263 results for tag: Q & R

Elijah and Fire From Heaven – Greg Albrecht

Question from the United Kingdom: You often make the excellent point that God is not nearly as mad at us as many religious leaders say, nor is he the God of wrath as they so characterize him. I agree, but what’s your take on the story of Elijah calling down fire from heaven to consume army captains and 100 soldiers? If it’s not an act of God, then how did Elijah accomplish this? Response: My take on this story. My faith is centered in and on the Cross of Christ. The symbol of my faith is the Cross, not the ashes of the bodies that resulted from the story related in the first chapter of 2 Kings. I do not wear a symbol ...

Q&R: Why did Jesus only choose male disciples?

Question Do you have any thoughts on why Jesus chose twelve men for his group, but no women in his inner circle? Response Excellent question! The short answer: he didn't! What helps me most on this question is examining the way the disciples wrote each of the four Gospels, noting where they are not identical. I. The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke - written early and at some points similar) do identify a group of twelve men ("the Twelve"). Given the array of other disciples in Jesus' entourage, why these twelve? One reason made explicit in the text is that Christ is creating a conscious parallel to the twelve tribes of ...

What does the Afterlife look like for Unbelievers? – Greg Albrecht

Question: I’ve been reading your site for a few days. I have read your beliefs that God does not punish anyone or turn away from them beyond letting them experience the natural consequences of their actions. In particular, you use the term “hell” to describe depravity and awful environments that humans cause on this earth by turning away from God. You reject the concept of hell as an afterlife of eternal torment for those who did not accept Jesus’ work before their death, and you assert that these unbelievers experience an “afterlife” in which they see God more clearly and still have the opportunity to turn and be welcomed into ...

Q&R with Greg Albrecht – “The End Times” – Is Jesus coming back?

Question: My question is about what many call “the end times.” They (many preachers, teachers and churches) say that the upheaval, suffering, disease and warfare in our world is a sign that the Second Coming of Jesus is near. They say his coming is closer than it ever has been.  It seems to me that whether all of this means his Second Coming is near, either way, Jesus will return. What do you think? Response: Of course, it is not breaking news to say that Jesus’ Second Coming is closer than it ever has been before.  I appreciate that many say such a thing in a sensational way, but of course what they say is not a breatht...

Q&R with Brad – “For God shut up all people”? Romans 11:32

Question I wonder if I could pick your brain on something! I’m battling a severe form of CFS/ME and have been for almost 20 years. I am also going through deconstruction (an almost lethal combination!) and am questioning the goodness and fairness of God. I’ve got really stuck on Romans 11:32. Here’s my dilemma: I didn’t choose/consent to being created and as I read Gen 1-3 it feels like God set us up for failure (putting us near the tree, allowing the serpent in, etc). But then he sends Jesus as the solution to the problem he created. Allowing free will led to absolutely catastrophic consequences. The devastation this illness has ...

Q&R with Brad – “Anthropomorphisms”?

Definition The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object. Question I’m reading your chapter in A More Christlike Word on Cassian and Ambrose. I find it really helpful to have the Fathers speaking about the question of "anthropomorphism." The question that keeps rattling around as I read is that this is great when we apply it to the negative things we attribute to God, but what about the positive? Compassion, kindness, love, delight; even grief? I see that you note that God’s love is immutable so that it isn’t wavering like human passions. But how is it still not an anthropomorphism of sorts, if ...

Q&R: God in the Old Testament

Question I have one quick theological question (but it may not be a quick answer!). I am trying to read about God in the Old Testament through Jesus revelation that God is nonviolent and non-vengeful. What is your opinion on the destruction of the prophets of Baal by Elijah? Is that just an accommodation of God to man’s expectation? Response I would suggest starting with my book, A More Christlike Word. I don't address Elijah's massacre of the prophets of Baal in the book, mainly because it's not one of the most difficult stories to deal with. I say that because, in that particular story, there is no indication at all that God ...

Q&R with Brad Jersak – Is Noah’s flood story true?

