175 results for tag: Q & R

Q&R: Isaiah 45:7 – Does God cause evil?

Question What do you make of Isaiah 45:7? Is seems to say that God is the cause of evil and calamity? KJV: "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things." NASB: "The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating disaster; I am the LORD who does all these things." NIV: "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things." ESV: "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things. MSG: "I form light and create darkness, I ...

Q&R: Intellectually Honest Bible Reading – Brad Jersak

Question I am writing to ask for your expertise, advice and suggestions. Even though I have been studying the Church Fathers, your books and expositions on how to read Scripture “the Emmaus Way” for the past three years, I am still troubled by various OT Testament passages.How do we “ interpret” the Flood Story for example. How do we read the countless rather swift and brutal judgment passages related to the 40 years of Israelites wandering the desert? Whole people groups swallowed up in the ground or burned by fire? Some of the above stories are also mentioned by Jesus, Paul or Peter in the NT accounts. I know this sounds maybe a ...

Q & R – If we’re already forgiven, why strive to be good? Isn’t that salvation by works? –Brad Jersak

Q: If we’re already forgiven, why strive to be good? Isn’t that just “salvation by works”? R: First, let’s examine each phrase of this question.  “If we’re already forgiven”—Yes, indeed we are. As Christ makes clear from the mercy seat of the Cross, “Father, forgive them,” is the once-for-all divine verdict for sinners. Paul concurs in Romans 5 when he says that when we were still sinners and enemies, Christ died for us, justified us and reconciled us to God. “Why strive to be good”—Yes, as much as we believe and hope that our goodness is generated from within, the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5) ...

Q & R – Should Christians Celebrate Christmas? – Greg Albrecht

Q: Should Christians celebrate Christmas? I believe Christ was born, but I haven't read anything in the Bible that says we should commemorate that event! I don't see anything wrong with celebrating Jesus' resurrection, since we know that was in the Spring—but we don't know the date of his birth. And, according to my research, Christmas seems to be a Roman Catholic invention, not a biblical one—and I tend to view anything coming from Rome with great mistrust. A: Perhaps we should define the word "Christmas." For some this word simply means an endless round of parties, concerts, gift giving, decorating, etc. MUST Christians do this? NO. ...

Q&R with Brad Jersak – “No longer counting our sins against us”

Question "For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT) + no longer counting people's sins against them+ no longer counting people's sins against them+ no longer counting people's sins against them+ no longer counting people's sins against them+ no longer counting people's sins against them So, why do we count sins against ourselves and others? If we stopped counting (perceived) sins done by others, would we not then stop counting sins by or against ourselves? And what then does the message or ...

Q&R: Matthew 11:12 – “The violent take it by force” with Brad Jersak

Question Since changing my old perspectives about an angry, vengeful, wrathful God, and a Jesus that retaliates, and on my desire to bear arms to defend myself, could you illuminate for me a better understanding of Matthew 11:12, which I regard as an over-used familiar scripture about "spiritual warfare" and violence? Response Good question. Those Christians who love to pray and identify themselves as "intercessors" or "prayer warriors" often gravitate to the biblical language of "spiritual warfare." Paul uses "battle" and "weapons our warfare" in passages such as Ephesians 6 and 2 Corinthians 10 to make the point that the Christian's ...

Q&R with Greg Albrecht – “How does the Bride of Christ make herself ready?”

Question The Bible says that prior to Christ’s Return, his bride has made herself ready. Since, as you say so often, we are saved by grace, and not by anything we do or produce spiritually, how does the Bride of Christ “make herself ready”? Response The Bride of Christ is of course but one of many New Testament metaphors used to describe the universal body of Christ, and individual Christ followers who, by God’s grace, compose that universal body.  This particular metaphor is one of the most beautiful and enduring.   Marriage is the most intimate of all human relationships, and this metaphor describes the intimacy ...

Q & R: What are the Limits of Everlasting Mercy? – Brad Jersak

"And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." Genesis 6:3 "For the LORD is good; His loving-kindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations." Psalm 100:5 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever." Psalm 136:1  Question: If God's Spirit "shall not always strive with man" (Genesis 6:3), then what are the limits of God's mercy? David proclaims God's mercy as enduring forever and his loving-kindness as everlasting. But doesn't his patience run out? Doesn't the story of Noah, for example, show that God is ...

Q&R: What is the gospel of the kingdom? And where is it now?

A Conversation Reader: I'm really trying to hone in on simple definitions of "The Gospel" and "Kingdom of God." Do you have a couple of go-to definitions? ​Brad: The New Testament says that Jesus preaches the Gospel of the Kingdom, which he says is “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent [turn around and toward] and believe [trust with your will and your life] the good news [that God loves you and welcomes you to participate]!” What we discover as he continues is that this Kingdom has come near in the person of Jesus, through his ministry of liberation (Mark 1:15). We discover through the Gospels that ...

Q&R with Brad – “Banished to Outer Darkness?”

Question My wife and I are doing our best to understand how the heck to interpret what we read in the Bible, now that we understand that Jesus is our filter. In reading Matthew 22:11-13 there is a curious detail.  Who is this guy and why is he “banished into outer darkness?” The kingdom of heaven can be compared to this story? “Many are called but few are chosen?” Isn’t that separation and not inclusion? Where is the “love” in this story? Response This is certainly a difficult passage when read at face value and in its most immediate context. Let's start there. Some VERY important interpretive keys are missing ...

