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eli-kittim · 1 year

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Israelology Versus Replacement Theology: Is the Bible about Israel or Jesus?

Eli Kittim

If Jesus is the Messianic fulfillment of the Hebrew Bible, then the Old Testament is essentially Christocentric (not Jewishcentric) and the New Testament is not talking about two peoples (the Jews & the church) but rather one: the elect (cf. Eph. 2:19-20), which is to say that the overarching theme of the Old Testament is not about a race but about a person: the Messiah!

If in fact there are 2 peoples with 2 different sets of standards (law & grace) by which they’re saved, then that would invalidate Christ’s atonement, as would the rebuilding of the third Jewish temple, which would necessitate the reinstituting of animal sacrifices. However, the Bible is not about ethnicity, racism, or nationalism. In Romans 2:28-29 (NASB), Paul redefines what the term Jew means in scripture:

For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly,

nor is circumcision that which is outward in

the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one

inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart.

In the Bible, there are not two people of God, but only one: those who are in Christ. At the end of the age, Christ will separate “the sheep from the goats” (Mt. 25.32). In other words, there are only two categories: you are either in Christ or out of Christ! The Bible is Christocentric. It is not ethnocentric. It’s not about a race.

Instead of admitting that they view the Bible as being about their race and not about Christ, the Hebrew Roots Movement dresses it up euphemistically as though the controversy was about the Jews versus the church. But that’s a misnomer. The real controversy is this: they don’t believe that the Bible is about Christ. But they hide that from you! Messianic Jews are often far more Judaic than they let on.

Read the letter to the Hebrews, chapter 9. It’s all about how Christ is greater than the temple sacrifices or the Law of Moses. This is a New Covenant. So why are the Jews holding on to the old one? Hebrews 8:13 declares:

When He [God] said, ‘A new covenant,’ He

has made the first obsolete.

Both Galatians and Romans are authentic Pauline letters. In those letters, Paul says categorically & unequivocally that we are saved by Grace, not by the Law. Paul says in Galatians 2:16:

a person is not justified by works

of the Law but through faith in Christ.

In Galatians 2:21, Paul says:

if righteousness comes through the Law, then

Christ died needlessly.

In Galatians 3:11, Paul repeats the justification of faith teaching:

that no one is justified by the Law before

God is evident; for, ‘the righteous one will

live by faith.’

It’s also found in many other places, including Romans 3:20:

by the works of the Law none of mankind

will be justified in His sight.

It doesn’t get any clearer than that. We are not to observe the law. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. According to Acts 4:12:

there is salvation in no one else [except

Jesus Christ]; for there is no other name

under heaven that has been given among

mankind by which we must be saved.

Yahweh is never once mentioned in the New Testament. Moreover, Galatians 3:7 says that we are the sons of Abraham by faith (not by race):

recognize that it is those who are of faith

who are sons of Abraham.

Ephesians 2:12-13 says that through “the blood of Christ” the elect are now part of God’s family. There’s only one plan, one family, one salvation, and one Lord, not 2 different salvation plans, or 2 peoples. It’s not that we have replaced Israel but that we have been brought into one family through Jesus’ atonement (the new covenant) which was prophesied in Jeremiah 31.31.

Incidentally, the history of replacement theology doesn’t go back to the dispensationalism of the 1800s, but rather to the early church. In Jer. 3:8, God gave Israel an official certificate of divorce. In Mt. 21:43, Jesus promised that the kingdom of God will be taken away from the Jews and given to another nation. Justin Martyr (100-165 AD) concurred that God’s covenant with Israel was annulled and that the Jews had been replaced by the Gentiles. Origen’s (185-253 AD) view was along the same lines. Irenaeus (ca. 130-202 AD) also proclaimed that God disinherited the Jews from his grace. Tertullian (ca. 155-220 AD) also held that the Jews had been rejected by God. Similarly, Eusebius (ca. 265-339 AD) held that the promises of Scripture were given to the Gentiles because only the Church was the “true Israel.” So, this view didn’t start in the 19th century. It was there from the beginning.

The covenant of the seed (in Genesis 12) is a reference to Christ (see Gal. 3:16). Notice that Abraham is the “father of many nations” (Gen. 17:5), not just one. So the covenant with Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 17:8) is with multiple nations, not just one! And all these are part of the covenant through Abraham’s seed, who is Christ! That’s why Isaiah 61:9 explicitly refers to God’s posterity as the people of the Gentiles:

their offspring will be known among the

nations [Gentiles], And their descendants in

the midst of the peoples. All who see them

will recognize them because they are the

offspring whom the Lord has blessed.

“It is not the children of the flesh … but the children of the promise [who] are regarded as descendants [of Israel]” (Rom 9:6-8). Here’s further proof that the language which was once used for Israel is now used to address the church (cf. Gal. 6:16). In contradistinction to those who don’t believe in Christ, 1 Peter 2:9 is addressing the church who does believe in Christ, saying:

But you are a chosen people, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, a people for

God’s own possession.

In Colossians 1:26, “the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His saints” is that the Gentiles are co-inheritors with Israel (cf. Gal 3:28). Ephesians 3:6 says:

This mystery is that through the gospel the

Gentiles are heirs together with Israel,

members together of one body, and sharers

together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

The real controversy about replacement theology is this: is the Bible about Judaism or Jesus? Jews argue that the Bible is not about Christ. Their Dual-covenant theology holds that the Old Covenant remains valid for Jews whereas the New Covenant is only applicable to gentiles.

Bottom line, the Bible is not about a nation or a race. It’s about a person: the God-incarnate Messiah. Those who believe in Christ think that the Bible is about Christ. Those who don’t really believe in Christ think that the Bible is about the nation of Israel. It’s that simple.

What is the argument about? It’s really about whether we pledge allegiance to Moses or to Jesus.

Has Christ been divided?

(1 Corinthians 1:13).

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kdmiller55 · 5 months

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Preserving and Protecting the Gospel

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the…

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thinkingonscripture · 2 years

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Christians Under the Law of Christ

God gives law to humans living in every age. He gave commands to the first humans living in the sinless environment of the Garden of Eden (Gen 1:26-30; 2:15-17). He gave commands to Noah (Gen 6-9). He gave commands to Abraham (Gen 12:1; 17:10-14). He gave commands to the Israelites—known as the Mosaic Law—after delivering them from their bondage in Egypt (Ex 20 – Deut 34). He has given commands…

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talonabraxas · 1 month

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There are three hierarchies of angels each of which contains three orders.

