“For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. Colossians 2:9 “ (Amplified bible)
The Godhead fully existing in Christ, I am learning in more detail. An additional scripture declares God as the only unique God of his kind, being able to explain the Father because he is from the Father.
Rough Translation: No being at any time has seen God (Father), only the Unique God (Son) who is in the Fathers heart (bosom, chest) can explain Him (Father) or order His steps.
With the text if the son is fully in the Father and the Father in the Son; then the son is an explainer of ultimate wisdom from God. However, The God-Man (Christ) still seems surreal. What is he really giving up and why is Lucifer really after Him on earth. We read in Revelation 12 that the dragon is cast to the earth; in addition, Michael also defeats the dragon again at the cross? I am drawn back to Is.14; Lucifer desires to ascend above the throne of God. In light of the Adventist view of the Sanctuary, I am focusing on the essence of God when I say that Lucifer wants to ascend above God’s own mind. Lucifer Believes that he is a better exegete of the world and that he can order the world in a better order than the Godhead. In the New testament, Christ is called the greatest high priest who died once and for all for us and the universe reconciling all things unto Himself. Along this truncated reasoning, if I look back to the day of atonement only the High Priest could enter into the Most Holy place. If Christ is in the breast of the Father, then if he falls the entire Cosmos and the order of the Cosmos is at stake. The son’s intimate access to the Father puts at risk the cosmos; God-Man, Yeshua Messiah, is taking a real risk. It is obviously difficult to express complete thoughts and ideologies in a blog; however, The Only Unique God, can not fail, if he did it could have thrown the entire order of the universe out of course. Planets could have fallen out of orbit; life could cease to exist. All things are in Christ even our breath; I don’t think Lucifer comprehended in full detail the possible implications of fallen Messiah. This of course did not happen Praise God! I believe could have ceased to exist at that point even though he would have one the battle. (This is a scenario on possible implications of a fall, but Christ did not fall) Finally, I am drawn back to our opening text; there was a direct link from earth to heaven through the Anointed One. In their own mind they communicated with each other; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The jealousy from heaven was still with Lucifer, promising the Son the world (earth), if He bowed down to him. The entire Godhead is enshroud in a fleshly veil, this is mind-boggling. Furthermore, we now have access to the full deity via the Holy Spirit. If I sin I cannot give Lucifer the Throne room of God because I am not God but yet in my sinful state I now have more access to God than Lucifer because of the Holy Spirit, Indeed I am in heavenly places already. In the Old Testament, Elijah stands before God (1 kings 17), Gabriel also says a similar statement in Luke 1. How can a human being stand in the same space as an exalted angel? Both are colleagues in ministry but one has not sinned…. Just a few thoughts, I am still wrestling with have the same access as Christ in my sinful nature......
Those were the words I used to describe the difference between undergraduate and graduate studies to my wife after the first day of THST618. This was confirmed when I read in Dr. Hanna’s “The Cosmic Christ of Scripture” that I’m going to embark on a journey as complex as a study of the cosmos itself (p.21). The materials presented thus far in the course have stretched my mind in directions that I’ve never considered before, and this essay is my attempt to compile my thoughts into something coherent regarding the subject.
First, I’ll address my reading of Dr. Hanna’s book itself. On p. 16, I read something seemingly common-sense yet stood out as profound to me: “…Christ is not a philosophical principle…” This struck me because in my just over 5 years as a Christian, I was already starting to notice a tendency in Christianity to simply use the Bible as collection of proverbs and isolated statements with the most important ones being written with red letters. Christ is not a philosophical principle; He is the Creator of the Universe. The Scriptures contain the story of the Great Controversy, not just a series of proof-texts to defend Sabbath-keeping or condemn homosexuals. It pains me when I read other authors who, without any consideration of how that statement fits into the story, pluck out a text and use it to fit their needs. The “story” on p. 31 seems to teach the same lesson.
Second, I’ll address my reading of a document from the BRI article: “Predestination, Foreknowledge, and Human Freedom”. It is a scary thought to me that there are Christians out there who believe that God only saves those He picked ahead of time and He leaves everybody else for damnation. If this is the case, the Great Commission is nothing more than busy work assigned to the Church to keep us busy until He comes again much like the worksheets that substitute teachers give middle school students. It makes Paul’s life of mission nothing more than a really busy sight-seeing trip. Most importantly, it means that we lack the free will that makes life worth living. If God has already written some names in the Book of Life and rejected others, what is the point of ANY of us continuing in this wretched world? Is it our enjoyment of cold, rainy Michigan days while we drive an hour down a pothole-ridden stretch of I-94? This flawed misuse of Paul’s teaching on predestination, which the document thankfully cleared up, naturally leads to a view of the futility of life similar to that offered by Darwinian evolution.
Mr. Donkor side-swiped an issue that we discussed in class but I still don’t fully understand. He states, “The biblical God, being the kind of God who knows the end from the beginning (Isa 46:9-10), decided to create the world, knowing that there will be the fall. The Bible does not tell us why God still decided to create in spite of this knowledge.” He already had a sin-issue to deal with in a third of His angels, and yet He still persisted in creating us knowing that once sin entered into His Creation, there would be no stopping it from taking hold of those created in God’s Image (namely, we humans). Why? I know that we said in class that questioning why God would do something seems to imply that we think we know better than God and that if we were God we would have done it “right”. While some biblical characters, such as Job, were rebuked for asking such questions with a similar line of reasoning, others receive straight-forward answers for their ignorance. When Habakkuk challenged God’s use of a nation as sinful as the Babylonians to punish His people, God helped the prophet to understand His purpose without any hint of rebuke for asking the question. If He didn’t want us asking questions about His methods or intentions, free will would be about the worst thing He could have given us.
I had written 3 other paragraphs that were eliminated because of the 4,096 character limit; more proof that I’m not in Kansas anymore.
John A. Coaxum Assignment #1: The Already and the Not Yet Ephesians 2:6 says “And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. This text has been the source of both consternation and beauty to me ( if this is possible). This week Dr. Hanna spoke about Original sin, Lucifer, and Adam…etc. In my opinion the atonement has been done. Firstly because the Bible says: “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This to me seems to indicate that it was decided before the world came to be that Christ would die and secure the world to himself. Although historically he had not died yet, in my mind God’s decisions, choices, and words are as solid and trustworthy as actions. I believe that if God has purposed it and said it, it will surely come to pass. He is God, and He alone has the power to speak things into existence directly. So in one sense when God had decided to have this sacrifice done in Christ in 31 AD was as good as done when he first decided it. Well then what about Calvary? If His word is perfectly good enough, than does that mean that Christ did not have to involve himself in the physical act of dying. Quite the contrary, since God spoke it, it HAD to happen. And as we studied this week there are phases in the total atonement package; calvary being one of them ( but of course the one we place most emphasis on). But there is also the resurrection, the second coming, the judgment and the obliteration of evil. Without either of these events the plan of salvation seems to fall short of being completed, although from the beginning of the world it was as good as done. For me this is akin to Ephesians 2:6. When Paul talks about us being seated with Him in heavenly places, he speaks about it in the past tense. As if we are already there in heaven. Obviously we are not physically there. However, when Christ entered the cosmos (his creation) His sacrifice was so sure that it is as if we are already in heaven with Christ. And then verse 7 compliments that by stating: “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus”. In other words, in a later time the sure act of Christ will be fully divulged. We are already seated with Christ in Heavenly places and at the same time not yet. Similarly Christ made statements that the Kingdom of God had come to Earth and that at the same time it was yet to come. With these concepts in mind it gives a better vantage point from which to understand the solving of the sin problem. That it is a phases by phase process as well as something that is so sure that it will come to pass that it as if it has already happened.
Edgardo Rivas The Bible Tells Me So Blog #1 Knowing what the Bible says about Jesus and how he worked in favor of men can help diminish the misunderstandings that are said about Him. Even though for some scholars Jesus is just another person we can read from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy that he Is who he claimed to be, the Son of the Living God, God himself in human form, the creator of heaven and earth. Jesus is above scripture even though he is found in scripture. Neither one obscures the other (Cosmic Christ p18). It is by His word that we have today this special book (revelation, Rev 1:1). God wants to bless his people and the only way there is blessing is by accepting Jesus just as he is. Having believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Yes it is by the Holy Spirit that we can get to know God through Christ and his written word. Will help us know him better, v17. If we put into practice the three principles of sola scriptura, tota scriptura, and prima scriptura we can have answers to our questions. The bible is one and even though written by different people it has only One author, God. The Holy Spirit took these men and impressed them in such a way that what they wrote became the Word of God. When people, didn’t listen to the prophets and to the Word of God, He Sent his Only Son to speak on his behalf. But the religious leaders and the people of the time did not wanted to hear him. In the past God has spoken to our fathers through the prophets in many ways and times but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son. If we are to listen to God we must listen to what Jesus has said and done on man’s behalf. We as humans don’t understand how things came into existence. Scholars, astrologers, scientists and others have tried to explain from a human point of view what happened. Many of these don’t agree with each other or even give God the Glory or the credit he deserves. On the contrary they explain things with it just happened. The evolution theory has won the hearts of many professed Christians and has taken them away from the real creation story as expressed in the Bible. God made the earth in seven literal days. In order to understand this we must understand who God is and who Christ is. We must understand their mode operandi. Christ in order to make the world came into time. For before that, time for Him was eternity. He transcended all the barriers of time. The trans-cosmic Christ now became the cosmic Christ. Jesus is the light of the world. He shines in every heart that has accepted him as Lord and Savior. He came into the world (cosmic) to give light, meaning that he was not in the world (trans-cosmic). Before he came into the world Christ was in heaven and that can be taken as cosmic (within creation) or trans-cosmic (in the throne of God).
Because of the length limitation my entire reflection can be read at: http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
Works of Christ - THST 618 Ariel Roldan First Reflection Paper
Ephesians - Chaps. 1-3: After two days of lectures geared to present the concept of the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ I was surprised at the new perspective this brought to these familiar passages. The blessings we have in Christ in “heavenly places” (outside our world, but within the Creation), His choosing us “before the foundations of the world” (our sphere of Creation), and the gathering into one those things which are in heaven and on earth (reconciliation of the heavenly and earthly family) - in Him. These passages coupled with the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic concepts are beginning to fulfill Paul’s second of two prayer mentioned thus far - that even today’s saints would comprehend the width and length and depth and height of God’s love manifested through and in Christ. Paul’s first prayer is for this to be revealed (so that it can then be comprehended) to the church in Ephesus. That they would know three things: 1. what is the hope of His calling 2. what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints 3. what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (the same power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead) This hope to be predestined to adoption into God’s family in Christ, our inheritance that is guaranteed in Christ, and the awesome power of Christ’s resurrection made available to every believer is central to the church’s existence. The church participates in the Cosmic revelation of Christ by being made the fullness of Him. This is the first of two paradoxes thus far. The church made of limited creatures (Cosmic) are the fullness of Him who “fills all in all” (Trans-Cosmic). Now it stands to reason that if Christ could reconcile the family in heaven with the one on earth, surely he can reconcile the fragmented human family as well. Thus the second chapter transitions from its focus on God’s call to hope, guaranteed inheritance, and resurrection power from “us” to “them” - the Gentiles. In Christ there is no fragmented human family either. It makes no difference that they were dead in trespasses, so were we at one point. But the life giving power of Christ’s sacrifice (His blood) has rescued us, and them and has made us both alive. They too are part of His church, His body. Towards the end of chapter three Paul begins to recall his earlier revelation of the estranged families of heaven and earth being united by the one name - Christ. This union will bring with it a revelation of Christ’s love. But this revelation of love is the second paradox. How can we know a love that surpasses our ability to know? By a ...
Colossians - Chaps. 1-4: I had never noticed the strong parallels that exists between Ephesians and Colossians. Here Paul also prays for them to have the knowledge and spiritual understanding in order that they too may experience God’s glorious power in their Christian walk. Again the concept of Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ surfaces bringing a clearer depth in Paul’s expression. The “invisible God” that stands outside of the Creation. Invisible not just because of our sinful nature, but invisible for all eternity to the redeemed and unfallen beings. He is outside of the created realm and will ever remain a mystery - invisible. Yet there is a visible “image” of this invisible God - the Cosmic Christ. Though Christ is Cosmic, yet He is God and thus Trans-Cosmic since He has made “all things in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible ...” Now it is obvious that Christ making things that are invisible does not refer to also making the invisible God. What are these invisible things? Probably Paul is referring to the heavenly beings which are invisible to us presently. ... There is one new element Paul brings up that has unsettled me;
THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST Colossians 1:15-20 PREEMINENT IN CREATION 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15:17). 1. The Image of the Invisible God: (1:15). Most of the gods of the ancient world were visible. You went to a temple and you saw an idol and you prayed to it. By contrast, the true God is invisible. But God took on flesh and came among men. The Greek term for “image” is eivkwn (eikon). It is from here that we derive our English word “icon.” God is a spirit. Spirits are invisible and this means you cannot see God. John 1:18 says that no one has seen God at any time, but that Jesus has explained Him. When you look at Jesus you are seeing the image of the un- seeable God. This same word for “image” is used in Genesis where we read of God’s plan to create mankind in the image and likeness of God. Indeed, the Septuagint uses the same Greek word found here to describe how man was made in the image of God. It is for this reason that Paul elsewhere refers to Jesus as the Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). Moses stood in the presence of God and asked, “Show me your glory!” Philip asked something very similar when he asked Jesus to show the Father. When you looked at Jesus, you got to see the imprint of the Father. He not only communicates who God is, He is that communication. He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. 2. The Firstborn of All Creation: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (1:15). The term “firstborn” can have one of two possible meanings. The literal meaning describes the first of a series of children to be born in a family. For example, Esau was the first to be born to Isaac and Rebecca and is appropriately called their firstborn (Genesis 27:19). There is also a non-literal use of the term that is regularly found in the Bible. The firstborn can refer to one who holds a position of preeminence. Such a use can be seen in a number of instances:
• Ephraim was called the firstborn of Joseph and he was not the literal firstborn (Jeremiah 31:9). • Solomon was described as the firstborn of David and yet he was not the literal firstborn (Psalms 89:27). • God says in Exodus 4:22, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.” This does not mean that Israel was the first nation ever to be formed. It means that Israel held a special place of preeminence in the heart of the Lord. • In describing the ravages of disease, Job 18:13 speak of how “the firstborn of death” devours a person’s limbs. • The Hebrew text of Isaiah 14:30 speak of how “the firstborn of the poor” will be fed. The New American Standard correctly understands this to be a figure of speech and therefore renders this “those who are most helpless.” • Later in church history, Polycarp refers to the heretic Marcion as the “firstborn of Satan” (Polycarp to the Philippians 1:7). 3. The Creator of All Things: For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities__ all things have been created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16). Before anything was created, Christ existed. John opened up his gospel account with this message: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He goes on to identify the Word as the One who became flesh and who dwelt among us (John 1:14). It was by Christ that all things were created. When Paul speaks of Him creating all things, he wants us to be very sure that we understand there are no exceptions. 1. That which is the heavens and that which is on earth. 2. That which visible and that which is invisible. 3. That which holds power.
Wallin O'Connor Assignment 1 At first I was uncomfortable with the term cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. My uneasiness stemmed from not fully understanding what was meant by these terms. But upon further study and participation in the class I’ve come to understand that the cosmic Christ represents the God who is actively seen and participates in the acts with his creation. The trans-cosmic Christ represents the God who lives and inhabits outside his creative realm. For the most part because we are sinful beings and we have fallen from our perfected state. We see God desperately trying to save every human being on this planet. But we also see God trying to solve the problem of sin which first began in a perfect sinless being. We should be careful however not to limit God’s interaction with humanity as solely redemptive. Genesis 3:8 “and they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day and Adam and his wife hid themselves in the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” In this text most people believe this is where God had his first physical interaction with man. We find however in Genesis chapter 1 and two that God creates this earth mostly by speaking it into existence. When it comes to mankind God is seen in Genesis 2:7 as “forming man from the dust of the ground and breathing into him the breath of life.” This physical act of God indicates his direct connection with his creation with us his cosmic interaction with his creation. When it comes to the trans-cosmic dimensions of God we become very limited in our knowledge of it. Obviously the reason that we cannot exist in the trans-cosmic realm is because we were created in the cosmic realm where we now exist. Since the fall of mankind it has been God’s endeavor to reconcile humanity back to him. It is from this perspective that we see the works of Christ and we understand it from this viewpoint. Colossians 1:19-21 “for it pleased the father that in him all the fullness should dwell, invite him to reconcile all things to himself, and by him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled.” Reconciliation is not the only work of Christ was one of many. The interesting thing is if we are to learn of all the works of Christ we first must be reconciled to him. Which is why on this earth and in our sinful state God consistently pursues the reconciliation of men.
Wallin, I had the same initial issue with the class; it doesn't help that our book has a big picture of semi-transparent Jesus floating through the Universe. Even with 2 years of Greek under my belt, the connection of "Cosmic Christ" to the word "kosmos" wasn't immediate for me.
I do have a little issue with terminology in your paper as well; I'm sure you have the right idea, but used a confusing term. You stated that God is "trying to solve the problem of sin..." and that God is "desperately trying to save...". I connect the word "trying" with the potential for failure. I "try" to pass my classes; I "did" eat breakfast. God's side of the salvation equation is not uncertain, doesn't have the chance for failure. God HAS saved every human with the shed blood of His Son. The uncertainty, the chance for failure, is on OUR side. I'm sure that this is the idea you meant to portray.
Works of Christ – Assignment # 1 – “Sin and Death Utterly Defeated!”
In light of our discussions in class, I’ve opted to briefly address the subjects of sin and salvation. Throughout the ages, people have wrestled with the topics of sin and salvation. This is understandable because sin is so pervasive in our world. Satan is the source of all the evil that exists in this world. He is the one who leads people astray and causes them to disobey the will of God. Thus, sinful acts committed by human beings can all be traced to Satan’s evil influences. However, Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross opens the way to salvation for everyone who chooses to accept Him. It was a self-sacrificing act on behalf of humanity done out of complete obedience to God. It brought honor to God that Jesus Christ was obedient to Him even unto the point of death. Jesus Christ’s willingness to die an agonizing death on the Cross was done out of love for humanity. It was a selfless act that took extreme humility and obedience on His part. The Bible gives us wonderful insight into this self-effacing act of Jesus Christ saying “your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). God did not send Jesus Christ down to earth to simply suffer shame but instead sent Him into the world that He might bring salvation to all who receive Him as their Savior. Hence, as a result of Jesus Christ’s act of redemption, the Bible gives us the assurance that Satan will one day suffer total defeat. Satan and his army will be utterly defeated. They will never again be able to harm, tempt, or cause us to fall. We will no longer have an enemy who keeps us from doing the good that we desire to do. We will no longer have an accuser who makes us feel ashamed or guilty for our actions. Though the enemy is doing everything in his power to bring about our demise while we are still here on earth, there will come a time in which his evil legacy will end. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ has already overcome sin and death. He leaves with these assuring words saying "do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18). Hence, Jesus Christ died once and for all so we can escape eternal death. Everyone who believes in Him as the Son of God will enjoy God’s promise that, at the end, “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Thus, the evil legacy of sin and death will come to a permanent end. We can have the assurance that sin and death will never resurface again because Jesus Christ has gained permanent victory over these devastating enemies. It is because of this great truth that Paul was able to mock sin and death saying ‘“death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”’ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). It is terrific news to know that sin and death will be utterly undone! When we are taken up to heaven to be with Jesus Christ in heaven, we will indeed never again sin nor suffer death. In the final analysis, Jesus Christ will permanently eradicate evil, solve the problem of sin and death, and grant everlasting life those who are faithful to Him. Hence, Satan and the fallen angels will be forever condemned and destroyed whereas the righteous will inherit the heavenly kingdom and enjoy eternal life without ever falling into sin again. This is made possible only through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! - James W. Dieujuste
Assignment #1: Jesus Alone Can Reverse the Sin Problem Sin is by far the greatest issue in the universe, it has disrupted the universal harmony which God created in the cosmos and only Jesus can truly eradicate evil from our universe forever. We don’t have a clear view of how the sin problem evolved in the heart of a sinless being; we do know its consequences not only in humanity, and nature but it also affected heaven and God himself. Humanity and other fallen beings have adopted a sinful nature which wars against God and disobeys His law, and the final outcome will be that we are, “by nature object of wrath [God’s wrath]” Eph. 2:3. The sin problem is not confined to humanity, it is much broader and as such the solution must have cosmic perspective, in other words, thinking that sin only affects individuals is only a part of the problem. It is true that God has provided a way of salvation for humanity, yet it is not only for humanity but for the entire universe God created and which is suffering the consequences of sin (Romans 8:18-23). The question then is why did God create a universe where sin could enter? If he knew that his creatures could make wrong use of the freedom which he gave them, why create them with this ability in the first place? If he knew the terrible “price” he had to pay for the redemption of the cosmos, why did he go ahead and created it? I don’t claim to have a full answer to these questions, I can only quote Paul, “But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved” Eph. 2:4-5. I believe God’s love is stronger than evil, God’s power is greater, his mercy is sufficient, his grace is abundant, his forgiveness is complete, his authority is above all, his dominion is far reaching than just the universe he created, and his will is for his creatures to be adopted back into his glorious kingdom. Jesus alone can solve the problem of sin, he defeated Satan in heaven, he defeated Satan when he died on the Cross, and he will defeat him at the end of time. Satan is a defeated enemy! We can rejoice because we know the outcome presented by John in Revelation 20:14, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire,” he also mentions in Rev. 21:27, “Nothing impure will ever enter it [The New Jerusalem].” In heaven we will understand better the issue of evil and we will learn to hate sin, just as God hates sin. Christ is also doing the same work of re-creation in our hearts; he wants to replace our hearts with a new one because in our hearts there is only rebellion and evil. Christ is working so that the relationship with God can be re-established, Paul comments, “In him [Christ] and through faith in him [Christ] we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” He is the only one who understands his creatures well enough to be an effective savior, not only to humans but to the entire creation. It is in Christ alone that God will bring everything together, Christ will have dominion over the entire new creation and it is God’s desire that we may become part of that new creation by exercising the gift of election and choosing to give our lives to Him. Humanity does not need to be bound to Satan and his fate; God has provided a way of salvation for the entire universe through the blood of Christ Jesus, who because of his great love and mercy chose to bring reconciliation between God and us. What a great gift of grace has been made available to all, we can be part of the new order where Christ will be the head, we can enjoy the blessings of the new creation were sin will not exist, we can be heirs of the riches and glory reserved to those who accepted the gift of grace through faith. The cosmic scope of sin will be resolved by a trans-cosmic Christ, who will bring harmony back to the universe.
Response to Assignment # 1 posted by John A. Coaxum
I enjoyed reading your posting from assignment 1. I liked the way that you use Scripture to convey your points. I think that you accurately described salvation in that it is both “a phase by phase process” and yet something so certain that it is “as if it has already happened.” This is a helpful way to describe the “already but not yet” tension that exists in the Bible. The “already but not yet” concept is indeed present in the words of Christ and Paul. Christ can make the claim about the coming kingdom because as the omnipotent God He is able to establish it. For Paul, his faith was so grounded in God that he welcomed fully the eschatological promise made in regard to the kingdom though he had not yet actually experienced it. It is interesting to analyze the way that this tension plays out its course without there being a contradiction in the Word of God. - James W Dieujuste
Quigley Morris The work of Christ 05/13/02 Assignment 1
By Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2)
There are some compelling reasons that can make one think deep about his or her faith. Or just to understand grace through faith is a mystery that the church has been explaining to its members. Although the explanation may seem to be logical and profound the depth of faith still hangs around in the mines of people as an unknown variable. It is the grace on God’s part and the faith on man’s part that can make this work. Now remember that in this deal we can take nothing to the table, because even the faith we have to take to the table is rooted in God. Man on his own cannot have faith; the faith we may enjoy is a gift from God. It is also an ability that can only grow when one is connected to God, the point I am trying to make here we can take nothing to the table. In our condition we are venerable to who we are, and who we are is not very good. The part of faith is simply we accepting the invitation from God to rely and trust him. To me there is no other way around it; grace through faith is all about the Father giving to his children and the recipient who are his children through Christ learn to accept the offer in Faith. This process will grow base on ones experience in his relationship with the father. Here the ground for faith to grow and the recipient can learn to trust through experience. That faith help us reach the table, but we are not taking faith there as our contribution to the deal of salvation; but it is there because on the other side of the table God is sitting there. And with him he carries all the good gifts that we need. It is only then can we have one once of faith and the ability to use our faith becomes available in him. So through the process of living for him and with him our faith grows as we start tasting and feeling the goodness of the Lord. It is through the act of presenting ourselves to Him that we are saved not that faith is the means of our salvation but simply the channel. It is like turning on the light in your house, when you flip the swish you have not created electricity but you have provided the medium for it to flow. So faith of itself cannot help the Christian; the Christian must connect faith to God and that is the only time Faith can come alive and shine in a Christian life. Salvation is not affected by human effort; we cannot save ourselves nether can we take our selves closer to God. Salvation is a free gift without money or price; we just cannot pay for it, we cannot rent it. It is a free gift that requires each individual must make a conscious effort to walk in a relationship with God. Work is not a cause but an effect of salvation; that does not mean that your good works can help you attain salvation. As I have said early there is nothing we can do to attain salvation. But through your work you learn to build a relationship with God. You start eating the bread of live and that action create experience and from that experience our faith start growing and as we get older we get a better understanding of who God is to us. That is all our work can do for us, give us a better understanding of who Jesus is to us. Our works are not good; of man himself he cannot bring forth good work. It is necessary for him to be spiritually recreated in Christ before he can produce the good work that is motivated my Christ alone. By a change of the will affection and purpose the privilege and duty of witness by good works become possible. The true value of a human life is found in the love of God; and the wonder of it all God love us while we were sinners. And he has never ceased to love us; by the way it is his love that motivated his work of salvation. God has mercy on us because we are sinners, and he loves us because we are his creatures.
Assignment 1 Works of Christ Why did God Create Lucifer? Could it be that God may be implicated in the origin of sin and evil? Does the Bible provide an answer to this question? I do believe that any attempt to answer this question would include an aspect of speculation. The question that would come into our minds is; could sin and evil be part of God’s creative activity? According to the Bible the answer is clear as the Bible puts it that everything that God created was “very good” (Gen 1:31). This therefore affirms that everything that God created was good. I would think that it implies that He did not create evil. There is also a very clear connection between God and Lucifer which should not be mistaken. The Bible states that God created him, he is a creature and also when God created him he was “blameless”. It seems to me that Lucifer’s aspect of being blameless did not last for long as latter “wickedness was found in him” (Ezek 28:15). Though God’s creation was good something happened on one of his creation. The text says that “wickedness was found in you”. The question is: What happened to Lucifer? Something had happened to Lucifer which is a point of contention to many scholars. Here we face the mystery of the origin of sin: its irrationality. While the blamelessness of the cherub is clearly explained as the product of divine creation, wickedness is an unexpected phenomenon that "was found" in him. Manuel Rodriguez says the strange behavior of the cherub was legally examined and found to be wicked. The legal proceedings were necessary because the behavior of the cherub did not correspond to what was expected from him. The court concluded there was "wickedness” in him. It’s hard to comprend this!
The fact that God is omniscient means that He foreknew that Lucifer, the light bearer, would become Satan, the accuser. Since God is omnipotent, sin and evil exist because God permits them to exist. Why did He permit them to exist? That is your question and mine too. Some theologians have established a distinction between the nature of Lucifer and his will. His nature, as created by God, was good; but his will, as used by him, led to sin and evil, Rodriquez Manuel would put it that way. God is responsible for the first but not for the second. The misuse of the will is based on, but not determined by, the freedom with which God invested His intelligent creatures. But, could not God have avoided all of that by not creating Lucifer? Why did God do what He did? At some moment in eternity God decided to create intelligent, free creatures. In His omniscience He knew that one of them would rebel against Him. Aha He knew! Funny isn’t it? Should He not at that moment change His plan? The natural human answer would be, "Yes!" It could have made a lot of sense if He did that. That’s what any human being would have done. But God is not like us! Once He decided to create, no real or potential force would force Him to alter His plans. Otherwise, the fear of sin would have defeated Him before He created anything. God decided not to change His plan but confront the problem of sin and evil and resolve it once and for all through His Son. And He did! Perhaps that's what happened. Who knows? I certainly don't.
The Works of Christ Reflection Paper # 1 Christopher Mwashinga I found the first two chapters of the book the Cosmic Christ of Scripture setting a foundation on which to discuss the question of God’s three books - The book of Incarnation, the book of Inspiration and the book of creation -written in the cosmos. The idea of the three books itself, gives the idea of a much wider outlook that covers much of human experience if not all. The book of Incarnation represents the Incarnate Christ who came to seek and save that which was lost in the cosmos. He came from heaven to earth. He Trans-cosmically descended and dwelt for a while among the dwellers of the cosmos (human beings); who saw His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth ( John 1: 14). The books of creation (nature) and the book of revelation (Scriptures) they work to make the book of Incarnation more understandable and in terms of what He has done in both creating and redeeming His own creation. The three books show that indeed the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ is the Savior of the cosmos since He came from another cosmos to save our cosmos, the planet earth which is part of the bigger cosmos (universe). The book of Ephesians has a direct bearing on the discussions we have had in class during the week. The salvation of Christ which is attained by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) is cosmic in its coverage and scope. It does not keep any group out. Whoever accepts Christ has an equal opportunity of being saved. It covers both Jews and Gentiles, so that there are no foreigners but all become fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (Eph. 2: 19-22). This is made possible because Christ in His body, reconciled both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (2:16). In class, among other things, we saw that the scope of the sin problem is cosmic. That’s to say, it involves not only human beings, but also angels. In other words, because of the sin problem on planet earth, the entire cosmos is affected in one way or another. The solution to the sin problem , then ,must be as comprehensive as the problem is. So the Gospel Paul claims to have been commissioned to preach (Eph. 3) is the solution to the problem. Since it is the Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ, it can be concluded that the Gospel itself is cosmic, in the sense that it covers the entire cosmos with the same effectiveness. People of every race, regardless their geographical position in the world, whatever their social, economic or technological status, they can benefit from the power of the cosmic Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ of Scripture.The two documents, Justification in Romans 3:21-24 and Christ and salvation by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, they both relate very well with what I have read in the book of Ephesians . The two articles, basically discuss the question of salvation even though Rodriguez seems to limit his investigation to the text shown above. In his article, important terms such as justification, salvation, righteousness which were also discussed in our class, are featured prominently in the article. The same idea of cosmic- a wider understanding of salvation and the use of these terms is evident throughout the article. The article insists on the fact that since all have sinned, then all stand in need of the grace of Christ. All Jews and Gentiles are justified by the righteousness of God revealed in Christ- the cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ. The idea of “all” connects very well with the idea of the cosmic Christ and the salvation he offers. The verse he has quoted in this article, Romans 3:24, makes it clear that the thrust of the passage is that all people may receive the righteousness by faith and none has any claim to it on the ground of merit.
Assign 1. The cosmic christ. Having taken taken four years on studying theology in my undergrad in theology and now am in mdiv and on top of it finnishing my second year,I have gone through many theologies on the concept of who christ is,in our first year and second year in our theological school ,whosoever was using complicated terminologies and give more exergesis of the scripture by adding some hebrew and creek terminologies in his represanation was considered as the greatest champion on understanding who christ is,but with time I came to realize that the gospel is simple and one doesn’t need complicate termininologies to understandstand it.this is what I got as paradox in the materials I read. By comparing Dr hannas book ,the cosmic christ I discivered that he is putting more emphasis what paul is explaining who christ is and who we are in him in his two book-colosians and ephesians.the BRI had the same concept too.In eph 1:4 I took this scripture as the basic foundamental of our hope or existence.long ago even before he made the world ,God chose us to be his very own through what christ will do for us. The cosmic christ im talking about controls time and space .some of what I read is the us of the term predestination as it is mentioned in his book [Dr.hanna] it carries more weight for it emphasises to us that we were already predistined to be children of God even befor the fall,hence the devil has no control over us even in our sinful condition. Human beings have attendency for feel like they must do something for God to attain salvation but that is not the case our praises should be to God for his wonderful kindness to us by giving jesus christ to us.in colosian 1:20 says that it is through what his son did that god cleared apath for every one to come to him-all things in heaven and earth and on earth.so the cosmic christ has the authorithy in this planeth and in other worlds hence he is not limited by time and space. What I grasped here is that we are of agreat value to God for we costed God all that he had in both heaven and earth,christ main agenda was to make us realize that though the world we are living in was in vaded by the devil,he is till in control for he defeated him in the cross and actually he is the devil is just a creature and he is the creater.John 1:1 in the beginning was a word and the word was with God and thewas God summarizes on the authorithy which christ posses.
The Works of Christ Reflection Paper # 1 Christopher Mwashinga I found the first two chapters of the book the Cosmic Christ of Scripture setting a foundation on which to discuss the question of God’s three books - The book of Incarnation, the book of Inspiration and the book of creation -written in the cosmos. The idea of the three books itself, gives the idea of a much wider outlook that covers much of human experience if not all. The book of Incarnation represents the Incarnate Christ who came to seek and save that which was lost in the cosmos. He came from heaven to earth. He Trans-cosmically descended and dwelt for a while among the dwellers of the cosmos (human beings); who saw His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth ( John 1: 14). The books of creation (nature) and the book of revelation (Scriptures) they work to make the book of Incarnation more understandable and in terms of what He has done in both creating and redeeming His own creation. The three books show that indeed the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ is the Savior of the cosmos since He came from another cosmos to save our cosmos, the planet earth which is part of the bigger cosmos (universe). The book of Ephesians has a direct bearing on the discussions we have had in class during the week. The salvation of Christ which is attained by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) is cosmic in its coverage and scope. It does not keep any group out. Whoever accepts Christ has an equal opportunity of being saved. It covers both Jews and Gentiles, so that there are no foreigners but all become fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (Eph. 2: 19-22). This is made possible because Christ in His body, reconciled both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (2:16). In class, among other things, we saw that the scope of the sin problem is cosmic. That’s to say, it involves not only human beings, but also angels. In other words, because of the sin problem on planet earth, the entire cosmos is affected in one way or another. The solution to the sin problem , then ,must be as comprehensive as the problem is. So the Gospel Paul claims to have been commissioned to preach (Eph. 3) is the solution to the problem. Since it is the Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ, it can be concluded that the Gospel itself is cosmic, in the sense that it covers the entire cosmos with the same effectiveness. People of every race, regardless their geographical position in the world, whatever their social, economic or technological status, they can benefit from the power of the cosmic Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ of Scripture.The two documents, Justification in Romans 3:21-24 and Christ and salvation by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, they both relate very well with what I have read in the book of Ephesians . The two articles, basically discuss the question of salvation even though Rodriguez seems to limit his investigation to the text shown above. In his article, important terms such as justification, salvation, righteousness which were also discussed in our class, are featured prominently in the article. The same idea of cosmic- a wider understanding of salvation and the use of these terms is evident throughout the article. The article insists on the fact that since all have sinned, then all stand in need of the grace of Christ. All Jews and Gentiles are justified by the righteousness of God revealed in Christ- the cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ. The idea of “all” connects very well with the idea of the cosmic Christ and the salvation he offers. The verse he has quoted in this article, Romans 3:24, makes it clear that the thrust of the passage is that all people may receive the righteousness by faith and none has any claim to it on the ground of merit.
