176 results for tag: Q & R
Q&R with Brad Jersak – “Bring them here & kill them in front of me” (Luke 19:27)
Question:
I was thinking of WWJD? (What would Jesus do?) the other day in the context of world events, especially the wars that are raging right now. I've run into some strange reactions. Some said, "Jesus would side with ______," and others said, "No, Jesus would join ______." As a militant? Not Jesus, surely!
But then a friend posted Luke 19:27: "But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them here and kill them in front of me."
I'm stumped. It's in the New Testament. How do you read this?
Response:
Let's start with the question of God taking "sides." While I can find all kinds of biblical ...
Did God the Father Kill God the Son? – Greg Albrecht
I love whodunit mysteries, potboiler detective novels, television shows and movies. OK, I’m taking a risk – you may not respect me anymore and your trust in Plain Truth Ministries may be wavering – but you are my/our friend, you should really forgive me, so stay with me …
Employing DNA to identify the perpetrator(s) of a crime has been a fundamental tool of forensic science dating back to 1986. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is self-replicating and carries genetic instructions and information so that distinctive characteristics and qualities of living organisms can be determined. DNA, present in almost every cell of the human body, ...
Q & R: Baptism and the fate of the ‘unprepared’ – Brad Jersak
Question:
If I found myself numb with pain, injured and bleeding in the cold on a cloudy day, having never been baptized for whatever reason(s), and therefore not "OFFICIALLY" in the Body of Christ as I died. Being lifelong mostly homeless, reality itself seemed to communicate to me "authoritatively" that my death and eternal punishment were now imminent? Would I have reason to quiver convulsively in deep and dreadful fear?
To add a little humor, if I were dying in those circumstances, could I say a few words then spit on myself and confidently count it baptism? Thus, I'm in! But what if I were unconscious?
I know these "unprepared ...
Q&R with Greg Albrecht – “Is Christianity a Religion?”
QUESTION:
I’ve heard you use the word religion in a negative way. How do you define religion? What is the difference between Christian and Christian religion? Some application forms ask, “what is your religion?” What’s a good answer?
ANSWER:
I make a critical distinction in the definition of the word religion. I define religion as any belief system or methodology that promises God’s love and blessings in return for human effort and performance.This definition is a sub-definition of the commonly used definitions for religion, i.e. 1) serving and worshiping God; 2) commitment to or devotion to faith, as in attending church ...
Q & R: Are God’s hands tied until we “return” to God?
Question:
Have you done any writing, or know of someone that has...around the biblical theme of "returning" to God? In contemplative prayer, "returning" has been a beautiful invitation, but many biblical references describe the "return" as being the precursor or condition to God's favor, compassion and/or forgiveness. Undoubtedly this has contributed to the toxic idea that when we turn away, God is also turned away, and until WE do the work of returning, God can't do anything. Obviously, I know you've written and talked a lot about this in the context of the "Gospel in Chairs" ...but I'm just wondering about broader writing on the ...
Q & R – Greg Albrecht – “How do you define sin?”
Question:
I am seeking to join a church that promotes Christianity w/o the religion, but they define sin as "missing the mark". Isn't that a religious definition of sin? I am moved to not join this church because of that, however, no brick and mortar church is perfect. What do you think, briefly?
Response:
I would say that defining sin as “missing the mark” is narrow and legalistic. Sin is bigger than failing to measure up to a standard - it includes that, of course, but sin is our nature - for humans, sin is part of our spiritual environment, just as air is to our physical environment. Perhaps sin is a bit like gravity - a spiritual law (see ...
Q & R – Greg Albrecht – Why does Jesus mention the Sabbath?
Question
Hello Greg,
I worshipped with you and many others on CWRa – your message was "SO THAT ... OR BECAUSE?" As a side note, I am wondering why Jesus referred to "the Sabbath" in Matthew 24:20? Hebrews 4 seems to indicate no specific day for "Sabbath-rest" now.
Praying for and supporting PTM/CWR.
Response
Great to hear you joined us for the message. The question to which you refer, in Matthew 24:20: “Pray that your flight will not place in the winter or on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 24 is the Olivet Prophecy – some believe many of Jesus’ warnings/predictions are yet to take place. I believe, based in large part on vs. 34, “this ...