The Nine Choirs of Angels The Arrangement of the Angels of the Lord (according to Pseudo-Dionysius)

Let’s turn to the individual choirs so that we can examine the powers each have, and how they relate with one another.

Seraphim The seraphim are the angels closest to God. As such, they reflect most immediately the highest attribute of God manifest in creation: His love. They are on fire with the love of God; the very name means “incandescent ones” or “burning ones.” Classical sacred art portrays them as entirely red and ablaze. They are usually depicted as having six wings but no faces — simply a sea or ring of flame around the Holy Trinity. Because of this burning love, more than any other angel they have the most perfect knowledge of God, which makes them the most perfect adorers. St. Jerome notes that they not only burn by themselves, but they also inflame others with the love of God.

According to the prophet Isaiah, the seraphim are the angels whom he hears crying out “Holy, holy, holy,” as one of them purifies Isaiah’s mouth with a coal from the altar so that he might serve as the Lord’s messenger (Isa. 6:3–8). In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Mass, the priest evokes this moment as he prays for worthiness in proclaiming the Gospel. We too should pray to the seraphim that we might be purified in our responsibilities as teachers and bearers of the Word to our families, our friends, and all those over whom we have responsibility. It was a seraph who appeared to St. Francis of Assisi when he received the stigmata. Later mystics, too, will speak of the seraphim as the Lord’s messengers and intermediaries when they had extraordinary experiences of loving and transforming divine union.

Cherubim The cherubim have a deep intellectual knowledge of divine secrets and of the ultimate causes of things; their name means “all-knowing one.” As such, they constantly contemplate the wisdom and the love of God in His relationship with mankind. They reflect His omniscience. The cherubim were the mighty adorers of the first covenant in its wisdom; images of the cherubim were the only images of beings that were permitted in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem. Their carved figures adorned the lid of the Ark of the Covenant, which prefigured both the Virgin Mary “tabernacling” the unborn Christ and the Eucharistic tabernacles of our churches, containing the new manna of Christ’s sacramental Body and Blood. Embroideries of the cherubim also covered the beautiful drapery that separated the Holy of Holies from the outer court of the Temple. It was that veil that was ripped from top to bottom when Our Lord died on the Cross as the sign that He had passed into the Eternal Sanctuary and that the Temple of Jerusalem had fulfilled its purpose (Matt. 27:51). The cherubim are still considered protectors of the New Covenant and so are often depicted on tabernacles and Eucharistic vessels.

Thrones The thrones, as their name suggests, can be thought of as beings raised up to form the seat of God’s authority and mercy. A throne manifests the glory and authority of a king; it expresses stability and power. And since a throne is also a judgment seat, these angels are especially concerned with divine judgments and ordinances.

In the early Church, a common representation of God’s glory in Heaven was a mosaic behind the altar and above the seat of the bishop that represented an empty throne with a radiant cross mounted above it. This image represented Christ the King, Lord of all and Judge of the living and the dead. But His judgment seat was also a throne of mercy, for Christ has redeemed the world by His Cross. His love has brought us to salvation. The thrones are never seen or experienced as “flying” but as “rolling” across the heavens, in keeping with their manifesting the Lord’s stability.

* * *

The second hierarchy receives knowledge of divine secrets through the first three choirs — knowledge that they could not perceive by themselves. The ardor of the seraphim inflames their love; the wisdom of the cherubim reveals the depth of the mysteries; and the stability of the thrones draws them into constant adoration of God’s majesty. In the Summa Theologiae, St. Thomas teaches that the names “domination,” “power,” and “principality” belong to government in different ways. The place of a lord is to prescribe what is to be done, and so Gregory says that “some companies of the angels, because others are subject to obedience to them, are called dominations.”

Dominations The dominations are concerned with the government of the universe. They are the first of the three choirs in the second ring, which is the ring of the cosmos — the angels who are charged with great and universal stewardships. The dominations in particular are involved in the workings of divine power. They coordinate the ministries of all the angels who deal with creation. We see in the angelic world that the Church’s teaching that God works through secondary causes is beautifully demonstrated. The angels mediate God’s power just as the saints intercede for us with Him.

Virtues St. Peter mentions the virtues in his first epistle (3:22), as does St. Paul in his Letter to the Colossians (1:16). The name is in some way a mistranslation or at least a “false cognate,” since this choir of angels does not deal with acquired habits (virtues), but rather exercises innate, raw power over the physical universe. According to Pseudo-Dionysius, their name refers to “a certain powerful and unshakable virility welling forth into all their Godlike energies, . . . mounting upwards in fullness of power to an assimilation with God; never falling away from the divine life through its own weakness, but ascending unwaveringly to the super-essential Virtue which is the Source of virtue.”1 They are the lords of causality and the principles of cosmic order in the material realm. They ensure the well-being of the world.

Powers The powers (dunameis) form the third and last choir of the second angelic hierarchy, according to Pseudo-Dionysius, while other scholars and spiritual writers consider them to be the fifth choir. This choir is mentioned occasionally in the Old Testament, such as in the book of Daniel where we read, “Bless the Lord, all powers, sing praise to him and highly exalt him for ever” (Dan. 3:39). Some scholars maintain that the name “powers” is also used to indicate angels in general, since it is the Septuagint’s translation of the Hebrew sabaoth. In the New Testament St. Paul writes that there are powers who have remained faithful to God and powers who have fallen away and become part of the empire of Satan (Eph. 6:12). The choir of powers is thought to introduce man to the higher mysteries while repressing the attacks of the “hostile powers” of Hell against the deepest laws of physical creation.

* * *

The third sphere of angels is concerned with Almighty God’s plan of salvation for mankind. It receives from the highest sphere its focus on the immutability of God, which is manifested in creation by the harmonious principles and intelligent organization of the laws of nature, which are upheld by the angels of the second sphere. In turn, the angels of this third sphere pour out their influence on those who have the greatest interaction with us in the ordinary course of things established by God.

