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Doubting Thomas

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  25  So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26  Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”  27  Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  28  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  29  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  ( John 20:24–30 , ESV) The most common explanation of this text is that Thomas was skeptical about the other Disciples’ testi...
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The Confutation of Mormonism - Part 5

  One of the definitional differences between Mormonism & Christianity is the epistemic basis thereof.       Whereas the Bible says “Sola Scriptura” (The OT & NT are theopneustos through & through & can be clearly & correctly understood via the application of the principles of sound reasoning & the rules of biblical hermeneutics, Mormonism looks to the OT & NT & must, generally, be understood via an interpretive grid that runs through the Doctrines & Covenants, Pearl Of Great Price, & The Book of Commandments.   One of the tell-tale signs that the extra-biblical literature the LDS is not to be regarded as Scripture, aside from literary content that varies/diverges from the Bible correctly exegeted, exposited, understood, & applied is the style in which works like  The Book af Commandments  are written.   This is Chapter 1 of  The Book af Commandments:  HEARKEN, O ye people of my church, sa...
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Covenant Theology In Outline Form - Part 21

  Jude  Jude 1–25 (ESV):    Shema 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,  To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:  2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.  How does this qualify as Shema?    Jude is speaking under the inspiration & authority of God’s Spirit.     That means that this text is an instance of both God & Jude speaking together.  Jude, of course, is neither asserting nor arguing that he himself (Jude) ought to be worshipped.   Historical Prologue  3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master an...
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The US Constitution As Covenant Theology

This  is the outline of a suzerain covenant:  Preamble Historical Prologue General Stipulations Specific Stipulations  Renewal, Document Clause Witnesses Victory Statement This is how the Constitution reads:  Its Premable forms the Shema Statement & Historical Prologue.      We the People … God includes Himself as a member/citizen of every nation.  In order to form a more perfect union - points us to a specific time & place in US & Global History.  Articles 1 - 6 are its General & Specific Stipulations Article 7 forms the Document Clause, Witnesses , Covenant Establishment, & Victory Statement .  Given the Preamble of more than one State Constitution @ the time & the fact that the Founding Fathers were not infrequently copacetic with State Churches at the time, those who argue that the US Constitution doesn’t rest on Judeo - Christian ideals sound like a know-it-all people who don’t  know nearly as much as ...
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Elders & Overseers

Strictly speaking, the Bible doesn’t prohibit drawing a distinction between kinds & types of elders.  All overseers are elders, but not all all elders are overseers.    Why would Luke use these two terms if they were synonymous? Probably because the Ephesian Church was composed of a number of smaller units & the elders serving one unit at times oversaw one or more units with the general community.  Think of the Ephesian Church as a multiune entity like God. Unit 1 is paracleted by the Father, 2 by the Son, & 3 by the Spirit.   The entire church is paracleted by them All.   Does this mean that Unit 1 is not paracleted by the Son &/o Spirit?   No, insofar as the 3 Persons of the Godhead are also perichoretic. The earliest elders were too.  There is no reason to think at least some of the elders paracleting & teaching in Unit 1 did not help oversee Units 2 & 3.  In extrabiblical literature, an episkopos was an inspector -...
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Matthew 5:41 - 48 & Representative Democracy

State Senator Ralph Hise says he does not represent Democrats.  By way of reply… The Bible teaches the 3fold use of the Law & Gospel.   The Sermon On the Mount comes to us in the form of a suzerain covenant.  Therefore, its precepts obtain for individuals, ecclesiastical, & civil institutions.  Matthew 5:41 - 48 is clear:  …if someone forces you to go one mile, p  go with him two miles. q   42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ r  and ‘Hate your enemy.’  44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, s   45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?  47 And if you greet...
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Is It True That God Does Not Love Everyone?

From time to time, Hyper-Calvinists & others will point to Romans 9 & Malachi 1:2 - 3 “  Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”  ( Romans 9:13 , ESV)  & allege that these two texts and similar texts (like Psalm 5:5) teach that God literally hates either all sinners or the Elect but not the Reprobate. Is that at all true?  No, it most certainly is not true. How so? But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35  And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37  And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38  This is the great and first commandment. 39  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  ( Matthew 22:34–40 , ESV) God is a Spirit, infinit...
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