Assign 1. The cosmic christ. Having taken taken four years on studying theology in my undergrad in theology and now am in mdiv and on top of it finnishing my second year,I have gone through many theologies on the concept of who christ is,in our first year and second year in our theological school ,whosoever was using complicated terminologies and give more exergesis of the scripture by adding some hebrew and creek terminologies in his represanation was considered as the greatest champion on understanding who christ is,but with time I came to realize that the gospel is simple and one doesn’t need complicate termininologies to understandstand it.this is what I got as paradox in the materials I read. By comparing Dr hannas book ,the cosmic christ I discivered that he is putting more emphasis what paul is explaining who christ is and who we are in him in his two book-colosians and ephesians.the BRI had the same concept too.In eph 1:4 I took this scripture as the basic foundamental of our hope or existence.long ago even before he made the world ,God chose us to be his very own through what christ will do for us. The cosmic christ im talking about controls time and space .some of what I read is the us of the term predestination as it is mentioned in his book [Dr.hanna] it carries more weight for it emphasises to us that we were already predistined to be children of God even befor the fall,hence the devil has no control over us even in our sinful condition. Human beings have attendency for feel like they must do something for God to attain salvation but that is not the case our praises should be to God for his wonderful kindness to us by giving jesus christ to us.in colosian 1:20 says that it is through what his son did that god cleared apath for every one to come to him-all things in heaven and earth and on earth.so the cosmic christ has the authorithy in this planeth and in other worlds hence he is not limited by time and space. What I grasped here is that we are of agreat value to God for we costed God all that he had in both heaven and earth,christ main agenda was to make us realize that though the world we are living in was in vaded by the devil,he is till in control for he defeated him in the cross and actually he is the devil is just a creature and he is the creater.John 1:1 in the beginning was a word and the word was with God and thewas God summarizes on the authorithy which christ posses.
The works of Christ-The plan of salvation Does the death of Christ give us salvation? The New Testament uses different images to express the richness of the works of Christ. We may describe these images as analogies, models or metaphors. In the bible, Christ has seen as the ransom for sin, the sacrificial lamb and the model of the life in God. For example, John the Baptist calls him the Lamb “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Paul calls him a “sacrifice of atonement”, a “sin offering and Passover lamb”, and a “fragrant offering” (Romans 3:25; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2). Hebrews 10:12, calls him a “sacrifice for sins.” John calls him “the atone sacrifice” (1 John 2:2; 4:10). In fact, God made humanity and the cosmos, and He also saves humanity and all of the cosmos. A Lutheran theologian, in 1952 stated that the Christian community needed to carefully examine the limitations placed upon the works of the Christ. God's cosmic plan comes from the Scriptures, and the central passages for cosmic Christology begin with John 1:1-14 and include Mark 16:15, Colossians 1:15-20 and Ephesians 1:3-4 and 9-10. In the writings of the early church teachers such as Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon (130-200), he taught that we must look to creation to see the unity that begins with the word of God working out God's plan of salvation. The unity of creation reflects the unity of the Godhead: Father, Son and Spirit. In one continuous line of action from creation-incarnation-life and work-death-resurrection, Irenaeus saw perfect expression of God's own unity. Through this complete line of action, before time, in time and in the future, all of creation is recovered for God's plan of salvation. Thus, Irenaeus called this process the works of Christ. Cosmic Christology calls us to look back to the creation to see the work of God and to move forward with the Risen Christ to work for the kingdom of God in all creation. Nonetheless, anyone who considers that he/she is a sinner and believes that Jesus Christ came as the Redeemer of sin is understood the plan of salvation. As Christians we need to implement the plan of salvation by receiving God’s gift of His Son, Jesus- Christ. In the Bible, a prison officer asked his prisoners, Paul and Silas: “what must I do to be saved?’ they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). “God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Moreover, we also need to understand the death of Christ because His death is a crucial part of the gospel. Hence, Jesus came to give His life by dying on the cross, and His death would purchase salvation for others. “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day” (Luke 24:26-27, 46). Obviously, His death was necessary for our salvation. Although He was without sin, He was counted among sinners. “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken, smitten, and afflict by God. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. “(Isaiah 53: 4). Jesus’ death carried our sins and suffered for our transgressions. Yet, our spiritual illness is healed through his suffering and death. God presented Jesus as a sacrifice for our forgiveness as well as to demonstrate his justice” (Romans 3:25). Apostle Paul uses an interesting image of salvation when he writes that Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” by making “a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15).
Fernandez, Nelson Assignment#1: God of the 4th Dimension
Borderline heresy. Those were my thoughts after the first day of class. My mind struggled with this entire “cosmic” concept because of the fact that, even though I knew there was truth in the idea of a “cosmic Christ,” I had trouble accepting the idea that God has an even greater manifestation of himself that creation cannot begin to comprehend specifically because of the fact that we are indeed creatures; I still do. However, after beginning the reading for this course, that cloud of initial suspicion has dissipated more and more as the reading went on. It was only yesterday when my “aha moment” finally came and I was convinced that, indeed, God will always be bigger than what human beings can even fathom because of the fact that He alone can access realms we can only vaguely conceptualize; He alone inhabits a world that I call the 4th Dimension. In mathematics, the 4th Dimension, or a four-dimensional ("4D") space, is an abstract concept, obtained by taking the rules of our three-dimensional-space (“3D”) and generalizing them to a space with one more dimension. While many people have categorized 4D by various interpretations, I will refer to it as the control of time itself, although this idea is no longer done in modern physics. I know this is a somewhat philosophical speculation yet, I did not arrive to this conclusion in a vacuum; there was a process to my madness. First of all, I began by reading through the first three chapters of Ephesians. I was amazed that among the major themes of these chapters are predestination and unity in Christ. A curious phrase that is known to many Christians here is that phrase where Paul says that God “predestined” us to do good works (1:5;11). Now while I could go on a tangent about any one point, the main point that I want to bring out here is the implicit idea that God has two things at his disposal in to accomplish his will: a plan and the patience to wait for his plan to perfectly come to pass. Secondly, looking at Dr. Hanna's book, and identifying “God's three books,” we see that God has the ability to use the same idea of unlimited time, to do his will in our “cosmos”. Take for example the fact that it took him 33 years to fully accomplish the work of the book of Christ's life; 1,500 years to fully compile the books in the book Inspiration; has been dealing with Sin for about 6,000 years; if that wasn't enough, he has a universe that we can’t really date. A God in the 4D is a God who is not bound to the same rules of logic, time and space that we humans subscribe to. He is a God that isn't rushed and isn't delayed because of the fact that something might not be working out when he wants it to. He was able to look ahead before the foundation of world and see how long the Universe would need to put up with Sin and was willing to wait for it. Yet, when His children need a little more time, he can stop time itself at will like he did with Joshua and Gideon, or even go back in time like he did in the case of Hezekiah in order to accomplish his will. He patiently deals with our imperfections on earth and will still patiently deal with the fact that we will never be omniscient even while we ever grow in our knowledge and reflection of a perfect and transcendent God in the ages of eternity. Only a God who is able to have complete mastery over the 4th Dimension of time and space can be truly labeled the “trans-cosmic” ruler of all!
Juanfer Monsalve Assignment #1—building on the Rock (Col 2) The mystery of Christ is one that has revolutionized the world. Why would God deal with sin the way He did. This mystery is one that when understood, the life of a Christian grows as it never has before. It was the purpose of Paul to explain this mystery as to why it was so important for the life of a Christian. Verses 2-5 In Chapter 1 verse 15 we see that Jesus is the image of the invisible God over all Creation. Not only is He the ones that give salvation but the one that created everything. Today in the world there are many theories of Who Christ was? There are people blaming Him for the problem of sin the same that He is trying to eradicate. It is through the reading of his book that we can come to find the Hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We must take a hard look at the place where we are getting our theology and philosophy of life. Is our life based on faith in the word of God, is it real to us? Or are we letting fine arguments convince us otherwise about the reality of Christ. As Paul wrote to the Colossians we see that his desire is that their faith be based on Christ, the Creator of heaven (His official home in creation) and the creator of life. in verse 6 through8 we continue reading Salvation seems to be an everlasting process. Continuing to live with Him is not a destination but a process. IF we are to have a firm faith, it will not come from a wait and see attitude towards life, but by living a life of faith in this world. In the first part of the chapter we find that the mystery of Christ is one that is filled with amazing room for growth. Today as we read the bible we must look build on Christ and continue to be strengthen by Him. Here we must stop and take a look at the human philosophy, that one which takes us to look at ourselves instead of looking at the bigger picture. The human tradition which shows us that we sin is a problem of earth and earth alone. One that affects me and no one else. Yet this is a hollow and deceptive philosophy that drives us to focus in ourselves and not in the global conflict that is seen to be the theme of the bible. Christ is to be our foundation, and His mysteries are not dumbfound us, but to take us to a place of growth as never before. Verse 9-12 The works of Christ are those of resurrection, those of new life. God is a creator that gives us freedom to make our own choice. We see that the problem of sin was something we won by our own attitude, yet we have been given the fullness in Christ. As we look ahead and we in future papers we look at the cosmic implications of sin and the plan of salvation, we must realize that the salvation given to us, is not attained by us, but given to us. Christ has taken that part which covers us and has cut it off, He is there to help us gain the victory over sin. The plan of salvation is one of total dependence on the giver of life. the one that created heavens and the earth is the one who raises us from spiritual dead and gives us new life. As we look ahead, we must not forget that the base of our Christian experience is based on Christ and his gift to us. One that we must accept or reject, but one that has been given to all, because not one of us deserves it!
Lau, Chuen Chuen (Assignment 1) Mysterious cosmic For what I learned from the reading materials and the lectures. If we want to understand the works of Christ, the basic source is the Bible. From Dr. Hanna mentioned in the class, if we want to know the works of Christ we have to know who Christ is. From his book he mentioned the Scripture of Cosmic Christ. To understand Christ is necessary to read the Scripture. Therefore the Scripture is very important material to reveal the works of Christ. God used the Scripture to tell us about His work and how He loves us. Paul mentioned the work of Christ, He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. It is the same of what Ellen White mentioned in Step to Christ in the first two chapters, those are coherence. Just like what Dr. Hanna says in his book. Ellen White is the lesser light to the greater light. But when I read the book of Ephesians, Paul mentioned Christ Jesus many times in the first three chapters. But I don’t understand why Paul used Christ Jesus in the beginning twice and after that he used Jesus Christ. Does it have different meaning ? Christ is the creator and He loves us so much, He prepared the best for the human being. “Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balance mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God.” (From EGW) But unfortunately sin made the human being fall. Even the human being did fall, our Creator still has the perfect plan to save us. It shows how great He is and How love He is. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Eph 2:8 Salvation is the grace from God for us as a gift even it is the fault of disobedience of human being. But God is willing to take this as His work. In the first lecture Dr. Hanna was talking about the cosmic and trans-cosmic, those are new terms for me. I never think of trans-cosmic of Christ of the Scripture before. It is very interesting for me, use the cosmic and trans-cosmic to understand the works of Christ. Cosmic, all, from Christ, for me it is His great work. Christ reveals His mysterious plan to us by Himself. But I don’t think we can understand all since it is a mysterious. Christ is cosmic as the same time salvation is cosmic. Christ did not only create the Earth He did create the other beings and planets. Sin is not only affect this Earth but also the universe. Therefore the salvation is not only for the earth. I really appreciated that Dr. Hanna used the cosmic for the translation in some Scriptures. It is more clear for me to understand how related with it. For sin, I think it is still a mysterious for me to understand, God know good and evil and He is righteousness and just. But how come evil can be existed. From the Scripture we know the Satan is the source of the sin but how did it create the sin, it still a mysterious for me. I want to know more about it. I have to pray more and ask the wisdom from Heaven to let me understand it and to experience the love of God. If I even can’t understand it on this earth, I hope God give me the wisdom to explain to the church members that it is a mysterious and we won’t understand until we get into Heaven.
Assignment 1: “Let our faith be heard.” by Si On Sung
I was intrigued by the word of Paul in his letter of Colossians. He states that he pray for his brothers, giving praise and asking God many things for them because he has heard about them; their faith, love, and service. When I reflect myself, I wonder how many people know me and hear about my good deeds.
In the class, we have learned that the salvation is total gift from God and it is not by our works. Yet there are still our parts. Conviction is God’s part, but the physical action is our part. I believe that Christianity today is too much focused on the righteousness/justification by faith that we are often neglecting the aspects of our action. It is true that salvation is by God’s grace alone. Paul is very clear on this point in the letter of Romans. On the other hand, we must not neglect our sanctification.
Throughout the Bible, we see God’s command; do this and do that, otherwise we will not be blessed/saved. God’s concept of love, faith or any other teachings is not just theoretical that ends in our mind. It’s always lead to action (e.g. therefore, do this). Therefore, it is not wrong to say that we cannot be saved without our work because true faith is not in our mind, but in our action.
We would not have been saved, unless God took action, unless Christ died on the cross. In a same way, my neighbors cannot be saved unless we preach to them. Paul said that faith comes from hearing first. We must preach to others, witness to others. And when we do so, our brothers and sisters will be encouraged by us deeds and we can be mutually benefit. When Paul heard of fellow Christians’ services, he was strengthened, encouraged, and joyful. Then Paul responded by pray even more for them. This will cause further growth and expansion of their services.
I use to think, “When the chance comes, I will do it.” I even justified myself by thinking, “Since I have not given opportunities, perhaps it is God’s will to stay where I am and fixed in my old life style.” However, I am recently discovering through my own experiences and through the reading of the Scripture that unless I take the action first, my environment will never change.
God has already taught us how to live, in spite of our situation. When we are sinning, God does not change our environment so that we are unable to sin. He didn’t change the environment of Eden so that Adam and Eve cannot eat the forbidden fruit. God has already instructed them, and it was their responsibility to know and not to eat of it.
We sin, because we want to have pleasure or because we want to avoid suffering. But God is telling us that suffering is better than sinning. Worldly pleasure will soon or later vanish. God is inviting us to have hope in eternal pleasure. I am not here saying that temporal pleasure is all bad. However, it can be bad when it takes the place of Christ in our heart.
I really struggled with the concept of salvation that we talked about in the class. Sometimes, I still struggle. But one thing that is clear is that we should never give up on what we can do. We should not expect God to do everything for us while we are stuck in our comfort zone. We cannot blame God for our responsibilities. I believe it is clear in the Bible that there are steps we need to take in the path of salvation.
Assignment #1 Where is God? Today, I was talking to a friend, who is a non-Adventist, born and raised Catholic, and now he is not practicing anything really. He believes that there is a God, but he thinks that God has given up on the human race and has left us to our own doom. He just watched a movie called “Legion” and then presented me with his thoughts. According to IMDB.com, the synopsis of “Legion” says, An out-of-the-way diner becomes the unlikely battleground for the survival of the human race. When God loses faith in humankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner with the Archangel Michael. I didn’t offer to watch the movie, but I was slightly frustrated at the same time. My friend always asks me questions about “where God is,” “what He thinks of us,” and “What about angels and demons.” He listens to me, however, he doesn’t seem to want to research much on his own, he just wants to be told things, and never really make up his mind. For situations such as this, I am happy for the opportunity of being in a class that discusses Christ, God, and Salvation. When I think about these things, I realize that my faith rests on the Word of God and not what people or the world tries to teach me. But how many other people have that point of view? If you talk to the main populace, not too many people believe the same as me. When I was talking to my friend, I brought up Hebrews 13:8. I also brought up the text in Matthew 10:29-31. I brought up a few more texts, however, my friend wasn’t so interested in the Bible texts as much as he was interested in finding a reason for why the world is in the state that it is currently in. But when he was asking me about God, I was able to share with him some of the things we had discussed in class, such as our discussion of Revelation 12, where we learned about original sin and its spreading to earth, but that God had a plan of salvation the entire time. In this discussion, I realized how hard it was to explain these ideas in terms that my friend would be familiar with. However, as much as I tried to help him to see another perspective, not forcing him of course, but answering his questions with Biblical answers, he didn’t seem very convinced. For me, just as in the first chapter of Steps to Christ, I see God in everything, in the beauty of the earth and creation, the good in people, as well as in my own life. But my question is, how do I explain that to unbelievers who have such jaded views of God? This is a hard topic for me because I want so badly to help people understand the love of God, but if they only see the bad, how can I help them to acknowledge both the good and the bad to see the balance of sin and salvation in Christ? Colossians 1:21 – 23 says, 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. I find so much truth that makes sense to me in the Bible, I feel that I have a good understanding of the truths that our church believes in. However, this makes me wonder, if I really knew these truths as well as I think I do, why can’t I help others to understand them as well? This is something that I am struggling with at the moment. However, I am so thankful that I am getting Biblical theology from this class, because it at least helps me to continue in building a strong biblical foundation of beliefs.
It is my desire to learn more about work of Christ. I use to think that salvation was only limited to the planet earth. As I learned this week in class discussion sin does not only affected us in on earth. It is disrupt the good order of the cosmic. The first week of class just open my appetite for to learn more about the cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. By learning who is Jesus will help understand better His work when it comes the plan of salvation. Jesus never seizes to be the transcendent God and the creator of the cosmic. Jesus became a man to the world in order to understand Him; but not for man to become god. Heaven is the head quarter where God dwells in the cosmos. Jesus remains as trans-cosmic while he was in the cosmic. This statement becomes one of my favorite quotes by Mrs. White “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love, GC 678.3.” it helps to understand that sin only the earth problem but the whole cosmos. Salvation is not only for the earth but the cosmos. Since sin did not begin on earth but in heaven from the highest angel there. It showed the God is a free being full of love. God did not just create us but He created us with a free will to choose. He also had a back plan in case disobedient rises; this is the plan of salvation. Sin is a problem to and God. It impacts others, so Christ came to earth to die for us to save not only us on earth but the whole cosmos. I always blamed Lucifer for sin. The discussion this week makes realize that sin could have began with anyone. Sin spreads to all by one and brought death to all men; because all have sin said Paul. The free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The offense brought death but the gift brings life. God made a commitment to Himself to pursue the path of righteousness. Sinless being can sin Ezekiel 28:15-16 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you….”
Heaven Reconciliation Earth
I just learned in class that reconciliation is another word for Salvation. The Cross is one moment in the plan of salvation. The death of Christ and the resurrection are steps in the history of salvation. Remember you don’t need Lucifer to sin, because you are a free being you can become the next Lucifer. God said I am not going to send anyone to hell because you were born in sin (sinful nature) but you will go to hell because of the choice you make. As I read the book for the class the quote caught my attention “Just as Christ does not eclipse Scripture, so Scripture does not eclipse Christ. Neither does Scripture eclipse the revelation of Christ in the cosmos which He Created.” Scripture points us to the Christ of the cosmos who die for us. There is nothing we can do to receive salvation. Faith, Love, and Hope these three words implement the human being participation in the plan of salvation. We participate in the plan of salvation as a receiver. I really enjoyed the class discussion.
Assignment # 1 Sin and Salvation! It is my desire to learn more about work of Christ. I use to think that salvation was only limited to the planet earth. As I learned this week in class discussion sin does not only affected us in on earth. It is disrupt the good order of the cosmic. The first week of class just open my appetite for to learn more about the cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. By learning who is Jesus will help understand better His work when it comes the plan of salvation. Jesus never seizes to be the transcendent God and the creator of the cosmic. Jesus became a man to the world in order to understand Him; but not for man to become god. Heaven is the head quarter where God dwells in the cosmos. Jesus remains as trans-cosmic while he was in the cosmic. This statement becomes one of my favorite quotes by Mrs. White “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love, GC 678.3.” it helps to understand that sin only the earth problem but the whole cosmos. Salvation is not only for the earth but the cosmos. Since sin did not begin on earth but in heaven from the highest angel there. It showed the God is a free being full of love. God did not just create us but He created us with a free will to choose. He also had a back plan in case disobedient rises; this is the plan of salvation. Sin is a problem to and God. It impacts others, so Christ came to earth to die for us to save not only us on earth but the whole cosmos. I always blamed Lucifer for sin. The discussion this week makes realize that sin could have began with anyone. Sin spreads to all by one and brought death to all men; because all have sin said Paul. The free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The offense brought death but the gift brings life. God made a commitment to Himself to pursue the path of righteousness. Sinless being can sin Ezekiel 28:15-16 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you….”
Heaven Reconciliation Earth I just learned in class that reconciliation is another word for Salvation. The Cross is one moment in the plan of salvation. The death of Christ and the resurrection are steps in the history of salvation. Remember you don’t need Lucifer to sin, because you are a free being you can become the next Lucifer. God said I am not going to send anyone to hell because you were born in sin (sinful nature) but you will go to hell because of the choice you make. As I read the book for the class the quote caught my attention “Just as Christ does not eclipse Scripture, so Scripture does not eclipse Christ. Neither does Scripture eclipse the revelation of Christ in the cosmos which He Created.” Scripture points us to the Christ of the cosmos who die for us. There is nothing we can do to receive salvation. Faith, Love, and Hope these three words implement the human being participation in the plan of salvation. We participate in the plan of salvation as a receiver. I really enjoyed the class discussion.
I appreciated Michael Taylor's paper. your title stood out and caught my eyes to read. It is really sad that some people don't even want to accept Christianity because of this predestination concept. I am thankful that we adventists have clear understanding on this.
Assignment #1 The Reconciliation of Heavenly beings
We discussed in class the vast scope of the sin problem. Romans 8:18—23 teaches us that “the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” When we read this, we wonder whether or not this term creation refers to the planet earth or the entire cosmos. In verse 22 we also read that “the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” When we read these verses and note that all of creation is awaiting a reconciliation and a revealing of the sons of God, there is a verse in the opening chapter of Colossians that helps us clarify whether or not this reconciliation is limited to the earth or whether the scope is larger. In Colossians 1:19 & 20 we read “For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Christ), and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Christ through Hos blood reconciles “to Himself” all thing; both things on earth and things in heaven. What the text is saying that there are things in earth that need to be reconciled unto God through the blood of Christ, and there are things in heaven that need to be reconciled through the blood of Christ. Therefore, even beings in heavenly places which have not sinned, are still reconciled to God by Christ's blood. They are reconciled because they have been affected in some way by sin. We know from scripture that heavenly beings sing praises to God for His work of reconciliation on their behalf. Revelation 5:9 KJV speaks about the twenty four elders and the four living creatures which surround the throne of God, singing this new song “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” It is interesting to note that the four beasts are also singing at this point. While this is not solid proof, it does cause us to think deeply. One problematic thing which would be interesting to discuss stemming from this point is that the NASB and the KJV translate these verses differently. The song reports in the NASB that Christ “...purchased for God with His blood man from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” One obvious question in light of this view point is 'from what would heavenly beings who haven't sinned need redemption?' The answer is, they need redemption from doubtful concerns regarding the character of God. Ellen White writes in Desire of Ages p 758 paragraph 3, that “Not until the death of Christ was the Character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion.” Since this is true we can infer that they questioned whether or not god was just in His dealings with Lucifer up until that point. While they trusted God, there was still a breach of uncertainty from which they needed to be reconciled. Thus Christ's mission was to do more than defeat the bodily presence of sin in humanity. He was also to defeat the effects of sin in the unfallen worlds. This He accomplished, so that he might Reconcile all things unto himself. Even the things in heaven.
Assignment 1. Trans-Cosmic blessing through Trans-Cosmic Christ
When Dr. Martin Hanna mentioned on his book, Cosmic Christ of Scripture, that the teaching of Scripture is often misunderstood because of a rejection of what it reveals about Christ, I understood it in the following way: Misunderstanding of Scripture is caused by a rejection of Christ. Without Jesus Christ, we can’t understand the Scripture correctly because it tells us about Jesus to come and Jesus who actually came in and the one who is to come again in the future. This book is actually all about Jesus Christ. On the Book, Christ is not a philosophical principal or an energy diffused throughout the cosmos. Rather, Christ is the Creator of the universe. He is the reality revealed in both history and the Scripture. Even Ellen G. White on her book, Steps to Christ, mentions that the life Jesus lived shows us His character. His life also shows us God’s character. Rivers of heavenly love flow out from the heart of God to us through His Son. Jesus the tender, pitying Savior, was God, who “appeared in human form” (1 Timothy 3:16) [SC, p.12]. In this sense, whosoever wants to know about God and understand what the Bible actually is about should understand who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. And I think also that as a preacher when we preach, it is impossible to reveal God’s character and His love to this world without Jesus Christ, the one who Bible actually talks about. Jesus Christ should be the main character on the Book we have on our hand today. And finally we got to know that the veil of misunderstanding of the Scripture can be removed by Christ. “grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). Dr. Hanna continuously says that the Cosmic Christ of Scripture points to the truth that the veil of misunderstanding of Scripture is taken away in Christ. Scripture actually talks about who God is through Jesus Christ. But we, at the same time, are trying to focus on the cosmic Christ not only on the basis of Scripture, but also on the basis of Incarnation and creation. That’s why we are looking at God’s Three Books all together which is first, the Book of Incarnation written in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. And secondly, the Book of Inspiration written in the Judeo-Christian Scripture. And thirdly, the Book of Creation written in the cosmos as Dr. Hanna mentioned. Actually, for me these Three Books reveals Jesus Christ as trans-cosmic Christ. He is not only limited in Creation or Scripture, but He was revealed in our time as incarnated one. He reveals himself in all of these Three Books and that’s why I can regard Him as trans-cosmic Christ. If Jesus Christ is limited only in the book format in term of paper, it wouldn't be so different to the other religion and their own books such as the Sutra among Buddhists and the Koran among the Muslims. But Jesus Christ is revealed through his own life in this world and, at the same time, His life is prophesized by the Scripture itself. And the creature reveals His character who were the Creator. All these three things strongly supports that Jesus Christ is the cosmic and even farther than cosmic, He is trans-cosmic Christ. Finally, Paul clearly says that “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). The blessing which was actually in the realm of heaven became ours in this land through Jesus Christ. In other words, the blessing which was in heaven became trans-cosmic blessing with the One who is trans-cosmic Christ. Actually, this big Idea is what I have learned from the reading this time and I am so appreciated that Jesus Christ is trans-cosmic Christ for me.
Assignment 1 Trans-Cosmic Blessing by Trans-Cosmic Christ.
When Dr. Martin Hanna mentioned on his book, Cosmic Christ of Scripture, that the teaching of Scripture is often misunderstood because of a rejection of what it reveals about Christ, I understood it in the following way: Misunderstanding of Scripture is caused by a rejection of Christ. Without Jesus Christ, we can’t understand the Scripture correctly because it tells us about Jesus to come and Jesus who actually came in and the one who is to come again in the future. This book is actually all about Jesus Christ. On the Book, Christ is not a philosophical principal or an energy diffused throughout the cosmos. Rather, Christ is the Creator of the universe. He is the reality revealed in both history and the Scripture. Even Ellen G. White on her book, Steps to Christ, mentions that the life Jesus lived shows us His character. His life also shows us God’s character. Rivers of heavenly love flow out from the heart of God to us through His Son. Jesus the tender, pitying Savior, was God, who “appeared in human form” (1 Timothy 3:16) [SC, p.12]. In this sense, whosoever wants to know about God and understand what the Bible actually is about should understand who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. And I think also that as a preacher when we preach, it is impossible to reveal God’s character and His love to this world without Jesus Christ, the one who Bible actually talks about. Jesus Christ should be the main character on the Book we have on our hand today. And finally we got to know that the veil of misunderstanding of the Scripture can be removed by Christ. “grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). Dr. Hanna continuously says that the Cosmic Christ of Scripture points to the truth that the veil of misunderstanding of Scripture is taken away in Christ. Scripture actually talks about who God is through Jesus Christ. But we, at the same time, are trying to focus on the cosmic Christ not only on the basis of Scripture, but also on the basis of Incarnation and creation. That’s why we are looking at God’s Three Books all together which is first, the Book of Incarnation written in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. And secondly, the Book of Inspiration written in the Judeo-Christian Scripture. And thirdly, the Book of Creation written in the cosmos as Dr. Hanna mentioned. Actually, for me these Three Books reveals Jesus Christ as trans-cosmic Christ. He is not only limited in Creation or Scripture, but He was revealed in our time as incarnated one. He reveals himself in all of these Three Books and that’s why I can regard Him as trans-cosmic Christ. If Jesus Christ is limited only in the book format in term of paper, it wouldn't be so different to the other religion and their own books such as the Sutra among Buddhists and the Koran among the Muslims. But Jesus Christ is revealed through his own life in this world and, at the same time, His life is prophesized by the Scripture itself. And the creature reveals His character who were the Creator. All these three things strongly supports that Jesus Christ is the cosmic and even farther than cosmic, He is trans-cosmic Christ. Finally, Paul clearly says that “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). The blessing which was actually in the realm of heaven became ours in this land through Jesus Christ. In other words, the blessing which was in heaven became trans-cosmic blessing with the One who is trans-cosmic Christ. Actually, this big Idea is what I have learned from the reading this time and I am so appreciated that Jesus Christ is trans-cosmic Christ for me.
Works of Christ Prof. Martin Hanna "Identity of Christ and the Impact of Sin"
I noticed that Martin Hanna’s book has the same focus of what we have spoken about in class. The class topic the first day spoke about the person of Christ, which deals with who Christ is and where Christ stands as in the light of scripture and the cosmos. In class we learned that there is the trans-cosmos sphere, where we find the creator, and the cosmos sphere, where we find the creation of the creator. Yet in further discussion in the class we see that the creator also takes part in the cosmos, in order to be the light of the trans-cosmos to the cosmos. We can’t say that Christ is only trans-cosmos because He became part of cosmos nor can we say that He is only cosmos because He became part of the cosmos without leaving His trans-cosmos state. I find that to be unique because He seems to have fused together these two identities, of which by that fusion all things are held together. He was the element that brought to spheres together; a powerful element! This act of holding the trans-cosmos and the cosmos together after a powerful interruption together is a sufficient starting point to talk about the infinite power of Christ. Another point that was interesting to me was the fact that in the cosmos sphere we can say that the angels are also in that cosmos because they are all created by the creator. Also in the light of scriptures and because the angels are in the sphere of the cosmos, we then are brothers with the angels. After studying the identity of Christ, we moved on into the impact of sin. I have never seen the real impact of sin until we studied it in class. From my understanding of class sin impacted the creation of God. It first started in heaven, which affected 1/3 of the angels and then was casted down into earth, which from one man, it affected 100% of all creation on earth. The interesting thing is that since it affected creation it also had an affect on the creator. The creator could not stand to watch, and moved to solve the problem of sin. In the article entitled, “How Perfect is ‘perfect’ or is Christian perfection possible?’ by Edward Heppenstall, Edward speaks about the answer to sin being the ‘perfect righteousness of Christ’. He mentions that since the fall of man, the problem of sin became a part of man’s sinful nature, and no matter what man does, man will continue to have that sinful nature (Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 2:22). Yet, because of Christ and the Holy Spirit that he has left for us, we have a counteraction to the effect of sin. The counteraction made me think of the light of darkness, which the bible tries to explain this power of this counteraction. Where there is no light, darkness has dominion, but when you have light in the same room, the light is a higher and without a doubt more powerful counteraction to the darkness. In the same way, when we search God, and fill our self with God it counteracts the darkness and leaves no room for it in us. As long as we stay in the light, it’s hard to turn to remain in darkness (Gal. 5:16-18). Along with this idea, the author states that humans have the idea that Christ rids of the sinful nature once and for all, but explains that if this were so, then we wouldn’t need the grace of God. Yet, the sinful nature stays in us, but the work of Christ is perfected in us until the day of the return of Jesus Christ (phil. 1:6). He points out that since we remain having the sinful nature we cannot come to be sinless or as others interpret as ‘perfect’ yet he brings out the fact that those that are called perfect in the eyes of God were not except from sin, rather, their faith and obedience made them perfect in the eyes of God. Since they were obedient God blessed them and extended His grace to them.
Response to Assignment # 1 Posted by Kabah Stephen
I enjoyed reading Kabah’s posting, especially the way he used biblical texts to conclude that sin is a mystery to us. Wickedness is a “strange behavior” which does not correspond to the plan of God, since God’s creation was found to be “very good,” yet he was aware that sin/evil could arise within his creation, so he had a trans-cosmic plan to defeat evil. He would defeat evil through the obedient sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. Even though we do not know all the details, we have the assurance that evil was defeated and that at Christ’s second coming the consequence or result of sin (eternal death) will be cast into the lake of fire and the harmony in God’s creation will never be disrupted by death again. The work of Christ to re-establish the lost harmony will forever be our subject of study and amazement!
There is an old saying that goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover". I've often thought that whoever made this statement was probably an author of a book with a really ugly book cover. That fact is, today, people do judge books by their cover. Society judges everything you do by three primary criteria: who you know, how you look, and what you drive (one could argue that these are also the three primary criteria for successful ministry but that is a subject for a class in church growth). Partially, I can agree because you can tell a lot about a person by condition of the back seat of their car. You can tell when someone is in love with their car, because their car is always clean. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, day or night, inside and outside, their car is absolutely spotless. Everybody knows that in order to keep your car clean, you have to wash it yourself. Going to the car wash one a month just won't cut it. Why all this talk about car detailing? It not so that I can finish this assignment but because its that best way I can illustrate holistic reconciliation. The reconciliation that is offered to us through Jesus Christ must have an holistic effect on the believer. By holistic, I'm suggesting that the "reconciled-life" should manifest an ability to be reconciled not only with God but in every social context. Reconciliation is functionally relational and can only exist between two people or two people groups. I can not reconcile with myself alone but true unity is requires someone to be unified with. This is a stumbling block that I believe the Jews had in fully accepting Christ and the Christian movement. While personal salvation is based on an individual relationship with God, being reconciled with God through the works of Christ was accomplished for the entire human race. This was the purpose of people of Israel and spiritual Israel (the church ) to reconciled the world to God through their ministry to them. But the mistake the Jews made was is thinking that because God had chosen them, that He was only going to reconcile them. That reconciliation with God only came through one group of people who were qualified to receive God mercy. Paul addresses this issue clearly in Ephesians 2: 11-18 and makes a powerful statement in verses 14-16. "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ... His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility." Is Paul suggesting that Jesus , through His death on the cross, was not only destroying the barrier between God and humanity but the barrier between Jews and Gentiles? What does he mean by hostility? Paul uses this same language to describe our sinful attitudes toward God in Romans 8:7. How can we be reconciled with God and not be reconciled with each other? How can we love Jesus but hate the homosexual? How can we be an Adventist and a racist? How can we serve the church and neglect our children at the same time? How can we hold any contempt or scrutiny on individuals and interview them as unworthy candidates of not only God’s love but of our love as well? Paul reiterates this principle in Col 1-19-20 by teaching, "For God was pleased ...to reconcile to himself all things...making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Because reconciliation is holistic, it affects everything we are, because it is relational, it affects everyone we know, and therefore it should it turn be transformational and affect everything we do. Our appreciating of what Christ done should compel us to love "sinners and Gentiles" and seek to see the peace of Christ exist in our relationship with all people. After all, a car is only clean when its cleaned on the outside and the inside. Not either or, not one or the other, but both at the same time.
Cyril Comments on "Only Jesus can reverse the sin problem" I truly appreciated Edgar Alquinta's above named piece. He has demonstrated that the problem of sin is not limited to earth, indeed it did not originate on earth, and because of its universal scope there is the necessary need for a universal Savior. In that light, then, Jesus' death was not just to save human beings from sin but to rid put an end to the sin problem. Alquinta also did a good job of incorporating Scripture into his piece thus demonstrating the biblical basis for his postulations. He probably should have focussed a bit more on the subjective aspects of the sin problem, but, considering the limitations as per space, I think he did a good job.