Princes or Principalities The princes are also described as having members who have fallen away and others who have remained faithful. Principalities are the leading choir of the last hierarchy of angels. Their activities are described by Pseudo-Dionysius in this way, “The name of the Celestial Principalities signifies their Godlike princeliness and authoritativeness in an Order which is holy and most fitting to the princely Powers.” They are often seen as being the guardians of nations or peoples; this is why St. Michael is described in the book of Daniel as “the prince of Israel,” who comes to the aid of Gabriel against the demonic prince of Persia. It seems fitting that this first choir in the “ring of salvation” should also look after the spiritual structure of the supernatural life of the Church.

Archangels This choir is the most known and loved in popular devotion. Among the archangels we find St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. It is traditionally believed, due to the statements of Raphael in the book of Tobit, that there are only seven archangels.

Three of their names occur in Scripture, and so the Church uses these names in our worship — St. Michael, the prince of the heavenly host and the only one called “archangel” in the Scriptures; St. Gabriel, the messenger of the Incarnation; and St. Raphael, the angel of healing and of medicine.

The names of the other four are not used in our Liturgy, though there are certain churches that preserve these names and make use of them in private devotion, including some Eastern Catholic Churches. Roman Catholics often refer to them as the seven archangels or the seven assisting spirits around the throne of God.

The seven archangels have been regarded from the very beginning as having a special place in God’s plan; their number is often associated with the seven days of the week and the seven sacraments. It is thought that the archangels were outstanding in their fidelity to God, and so in the writings of the saints they are often called archangel princes, an appellation that connotes leadership and authority in the heavenly realm. Many spiritual authors and mystics speak of their special assistance and often attribute other “groups of seven” to their protection or patronage — virtues, gifts of the Holy Spirit, and so on. The archangels are also associated with the protection of nations, dioceses, religious communities, and the mission of the Church.

Angels The ninth and final choir of angels is composed of those who are most involved with the doings of mankind. These angels are those who are sent out on missions from God and from whom the guardian angels are chosen. The angels who fill up this choir may be the lowest, but they are beloved because the Lord places them at our sides to watch over us and to care for us. They are the ministers of Christ’s love and our protectors. They defend us against harm and temptation. They warn us of impending evil and inspire us to remain faithful to God in prayer.

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haggishlyhagging · 3 months

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Feminists who identity their deep centering Selves with the term witch are not being merely metaphorical, or cute, or popularizing, or "trivializing." I suggest, rather, that the reverse is true: that to limit the term to apply only to those who have esoteric knowledge of and participate formally in "the Craft" is the real reductionism. This is the case particularly since the cult, as Murray demonstrated (perhaps inadvertently), has been strongly invaded by patriarchal influences.

Together with Robin Morgan, who has done so much both to elicit in women the wide and deep intuition of the meaning of Witch and to resist simple vulgarization, I hope that more feminists will give to the study of witches “the serious study that it warrants, recognizing it as a part of our entombed history, a remnant of the Old Religion which pre-dated all patriarchal faiths and which was a Goddess-worshipping, matriarchal faith . . . [reading] the anthropological, religious, and mythographic studies on the subject.” Hopefully, in doing so we will not sacrifice the original vigor and integrity that inspired the "New York Covens" in the late sixties to proclaim:

“You are a Witch by saying aloud, "I am a Witch" three times, and thinking about that. You are a Witch by being female, untamed, angry, joyous, and immortal.”

Many women have understood this identity of the Witch within, the Self who is the target of the fathers' attacks and the center of original movement. Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English did much to spread knowledge among women of the role of the witches as midwives and healers, showing that their suppression coincided with the creation of a new male medical profession. In the early seventies, Andrea Dworkin named the witchcraze for what it is: gynocide. She showed its interconnectedness with other horrors such as foot-binding, fairy tales, rape, and pornography. Others have searched out pieces of the mosaic which are not easy to find.

Such works should be valued for igniting the Spark which inflames the desire to search further. There is much to be done. Working with increased confidence and precision, Hags must continue in the spiritual tradition of such visionaries as Matilda Joslyn Gage, continuing to uncover our past and paths to our future. This will be possible to the degree that we continue with courage in the Journey of our own time/space. Seeing through the fraudulent re-presentations of the witchcraze will help us recognize the tactics of today's Male Midwives, the professional Wizards who have unsuccessfully "succeeded" the Wise Women—the Unhealers of Modern Medicine.

-Mary Daly, Gyn/Ecology

#mary daly #witches #feminist witchcraft #patriarchal reversal

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thewordinblackandred · 4 months

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Hey y'all! I'm Micah, the host of the leftist Bible study podcast The Word in Black and Red. We are just finishing up recording our first season of the show, covering the book of Genesis. As we head into the second season, this time covering the book of Exodus, I'm looking for even more co-hosts to come on and share their leftist Bible takes. If you have thoughts on any of the following stories, please reblog them, and I'll be in contact!

- S 2.5 Exodus 4:1-17: The Snake Staff and the Withered Hand

- S 2.6 Exodus 4:18-31: Emergency Circumcision

- S 2.8 Exodus 6:1-27: God Reassures Moses of his Calling

- S 2.10 Exodus 7:14-25: Plague I: The Blood

- S 2.11 Exodus 8:1-15: Plague II: The Frogs

- S 2.12 Exodus 8:16-32: Plagues III & IV: The Lice & the Swarms

- S 2.13 Exodus 9:1-12: Plagues V & VI: The Death of Cattle & the Boils

- S 2.14 Exodus 9:13-35: Plague VII: The Thunder & Hail

- S 2.15 Exodus 10:1-20: Plague VII: The Locusts

- S 2.16 Exodus 10:21-29: Plague IX: The Darkness

- S 2.17 Exodus 11: God Announces the Final Plague

- S 2.18 Exodus 12:1-28: The First Passover

- S 2.19 Exodus 12:29-13:16: Plague X: The Firstborn

- S 2.20 Exodus 13:17-15:21: Pharaoh's Army Lost at Sea

- S 2.22 Exodus 17:8-16: Israel Defeats Amalek

- S 2.23 Exodus 18: The Vanguard Organizes the Masses

- S 2.24 Exodus 19: Arrival at Mt. Sanai

- S 2.25 Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments

- S 2.26 Exodus 21-22:15: Slavery, Violence, & Property

- S 2.27 Exodus 22:16-23:9: "Seduction" Marriage, Immigrants, and Usury

- S 2.28 Exodus 23:10-19: Sabbath Rest

- S 2.29 Exodus 23:20-33: Joshua Foretold

- S 2.30 Exodus 24: The Mosaic Covenant

- S 2.31 Exodus 25-28: Instructions for God's Dwelling and Vestments

- S 2.32 Exodus 29-31: Proper Worship & the Sabbath

- S 2.34 Exodus 33: Moses Seeks for and Sees God

- S 2.35 Exodus 34-35:3: God's Character, the Renewed Covenant, & Moses' Shining Face

- S 2.37 Exodus 40: God Enters God's Dwelling

FAQ:

"But how can you be a Christian and leftist?" Because Jesus is!