Question Is the narrative about Noah's ark in Genesis a true story? Response Oh, of course the *story* is *true*, just as the *story* of the Prodigal Son is *true,* which is to say, the story is telling us the *truth.* Discovering the truth the story is telling means honoring the genre the story is written in. If we treat a parable as if it is not a parable, and literalize it when Jesus wasn't telling it that way, we may be treating a story as a fact and missing out on its truth. So, to demand a physical address for the Father's house, the names of the prodigal sons, and what type of cow they ate at the banquet would be untrue ...

Q&R with Brad Jersak – “Can we withhold God’s forgiveness?

Question What is your take on John 20:23? "If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” Response That's a very difficult verse. Of course, the first part seems easy enough. Up until that point, there was this sense that only God could forgive sin (Mark 2:7), so Jesus' critics were upset when he would announce (in the passive voice), "Your sins are forgiven." They claimed it was tantamount to blasphemy. But note, he didn't say, "I forgive you," but rather, spoke the words as the Son authorized by his Father. Even on the Cross, we hear Jesus praying, "Father, forgive ...

Q&R with Brad Jersak: Will Jesus be ashamed of me? Luke 9:26

Question Brad, could you help me to see a more beautiful way of understanding Luke 9:26? "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory, and in the glory of his Father, and of the holy angels." Response That's a difficult passage, isn't it, especially coming from Jesus Christ, the epitome and Incarnation of God's grace and radical hospitality. So when we see a warning so jarring, so out of character with what we know of the Jesus Way, it's good we ask not only what Jesus said or meant, but what he's up to. What is he aiming at with these words? And how might his aim align ...

Q&R: Why the Violent God of Joshua? Brad Jersak

QUESTION Where might I find some good help reading the Book of Joshua? I have spent ten years changing my paradigm, coming to see that God is good. But then I read Joshua and have so many questions. I cannot believe this is a good God. Why the violence? Christians don't need more excuses for their bad behavior. Please help me find a good book that can explain some of this violence. RESPONSE Thank you for asking such an important question. While not a commentary, I think you’ll find that our CWR press book, A More Christlike God: A More Beautiful Gospel, addresses the bigger problem—particularly the central section, titled ...

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 ...

More Christlike God Q & A: “Doesn’t Isaiah 59:2 clearly state that our sins separate us from God?” – Brad Jersak

QUESTION:   Dear Brad,I have had the privilege of hearing your teaching at my local church. I also love your book, Stricken by God?  In it you dispel the idea that God cannot look on sin and I totally agree with your reasoning.  But although you mention Habakkuk 1:13, you do not comment on Isaiah 59:2. It seems to be clearly stating that the people's sin had separated them from God and hidden his face from them. I would be most interested in your interpretation of this verse, if you have the time to answer.Thank you.  May God bless you, Sarah   RESPONSE:   What a great question, ...

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: Baldies, Bears & Cursing in God’s name – Brad Jersak

The Punishment of the Children who Mocked Elisha in Bethel; The Widow before Elisha; Unknown; Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany; about 1400 - 1410; Tempera colors, gold, silver paint, and ink on parchment; Leaf: 33.5 x 23.5 cm (13 3/16 x 9 1/4 in.); Ms. 33, fol. 229v Question Greetings! How are we to understand the young boys in the book of kings who mocked Elisha's bald head and were mauled to death by bears. Certainly this could not have come from the Lord. Elisha had cursed them in the name of the Lord when the bears came and mauled them. Response You are correct. I think what you are saying is obviously true: CERTAINLY, this could not ...

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: “Not counting our sins against us” Part 2 – Brad Jersak

"Not Counting Our Sins Against Us" In a previous post, "Not counting our sins against us," I wrote concerning Paul's remarkable claim that at the Cross, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself not counting our sins against us." (from 2 Corinthians 3:18-19). That last phrase is a stunning repudiation of every claim that God is beholden to some higher justice that requires payment or punishment as a condition of forgiveness or reconciliation. Further, it shines bright among a constellation of similar verses that wipe out any sense of record-keeping on God's part. Two others that come to mind: * Hebrews 8:11-12 citing Jeremiah ...

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 ...