Ariel Roldan Responding to Michael Taylor's "We're not in Kansas anymore" posting:
When I read the quote you posted; “…Christ is not a philosophical principle…” I realized that I need to continually reassess my thinking during this class. Since we'll be dealing with some abstract and even philosophical issues, Jesus can become just a bunch of thought processes and we loose the focus on the Person that He is.
Appreciated the caution for a spiritual reality check as we attempt to grow and expand our ideas of Christ and His work for us.
This is in response to the Alta Pierre posting on the plan of salvation Pierre has clearly shown that Christ the sacrificial lamb that died for our sins. With support of many biblical texts from both the Old Testament and New testament, Pierre has shown that it was only through the death of Christ at Calvary that we are saved. In deed the blood of angels could not atone for us. We had transgressed the law of God and just as the scriptures say that the wages of sin is death, we were supposed to die. But Christ came to our rescue and died in our place. Isaiah 53 says that “by His wounds we are healed”. Just as Pierre says, Christ’s death was necessary for us salvation and therefore the Cross became the heart of the gospel. Good work Pierre.
Assignment #1 Works of Christ Is God the Originator of Sin? This question comes to mind based on the fact that God is omniscient. This means that God foreknew who Lucifer was going to end up being. The next question that comes to is did God create Lucifer and Satan the same person at the same time? Can we come up with and answer or answers to these questions? If we have to come up with answers to these questions they will be based on our human understanding. I personally do not believe that God is the creator of sin and evil. My fact comes from Genesis 1:31. The fact that everything that God created was good tells me that God can not be the originator of sin or evil. The world needs to know that God did not create Satan. He only created Lucifer as a seal of perfection (Ezekiel 28: 12). But as we all know now the aspect of being blameless did not last for a long time. Ezekiel 28: 15 tells us “wickedness was found in him”. When God created Lucifer, He created him with a free will. It was Lucifer that used his free will against his creator. And it was how sin came into the world. God been a righteous God had to do away with the sin problem. How will God resolved the sin problem is the big question. But thank God that he has put a plan into place. Thank God for Jesus. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, the problem of sin and evil is been resolve once and for all. What I know for sure is at the end of it all, God will make all things new and very good again.
This is my comment on Kabah’s work. After reading Kabah’s work, I was very impressed by his writing. We will never know why God created Lucifer. And we know from (Gen 1:31) God is not the originator of sin or evil because everything He created was good. At the end of it all, through Jesus Christ, everything will be good again. Eden will be restored.
I read your comment with interest because of your effort to explain why God went a head to create the world while He knew about the fall to come. surely its a puzzle to many just like you. Your effort to tie God's love to the whole issue is quite interesting. I know its not all exhaustive because we are not in God's mind. The only thing we can do is to appreciate the glimpse of light from the pen of inspiration- scriputres. Perhaps that's why the saints will forever and ever keep learning of this Love in ages to come and never get to the bottom of it. I think God is truelly mysterious.
Response to "The Reconciliation of Heavenly beings" by Pohlmarc Lawrence I appreciated Pohlmarc's thought process on this subject. The concept of Christ's death having any kind of merit for heavenly beings was always kind of nebulous for me, I couldnt really wrap my head around it. Mainly because these beings had not sinned, as far as we know. But as Dr. Hanna has said, they were affected by it. This is not to be confused with being "infected" by it. Though they had not sinned or fallen they were pulled into this issue mainly because God, of his own volition, involved himself in it. But again I appreciate the quote that Pohlmarc included from Ellen White that made this point quite clear. After the heavenly beings observed the death and sacrifice of Christ they were convinced entirely of the true character of Satan. And the biblical text cited from Colossians provides ample support for this thinking.
I am responding to Joseph's post. I like how you have stated that God omniscient, that is that He is all knowing. i would like to offer a different thought on the idea that God created sin. I am not of the belief that God was the originator of sin, reason being if He created it then he is responsible for all the evil and not the devil or Lucifer. I think it is important to understand that God created us as free beings who have the power of choice. God did not make the choice for Lucifer, but he made his own choice. Should a parent be blamed for a child's choice after they are grown. NO, not at all. Just my thoughts.
I appreciate a lot on Wilking Jean’s focus on trans-cosmic Christ. I could catch a sense that trans-cosmic Christ became trans-cosmic blessing to us. Because of trans-cosmic Christ we can anticipate trans-cosmic blessing in Him. Thank you for the statement that “One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space.”
And also I could find the sense that the scope of the sin problem is huge, but at the same time, the scope of salvation is way larger than sin problem, that it covers and solves enough. Thanks again for your writing on this topic.
I think that Juanfer’s article touched up on some very important subjects that we as seminarians far too often seem to overlook in our endeavors to learn more about how to best do the work of God while here on earth. Namely, the ideas that we can become so puffed up by human knowledge and philosophy that we neglect God, or even worse, think that we can go at it alone in the world after we are done with Seminary because we have attained the title of “Master in Divinity.” I also especially liked his quote: ” Salvation seems to be an everlasting process. Continuing to live with Him is not a destination but a process.” I think it was expressed very well. Good job Juanfer, we DO need to rely on God for everything that we do; we always will.
Response to Ariel’s posting. In reading your reflection paper I was blessed to read that you had read somewhere in the Great Controversy that God did actually plead with Lucifer not to continue down the path of rebellion but he would not listen. I remembered to have read that statement in my many readings before but could not remember the actual book I read from. So I am very happy that in your reflection paper you mentioned the book where this statement is found. The fact that God took the time to warn Lucifer in advance so as to prevent him from falling or forever separating himself from the Creator God, is an important one indeed. And it is clear that God uses the same principle as He deals with us today- He warns us in various ways. By using every possible means He labors to bring us back to Himself. To me that’s grace. But the question is are we ready to receive it by faith when God extends it to us?
THST 618 THE WORK OF CHRIST Bohole,EMMANUEL.N ASSIGNMENT #1 in this Class I am blessed from Dr. Hanna’s Lectures. His publication sounds smart, both electronically. Previously I had a very narrow way of understating the issue of salvation of man kind. However after reading Hanna’s book ‘The Cosmic Christ of Scripture’ in the early chapters and also the book of Ephesians and Colossian, I discovered that Christ is the Centre of the Cosmos (world) He is all in all, and that all things were created, sustained by Him, and after the fall of man kind all things were redeemed by Christ. There fore CHRIST becomes the Head, the controller of all things. (Eph 3:9, 1:9-11, 1:22,) He also become the light of the cosmos (jn 8:12, (jn 1:10) Again by listening lectures in class see Jesus Christ exalted in the way that he is separate from sinners and he is higher than the heavens (Heb 7: 26) By seeing all these qualification of our master and LORD, I humbly say that there is no any one else who can temper with man’s salvation. We are all saved by Jesus Christ. Here i got more comments from Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, The Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White, “It is only through the sacrificial death of Christ as our substitute that there is hope for the human race.” After the fall of human we totally lost hope and we live a miserable life, but there is hope in CHRIST, we live and we have assurance for the internal life only through Him (1 Cor 8:6)
In class lectures I came to notice that Sin affected the creator (Christ) who ministers to all beings as well as Angels due to the fact that Angels also minister to the sinners they are also being affected. God declares his work of creation was perfect on Lucifer: You were the seal of perfection full of wisdom and perfect beauty you were in Eden the garden of God , you were the anointed cherub who covers , I established you , you were on the holy mountain of God , you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you and you sinned; there fore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of Gog and I destroyed you o covering cherub…. “(Ezek 28:12-16, 19-19) Again God declares his work of creation that was perfect in the universe “ God saw every thing that he made and indeed it was very good so the veining and the morning were the six day, ( Gen1:31) The Lord God commanded the man saying , of every tree of the garden you may freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die( Gen 2:16-17). With the lecture in class and now in connection to the scripture here we find that the serpent tempted the sinless human beings to sin and that when they did their sin impacted their bodies and the whole universe as well as environment. (Gen3) Ángel Manuel Rodríguez continue to say these strong words regarding God’s perfect creation ‘’ In Eden humans had full and perfect communion and fellowship with God, but as a result of sin the connection between heaven and earth was severed’’ Having seen the perfect work of God in creation and here man is fallen in to sin I realized that God loved so much his creatures. I connect with the writings of E G White in stapes to Christ chapter one I found these beautiful word to quote: ‘’Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures.’’ In conclusion I now come to say that this love of God reflects back to us and so we automatically responding to Him in Faith ,that he loved us and dare to save us, and that we have hope when we look unto him
Michelle Itschner Response to Kabah Stephen I appreciate your thoughts on Lucifer and sin. I too have wondered things like that, why did God create him if he was going to sin, and then, in turn, spread sin all over the place and then attempt to destroy the creation that was once “good.” I am glad you chose to write on something that you didn’t have the answer to. I also wonder, if God is all good, how could he create evil? Or, has evil been around as long as God? I have resigned to believe that these questions won’t be answered until Jesus returns.
Responding to Assignment #1 Piasi Suleiman I appreciated the way you think about the understanding of the person “Christ.” It is true that the study of Greek and Hebrew may still hinder someone knowledge of who Christ is because the only way we can understand Christ is through the Holy Ghost. Languages help us to dip into the verses such as to do exegesis though they cannot help understand the realm of Christ. Consequently, the Middle Eastern people are fluent in Greek and Hebrew, but ninety- nine percent of them are not Christians. We are not powerless in term of salvation; however, there is nothing we could do to be recovered from the biggest wound which is sin. To gain salvation, we need to do at least 2 of these- baptize accept and believe. Before we were even born, He had plan for us. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). Awesome!
Response to Michelle She mentioned the religion aspect from her friend, it is a good reminder for me to understand the people more from other denominations. She gave me the insight that the Adventist can’t only stay inside of the circle of Adventist and we have to share what we have to others. I appreciate her message.
I am giving a comment on the report of Neil G. The way The God Man is elaborated in the reading report gives me a confidence in accepting and understanding the authority and power bestowed in Jesus as God. This is what I quote from the report: ‘’with the text if the son is fully in the Father and the Father in the Son; then the son is an explainer of ultimate wisdom from God. However, The God-Man (Christ) still seems surreal. What is he really giving up and why is Lucifer really after Him on earth. We read in Revelation 12 that the dragon is cast to the earth; in addition, Michael also defeats the dragon again at the cross? In the New Testament, Christ is called the greatest high priest who died once and for all for us and the universe reconciling all things unto Him. Suppose I am preaching at the crusade I would use this approach to explain the reality of the God man to let people accept Jesus as their savior and master. People will feel like fixing their problem to such God. Again the reporter also explain the confidence left under God the Holy sprit for sinners to have a full access the holy sprit whenever sin problem persist. See here the reporter says ‘’ Furthermore, we now have access to the full deity via the Holy Spirit If I sin I cannot give Lucifer the Throne room of God because I am not God but yet in my sinful state I now have more access to God than Lucifer because of the Holy Spirit, Indeed I am in heavenly places already.’’ In this case there is much comfort when one listens to the holy sprit’s voice through reading, prayers and sermons.
I am responding to Edgardo Rivas The Bible Tells Me So Blog #1. I like what he has to say about knowing God through Jesus. Many have forgotten that Jesus the Christ was the incarnated God. According to John He was the word that became flesh and dwelt among us. For many they do not believe unless they see. Jesus knowing this made himself like flesh so that even the faithless might see and believe that Christ was the fulfillment of prophecy. Unfortunately people would rather believe in evolution. In my opinion evolution is harder to prove than the existence of God since we do not have any documentation that dates that far backwards. There are just as many hypothesis’s about the beginning and it has been documented in the scriptures. We have archaeologist that don’t believe in the scriptures yet they have been able to prove many people, places and things that have been written in the bible are true. I must say that my greatest challenge is that if we do not get to know and learn about Jesus we have no other signs to receive that confirm the true and living God.
Thinking about what Ariel wrote, it’s interesting to see God’s love before the formation of the foundations. Before creation was born there was a plan. It reminds me of Jeremiah 1:5 where God tells Jeremiah, that before he was formed he had appointed him. It’s as though God already had a plan for Jeremiah, and this was just a small part of the initial plan created before the beginning of the world. It’s even more amazing to know that before he made us, he loved us… because Christ died out of love for His people, and since he planned it, then it shows His love even before we were born. Who can doubt God’s love for His children.
In reponse to steve kaba assign no.1 ijust wanted to appreciate the approach os kaba on why for the first case G0d created satan,in our lectires on the cosmic and trans-cosmic christ,i understood in deep on how it is abig mystry on who christ is lather than the shallow understanding of whom i used to think he is,it was amazing that during our discussions i got new concepts like 'our salvation will be complete when jesus will come while on the other hand there are scriptures quoting that our salvation is already complete the moment we accept jesus christ as our personal saviour,hence accepted that trans-cosmic attribute of christ. In application to this basic concept of christ and God,the wisdom of God surpasses all our our understanding though it hurts to see the manifestation of satans acts upon the cosmos ,GOd will remain God wether we like it or not,and ours is to accept the basic revelation he has given us that though we see all this actions of the devil,he still loves us and he has given us freedom of choice. some of the things we cannot understand them easily for now but our duty is to press on for god will eventually reveal everything to us.
comment of Quigley Morris Grace through Faith Brother Morris here tells us that there is no other way for us to have salvation except through faith. I agree with this position for there is nothing we humans can do to obtain salvation. God already has done it for us in that He gave his Son upon the cross. All we have to do is look at the one nailed to the cross and accept what is freely given. Secondly being that grace is a gift unless we reach out and take it it going to do nothing for us. If you say to the door open up but don't get up to open it it won't open. Faith has to be put to work. God gives us grace but we must have faith that He has done so.
Edson Patrice Assignment 1 Predestination, Knowledge, and Human Freedom
The nature of the texts that use the word “predestined” have been a source of much conflict and division and even derision in the church. A casual consideration and conclusion can leave a bitter taste of God and his “goodness” or more accurately in this case His “fairness” or rather lack thereof. But are these texts really telling us what we think they are? Or is there more that can be gained by a deeper look into its meaning. On the subject of predestination as the cause of salvation: the Augustinian view of this suggests that we are incapable of saving ourselves as it is since the nature of sin seem to rob us of the right to choose. Humans are not able to do right even if they want to because of the drastic effects of Original Sin. This dramatic outlook does not appear to be contrary to the biblical view as Paul reminds us even our righteousness is as filthy rags. However, the point at which the masses seem to divide is where God is pigeon holed by the very grace fallen humans need to do right. Augustinians see God as granting that grace, which restores the freedom lost through sin, with a benevolent bias of sorts. In fact this is more than mere bias but even naked discrimination. The Armenian slant on this suggests that Gods only bias is towards those He already knows will accept His grace. The real problem, as the literature suggests, is still not solved since the central question of predestination is how it relates to foreknowledge. Did God create “the cosmos” knowing it would fail? Furthermore, in this knowledge has he already worked out salvation for a select few? These questions seem to be at the helm of the argument of predestination. What is the relationship between foreknowledge and predestination? Is their relationship a forgone conclusion or could they be mutually exclusive? Perhaps the area of deepest concern is where one begins to question whether they are saved because they choose the right path or because since God who already knows the end from the beginning saved them through His foreknowledge of their proclivities.
Edson Patrice- con’t -Assgn 1 In “Works of Christ” with Dr. Hanna we have discussed the nature of God in the world, or more precisely the cosmos, we have also discussed God outside of this realm. Dr. Hanna refers to this aspect of God as the trans-cosmic God. We learned that this God being aware of the choices His creation would take was not prejudiced against it but went ahead and created it all the same. Frustrated young Christians are usually the first to retort, how could He create this knowing what it would become? Older Christians realizing the precocious presumption that the question infers are more silent on the matter but are no less perplexed by the question. To be sure it is foolish to attempt answering such a question but a way is needed to diffuse some of the tension created by these two concepts. Romans 8:28-30 illustrates very beautifully the inherent relationship between the two concepts but also recognizes their exclusivity. “And we know God causes all things to work together…” -- this passages clarifies Gods work as a premeditative, active, work which has as its sole purpose to preserve relationship (v. 29) even before the foundations of the world (cosmos). It’s like God is saying: “I have this goal, a hope even, that we are to be never separated.” Frustrations ensue when we realize we cannot predict an individuals’ destiny within this goal any more than we can go back in time. But we can assert the destiny of the whole cosmos because Divine hope is in a class of its own. Foreknowledge and predestination are relational because one needs the other but they are not the same. Verse 29 of Romans shows us the marked difference. But does God’s foreknowledge restrict his creation? The answer is no. The article calls this the Aristotelian view of God, a God that is limited by His own omnipotence so as to imprison Himself. This attribute may in fact be contributed to God particularly toward the trans-cosmic God. This part of God is only discernable to us because of His own revelation into the cosmos, his creation. But we must confess that this is a limited knowledge of God. We are only slightly capable of making inferences about the revelation of God hidden character through His revealed character but one should be aware of the limitations. It should also be noted that predestination of God does not mean predilection. It seems that the more precise interpretation supported in scripture finds our election or preference to be based on a relationship with God. This is not reprehensible because we would not expect God to restore someone He does not have a relationship with. Both parties in any such equation we know would be unhappy. It is hear that we see Paul’s rejoinder to this dilemma by giving a flow chart for how predestination is carried out. In Romans 8:29-30 Paul shows that God’s will, hope, and plans are rendered powerless in the exercise of human will. This same will is given to us by God but even God after all that he has done and will do must allow the human being to choose Him. This is the cornerstone of love and thus pivotal to the practice of God’s Theocracy.
I really liked reading your article. I once preached a sermon about where God was when Jesus was crucified and it was geared towards a Christian audience so they understood. In keeping with Dr. Hanna's principle for the creative yet careful use of language; I wonder if there is a way to say the same message using the language of the world or more specifically the language of your friend / the language of the movie to explain the same truth about God. I want to venture onto some dangerous territory and then reconcile it for a little while, humor me. What if we were to say, in a sense the movie does tell some truth about God and some areas the picture is distorted. The Truth? The future does hang in the eternal balances and our only hope is the fact that Michael the "Archangel" is with us. The area that needs to be corrected; the future is in the balance not because God has stopped caring, but because he cares so much; he won't continue to let humanity destroy itself forever. And finally, we know that God loves us because He and Michael entered into an agreement that Michael would be a Great Prince "...that stands for the children of" humanity (Daniel 12:2). Now, this needs a GREAT DEAL of qualifying & clarifying; especially the notion that Michael isn't just a regular angel but is "Arche" or Commander of the angels, Jesus Christ the Righteous, the Old Testament's Angel of the Lord. Now using the language of the movie but tweaking it to correct or enlighten your friends views; I think that would embody becomming "all things to all men" I Corinthians 9:22. I think in terms of a view of "The Cosmic" Christ; one fitting image I would use to say what I'm trying to say is; Hollywood may be trying to "dress up" a story that contains the image of God, The Christ who is in everything drawing us to God. Our challenge, I believe, is to uncover that image and use it for what God wants to use it for. To Draw us to Himself. Nevertheless, not only do I love the theological conversation about the Cosmic Christ, but the practical application of this theology in conversations with our friends. I'll pray about this conversation you had Michelle, that God uses it for His will to be done.
Assignment #2: Foreknowlege, Predestination, and Human Freedom pt 1 This question of predestination and God’s foreknowledge has been the source of consternation for me. Yet I feel this will be exactly what I will present on. Any how, Humanly speaking it seems illogical and foolish for someone to know that a decision or an event that will inevitably put themselves and the cosmos in jeapordy. How is it that God knew Lucifer would sin, cause others to sin and cripple the entire human race, and then eventually cause God to destroy lucifer and the people on earth who will choose Lucifer over himself? God is certainly omnicient there is no questioning that, He must be. It is one of the defining elements of His being and one of the major components that separates us from Him (Isaiah 46:9-10). We have discussed briefly in class this subject so far, so I read the BRI article by Kwabena Donker on this subject, and although it did not altogether solve it for me it did provoke a lot of thought. He describes the Augustian view of “irresistable grace” which states that human kind cannot stop sinning and God chooses those who will receive His grace and be saved. Note: he also states that God chooses persons discriminatorily but does not give the criteria. On the other hand in the Arminian tradtion God already knows who will believe and based on this foreknowledge only they receive salvation. But how in the world can free will stand amongst this towering concept. The augustinian view is such that I have no real choice in my salvation even if I choose to do good deeds because God has already chosen. And in the other view God already knows who will believe and they have salvation and I still cannot compete with God’s knowledge. Again in my mind God must know everything. However Clark Pinnock in this article, limits divine forknowledge with this statement: “Free actions are not actions which can be known ahead of time. They literally do not exist to be known. God can surmise what you will do bnext Friday, but cannot know it for certain because you have not done it yet.” If you think this is another uninformed statement, I invite you to read again!
Assignment #2: Foreknowlege, Predestination, and Human Freedom pt 2 If I am truly, absolutely free to choose than doesn’t that make it impossible for God to know my actions? Because I can step out of what he has foreknown and so my own thing because I am completely autonomous, right? Not quite. Just because God knows something does not mean that he has foreordained it. As the article conveys, God has simply predestined a plan to save but all men and women are free to choose that plan based on their individual choices apart from God’s perfect will. By the way,I was once told that God has three wills: perfect, providential, and permissive. Perfect- what He wants to happen, Permissive – He allows us to choose another way, Providential – He provides a way of escape, or salvation when we choose otherwise. We still have the power to choose, but God has knowledge of future individual actions and knows the choices that we will make despite whether he interposes on them or not. God must know all things, if he does not know, if He is not omniscient than the Biblical truth and prophecy is in serious jeapordy. Dr. Hanna gave an excellent point today regarding David and Saul and what God had told him would happened to him. To make a long story short David chose a different path and what God had predicted did not occur. But it left me with one more question: The word of God is clear that Satan will be destroyed because he will not relent of his controversy with God and will not repent prior to judgment, but isnt Lucifer a free agent as well and can he not choose? In my mind I agree with the Bible and others that say that he will not and his hear is so hardened to evil that he cannot. But I must entertain the question, because just like David in his situation he has the ability to say: “you know what God, your right, I give up, and I confess”. God told David what would happen. He chose differently. Crisis avoided? God makes known through scripture what will happen to Lucifer. He has the option to choose differently. Crisis avoided? I don’t know, what do you think?
Ariel Roldan Works of Christ Reflection Paper - Second Assignment
Again, the full document can be read at: http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
“The Cosmic Christ of Scripture”, chaps. 3-4:
Just as justification, sanctification and glorification cannot be separated, neither can the mediums through which the knowledge of these theological concepts came to our awareness - Scripture, Christ, and Creation. I am finding these models of “three’s” more frequently as I contemplate the Bible. The relationship between Scripture, Christ, and the Creation mimics the relationship of how Jesus, the Father, and Holy Spirit interact with each other. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father, the Father confirmed His son by giving His testimony verbally and through raising Him from the grave - it is not linear but circular. This is what came to mind as I read how Scripture, the Christian’s ultimate authority, reveals Christ and points to nature as a source of revelation of God. Christ points to the Scripture and Creation, and Creation testifies of the Deity. Mrs. White brings in a fourth “book” - experience. In my mind, though this is the closest to us (our accumulated life experiences), it is the least reliable, even less than nature. It is human experience that, after studying nature decided there was no Creator - something contrary to what Creation reveals. So though it may be a beneficial source of understanding, experience to me is also the most dangerous.
“Steps To Christ”, Chaps. 6, 10: “Faith and Acceptance” - Talk about blending Monargy and Synergy right from the beginning of the chapter. It amazes me how much slips our notice simply because of ignorance. “It is peace that you need ... Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift ... It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it.” The principle of the blend of Scripture, Christ, Creation, and Experience and its revelatory properties to us are also beautifully displayed in the explanation of why Jesus (Christ) healed the sick (Creation, Experience) in the Gospels (Scripture). “Jesus healed the people of their diseases when they had faith in His power; He helped them in the things which they could see, thus inspiring them with confidence in Him concerning things which they could not see--leading them to believe in His power to forgive sins.” ...
“A Knowledge of God” - It is amazing how this chapter almost parallels Dr. Hanna’s two chapters on the “four books” of God’s revelation. Beginning with the broadest revelation the point of nature being one of the revelatory books of God is expounded upon - “If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear.” From Nature the chapter moves to Experience: “God speaks to us through His providential workings and through the influence of His Spirit upon the heart. In our circumstances and surroundings, in the changes daily taking place around us, we may find precious lessons if our hearts are but open to discern them.” From there the chapter moves to ... Ephesians chaps 4-6 It is with amazing clarity that the concepts of ...
Just as justification, sanctification and glorification cannot be separated, neither can the mediums through which the knowledge of these theological concepts came to our awareness - Scripture, Christ, and Creation. I am finding these models of “three’s” more frequently as I contemplate the Bible. The relationship between Scripture, Christ, and the Creation mimics the relationship of how Jesus, the Father, and Holy Spirit interact with each other. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father, the Father confirmed His son by giving His testimony verbally and through raising Him from the grave - it is not linear but circular. This is what came to mind as I read how Scripture, the Christian’s ultimate authority, reveals Christ and points to nature as a source of revelation of God. Christ points to the Scripture and Creation, and Creation testifies of the Deity. Mrs. White brings in a fourth “book” - e...
“Steps To Christ”, Chaps. 6, 10: “Faith and Acceptance” - Talk about blending Monargy and Synergy right from the beginning of the chapter. It amazes me how much slips our notice simply because of ignorance. “It is peace that you need ... Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift ... It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it.” The principle of the blend of Scripture, Christ, Creation, and Experience and its revelatory properties to us are also beautifully displayed in the explanation of why Jesus (Christ) healed the sick (Creation, Experience) in the Gospels (Scripture)" ...
“A Knowledge of God” - It is amazing how this chapter almost parallels Dr. Hanna’s two chapters on the “four books” of God’s revelation. Beginning with the broadest revelation the point of nature being one of the revelatory books of God is expounded upon - “If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear.” From Nature the chapter moves to Experience: “God speaks to us through ...
Ephesians chaps 4-6 It is with amazing clarity that the concepts of Monargy and Syngergy now are apparent to my mind. God “who is above all, and through all, and in you all”, Christ who ascends above all heavens “that He might fill all things.” And yet this is done so that gifts can be given to men, so that man can cooperate (Synergy) with God’s Monargy. The equipping is for working in ministry, God’s ministry. The concept of not being in harmony with God (Synergy) is “being alienated from the life of God”, thus death. Also the concept of ... Aside from the blending of were, are, and will have an inheritance and interesting union is also made which to my mind alludes to the union of Justification and Sanctification. Christ is the head of the body - the church - he is the Savior (justifies) of the body. The church is “subject/submits” (sanctified) to Christ, the two are inseparable, but ... Monargy and Synergy theme again is brought out. We may “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The armor we are told to put on is God’s. So we have to do things, but God is ultimately the source of what we have to do. As obvious as it is, ...
Works of Christ Assignment 2 TRINITY JSG In the light of the trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and in light of the class, we view the trinity as both cosmic and trans-cosmic. All three entities of the God head exist outside the cosmos and are free eternal beings. Yet at the same time they exist and are actively involved with in the cosmos. In John 17: 5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” The word for world in the Greek in this passage is κόσμον, or cosmos. Here Christ is asking the father to glorify Him with the Glory that he had before the cosmos was. Salvation also has a trinity that we within the cosmos truly understand but not fully from a cosmic perspective. They are justification, sanctification, and glorification. One might look at them as Justification the point in which one accepts God’s gift of salvation. Sanctification is the process of growth along the path of salvation. Finally glorification is the culmination of the salvation process. Just like the trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), justification, sanctification, and glorification work in a similar fashion. They operate individually with a common collective purpose. I will not try to speak about justification, sanctification, and glorification in regards to their function in the trans-cosmos, due to the fact that I can only exist inside the cosmos. I do however believe that there is an aspect of JSG, which does exist in the trans-cosmos.
Edson Patrice 1st Response To: “I’m not in Kansas Anymore.”
Michael I enjoyed the comments about your “post Kansas” experience. I often fell that way too. I chose to read your submission because of your title, but that was before I realized you also read the BRI article on predestination. The article was well written and very thorough in handling the various theological missteps floating around out there. I would like to submit a plausible response to the question you presented toward end of your post. Having also read Habakkuk I have always wondered why the minor-prophet’s contentious attitude with God is so well received in spite of its perceivable contempt. Curiosity is only more enticed when one compares it to other stories in the Bible, such as your mentioning of Job, where the same presumptions are immediately rebuked. It would seem then that the only logical action, short of labeling God with caprice, is to re-evaluate the premise of the stories. I would like to suggest that a major difference between the two stories could lie in one word: “posture.” During Habakkuk’s dialogue with God his primary concern seem to be God’s own reputation. Much like when Moses kindly “reminded” God of His character when He was prepared to wipe off the Israelites. On the other hand, let’s pick on Job since he’s already been named, here’s a man who was righteous in every way we can hope to be. To be brief, terrible things happened to him and he is then left with his three babbling friends. They’re futile attempt to understand God’s rationale was not much different from Habakkuk’s, except Job and his friends seemed to be more concerned with Theodicy. Their postures were starkly different form each other. Perhaps this is a valuable lesson we all can learn on our way out of Kansas and into the Cosmos.
Speaking about the Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification in the past, present, and future; as well as, the tension involved from Paul’s text throughout the New Testament remind me of the name of YHWH who exists in this same space. In Exodus 3:14 God declares Himself as the I Am. A rough and personal translation of this text for me is “I am always, and forever will be God.” My God who functioned in times past before my existence; My God who functions in my present; My God who will function in the future. I can see Paul wrestling with these concepts and showing us that these concepts are not a one time only concept but as Dr. Hanna’s lectures have persuaded me to see these concepts have interdependence even though they are separate and distinct. Wrapping my mind around it took a few moments but the knowledge was always there in the seed (Zera). Fine tuning and being more precise are challenging. As I spoke with Terrence briefly in the hallway he mentioned that we should probably rename this class Theological Calculus. I suppose we are consistently cutting large ideas into smaller ideas to find out the best possible sum of the words at the end of the day. There are still lot’s of questions un answered; however, I’m writing down my questions for Glory at this point. YHWH, He who exists!
Colossians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I love the broad picture of salvation that Paul gives that is so heavily rooted in the works of Jesus Christ as Creator, Redeemer and Lord of His Church. Paul wrote “…we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” (TNIV) This is exactly what I am seeking for this class.
Even though I entered this class a week late, I have grasped that in the first week the cosmic and trans-cosmic dimensions of Christ were discussed. That God created the cosmos, which included humans and all of nature so that He is both above and beyond the sphere in which we live and experience life.
In “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White” Rogriguez discusses the impact of Adam’s fall into sin from the perspective of Ellen White. The first and tragic effect that he notes is that Adam’s sin resulted in separation from God. White stated, that the connection between heaven and earth was severed and man became divorced from God. Living outside of the Garden meant living outside of God’s immediate presence. She further states that it was now impossible for God’s love to reach them (Adam and Eve). While the relationship between God and humans drastically changed, and changed the nature of the cosmos to a seemingly hostile, unfriendly environment I still see in the act of God preparing the skins for Adam and Eve an act of deep love (Gen. 3:21). I also see an act of supreme love in forbidding them to take of the tree of life and perpetuate this misery forever and thus remove them from the garden (Gen. 3:22). All of the commands that came as a consequence of sin were ‘disguised’ acts of love and all of them came from God, who initiated each one, while at the same time setting in motion the greater, grander plan for redemption. The results of sin however were drastic, painful and deep.
The good news presented in “The Dynamics of Salvation” is that through the cross “divine love conquers evil.” God has a plan to restore us into His image. That the author/s notes that we could never do this for ourselves and we don’t deserve it can only heighten the degree of God’s love in our imaginations and experience. The author/s also affirm “a cosmic dimension in the story of our salvation.” I got excited when I read this as it relates directly to our class although it does not appear the author/s of this article are using this term in the same manner, or to the extent that Dr. Hanna is employing the idea.
In discussing the Scripture of the Cosmic Christ, Dr. Hanna makes a case for the three revelations of God: Scripture, Christ and the cosmos. I have never read or heard an argument presented for these in this manner. Sure, Aquinas places heavy emphasis on God’s revelation through nature and the importance of the use of reason. The Quadrilateral talks about the role of Scripture, faith, tradition and reason in theology. Barth highlights the Christ of Scripture that we connect with as we read the Word. Dr. Hanna offers truly a unique perspective. As I have not read the entire book yet, but am only being introduced to these concepts I am not ready to draw conclusions until I am exposed to the entire argument and can reflect upon it. A statement that captured my attention in Chapter 1, however, concerns the ontological primacy of Christ and the contextual primacy of the cosmos and the epistemological primacy of Scripture (p.20). The additional statement that these issues “call for the exercise of a high level of faith and reason” (p.21) would appear to locate the approach closer to the boundaries of the traditional Christian theological traditions while maintaining a sola scriptura motif as central. Very interesting. I am looking forward to learning more…
I resonate with Piasi's comments regarding all the theories in theology that relate to the work and role of Christ. There are many things in theology that confuse rather than clarify when we do not seek the simplicity and beauty of Scripture. Hearing many teachers on any given subject can feel like being presented with as many theories. What I like about Paul's presentation of Christ in Colossians and Ephesians is he is short, succinct and complete in his descriptions. But there are many other beautiful pictures of Christ to explore in Scripture too. I am glad that we have the opportunity to look deeply at a few through a new lens - the cosmic Christ of Scripture. I agree Piasi, that Christ has all authority, and the devil cannot have authority over our lives when we surrender ourselves to Jesus.
In “Justification and the Cross” Rodriguez presents a case for the interpretation of Rom. 5:12-21. He deals with several issues of interest. One of them is the claim that Jesus’ death on the cross brought legal universal justification. This idea is an outgrowth of the notion that just as in Adam sin spread to all humans, so in Christ all were justified through the atonement He made on the cross. Yet, Rodriguez, correctly argues that the parallel between these two images breaks down as the latter would then have to imply that all are saved. What he argues is that God’s gift is universal in its provision, but it is not effective salvifically unless it is received personally. He further states, “A gift can only be offered to those for whom it was obtained.” And this gift is only received through faith. A theological conclusion that Rodriguez does not raise is what is known in Calvinist language as “limited atonement.” But the comparison may end up being superficial. Rodriguez claims that Christ died for all, but only those who accept it by faith will receive the benefits of this act of grace of God. For Calvinists, Christ died only for the elect, He did not die for everyone. Yes, Jesus died for those He intended to save, but the goal, the hope, the offer is for the entire human race. The question for us then is, how can those receive it who don’t know about it?
This ties to what we have been discussing in class this week. Namely, that God’s grace is available to every human being from the moment of birth. God’s grace is active and real before we ever knew the name of Jesus or His saving power. It is only when an individual fully rejects this grace after the age of accountability that he or she can be lost. Yet even in a lost state, a person can return and be restored into a saving relationship with Christ. Yet Dr. Hanna presented a broader manner in which God can reach humans with His saving grace. Through His revelation in Scripture, in Christ and the cosmos God is working to reveal Himself to us. He stated that we can not reduce biblical authority to Scripture alone (p.45). These ideas challenged my thinking in new ways. I have never heard an Adventist say that “we should go to and fro between Scripture and Christ to increase knowledge of the light from God.” And the same is asserted for Scripture and the cosmos. Very interesting. Most Adventists say something like, ‘we should go to and fro between the Bible and Ellen White’. Yet the next chapter, Chapter 4 deals with the issue of Ellen White and Scripture. As Ellen White was part of the cosmos perhaps she can be fitted into the third category?
