Restitutio

500 years ago, there was only one Christian denomination throughout most of the world. 500 years ago, the church and the government killed those who resisted tradition. 500 years ago, no one could read the bible in their own language. How did we get from there to here? Discover the wild and exciting story of Christianity for the last 500 years, so you can understand how the world ended up the way it is now, avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, and gain inspiration from heroic people who made a difference. In this first lecture, you’ll learn: 1. What the religious world was like 500 years ago in Europe 2. Precursors to the Reformation, including John Wycliffe and Jan Hus 3. The movement called humanism, including Gutenberg’s printing press and Desiderius Erasmus All the notes are available here as a pdf. —— Notes —— Three aims for this class: to understand why the world is the way it is now to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past to gain inspiration from heroic people who made a difference I want to talk about Martin Luther, but first need to do some background key person reason why this class if 500 instead of 600 or 400 on Oct 31st 1517 he started the Reformation (i.e. the changing of Christianity) before we can understand what he reformed, we have to understand what was already there Three points for today: Setting the Scene Precursors of the Reformation Humanism 1| Setting the Scene life and death no electricity, running water, indoor plumbing, gas heat, computers, phones, facebook, cars, postal service thinly populated (black death in 14th) high infant mortality 15-35% of infants died before first birthday 10-20% of children died before 10 agricultural subsistence 65-90% were peasants or small farmers suffering and death were pervasive (bad medical care, famine, epidemic disease, war) highly stratified society, most stay at same status they were born into towns had extreme differences in wealth beliefs/practices infant baptism church as God’s instrument of salvation on earth death => eternal torment in hell, purgatory, heaven needed right belief and right behavior, which was determined by church faith was not enough for salvation, needed concrete actions authority on the basis of apostolic succession and good standing with hierarchy hierarchy: pope, bishops, local priests religious orders: monks, nuns, contemplative orders: Benedictines, Cistercians, etc. cloistered lives of prayer and devotion mendicant orders: Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, etc. served through preaching, teaching, missionizing, and hearing confessions weekly mass with Eucharist as weekly sacrifice to God (transubstantiation) priest’s words make bread and wine Christ’s actual body and blood sacraments: means by which God dispenses grace through priests who claimed authority on the basis of apostolic succession baptism, penance, communion, confirmation, matrimony, extreme unction, and holy orders communion was only once a year before which one did confession and penance to cleanse sins processions and pilgrimages (relics) vigorous practices books of hours were most common printed book 50 years before Reformation endowing masses, paying for urban preachers, paying for church upkeep many were taking their faith seriously anti-cler

Have you ever read about the time Uzzah touched the ark and God struck him down? When’s the last time you heard a sermon preached on this text? Anytime I’ve reflected on this passage, I’m so focused on trying to explain how God could be just in carrying out this judgment that I’ve missed the point for my own life. In this rousing sermon, Victor Gluckin argues that we often commit the same sin as Uzzah. We reject God’s good way of doing life and prefer instead to “put it on a cart,” that is, come up with our own easier way of handling the situation. —— Notes & Links —— Listen to more Restitutio podcasts with Victor Gluckin Get info about Revive 2018 (Jan 5-7) at Woodstock, CT To stay up to date with Revive (any year), like the Revive facebook page Watch or listen to Victor Gluckin’s sermons delivered at Living Faith Christian Church Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.    

