbers 13.33; Deut 1.28 killed Og of Bashan whose bed was 13.5’ long and 6’ wide (Deut 3.11) Goliath was of the Anakim (1 Sam 17.4) others killed by David’s mighty men (2 Sam 21.16-22) these events could be what Revelation 12 calls the dragon’s tail pulling down 1/3 of the stars and casting them to earth 2. Demons associated with idols Deut 32.15-17 “they made him jealous with strange gods…they sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known” Ps 106.34-38 Israelites mixed w/ nations and served their idols and sacrificed their kids to demons (see also sacrificing to “goat demons” in Lev 17.7) 1 Cor 10.19-22 pagans offering sacrifices to demons; don’t partake! Rev 9.20 during chaotic end-times people don’t repent of worshiping demons and idols an idol is just a statue, but the demon behind the idol may be real 3. Demons are not things but personal agents James 2.19 they believe God is one and shudder Acts 19.15 the spirit said, “Jesus I know, and Paul…” 4. Usage of “demon” Luke: 30% Mat 23% Mark 21% John 9% 1 Cor 6% Rev 4% J

Last time we worked through a ton of scripture, trying to get a multidimensional view of how the bible describes the holy spirit.  This time we’ll consider a few scriptures that have confused some into thinking the spirit is really an individual or person distinct from the Father and the Son.  This study is pretty technical, though I did my best to make the grammatical Greek points understandable. Even so, it will be difficult to follow along unless you download the handout we used in class. Here is the handout I used in class: Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download   —— Notes —— I didn’t follow these notes very closely, but instead mostly worked from this handout at least until later in the lecture.  Even so, I thought these additional notes may be useful for your study. State the Doctrine Simply The spirit is God/Christ in action Reasons that Support Non-Personality of the Spirit The Holy Spirit Does Not Have a Name The Holy Spirit Never Sends Greetings (1 Cor 1.3; 1 Jn 1.3) The Holy Spirit Is Owned by God (Spirit of God) (1 Cor 2.11) The Holy Spirit Is Never Prayed To (Jn 16.23) The Holy Spirit Is Left Out of Key Passages (Jn 10.30; Mt 11.27; Mk 13.32) The Holy Spirit Not in Visions of Heaven (Rev 3.21; 4; 5) What about All Those Personal Pronouns in John 14-16? the word “spirit” πνευμα in the NT is neuter not masculine or feminine use handout instead of what’s below unless we are short on time Nearly all modern translations have adopted the standard of using personal pronouns (like “he” and “him”) in reference to the holy spirit.  This is unusual because the word “spirit” or pneuma is neuter in Greek, and the pronouns the Bible uses are likewise neuter (like it and which).  Although it is often the case that masculine and feminine Greek pronouns are translated in English as “it” or “which,” neuter words in Greek are virtually never translated into English using personal pronouns except when referring to the spirit.  Immediately, this double standard should grab our attention as a potential area of bias in translation.  Jason BeDuhn insightfully explains the matter as follows: Jason BeDuhn on Translating Greek Gender into English Now it turns out that both “masculine” and “feminine” Greek nouns can be used for impersonal things as well as persons.  But “neuter” nouns are used only for impersonal things, such as objects, animals, forces, abstract principles, and so on.  The same holds true for “masculine,” “feminine,” and “neuter” pronouns…But even though the “personal” category is larger in Greek than in English, the “Holy Spirit” is referred to by a “neuter” noun in Greek.  Consequently, it is never spoken of with personal pronouns in Greek.  It is a “which,” not a “who.”  It is an “it,” not a “he.”  This is the case, then, where the importance of the principle of following primary, ordinary, generally recognized meaning of the Greek when translating becomes cl