I really liked the quote on p.52 of Cosmic Christ where Ellen White is quoted as saying, “A working church is a living church. We are built up as living stones, and every stone is to emit light; for every one is compared to a precious stone that catches the glory of God, and reflects it to others,” and “we are to be the channel for the revelation of Christ.” That places quite a large responsibility on us all. But then again, as we discussed the role of grace and justification and sanctification and glorification as all working together in us, it is ultimately a work of Christ in us and through us that we accept, submit and surrender to. It is interesting to me that Ellen White saw the storehouse of truth to be: the Bible, nature and experience (pp.53, 54). It seems that there are many who feel uncomfortable with the idea of experience informing us in any way, and many take special pains to denounce it. But in conjunction with other forms of revelation: including the primacy of Christ and Scripture I am glad that Ellen White makes a little place for ‘experience’. Because in the end we all must know God’s grace and must experience God’s grace in order to have the type of relationship that will lead to eternal life.
Assignment #2 The righteousness that saves is the righteousness of God revealed to man through Jesus Christ alone. Paul wastes no time to put the point clear in his letter to the church in Rome; “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:21-24). The beginning of man’s return to God converges in the life and death of the Son of God. He is the "Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and, "when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Rom. 5:10). Alone, God in Christ reconciled the world unto Himself (see 2 Cor. 5:19). He requires no help from man in this supreme revelation of saving righteousness. Thus saving righteousness is not an attribute of God or an ethical requirement and demand by God. It is a divine act that reveals in historical events God’s plan and power to save man. It is an objective act that changes the hopeless situation of mankind whether men believe and accept salvation or not. Salvation by the righteousness of Christ means that man acknowledges and believes that God has revealed and effected in Christ alone a righteousness that is eternally all-sufficient for all men. This perfect righteousness consists of Christ’s fulfillment of God’s commandments and obedience to the will of God that was maintained even unto the death on the cross. It is a righteousness that satisfies all the requirements of divine justice, revealed in the sphere of human sin and death. This makes the gospel the power of God unto salvation. The Christian faith is neither a philosophy nor is it a mere teaching. It is based on a series of historical events. The teaching derives from and is grounded in the historical events. That can never be too much emphasized, because this is the point at which our faith differs from every so-called religion. All religions are teachings; this (the Christian faith) is event and historical happening before it is teaching; it is an announcement of events, of actions and of facts. . . . God has revealed this, and He has done so in the historical events connected with the life and work and ministry, the death and resurrection and ascension of the Son of God, and with the descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost. It is important to understand Paul’s statements on this great truth. First, he emphasizes the fact that the righteousness that saves is "the righteousness of God," in order to distinguish it from the righteousness of men. It is the righteousness of God revealed and not the righteousness of man achieved (but it is the righteousness of Christ achieved in man). The saving initiative is God’s. To be saved man needs a revelation from God, not a new set of requirements. The particular form that the revelation of saving righteousness takes is determined by God alone. It does not come through the involved and complicated arguments of the world’s great men. No amount of mental activity by man can produce it. Saving righteousness is due entirely to divine action. God alone, in a unique act of redemption, has brought to bear upon man’s lost condition a revelation of His saving power and righteousness.
Jeon, Kyoung Chun Assignment 2. Title: Through faith in Him you may have life.
As we studied in a class period, faith is one of the crucial elements for salvation. Faith is the first step we have to take and at the same time, that is the last step we have to take. That why Paul says in Romans that “for in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: the righteous will live by faith” (Rom 1:17). Here is good example how faith is working for our salvation. Whenever Jesus heals the disabled or the sick, he asked their faith first. If we see healing as the way of forgiveness of our sins, faith is actually precondition, prerequisite for justification. Ellen G. White clearly says about interrelationship among the three elements that are justification, sanctification, and glorification. “Jesus healed the sick people who had faith in His power. After He healed them, they were able to see that He could help them in Other ways.” The faith we had at the very first moment leads us to the next level from justification to sanctification. And that faith leads us until we are glorified. That faith makes the justification as 100% justification and this 100% justification will be 100% as long as we dwell in this faith. We have been talking about it in a class period, mentioning that “Justification is 100% at the moment of conversion and doesn’t grow bigger and bigger because as far as the person is with Christ, justification is still 100%. On the other hand, sanctification grows gradually and will be glorified at the moment of 2nd Advent.” And after that, faith leads us to the next level to grow in Christ. This is described in sanctification stage. We can see this example from the healed by the healing power of Jesus Christ. Whoever healed by Jesus Christ by faith in Him, they move to the next level. They didn’t just go back to their way. Most of them witnessed what have happened to them to others. Somehow, we could say their life was grown up little by little to the next level. Even though the Bible doesn’t tell us the rest of their entire life, we can expect that their life was changed and grown up into next level by the first faith. That’s why Ellen G. Whit says on her book, Steps to Christ, that “Jesus healed the sick people who had faith in His power. After He healed them, they were able to see that He could help them in Other ways.”(chapter 6. Faith and acceptance)
As I understood, faith is really important for Christian life as well. Faith extends the notion of “Monergy” to the “Synergy” for the plan of God’s salvation. Monergy of God’s work described in foreknowledge, predestination, calling stages is well harmonized with Synergy of God’s work with His people in justification, sanctification, and glorification stages. And the notion about Synergy starts with human faith in Him. faith leads us to have hope of the glory of God and faith works through love. In that sense, faith is crucial elements for Christian life. That make His people as coworker of God in the plan of salvation.
More of these, I thank God for His Monergy in terms of He decided to save us and made the plan of salvation. This is the act of God. Ellen G. Whit gives us wonderful hope about it in the same book and the same chapter mentioned earlier. There is something more in this promise that is important. You must pray for those things that God wants you to have. God wants to free you from sin and make you His child. “I don’t want anyone to die… turn away from your sins and live” (Ezekiel 18:32).
Works of Christ – Assignment # 2 - "Open Invitation"
I find these recent class discussions helpful in thinking about the subjects of foreknowledge, predestination, and calling. I am seeing more clearly how these concepts relate to the ideas of monergy and synergy. Though we don’t fully comprehend these great mysteries, God provides us with enough insights to understand how they relate to salvation.
I agree that when the Bible discusses the idea of “foreknowledge,” it isn’t saying that God trumps the free will that He Himself gives to His creatures. God’s foreknowledge (monergistic in the sense that only God has all foreknowledge) does not somehow override our freedom to choose. God’s foreknowledge of the future does not do away with our free will. Even though God already knows what will take place in the future, He does not impose His omniscience on our freedom to choose. I agree that it is indeed difficult for us to understand how God can have all this power at His disposal and yet not use it to override or veto our free will. By faith, we can rest assured that He does not do so even though He has the capacity to do so.
In terms of "predestination," when it is analyzed from the biblical standpoint, it becomes easier to understand its actual meaning. For instance, Paul writes that “in Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:1). A second passage that can be used to understand the concept of predestination is found in Ephesians 1:5. There, Paul contends that God “predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” It is evident that, in both passages, Paul is pointing to God’s great desire that none perish but instead that all come into reconciliation with Him.
In discussing the term “calling” (also described as “election”), Scripture refers to those who will receive salvation at the end of time. However, it does not teach that salvation is something that was already established for a select group before creation. The term “calling” points back to God’s will that all willing individuals (acting in synergistic cooperation with Him) will have the opportunity to enjoy eternal life. Biblical writers simply made the case that God, in advance, decided to bring about the plan of salvation for all in the event that sin was committed. They were showing how God decided before the creation of this world to reconcile us unto Himself though Jesus Christ. Their goal was not to equate the idea of calling with automatic salvation. This is evident throughout Scripture in that constant emphasis is placed on holy living and continued perseverance in the faith. Those who respond to God’s “call”, in essence, become “called” in that they have accepted His offer to salvation. Hence, being called is not a matter of being placed in an inescapable position; rather, it is instead referring to a person who has accepted God’s open offer extended to all. Then, those who have accepted that offer come to be referred to as people “belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9). They are called in the sense that they have been “called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). But, there isn’t the idea that a person’s calling comes on the basis of God choosing certain individuals to receive salvation. God does not show favoritism in terms of who gets to receive salvation. The opportunity and possibility for salvation is extended to whosoever chooses to receive it (John 3:16). Hence, salvation is conditional and depends on whether a person continues to abide in Jesus Christ having accepted God’s open offer to salvation. - James W. Dieujuste
Assignment #2 God’s act of predestination God’s act of predestination is one of the most debated issue in the scope of theology as it raises questions on human freedom and God’s sovereignty and also the relationship between the two. Some of the questions that arise from this issue are: Does God know everything? And if He does, does that limit our human freedom of choice? And if he does not then, is his omniscience limited in some way? In this case if we tend to preserve human freedom in a way we limit God’s sovereignty and if we uphold God’s sovereignty we may be tempted to sacrifice human freedom. So the question is where do we draw the line? If we understand the meaning of the word predestination, then we may be able to get a biblical position on this issue. “Predestination” is a noun which is used in the New Testament which means to “decide upon beforehand”. Paul says “No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” 1Cor 2:7. With no doubts, this expression designates the time before the creation of the world. This would however mean that this decision that God made was not influenced by any of His creatures because the text suggests that the decision was made before the creatures existed. This I would call divine freedom. It is important to note that what God predestines isn’t an accidental decision, He had a plan Ephesians 1:11 states “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”. Manuel Rodriquez says that this plan was conceived in the divine mind, was willed by Him, and was worked out in history according to that will. The foundation and motivating force of the plan is God's love (verse 5). This indicates that the plan was intended to be for the benefit of His creatures. Romans 8:29 seems to suggest that Jesus was also predestined by God to be "the first-born among many brethren." The incarnation of the Son of God is part of the divine plan configured in eternity. He was going to be one of us and in the process was going to make us His brothers and sisters. Is this not wonderful? God also in His infinite wisdom has predestined wonderful things to His people. There are certain specific things that God predetermined for His people. He established that His wisdom, revealed in the person of Christ, be "for our glorification" (1 Cor. 2:7). This isn't something that God perhaps will do for us, but rather something that He has determined to do for us. We will be glorified through Christ. This is good news for each and every one of us. God has also predestined us to be adopted as His children only through Jesus Christ “he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” Ephesians 1:5.This is a nonnegotiable for God. He acted one-sidedly creating a way for our adoption to the heavenly family before we existed. In addition, the plan includes God's intention to conform us to the image of His Son “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29. This is His plan for those who love Him. Our Lord's predetermined plan is to transform us. Lastly, With respect to the salvation of His people Manuel Rodriquez says that God didn't leave anything to chance. Predestination, based on His foreknowledge, once put into effect reaches us as a call for salvation. The acceptance of the call leads to justification and to our final glorification at the Second Coming “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” Romans 8:30. There is no power on earth that can alter God's plan for us except our rejection of it. So what does this mean? The choice rests on you and me.
EMMANUEL N. Bohole. # 2 We are saved by hope: Rom8: 24 For we are saved in this hope but hope that is seen for why does one still hope for what he sees. Last week and this week I have been comforted through the lectures delivered by Dr Hanna in class. I have come to discover that human response towards salvation is always found in the hope that is in Christ alone. If a sinner looses hope in the savior that there is no solution for sin and that the savior can not wash out sin then there is no way that faith can work out to pursue one to seek forgiveness and being justified. When we sin we loose hope and also we are on the evil’s side being declared for perishing. But when we look in to that hope which is promised to us we long to be glorified in the near future. This hope goes together with faith (Ephe 2:8) The Holy Bible says: For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God. This Hope also goes together with a genuine love, the love of God that turns to us as we respond in waiting for that great hope. So now the past response that man hoped for was justification from the past sin. When a man is being justified manifested by the love of God , then here comes another thing which is hope for sanctification at the present time and finally God fore sees our future that in which direction we hope to chose to go. Rom 8: 29 for whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son. That he might be the first born among many brethren. 30 moreover whom he predestined these, he also called, whom he also called he also justified, and whom he justified these, he also glorified. Now according to the reading of Rom 8: 28-30, and the lecture in class by Dr. Hanna we are being introduced to a more advanced way of how God ‘s work is being characterized by monergy , meaning that Gog working alone for the plan of our salvation as well as God working together with the cosmos, meaning that God works with those who corporate with him and therefore are being justified by faith, and who hope for glorification as the love of God is poured out into their hearts. Therefore those who are willing to wait for this great hope will then be glorified when Jesus comes and be reconciled with him. However , man’s response for salvation is based on accepting a call from sin then asks for the justification which is also obtained by faith, and later wait for the Glorification which is the great hope we only have for our salvation.
Josh Woods 5/20/2010 Works of Christ Week 2 Reflection
Reflecting on Christ this week has yet again been wonderful. It has been a little bit more difficult for me to understand some of the issues being dealt with in class; however, I have been truly blessed by the reading. In the reading this week, there were a many notions that caught my attention, however, there were a few areas that spoke to me specifically. There was yet another point from last weeks discussion that was clarified. It is interesting how your understanding evolves. This week I continued in my reading of Ephesians and Colossians as well as the other assigned reading, but became very excited when I came across Ephesians 4:11. It says, “What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” Although Paul is speaking of a completely different topic than what this text is talking about, it seems as though he took the time to remind the readers of the fact that Jesus is a trans-cosmic God. He affirms the fact that Jesus ascended only because he first descended to the earth from the heavens. I thought it was even more interesting that Paul didn’t say he ascended from earth to the heavens, but that He ascended above the heavens thus explaining His true nature. Another affirmation from the word of God that Jesus is a cosmic as well as a trans-cosmic God, which is something that may be hard to grasp, but shows God’s transcendence. This week as I was reading through Steps to Christ, I really felt that the Chapter on Repentance was really hitting the same note that we have been hitting in class. The difference of Justification and Sanctification has been difficult for me. I understand that Justification is a work of a moment, and Sanctification is a work of a lifetime, but knowing the difference has been hard. Then the idea of foreknowledge and predestination was thrown into the mix, which turned out to be even more difficult. However, I felt that Mrs. White alludes to predestination in Chapter 3. “Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, if we will not accept His grace, what more can He do?”(34) The topic of the last quote totally touches on a couple of aspects discussed in class. First, God has a will for our lives, but he will not force that will upon us. He may have predestined or chosen us for a specific purpose here on this earth, however, that will cannot be carried out unless we choose to work synergistically with him. Until we choose to work in harmony with God, His will cannot be carried out. This has great implications for pastoral ministry because Satan would want nothing more than for us to work on our own and not do the will of God. The next implication that arises is the notion of free will. Mrs. White speaks to the fact that we are not predestined in the sense that we do not have a choice, but that we can participate in God’s will by exercising our free will. Finally, in terms of Justification, it seems if we have to also choose to be justified. We can choose to carry that proverbial “umbrella of justification” around, or we can choose not to follow God’s will for us, which is to be justified and sanctified. Until we let go of our evil desires, we cannot be justified and nor will we continue the process of sanctification.
Edgardo Rivas Blog #2 Sin no More We can’t leave sin out of the equation. It is because of the sin in the world that the human race can’t understand the Bible and Jesus who is the main character in it. Sin came from within the cosmos into this world. “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you”. Those that open their hearts to receive the light and maintain their consecration to God will see an increase in the light. When people start questioning who Jesus is they will also start to question the issue of salvation. Jesus, in order to save us became one of us. I don’t know why it is hard for some people to understand that salvation is in one man, JESUS. One question that is left unanswered and will still be is: how did sin begin in the heart of an intelligent, perfect, sinless angel? We don’t know the answer to this question but we have what the Bible says about it in Rev 12:7-12; Isa 14:12-15; Ezeq 28:12-19. The most decorated angel in all heaven turned against God. He wanted to be God. For this reason he was casted out into this earth away from all the heavenly hosts. Away from the worlds that have not sinned, away from his creator and, with no chance of going back or repentance. Sin affected the whole universe (cosmic), seen and unseen. If we as humans want to overcome sin, we must maintain a close relationship with the giver of life. Christ defeated Satan once and his complete destruction is near. We too can defeat him with the power of the blood of the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. If we fall down he is able to pick us back up and lead us in the right path. This invitation is open to all humanity but only a few are taking advantage of it. What a joy should there be in our hearts that the trans-cosmic Christ should come into this world to give us a chance of survival. He came to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to give us a clean heart. He came to give us a chance to be the children of God. He came to give us once again the opportunity to be in the presence of the Almighty God. He came so that we can have life more abundantly. Praise the Lord all my soul. When sin is done away with there will be once again peace and harmony in all of God’s creation. As Dr. Hanna said in class sin is a great problem for the universe but praise God that salvation is bigger and broader. If we sin within the cosmos we have a Savior that is trans- cosmic that can forgive us.
assign no2.Assign no.2 Topic:it is all a bout Jesus. It is absolutely true that there is no other religion on earth that keeps the word of God as in psalms 119:105 your word is a lamp onto my feet ,as the Adventist do.we uphold to all the ten commandments and I have no problem with that. What difference can we make between the pharisees and some religions that base their salvation on good works? Most people are still battling with the question what can I do to be saved?i think some seminarians came to the seminary so they can prepare to work for God hoping that their efforts will add some marks towards their salvation or gain his favor or competiate for some time they think they wasted when they were in the so called world, people have different understanding on what salvation real mean. I don’t blame their motives but I thank God that through this class we all discover that there is nothing we as human beings we will ever do to purchase our salvation.our salvation only depends on the grace of God and the merits of Jesus through the process of justification,sanctification and glorification. The writings of Ellen white ,the bible and the lectures of Dr.this week in our class discussion centered on what God can do in us but not what we can do for God . Justification ,sanctification and glorification is a subject which is so difficult for people to understand or accept. we are living in an age where free things are always considered to be valueless or deffective,we have taken this principle from the world to confuse what Christ did for us in the cross .we often feel like it is not enough we feel like we must purchase our salvation but not era it as free gift,good things are known to be worked hard for to attain them. payed for,hence we sometimes feel like we must sweat for our salvation.i liked the new terms I learned in this weeks discussion ,the synergy and monergy of Theo's ,I guess Dr. Hanna is using this terms to break the monotony of the so simplified gospel oh our salvation is free,may be this will make theologians feel they are learning hard stuff after all what is the the purpose of paying all the tuition and time to hear what we had already before we came to the seminary. But the concept is the same even though the terms used are different. I appreciated to learn new terminologies like the monergy of God’s work makes possible the synergy of our being `` workers together with God’’.hence it is God’s monergy that draws us first.God works all in all.we are just branches and Jesus is the true vine,john15:1 the gospel is a simple as it is proclaimed in john 3:16 that for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in him shall not die but have eternal life.our main assignment is to accept and the rest is all about Jesus.Good works will only do attract people as the case of my father he used to like the Adventists because of the dos and donts but on the real sense good works don’t earn us salvation but are as a result of what God is doing in our hearts.it should be Jesus working in us. Most immature Christians have left the church because they feel like they are not good enough due to the half baked gospel from somebody that they need to be perfect for God to accept them.we don’t need to be perfect to attain our salvation . when we go to God Let us fully surrender our hearts and allow God to work on us. We need to use the version of jesus to define who we are and who we will be in him .it is all bout Jesus!
As I was reading in Steps To Christ, something stood out to me. When Ellen White says, “In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God; earth was cut off from heaven. Across the gulf that lay between, there could be no communion. But through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.” This made me start to wonder about the time between the fall and Christ, what was God’s interaction with humanity? And if Christ wasn’t the bridge between God and man, then what was the medium used when God did interact with humanity? To me, this passage from Steps To Christ can mean two separate things. First of all, it can signify that there was no means of salvation for humanity pre-Christ, but it seems that it may be alluding to the idea that God was not present here with us as He is today, and therefore, one might ask what God’s role was within humanity pre-Christ. Personally, I think that God has always been involved in the lives of individuals, and we have always had the opportunity to choose God or choose the world. However, I don’t think that I know of any scripture references to back up my opinion on that. I do think that the text from Steps To Christ was referring to the salvation of mankind. Previously, Ellen White explained that Jacob was shown in a dream that Jesus was the ladder that was the bridge between Heaven and Earth, thus signifying a way to salvation, which in Jacob’s case, brought him much peace and an answer to his questions. So, in view of this, I think that the people who believed in and followed God prior to Christ’s death on the cross are saved just as much as we are post cross. However, I’m still wondering what is encompassed in her phrase, “In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God; earth was cut off from heaven. Across the gulf that lay between, there could be no communion.” What exactly does that mean?
First I loved your 4D application, after reading so much theology is good to see someone explaining things in a fresh easy way to understand. your quote "A God in the 4D is a God who is not bound to the same rules of logic, time and space that we humans subscribe to." caught my attention and i finally came to the conclusion that it's ok to not understand how God operates, what is important... that we trust in Him. Thank you
Assignment 2 What is salvation? There are several things that grab my attention and spend my head at the same time. When does God begin the process of salvation in someone? As I learned this week I see that Justification, Sanctification and glorification are salvation term. I understand that glorification is the last part of God’s plan of salvation process. At the same time I wonder when does justification and sanctification begins and ends or at what point of life one take over the other? I have been struggled with this process try to understand exactly what is going on. Justification is salvation “with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom 10:10). Justification is God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous before Him. In other words justification is the work that God is doing in us. There is not thing we can do to earn our justification. Again when does the work of justification begin in someone’s life? These are the thing I am really struggling this week. Sanctification is salvation: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). So if I understand base on this text that God is the one who is doing everything for me. He has chosen me and sanctified me though faith that I have in Him. Sanctification is a work of a life time. While we are unrighteous we have credited by His righteousness. Glorification is salvation. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Cor. 42-43, 51-53). This is the result of the work of the Master of the cosmos. After the process of justification and sanctification Christ will put His final touch on us who accept and obey His will. The first two things that mentioned above seem to be base on of individual readiness. It can happen at any time during that person life. But Glorification will be done collectively upon the return of Christ. I have a different point of view about salvation. It is really bigger than I used to think. God created men and angels free because of that sin was possible. This is the greatest freedom human and angels can ever process the freedom of choice to choose good or evil. We lost that freedom because of sin. But God did not leave us like that. He had crafted a plan call salvation in case we disobey His will so that He can restore us to Him. It cost the creator his own life in other to save us. Sin is a big problem for God in the cosmos. Sin disrupted the order in the cosmos but the plan of salvation will restore that order upon completion of that plan. As Mrs. White said “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love” {GC 678.3}. This is what the plan of salvation will do for us.
For the record, I have no clue how to boil this past week’s lectures and readings down into 4,096 characters. I also wish to commend Dr. Hanna for FORCING us to do so, because I’ve been told that if you can’t summarize your point down into one sentence, you couldn’t do it in half an hour either. I think that Dr. Hanna provided the best 7-word summary statement when he said, “Doers are justified, but not by doing.”
Ephesians 4-6 beautifully draws this point together. Opening with the very Pauline “therefore”, Paul lays out a series of points for what a Christian life should be like. 4:11-12 is a list of various spiritually gifted positions within the context of ministry, but v. 8 reminds us that before we can receive these gifts there must be a Giver. The rest of chapter 4 is built around right speech and temperament, but this only comes in from the One who can teach us such things in the first place. Right in the heart of this section is 5:1-2, a reminder that we are to imitate God and walk in love “as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us.” The whole of Ephesians 4-6 exists on the basis of what Paul provided in Eph. 1-3 that we are made right with God by His grace alone.
I asked a group of kids that I was doing Bible studies with a simple question that I think many older Adventists would disagree with. My question was to pick the theologically correct statement: A) “Because I keep the Sabbath, God loves me.” or B) “Because God loves me, I keep the Sabbath.” Does a Christian lifestyle come before or after our acknowledgment that we can’t be saved by our lifestyle alone? Paul, in Ephesians 4-6, demonstrates that Christianity as a lifestyle is merely our response to a process of salvation that God started long before our birth or rebirth.
God’s love is also the theme (and title) of part of my Ellen White readings. We can be tempted to simply gaze into the world and see the beautiful things as God’s love and ignore the rest, but Mrs. White reminds the reader that even the bad that comes into this world God uses for good. It was love that led to Creation, and it was love that nailed Jesus to the cross. We can destroy His Creation, we can distrust His Word, but if we want eternal life we can’t get there without first discovering His Love. It all comes back to God as the initiator and God as the source. This is where we return to Paul’s points on living in response to grace. The cycle comes around again: We’re saved by God’s love for us, and we respond to that love not in order to gain more love but because of that love.
“Steps to Christ” opens with a profound statement that draws into the discussion my reading from Dr. Hanna’s book, “Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love.” Dr. Hanna shows an almost Trinitarian relationship between the three revelations. I once heard that if you study the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is not a triangle with one figure on top and the others beneath but an upside-down triangle with speaking member of the Godhead placing Himself on the bottom in the process of uplifting the other two. Father turns His audience to Son and Spirit, Son draws to mind Father and Spirit, and Spirit proclaims the goodness of Father and Son. I see a similar (though not identical) relationship between Scripture, the Son, and nature brought out by Dr. Hanna in chapters 3 & 4.
I wish I had more than ~450 characters remaining because I would share my personal testimony as it relates to a statement on p. 50 about all true science being but an interpretation of God’s handwriting in this world. As one who spent the first nearly twenty years of my life as a devout atheist, this perfectly describes the realization I made at my conversion. Beautiful statement, Dr. Hanna, on a beautiful theme.
Fernandez, Nelson Assignment #2: Man’s role in revealing the “Cosmic Christ of Scripture.”
During this past week the largest points of discussion in our class have revolved around the concepts of God’s presence in the universe, as well as the degree to which his impact and presence impacts our individual freedoms of choice. I sometimes find it difficult to relate what we are discussing in class to the “real world.” This isn’t to say that what we study isn’t important and doesn’t impact the church as a whole; however, I sometimes ask myself “how does learning about the cosmic or trans-cosmic nature of Christ change the life of the single mother who is being abused by her boyfriend and is looking for a way out. Or how does a theologically correct understanding of foreknowledge and predestination help to fix a home on the brink of divorce?” I believe the answer was given once, as Dr. Hanna’s book encouraged us, “let the Bible speak up for itself.”
In the final three chapters of Ephesians, I noticed a dramatic shift in the tone and manner to which Paul is addressing his readers. He begins by making the argument that the Christians at Ephesus should make every effort to increase their “knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). After that, he switches the nature of his dialogue distinctly by addressing the behavior of the Ephesians for the rest of the chapter. He discusses not only how Christians should act in their personal lives but towards each other; even those who may not be believers. He finally encourages his readers to clothe themselves with the Armor of God in order to live their lives as people worthy of being called Christians.
The link in all of this comes through chapter three of the “Cosmic Christ” book. By looking at the wheel illustration showing the relationship between Christ, Scripture and the Cosmos, I realized the importance of this class because we ultimately are mini “revelations of God.” Paul made it very clear that he desired for all the church members to “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” He also talks about how Jesus should be our “all in all.” The implication of this idea is the following, namely, WE are part of how God reveals himself in the cosmos. When people see us, they should see God working through us! So, yes, even though this is sometimes an ethereal subject that seems to lose its significance on the “real” world from time to time, I’ve realized that it IS important to learn what Christ does in the Cosmos because ultimately, we are learning how he works THROUGH us. If there is one thing all of the sources that I’ve read this week seem to agree on, it’s this: right theology should produce right living because through the creation, we can better understand the Creator! How great a though and how great a responsibility is that!
Works of Christ: Assignment # 2: “Without Him we can do nothing”
Why is it that we constantly fall for the “old” trap that there is any merit in our acts that can assure us salvation? We even believe that the exercise of our will can influence God to grant us salvation. It is against our nature to depend on others, we want to believe we can do anything we set our minds to do, and in many cases we accomplish those dreams or objectives in our lives, however, when it comes to eternity, we must accept that “without him we can do nothing,” in other words, our deeds or good intentions do not qualify us for anything other than death and separation. This is why I appreciate Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:4, “But God,” yes, it is all about God and his desire to breach the gap that sin has created, the same gap that we keep enlarging by our sinful actions and desires, “but God” had a plan from the beginning to bring reconciliation between himself and his creation, if it were not for his grace, we would be forever lost. According to his good will, he has prepared a way, through Christ, even before we were born to draw us near to him, he has also called us so that we may become part of his family instead of being lost for eternity, all humans can do is to make the free decision to allow him to do in us according to his will (monergy). Salvation is not accomplished because we decided to follow him, it is accomplished because he has provided a way for us to be saved, and again, without him we can do nothing. This thought goes against our nature which wants to be free away from God, when in reality the farther we separate ourselves from God, looking for freedom, the more enslaved to sin we become. True freedom can only be accomplished as we align our will with God’s will. It is Satan’s plan to make us believe we can ever achieve freedom by following our own will since our will has been corrupted by sin and we simply can’t make correct choices. His deception has caused many to be lost while thinking they can be better simply by following their own convictions of morality and goodness. The reality is plain in the word of God in Romans 3:12, “there is none that does good, not even one,” our piety is worthless, our justice is worthless, and yet we believe that we somehow deserve to be saved. We can cooperate with salvation, but even our cooperation is limited and we need God to create in us the desire to follow him. I am thankful for God’s plan of salvation because it is God who does everything, he takes the first step, not only that, he creates the plan and puts it into motion and he is with me every step of the way until I reach glorification and all propensities to sin disappear. In the meantime, we are justified by his grace which is available to us every time we separate ourselves from God because of our wrong choices. We have the choice to truncate God’s plan by our decisions, yet he is always giving us opportunities to make decisions for eternity, and this is because of his great love and because he created us with free will which we exercise to either be in harmony with his will or to reject it. God in his love understands our failure to make the right choices and is merciful to receive us back into the kingdom every time we fail. In his love he has created us with the option to choose for ourselves to be with him for eternity, yet he allows us to reject him and perish. This is a concept difficult to understand because it is not the way we operate; therefore, we can’t really see all the ramifications of the freedom we enjoy. God desires that we make the right decision in order to live with him for eternity, yet he will never force us to choose him because this will go against the freedom with which he has created us. It is a sobering truth to know that we are hopelessly lost without him, and that he has made all the provisions for us to be saved, except choosing for us, this is our prerogative, given by God to us so that we can respond to his love.
Throughout the first two weeks of our class, time and time again we have been challenged to think deeper about the cosmos and the Christ who has created the comos that has fallen due to sin and mans disobedience to God. When Christ created this world everything that He made was good. Unfortunately, Satan tempted Eve, Adam listened to His wife Eve and as a result of their actions they were escorted out of the garden. However, before being led out of the garden they were covered with coat of the skins of the sacrifice, which was the foreshadow of what the creator would have to go through for the sins of humanity. By doing so, He would also vindicate His own character throughout the universe by taking on our curse in exchange for His eternal life. However, what I would like to focus on for this blog is that although man sinned it never changed the purity of Christ or the legitimacy of the Godhead according to Colossians. Secondly mans disobedience did not change Gods desire to be reconciled with him. I would even go further to say that Gods love while demonstrated through the creation of the earth and also His demonstration of grace after the fall of man is still yet climaxed in his own desire to become flesh taking on mans deteriorated human form, just so that he could be with us in order to save us. Even though sin entered through the world through one man. Through Jesus Christ all men have already been saved if they believe and accept his justification, salvation, sanctification and glorification, which has yet to be fully realized on this earth. Christ did something that no other god has been able to do and that is become the first born for the redemption of the fallen Col 3:20-21. While other gods in history still desire for the fallen race to worship them without restoring them with better promises. Christ stepped into humanity being fully divine for the sole purpose of reconciling us to him and us to one another. Furthermore, in Colossians Paul makes a promise of something that he has not yet seen by faith and that is if the church in Colossae continues in faith and continues in love in the Spirit (3:4, 3:8) then there is a prize that awaits only those that endure to the end. Paul was able to endure the suffering put before him because he knew and believed what was yet to come. As Christians one of the things that I am taking away from these few chapters in Colossian’s is that we have to be willing to follow Christ not just in the good deeds of what he has done, but also in the suffering that He went through also. He went through the suffering because as creator, He can and will restore our bodies and make it better than before while also restoring our minds so that we will not have the same propensity towards sin. Yes we will be free, but this time we will chose freedom for eternity. Secondly Paul’s surety helped him to preach knowing that without preaching how will the world know of the way out through Jesus. Paul accomplished more when he was at his worst. Being bound for the gospel brought more attention to the good news that Jesus saves, restores, and will return. Paul encourages us today that if Christ be risen then, we should set out thoughts lives and actions on the creator of the cosmos that still lives and will return (3:1). Where Christ sits at the right hand is in a seat of authority and for those that believe and live as heirs he will take care of them. But our affections must be centered on Christ second coming. He will restore everything next time except for the marks that prove he saved us by His own blood.
Throughout the first two weeks of our class, time and time again we have been challenged to think deeper about the cosmos and the Christ who has created the comos that has fallen due to sin and mans disobedience to God. When Christ created this world everything that He made was good. Unfortunately, Satan tempted Eve, Adam listened to His wife Eve and as a result of their actions they were escorted out of the garden. However, before being led out of the garden they were covered with coat of the skins of the sacrifice, which was the foreshadow of what the creator would have to go through for the sins of humanity. By doing so, He would also vindicate His own character throughout the universe by taking on our curse in exchange for His eternal life. However, what I would like to focus on for this blog is that although man sinned it never changed the purity of Christ or the legitimacy of the Godhead according to Colossians. Secondly mans disobedience did not change Gods desire to be reconciled with him. I would even go further to say that Gods love while demonstrated through the creation of the earth and also His demonstration of grace after the fall of man is still yet climaxed in his own desire to become flesh taking on mans deteriorated human form, just so that he could be with us in order to save us. Even though sin entered through the world through one man. Through Jesus Christ all men have already been saved if they believe and accept his justification, salvation, sanctification and glorification, which has yet to be fully realized on this earth. Christ did something that no other god has been able to do and that is become the first born for the redemption of the fallen Col 3:20-21. While other gods in history still desire for the fallen race to worship them without restoring them with better promises. Christ stepped into humanity being fully divine for the sole purpose of reconciling us to him and us to one another. Furthermore, in Colossians Paul makes a promise of something that he has not yet seen by faith and that is if the church in Colossae continues in faith and continues in love in the Spirit (3:4, 3:8) then there is a prize that awaits only those that endure to the end. Paul was able to endure the suffering put before him because he knew and believed what was yet to come. As Christians one of the things that I am taking away from these few chapters in Colossian’s is that we have to be willing to follow Christ not just in the good deeds of what he has done, but also in the suffering that He went through also. He went through the suffering because as creator, He can and will restore our bodies and make it better than before while also restoring our minds so that we will not have the same propensity towards sin. Yes we will be free, but this time we will chose freedom for eternity. Secondly Paul’s surety helped him to preach knowing that without preaching how will the world know of the way out through Jesus. Paul accomplished more when he was at his worst. Being bound for the gospel brought more attention to the good news that Jesus saves, restores, and will return. Paul encourages us today that if Christ be risen then, we should set out thoughts lives and actions on the creator of the cosmos that still lives and will return (3:1). Where Christ sits at the right hand is in a seat of authority and for those that believe and live as heirs he will take care of them. But our affections must be centered on Christ second coming. He will restore everything next time except for the marks that prove he saved us by His own blood.
Response to assignment # 1 Posted by Kabah Stephen
I really like the questions that you started your reflection with. They are very deep question sometimes I even wonder. You are very good write you can captivate your audience very well. As you mention too Gen 1:31 says that everything God created was good, but we know sin is just a disruption to God’s creation. Well done Kabah
Through the books and lectures, the concept of free-will made me ponder again in this matter. Why did God grant us the free-will that made things only complicated and troublesome? If He is the originator of the free-will, isn’t He the one to be blamed? Why do we need to go through all these difficulties and sufferings? Why is God keep annoying me to change my ways when He already gave me the freedom to do whatever I want?