"The Bible isn't about politics. Why are you bringing your own personal agenda to the text?" We all always bring our own biases to the text. The question is simply whether we acknowledge them or not. Most interpretations of the Bible you'll hear twist the Bible to support the status quo. We read the Bible, usually pretty straightforwardly, and realize that that interpretation isn't congruent with the book written by an oppressed people about their liberatory God.

"I don't really know the Bible all that well. What can I contribute?" Your perspective! We read the Bible from a leftist and liberationist perspective, and a big part of the liberationist perspective is that everyone has something to add to our understanding of the Bible. We offer many, often contradictory, readings of a story in each episode. Your job as a co-host isn't to know the Bible in and out, but to do as much reading and/or research as you need to feel comfortable sharing your thoughts with a broader audience.

If you're interested, it doesn't hurt to just post a take! Worst case scenario, you can tell me you're not interested later on. More likely, you'll have a great time recording with us and I'll be DMing you again to get you into new episodes!

#leftist #leftistchristianity #thewordinblackandred #leftistbiblestudy #anarchism #anarchist #communalism #communism

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nerdygaymormon · 1 year

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It Does Not Compute

I know the leaders & many of the members of my church, and of other Christian denominations, truly believe that being queer is against God’s plan & not in line with Christ’s teachings, and therefore queer people cannot be accepted. They don’t want to see our queerness in public, it needs to be away from where decent people and children would to see it.

And yet...

In the Bible, eunuchs are men who have been castrated, they are physically altered and the Mosaic law prohibited them from being allowed to worship with the Israelites, and also men with damaged testicles are also excluded. But then we learn how God views them:

Isaiah 56:3-7 - Eunuchs will be will be included and honored by God (I will give them a name better than sons and daughters), and ALL PEOPLE are to be included in God’s house!

Matthew 19:5-12 - Jesus describes 3 types of eunuchs: some were born a eunuch, some were made into eunuchs by other people, and some choose to be eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven.

Who specifically is included in Christ’s description of eunuchs can be open to interpretation, but we can easily think of ace, gay, trans and other queer people as being included in those descriptions. Jesus teaches eunuchs are exempt from male-female marriage, it’s not required of them.

Acts 8:26-39 - An angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit direct the apostle Philip to seek out a man who turns out to be an Ethiopian eunuch. When this man asks to be baptized into the church, Philip saw no reason not to do so, making this man one of the first (and possibly the first) gentiles to convert. Perhaps the eunuch would’ve been excluded from full participation in Jewish religious life, but he was included in the new covenant of Christ.

How can we read this about eunuchs in the Bible and then think God is against trans people or other queer people?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that my spirit existed in a premortal life, is currently encased in my body having a mortal experience, and will continue to live after my body dies. My spirit is the same spirit in all these different phases.

And yet my church leaders also say that my queerness is simply “a trial” that will cease to exist after death. They’ve said that there were no gay spirits in the premortal realm and there won’t be any gay people after this mortal life...but it’s my same spirit.

When I think about my spirit as an entity separate from my body, basically the essence of who I am, that includes my personality and other parts of my identity. Being gay feels like more than just a function of my body, it’s a part of me. I haven’t experienced being trans but I’ve had conversations with friends who describe a similar feeling. Part of the essence of who we are is queer, and yet somehow that part of me will die with my body and not continue on with my spirit?

It does not compute.

#queerstake

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trendingtattoo · 10 months

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Are Tattoos Banned by the Bible? Exploring the Scriptural Perspective

Tattoos have become increasingly popular in contemporary society, serving as a form of self-expression and personal adornment. However, questions often arise about whether tattoos are permissible according to religious beliefs, particularly in relation to the Christian faith. In this article, we will explore the topic of tattoos in the context of the Bible and delve into the scriptural perspective to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.

The Historical Context:

To understand the biblical viewpoint on tattoos, it is essential to consider the historical context of the verses commonly referenced in this discussion. The books of the Bible were written thousands of years ago, primarily within the cultural milieu of ancient Israel and surrounding nations.

The Scriptural References:

The primary biblical passage that is often cited regarding tattoos is found in Leviticus 19:28, which states, "You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord." This verse has led some to conclude that tattoos are categorically prohibited by the Bible.

Interpreting the Verse:

When interpreting any biblical passage, it is crucial to examine the verse within its broader context and consider its intended audience. Leviticus is part of the Old Testament's Mosaic Law, a collection of commandments given to the ancient Israelites as a guide for their moral and religious conduct. It covered various aspects of life, including dietary restrictions, clothing regulations, and rituals.

Understanding the Context:

It is important to note that the prohibition against tattoos in Leviticus 19:28 was closely linked to specific cultural and religious practices prevalent during that time. Pagan religions often employed tattooing and self-mutilation as acts of mourning or as expressions of allegiance to false gods. The Israelites were instructed to refrain from these practices as part of their distinct religious identity.

The New Testament Perspective:

When examining the broader Christian perspective on tattoos, it is necessary to consider the teachings of the New Testament, which provide additional insight. The arrival of Jesus Christ marked a new covenant, shifting the focus from strict adherence to ceremonial laws to matters of the heart, faith, and righteousness.

The New Covenant emphasizes the principles of love, grace, and freedom in Christ. Unlike the Mosaic Law, which regulated external practices, the New Testament teachings prioritize the internal transformation of individuals through faith in Jesus.