Divorce is a painful and complicated subject to talk about in America today where about half of all marriages end in divorce. Our laws have changed to accept “no-fault” divorce and many of us are unaware of what the bible teaches on this critical subject. To figure out the biblical perspective on divorce and remarriage, we will consider three scriptures from the Old Testament (Mal 2.13-16; Deut 22.13-21; 24.1-4) and three from the New (Mat 5.31-32; 19.3-12; 1 Cor 7.10-40). We’ll give particular focus to the reasons that allow for divorce both in Deuteronomy as well as how Jesus interpreted it when he was asked about it. —— Notes —— To figure out the biblical perspective on divorce and remarriage, we will consider three Scriptures from the Old Testament (Mal 2:13-16; Deut 22:13-21; 24:1-4) and three from the New Testament (Mat 5:31-32; 19:3-12; 1 Cor 7:10-40).  Although other verses touch on this subject, the constraints of time limit what we can consider here.  Other texts include: Lev 21:7, 14; 22:13; Num 30:9; Is 50:1; Jer 3:8; Hos 2:2; Mat 1:19; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18. Malachi 2:13-16 13   In antiquity, divorced women had limited options.  A man could get rid of “the wife of his youth” and upgrade to a younger wife.  God takes a strong stand on this.  He will not accept the offerings of a man who has done this.  He hates divorce.[1] Deuteronomy 22:13-21   This law protects the virtuous woman from getting divorced.  If her husband falsely accuses her of pre-marital sex, he will get whipped, fined, and barred from divorcing her henceforth.  If she’s guilty, she’ll suffer capital punishment, a harsh ruling by our standards.  Even so, this shows how seriously they treated pre-marital sex and virginity. Deuteronomy 24:1-4   Providing a divorced woman with a certificate of divorce (today called “a get”) was a huge step forward for women.  It meant she was legally free and could remarry.  This law specifically prohibited remarrying a woman who had an intervening marriage with someone else, but our interest is more on the reason for the initial divorce. The Hebrew word in question is עֶרְוַת (ervat), the word for “nakedness.”[2] Translation ervat davar ESV/NASB some indecency JPS (1988) something obnoxious KJV some uncleanness NET something offensive NRSV something objectionable The rabbis argued over what ervat precisely meant.  From the Babylonian Talmud, we gather three perspectives: Hillel, Shammai, and Akiva.  Hillel (110 – 10 BC) died before Jesus was born, Shammai (50 BC – AD 30) overlapped with Jesus, and Akiva (AD 50 – 132) was born a generation after Jesus.  Here are their positions on divorce: Tractate Gittin 90a Mishnah.  The house of Shammai says: a man should not divorce his wife unless he has found her guilty of some unseemly conduct, as it says, because he has found some unseemly thing in her.  The house Hillel, however, says [that he may divorce her] even if she has merely spoiled his food, since it says, because he hath found some unseemly thing in her.  Rabbi Akiva says, [he may divorce her] even if he finds another woman more beautiful than she is, as it says, it comes to pass, if she find no favor in his eyes. Shammai some unseemly conduct Hillel spoiled his food Akiva finds another more attractive How did Jesus compare to these other rabbis from this period? Matthew 5:31-32 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’  32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits

Stanley Chee of the Christian Disciples Church in Toronto, Canada shares a brief overview of how the doctrine of the trinity developed in the first four centuries.  Pulling on the work of Eric Chang, Bentley Chan, Hans Kung, and Richard Rubenstein, Chee explains four major factors that played a role in this process: The church’s gradual separation from its Jewish roots The subtle exaltation of Jesus towards deity Worldly and political motivations The introduction non-biblical words and concepts Chee delivered this message at LHIM‘s annual 2017 Kingdom Fest. —— Links —— Information about Stan Chee and the college outreach he does at the University of Toronto available here Books referenced in this message: The Only True God by Eric Chang The Only Perfect Man by Eric Chang and Bentley Chan Christianity: Essence, History, and Future by Hans Kung When Jesus Became God by Richard Rubenstein More biblical unitarian podcasts Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.  

We all get beaten down in life. Whether it’s catastrophes like hurricanes, shootings, or economic meltdowns, or just dealing with the day to day demands and responsibilities of life, we all go through periods of dryness, feeling like we aren’t making a difference. This is where Elijah’s example is particularly pertinent. Having reached the peak of his influence and achieved a mighty victory over the prophets of Baal and Ashera, Elijah still found himself on the run from the government, hunted like an animal. In the deepest time of despair and discouragement, we encounter a message that can help us today as well. God told Elijah that he wasn’t done with him yet. I believe God’s not done with you yet either. He has work for you to do. —— Notes —— 1 Kings 17:1 Elijah’s name means “Yahweh is my God.” He wants to attack Baal directly, by undermining his alleged weather powers. It will not rain until Yahweh’s prophet says so. 1 Kings 18:5-18 After 3 1/2 years (James 5:17), Elijah meets Ahab again who hasn’t repented or turned away from supporting Baal worship in the land. 1 Kings 18:19-22 Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and Asherah to a contest. Whoever answers by fire is the true God. This occurs before an assembly of Israelites who stand as witnesses. 1 Kings 18:27 Elijah mocks Baal publicly. He’s certainly not holding back here. 1 Kings 18:36-39 Yahweh comes through, and the people say, “Yahweh, He is God; Yahweh, He is God.” 1 Kings 18:46 Elijah ran before Ahab’s chariot for 17 miles while the rain storm approached. Upon arrival, Elijah’s heart must’ve thought, “This is it! Revival at last!” 1 Kings 19:1-4 However, Jezebel, undaunted by her god’s obvious inferiority to Yahweh, vows to capture and execute Elijah. He’s ready to quit. 1 Kings 19:9-18 Elijah speaks to God at Mount Horeb, where Israel first became a nation when they left Egypt. God asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He is worn out; he needs a word from the Lord. 1 Kings 19:13-18 God doesn’t spend much time comforting Elijah, but gives him important work to do. He assures him that he’s not alone, but that 7,000 others are faithful as well. God’s not done with him yet. Is God done with you, or does He still have more work for you to do? What’s God calling you to do? Is it to volunteer here on Sundays, invite your neighbors over for dinner, invite your coworker to church, start teaching your kids the Bible, go to a foreign land as a missionary, serve the poor, feed the hungry, or clothe the naked? Whatever God’s calling you to do, it’s time to do it. —— Links —— Listen to other sermons by Sean Finnegan Watch or listen to a message on St. Patrick Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