Yes, He gave us free-will to choose what we desire; God or Satan. Yet if we choose evil, we are not allowed to live. Why did God allowed the free-will from the first place then? Not that we choose evil, but to choose good. To be able to choose God is our privilege. This privilege is what makes human being. Unless we can think and choose, we are same as animals who react by their instincts. Because we can choose, we can testify God, we can experience the love of God, we can practice self-sacrifice and self-control.
If we didn’t have the free-will, we cannot know how much God loves us and we cannot follow the example of Jesus for we would not be able to know the sacrificial love that Jesus willingly chose. Ellen White states in her book, Faith and Works that unless we learn the lesson of self-sacrifice and self-control, heaven will not be our home for us. We have free-will, so that we can practice self-sacrifice and self-control.
I always blamed God for my unrighteousness. I would think to myself, “It is Your fault for allowing me to inevitably falling into the evil.” When I committed the same sin over and over again, my conscious got weaker and weaker and came to the point that sin doesn’t seem to be sin anymore. I thought to myself, “If God is allowing me to do this over and over again, then this must be not that bad, not a big deal.”
However, I was awakened through the reading and the lecture that I must stop sinning, no matter how small it is. Even though the people around me may say, “it’s alright,” God is saying, “it’s not O.K.” It seemed to me that God is telling me, “I am allowing you to choose, so that you can experience the victory and to build your self-control.”
I am really thankful now that God has given me the free-will, that I can choose to love Him back. As long as I have the free-will, this means that God has not given up on me. He still has faith in me and waiting for me to come back to Him without outside force but from within my heart. I may fall again, but my heart is toward Jesus. We have learned that we are justified through faith, and not by our works. I am so thankful that we are not saved by our works but by His grace. My spiritual walk with God had been ups and downs. Nonetheless, whenever I was down, the grace of God had pulled me up to rise again. I couldn’t help but to thank God every time I experience His mercy and I resolve before God that I would not fall again.
Some people say that it is not good to make commitment before God, for you can never fulfill your commitments. However, I would say it is always good to commit ourselves toward God even if we may not fully accomplish it, since those thoughts came from God and it is our heart as the respond toward Him. God does not justify us by what we accomplish, but by our true hearts that is followed by our committed attitude even though we may fall.
Juanfer Monsalve Assingment #2-- synergy that blows my mind!
As I read the book of Ephesians this week, something hit me as a brick that had just fallen on my head. Paul the man that is responsible for the change of Martin Luther’s thinking was talking about works. He was not just saying do this and maybe that, he was calling the Ephesians to live a life of a higher standart. “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” Ephe 4:22 it was with great interest that I continued reading and the more I read the more something we had talked about in class made sense. For quiet some time now, I’ve had a hard time with people that hold up the last generation theology stand to your face. Not only do they cause problems everywhere I go, but set up themselves for failure that later drives out of Christianity with upper hate for the religion the loved before. As I read Paul, I started to understand a bit more the whole issue of sanctification and justification. During this whole fight with LGT (Last generation theology), something bothered me, I knew we needed to hold up our standarts and our life must change, but the emphasis on us seemed to be completely wrong. Yet as I read the words of Paul such as 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. or in chapter 5 verse 1 “Be imitators of God…” it hit me, even our behavior must be dependant on God. For quiet a few years we have put lots of emphasis on what we need to do, when in reality our behavioral change, still part of the work of the Holy spirit in our lives as we allow Him to work. It is in this context that the analogy of husband, wife and kids treating each other as one that the whole picture makes sense. There is to be a special synergy between the family, one where there is submission, where there is respect. IT is this kind of synergy that God wants to work with us, As he calls us to change, He calls us to depend on Him and to be ready to put on His armor. It is through all the dependence on Him that we are protected by the armor of God. IT is also through dependence on Him, that we learn how to use the armor to go in attack mode against the enemy. IT’s all about synergy with Christ!
I appreciate the message by Fernandez, Nelson "Man’s role in revealing the “Cosmic Christ of Scripture.”" This reminded me of what a privilege and responsibility we have in His works. It gave me chance to reflect myself again. Thanks.
Assignment #2 : Work of Christ in Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. From the class lectures Dr. Hanna mentioned the work of Christ in Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. I would like to use the light to illustrate the relationship among the Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. Justification : Whenever the sinner accepts the light “ Jesus” by faith then the sinner be justified, wherever the sinner goes with the light who is claimed with justification. It is no termination until the sinner to deny this light. Light and the sinner go together (synergy) the sinner has the justification. For all the beings in the cosmos can recognize who is justified and who is not by the light. The light is also for protection to the sinners in front of the cosmos. Sanctification : Light can make the human see more clearly, it is not easy to walk in darkness. When the sinner walks in the life journey with the light, it is more easily and safety, since it can let the sinner notice what is dangerous and what is right and what is wrong. The light also shows the right way then the sinner can be reminded always in the journey, the sinner can learn how to improve and also can choose the right decision under the light. Jesus is taking the action in our Sanctification, He is going with us to protect us and give us the guidance to teach us how to be more like Him. But we still have the freedom to choose what we want to do. It is also the grace from God. Whenever we deny the light we might fall in the trap in the darkness, we might go back to sin. So we have to practice to hold the light when we go through the journey, read the Bible and pray is giving us the power and reminder to hold the light firmly. Glorification : I think the Glorification is like a big mirror in the destination of the sinner’s life journey, when the sinner has the light to go through the life journey with Justification and processing the Sanctification until to the Glorification, the light will get the reflection to shine upon the sinner. When the sinner is hold the light to approach to the big mirror, the sinner will be shined by the light reflection. In the beginning the sinner accept the light in Justification and practicing the hold the light in Sanctification, then who is used to have the light then until to the mirror, get the light reflection –Glorification, who is shinning by the light reflection. It is forever since the light “Jesus” will be with us forever. How important for us to have Jesus in Salvation. Since He is the one of the all processes in Salvation with Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
It was powerful this week to hear salvation/righteousness take on 3-D, and you don't even need glasses, just the Holy Spirit, and a willing attitude to receive this message! Yes Justification is righteousness by faith, but get this faith doesn't accomplish justification, instead faith receives justification. In addition we receive justification, based on GOD's faithfulness! We believe 1 Cor 1:30, Christ is our righteousness/justification. Justification when did it happened? when does it stop? Stop trying to put justification in a box, let's look Rom 3:25 TELLS US JUSTIFICATION IS FROM THE PAST FOR PAST SINS, and JUSTIFICATION IS FROM THE FUTURE FOR PRESENT OBEDIENCE Rom 3:28 This means my life, lifestyle of obedience to Crhist, and His life of obedience. My life should pattern His, my life should be in harmony with His teachings, and His actions while here on earth. I can not do His works, because there is GREATER scope of the WORK of Christ beyond this world. Now seeing that justification is working for both directions I am covered! Or is it that simple? I think it is, we often try to make what God has made plain to us in Scripture a mystery. God has been clear in His intentions. He is saving us from total destruction, He is restoring us to the Character that He originally placed within us. The Big Picture in small words, God is keeping His Word!. Are we yielding ourselves to His Righteousness? Rom 6:19 Is put in human terms! By yielding oneself to righteousness one becomes more and more sanctified. How can this be made more plain? The beautiful part is that Jesus Christ is our SANCTIFICATION, past, present, and future!! Sanctification is the work of Christ within us, and we play a part! We have to cooperate, I know we as humans DO NOT know how to yield. For example the new roundabout, with the yield signs, people don't even tap their brakes, they just keep plowing through going on their merry way. Is that what we are doing with God, making our pryer requests, and praying for the moment, and forgetting that we are to be cooperating in this present process of sanctification. What should our prayer requests be now that we take into account the part that we play in the scope of Sanctification? What should our ministry look like? If we know we have to yield and that we can become more and more sanctified, how can we take others through their own process? MY take on this is that we are sanctified more and more when we yield to Christ's righteousness then we should sin less and less, Christ's Character revealed within us.
Reflection #2 "God's call to a life of prosperity by Intelligence"
In this weeks lecture I learned more about foreknowledge and predestination. I couldn’t really explain or understand these two before, but now I understand more of the whole scope. In one sentence I would say they are, “God’s call to a life of prosperity by intelligence.” In this statement Intelligence (foreknowledge) is the first things that occurs in order to create a plan. The plan is like a solution to a problem, or an answer to a question. With this in mind, in order for there to be an answer, there first must be a problem. If there is no problem, then there is no plan. We could say if there is no fall, then there is no need of salvation as a solution. Yet there was a foreseen problem, and a plan was establish. In class we talked about God’s ability to foresee. One example of this was in 1 Samuel 22. As God foresees what will happen to David, God creates a plan (pre-destination) of telling David so that David could make a decision. Then he implements the plan (calling) by doing what he had planned. In this example we see that God leaves the options open so that David can choose. Trusting God, David chose to be free. Another example that I see as in foreseeing is found in 1 Peter 1:18-20 which says, “But you know that it was not with perishable things … that you were redeemed but by the precious blood of the lamb… He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” In this we see that Peter acknowledges that God already foresaw the fall of man, and had a solution for man, even before the creation of the world. What is also interesting about the text is the part that says that Christ, “… was revealed in these last times for your sake.” In other words, previously, the full scope of His identity or plan wasn’t revealed, but until after a long time and at the right moment it was revealed. Throughout history I see pieces of God’s plans were being revealed, but the complete picture wasn’t revealed until the cross. We see this since the beginning, God gave hints; starting with Adam and Eve, and working up to Isaiah, and through the other prophets, but yet God’s full plan wasn’t in full perspective until the Cross-. By then everybody understood. The cross was the plan. Yet there is the question, why God, knowing the past and the future couldn’t of told us His plan from the beginning? There are many answers to this, yet I want to pull out a thought; that it was because if He told us right away we wouldn’t understand the full spectrum of his plans. Like Isaiah 55:8 says, “For your thoughts are not my thoughts nor your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” God’s thoughts are far beyond that of man. He lives in the trans-cosmos state were it is limitless, and his thoughts are far beyond comprehension. He sees everything and lives in everything, even the atoms of which hold us together. All things are held together because of Him. His mind is like binary numbers that can see infinite amount of possibilities, yet he created those numbers. He knows that for us to grasp the scope of things He needed humans to see it with there eyes, instead of just stating it. He used the Sanctuary, and the rituals to explain. Then was Christ as the perfect picture of the plan Another way of looking at this is asking, why God didn’t tell me early in life that I was going to be a pastor. I think about it and I say that if He would of told me earlier in life, I would have ran like Jonah because the idea of a pastor was just ridiculous. But he had to drop pieces of the puzzle, so that at the right time, he could make the call, and when He did, I would understand the whole scope of the plan. (Warning: these are only thoughts reflecting back on the articles, books, and bible that I have read. It’s still a work in progress)
Edson Patrice Assingment #2 Emmanuel, God with us.
God. The absentee father. The thought at once savors an admixture of the plausible and the foolish. To be sure, it seems a reasonable indictment especially for a Father whose presence is often experienced allegorically. However, rationality betrays the logical evidence and we find and it becomes a bit difficult to place such a charge on Him. In this submission I would like to discuss the possibility of why this is so. Some of us were quite lucky. We were born into a happy and loving home where safety was a foregone conclusion and we were given most of what we needed to scrape a reasonable existence out of adulthood. For others who were not as fortunate the journey to adulthood seemed more complex. A web of mistrust and abandonment, we seemed fated to become tangled in. I suppose this already beginning to sound like some psycho analytic jarggle of how our paternal mess is super-imposed to our perception of God. While that may ring true in general this is a starkly different song. The truth of the matter is even our more fortunate brethren who had a good experience in their youth still have issues of mistrust and a sense of abandonment. Our very nature suggests to us the faint possibility of more only to be wafted aside by the sweet rancor of our every sin. We enter the age of reason already jam-packed with questions, many of which seemed to have been there way before us. Questions that fit against our natures and a nature that seems to be running from something. Something more. The memory of my father, who is still very much around and whom I am still very much in love with, was far from perfect. He was present and his presence was felt by way of his provision, his abstract discipline, and the predictability of his commitment. A slew of other domestic principles were practiced. This however did nothing to change the fact that I knew very little about the man. As a matter of fact I find that on this very day he is still a man of much mystery to me. I should assert that this is not about being sentimental although there is a time and a place for that too. Nevertheless, I had to realize that whether my father was a homage to Cliff Huxtable, an ode to Archie Bunker or even persona non-grata, I would still feel short changed. In this mindset I believe there is a better frame work for interpreting the role of God in the monergistic and synergistic atmosphere He creates. I suspect that the Trans-Cosmic nature of God could have been very prodigious and providential from afar. Just like the father whose laborious effort is translated into remote gifts of endearment or tacit words of affirmation, God could have been as efficient outside of the realm that he made and empowers. Thankfully He wanted more. He wanted to work with us. This synergistic nature of God is best idealized in His interaction with Moses. In this relationship God assumes every aspect of working alongside, for, through, with and above Moses. One might argue that He was so completely immersed in synergy with Moses that He could not tolerate one moment otherwise and expedited him to heaven. Dr. Hanna reminds us that the very purpose of God’s synergy made possible by His monergy is to restore us to complete synergy with Him, in brevity glorification. It is for this reason in particular that the charge flung against God at the beginning of the great controversy, in spite of its cosmic resonance will fall flat against a God who purposes all things, is in all things, and through Christ will reconcile all things to Himself.
The Works of Christ- Assignment # 2 Predestination – the fairness of God! So long I have been struggled for predestination’s meaning because I used to think of those who were born in condemnation and had no chance to be saved. I was enslaved by the common perception which stated the “unfairness” of God - He controls the world in a way to save or lose some of us. It is true? Of course not! I have to thank Dr. Hanna, for his elaboration on the concept of “Predestination.” “Predestination” reveals the fairness of God, who is very active in salvation; nevertheless, He did not simply provide the means of salvation- the cross, but He also ensured the application of the blood of Christ through predestination. Can we ask why would God choose a category of individuals and not others? The thing is, God did not choose to save some and forget about the others. according to Ephesians 1:11 (NIV), In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Before the creation of the world, God the father, the Son and the Holy Ghost had made a plan to create the human being in the likeness of the Son – His status became ours; nevertheless, Christ came to earth as a babe like we were as children to show us how to live. He lived an exemplary life for our righteousness and did a public ministry for us to fathom. He died on the cross and resurrected as our substitute. God predestined everyone to be saved no matter who you are and what you are doing. God has no respect of person, and He called everyone to salvation; therefore, one needs to accept or reject it. Predestination, righteousness, justification, sanctification and glorification are one full package – all of this stand or fall together, so one cannot go without the others. All of us have sinned, and condemned to die” Romans 3:23 (NIV), for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. in addition, no one deserves to be saved, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:23 (NIV). The Bible never describes that God rejecting anyone who believes in Him or turning away anyone who is seeking Him. The Bible says that we have the choice and all who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved. John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God predestines who will be saved - is in the concept of whom choose Him will be saved, or we must choose Christ in order to be saved. “Predestination” is “predestined” from the Greek word proorizo, which carries the meaning of “determine beforehand,” “ordain,” “to decide upon ahead of time.” Let’s consider these verses: God Predestines us to salvation (Rom. 8:29-30).
Chooses us for salvation (2 Thess. 2:13-14). Draws people to Himself (John 6:44,65). Appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48). Grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Calls according to His purpose (2 Tim. 1:9). Causes us to be born again (1 Pet. 1:3). Predestines us to adoption (Eph. 1:5). Predestines us according to His purpose (Eph. 1:11). “Divinity needed humanity, that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man. So with the servants and messengers of Christ. Man needs a power outside of and beyond himself, to restore him to the likeness of God, and enable him to do the work of God; but that does not make the human agency unessential. Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, and the power of man becomes efficient for good.” Desire of Ages p. 297 The bottom line - “Predestination” is all about God‘s love.
Cyril Assignment 2 Steps to Christ, chapter 2 Being just with God is something human beings have had to contend with since the fall. As soon as one recognizes that he/she is a sinner and, therefore, stands condemned before the bar of heaven, there arouses the desire to be just with God. And why is that so? Well it is so because we were made to be in communion with God. Adam, after choosing to transgress God’s law in Eden, hid from God because he knew that he was not just with God. He had sinned and as a result stood justly condemned before the Judge of all. God has placed within human beings an awareness of their need of Him. He has also given to each individual an acute desire to be in a right relationship with Him. Being in a right relationship with God should take precedence over all other relationships at all times. However, as White demonstrates so aptly, even though that is a real need there are multitudes who are completely ignorant as regards the means whereby such a relationship can become a reality. If we know our unjust, unrighteous and sinful state; and if we want to be in a right relationship with God; and if in order for that to become a reality we must no longer be unjust, unrighteous and sinful state; then how could such a transformation take place? How can a person, an unjust and unrighteous person, become righteous before God? White informs us that it only through Christ can this change take place. However, in order to receive the merits of Christ’s grace one must first repent. White considers repentance as including “sorrow for sin and turning away from it.” At the same time, though, she posits that there is true repentance as well as false repentance. False repentance is not concerned with turning away from sin. On the contrary, it is concerned with escaping the consequences of sin. This brand of repentance is not motivated by love for God and hatred for sin. Rather, it is motivated by selfishness and a desire to fulfill the desires of the flesh while at the same time gain God’s forgiveness. Unfortunately individuals who resort to limiting themselves to this manner of repentance will discover, hopefully not like Judas did, that God does not provide forgiveness when it comes from lips that are only concerned with escaping consequences. God’s forgiveness is too valuable to be used when individuals are not inwardly sorry for sin. True repentance is motivated by heartfelt sorrow for sin. The individual who truly repents is not concerned with escaping the consequences of her/his sin. They recognize that their sins have hurt God rather deeply and they are truly sorrowful for doing so. True repentance recognizes that God is deeply hurt by sin and sin brings disharmony, not only between God and humanity, but within the entire cosmos. Thus when one is truly repentant he/she clearly recognizes the magnitude of sin. When we consider how devastating sin is we can be tempted to become completely bereft of all hope. However, this is where Christ comes into the picture. Even though sin is indeed devastating in its scope and impact, Christ’s death on the cross is the perfect and complete response to sin. Christ’s death informs us that even though “sin abounds grace much more abounds.” Therefore, the sinner, having been convicted of sin, turns to God in repentance and is assured of God’s grace because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. And, because God is so gracious, not one who turns to Him in repentance will be turned away. That means even though my sins may be so vile, and my character so corrupt Christ’s sacrifice is more than sufficient for me. When I repent, turn to Christ, and turn away from sin, God graciously forgives me of every sin. He graciously wipes my slate clean and reckons me as though I have never sinned. Repentance, therefore, is rightfully placed at the beginning of Ellen White’s understanding of the ordo salutis and it is the turn that makes the difference between being at enmity with God or being in a right relationship with Him.
Adelina Alexe Reflection on chapters 1 and 2 from Faith and Works, by Ellen White
I found the first two chapters of Faith and Works extremely relevant. I also found them very practical. I feel like Ellen White wrote with a good balance of theory and applications, so that I understand things both at the intellectual level, as well as how that is exemplified and can be lived.
One thing that stood to me was her focus on the necessary balance between the law and the gospel. Coming from a more conservative religious background, I have heard more stress on the law, but I never realized how dangerous this could be until I came across this statement in my reading: “I have been shown for years that Satan would work in a special manner to confuse the mind on this point. The law of God has been largely dwelt upon and has been presented to congregations, almost as destitute of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His relation to the law as was the offering of Cain.” While it is not our job to assume other people’s spiritual life, it is simply sad to know that “many have been kept from the faith because of the mixed, confused ideas of salvation, because the ministers have worked in a wrong manner to reach hearts.” It feels unjust and confusing. Unjust because it is not fair that people’s faith is not build due to the wrong approach of ministers, and confusing because the role/responsibility of humans (including ministers) in other’s salvation is still quite nebulous to me.
“We have left out Christ and His matchless love, brought in theories and reasonings, and preached argumentative discourses.” This also is familiar to me, and it took me time and a different setting to understand a new approach, a new way to deal with presenting God.
However, the tendency to uplift Christ’s love to the detriment of His law is, although a paradox, present in our church as well. While I don’t think obedience to the law earns our salvation, it is, as Ellen White puts it, “the mirror presenting a complete reflection of the man as he is, and holding up before him the correct likeness. Some will turn away and forget this picture, while others will employ abusive epithets against the law, as though this would cure their defects of character. Still others who are condemned by the law will repent of their transgressions and, through faith in Christ's merits, will perfect Christian character.”
The law and the gospel are like two sides of a coin. The coin cannot be a coin without both sides. Similarly, I see the law and the gospel inseparable. And I think that part of why people tend towards one side or another more is because of fears. Each one tries to secure salvation through some ways, and because salvation is one-sided understood, there is fear of slipping towards the other way. In this sense I see it like the up-growing of a child: the parent must advise him and teach him, but also give him the freedom to start making decisions. I see the relation between the law and the gospel in similar terms, in the sense that both are needed, both are equally important, but it is sometimes difficult to know how to combine them. And yet, it is crucial.
Adelina Alexe Reflection on chapters 1 and 2 from Faith and Works, by Ellen White (continuation)
“Unconverted men have stood in the pulpits sermonizing. Their own hearts have never experienced, through a living, clinging, trusting faith, the sweet evidence of the forgiveness of their sins. How, then, can they preach the love, the sympathy, the forgiveness of God for all sins?” continues Ellen White. I see this like offering someone food. One can have all the ingredients and the proper recipe, but (1) if he has never tasted the food he does not know what is should taste like, and (2) if he has never prepared it himself, he cannot offer it as prepared by himself. Same I see with spiritual food. We can have all the Biblical ingredients and the understanding of what the spiritual meal should look like, but we need to first taste of it ourselves to know what we are offering others, and we also need to know how to put those ingredients together if we want it to be a good meal to them. I think experience does have a word in this. The more often you’ve cooked a meal, the more likely the success (besides, the more time you prepare a recipe, the more likely to know what difficulties you can encounter, and what to do about it next time, what to avoid, etc.). So in that sense I kind of see how it is crucial that we first have our own experience and genuine relationship with God before we can minister to others.
At the same time though, I don’t think we need to wait until we come to the feeling of some sort of perfection (as in completeness). Maturity is desired, but it is a never-ending process, and at times I find it challenging for me, and others as well, to offer what we have experienced thus far, because we feel like we cannot offer all we wished to, or all we feel there is to be offered. I think that should not hold us back though from sharing what we have, but I think we have to be honest with that.
Adelina Alexe Reflection 2 on chapters 3 and 4 from Faith and Works, by Ellen White
Ellen White writes: “Repentance, as well as forgiveness, is the gift of God through Christ. It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are convicted of sin and feel our need of pardon. None but the contrite are forgiven; but it is the grace of God that makes the heart penitent.” So, God is the one who offers us forgiveness of sin. But our desire to be right with God does not come from within ourselves. God is still the one impressing on our mind that we need repentance and transformation. The Holy Spirit is the one who works in our conscience the realization of our need for wholeness, and who brings us to the recognition of our brokenness. Thus, on one hand, God convicts us that we need transformation, and on the other side we find God again as the one who achieves his will in us. Our only part is to accept his impression on us, as well as His forgiveness and will for us. We are sandwiched in between God - the Bread of Life. :)
“Yes, those who claim to be sanctified have a great deal to say about being saved by the blood of Jesus, but their sanctification is not through the truth as it is in Jesus.” And also, “One of Satan's most successful deceptions is to lead men to claim to be sanctified, while at the same time they are living in disobedience to God's commandments. These are described by Jesus as those who will say, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?"
Sanctification is for sure a difficult topic. I have been reading Sanctified Life lately, and what I appreciate most about it was that it brought this rather abstract concept to a more practical level, by exemplifying what sanctification is. I would like to share with my classmates a few of her thoughts:
True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of God. {SL 9.1}
The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. There is a continual waiting upon God and a submission of the will to His. {SL 14.2}
These three Hebrews possessed genuine sanctification. True Christian principle will not stop to weigh consequences. It does not ask, What will people think of me if I do this? or, How will it affect my worldly prospects if I do that? With the most intense longing the children of God desire to know what He would have them do, that their works may glorify Him. {SL 39.2}
These faithful, steadfast characters exemplify sanctification, (-referring to the three Hebrews at Babylon’s court) while they have no thought of claiming the high honor. {SL 40.1}
I find her persistently relating sanctification with conformity to the will of God. It is only within His will that we can grow in our Christ-like character, and the experience of the three Hebrews at the court of Babylon helped me understand better what sanctification actually is, although as it has been said repeatedly in class and mentioned in other readings, sanctification is not something to appropriate, claim, or even realize. It is the outward expression of a true living with God.
Response to Assignment # 2 posted by Piasi Suleiman - “It is all about Jesus”
I enjoyed reading your posting for assignment # 2. You make a good point in that sometimes people consider free things to be “valueless or defective.” Also, your statement really made me think about how so many people just pass up the opportunity to accept Christ. Some choose not to believe or think that a relationship with God is unnecessary. They just don’t know the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. Therefore, we have a responsibility to let them know what they are missing. People need the Lord even if they don’t realize their need of Him. – James W. Dieujuste
Ephesians 1:4,3 “Just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.” STC “None but the Son could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and the debt of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of man could express the Father’s love to lost humanity.” – p.5
God created Adam and Eve with a freedom of choice, He foresaw the risk in doing that but because He is a God of love, He allowed Adam and Eve their free choices to love or disobey Him. If they chose to love their God then it would be a perfect demonstration to the world of who their Creator is. Just like the well behaved loving children that always carry a good reflection of their parents around. Unfortunately, they chose otherwise and as a consequence they lost their conditional immortality, they lost their holy status and their nature and deeds became blemish. And the whole cosmos and universe is impacted by their choice to distrust God and believe in Satan’s lie. Before Adam and Eve sinned, God’s plan B had already in placed. The omniscient God knew the possibility of sin and prepared the solution for it. God send Jesus Christ, the best and the only perfect revelation of a loving God.. The trans-cosmic Christ became the cosmic Christ and in Him, all the trans-cosmic spiritual blessings are given in order to restore fallen humanity into holy and blameless beings through the process of Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. The cosmos (revelation and history) testifies about this trans-cosmic Christ as the Creator of the universe and He a source of eternal life. How the trans-cosmic Christ became a cosmic Christ in the likeness of man’s sinful nature is a mystery that I cannot fully comprehend because we can only know so much of what God decided to disclose to us in Scripture. However, as Ellen G White testifies, “none but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption, for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and the debt of the love of God could manifest it…” Ellen G White further testifies that in giving up God’s Son, He has poured out to us all Heaven in one gift. Just as Paul says, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. And lastly, that’s why the trans-Cosmic and cosmic Christ becomes the heart of Christian theology as Dr Hanna wrote.
Dear Josh, I really appreciated your reflections on the reading as well as on our class lectures. As you, I also have had a hard time deciphering the differences between Justification and Sanctification. I recently heard a sermon that explained Justification as “Just – as – if – I’d…” so, to say that when we are justified, it is as if we had never sinned, which gave me a better understanding of that term. However, when we got back into class, I was confused then on where Sanctification fit. But, thankfully we have those hour long question and answer times in class that help to clarify these things. So far, I’m thinking that Justification cleanses us as if we had never sinned, and Sanctification keeps us that way as we go along, helping us to grow and become more like God. That’s my understanding so far…we’ll see if it changes this coming week after more discussion. The ideas of Foreknowledge and Predestination still have my mind in a bit of a knot. I agree that God has a predestined plan for our lives and we have the freedom to choose whether or not to do it. However, I think that his foreknowledge means that he knows what we will decide before we decide it. But again, all those thoughts are subject to change.
Joseph Thomas Second Assignment Works of Christ Eternal Life the through Cosmic Christ.
We have spent the past week talking about Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. Here is what I have learned from the class and the word of God. Galatians 4:16 tells us “that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by doing the works of the law because no one will be justified by the works of the law”. Also Romans 1:16-17 says “for I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written: the one who is righteous will live by faith”. The Church or most people have come to see justification, sanctification and glorification as if they were states of being. But as the New Testament presents it, however, these terms refer to processes. It is what Jesus through the Holy Spirit has done for us. It is base on the finished work of Christ. Paul tells us that salvation is accomplished through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ by His willingness to go on the cross and die for us and His resurrection from the dead. It is the faith of Jesus that will make us children of God. It is the trust that Jesus Himself had in God, believing that His death on the cross would be vindicated by His resurrection. Our faith in Jesus must be as the faith and trust that Jesus had in His father. The foundation of our salvation is the faith of Jesus. Eternal Life depends on Christ alone and nothing else. Eternal Life is Christ dwelling in His righteousness in the soul of the justified person. Salvation is union with Jesus Christ. And the foundation of the union is the word faith. We all come to Jesus, to rests in Him, trusts in Him, become one with Him, abide in Him; and this become life because it never, ever ends. And the love of the father cements this great union forever and ever. Thank God for Jesus.
I really appreciated the vulnerability and honesty with which you approached predestination, free choice, and your own personal journey through it.
It is a paradox of human nature. We get angry with God because we believe He picks and forces who gets saved or lost - what a tyrant!
Then we realize out He has no say in it, rather gives us the choice, and so if I am lost it is my fault. So then we still get angry with God for giving us the freedom to choose our destiny.
I really appreciated the vulnerability and honesty with which you approached predestination, free choice, and your own personal journey through it.
It is a paradox of human nature. We get angry with God because we believe He picks and forces who gets saved or lost - what a tyrant!
Then we realize He has no say in it, rather gives us the choice, and so if I am lost it is my fault. So then we still get angry with God for giving us the freedom to choose our destiny.
Response to MRamirez Reflection-God's call to a life of properity by intelligency. Assignment #2
I appreciate your effort to bring out scriptural support on the argument of God's foreknowledge and man's freechoice. We however continue to struggle to understand the mind of God but as we learned in class, we will not fully understand his mind even in ages to come I have come to a conclusion that the safest thing we can do is to be assured that He is good in all His works. His love endureth forever.
Reflection response to "Message for the Future" This is indeed a great and necessary message. It is so comforting to know the extent of the love God has for us. Christ loves us so much that He is our justification as well as our sanctification. What else can I ask for? I think Jasmine covered the topic well. The pertinent issues were dealt with. Christ is our sanctification because it is as He works on the inside we become changed to reflect His glory. But we are to cooperate with Him. We are to accept His work for us, justification, then yield to His work in us, sanctification. But, as she pointed out, we have a tendency to be recalcitrant thus robbing ourselves of the benefits and blessing of sanctification. Nevertheless, when we yield to Him we become more and more like Him. Now, that is indeed a great message for the present and the future!
Response to assignment #2 Predestination – The fairness of God by Alta I was impressed by Alta’s integration of texts on the issue of predestination. Its great to know that predestination revels the fairness of God who is very active in salvation. God provided the cross as a means of salvation and it’s through the death of Christ who was predestined to die that we are saved. In otherwords just as Alta puts it predestination is about the love of God. Good work Alta
If it is the faith of Jesus that will make us children of God, how can we measure of faith of God in comparison to Jesus' faith in God? That is a heavy statement, can we have the absolute faith that Jesus had in God? Jesus was in creation with God, Jesus has always been in the presence of God, how can we as humans, who keep fudging our way through life possibly have the same faith as Jesus? How can we live by faith, when we are not willing to DIE BY FAITH. Jesus died in faith, Spirit of Prophecy reveals, that "Jesus could not see past the tomb". IS OUR LEVEL OF FAITH, EVER CAPABLE on Earth to reach the same faith level of Jesus Christ? How is this possible, faith is developed by experience correct? If I do not have an experiential faith within my lifetime how can Christ work within me to establish the same merit of faith he demonstrated?
Response to Andre Anderson’s “Touch but not Tainted” I resonate with Andre Anderson’s blog on “Touched but not Tainted”. I like that he said that the integrity or the purity of the Godhead was still in tact even after Christ took on sinful flesh. A little while ago I read a book called “Ellen White on the Humanity of Christ”. As we already know this still remains a controversial subject in many circles. It was at first hard for me to wrap my head around what was being said given there are a few texts in the Bible that provoke questions about Christ’s nature on Earth; did he have the post-fall or pre-fall nature? Was it even possible for Him to sin being still being God? But as I continued to read one particular illustration provided some more light on the subject. The author stated that Christ was “affected” by sin and not “infected”. Affected is like having your arm broken and it limits your mobility. But Infected is something like a debilitating disease/virus inside of you that you can do nothing about and will eventually take your life. Christ was definitely affected by sin, meaning he was tempted and subject to mortal things like hunger, exhaustion, and thirst. But he was not infected and did not have the propensity to sin as we do. He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but he was not tainted with it (Hebrews 4:15).
Response to Cyril, Assignment 2 I enjoyed reading Steps to Christ as well and appreciate your comments on it. The idea of turning to Christ is so crucial in the whole act of repentance as well as turning away from sin. It is so easy to continue with a childlike concept of forgiveness where we were forced to say we were sorry as children without truly understanding what we are doing. Ellen White sheds light on what true repentance is. One that we must all thoughtfully consider. It must include the desire to be changed from the inside out.
Response to Kabah Stephen #2. As he brought to us the issue of predestination as God’s plan for man’s salvation in the sense that man has a free will to chose which way to take over, Kabah brings us to the understand of the meaning of the word predestination which implies God’s foreseen the fall of man in case he chooses to disobey God ‘s conditions. Also man was created with a free will to choose which way to follow without being forced. Now I f man chooses life then to him there will be life forever , but if man chooses to disobey God then in that free will of choice the choice is death. However in that case there comes God fore seen the way of solving this eternal death through the plan of redemption as he mentions the 1 cornt 2:2. Kasbah also mention another thing which implies Synergy where by God ‘s way of solving sin problem is to work with man ‘’those who love God will corporate in love with him in the plan of their salvation’’ meaning that they will choose to corporate with God freely and in harmony with out being forced and in that way they freely choose life by faith without seeing that life but with hope to be manifested in them and finally being glorified. This is exactly synergy, meaning that God does the plan of redemption with those who give him corporation and these are the people who accept the plan being predestined to the cosmos
RE-SUBMISSION (this work was first submitted on Thursday May 20, 2010, but only one line is seen on the blog. Hope everybody will be able to read the entire document here) The book, “The Cosmic Christ of Scripture - chapts. 3 & 4” In order to understand the purpose of God in our lives, we must read( go to and fro through) all the three books of God, namely; Scripture,(the written word) the book of nature and the book of experience. These three books ought to be studied together for a fuller understanding of the plan of salvation, just as justification, sanctification and glorification ought to be studied together for a fuller understanding of the question of salvation. Just as we can learn about the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ in scripture and actually praise Him for who He is and what He is capable of doing, by watching nature we can also be drawn to praise the same creator Christ who created the cosmos. However, it must be clearly said that Scripture is the only Christian rule of faith, practice and knowledge. Ellen White who has a lot to say about the subject of salvation, she also has a lot to say about God’s three books as mentioned above.
The Book of Colosians chapts. 1-3. I was utterly surprised and excited when I read the first three chapters of the book of Colossians to discover that the concept of God acting alone that’s doing what He alone can do (monergy) and what he can do with the cosmos (synergy) to be very obvious. Before the lecture on the Monergy and Synergy I could hardly see the connections. The three chapters have several texts which speak especially of the concept of synergy. To illustrate this point, here are some of the texts: “For in him dwells all the ullness of the Godhead bodily ( 2;9); In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge(2:3). It relates very well with the role of faith in attaining salvation. In these chapters, Paul seems to put across the point that all that Christians do must be done in synergy with Christ to the point that, even though Christians are human beings who live on earth, “must seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God” ( 3:1). Of course this can only be done by faith.
