The Prophetic Presbyterian & His Narrow Way

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)

According to some critics of the Bible, the Virgin Birth, & assorted Village Atheists & Skeptics, the author(s) of Matthew invented the Virgin Birth by reformulating or outright misquoting the text of Isaiah 7:14.   The key to correctly understanding this text. Matthew’s citation of Isaiah 7:14 is found in the doctrine of Continuationism. The objection assumes Cessationism & it assumes that the Hebrew reading is the only correct reading.  However, if Continuationism obtains (WSC 5.3), then this objection disappears.  The Hebrew version of Isaiah reads “young woman of marriable age.”     The LXX reads, “virgin.”    Which one is correct?   The solution is simple & elegant:  Both!  The Hebrew points us to the child born in Isaiah’s name as an answer to Ahaz.   Matthew chooses the LXX version to point us to Christ.   From a continuationist perspective, God inspired both versions...

  Shema Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Historical Prologue  Joshua Judges Ruth 1-2 Samuel 1-2 Kings 1-2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther General Stipulations  Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Specific Stipulations, Covenant Renewal, Witnesses, Victory Statement  Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi Note : It is also possible to place Esther, Ezra, & Nehemiah & the end in order to emphasis the LORD’s victory over polytheism, idolatry, witchcraft, warmongering, & gluttony, & sorcery among His people. 

  Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2  Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3  For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4  I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5  I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6  I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7  proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8  O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9  Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10  in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11  But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12  My foot stands on level ground; in the great ...

  1  Give thanks to the  Lord , for he is good. His love endures forever. 2  Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. 3  Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever. 4  to him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever. 5  who by his understanding made the heavens, His love endures forever. 6  who spread out the earth upon the waters, His love endures forever. 7  who made the great lights— His love endures forever. 8  the sun to govern the day, His love endures forever. 9  the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. 10  to him who struck down the firstbornof Egypt His love endures forever. 11  and brought Israel out from among them His love endures forever. 12  with a mighty hand and outstretched arm; His love endures forever. 13  to him who divided the Red Sea [ a ] asunder His love endures forever. 14 ...

Psalm 82   Psalm 82 tells a story about a day during which the divine council gathered & the I AM THAT I AM entered the Assembly chamber & held court in the manner ANE (Ancient Near East)monarchs (and, later on) European monarchs once did.    God has taken his place in the divine council;     in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: In heaven & wherever else, God appears to interrogate, accuse, judge, legislate, & commission the Royal Court, which is composed of representatives of each & every order of being who are present in as many administrations the plot requires.  In the ANE, it was customary for warlords, monarchs, & other sorts of despots to call themselves sons of God. Some (like Caesar Augustus, Nero, & others).     The text isn’t affirming that the members of Titanomachy, angels, &/or non-angelic people, animals, &/or anyone or anything else qualifies as a deity of any sort. ...

  Psalm 22 Why Have You Forsaken Me? Heading For the choir director. According to “Doe of the Dawn.” [ a ] A psalm by David. Part One: The Messiah’s Suffering The Messiah’s Plea 1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? My groaning does nothing to save me. 2  My God, I call out by day, but you do not answer. I call out by night, but there is no relief for me. [ b ] God’s Help in the Past 3  Yet you are seated as the Holy One, praised by Israel. 4  In you our fathers trusted. They trusted and you delivered them. 5  They cried out to you, and they were rescued. They trusted in you, and they were not disappointed. God’s Present Absence 6  But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people. 7  All who see me mock me. They sneer. They shake their heads. 8  They say, “Trust in the  Lord .” [ c ] “Let the  Lord  deliver him. Let him rescue him, if he delights in him.” [ d ] The Mutual Love of Father and Son 9...