Progressive Revelation and the Unveiling of God – Brad Jersak
Question from a reader:
I have been reading a lot about progressive revelation, specifically in my readings of John Howard Yoder and Guy F. Hershberger. This sounds like some of the things I may be reading from Michael Hardin (anthropological revelation). This idea of God incrementally slipping revelations into humanity's cognitive compartments, filling them gradually through different epochs is what I am referring to. Also, the study of later texts (prophetic texts) critiquing earlier (royal dynasty of Israel/kingship texts) makes for a more complete understanding of the Bible. I was curious if you have come across this and if ...
Q & R – The Ethics of the Trinity – Brad Jersak
Question:
I've been reading your A More Christlike God. On page 102 you discuss "Trinitarian love". I've always taken the Trinity as a "given," and never really looked into its implications. But as I've read Jason Pratt's Sword to the Heart, I've come to see that the Trinity has significant ethical implications; God Self-Begetting (the Father) and God Self-Begotten (the Son) always treat One another lovingly. If a Person of God were to rebel against another Person of God, all existence would cease. This gets around the "Euthyphro dilemma" in a way that I do not think unitarian faiths can. What are your thoughts?
&nb...
Q & R: God’s Mighty Sovereignty & Protection – Brad Jersak
QUESTION:
I am enjoying reading A More Christlike God, but the chapter(s) on the God of will versus God of love have brought on some anxiety too. When we jettison the wrathful and angry images of a Calvinist God, do we also abandon his mighty sovereignty--his ability to watch over us and protect us?
RESPONSE:
What an important question! And such a mystery!
For those who've not yet read A More Christlike God, our reader's question needs a little background. In the book, I lay out two ancient, ongoing and competing visions of God:
The God of pure will: That image of God causes all things and governs every event, including ...
Doctrine & Revelation (the Book) – Brad Jersak
Question:
I think I once heard you say something like, "At the council of (something), they concluded that Revelations should not be used for determining theology. It was to be used for worship, etc." Where can find resources to back up that statement?
Response:
Not exactly, but something like that. The idea was the dogma (non-negotiable doctrine) of the ancient church was finalized before Revelation was formally included in the canon of the New Testament. In other words, since Revelation wasn't officially included as Scripture, it wasn't a building block of our creedal theology.
That's not to say Revelation shouldn't be in the ...
Q & R with Greg Albrecht – Growing pains as we receive new insights
Question:
Dear Greg,I'm writing because I feel you are one of the few people I can talk to about these matters. My wife and I have been reading and learning so much about the love of God. But, we do so with two realities in mind: 1) As you know, we came out of an authoritarian and legalistic church, and of course what we learned about God at that religious address was so very wrong. Since that time we have found fellowship with a far more spiritually healthy group, but now we are once again learning more … when we left that authoritarian and legalistic church, we went through much pain and the loss of many ...
Does God Forgive and Forget? Q&R with Greg Albrecht
Q: While attending a Bible study one night in a church I used to attend the pastor stated, "when we ask forgiveness of God, he does forgive us but he never really does forget." He was "clarifying" Hebrews 10:17. The pastor said, "After all, he is God, he knows everything, it would be impossible for him to forget." I find myself angry at this minister even today and I haven't seen him in years. I believe God does forget—however in the back of my mind this minister's comments still haunt me. Please, tell me, does God forget or not?
A: I think I know what the minister may have meant. Part of what he may have been trying to say might be true, ...
Q&R: If God is non-violent, why is nature violent?
QUESTION:
"If God is non-violent ... then why is there evidence of violence in nature, i.e. between animals and also in weather, such as hurricanes/typhoons, volcanic eruptions, etc.?"
RESPONSE:
At the most basic level, I often boil things down to these ideas, which most folks can understand if we provide examples:
1. God created the conditions for life and love, which are the laws of nature and human freedom. This is very good.
2. But nature and humans also cause a lot of suffering. Nature and people can become violent of their own accord.
3. But in his great love for us, God became human to ...
Q & R: “Narrow Way, Narrow Gate” Brad Jersak
Q: If Christ has made possible the salvation of all, why does he say "the gate is narrow and few will find it?"
R: Context is so important!
Take a moment to ask yourself in which context you first heard this message. Whenever I have heard these words, composed by Jesus Christ himself, almost without exception, they were embedded in the context of an evangelistic sermon describing the way of salvation that leads to eternal life. In contrast, the way of destruction was identified as the road to hell. In that context, Jesus' warning sounds unequivocal: 1. Only Christians go to heaven; 2. very few will become Christians; 3. therefore, only a ...