RBI Documents. “Predestination, foreknowledge and human freedom and The Dynamics of Salvation” After reading the two articles, I have concluded that in the end, salvation by grace through faith is actually salvation by choice. Exercising our freedom of choice. choosing the grace giver, Jesus Christ. In class we had a discussion on predestination. We saw that predestination is God’s plan or purpose. God wills or purposes that all should eventually be saved. In other words, the goal of predestination is to restore humanity but not in the sense that God decides beforehand who shall be saved and who shall be lost, but in the sense that God has a foreknowledge of who shall make what decision. If He interfered with what humans can do with the freedom He has given them, that would be taking away the very liberty of choice He had gave them initially. The Bible teaches, instead, the kind of predestination which acknowledges God’s foreknowledge of our individual future choices. This kind of a doctrine of predestination leaves every human being with the choice of whether or not they want to be saved. If they cooperate with God the plan is in place for them to be saved; but if they do not, it is also clear that they will be lost. They must act in synergy with the creator God. In the end, salvation by grace through faith becomes salvation by choice. Choosing the grace giver,Jesus Christ.
Response to Cyril Assignment # 2 I truly appreciated the way you put across the idea of repentance in your reflection on the book “Steps to Christ”. It is important to always remember, just as you have correctly said in your reflection, that “True repentance is motivated by heartfelt sorrow for sin. The individual who truly repents is not concerned with escaping the consequences of her/his sin. They recognize that their sins have hurt God rather deeply and they are truly sorrowful for doing so.” It is useless to hide any thing from the Almighty God, since He knows everything. People who truly love God will always be sorrowful for their evil ways and will be able to see the sinfulness of their sins and acknowledge the fact that their sins have hurt God. As such , they will choose to turn away from their unrighteous ways. Because that is what repentance is. Turning away from our sins; and this can be done only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Response no.#2 from jean's comments. In response to jean’s comment on I appreciate her critical thinking on how can one know where he is in the process of salvation.for instance i also ask myself the same same question in my journey of salvation where have I come from and where am I and where am I heading to .The major point I got was that though this stages are so much interwoven,the are transcending hence we can’t change their order though they lead us to the same destination.this portrays Gods wisdom and how much he loves us .
Response to Si On Sung – Assignment 2 “Our free -will to make any choice” I appreciated that you open yourself and described what the struggle you have. But I think you found the way to solve your problem. It is very true for our attitude to God. No matter who we are and what we did, if our hearts toward Jesus and we commit ourselves to God, we can be justify.
Response to Assignment # 2 Posted by Wallin: “Trinity JSG”
I enjoyed reading Wallin’s posting, especially the way he paralleled the Godhead with the concepts we are developing in class. The idea that justification, sanctification, and glorification can be understood in similar way as we understand the Trinity is creative and help to better understand a little better the intricacies of the works of Christ. What a challenge for our finite minds to try to understand such a difficult subject as Salvation, yet through the Holy Spirit and God’s word we can begin to understand the reason, which is love, for God so loved us, that he gave us the perfect and only way to achieve glorification.
I too would like to respond to Alta's blog on predestination. At times when we look around and wonder where is God when some things happen. When we see some people who cannot buy a break you wonder is there more to this persons life and what is it that someone in their family has done to put this cloud over their head. However, God is fair! He causes it to rain on the just and the unjust. This is why both the fortunate and the misfortunate have the ability to grow. Sin has made many of us pessimistic and we never gloat when God favors shines on some revealing his manifestation in the cosmos. There is one thing that I am certain of when I reflect on Adam and Eves decision. That choices will impact all of us. This is why we must seek Christ daily to that we can be on the right course to eternity. We have all been predestined to enjoy the love of God no matter what our decisions have been. Because Romans states clearly that-while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.
First, I appreciate the main idea mentioned by Joseph Thomas that foundation of our salvation is the faith of Jesus. As he mentioned faith is not just separated one. Rather it is necessary for justification, sanctification, and glorification as the process. That’s why Paul mentioned faith as “Through faith for faith.”
Secondly, he approaches that salvation is union with Jesus Christ. And the foundation of the union is the word faith. Thank for giving me the notion that faith is the foundation of monergy and synergy at the same time. Faith itself make God to save us. And with faith God works with us for salvation. Thanks for these notion.
Comments on Edgar Alquuinta Assignment # 2: “Without Him we can do nothing”
I agree with you 100 percent because we can only gain salvation through the blood of Jesus. However, the atonement was completed at the cross, but the salvation was not completed as long as the last person is living on earth. Ephesians 2:6 said, “And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. That was accurate at that time as of now. What is counted not our deed but Christ! Christ seat at the Right Hand of God for every believer; as a result, it is like me and you who seat at the Right Hand of God in heaven. We did not die at the cross and resurrect; Christ died and resurrected as a ransom on our behalf as it is you and me who died and resurrected. Good post!
Comment from Joseph Thomas on Stephen Kabah second assignment. Hi there Stephen, great job on your take on predestination. After reading your comment, I got some deep understanding on what predestination is all about. Keep up the good job. I pray that Christ comes soon that we may learn new truth from him.
I really enjoyed Joseph's article, especially his comparison about how both faith IN Jesus, and the faith OF Jesus have roles in the process of justification, sanctification and glorification. It is true that many times we have the desire to define issues like the Revelation 14:12 with either faith of Jesus or faith IN Jesus. However, we need to recognize that BOTH of these aspects are important in their own rights. Thanks for that reminder Joseph.
I would like to respond to Andre's Blog as well. i do like the point that you made when you reasoned that even though God became one of us he was not tainted by being one of us.
EMMANUEL N. Bohole. # 2 We are saved by hope: Rom8: 24 For we are saved in this hope but hope that is seen for why does one still hope for what he sees. Last week and this week I have been comforted through the lectures delivered by Dr Hanna in class. I have come to discover that human response towards salvation is always found in the hope that is in Christ alone. If a sinner looses hope in the savior that there is no solution for sin and that the savior can not wash out sin then there is no way that faith can work out to pursue one to seek forgiveness and being justified. When we sin we loose hope and also we are on the evil’s side being declared for perishing. But when we look in to that hope which is promised to us we long to be glorified in the near future. This hope goes together with faith (Ephe 2:8) The Holy Bible says: For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God. This Hope also goes together with a genuine love, the love of God that turns to us as we respond in waiting for that great hope. So now the past response that man hoped for was justification from the past sin. When a man is being justified manifested by the love of God , then here comes another thing which is hope for sanctification at the present time and finally God fore sees our future that in which direction we hope to chose to go. Rom 8: 29 for whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son. That he might be the first born among many brethren. 30 moreover whom he predestined these, he also called, whom he also called he also justified, and whom he justified these, he also glorified. Now according to the reading of Rom 8: 28-30, and the lecture in class by Dr. Hanna we are being introduced to a more advanced way of how God ‘s work is being characterized by monergy , meaning that Gog working alone for the plan of our salvation as well as God working together with the cosmos, meaning that God works with those who corporate with him and therefore are being justified by faith, and who hope for glorification as the love of God is poured out into their hearts. Therefore those who are willing to wait for this great hope will then be glorified when Jesus comes and be reconciled with him. However , man’s response for salvation is based on accepting a call from sin then asks for the justification which is also obtained by faith, and later wait for the Glorification which is the great hope we only have for our salvation.
Reading Reflection 3 BRI: “Comments on the In Adam/In Christ Motifs” There is indeed a challenge in trying to grapple with Paul’s concepts of “in Adam” and “in Christ.” The “in Christ” motif is very prominent in his writings and, to a large extent, is a lot easier to treat with than is the “in Adam” motif. Rodriguez’ article seeks to refute what he considers to be an erroneous interpretation used by the 1888 Study Committee as regards those motifs. Exactly what did Paul mean when he spoke about being “in Adam?” Rodriguez does not agree with the view that we were all physically “in Adam” in Eden. Indeed, the implications for such a view are many. Among other things, it could imply that we were all physically present in Eden and all ate the fruit together with Adam. I think Rodriguez is correct when he rejects that view. Rodriguez also disagrees with the notion of all humankind being present “in Adam” in a “trans-physical” manner. He believes that each person is a complete individual entity. Furthermore, he opines that the “concreteness and individuality of a human being makes it impossible for him or her to exist or be present in any form or shape in another human being. Biblical anthropology makes it impossible for persons to merge their personalities in a mystical way into each other.” Additionally, saying we were actually “in Adam,” according to Rodriguez, is tantamount to saying there was something about us that actually pre-existed our actual reality. Such a notion is untenable. Also untenable is the notion that we, being “in Adam,” are responsible for his sin. Indeed we, in the sense of seed, were “in Adam.” However, it is theologically incorrect to say that we sinned with him. That is due to the fact that a “seed is not a morally responsible agent; not even the ‘seed’ of a human being.” Therefore, Adam’s sin is not our sin. His sin is not imputed to the rest of humanity. At the same time, though, because of human solidarity, we all receive the “fatal results” of Adam’s sin. As regards the “in Christ” motif, Rodriguez sees the 1888 Study Committee as saying that we, in the same way we were “in Adam,” are all “in Christ.” Resultantly, all sinned “in Adam” and all are legally justified “in Christ.” For him, only those who have consciously accepted Christ as Savior and Lord are spiritually “in” Him. Being “in Christ” is voluntary and by faith. Thus “only those who through faith in Jesus have been incorporated into him are in Christ.” Being “in Adam” came about without choice. Being “in Christ” on the other hand, is completely by choice. Moreover, if we were legally “in Christ” when He died on the cross, we also died on the cross. The theological implication of such a view is indeed obvious. If we died on the cross then Christ did not die for us. Such a proposition is a theological affront to God’s grace and makes of none effect Christ’s death on the cross. This proposition makes me my own savior from sin! Like Rodriguez, I am completely unable to accept this position. Christ died for me! I did not die for my own sins. I am totally incapable of dying to save myself from sin. If we all die for our own sins, then what is the purpose of Christ’s death? Why did He have to endure such pain, rejection and suffering if we were capable of saving ourselves? Indeed we are unable to save ourselves and that’s why Christ died on our behalf. The overall tenor of Scripture places an acute emphasis upon the atonement. Not only is it atonement, but it is substitutionary atonement. That means atonement is made on behalf of another. In Christ’s death on the cross, a full and complete atonement was made. However, only those who accept what He has done will be recipients of the benefits therein. There is no other way. I thank God for the death of Christ. He died my death so that I may have His life. Amen!
Reading Reflection 3 BRI: “Comments on the In Adam/In Christ Motifs” There is indeed a challenge in trying to grapple with Paul’s concepts of “in Adam” and “in Christ.” The “in Christ” motif is very prominent in his writings and, to a large extent, is a lot easier to treat with than is the “in Adam” motif. Rodriguez’ article seeks to refute what he considers to be an erroneous interpretation used by the 1888 Study Committee as regards those motifs. Exactly what did Paul mean when he spoke about being “in Adam?” Rodriguez does not agree with the view that we were all physically “in Adam” in Eden. Indeed, the implications for such a view are many. Among other things, it could imply that we were all physically present in Eden and all ate the fruit together with Adam. I think Rodriguez is correct when he rejects that view. Rodriguez also disagrees with the notion of all humankind being present “in Adam” in a “trans-physical” manner. He believes that each person is a complete individual entity. Furthermore, he opines that the “concreteness and individuality of a human being makes it impossible for him or her to exist or be present in any form or shape in another human being. Biblical anthropology makes it impossible for persons to merge their personalities in a mystical way into each other.” Additionally, saying we were actually “in Adam,” according to Rodriguez, is tantamount to saying there was something about us that actually pre-existed our actual reality. Such a notion is untenable. Also untenable is the notion that we, being “in Adam,” are responsible for his sin. Indeed we, in the sense of seed, were “in Adam.” However, it is theologically incorrect to say that we sinned with him. That is due to the fact that a “seed is not a morally responsible agent; not even the ‘seed’ of a human being.” Therefore, Adam’s sin is not our sin. His sin is not imputed to the rest of humanity. At the same time, though, because of human solidarity, we all receive the “fatal results” of Adam’s sin. As regards the “in Christ” motif, Rodriguez sees the 1888 Study Committee as saying that we, in the same way we were “in Adam,” are all “in Christ.” Resultantly, all sinned “in Adam” and all are legally justified “in Christ.” For him, only those who have consciously accepted Christ as Savior and Lord are spiritually “in” Him. Being “in Christ” is voluntary and by faith. Thus “only those who through faith in Jesus have been incorporated into him are in Christ.” Being “in Adam” came about without choice. Being “in Christ” on the other hand, is completely by choice. Moreover, if we were legally “in Christ” when He died on the cross, we also died on the cross. The theological implication of such a view is indeed obvious. If we died on the cross then Christ did not die for us. Such a proposition is a theological affront to God’s grace and makes of none effect Christ’s death on the cross. This proposition makes me my own savior from sin! Like Rodriguez, I am completely unable to accept this position. Christ died for me! I did not die for my own sins. I am totally incapable of dying to save myself from sin. If we all die for our own sins, then what is the purpose of Christ’s death? Why did He have to endure such pain, rejection and suffering if we were capable of saving ourselves? Indeed we are unable to save ourselves and that’s why Christ died on our behalf. The overall tenor of Scripture places an acute emphasis upon the atonement. Not only is it atonement, but it is substitutionary atonement. That means atonement is made on behalf of another. In Christ’s death on the cross, a full and complete atonement was made. However, only those who accept what He has done will be recipients of the benefits therein. There is no other way. I thank God for the death of Christ. He died my death so that I may have His life. Amen!
I really enjoyed your comments about free will. The nature of our relationship with God, I believe is one of the first indicators of His Divinity. Just thinking about what you said in regards to God’s method of giving us the joy of victory over sin. This is done through choice. In class Dr. Hanna introduced us to the possibility that God also has a choice. He could of exercised that choice in a way that would not include this wonderful plan of Salvation that we get to preach about, but He chose and pre-destined this plan into action. Just the thought of a God who would set up a dynamic like this excites and terrifies me all at once. I can’t help but compare it to our earthly relationships. Certainly the comparison has limitations but can still contribute to a greater understanding of how we should deal with those relationships. We often get into relationships with hopes that the other party will act accordingly and do things just as we want. The truth is we don’t really want that. We seem to self destruct relationships that don’t mirror the one God enacted in our hearts when we were fearfully and wonderfully made. Relationships that have an inherent risk in them. This is our joy.
Assignment # 2 “Show Me the Riches!!! Grace untold!”
God's will is described as a Mystery (Ephesians 1:9) I also believe that the Bible teaches in the same verse that God desires to reveal to us, this mystery. As the sincere Christian studies the Bible more and more he or she finds what we call tension in ideas that seem to not be able to coexist, and yet they do. One of these tensions is that which exists between the fulfillment of the kingdom of God. What has already been fulfilled, and what has not yet been fulfilled. I would like to suggest that the Holy Spirit, through writers like Paul, inspires these tensions in order to reveal the mystery of God's Will. With regards to the tension of the already fulfilled and the not yet, it exists throughout scripture. The one place in particular that I would like to focus on, are Paul's writings in Ephesians 2;4-7. Paul asserts that “While we were Dead” God “made us alive together with Christ”. He continues by saying that we were not only “raised up with Christ” but that we also have been “seated with Him" in heavenly places. Paul continues that God did this “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His Grace.” The plan of salvation is being carried out so that God can show the “surpassing riches of His grace .” We know that the plan of salvation was established “before the creation of the world”. (I Peter 1:20) Thus God knew that in the even that sin arose, His response would be Grace. In times past when we as Christians have sought to define grace, we have limited it's definition to say that it is God's response to sin. While this is true, and necessary in order for us to speak about God's response to sin, I believe Grace is much more. If Grace were only God's response to sin, then God would need sin to exist in order to be graceful. However, although God shows himself graceful through His dealings with sin and sinners, He is a God who changes not. (Malachi 3:6) Therefore, Grace didn't become a part of His Character in response Sin, grace was already a part of His Character. This means that we need to define Grace as more than just God's response to sin. Grace includes God's benevolent acts before the entrance of sin into the cosmos as well as His benevolent acts after the entrance of sin. So, God enacts the plan of Salvation in order to let us know more about himself. I believe now we are more equipped to gain a little more understanding of why God didn't just destroy the devil and not allow sin to arise. If Adam had not fallen, it would have been his privilege to enjoy communion with God continuously and to continually learn about Him through creation. Not only would this have been his privilege, it was also God's plan for His life. When sin entered the world, Adam was set at a disadvantage and fell into the arena of God's permitted but nor prescribed will. However, this did not necessitate a change in god's prescribed will. Remember, the Lord changes not. He still wished that Adam would learn about Him through creation. This, God's response to the hiccup of sin, is the same way He response to everything. He maintains His character; he “changes not”. God's grace did not arise in response to sin, but was revealed because of sin. Thus the tension in the scriptures concerning whether or not we are presently seated in heavenly places as the Bible says even while the world is the way we see it around us is meant to teach us the lesson that we will always need to grow into God's image. God wanted to show us the riches of His grace even before sin entered the world. Currently He is “responding” (if we can call it that) to sin in order to show us the richness that existed in his Character before the entrance of sin.
Emmanuel Ngussa Bohole: #3 Synergy of Love: 2 Corinthians 5: 18 ‘’ Now all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation’’. As we have come to know in class lecture the real meaning of the word synergy in application to the work of Christ we find that Synergy meaning God working together with the cosmos – meaning that those who love God are in love response to the call from God according to His fore knowledge and predestined purpose. We find that God has loved the whole world and has called each and every one to respond to His justification, sanctification and glorification. As we all know that sin involves synergy with the devil and the bible tell us that he that commits sin is of the devil for the devil sins from the beginning’’ (Johan 3:8) In this case we see the sin less God interacting with sinners through the ministry of reconciliation ( Synergy). As the results of God’s love we see the Goal of the ministry of reconciliation done by Jesus himself in the cross and that is to destruct God’s enemies and bring to an end the devil’s reign. (1 CORT 15: 25, 28) The bible says ‘ when all things shall be sub dued unto him ( Christ ) then shall the son himself be subjected in to him( the Father) that put all things under him ( Christ) that God may be all in all ‘’ In class lectures we discovered that God being every things ( God being all in all) as this verse talks, it implies that God made every thing here on earth, and finally God brings harmony by subduing the enemies by the son and by willing subjection of the son who is not an enemy. Now here we find that all Christians who are willing to practice submission to each other and to God are the ones that accept the fore call from God and these will pass through the process of justification, sanctification and in the end they will all be glorified. It real encourage me that our part is very small but important where by in order for one to come to the final stage of glorification we all need to accept the call from above and be respond in love to the merit of the cross . This call is not a forced harmony rather it is a synergy of love, where by man respond to God’s love freely without being forced but just by the feeling of the love bestowed to man and sin is forgiven. (Rom 8: 29- 30) For whom we fore knows, he also predestines to be comfored to the image of his son that he might the first bores among many brethrens. Moreover whom he predestines, them he also calls, and whom he calls, them he also justifies, and whom he justifies, them he also glorifies’’ in this verse we see God’s harmony between man and Himself. The important part of human being is to respond to God, response in love which reflects the Father’s love to those who are called and being justified by faith and being glorified in hope. Finally we can say that those who are willing will be reconciled by God himself through Jesus Christ. This is how God works together with sinners.
In Romans 8 there is an interesting passage in verses 29-30. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” This passage has been described as the process of salvation. The key words foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified, have all drawn questions as to what they mean. For this blog I want to focus for a moment on the experience of God in respect to these words. It has been mentioned that God who is omniscient, he is all knowing and knows the future. But the thought came up in class about the difference between God experiencing things based on His knowledge and Him actually experiencing it through time. This point has still left me a little confused. My confusion stems from the fact that I think that if God can only know certain things through His experience then he is not quiet all knowing after all. I do not doubt that God can experience things. But how new can they be if He knows what will occur. Can God be restricted like that? Can He be restricted period? I really don’t have an answer to these questions. And I like everyone else have to do more study on the subject. But the honest truth is that there are elements of this equation that we will never know because we are not God. What we know however about God is that he created humanity, and became one of us, and the idea is that by becoming one of us, having new experiences. While I cannot say that this is untrue, I must leave room in my mind for more than the one way of thinking about this issue. Like I stated before I am confused n this topic but I look forward to the comments in aiding me on my path to clarification.
Assignment #3 “In Him was the Fullness of the Godhead” Colossians 2:9 is an interesting text in scripture. It states that all of the fullness of the Godhead, dwelt in Christ bodily. To be clear the trinity is a complicated subject. The word is found nowhere in the Bible, yet I do believe that the principle is there. But the principle does not solve the questions in my human mind. In creation the phrase “let us make” is used (which is a plural term). Jesus says he and the Father are one. And other points He prayed TO God and spoke to Him. At other times Christ said that He must go so that the comforter (Holy Spirit) would come. At times it seemed that Christ had supreme knowledge and wisdom and then at another time He Himself said that He did not know the date or time of the second coming only the father. But if He was one and is one with the Father how could he not know these things? Human logic causes me to get a headache when I think about this subject. I am a lover of illustrations and I’ve collected a few to help quiet my dilemma about this issue. If we take a look at water, we realize it can be manifested in different ways; steam, ice, and liquid. However at its basest point all these are still water, just the same substance in a different form. If light is shone through a prism it refracts into many different colors but is essentially coming from the same source. And so it is with God who shows and reveals Himself to us through the Godhead, although they are one. Of course these are elementary ways of trying to conceive a divine subject. But it helps somewhat. What I am thankful about is that the Bible says all the fullness of the Godhead was in Him. In other words He was complete and Paul even told the Colossians that they lacked nothing in Christ. When we receive Christ, we have it all we lack nothing. As professor Hanna just explained today, we do not have righteousness or salvation in our pocket, but as we walk with Christ as we stay in tune with Him we have them both because of our relationship with Him. He is complete. We do not need to worship three separate entities to fulfill our salvific requirement. We only need to accept Christ once and for always and stay connected with Him. By the way Ellen G. White offers the most help on this subject in my book. She plainly states that we are not to speculate regarding the nature of God. She says the problem has not been given us to solve and that “no human mind can comprehend God” (Ministry of Healing 429). So I choose to believe this principle regardless of whether I understand it all now or not. But I cant wait for eternity we get to spend with God discussing it.
Edgardo Rivas Blog #3 “Not from us but from Him” It wasn’t until this week that I understood more what is the relationship between; sanctification, justification and glorification and what it had to do with predestination. It is a subject that I hardly understood. Yes I knew that the just shall live y faith and had heard about sanctification, justification and glorification but it did not click into me. Usually I saw these three separate from one another but seeing it this week in a different aspect got my attention. This is one of the subjects that our members still don’t understand. Here we are just touching a little of justification. When Dr. Hanna said that justification is righteousness by faith and also sanctification and also glorification I was wondering how. Well everything God has given to us we must accept faith. That faith must be put into action before it can do anything for us. Faith is the secret ingredient in the process. The just shall live by faith (Rom 1:17). This does not mean to sit down and do nothing. It means that as a child of God we must look unto him for spiritual dependence. There is only one thing that we can do to help in the process, accept Jesus as Savior and his sacrifice on the cross. There is nothing we can do to gain justification or sanctification or even glorification. It is credited to our account because of what Jesus did on the cross. Therefore Christ is our justification. We are called to walk with Jesus every day. We must have a close relationship with him. It is our choice and decision if we want to accept this free gift. God made us free beings. We must choose correctly otherwise we can be making a trip to never land. If we make a good decision it is because of him who is merciful however if we make the wrong choice it is because we have turned away from God. We must turn away from sin and its originator. But if we sin he is righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We can’t obey as robots do. There has to be something that moves us to obedience. May I suggest three things mentioned in class? It was mentioned that love, faith and hope. If we love God we are going to obey him, the same way if we love our parents we will do our best to obey them. When we obey through love and see how God is working in us and through us our faith becomes stronger. As that faith gets stronger and stronger hope develops in us. It is a sense that God is near to us. We have hope for a better future. Hope for a stronger faith that works through love. An aspect that it is not understood at times is that Justification is equal to Salvation. This is done by one and the same, Jesus. Justification is accomplished by God’s faithfulness. Jesus has enough righteousness to support all of us. Remember there is nothing we can do to be justified before God. Our justice is like filthy rags. God bless us all.
I grew up with the idea that because Christ is perfect, and we are to be just like him, that in order to be a good Christian, I had to be perfect. As one could imagine, this thought process lead to a lot of misunderstanding about grace and justification and sanctification. This misunderstanding also lead to the inability to admit when I was wrong, and finally, it made me judgmental and of the opinion that I knew everything. Obviously, I was wrong in my thinking, and eventually in my actions. In this week’s reading, I ran across an article by Edward Heppenstall titled, How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible? This article helped me to see much more clearly the meaning of the verse in Matthew 5:48 which states, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” As I said before, when I was a child, I was under the impression that God called all Christians to a literal perfection, and if we called ourselves Christians and weren’t perfect, we weren’t really saved. I really like Heppenstall’s article because it diffuses this misguided belief with scripture and logic. When discussing Biblical Perfection, Heppenstall points out that there are nine Hebrew and six different Greek words that are translated to mean perfection. He also alerts the reader to examples in the Bible where God calls different people “perfect” but as the stories tell us, these people made plenty of mistakes. So what is it then if God calls them “perfect” and yet they still commit sins? The key is 1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” This scripture explains that when we confess our sins, God forgives us our sins. So when we are forgiven, God doesn’t remember the sin anymore, thus, in a sense, making us “perfect.” Now, if I had more time, I would like to do a word study on the different words in the Bible that mean “perfect” so that I could have a deeper understanding of what the author was meaning each time someone is called “perfect.” The beauty of one understanding what was meant in the Bible when people were called “perfect” is that one understands the gift of salvation for how it was truly meant. When we come to the understanding that we cannot be perfect on our own accord, but are as “filthy rags” we are made to trust in the only one who can make us perfect, the son of God, Jesus Christ. As Dr. Hanna has described in class, when we are saved in Jesus Christ, we have been called, we have been forgiven our sins through justification, we are on a continual journey to becoming like Christ in sanctification, and when Christ returns, we will experience glorification in our immortality. Indeed, what a gift we have in Christ, the one who offers us perfection in His gift of salvation.
Toward a Theology of Synergy in Colossians Part 1 Reading through Colossians and reflecting on the class discussion on the notion of monergy and synergy excited me. Monergy and synergy are almost impossible to see, in the letter, with the background information from class on the subject matter. Since space here does not allow me to trace these two, I will treat and reflect on synergy as an issue in the letter. Since it is scattered throughout the letter I am forced to restrict my consideration and discussion to chapter three, though I may make reference to other chapters. To properly frame my argument and locate the passage under consideration I will give brief, relevant background information about the letter. While authorship and audience are important for the purpose of this discussion they will be overlooked, I will focus on the occasion of the letter because I think it serves as an interpretive key here. It seems that Epaphras, the “faithful minister,” has visited Paul in Rome and informed him of the state of the assemblies in the Lycus Valley (cf. Col. 1:7-8; 4:12). That Paul did not found these assemblies is clear in the text and most commentators are in agreement. Epaphras may be the minister responsible for the gospel first being preached in Colossae (Col. 2:1; 4:12-13). While much of Epaphras’ report was encouraging (Col. 1:8; 2:5), there was one disquieting element. It seems as if an attractive, but false, teaching had recently been introduced into the assemblies (Col. 2:4, 8-23). This teaching was threatening to undermine the very basis of the gospel and Paul believes that this teaching represents an attack on the salvific sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Further, he believes that if this teaching goes unchecked it will overturn the gospel and return the Colossians to bondage. The aberrant teaching is often called the “Colossians Heresy.” Although Paul does not explicitly describe the false teaching; the letter implicitly and explicitly exposes the following elements: 1) the insufficiency of Christ (Col. 2:2, 9; cf. 1:15-20), therefore 2) subjection “again" to cosmic powers. Teachers of the “heresy” promote obeisance to “the elemental spirits” (Col. 2:8, 10, 15, 18, 20). So Paul is arguing for the sufficiency of Christ in this letter. Here’s a perfect opportunity for him to postulate monergy since it fits in perfectly with his polemic. However the apostle presents a two part corrective strategy, he exalts both monergy and synergy simultaneously (in the same letter for the same occasion). Paul attempts to stabilize the community, by positing 1) the absolute sufficiency of Christ (monergy) and 2) exhorting believers to live the new life that they already possess in Christ (synergy). As stated above, the focus here is on synergy using the third chapter of the letter. Paul uses deliverance and transference (i.e., baptismal) language to remind believers of their new status and to exhort them to live in light of this reality (3:5-17 cf. 1:13; 2:12). He exhorts believers to “put off”(3:5f.) and “put on”(3:12f.) metaphorically reiterating the reality of the new life in Christ. I will parenthetically pause here and highlight that, in Pauline locution, the imperative is preceded or undergirded by the indicative, the indicative being the monergy and the imperative being the synergy – for the believer. For example, notice that his exhortation here is preceded by the fact that God through Christ has rescued the Colossian believers “from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son…”(1:13). Note Paul’s use of the conditional clause (3:1-4) introducing the pericope. To think that when a person is a born again Christian they need not do anything because everything has been done for them seems to be a denial of the biblical text. Notice the imperatives in verse 1 and 2: ζητεῖτε (lit. you seek), φρονεῖτε (lit. you set your mind), more imperatives could be cited from the chapter that will not be necessary here. Note: this is part 1 of 2
Toward a Theology of Synergy in Colossians Part 2 A summery or overview of the chapter demonstrates Pauline synergistic language in a way that renders the idea of synergy an irreducible fact of the matter of salvation. For Paul the believer’s life is corollary of Jesus’ salvific work and must be ordered as such, without exception. Because one has been born again it must follow that he cooperates with the working of Christ in that person. With this understanding he exhorts the following in chapter 3 of Colossians: • Seek the Things Above (3:1-3) • Put away the Past Life (3:5-11) • Put on the Life of Christ (3:12-17) • Life in the Christian Household (3:18-4:1) Here the apostle lists what a Christian must do, which is of course a response to the working of the Holy Spirit, according to Pauline locution. This language indicates a synergistic theological perspective; it shows the work of the believer in the context of Jesus’ work of salvation. Notice that the letter is arguing mainly for the sufficiency of Christ yet Paul throws the idea of what the Christian must do in the mix, showing that there are these two dimensions which are not dichotomous but are two sides of the same coin.
The book of Ephesians is one of my favourite books in the Bible. I just love the way Paul discusses the way in which believers are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, and that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:4, 5). We have been discussing predestination quite a bit in class this week. It has been equated to the will of God. While I do believe in free will I am also a believer in the sovereignty of God. God’s sovereign will was projected and unleashed in His efforts that He put forth to adopt us as God’s children. It was His good pleasure to do this for us. It makes me think of a mother’s love for her children. She would do anything, give anything, be willing to die to give her child a chance to live. To this end I see God coming forth from heaven on a grand rescue mission because He wants to save, to protect His children that He created. He knows that not all will respond to His efforts or His love, but He still must try. The goal is also the reward, “that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him” (Eph. 1:10). If God has this immense power I cannot think that I am contributing anything to save myself. I have to get on a plane just to get up into the sky, let alone draw everything in heaven and earth together. I am reminded of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and saying how He wished He could have gathered her together as a mother hen gathers her chickens under her. Yet He was rejected by the very people that He came to save. But the gathering will still take place. A different kind of gathering at the end of the age. Everything will become one. This is a mystery. It is not a panentheistic vision, no it is a tremendous gathering so that heaven and earth can be reconciled. And the guarantee that we will be part of this incredible experience is the gift of the Holy Spirit as a seal of promise, given by God when we believed (Eph. 1:13). Salvation as we have been saying in class is all from God and yet requires all of us. One more reflection on Ephesians 1 is that God has immense power toward us who believe (Eph. 1:19). This power we can trust to sustain us through temptation, or trial, through doubts and fears. God can and will lift us up. As long as we keep looking to Jesus we cannot be swept away and He always has incredible means to help us through any difficulty. The gift is so great and it all came about because of the thoughtful care that God put a plan into place before the creation to rescue His loved ones for eternal life.
His power in us. Having a week of presentations is one of my favorite moments in any class I take in the seminary, this is because all of us we are unique in our expression of what we have been taught by any professor .This takes me back to time when the bible was on translation from its original manuscripts. The message will be one but reporting will not be same from one translator to another. When one message has been send to a person by the time it is reported to the fifth person, it has some modifications which the first recipient received. However the content will seem to remain the same. The miracle of the new birth in Jesus is what impressed me too much in this section .for actually God sent his son to us not to condemn us but to give us a new life roman 8:1 therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. We need to deeply understand that the main agenda of God and Jesus Christ his son is to save humanity from sin. Through one man [Satan] sin came to the cosmos and through one man [Jesus] the world has been saved. This is the condition we are in the world-Romans 1:3 all have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is none who does good not even one hence when in the world we posses what the world offers and when in Christ we also posses what Jesus posses ,this is the difference when we are in Christ -1john 1:7 but if we walk in the light as he is the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all our sins. Am hundred percent sure that if we a bid in Jesus as he states in john 15:4 remain in me and I in you for no branch will bear fruits without me will be our heritage, this kind of relationship with our savior will bring forth what Jesus himself could accomplish. The symbol of Christ whether in person or his name has power and a transforming power . Dr Hannah also brought into our attention of who we become when we are in sync/synergy with God it involves the miracle of justification and sanctification by faith that works in the light of the truth of Christ. Some of the scriptures are difficult to understand through a canal mind .For instance the issue of the imputed righteousness of Christ, one of the class members brought a contagious question within the week if the imputed righteousness is 100% to us who trust in him or is part of it. some of the members in the discussion were a bit nerves from the look from their faces but the answer from Dr Hanna was quite satisfactory for he said it is 100% ,I supported his comment from mark 16:17 which says- and these signs will accompany them those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will pick up snakes with their hands and they will drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all, they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well” So Jesus is imputing us whatever with his divine powers. Behold what a great manner of love that God showered us that we will be called the sons of the most high God. Finally the Bible points us to a new dimension of service while in him. The message of salvation is the power of God to redeem us from our broken relationship with our God .By beholding we will be changed actually the more we stay closer to Jesus the more we become like him.
Natural Laws Assignment # 3 Every class session is a major learning session for me. The question I have is that, what is a natural law? On whose criteria does the natural laws base on? Does God restricted by natural laws? There are many definitions for “Natural Law;” for example Natural Law is a set of principles which govern human interactions, which are built into the structure of the universe, as opposed to being imposed by human beings. In my limited human being thinking I understand the natural laws of nature. Does God has to break any natural laws another to be involved in His creation. Does God breaking the natural laws when performing miracles? Do the natural laws apply differently in the cosmos according to the circumstances? This world is under influence of sin, for that reason the natural laws apply accordingly. I believe because of sin the natural laws had change from what they used to be before sin. God does not abound by the natural laws; therefore He does not have to break any natural laws to perform miracles in human life. “When God created Adam and Eve the plan of salvation was already existed and it stipulated that in case the humans failed the test of obedience and become subject to death, Jesus would die in order to redeem them. "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25). He who had said, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17), came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died; divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. Was Jesus’ redeeming plan breaking the natural laws, or on the contrary, was this the way in which the law applied under the circumstances of sin breaking through? Was Jesus’ death breaking the law of God’s immortality, or did His death mean that the law was applied based on the circumstances?” as the architecture of this world his intervention is the proof of his supremacy as the Creator. God, or nature, or universal reason has given humanity a law from which the norms of all human law must be derived. .. We can see clearly in Mrs. White gave full endorsement to Jesus in her writings and in ways that confirmed her to be a qualified prophet. Dr. Hanna mentions in chapter “For Ellen White, the Christ-centered connections of divine and human persons involve three overlapping themes of Scripture….” What impresses me is the involvement of Christ with human on this earth to restore our image. “Christ had not exchanged His divinity for humanity; but he had clothed His divinity in humanity.” “He veiled His divinity with the garb of humanity, but he did not part with his divinity.” “This is why, although he was tempted in all points like as we are, He stood before the world, from his first entrance into it, untainted by corruption, though surrounded by it.” One of the reasons I think Christ did sin is because He was connected with His father while He was on earth. Christ came to the sinful world to show us; we can live in a sinful world without if we are truly connected with God through Him. Christ had no advantage over us even if He used His divinity, for He would not have made use of anything that is not available to us.