How do you think of holy spirit?  In this lecture we’ll build up a biblical theology of the spirit, in an effort to comprehend its variegated facets. We’ll consider the Old Testament and the Synoptic Gospels before spending a good deal of time in John, looking at the fascinating way that Jesus talks about the spirit in the upper room discourse. —— Notes —— The Old Testament on Spirit How ruach is translating in the NASB: air          2 anger     1 blast      2 breath   31 breathless           1 cool       1 courage               1 despondency      1 exposed               1 grief       1 heart     1 inspired                1 mind      3 motives 1 points    1 side        4 sides      2 Spirit      76 spirit      127 spirits    3 strength               1 temper  2 thoughts              1 trustworthy         1 wind      98 winds     7 windy    2 wrath    1   Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period When used of living beings, ruach refers to the essence of the life and vitality in both human beings and animals that is manifested through movement and breathing (Genesis 2:7; 6:17; 7:15; Numbers 16:22; Ezekiel 10:17).  Just as “spirit” was considered the essence of human life, so analogously the term “spirit” was used of the presence, activity, and power of God, that is, characteristics that demonstrate that God is truly a “living God” (Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:10; 1 Samuel 7:26; Isaiah 37:4; Daniel 6:20; Matthew 16:16; Revelation 7:2). Jacob Neusner, William Scott Green editors, Dictionary of Judaism in the Biblical Period ©1996, Hendrickson Publishers, page 298 New Bible Dictionary At its heart is the experience of a mysterious, awesome power—the mighty invisible force of the wind, the mystery of vitality, the otherly power that transforms—all ruach, all manifestations of divine energy. JDG Douglas, New Bible Dictionary (second edition) ©1962, ed. By JD Douglas, FF Bruce, JI Packer, N Hillyer, D Guthrie, AR Millard, DJ Wiseman, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., pages 1137 James Dunn on the Holy Spirit There can be little doubt that from the earliest stages of pre-Christian Judaism, ‘spirit’ (ruach) denoted power—the aweful, mysterious force of the wind (ruach), of the breath (ruach) of life, of ecstatic inspiration (induced by divine ruach)…In other words, on this understanding, Spirit of God is in no sense distinct from God, but is simply the power of God, God himself acting powerfully in nature and upon men. James  DG Dunn, Christology in the Making (second edition) ©1989, Eerdmans Publishing Co., page 133. Examples of Ruach: The spirit of God may be taken from one and distributed to others (Numbers 11:17) inspire prophecy (Numbers 11:25, 29; 24:2-3; 1 Samuel 10:6, 10; 1 Chronicles 12:18; 2 Chronicles 15:1; 20:14; 24:20; Nehemiah 9:30; Zechariah 7:12) be a way God speaks to people (2 Samuel 23:2) lead someone to a different location (1 Kings 18:12) transport someone from one location to another (2 Kings 2:16) be defined parallel with the anointing of Yahweh (Isaiah 61:1 cp. Acts 10:38) empower leaders to judge/rule the people (Judges 3:10) impart warlike energy/confidence (Judges 6:34; 11:29; 14:6, 19) supply supernatural strength (Judges 15:14) cause righteous anger (1 Samuel 11:6-7) impart regeneration/peace (Isaiah 32:15) give the Messiah wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, th

Now I realize we are in the middle of our theology class, but I thought this would be a good time to take a quick break and put out my recent presentation from Restoration Fellowship’s 2019 Theological Conference, titled, “The Trinity before Nicea.”  Next week we’ll get back to theology and build up a biblical theology of the holy spirit, but for now, let’s dive into the second and third centuries and wrestle with the question of whether Christians believed in the Trinity before the year a.d. 325. Did Christians believe in the Trinity before a.d. 325 when the Council of Nicaea established that the Lord Jesus Christ exists as one substance (homoousios) with the Father? In what follows, I intend to investigate the beliefs of key Christians in the second and third centuries to answer this question, using Matt Slick’s “Early Trinitarian Quotes” as our guide. —— Links —— Read the entire paper, “The Trinity before Nicea“ Check out the video of this presentation, including slides Intro music: Jazzy Frenchy by bensound.com. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.