Freedom and Personal Conviction:

Based on the New Testament teachings, Christians are encouraged to consider their actions in light of the principles of love, respect, and self-control. While the Bible does not explicitly mention tattoos in the New Testament, it provides a framework for personal conviction and discernment.

Christians hold diverse perspectives on tattoos, and personal decisions about getting tattoos or not are often influenced by cultural, societal, and personal considerations. Some Christians choose to avoid tattoos due to a desire to maintain modesty, cultural sensitivity, or to prevent potential negative impacts on personal relationships.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Tattoos:

Tattoos have been a part of human history for thousands of years, with evidence of their existence in various ancient cultures worldwide. In some societies, tattoos held religious or spiritual significance, symbolizing one's connection to deities or ancestral spirits. They were also used to denote social status, tribe affiliation, or acts of bravery.

Cultural Relevance in the Modern Era:

In contemporary society, tattoos are predominantly seen as a form of self-expression and personal artistry. People choose tattoos to commemorate significant life events, express their passions, or simply as a means of aesthetic enhancement. The cultural significance of tattoos has evolved, and societal acceptance of body art has become more commonplace.

Individual Interpretation and Religious Beliefs:

Within the realm of Christianity, different denominations and individual believers have varying perspectives on tattoos. Some Christians interpret the Leviticus passage as a timeless commandment that prohibits tattoos outright, while others view it as specific to the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel. They argue that the verse should be understood within its historical context and not necessarily applicable to Christians today.

The Role of Personal Conviction:

For Christians grappling with the question of tattoos, personal conviction plays a significant role. Many believe that since the New Testament does not explicitly address tattoos, it allows for greater freedom of choice. However, they also emphasize the importance of exercising discernment, considering the motives behind getting a tattoo, and ensuring it aligns with biblical principles.

Emphasis on the Heart and Inner Character:

Central to the Christian faith is the belief that God examines the heart and inner character rather than outward appearances. The New Testament encourages believers to focus on cultivating qualities such as love, humility, compassion, and integrity. Therefore, some Christians may prioritize the development of these inner virtues over external practices like tattooing.

Engaging in Dialogue and Respectful Discourse:

Given the diversity of beliefs among Christians regarding tattoos, it is essential to engage in respectful dialogue and understanding. Christians should approach the topic with an attitude of love, grace, and mutual respect, recognizing that personal convictions may differ while still maintaining a shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does contain a verse in Leviticus that is often interpreted as a prohibition against tattoos, it is important to understand its historical and cultural context. The New Testament teachings emphasize the principles of love, grace, and personal freedom in Christ. Consequently, Christians have varying perspectives on tattoos, with personal conviction and discernment playing a significant role in decision-making.

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officialyourdailyinspiration · 10 months

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A common argument against Christianity by many atheists is the idea that Christians don't follow the dietary laws of the Old Testament. I recently heard one ask, "Why are you not firebombing Red Lobster restaurants for serving shellfish?" and "Why are you not calling for the dissolution of clothing companies that produce garments of mixed fabrics?"

The question being asked is a good one, but it shows a common misunderstanding about the role and purpose of Jesus, known as the Messiah.

Before we specifically address the question of shellfish, I would ask as easier question: why do you think Christians no longer participate in the Old Testament sacrifice of animals in the Temple?

The transition from the sacrificial system of the Old Testament to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ provides a solid foundation for understanding why Christians no longer adhere to certain Old Testament practices.

The Old Testament Levitical sacrifices were a significant aspect of God's law for the Israelites. These sacrifices were given by God as a means for His people to atone for their sins and maintain their covenant relationship with Him. However, these sacrifices were insufficient and always intended to point towards something—or rather, Someone—greater.

In the book of Hebrews, the author spends significant time exploring this shift. In Hebrews 10:1, we read, "For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near." The repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament were, in a way, a reminder of sin and an anticipation of the coming redemption.

That redemption arrived in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is described as the ultimate high priest and the perfect sacrifice in one. Hebrews 10:10 says, "And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Christ's death on the cross was the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. His sacrifice was sufficient to atone for all the sins of those united to Him, rendering the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament no longer necessary.

This critical shift extends beyond the sacrifices and encapsulates other elements of the law, including dietary regulations and rules about clothing. Like the sacrifices, these laws were also pointers, ways of setting the Israelites apart from other nations and reminding them of their unique relationship with God. With the coming of Christ, these laws found their fulfillment as the Gentiles are now ingrafted into the covenant community. God's people are now defined not by external observance of the law, but by faith in Christ. Therefore, just as we understand that the Old Testament sacrifices are no longer necessary due to their fulfillment in Christ, so too can we understand that the laws regarding diet and clothing have found their completion in Him. They served their purpose under the old covenant, but under the new covenant, we are no longer bound by their specific requirements.

The apparent critique of Christians' non-adherence to certain Old Testament laws, such as dietary restrictions or textile regulations, is one to be further addressed with careful consideration of some Biblical texts.

Let's take a look at Acts 10, wherein we find the apostle Peter's vision from God after the resurrection of Jesus. In this vision, a sheet descends from heaven containing all manner of creatures - many of which are explicitly labelled "unclean" in the Mosaic law. Yet, the voice of God commands Peter to rise, kill, and eat these creatures. Peter, an observant Jew, objects, noting that he has never consumed anything unclean. In response, God declares, "What God has made clean, do not call common."

The declaration signifies not just a change in dietary rules, but a profound theological shift. It anticipates the meeting between Peter and Cornelius, a Gentile - the inclusion of Gentiles among God's chosen people is a theme that reverberates throughout the New Testament, and is in fact symbolized in the dismissal of the dietary laws.

God clearly and vividly illustrated that the legal distinction between what is clean and unclean has been done away with, suggesting that the barrier that once separated Jews and Gentiles has been demolished. This metaphorical barrier is symbolically represented by the dietary laws among other Old Testament laws.

The Apostle Paul echoed this sentiment by declaring a once hidden mystery: Gentiles, who were once considered outside the covenant, can now partake in the same salvation offered to the Jewish people. They are no longer excluded or separate, but are now grafted into the same body of believers, a unified church that transcends ethnic and cultural divisions.