How can it be that God can be nailed to a cross and die? The minute He gave up His last breath, doesn’t He cease to be God? Can God therefore be God one minute, and then not God the next? Can He change back; if so, can I become God too? This line of thinking has derailed many philosophically-thinking scholars throughout history, drawing themselves into a spiral of questions which ultimately lead not to a fuller understanding of God, but away from Him instead and back to self. My reading in both “Cosmic Christ of Scripture” and Colossians 1-3, combined with our discussions from class, revealed a whole new light on the topic of Divinity.
The concept of a “social nature” was mind-blowing. While I’ve long-known that the Hebrew ‘adam’ is used to identify all of humanity as well as the first male human (although some scholars doubt that Adam was actually his name; they believe that “naming” was an expression of domination over, like when Adam named the animals (2:19) or post-fall named Eve (3:20). Since only God had dominion over the first male, and He never expressed a “name” for that male, they conclude that he was nameless. I love journeying out into the sea of pseudo-scholarship from time to time.), I’ve never put together that this sort of arraignment might also be just a type of the Divine Antitype. It is fully possible for a man to die but still have other men left, just as it was possible for a Divine member of the Godhead to sacrifice Himself and still not fundamentally change the nature of the remainder of the Godhead. God was, for a few brief hours, both fully alive and immortal and also extinct.
Another topic raised both by the book and also in class is the tension that arises because we Adventists sometimes struggle to comprehend the difference between antichrists and The Antichrist. We get so caught up on the smaller parts that we lose their source. It’s easy to watch what the Papacy is doing; are we also aware of what the Devil has been up to? It’s easy to keep a whole manual full of rules; can we keep God’s rule #1: Love? I like the way that George Knight describes this issue, noting the difference between Sin and sins, Law and laws, Temptation and temptations; I’d like to add to that list Antichrist versus antichrists. I spent nearly 20 years as an antichrist serving the purpose of The Antichrist.
At this point, I turn to my reading in Colossians. Paul makes several statements that we Adventists don’t really like to acknowledge because they seem antinomian. Most notable, of course, is the section in 2:11-17, which seems to teach that there is no more Sabbath observance at all. Paul wants his Colossians readers to stop using the laws as a means to fulfill the Law, in light of the fact that they’ve already broken the Law so completely that only the Law Giver can set things right again. He does use a very Platonic ‘shadows’ concept in verse 17 which I’m sure could end up as a whole research paper in itself, so I’ll just substitute in the ‘type’/’antitype’ concept and hope that I’m right.
I did have one verse, a single phrase actually, that stood out to me as one of the single most important things I’ve read about sin. The NIV of Colossians 1:21 reads, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” I’ve had real enemies before. The hatred between us has been fierce and mutual. When we do evil things, and sin against God, it is just a figment of our overactive imaginations that God is against us. He is every bit as patient and loving and merciful as He has always been; it’s just in our own sinful minds that we can work out this bogus concept that God hates us. Pseudo-scholarship strikes again, this time at the single most fundamental thing we all must cling to – God loves us, no matter what (as long as we don’t do it again).
When we say miracles, the first thing that comes in our mind is supernatural events. Yet when we think wholistically with bigger picture, the ultimate miracles are 1) Creation (exnchilo) of God, 2) God’s sustainment, 3) God’s Intervention.
When we discussed these matters in the class, it gave me chance to ponder again on His miracles. We are driven by our busy work that we often fail to recognize the true miracles of God’s creation. We often get so obsessed with our current desire, future dreams and goals that we don’t appreciate how God has sustained us in the past until now. When we pray, we even dare demand instantaneous results from God without any mention of praise or thanksgiving.
In our midst of suffering it is hard for us to see the presence of God, but we must remember that He has already intervened in our human history and He has already justified helpless human beings. His intervention didn’t end there; He is still ministering unto us. What a privilege we have. When we meditate on what divinity has and is doing for mere human creature, we cannot help but cease in awe. We realize that what we have accomplished and what we desire is nothing in the span of universe.
When I ponder on these, I become so shameful and embarrassed to the fact that I have been disregarded the values of Christian faith in order to fulfill my selfish desire. I used to think that I could accomplish something, contribute something to His mission and to this world. But when we truly come to the Cross, we realize that we cannot do anything in the presence of God.
God can accomplish anything, everything on His own. He doesn’t need human’s help. He has thousands and thousands of angelic being who can do way better job than us. Yet it is amazing and mystery that He justified us on the Cross and He calls us to be part of His mission.
Question may rise: does God justify first, or does He call first? Here, as we have learned in the class, we should think carefully, widely, and consider both side of the argument rather than thinking quickly and narrowly, before giving the answer. When I ponder this question, the answer is both. God is above us and beyond us. He does not behave in fixed way, but He always surprises us. When we remember the conversion and the lives of many believers, justification does not always come first. However, this does not mean that God’s call must be first either. Lives of different individuals work in different ways, and only God knows what is the best way for us.
It is true that Paul in his letter alludes many times that justification comes sanctification. Again, we have to interpret the scripture in the whole context, because there are also many other instances where Paul alludes that sanctification happens before justification.
At the same time, as we have plentifully discussed in the class, justification is not a single event, but rather continuous event. In a similar way, sanctification is also continuous event rather than a single act. We need to continuously experienced and walk in sanctification alongside with justification. Therefore, we deny the concept of “once saved, always saved.” As Dr. Hanna said, we have continuously work out the work that Christ has done for us. How can we say that work is done when Christ is still working? We must remember that it’s Christ’s work, not ours.
I appreciated your questions at the beginning of your essay. They were very thoughtful questions. At the end of your essay, I think you missed a word. You wrote, "Christ did sin is because..." You meant "Christ did not sin is because..." right?
Works of Christ:Assignment # 3: “The Blessing of Being in Unity with God”
I have learned so many mind boggling things in this class which have changed my simplistic perception of what God expects from us within the process of salvation. I had the misconception that it only took my good actions or obedience, but now I understand that the true blessing comes when in my free will I decide to align my will with God’s will for me and actually surrender it to him. My response is synergistic because in reality without God I can’t do anything, even the faith I need is a gift from God and has been available for me since my birth. God has predestined me in his foreknowledge to be partaker with him, he proactively presents the way of salvation and pleads with me to respond positively to his call to be in harmony with his will. He allows me to make a decision which he already knew but could not interfere in my decision process. This is the measure of his love, yet I must not for one instant believe that it is my intervention which saves me, it is not aligning my will with his that brings salvation because salvation has been there all along, available to me as soon as I choose to be in harmony with God, this is the synergy which God desires to reach with his creation. My mistake was to believe that simply knowing the process was enough, but now I see that this process can only bring fruit in my life when Christ takes total control, and I can say together with Paul, it is no longer I that lives, but Christ is the one who lives and rules in my life. The problem is the surrendering of the will, which means I no longer share synergy with the enemy, but now I share it with Christ. Christ deserves the glory because his plan to defeat the enemy is perfect in every aspect. God’s desire is to become united with us and as a result we can be united with one another. If we all are united with Christ, then by extension we have the capability to be united and in harmony. We learn harmony in the example given by Jesus and his relationship with the Father, and we are called to do our part by making the choice to accept the entire plan of salvation. God is always working towards his goal of universal unity as the foundation for the plan of redemption. This is his will, but it is somewhat limited to the choice humanity makes, although he knows from the beginning what those choices from us will be, he allows us to freely be in harmony with him. I believe God has developed the plan of salvation freely and with the purpose to restore the unity which was lost due to the entrance of sin in our world. This lasting unity created here on earth will continue to develop and improve throughout eternity, this closeness with God allows us to grow more and more like him every day until the second coming where we will experience this closeness in a total different way. I am becoming aware of the fact that our simplistic view of the unity which God desires to achieve is the reason why our churches lack unity, we simply do not fully understand all the ramifications which unity has for our growth as the body of Christ. How can we have such a close relationship with Christ that it results in unity, harmony, and oneness of purpose among ourselves? Do we really desire this type of relationship, or are we comfortable with a half-hearted surrender? Let us remember that we can’t serve two masters, at the end we will be united either with Christ for eternal salvation, or with the enemy for destruction. God continues to call his church to unity, but we will never have this unity among ourselves unless we have it with Christ; first in our lives which will affect our harmony with others and actually with the entire universe. God is good!!
Fernandez, Nelson Assignment#3- Jesus: Creation’s greatest being; Creation’s only hope.
This week, the focus of my reflection paper revolved around the person of Christ and his relation to humanity as both the “firstborn” of all creation and link between us and God. It all began with the reading of the first two chapters of Colossians where Paul gives one incredibly telling passage (1:15-20) containing a compressed summary of the absolute supremacy of Christ. In similar language to the book of Ephesians, Paul elaborates on the idea that Christ is head and shoulders above every living and non-living, created and invisible object in the universe. Everything that was made exists because of him and ultimately is for Him. This absolute power places him in the “firstborn over all creation.” Obviously, we do not believe that the “firstborn” (“Protokokos” in the Greek) in the sense that he is a created being. However, the text clearly seems to indicate that nothing in the created universe even comes close to matching Christ in terms of rank. He is farther than the human mind can hope to come to grasp and his power is described as limitless. He is the head of the church, the first fruits from the dead and the originator of all of the powers that be. With such a description, you would have to be more intimidated to meet him than you would be to meet all of the heads of state in this world combined. However, Paul brings his description of Jesus back down to earth to give it practical application and startling revelation: Jesus’ supreme power does not distance us away from God, but it actually brings u us closer! Christ alone has the ability to span the vast gap between God and humanity. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col 1:21-22). With these two verse, Paul turns the readers world upside down by suggesting that this supreme being might actually be our only to find reconciliation with God! “None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father's love to lost humanity.” Steps to Christ, p14. This idea also brings to mind the memorable statement that Edson made in class today by saying that in sending Jesus, “God was effectively beginning the invasion of earth through Christ.” His invasion however was not to enact a vicious, forceful takeover. Rather, it was done to reclaim the ground that had been lost by the smear campaign that Satan had been giving against God for centuries. This idea is justified both in the Colossians and in the Steps to Christ reading. It is only through knowing Christ, can we truly know God! “Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice,--one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men, that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men. { 10.3}”
Book “The Cosmic Christ of Scripture” Chapters: 5-11
Chapter 5: It was insightful to contemplate how a misunderstanding of human nature/composition can affect the understanding of the nature of Christ. Mainstream Christianity’s unbiblical position in regards to the soul, spirit, and body can easily ...
Chapter 6: The book quotes 2 Corinthians 5:21 in relationship to Jesus “... who knew no sin ...”, and my mind automatically thought of Genesis when God said “ ... man has become like us knowing both good and evil ...”. I was energized by this insight that provides a biblical model for demonstrating that there are various ways/levels of knowing. God can know evil without knowing it. Of course we would add the word “experientially”, yet as we discussed yesterday in class, we would be going beyond what the Bible says. Yet I feel these ...
Chapter 7: Like the “hive” article by National Geographic. On page 94 the book quotes Mrs. White statement of “... Christ’s humanity was united with divinity, and in this strength He would bear all the temptations ... and yet keep His soul untainted by sin.” It would have been expedient to clarify who’s divinity Christ was united to in order for him to overcome sin - His divinity, or the Father’s divinity through the Holy Spirit? If it was his own divinity then he did not ...
Chapters 8-10: Without Christ scientific knowledge (or any knowledge for that matter, even religious) becomes foolishness in a very real sense. I saw a documentary of the origin of life on the Discovery Channel some time ago. After all the scientific jargon was presented the answer they were heading to was aliens. Beings from another planet from some form of life, left it here, and here we are. This was a legitimate group trained at accredited and competent institutions of higher learning; yet because they...
BRI Articles: Comments on 1 Timothy 4:10, by Angel Manuel Rodriguez It is marvelous how many sticky theological mixups can be clarified through the simplicity of John 3:16. Though I throughly appreciated Dr. Rodriguez’s solid explanation of the universalist interpretation given to this text, I kept thinking “for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, so that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.” Thus Jesus can be the Savior of the world because that is for whom He was given; yet there has to be a human response of belief.
Predestination, Foreknowledge and Human Freedom, by Kwabena Donkor
While reading this excellent article I wondered if Dr. Donkor has taken this class with Dr. Hanna. In any event it summarized wonderfully the concepts that have been presented in class. It did further clarify the distinction between God’s foreknowledge and His predestination, how the one does not by default control the other. God can know and yet ...
The Cosmic Christ of Scripture Chapters 5-6.The discussion about the nature of Christ-both His humanity and divinity which was touched in class on several occasions, is addressed in chapter five of the book and six. I share the conviction that the heart of Christian Theology is the doctrine of the divine-human Christ. The reasons given by the author as to why the study of the divine-human nature of Christ is complicated, are both insightful and humbling. However, the fact that the study of this subject is complicated must not drive us away from studying it. That fact, instead should lead approach the subject with some degree of humbleness and carefulness. Chapter 6, spells out the fact that Jesus is the theme of the Bible. This reminds me that even as we have been discussing about justification, sanctification, glorification and whatever other doctrine in class, we were talking about Christ even when His name was not explicitly mentioned. It is Christ who justifies, sanctifies and glorifies us. In other words ,everything that happens in our Christian walk, it does so because we are in Christ. From the time the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us… “ it seems that His influence has been with us and will never leave the human race. Somehow, Jesus became the theme of the planet earth in its own way. There have been people who preach, teach, or sing about Jesus Christ ever since. The book of Ephesians Chapters 4-6.It is amazing how Paul presents his message here. He talks about the believers being united as a body, in other words bearing one another. One would think that because the body needs members to be together and somewhat connected, these members would need to have the same kinds of gifts of the Spirit. Instead, Paul presents the fact that grace was given to each of the members according to the measure of Christ’s gifts. For me I think this explains why it is important to think wholistically even as we deal with issues to do with people or even the Bible. It is OK having different opinions as long as we maintain the unity of the body. People with different measure of Christ’s gifts, are likely to see one thing from different perspectives. It would be narrow-mindedness to think that all people must see everything the same way to be one or united. Paul himself does not limit his messages to one section of the church, but he sends it to husbands and wives, children and parents , slaves and masters as the battle against evil continues. That wholistic approach Paul has taken, seems to be the best approach to the theme of the great controversy. When he calls believers to live in the light, what is saying is that they should run away from darkness. The great controversy is between darkness and light; between good and evil. BRI Documents.I read the articles The Dynamics of Salvation and Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification with keen interest. While the article The dynamics of salvation spells out the Adventist understanding of how humans are saved, the article “some problems with legal universal justification” deals with an erroneous teaching of justification. Rogriguez shows clearly that to cling to the objective aspect of justification does not save us. The doctrine of legal universal justification seems to be doing exactly that. This also teaches me that even though in our class discussions much emphasis has been placed on thinking broadly and rightly so, not every broad or universal kind of thinking is necessarily correct. I think it is important to put every claim and thought be it broad of narrow under the scrutiny of God’s Word.
Joseph Thomas Reflection Paper #3 The Cosmic Christ the creator of all things. From my study in this class I have come to the full understanding that the creator of this world is both Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic. It is He that made all things and gives His life for all things. We made never understand the works of Christ until we get to heaven. The world of God tells us that all things were created by Him and for Him. “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made” (john 1:3). “for by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities ties or powers; all things were created by Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16). Due to the fact that this perfect creation was ruined by the entrance of sin, when man and women fell and all creation on account of that fall was brought into the bondage of corruption, the work of redemption became a necessity. No creature of God was fitted or fit to change what took place as the result of sin. It was only the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ could undertake the great work of our salvation. He had to be part of the Cosmic to bring redemption to our world and the rest of the universes. The works of Christ that we have wrestled with for the past few weeks as we have studied has a three-fold aspect. It is a past work (justification), a present work (sanctification), and beyond the present there is His future work. His work and service on this earth will come to an end when He delivers up the kingdom to His father in heaven, but his work will continue with us His children forever on the new earth. So that God will be all in all (1 Cor. 15:24-28). The three aspect of His work corresponds to His threefold office as Prophet, Priest and King. The cosmic Christ loved the church by the washing of water by the word, and in the future He will present it to Himself, a glorious church. Due to His threefold work, we as children of God are saved, are being saved and will be saved. During this present age we His people will not be cast away; our miraculous preservation on earth, our continued, separate existence is due to our Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ. He is the Lord of our lives.
Assignment # 3 The Works of Christ! Why Christ did not come under Levy and Aaron priesthood? The humanity of Christ is something that He shares with all mankind. Sin has established a bridgehead in our life from which it dominates the situation. However, Jesus came in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. Obviously, the death of Jesus was significant because His death did not just cover sin, it redeemed sin. The cosmic Christ presented his sinless life to God as sin offering. God by this means “condemned sin in the flesh” according to the New Testament commentaries, “The territory ruled by sin was redeemed from its domination through the incarnation, sacrifice and victory of the man Christ Jesus.” All the embodiment of Christ: the incarnation, exemplary life, public ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ viewed in the Old Testament in the service of tabernacle day to day. According to my understanding, the sanctuary service is about the priestly ministry for the Jewish people in the Old Testament, and a prerequisite for the coming of the Messiah. There was only one institution from which the Israelites people could have learned the gospel during their wanderings: the tabernacle – sanctuary with its priestly. Nevertheless, nine hundred years later, God used the same designation for Solomon’s temple just before its destruction by Babylonian’s arms: “Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths” (Ezek 23:38 LXX). Accordingly, Jesus lacked the qualification to be the priest in the Old Testament because a Jewish priest should have come from the tribe of Levi or Aaron to qualify; however, Christ comes from Judah that would not be a good idea either because the blood of the sacrifice for the sins of Israel did not have in itself a magic power for purification. Its purifying or contaminative value had to be measured according to the place and the circumstances in which it was applied. These foreshadowed, which is the saving acts of God, come alive with a vibrant reality when they are plotted on the time framework of prophecy, particularly the apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel and revelation; thus, they are fulfilled at the appointed times by Christ Himself. The objective of God since the creation is to bring people back to Him; he had blessed the patriarchs to live longer, so they could pass the knowledge of the true God to generations thereafter. Provided that, was the death of Christ at the cross give us salvation or atonement? The atonement is referred to the death of Christ through which the sinner can go back to God because Adam was the breached of communication. When Adam was sin, God built the sanctuary to dwell among his people, and at the fullness of time, God sent His Son to die for this fallen world; as a result, whoever believed in Him would not perish." The Bible says, Christ came to save those who were lost, and whoever (repentant believer) accepts Him as Savior and Lord. I agree that there is no magic power in the death of Christ if the sinner does not accept it.
In Step to Christ, Mrs. White mentioned the prayer of David for his repentance. “His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart.” He understand the forgiveness of God and he longed for the joy of holiness – to be restored to harmony and communion with God. In Ps 32, he clearly mentioned “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity. …” He knew that God see us as right, as Paul says in Rome 1:17 “This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.” (NLT) God know we are wick and anytime we repent sincerely He will cover us by Jesus. I like what Mrs. White said in SC, “A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto man. We can’t do anything if Jesus did not give us this hearts. It is a gift, whoever accepts it then can be obtained. If we don’t have Christ we won’t have the genuine repentance since it is the virtue that goes from Christ. Mrs. White also described that we can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience that we can be pardoned with Christ. Therefore if we have Christ it is easy for us to know our sin and with the repentance hearts. If we resist Christ then we can’t have the repentance hearts. “The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the suffering of God’s dear Son. (SC) Repentance is part of salvation which is a gift. Acceptance is what we can only do. Whenever you have Christ in your heart then He will give us the repentance heart. We can ask what we do not understand in this salvation plan. Paul says “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Col. 1:9 NLT) Paul said we can ask the knowledge of God’s will. How nice it is ! We like a little baby in this great controversy, nothing can do. The little baby has no power to flight and gain anything by itself. They just can accept the nutrient from the parents, they can’t protect by themselves, they just can be protected by the parents. The parents would provide everything to the baby and take care them. It is because of love, they would like to see their kids grow up in a save and peace environment with healthy and happiness. It like our God, He knows that we are born in sinful nature and in a sinful world. But He still loves us and wants to give us the best. He does His best to provide everything for us to protect us. If we are willing to accept and put our hearts in Him, we will have the perfect life in the future. This is what He planned for us.
Works of Christ – Assignment # 3 – “Show me your faith”
Yesterday’s discussion on how we actually obtain God’s righteousness is quite interesting. It is true that we shouldn’t view God’s righteousness as something that we can simply carry with us in our pockets. God’s righteousness is not simply something that we obtain at a given point but one that we must continually receive. As Quigley mentioned in his presentation, those who are made righteous by God can, in turn, produce good works as was the case for Apostle Peter. The discussions surrounding “righteousness by faith” and the need to do good “works” found in the writings of Paul and James can serve to illustrate this point. As we have been discussing in class, the need for holistic theology is paramount in understanding this apparent tension. First, it is important to note that Paul’s emphasis on “righteousness” and James’ emphasis on “works” are not contradictory but instead complement one another. For instance, the idea that James is legalistic and that Paul’s theology is antinomian is a misinterpretation of their respective writings. James does not teach justification by works without the need for faith. Similarly, Paul does not teach justification by faith with the absence of works. In both Paul’s and James’ views, an individual either has or does not have faith. Second, in his epistle, James seeks to ensure that a person does not forgo doing good deeds while claiming to have faith (James 2:14-26). Paul, on the other hand, in various parts of his letters, seeks to ensure that an individual does not fall into the line of thinking that salvation will be earned on the basis of merits (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24, Galatians 3:18, etc.). However, both James and Paul hold up the concept of justification by faith and the need to perform good works. To clarify their position on this issue, both James and Paul cite Abraham’s story found in Genesis 15 where it says that “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (James 2:23; Rom 4:3,9,22; Gal 3:6). Paul brings up the story of Abraham to show that justification by faith works hand in hand with the need for righteous works. James brings up the story of Abraham to show that one’s faith needs to be proven by doing godly deeds. Hence, both Paul and James emphasize the fact that Abraham’s faith was demonstrated by his works. Third, Paul does not argue for justification by faith at the expense of doing good deeds though the concept of justification by faith is seen throughout his writings (e.g. Rom. 3:28, Gal. 2:16, etc.). For instance, he writes about “work produced by faith” to the people of Thessalonica and reminds the Ephesians that they were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (1 Thess. 1:3; Eph. 2:10). Conversely, the concept of doing good works permeates James’ epistle. However, James does not argue for doing good works at the expense of having in faith God. James makes it clear that good deeds must be accompanied by faith. For James, if a believer does not back up the claim of having faith by doing good works, then that individual’s supposed faith is actually dead (James 2:17). Hence, James understands that faith and works cannot be detached one from the other. In conclusion, the concepts of justification by faith and doing good works are present in both the theology of Paul and James. They both hold in high regards the need to have faith in God. They both agree that faith without deeds is useless or dead faith. They both uplift the need for believers to demonstrate their faith by doing good works. Hence, they both view justification by faith and works in a similar way. They understand that works are the necessary fruits of a truly living faith. Looking at these concepts in a holistic way, we can come to the same understanding. – James W. Dieujuste
Response to Assignment # 3 posted by Christopher Mwashinga
Your points were well presented. You discussed them in a clear and precise way. First, I think that there is truth in that “people with different measure of Christ’s gifts, are likely to see one thing from different perspectives.” I agree that, for instance, different approaches to applying biblical teachings or going about doing ministry in varying ways can be acceptable as long as God’s Word is not compromised. Second, you raise a good point in saying that we don’t need to necessarily see everything the exact “same way to be one or united.” I think that it’s possible to have unity even in diversity. As you have correctly pointed out, diversity must not mean that we open the door to receive what’s not in harmony with Scripture. – James W. Dieujuste
Jeon, Kyoung Chun Assignment 3 Title: Mystery that is revealed on the dynamics of salvation.
Usually, we use the term “mystery” for the phenomena we can’t easily understand by human reason. Actually, Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “mystery” as A hidden or secret thing; something inexplicable or beyond human comprehension; a person or thing evoking awe or wonder but not well known or understood; an enigma. As we talk about the mystery on the basis of salvation, that is about something that connects heavenly realm and earthly realm. Actually two realms are too different. The gap between of these two realms is so huge. We, earthly beings, are alienated from God, Heavenly Being. After men falls, they fled from the presence of God. "Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man" (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595), and we are still running from Him. The Bible clearly tells about the alienation between God and men. Nor can we change our standing before God. No sacrifice, no gift, no act of devotion-no work of any sort-can restore the broken relationship.
Bible doesn’t tell us we are not alienated only from God himself, but also from our true selves (Rom 3:23; Gal 5:1; 2 Pet 2:19), from one another - we seek to gather to ourselves riches, and to grow in reputation at the expense of others; so we are jealous and suspicious, envious and crafty, insensitive and cruel (Jer. 17:9). The network of human relations established by the Creator lies in tatters (Rom. 1:28-32); but all our efforts are fragmentary and inadequate. And finally we are also alienated from the created world. God appointed us to have "dominion" over the world (Gen. 1:26; Ps. 8:6), but we have turned stewardship into exploitation. We ravage the resources of the earth, consuming them greedily, and turning all we find to our own selfish ends (Rev. 11:18). Now we can understand how huge the gap between God and human is. So humanity is in a desperate condition. All our plans, hopes, and efforts are corrupted by our sinfulness. Individually and collectively we stand condemned for what we have done and for what we are, for the spirit of rebellion against God that is part of us, for our all-encompassing alienation and sin (Rom. 5:18; Steps to Christ, pp. 19-25). We are lost, full of anxiety and loneliness. And we are unable to help ourselves.
However, there is the way to get rid of the gap between God and men. We call that the mystery of cross because the mystery of cross only can connects heaven and earth together. In other words, it connects trans-cosmic realm and cosmic realm. The divine plan reconciles all things in heaven and earth through the cross of Christ (Col. 1:20). That’s why we call cross of Christ as mystery. Cross of Christ is really mystery because that removes huge gap between God and men.
And the mystery of salvation comes from divine initiative and it works with human response to grace given us. First, the mystery is revealed in Christ on Calvary. In the book of Colossians, apostle Paul continuously speaks of mystery which is in Christ (Col 1:26-27; 2:2). The God who delights to forgive has redeemed the world by Jesus Christ. Through the mystery revealed in Christ, the gap between God and men was removed. And secondly, the next phase of the mystery of salvation is on human response to grace. The human response to grace centers in faith, and the essence of faith is trust, taking God at His word (Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:1). By the way, that faith is also in Christ. Apostle Paul connects “faith” with “Christ” (Col 2:5). It is obvious that God is initiator of the mystery and that mystery is valid in Christ. That’s why Paul urges, “continue to live in him, Jesus Christ” (Col 2:6).
In short the term “mystery” is not the mystery as dictionary defines any more for me. “mystery” is revealed clearly in Jesus Christ. And the “mystery” is God’s wonderful grace and love that can’t be measured by human notion. That’s why we who are in Christ call the One and his work as Calvary as mystery.
The Cosmic Plan Part 1 That the entrance of sin into this world has wreaked havoc in an otherwise peaceful and orderly cosmos is an indisputable biblical fact. What was a perfect world at creation became marred by sin and has been on a downward deterioration spiral since Eden post-fall. The effects of sin are far-reaching and catastrophic, as a result of its pervasive effects the whole creation is “groaning together with labor pains until now.” This suggests that the answer to the apparent sin phenomenon is not found in creation; even though there is a sense in which creation contributes to the answer in one way or the other – it is not my intention here to pursue and try to lay bare that tension. With this problem at hand what does a loving God do? How does he answer the sin problem that has created a chasm between him and his beloved creation; the cosmos? In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul, under the guidance of the Spirit peers into God’s modus operandi for restoring the cosmos back to where he wants it. In this response I am going to endeavor to expose the passage where Paul makes the argument for God’s solution to the breach that exists between him and the cosmos and the schisms that have dogged creation within itself. As with my post on Colossians I will consider the passage exegetically. I will consider God’s plan for the cosmos as it is presented in chapter 1 of Ephesians. Scholars argue that the letter was possibly written as a circular letter based on the fact that “at Ephesus” does not appear in some early manuscripts. If this is true then the audience is not limited to believers in Ephesus, but includes other churches in Asia Minor (Eph. 2:11; 3:1, 6; cf. 3:8). A major interpretive question is why Ephesians was written, to which I will suggest an answer at the end. The passage of consideration is Ephesians 1:3-10. Notice the indicatives in this passage, what God (the giver) has already done (the gift) “in Christ” (the means) for the believers (the recipient). In the passage God has done seven things, six just for the believers and the seventh, which is the clincher, for the cosmos.
Response to John A Coaxum's Assignment # 1 post. I think John makes an important observation when he point out the important tension between the already and the not yet. This is a tension I think we need to understand as we face the "once saved always saved" teaching. The work of salvation is a done deal and yet it is being done. Generally people struggle with paradoxes because for them it either has to be one way or the other. However it is not so with the issue of our salvation, we are both saved and being saved. I think it will help us much if we consider the matter from a dual perspective standpoint, a spatial view as it were - the above and the below perspectives. From the perspective of the above we are already saved and from the below perspective we are being saved.
The Cosmic Plan Part 2 In Christ God: • Blessed the believers • Chose the believers • Predestined the believers • Graced the believers • Redeemed the believers • Made known (to) the believers • Unites all things (the cosmos) The thematic verse here is verse 10, “He planned in Him for the administration of the days of fulfillment-- to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him.” And the thematic verb here is ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι (aor. mid. inf.), literally, to bring together, gather under one head, sum up, recapitulate. It is important to note Paul’s shift in tense usage here; he shifts to an infinitive and that is significant but I’m not treating syntax here. It will suffice to point out that the key point of the syntactical shift is to highlight that God’s cosmic unifying plan in Christ is paradoxically progressive. Paul talks, here, of theology from a spatial perspective. In other words Paul wants his readers to understand theology from the perspective of the above and I would say that if you don’t understand theology from the perspective of the above you will get caught up in the below and end up being limited in our understanding of the cosmic plan of salvation. The question is where is your perspective? From the perspective of the above, Paul wants the believer to know that, through grace, God has united all things in Christ. By implication, there’s a re-integration of all things after a period of cosmic fragmentation based on the fall. Looking at this through faith eyes, God has already accomplished his purpose of uniting the cosmos back to him. Paradoxically, though, grace continues because God, from the perspective of the below, is uniting all things in Christ. Throughout the letter the apostle argues for the unification of the church, the family, and the individual in God’s plan. So then God has united the cosmos, yet God is uniting the cosmos back to him. To borrow the teacher’s phraseology, there is a tension going on. To answer the interpretive question mentioned above, Paul write to encourage believers to embrace God’s unifying activity in Christ and to celebrate Christ’s victory over the cosmic powers.
This is in response to the post by Edgardo Rivas, The Bible Tells Me So Blog #1. I think Edgardo has done a good job revealing an understand of the class lectures on the cosmic and the trans-cosmic Christ. I am, however, not sure how world and cosmos are being distinguished in the post. It appears as though an artificial distinction is being imposed on heaven and earth in view of the cosmos. To suggest that trans-cosmic is synonymous with the "throne of God" I find troubling because the throne of God is part of his creation though removed from earth. I think we can make the case that once Jesus stepped into the throne room in heaven he became cosmic since cosmic encompasses every part of creation.
Assignment # 3 On Biblical Perfection This is a reflection on Edward Heppenstall’s article How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible? I think the author did a great job laying out the issue of perfection which many entangled in wrong theological positions – some hardcore on perfectionism others hardcore on liberalism. He does not try to take a middle ground position but rather a biblical ground and approach to the subject. The writer makes the case that perfection, in the bible, does not mean sinlessness; it means a life surrendered to God. He states that, “a "perfect" Christian is one whose heart and mind are permanently committed to Christ, cannot be moved. Noah, Abraham, and Job were all declared to be "perfect" men. Yet the history of their lives shows that they were far from being sinless.” According to Heppenstall, the lack of a clear understanding of the issue of perfection stems from a misunderstanding of the biblical teaching on sin. Sin is not merely a matter wrong or willful acts or all sincere Christians would be sinless, sin is deeper than behavior it touches the human state of mind and heart. To add to the author’s definition of sin I would describe it as the human quest for autonomy from God, both personal and corporate. We traditionally think of sin as wrong acts, but this is a limited view of sin hence the limited understanding of perfection. I like the text which states: “But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days” (1 Kings 15:14). This text makes it clear that perfection does not center in what one does but who one is. This takes me back to Matwetwe’s class presentation and the discussion that followed. The whole notion of the being and or versus the doing came up, at issue was the question of priority and, in some farfetched way, necessity. The fact that we discuss the matter in terms of priority or process tells me that traditional views die hard. To say that we have to be in order to do may come across as making the being merely a means to an end. I think Dr Hanna made an important point and that is that the being in Christ is what guarantees salvation without regard to the doing, yet the doing is inevitable. In light of the subject, I think it is safe to say that perfection is at the level of the being and not on the level of the doing because the doing will always leave room for improvement hence Paul’s, “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus,” (Phi 3:12 NAS). I like the way Paul puts it when says, “I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” In other words Paul is arguing that he can only lay hold on the goal as Jesus lay hold on him. Not only do we depend on Jesus Christ to transform our being, he also has to work on our doing. Even though it is Jesus working within the human to do the work of God, that work is never perfect, there will always be the striving on to perfection. I think the author did a great job in presenting the biblical teaching on perfection. However I think there is need to elaborate on what surrender to Christ means and how it achieved, since he submits that as the antidote to the whole perfection problem.
I like the topic you choose" prayer and repentnce from Steps to christ especially your argument that true repentance stems from knowing Jesus. Having an understanding of what He did and is doing motivates humanity to make better decisions. That is where His love draws hearts to Him. Unless we see His works, our hearts cammot be subdued to call upon Him for salvation. Thanks.