The first verse of John’s Gospel reads: “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.” Typically, Christians understand the Word to refer to the Son and God to refer to the Father. However, as John Schoenheit explains, this reading owes more to later trinitarian theology than the native biblical context. Instead of assuming the Word just is the Son, Schoenheit carefully shows how God’s word is his plan for salvation. In fact this is what became incarnate in Jesus in verse 14. Here’s a link to John Schoenheit’s slideshow Links: Listen to my interview with Schoenheit, called Word of Faith vs. Trusting God More on John 1.1 from a biblical unitarian perspective available at ChristianMonotheism.com Check out videos of the other presentations from KingdomFest 2017 Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

This world is not my home I’m just a passing through My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore Oh lord you know I have no friend like you If heaven’s not my home then lord what will I do The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore So goes the classic hymn, “This World Is Not My Home.”  However, the bible frequently portrays the final destination of the righteous as occurring on earth.  In this message we’ll take our cue from Daniel’s vision in chapter seven to see what God’s plan is for his people.  Ultimately, he wants a restored world without suffering and sin so that he can enjoy a relationship with his people forever.  This world is your home.  You were born here.  You currently live here.  And your hope is to remain here.   Notes: Vision Daniel 7.1-8: Vision of the four beasts: a lion, a bear, a leapord, a dreadful beast, little horn Daniel 7.9-12: The Ancient of Days passes judgment against the dreadful beast Daniel 7.13-14: The Son of Man rules over all peoples forever Daniel 7.15: Daniel’s response Interpretation Daniel 7.16-18: first clarification – the beasts are kings, but saints will receive a kingdom and rule forever Daniel 7.19-27: second clarification – the fourth kingdom and the little horn who persecutes the saints Daniel 7.28: Daniel’s response The Saints Will Reign Matthew 19.28; 20.21-23; 1 Corinthians 6.2; 2 Timothy 2.12; Revelation 2.26-27; 5.9-10; 20.6 Kingdom Driven Luke 4.43; Matthew 24.14   Links: Check out the kingdom of God class podcasts More posts about conditional immortality (the sleep of the dead) Get the book Heaven Is Not My Home by the late David Burge or listen to my interview of him here Check out these additional audios, videos, articles, and ebooks on conditional immortality Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

John McCave has faithfully served God as a minister for 36 years.  In this interview he shares his story of how God brought him from a hardened tough guy to a humble servant, motivated by love.  McCave also shares key insights he’s gained along the way, especially with regard to his wife, Mary without whose support he could never have succeeded.  Although this interview is chock-full of fascinating first-hand accounts of what God has done in his life, McCave’s humility, more than anything else, shines through as an example for all of us.   Notes and Links: Watch McCave’s recent sermon from KingdomFest called “Yahweh, the Only God“ Visit his ministry website at Christian Outreach Fellowships Order his book, Worship: God’s Desire for All Ages Take a look at our KingdomFest 2017 videos Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.

Sid Hatch, a former Baptist minister and graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary explains his reasons for questioning the Trinity.  Ultimately he concluded the bible does not teach that Jesus is “God the Son” but that he is “the Son of God.”  In this presentation, he discusses various key texts including John 1.1 and Philippians 2.1-9 among others.   Notes: Watch the video of this lecture More podcasts on monotheism Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.  

Why are there so many divergent beliefs about what the bible teaches?  Partially, this results from mistakes we make when reading scripture.  In this interview, Dr. Jerry Wierwille enumerates seven typical fallacies that bible students commit when reading: Root Fallacy Time-Frame Fallacy Misusing Parallels Fallacy Single Meaning Fallacy Word-Concept Fallacy Disjunctive Fallacy Lexical Fallacy Avoiding these pitfalls will help you engage with scripture better and build solid understandings that can stand up to critical analysis.   Notes and Links: Dig deeper by reading Introduction to Exegetical Fallacies and Overview of Exegetical Fallacies Listen to Wierwille’s earlier interviews, especially the one he did on Hermeneutics (interpreting scripture) Check out these sermons and articles on Wierwille’s website (JerryWierwille.com) To delve deeper, take a look at D. A. Carson’s Exegetical Fallacies Intro music: “District Four” by Kevin MacLeod. Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License.