These biblical truths are reflected in his letters to the Ephesians (2:16; 3:6), where he writes of how both Jews and Gentiles are reconciled into one body through the cross, abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. And in the mystery of Christ, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, the shift from Old Testament dietary and fabric laws to the teachings of the New Testament isn't a contradiction, but rather a manifestation of a greater plan. A plan in which the gospel is for all people, regardless of their ethnicity or cultural heritage, unified in Christ. So, the New Testament believers' practices, including the consumption of shellfish and wearing of mixed fabrics, are a testament to this newfound liberty and unity in Christ. They are visible signs of a heart transformed by the grace of the gospel and a life marked by the Spirit's work, rather than the outward adherence to the ceremonial laws of the Old Testament.

Romans 7:1-6 provides a vivid metaphor to illustrate the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant in Christ. The Apostle Paul compares the Old Testament law to a marriage covenant, where we were bound to our spouse (the law) as long as we lived. However, when that spouse dies, we are released from the law of the marriage. In the same vein, through Christ's death and resurrection, we have metaphorically 'died' to the law. This death has released us from the binding demands and penalties of the law, akin to a widow being released from her marriage obligations. But the analogy doesn't stop there. Paul goes on to say that we now 'belong to another'. This is a reference to our new union with Christ. We're not left as widows, but remarried—to Him who was raised from the dead. Our relationship to the law has fundamentally changed; we are no longer under its condemnation but live under the grace and liberty of our new 'marriage' to Christ.

Moreover, Jesus Himself in Mark 7:18-19 declared all foods clean. He challenges the Pharisees' preoccupation with external cleanliness, implying that what defiles a person comes from the heart, not from what they eat.

In regards to wearing garments of mixed fabric, it's essential to understand the historical and symbolic significance of this command. The law found in Leviticus 19:19 was given to the Israelites to set them apart from surrounding nations, as a physical reminder of their unique covenant relationship with God. However, under the New Covenant in Christ, this external symbol of separation is no longer necessary. As Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Thus, the Christian is not bound by these Old Testament restrictions because they have been superseded by the New Covenant in Christ. His work has not dismissed the law, but rather fulfilled it, rendering the literal observance of these laws obsolete while preserving their spiritual essence. In Christ, we are all made clean, and the external symbols that once set God's people apart are no longer needed. It is a heart turned toward God, not diet or dress, that now signifies belonging to His covenant people.

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tracinggodsstory · 2 months

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In Genesis 6, we see the first mention of the Noahic Covenant. In this covenant with Noah, God is making a way for restored creation that begins with Noah and his family. God chose Noah to be the representative of the new humanity in the new world.

This is a theme we will see repeated throughout the Grand Narrative:

Abrahamic Covenant: God’s rescue plan continues through God’s election of Abraham, “All people on earth will be blessed through you.” However, just as obedience was needed from Noah to make him a representative of new creation, obedience from Abraham was required to push God’s mission of redemption forward.

Mosaic Covenant: As corruption rapidly increased in the world again, God called out Abraham’s descendants and the people of Israel to be “set apart” from the rest of the world; to be representatives of the humanity God has always intended. This was to be accomplished again through obedience amid the corrupted world. By this, they would be representatives and a blessing to others.

Davidic Covenant: As Israel strayed and desired to be like other nations of the world, they demanded to have a king. Their first king failed to obey God and was rejected. David was then anointed as king. He desired to pursue God with all of who he was, including building a temple for God to dwell with his people again. God responded to David’s obedience by promising that one of his descendants will establish a kingdom that lasts forever.

The New Covenant: God remained faithful to all his covenants and promises by bringing a King, establishing a new Kingdom, launching new creation, and demonstrating to the world what the new humanity and new creation look like, all while throwing the door open to anyone and everyone who responds.

#christian faith #faith #faith in jesus #christian blog #christian living #christianity #theology #bible #bibledaily #bible scripture #bible quote #bible study #bible reading #bible verse #scripture

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elwenyere · 1 month

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The Sea Is History

Where are your monuments, your battles, martyrs? Where is your tribal memory? Sirs, in that grey vault. The sea. The sea has locked them up. The sea is History.

First, there was the heaving oil, heavy as chaos; then, like a light at the end of a tunnel,

the lantern of a caravel, and that was Genesis. Then there were the packed cries, the shit, the moaning:

Exodus. Bone soldered by coral to bone, mosaics mantled by the benediction of the shark's shadow,

that was the Ark of the Covenant. Then came from the plucked wires of sunlight on the sea floor

the plangent harps of the Babylonian bondage, as the white cowries clustered like manacles on the drowned women,

and those were the ivory bracelets of the Song of Solomon, but the ocean kept turning blank pages

looking for History. Then came the men with eyes heavy as anchors who sank without tombs,

brigands who barbecued cattle, leaving their charred ribs like palm leaves on the shore, then the foaming, rabid maw

of the tidal wave swallowing Port Royal, and that was Jonah, but where is your Renaissance?

Sir, it is locked in them sea-sands out there past the reef's moiling shelf, where the men-o'-war floated down;

strop on these goggles, I'll guide you there myself. It's all subtle and submarine, through colonnades of coral,

past the gothic windows of sea-fans to where the crusty grouper, onyx-eyed, blinks, weighted by its jewels, like a bald queen;

and these groined caves with barnacles pitted like stone are our cathedrals,

and the furnace before the hurricanes: Gomorrah. Bones ground by windmills into marl and cornmeal,

and that was Lamentations— that was just Lamentations, it was not History;

then came, like scum on the river's drying lip, the brown reeds of villages mantling and congealing into towns,

and at evening, the midges' choirs, and above them, the spires lancing the side of God

as His son set, and that was the New Testament.

Then came the white sisters clapping to the waves' progress, and that was Emancipation—

jubilation, O jubilation— vanishing swiftly as the sea's lace dries in the sun,

but that was not History, that was only faith, and then each rock broke into its own nation;

then came the synod of flies, then came the secretarial heron, then came the bullfrog bellowing for a vote,

fireflies with bright ideas and bats like jetting ambassadors and the mantis, like khaki police,

and the furred caterpillars of judges examining each case closely, and then in the dark ears of ferns

and in the salt chuckle of rocks with their sea pools, there was the sound like a rumour without any echo

of History, really beginning.