Q&R: What’s with ‘spiritual warfare’?

Question: I've been thinking about this idea of war. Is there any space for 'war' in God's heart? I think absolutely not. Just peacemaking, and laying life down, and endless mercy and love, etc. But what about spiritual warfare? What about the spiritual battle language so prevalent in the church. Is that not a form of war against...the devil, demons, etc? Is that appropriate. Are they not also God's creatures whom he cannot hate? Will he not forgive them in the end? Or is spiritual warfare just a metaphor to help us make sense of things? If so, I feel like it's really problematic for our war-mongering, us vs. them culture. Can we hold on ...

Q&R with Brad: “What role do my prayers play?”

QUESTION: Considering this newfound discovery that in Christ, there is "no separation," what do our prayers accomplish?  I mean, in the best way...if my friend is in pain, I genuinely care, and I talk to Jesus... But if He is always present, never withdraws, and always knowing, I find myself lost not knowing my role or effect. I pray still, and I suppose groaning makes sense in this instance -- not in a dramatic way, but feeling deeply, empathizing, caring deeply... But when a friend comes with dire need or urgency, I fail to feel, know or understand how my words (or ‘groans’ )have any effect or power to change anything when my ...

Is the Bible ‘the Word of God’? Q&R with Greg Albrecht

Question: Some people call the Bible “the Word of God.” Is it? What is the Bible exactly? Some say it is inspired, and then some even say it is infallible and inerrant.

Q&R: Why would a Christlike God kill the firstborn of Egypt? Brad Jersak

Question: What do you make of the death of the firstborn in Egypt? If God is not a vengeful and retributive death-dealer, how do you read that story? Response: The Egyptian firstborn who died in the tenth plague (Exodus 12) were ultimately victims of Pharaoh's willful defiance, and were specifically slaughtered by 'the destroyer.' The New Testament finally reveals that 'the destroyer' is not God nor even the agent of God (contra the original story) but the enemy of God who steals, kills and destroys (John 10:10)... the 'destroyer' is Abbadon who comes from the pit (Job 26:6; 28:22; 31:12, Psalm 88:11, Proverbs 15:11; 27:20, Revelation ...

Q & R: “Do I need to be rebaptized?” Greg Albrecht

Greg Albrecht: President PTM Question: I was baptized when a baby in the Catholic Church.  I came to see that many of their teachings and practices left a lot to be desired (and I still feel that way).  So later, as an adult, I was baptized in the Worldwide Church of God.   I later came to see that many of their teachings and practices left a lot to be desired (and I still feel the same way).    Do I need to be baptized again? Response: No, you do not need to be baptized again.   If you wish to, that’s entirely up to you, but you are not obligated to.    If you ...

“If God loves everyone, what do I tell those who ignore him?” Greg Albrecht

Question: Greg, I am afraid that I have given my brother the wrong idea about the gospel, and about God’s love. Years ago I told him I'm convinced God will save everyone in the end. I still believe that but maybe it's become for him easy to ignore pursuing a relationship with Jesus and the consequences of that. What do you suggest I do? Response: Your question is superb because it goes to the heart of the gospel, at least as I perceive it. Here are some similar questions, observations and even objections to the gospel that are often voiced: 1) Why should I try hard if God is going to save me no matter what! 2) If what I do ...

Q&R with Brad – Revelation Retribution?

Question: Your book, A More Christlike God, really helped me see God in a new light. I used to be afraid of God and constantly thought he was judging me. Your book showed me that God is love exactly like Jesus. However, I wonder how you would handle some of the more violent and "judgy" passages in the book of Revelation, where Jesus is condemning and even threatening some of the churches. For example, in the message to Thyatira, Jesus (?) says, 20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching, she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food ...

Q&R with Brad – “What’s this about the courts of heaven?”

Question: A friend of mine is becoming very excited by "The Courts of Heaven" theories promoted by Robert Henderson. They’ve obviously been around for a while but I’d not come across them before. I’m not persuaded by it at all, but why do these ‘new truths’ seem to work? Response: "Courts of heaven" teachers such as Robert Henderson use biblical imagery in order to express spiritual realities as they interpret them. The question, then, revolves around their interpretation of the imagery and how they apply the imagery in practice. Full disclosure: I will first nod to some of the biblical foundations, then push back at aspects ...

Q&R with Brad: “What was ‘this cup’ Christ drank?”

The Agony in the Garden, 1590-1600, El Greco Question: I'm curious if you have written anything or have any references concerning the cup Jesus asked be passed from him in the garden of Gethsemane. Some say it is "the cup of God's wrath" whereas I recall learning it was the cup of human suffering. Would you kindly share with me a few words on this topic? Grace and peace. Response: A very good and important question. Let's begin by reviewing the text in Matthew 26 (NKJV): 36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him ...

Q for Brad: “How did you defend penal substitutionary atonement?”

Question: You are on the record as having written an MA thesis under the title “The Nature of Christ’s Suffering and Substitution” in the 1980s. You changed your mind over the years and your books have been very clear about that. Would you still have a copy of that thesis? I would dearly like to see what you thought back in the 1980s and how you argued the case. Response: Today, all that remains is my hard copy and probably the one in our college archives. The digital version was on 128k floppy drives that eventually suffered from digital drift and became a mush of characters. However, I can summarize the thesis ...