Theology

"A Strong Word of Warning...Part II"

As we have seen, James opens the fifth chapter, which is really a continuation of the last paragraph of the fourth chapter, with a condemnation of those who abuse and lust after riches. He is talking to a culture that viewed the rich as largely favored by God, and the ones who were closest to Him. But, as James cries out, they are saving up a treasure which will rot and consume them. It is a warning to those who abuse the things of this world, ...

'A Stron Word Of Warning'

The pivot from the end of chapter four to the start of chapter five is very important to catch. It is masked by the misleading chapter and verse markings that were never in the original manuscripts. In the original, 4:13-5:6 is all one paragraph and is a description of one main thought. But, in many translations this is broken up into several thoughts, and so the unity of James on this issue is lost:
'Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow ...

"What's In a Name"


So far, we have outlined the struggle for the first century believers to fully identify who they were. This involved struggles with Jewish authorities to show that Jesus was the long promised Messiah, witnessing to popular culture and prejudices, and confronting the authorities with the Truth. This is reflected in modern history with the Evangelicals attempt to fully define 'who' they are, and what are their distinctive beliefs. Indeed, you can see this ...

"What's In a Name?"
Part III


Okay, so we left Paul with the Pagans in Lystra trying to patch up a horrible misunderstanding. (Acts 14). In the very next chapter, Paul is found defending the Gospel message in the face of Judaizing additions. Circumcision was being taught by many as the logical outcome of Christ's 'Jewishness', the law of Moses must be followed by the Gentiles. Paul strenuously opposed this, as he did the Gentile interpretation in Lystra. If you ...

"What's In a Name?"
Part II

In the first part I chronicled Paul's work in Athens and distinguished it from the earlier work in Thessalonica and Berea. Athens was somewhat of a cultural estuary that typified some of the attitudes among the cultural elite in the Hellenic settings of the world that Paul traveled in. Paul, the Pharisee, was able to communicate with the Greeks because he could become like 'one not under the law'. His experience there typifies what we ...