-- Derek Walcott

#poetry #derek walcott #baby you got a queue going

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littlequeenies · 2 months

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The People Issue 2024: Renaissance Woman Bebe Buell

The longtime rock ’n’ roller has landed her spaceship in Nashville, and she intends to stay

Kelsey Beyeler

Mar 7, 2024

A musician, writer and longtime “it girl,” Bebe Buell has lived a mystical life in the world of rock ’n’ roll — a life most could only dream of, from growing up in the South to living with nuns, weaving herself into New York City’s 1970s arts scene, raising actress Liv Tyler and juggling various creative projects of her own.

Buell’s heart has always been in music. She could have pursued acting, prolonged her successful modeling career or even married one of her many rock-star lovers, but Buell had her own life to live, her own stories to tell, her own songs to sing. And she still does.

The Scene recently caught up with Buell backstage at a 3rd & Lindsley show dedicated to New York City’s ’60s and ’70s rock scene. She was there to join legendary local cover outfit The Long Players and her husband Jim Wallerstein, who formerly played with Das Damen and co-produces Buell’s music. On this recent Saturday night, Buell recounted her friendships with Patti Smith and Nico before singing “Because the Night,” “Femme Fatale” and other tunes in her rich contralto croon. While the show was dedicated to others’ music, Buell has her own discography — dating back to the ’80s and featuring a wide range of raw, energetic rock tunes both as a solo artist and with her bands The B-Sides and The Gargoyles. Throughout her music career, she’s worked with heavy hitters including Todd Rundgren, Rick Derringer and Ric Ocasek, as well as local legends like Jon Tiven and Dave Roe.

Buell spent most of her life in NYC. But after recording a track for Plowboy Records’ tribute album You Don’t Know Me: Rediscovering Eddy Arnold in 2012, she was enticed by the spiritual connection she felt with Nashville. Since relocating, she says she’s formed countless friendships and performed at just about every venue in town, including frequent appearances at the recurring Thee Rock N’ Roll Residency.

Bebe Buell Photo: Angelina Castillo

“I wanted to come here to really get good at my craft,” says Buell. “Getting to live in this town and be an active participant in the musical community is a dream come true.”

Last year, Buell released her second book — Rebel Soul: Musings, Music & Magic. A follow-up to 2001’s Rebel Heart, the book is a mosaic of memories that combines past experiences and present insights. Landing somewhere between memoir and scrapbook, Rebel Soul invites readers to consider not just the glamour but also the pain of a rock ’n’ roll lifestyle.

“I watched that life swallow up a lot of women that couldn’t hold on to their identity, and drug dependency destroyed a lot of beautiful lives,” says Buell.

“I live it every day,” says Buell of honoring those memories without getting lost in the past. “I’m an active singer, songwriter, performer, writer. I have bestsellers. I am not just sitting there, melancholy, thinking about the cool guys I dated when I was 24.”

Frustrated by local challenges such as the GOP-controlled state legislature’s attacks on reproductive rights, Buell was considering leaving Tennessee when Rebel Soul was released. But events like the Covenant School shooting and the subsequent expulsions of Democratic state Reps. Justin Jones and Justin Pearson — along with the Republican supermajority’s attempted expulsion of Knoxville Democrat Gloria Johnson — have since convinced her to stay. “I’m not turning my back on this town,” she says.

“I realized that I want to be here to help with the change. I want to use my voice, not to hurt anybody, not to call people names, not to finger-point, not to point out what’s obviously wrong — we already know what’s wrong. What we need to do now is focus on what we can do to make it right.”

Photographed by Angelina Castillo; hair and makeup by Emaline Briggs, BBC Nashville

#Bebe Buell #2024 Bebe #Bebe article #nashville scene #2024 #Bebe musician #musician #model #muse #manager #author #singer #singer songwriter #2020s #2020s Bebe

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spine-buster · 2 years

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I thought you said you were catholic? How can you be for abortion and claim to be catholic? Abortion rights are not human right, the sanctity of life supersedes this. As a catholic you should know and do better. Also you shouldn’t be posting this on your blog, we don’t come here to see that messaging.

Oh my darling, you are so very lucky that you sent this to me at a time when I've finished teaching for the summer, but you're still going to get educated today.

Don't you dare come on my blog and tell me what I can and can't post. For the record, if you're here for my fics, I want you to know that every single one of my OFCs is extremely pro-choice and have zero issue with abortion. If that's ruined my stories for you, oh fucking well.

I was born and raised Catholic, work in a Catholic environment, and I still practice the faith. However, there are portions of my faith that I staunchly don't agree with. That's healthy. You're going to sit there on your little keyboard and send me this message seriously? How many lives have been saved from stem-cell research, which the Catholic Church is against? What about birth control and how it tackles not just fertility, but a range of women's health issues like cysts and hormone imbalance that women used to literally die from? How can you argue that it's okay that women still can't become priests? Moreover, how can you justify the Church's covering up of systemic sexual abuse of young children and nuns? The hoarding of their wealth? The colonization they participated in and continue to participate in?

I wrote that abortion rights are human rights and I fucking meant it. You want to come on to my blog and talk to me about the sanctity of life? What about the sanctity of life of the person carrying the child? The sanctity of life of a clump of cells does not supersede anything. What if a person is not religious and doesn't believe in sanctity? Why should they abide by a Christian set of principles (but more on that later)? What about the life of the 11-year-old who was raped by her uncle and now has to carry his baby? What about the sanctity of her life? Or is she just some jezebel harlot who was asking for it, hmm? What do you have to say about that? Why is it that a group of cells has more rights than an 11-year-old child in Texas, in Georgia, in South Dakota, in Idaho? If a living, breathing, human being has been stripped of their right to bodily autonomy, privacy, and health, what is left? What goes next? They have already lost their ability to choose what is the best course of action for them in their life -- so who is to choose for them? Their father? Brother? Uncle? Their priest/deacon/pastor/religious leader? What right do they have to make a decision for another person?

