Making a Covenant with Abraham (Part 7)
Read the series so far.
Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob (Part 1)
After Abraham
Having arrived at the crux of Abraham’s saga, which is the test of his faith as recorded in the twenty-second chapter, the story of Genesis moves to the death of Sarah and the purchase of a gravesite for her. Abraham bought the burial ground and the cave of Machpelah because although he had wealth, he was never a recipient of the land itself (cf. Gen. 37:1).
When the covenant was being solemnized God had told His servant he would go to his Fathers in peace, and his posterity would only claim the land after spending four hundred years in Egypt (Gen. 15:13-16, 18). This is the reason Abraham “waited for a city … whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:10). He knew that he himself would not own the land of promise. Genesis 25:7-10 records Abraham’s death and burial.
Discussion
Philippians 2:5-8 - Alexander MacLaren
In Expositions of Holy Scripture, Maclaren writes in the 3rd section of The Descent of the Word the following: “It was not merely an act of humiliation and condescension to become man, but all His life was one long act of lowliness.
Discussion
The finest copy of a genuine 1611 KJV Bible anywhere in the world auctioned off last week
Body
Ryrie’s “Wycliffe Bible sold for $1.4 million, which was way over the anticipated price. The KJV sold way under its expectations—only $320,000. The Greek New Testament manuscripts were auctioned for $140,000 to $250,000.” - DB Wallace
Discussion
Mere Christianity: An Examination of the Concept in Richard Baxter & C. S. Lewis (Part 6)
From Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal (DBSJ), with permission. Read the entire series.
Essential Beliefs of Mere Christians
Neither Baxter nor Lewis was as explicit as he could have been concerning the content of MC. However, we saw that Baxter was much more thorough than Lewis. What is immediately obvious is that both Lewis and Baxter speak highly of tradition. As they look into the tomes of church history they find a continuity of belief and doctrine from the apostles to their own day. They believe that Christ passed the truth to his people and the truth was never lost to the ages. Thus, they share a common conviction of the holistic unity of the church. Both men also gave Scripture priority over tradition. In sum, Baxter and Lewis essentially have much the same criteria for determining the content of MC.
Discussion
Free Grace Movement
Do any of you have experience with the Free Grace Movement?
http://faithalone.org/magazine/y2014/What-Is-Free-Grace.pdf
Pertinent quote:
First Essential: Faith Alone
Everlasting life is a free gift (which the Lord Jesus fully paid for by His death on the cross for our sins) which is received by faith alone in Christ alone, apart from works of any kind.
Discussion
Jesus' Very Busy Day
Read the series so far.
By anybody’s standard, Jesus had a very busy day (Mk 1:21-38). This passage chronicles one single day during Jesus’ early ministry. At first glance, there seems to be nothing earth-shattering here, until you step back and consider all He did during those 24 hours.1
Consider the common objections to the doctrine of the Trinity, then remember the kind of day Jesus had:
Discussion
A Time to Remember: A Report from the 25th Anniversary Pre-Trib Study Group
Dispensational Publishing House, Inc. © 2016. Used with permission.
Dr. Ed Hindson and Dr. Thomas Ice opened the 25th Anniversary Pre-Trib Study Group meetings on Monday morning by remembering the conference’s originator—the late Dr. Tim LaHaye, who went to be with the Lord on July 25, 2016, at the age of 90.
Dr. Hindson referred to Joshua 4:1-9:
Discussion
Desiring Annihilation?
I don’t believe in annihilation, I know this isn’t an option. However, I’m concerned:
For the last few months, I’ve wanted to be annihilated. I thought I’d rather not exist than be with God; not that I’m angry with him or view him as evil, etc. but rather I’m tired of existing… I want to want him, to desire to be with him as I used to, and love the scripture and the thought of knowing him - but I’m not there.
I’m afraid this might show that I’m lost….??… What say the scriptures?
Discussion
Theology Thursday - More from Reformed Baptists on the Christian & the Law
On “Theology Thursday,” we feature short excerpts on various areas of systematic theology, from a wide variety of colorful (and drab) characters and institutions. We hope these short readings are a stimulus for personal reflection, a challenge to theological complacency, and an impetus for apologetic zeal “to encourage you to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints,” (Jude 3).
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