"As a Catholic you should know and do better" bitch shut the fuck up. I do know better and do do better. Jesus never said anything about abortion. And don't even attempt to throw Leviticus or any other Old Testament verses at me. The Last Supper brought about the New Covenant, and Jesus' death is the basis of the promise in the New Covenant. The Old Covenant between God and Moses / Yahweh and the Hebrew people, with obedience to Mosaic Law is, for lack of a better term, deemed null and void because of Jesus and the Last Supper. Luke 22:20 explicitly states "And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new and everlasting covenant in my blood.'" THIS IS LITERALLY SAID DURING EVERY MASS BEFORE WE RECEIVE EUCHARIST. This is like basic Catholicism 101. If you had paid attention in religion class or Sunday school you may have remembered this. And, like, I'm not even gonna get STARTED on Catholic social teaching and the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Good fucking riddance. Get the hell of my blog and never come back.

#answered

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thewordslam · 3 months

Text

The Sea Is History by Derek Walcott

Where are your monuments, your battles, martyrs?

Where is your tribal memory? Sirs,

in that grey vault. The sea. The sea

has locked them up. The sea is History.

First, there was the heaving oil,

heavy as chaos;

then, like a light at the end of a tunnel,

the lantern of a caravel,

and that was Genesis.

Then there were the packed cries,

the shit, the moaning:

Exodus.

Bone soldered by coral to bone,

mosaics

mantled by the benediction of the shark's shadow,

that was the Ark of the Covenant.

Then came from the plucked wires

of sunlight on the sea floor

the plangent harps of the Babylonian bondage,

as the white cowries clustered like manacles

on the drowned women,

and those were the ivory bracelets

of the Song of Solomon,

but the ocean kept turning blank pages

looking for History.

Then came the men with eyes heavy as anchors

who sank without tombs,

brigands who barbecued cattle,

leaving their charred ribs like palm leaves on the shore,

then the foaming, rabid maw

of the tidal wave swallowing Port Royal,

and that was Jonah,

but where is your Renaissance?

Sir, it is locked in them sea-sands

out there past the reef's moiling shelf,

where the men-o'-war floated down;

strop on these goggles, I'll guide you there myself.

It's all subtle and submarine,

through colonnades of coral,

past the gothic windows of sea-fans

to where the crusty grouper, onyx-eyed,

blinks, weighted by its jewels, like a bald queen;

and these groined caves with barnacles

pitted like stone

are our cathedrals,

and the furnace before the hurricanes:

Gomorrah. Bones ground by windmills

into marl and cornmeal,

and that was Lamentations—

that was just Lamentations,

it was not History;

then came, like scum on the river's drying lip,

the brown reeds of villages

mantling and congealing into towns,

and at evening, the midges' choirs,

and above them, the spires

lancing the side of God

as His son set, and that was the New Testament.

Then came the white sisters clapping

to the waves' progress,

and that was Emancipation—

jubilation, O jubilation—

vanishing swiftly

as the sea's lace dries in the sun,

but that was not History,

that was only faith,

and then each rock broke into its own nation;

then came the synod of flies,

then came the secretarial heron,

then came the bullfrog bellowing for a vote,

fireflies with bright ideas

and bats like jetting ambassadors

and the mantis, like khaki police,

and the furred caterpillars of judges

examining each case closely,

and then in the dark ears of ferns

and in the salt chuckle of rocks

with their sea pools, there was the sound

like a rumour without any echo

of History, really beginning

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albertfinch · 1 year

Text

2 Corinthians 12:9 - "...My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness...”

It is wrong for any Christian to attempt to live the Christian life. And we are not asked to do so. The Word of the Lord says "it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). This is the secret of living the Christian life. Defeat is not caused by less work but by too much work. When we are working, God's grace cannot come to us. Likewise, in our working too much, the life of the Lord cannot be manifested in us.

The New Covenant Law is not designed for men outside of Christ. The natural man cannot obey the New Commandment that Jesus gave. There is only one commandment to rule the New Creation, and that is to love one another even as Jesus loved us (John 13:34). That New Commandment made any other commandment absolutely unnecessary, for the man who walks in Love will never do wrong.

Someone asks, "Why is the Mosaic Law called the 'law of sin and of death?" Because it was to govern spiritually dead men. The Law of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2) is to govern Recreated men. It is the Spirit of Love.

Romans 8:2 - "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

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vinceleemiller · 2 months

Text

Threads of Faith | Galatians 3:17-18

This is what I mean: the law, which came 430 years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void. For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise. — Galatians 3:17-18

CALL OUT: Shout out to Chase Shrum from Houston, TX, who graciously encourages men to check out our resources and daily devotionals. I cannot thank you enough.

I know sometimes texts like this one, read exclusively, can feel very cryptic; however, the meaning is simple. Paul is stating a chronological fact. The promise God made to Abraham was not changed by God at the advent of the Mosaic Law, which occurred 430 years later. Or, to emphasize the issue at hand, the faith of Abraham's covenant and blessing was not ratified 430 years later by works of the Law. Faith was and still is the means of the Abrahamic blessing.

This draws attention to a danger we constantly face as believers—losing touch with the truth of Scripture.

Every believer needs to read the Scripture for themselves. You need to pick up your Bible and read it. You need to mature beyond consuming the regurgitated text of a popular pastor who preaches a proof text. You need to read more than the New Testament. You need to read both Testaments. The whole Bible tells a whole story. One congruent story that God has been telling since the beginning of time. In the thread Paul references right here, we see one covenant, one blessing, one promise, one Son, and one sacrifice for all people provided by faith. The only way to see God's divine design is to read the thread for yourself. When you read it, you will see it. The carefully woven, intricately connected, divine design of our Sovereign God in whom we have faith. Reading the whole of the Bible will strengthen your faith and maybe even correct the corrupt beliefs you have about him.

#FaithfulPromises #BiblicalTruth #GodsCovenant #ScriptureReading #StrengthenYourFaith

ASK THIS:

How does reading the entire Bible, both Old and New Testaments, enhance one's understanding of God's unchanging promises and faithfulness throughout history? In what ways can we ensure that we're not just relying on secondhand interpretations of Scripture but actively engaging with the text ourselves to deepen our faith and correct any misconceptions we may have about God?

DO THIS: Set a goal of reading the entire Bible.

PRAY THIS: Father, thank you for your unchanging promises that are revealed throughout Scripture. Help me to dive deeper into your Word, to read it with understanding, and to trust in your faithfulness in every season of my life. Amen.

PLAY THIS: Faithful.

Check out this episode!

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