This is in response to Si On Sung on Miracles. I agree with Sung on his assignment on miracles. Many are times when we fail to recognize the true miracles of God. In our day to day lives we should always appreciate the hand of the Lord in our lives. I was also impressed by his reflection on what Dr Hanna taught us in class on Justification and sanctification. Good work sung
Haron Matwetwe Assignment #3 CONCEPT OF SYNERGY IN SANCTIFICATION It’s obvious from the writings of the Old and New Testament that sanctification has a divine source in what we term as imparted righteousness. Attention should be drawn to the human factor in the process of sanctification. If we stress the divine work and ignore the factor of human effort, we run into the error of being quiet or something worse. If we play up the importance of human effort and ignore sanctification's divine source, we run into the error of legalism. In order to avoid the pitfall of quietism, the thing we draw attention to is the fact that the Holy Spirit's work in the human heart is not substitutionary. Sin has been put away, death conquered, Satan defeated, and everlasting righteousness has been presented and accepted in the presence of God on our behalf. This glad word of salvation creates the faith to accept this free title to justification and life eternal. Now the same thing cannot be said about the Spirit's work or our response to His work. His work is in no sense substitutionary, as was Christ's work on the cross. The Bible teaches that faith is the gift of the Holy Spirit and that good works are the fruit of the Spirit's working. But the Bible does not teach that the Holy Spirit does the believing and good works for us. Faith is a meaningful human activity. It is the human agent who does the believing. It is called "your faith." 2 Thess. 1:3. The same thing is true about the works which spring from faith. Paul calls it "your work of faith." 1 Thess. 1:3. It is not called Christ's work of faith nor the Spirit's work of faith, but "your work of faith." While the Holy Spirit imparts the righteous attributes of God to the soul and then inspires, motivates and empowers the believer to a life of good works, He is generally not represented to us as the One who does the acts of righteousness. The part of divine grace and human effort is neatly balanced in Paul's appeal to the Philippians: ". . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:12, 13. Union with Christ does not mean the mystical absorption of the human into the divine. He does not intend to assume the significance of human personality. Redemption means the restoration of true selfhood and the dignity of true self-possession. The Holy Spirit calls the human faculties into exercise, and man, as a responsible agent, is given the inestimable privilege of being a laborer together with God. We may summarize the human factor in sanctification by saying that it includes both faith and obedience.
Response to Fernandez, Nelson Assignment # 3. I liked your well thought summary of the supremacy of Christ. I agree with your strategy of explaining the fact that “we do not believe that the “firstborn” (“Protokokos” in the Greek) in the sense that he is a created being.” It is important to state that up front so that Christ remains who He is as Paul rightly describes Him in the book of Colossians - the most powerful supreme eternal God. Another very important point you raised is the fact that Paul brings his description of Jesus back down to earth to give it practical application. This is an important point because an impractical message no matter how sweet it may be is as good as no message.
Response to "In him was the Fulness of the Godhead"
John's exposition of Col 2:9 as regards the trinity was refreshing. He, like many before and many after, attempted to bring some elucidation on understanding the concept of the trinity. Using the examples of water and light helped to bring his point accross. At the same time, however, he acknowledged that those illustrations, just like many before, have their shortcomings. At the end, he admitted that the trinity is a topic we can never fully understand. I often ask myself if it takes more faith to believe in the being of God than it takes to believe in the trinity. I may be wrong, but, the way I see it, the same faith necessary to believe God exists can be used to believe that He is Triune. Thus, when I say I believe God is by that same statement I say that I believe He is triune. Works for me but it may not necessarily work for everyone.
i am responding to Michelle's 3rd blog on perfection.
i completely agree Michelle's perspective on perfection. for most christians perhaps they often look at perfection from the perspective of doing no wrong, yet there are real people to whom God attributes perfection that were flawed. yet if you look at jesus he also uses this revelation through being fully human and still fully God, his divinity is perfect, his humanity is like us is flawed yet he was perfect. this is what make Gods journey more difficult than ours. the ability to do right when your DNa is programmed to do wrong. it is a mystery, yet he has given us the power through his spirit to overcome just as he did in the flesh.
Response to Assignment # 3 Posted by Nelson Fernandez: “Jesus: Creation’s greatest being; Creation’s only hope”
I enjoyed reading Nelson’s post; he did a good job at presenting Christ as the Creator, the only way to reconciliation with God, and the only one who could effectively show us the Father. In Christ we have not only the greatest power of the universe on our side, but also the greatest manifestation of love which in the person of Jesus Christ came to set us free from the hostage situation we were in because of Satan. Indeed our only hope can only be in Christ, not in anything or anyone and this hope is what keeps us going until that glorious day of his second coming.
Response to James W. Dieujuste Assignment #3 “Show me your faith” I like he pointed out these two teachings from James and Paul : James does not teach justification by works without the need for faith, Paul does not teach justification by faith with the absence of works. He compares these two teaching without contradictory. It is quite clear and convincing. He gave the example of the story of Abraham in both James and Paul’s teachings, it is very good example. In his message he provides a good evidence in justification by faith and works in Paul and James theology.
I agree that the idea of God dying seems like a strange paradox. But by tasting death, Jesus was able to really experience the full impact of sin: ceasing to exist. Could He do that? He was hypostasis: both divine and human. If the human died and the divine remained alive, that's docetism. He had to fully let go and that is why He was sweating drops of blood in Gethsemene. But if Jesus just went to sleep for a bit, like we believe the Bible teaches then that is strange too, God neither slumbers nor sleeps! I think it's one of those mysteries again...
Reaction to Juanfer Monsalve’s “Synergy that Blows my Mind” post
I should begin by pointing out that it very encouraging that the author has benefited from the reading of Ephesians, I found it quite beneficial myself. I am also glad at the clarity gained with regards to our LGT brethren. With that said I must confess to the difficulty I faced trying to follow the writer’s trend of thought, even after going over the post again. I am having a hard reconciling texts quoted with points being made, e.g. how does the imperative to be imitators of God show that behavior must be dependent on God? I am not suggesting that somehow we do not depend on God, but I am asking how the text quoted brings makes that point.
Reaction #3 to Edgar's Assignment # 3: “The Blessing of Being in Unity with God.”
I very much enjoyed reading Edgars thoughts on how being united in Christ accomplishes and furthers the universal goals that God has for us. It is definitely true, at least in my experience, that we can get so complacent in our knowledge and understanding that we dismiss the thought that any new aspects can be learned though further study. This is especially true of pastors already in the field of students, like us, earning our "masters of divinity." May the Lord keep us faithful to His Word and ever thirsty to grow in knowledge and understanding. Thanks again Edgar!
Blog3 All Aboard – Admission Saved by grace through Jesus Christ
In many discussions that I have had throughout the years they have often centered on Christ and what he has done, is doing and will do. After getting past those foundational thoughts the next thing that has been discussed is what we think heaven is going to be like when we get there. We have talked about the gates and the splendor of it all, the streets paved with gold and so on and so forth. However, this class has me thinking about what truly will be the main attraction when we get to heaven from Gods perspective. John exiled to Patmos is shown something that is out of this world, yet the first few chapters of revelation highlights the fact that even though heaven has and still will exist with out without us the fallen creations of God. Jesus is found working with the seven churches even after his death. His future has been realized in time. He endured the cross and so therefore why should he care about the rest of us left behind. I pondered this while reading the letter written to the church in Ephesus. In the second chapter of this letter Paul highlights the fact that these people who were once without Christ and therefore dead in sins (verse 2), without a place to sit, uncircumcised, (verse 11), aliens, strangers, without hope, without God in the world (verse 13). However, through Christ there has been a transformation that comes by faith through grace in Jesus Christ that qualifies the discarded to be able to be considered for the eternal trip. In my opinion the second chapter of Ephesians paints the picture of a junk collector (Christ) that goes around looking for pieces of trash. Everyone else scorns the collector’s old filthy truck. Before the collector leaves his office he knows what pieces of trash he needs to finish his final masterpiece. Everything that he collects is refused, discarded and down casted set at the corner of the road to be burned. However, even in its marred form, the collector knows what he can do not just with each piece, rather what he can do when he puts all the pieces together. There are still some missing pieces that He has yet to have picked up as yet. What Christ has been trying to do is to show us the value we have even in our marred condition. He wants everyone to be heirs to something that we would otherwise not been able to possess. This possession, I believe goes much further than the material heaven that many long for. The possession that Christ wants for us is to be in his presence without restriction. Christ has predestined us (1:5) to be apart of an experience that will never end. He desires to put our lives back together again, because he misses fellowshipping with us, more than we do him. This is why the word became flesh and dwelt among us, it was so that He (Christ) could be closer to us and us to him. The one who made us allowed himself to become marred, so that we could see his love for us even with our flaws. And by beholding him in the flesh, we can see that flawed can be redeemed when inhabited by the divine, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We will never be God, but we can be Christ like, and when we are truly Christ like, we can facilitate in bringing souls to Christ where they too can be redeemed.
Response to Haron Matwetwe Assignment #3 CONCEPT OF SYNERGY IN SANCTIFICATION I liked your clarity and word choices in your writing. And I agree with you about we have to be careful concerning how we speak about sanctification because we can easily go between two extremes(legalism and quietism) and the goal should always be to be balanced. Sanctification is indeed synergy; the bringing together of the human and the divine. And I think it is noteworthy also that you dispelled any notion of a mystical connection, because to some people it does sound quite magical and mystical when we say things like "Christ is living in my heart". To some people they are confused and do not understand this concept, but as you said if we must choose our words carefully.
I too have had my understanding broadened in this class, and I agree that it is peaceful and comforting to know we serve a God who rules over the trans-cosmic and the Cosmic. He is a wonderful God and I thank you for that reminder in your blog.
The chapter you quoted from is my favorite and one of the most enlightening one for me as I began my Christian journey. Repentance had been a barrier for me, I recognized there was no sorrow or dislike to sin; and frustrated I could not manufacture this repentance so Jesus could forgive me. Like I said, this chapter opened an enormous door in my journey.
I realize the need to be brief in these blogs because of text limitation; so there was probably not enough room to develop the concept of "helpless baby" you mentioned. I wholeheartedly agree, yet I believe a healthy baby will grow - but this growth does not negate nor take the place of complete dependance upon the Father.
I appreciate your deep thought on the love of God. God’s love is so profound, that there is power behind that love. His love is so great, that our time on earth is only enough to understand a small portion of the great love which He has for us. I can’t wait to spend all eternity and continue to grow in His understanding in His love. I’m going to have to register for some of those classes…. On a different note I like how you brought in Paul and the concept of salvation. ‘It is God’s love that brings us in.’ 1 John 4:19; we love because he first loved us.’ God’s love is our motivation, it is the reason we do things; the reason we go to the extent of searching for the promise land.
I appreciate your deep thought on the love of God. God’s love is so profound, that there is power behind that love. His love is so great, that our time on earth is only enough to understand a small portion of the great love which He has for us. I can’t wait to spend all eternity and continue to grow in His understanding in His love. I’m going to have to register for some of those classes…. On a different note I like how you brought in Paul and the concept of salvation. ‘It is God’s love that brings us in.’ 1 John 4:19; we love because he first loved us.’ God’s love is our motivation, it is the reason we do things; the reason we go to the extent of searching for the promise land.
I appreciate your reflection on justification, sanctification, and glorification. You know, I too didn’t know how to separate them until the moment that we started to talk about it in class. It’s amazing how the justification/ righteousness that we receive comes from Jesus. Not even our righteousness or anything good comes from us, rather it comes from God as a gift; free. Not only do we receive it but it covers us through out time… I liked the illustration used in class regarding righteousness. It’s like an umbrella, we receive righteousness, and as we move forward, we continue to be righteous in the past, present, and the future. Though this is possible we still have to remain in Him. Like you had mention, to receive this, we must receive it through faith, and remain in Him.
Michelle, I thought your application of Steps To Christ was phenomenal. I truly enjoy practical application, and you succeeded in that. I agree with your assertion that God is involved with our lives. I think it is amazing how he is a transcendent and yet a personal God. Thanks for your thoughts
Juanfer, you wrote, "We must take a hard look at the place where we are getting our theology and philosophy of life. Is our life based on faith in the word of God, is it real to us? Or are we letting fine arguments convince us otherwise about the reality of Christ."
I enjoyed your perspective on this. It was a healthy reminder that we must be critical of where we gain our theology from. Many times, those "arguments" are convincing, however, Jesus should be the one convincing me. thank you!
Josh Woods 5/13/2010 Works of Christ Week 1 Reflection
Reflecting on Christ this week has been wonderful. It has been even greater to connect that with the reading. While reading, there were a many notions that caught my attention, however, there were a few areas that spoke to me the most. The reading of two chapters in Steps To Christ was very interesting, while the reading of Ephesians and Colossians was encouraging as well. The first section that caught my attention was Ephesians 2. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live…” The idea here is that the reader used to be dead in transgressions. We used to be dead in our transgressions; however, we have Christ who has given us grace. We don’t deserve the treatment that we receive from Christ. It is like Dr. Hanna said in class by saying that it is similar to a nightclub with a VIP access. Jesus will come and say, “He is with me.” Jesus takes us in our sinful nature and showers us with his love and mercy. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” The only way we can be made alive is through Christ. We can search anywhere we want, but Jesus and His Father who loves us is the only answer. The next section that will be commented on is found in Colossians 1:16-18. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” This verse was interesting because I read this after the conversation from class. Reading this verse after talking about Jesus, as the cosmic and trans cosmic being was interesting. He in heaven and on earth created all things. He has dominion because he is creator. This idea that Christ is cosmic and trans-cosmic is not the entire picture, however. This verse affirms that he is creator of all things and therefore he is trans-cosmic. It affirms that he is before all things, which explains that he is not temporal. But in verse 18 it moves to the cosmos by saying that Jesus is head of the Church. So the same Jesus, who is trans-cosmic, is also the same Jesus that should be head of our church. This is so powerful! Jesus is big and he is in charge of this universe, but at the same time he still wants to be the God of our lives. The next comment comes from the first couple of chapters of Steps To Christ. I have been exposed to many people in our Church who believe that God is a God that needed blood to love us. They believe that God is a bloodthirsty and angry God and that Jesus, the only one of the Godhead that truly loves us, basically had to beg Him to love us. Obviously these people are overlooking the message of scripture. All over the Bible, God shows his love to us. Even in the Biblical reading for the week God’s love is apparent. It was nice, however, to see Ellen White affirm God’s love in the first chapter of her book. “But this great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father’s heart a love for man, not to make him willing to save. No, no! ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.’ John 3:16 The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us…” Jesus is not the only one who loves. God loves us and Christ’s death didn’t provoke God to love us. God gave it because he loved us. Therefore, this work of Christ was the direct leading of a God who loves us all.
The reading this week was great. I am looking forward learning more about the Great things God has to teach me.
Response to Edga Alquinta assign no#3 I totally agree with Edga comments on his assign no#3 because the word of God is a two edged sword which bisects into deeper parts of even the born marrow.it transforms the preacher and the preached.i will call it again the power of the gospel for we have seen it is changing even the pastors in the seminary on what they use to believe. Im glad that he received a new outlook of his salvation.the work of christ trascends all human understanding we need to .to grow anto christ day after day and be flexable for the word to transform our earlier steleotype thinking.blessed are the flexable for they will not be bent.
i am impress with the class too mr Bohole Emmanuel. some times i feel like pulling out my hair because the reasoning is so deep that i cannot understand how far we can go. to understand Christ is the cnetre of the world is beyond the reasons of the common man. when people tell be they do not believe in God i am more patient with them because that is deep deep stuff. to think Christ is all in all is not easy to understand. this class is giving me a new message to carry to my people. we should by now understand the models of salvation is not narrow as we think this thing is so big but simple because Jesus have done it all for us, and today he is helping us achieve the desire he plants in us. good writing i enjoyed your thoughts.
Response to Fernandez, Nelson Assignment #2: Man’s role in revealing the “Cosmic Christ of Scripture.”
I really appreciate the questions you raise and wrestle with. Specifically the questions that ask "So what? What does this mean in the real world." I equally appreciate the conclusion you came to; that we are minature revelations of God. If I could venture on to say a little more of what I believe you were already implying, not only are we miniature revelations of God, but we are those revelations in a particular context. Not only within THE Cosmos but also within OUR Cosmos . I say that to reflect the words of a Childrens song I used to hear growing up. "Jesus Bids us shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in the night, in this world of darkness we must shine you in your small corner and I in mine . Our actions will ultimately be contextualized by the context in which we act them out. And we ought to understand this in order to understand a little better how we reveal God. Further, when we understand this we can be at peace with the fact that our revelation of God has yet room to grow and be perfected. this is because God's revelation of Himself (though perfect) is still growing as he continues to reveal himself within our context. Within the Cosmos.
I feel for you and your perfectionist upbringing. My wife still battles with a similar theological issue from her youth, but she says that I help "cure" her by sharing my conversion experience. Because I'm still newly-converted, I tend to teach and lean more heavily towards the grace aspect of salvation (as opposed to the "works" of our response to God's love). I'm glad to hear that you were so moved by Dr. Heppenstall's article, and I enjoyed reading your reflection.
Katrina, the issue you raised about SDA views of EGW's inspiration is one that has long troubled me. It has always made me laugh when I hear a church member say, "We follow Scripture and Scripture only, and this is what Ellen White has to say about that..." I too appreciated Dr. Hanna's insight in the sola scriptura issue.
I'm equally intrigued by the way that the world dismisses the reality and importance of experience. Weaved in and out all throughout the theory of evolution is the idea that animals (including humans) learn from their past and it allows them to become stronger for the future; just one facet of the "survival of the fittest" concept. Why is it that we can give credit and authority to the natural experiences in an "evolutionary" realm, but as soon as the experience is one with the Divine, it's mocked and ridiculed by these same people?
I found the reflection presented by John to be very thoughtful and stirring. Through the lectures in class I was also able to connect with some of the notions presented regarding the "salvation package." What I found particularly significant in the reflection was how he stressed the trustworthiness in the future actualization of second coming/judgment because God said it would happen that manner. There is already substantial evidence for the follow through God has had in the salvation plan, so i found John's reflection points appropriate regarding the trustworthiness of the hope in which we wait.
Response to assignment 3 Posted by Chuen Chuen Lau
Thanks for the notion that forgiveness is for restoration to harmony and communion with God. And that forgiveness is from Christ. In other words, Christ is the subject for the harmony and communion with God. He is the initiator. Christ who want to unite with us gives us forgiveness. What a wonderful hope that is. That’s why we say this is the gift of God. And I think that's why she say over here concerning forgiveness that If we don’t have Christ we won’t have the genuine repentance since it is the virtue that goes from Christ.
And thanks for one more thing that Repentance is part of salvation which is a gift. Acceptance is what we can only do. It gives us clear understanding what monergy and synergy are exactly meaning. We can be subjective in synergy concept because of God is subject ahead of us for all the plan of salvation. That assurance makes us being subjective. Thanks for your note on that again.
Josh Woods 6/2/2010 Works of Christ Week 3 Reflection I feel that my understanding of the topic of this class is beginning to grow. I definitely don’t have a grasp on everything, however, after reading through Dr. Hanna’s book as well as continuing to read through Steps to Christ, it is becoming clearer. One section that really jumped out at me this week in the reading was found in the chapter entitled, “What Does the Bible Say?” “For Paul, so-called ‘natural knowledge’ or false science is opposed to the gospel His use of the word philosophy includes a warning to us: ‘beware lest anyone spoil you with philosophy’ (Col 2:8). At the same time, Paul does not reject philosophy in general. He only rejects philosophies, which oppose the claims of Jesus through teachings contrary to the gospel. He rejects false philosophies of beguiling speech (2:4), empty deceit, false tradition, elemental spirits of the universe… (Hanna 109)” This text and thought reminded me of what one of my colleagues wrote about on the blogspot. We need to understand and know the source where we are getting our theology. It is interesting that Paul wrote about this very thing. Hanna points out that Paul speaks of philosophy with a word of warning. Many people would read this and assert that we need to stay away from philosophy, however, that is not the entire picture. Paul, as Hanna suggests, only rejects philosophies that are contrary to that of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Even Paul used philosophy to speak to people, but his philosophy was in conjunction with the teachings of Jesus Christ. This week I was blessed by the chapter in Steps To Christ entitled, “A Knowledge of God.” Mrs. White spoke so vividly about how earnestly God Speaks to us. How he uses nature through the Holy Spirit to work on our hearts. There are so many things and utterances that the Lord sends our way, but we have such a hard time hearing. She spoke of listening being the key. “If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust” (White 85). Many times there is so much noise in our lives that we fail to hear the simple truths that are right in front of us. I believe that if we could just spend a little more time with God in His nature, we would be able to get away from the noise of this world. If we could do that, and commune with God a little more, we would be blessed by His leading. That would be amazing! After reading this week, I am convinced that I must spend more time communing with God. I don’t want to be led away by philosophies, and I believe that wouldn’t happen if I learned how to listen to my creator.
hi John good thinking there i am of that opinion too. but i have learn how dreadful sin is; if it had to take Jesus from heaven to die for us as the only way to get reunited to him that tells me sin is dreadful. and just to think about it he is God was there another way to get that done. but the bible says from the fondation of the world it was planned that way. we will never be able to understand it all; like he took all of our guilt and paid the price for us. man i just want to jump as high as i can and praise him from the bottom of my heart, oh how i love Jesus.
Josh Woods 6/2/2010 Works of Christ Week 4 Reflection The only draw back to these summer intensives, is that you have to really rush through the material that you are reading. It has been tough to read through some amazing stuff found in the Bible, Steps to Christ, and Cosmic Christ of Scripture, but not have the time to reflect on it. However, the reading has been great, and I will continue to process some of the information in the future. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through Dr. Hanna’s Cosmic Christ of Scripture. In my reading for this week the chapter entitled “Are Ellen White’s Writings Relevant to the Cosmos” obviously caught my attention. This is one of the greatest attacks on the writings of Ellen White. Her critics accuse her of being irrelevant to our personal walk with God. It is obvious that her writing and the writings of the Bible are a finite language. Therefore, through them, we can’t fully understand God, but we can have a better understanding of who He is. “For Ellen White, the Bible is “perfect in its simplicity” while it “does not answer (correspond completely) to the great ideas of God; for infinite ideas cannot be perfectly embodied in finite vehicles of thought.” Scripture is an incomplete representation of God due to its humanity, and to the process of its preservation, transmission and translation. Even these limitations, the divine and human dimensions of Scripture are wonderfully united. “The diving mind and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utterances of man are the word of God.” “Every chapter and every verse of the Bible is a communication from God to men.” (Hanna 117-118). Responding to the first few sentences, it is amazing that God cannot even be embodied by our finite language. I believe this is a testament to how amazing God is. So, even though scripture doesn’t completely describe who God is, how is it relevant? It is relevant because it says exactly what God wanted it to say. God has revealed through his inspired penmen, exactly what he wants us to know about Him. Isn’t that amazing! Yet another thought presents itself in this quote. Scripture presents God as a loving and just God who is beautiful, all-powerful, all-knowing, and so much more, yet he is even more than that. Our finite comprehension of God is awesome, but we can’t even begin to fathom who He really is. When I read things like this, I can only worship. We definitely don’t completely understand God right now, and we will probably spend eternity learning without totally grasping, but we are called to trust and obey still. Even though we don’t completely understand God, “Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare” (White 122). We have no reason not to rejoice in a God who we know because of His word. The God that I know is wonderful and I am truly blessed to be called his child.
Quigley Morris Works of Christ 05/20/10 Assignment # 2 Colossians 2: 6 (6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk he in him, Paul was exhorting the Colossians; the emphasis of his message was presented using a simile. In verse six he is challenging this group of Christians to live a good life for Christ. Just as much as they believed in Christ and accepted his words they were suppose to believe and live for him. Just as much they believed in the preaching of Epaphras and believe in the message of salvation they too have to live by what they know it true. This required every Christian to learn about their new faith by reading and following the lesions that Epaphras left them. It was their responsibility to grow and preach to others about the message of salvation. This is the good news of salvation; please note the good news is not in receiving the message but it is also in passing it to your neighbors, friends and love ones. They created the theme; “the church is here for those who are not yet members”. It was the Christians responsibility to move on with the work. It was also their responsibility to hold on to the message of faith they already have, so while the apostle rejoice with them, it was also important that every member help the other remain strong and witness to the people who had not made up their minds about being a Christian. This is the same atmosphere that existed in our early church. The people were excited and guanine In heart that they could not keep quiet. By 1860 to 1870 the church was growing at an impressive rate of 18%; today we are at a sorry state of about 1.5%. Pastor Paul always had his way in getting his message across; he uses the word walk he in him, which means first conduct your self’s like a born again Christian. Growing up when I was about to get baptized my parents send me to the community to ask the church members and friends you know the people I deal with like family friend to forgive me for anything wrong I had done to them. After my baptism I was suppose to live a new life fit for a new born again Christian. This help me understand what Paul was saying when he said walk. The second he is saying to them now you are connected to Jesus you must live like Jesus. Now there are two points of view I want to look at closer; (A) you are not who you use to be so start living as you agreed to live. And that is to be different to the pagans and let them see the quality of life that you have discovered in Christ so they too will follow your example. (B) He is now connecting them to the life giver as the example to follow. Be one in Christ. Your mission is to be connected and remain connected to the Savior. I am thinking there were lots of religious practices going on at the time and the people were very devoted to their gods and method of worship. Now they were been introduced to a new God and a method unknown to them Paul was careful in helping these people to understand the power is not in the preaching, or lifestyle but it was in Christ. So getting them connected was important for growth, development, and brotherly love. All of this qualities came from a relationship with Christ.
Quigley Morris Assignment # 3 Steps to Christ; What to do with doubt; Today Christians are under pressure to prove Jesus to the world; there are so many different opinions floating around that people are confused about the facts of Jesus and his saving grace. I believe we are beyond the enlightening years of the mid 1700s when everyone had an opinion that was presented as facts. This confusing period led to the time when people were not sure about their religious beliefs. This kind of teaching is here today with a different emphasis; the idea is to destroy the very thought about Jesus and his saving grace to the human race. What we are seeing is more and more people are doubting the death of Christ and his power to save us. Even people who have been in the church for many years are falling prey to this kind of thinking. People are ready to believe in the books that are written by men, the devil have led many to stand against the reason of the servants of the Lord. Today people can say they are gay, witch, and all other kind of satanic practice but it is not ok to talk about Jesus in public. So people are doubting, and they feel ok to believe that God is not involve in the world and everyone is doing as he please. Mrs. White said “all Satan wants is for us to doubt God” if we doubt he can provide all the reason we will need to live our lives as the devil please. And that is what I am seeing today, people have no fear of God and they rely on book knowledge for their answer to the world and its problem. If the Christians today could believe in Christ and show the world that they are believers then we would be able to reach a few people for Christ. God desire man to exercise his reasoning powers and the study of the bible will strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study can. God gave us a brain to think, he gave us reason to think, he gave us logical explanation to his plans. He added his Holy Spirit to guide us through the troubling times of life; so we are not alone and there are no excuse for our lack of knowledge of God and his saving grace to the world. To strength our minds and to build a positive relationship with God He gave us the bible to feed our mind. But there is a drive to undermine the bible and to replace it with other books that has no food for the mind. It has been proven that any race of culture who accept the bible and live by its rules are capable of developing a relationship with Christ that can only get better as they continue to read from its pages. God intends that even in this life the truths of his word shall be given in this life the truth of his word shall be ever unfolding to his people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God’s only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the Spirit was given. There are many things that are difficult to understand, God will explain to those who are willing to seek the true knowledge. We are never alone there is always a way out for us that is if we believe in him. We have available to us the word of God, nature and the help of the Holy Spirit to guide our study through the scriptures. We must take advantage of this privilege and it is all available to us.
Assignment # 4 Wallin O’Connor In Colossians chapter 1, Paul is stating the fact that Christ was the facilitator of all creation. Not just the creation on earth, but all creation, and this includes the entire universe. In verse 16-17 it says “for by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him.17 and he is before all things and in him all things consist.” I have known that God created all things but it never really started to weigh on my mind how important all his creation is to him. The problem of sin isn’t just confined to Earth as its implications throughout the entire realm of creation. As a human being it’s quite easy for us to be focused on ourselves and why Christ had to take our form and how he had to do a cross to save us from sin. And we tend to view the plan of redemption solely for humanity. But after having my mind thoroughly confused in this class, I’m beginning to understand that in the plan of salvation humanity has a role to play yes. There are however there greater ramifications than just our role in the process; God sees the big picture which includes the little picture. The problem of sin is so terrible and so vile that it needs to be solved only by the Creator even though it began in his creation. As far as we know sin has been confined to planet Earth. But sin never originate it for universal standpoint here on Earth, it was actually originated in heaven. In a perfect being who was created to stand in the very presence of God. And if sin could originate within a perfect being, who was in heaven, and in the very presence of God, and what are the ramifications for the rest of the unfallen creation. This is why Christ is the key to the problem. In verse 20 it says, “and by him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on earth or the things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of his cross.” It is clear to me at least that in this verse God’s will that all of creation is reconciled back to him. It is His desire that the harmony in creation might be restored. The funny thing about harmony is that it only takes one bad note to break it, yet the whole group is affected.
Commentary on Alta Peirre's: Plan of Salvation The reflection posted by Alta was one that i feel expressed a point that is worth commenting on. The reference to the looking at the plan of salvation in the broader sense and seeing the unity that is seen as it is revealed to humanity. THe history and Biblical text that he referenced demonstrated how many people have pointed to Creation as a way of seeing the plan of salvation in our life. I find it interesting that all are exposed to God's work in our life and that we can also see it as a glimpse of the plan of salvation.
A ssignment #2. Sin Problem and the Work of Christ on the Cross. Proper understanding of sin gives us a clear understanding the Cross and the work of Jesus. Sin Problem: Dr Gerhard Plandl defines original sin as an inherited stain from Adam and Eve’s sin as the parents of humanity. We do not inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin as the Catholic Church believes from the teaching of Augustine on the original sin, but our sick nature with the tendencies and propensities to sin. Adam and Eve were perfect sinless beings from the perfect creation of God. They were created righteous so I believe they were Spirit-filled and Spirit-directed with the fruits of the Spirit produced in their lives. They had conditional immortality through loving obedience with the guiding principle in their lives to please their Creator. Lucifer’s temptation was for Eve to doubt the trustworthiness of God and his word in (Gen 2:17). The moment they chose to doubt God and His word, they fell into sin before they ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. Eating the forbidden fruit was the consequence of their sin. As a consequence of abusing their freedom of choice, they were dead spiritually because the Holy Spirit left, they began to die physically and lost their immortality. And the sad consequence of their sin, was their separation from the open fellowship with their Creator. Their sin impacts the whole cosmos, the whole universe and their Creator. The extensive consequences of the original sin on man is that we are born alienated and separated from God (separated from Christ, without hope and without God –Eph 2:12/Is 59:2). We deserve to die (Rom 6:23), born as sons of wrath (Eph 1:2), Guilty (Rom 3:23) dead spiritually (Eph 2:1,5). The intensiveness of sin on us is that we a born lawless (1 John 3:4), our nature is bend to evil (Is 53:6) and we chose to do what is missing from God’s mark of righteousness (Rom 3:23). What Christ Accomplished at the Cross> George Reid’s article is about how sin impacts God by finding a solution to sin problem. God’s solution for sin as some texts say is to pay a ransom or price for sin (Matt.20:28; 1 Pet 1:18,19). Christ’s ransom is not to please an angry God to love us. Christ went to the cross because God loves us (Rom 5:18). Christ’s death is also not a ransom paid to Satan to reinstate God’s fallen son of Adam as some suggested. But the ransom is paid to the righteous demand of a broken law that the wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23). So at the cross of Christ, God uphold the righteousness of the law at the same time it offers Grace for sinners. That’s why the Cross of Christ is the only gateway to heaven. When we come to God through the cross of Christ. We receive Justification, Reconciliation, Adoption and the Holy Spirit to live a life sanctify till he comes in glory. And Ephesians 1 – 3 talks about Predestination, Justification, Adoption and Holy Spirit (new relationship with God) Eph 4 – 6 is about Sanctification (result of the new relationship).
Throughout the session we discussed the cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. We spent significant time distinguishing the two concepts in order to help us see the clearer and interactive work that Christ has with his Creation. What i found intriguing about the Cosmic Christ was the initiative that is seen in our lives. I found it very interesting how Christ has taken the first steps in trying to restore the broken relationship that man has caused. In order for us to understand and fully appreciate the works of Christ we need to understand the "sin problem." It was typical of Paul to make the connection with sin and death. The verse that comes to mind is Romans 6:23 where he says that the wages of sin is death. Not only do we see that sin results in physical death but also spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1). Now, another connection he makes is in Romans 8:7 "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." Not only does sin cause physical and spiritual death, but it also prevents us from wanting to do God's will in our life. It is easy for us to see why the cosmic christ takes on significant meaning since we recognize the sin problem. When we see that the Cosmic Christ reflects a loving Creator willing to work with and within HIs Creation it is something that is able to deepen our appreciation in the plan of salvation. Not only can we find a great appreciation in the beauty of the Cosmic Christ but we also so the necessity we have for the Cosmic Christ. In order for us to even know God we need a revealing from God. If we are able to receive something it must first be offered to us. Again, looking at Paul's statement regarding the the fact that our sinfulness prevents us from doing God's will demonstrates the need for a Cosmic Christ who initiates an awareness and longing to do the will of GOd in our life. Overall, i find the Cosmic Christ demonstrating the beauty of our Creator and the need humanity has for such a Christ in order for us to experience of salvation.
How to be an overcomer? Assignment # 4 John 16:30-33 Foreknowledge – Pre-destination – Call – Justification – Sanctification – Glorification In verse 30 the disciples acknowledge that Jesus foreknows all things in the world. Jesus knew that the disciples were going to leave him when trouble came. But He warned them of what was going to happen later. WHY are we not more successful in living up to God's standard? WHY do we slip and fall occasionally? Here is how YOU can overcome where you are weakest and hardest tempted! Have YOU ever met temptation, struggled with it, only to wake up a little later to the remorseful fact that you had slipped, and failed to overcome? Or perhaps you are struggling with some habit that holds you as its slave—struggling, wrestling, and always fighting it, yet somehow never able to conquer it. These things are serious. In other to be an overcomer in this world we must believe that Jesus is the Redeemer of the world. Also we must believe that we cannot overcome the world in our own power. "To him that OVERCOMES," says Jesus, "will I grant to sit with me in my throne." "He that OVERCOMES, and keeps my works unto the end, TO HIM will I give power over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron." (Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21.) But God is now calling ALL to a life of separation (Sanctification)—to a new and different and Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life—in order that they may be wholly CLEANSED of sin, and that they may GROW in grace and knowledge, thus being prepared, trained, fitted for a position of solemn responsibility— that of king or priest—in God's KINGDOM! And it is ONLY those who qualify by the training, the overcoming, the spiritual development and growth, DURING THIS PRESENT LIFE, who shall thus reign with Christ. Study the parable of the pounds, in Luke 19:11-27. I believe if we allow God to draw ourselves near to Him, and then KEEP close to Him, our problem will be solved. We will then have the FAITH. We will then be continually FILLED with His Spirit—His power to overcome.
Satan had declared to his associate angels that he would overcome Christ on the point of appetite. He hoped to gain a victory over Him in His weakness. But Christ gained a complete victory over this temptation, thus placing men and women on vantage ground, where they can overcome as He overcame. Let those whose mental and moral power has become enfeebled by wrong-doing, seek the Lord earnestly, and they will gain the victory, even over long-established appetite. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." {ST, April 4, 1900 par. 7}
Sanctification, unity, peace--all are to be ours through the truth. The belief of the truth does not make men gloomy and uncomfortable. If you have peace in Christ, His precious blood is speaking pardon and hope to your soul. Yes, more, you have joy in the Holy Spirit, through accepting the precious promises. Jesus says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Therefore the world shall not overcome you if you believe in Me. It is a world that I have conquered. Because I have overcome, if you believe in Me, you shall overcome. . . . {OHC 329.4}
I greatly appreciate the work that Christ has done and doing in the cosmos. Christ came into this world to solve the problem of sin once in for all. He did not come just to be our example. He came to show us, help us and doing the work in us so that we may also overcome the power of sin in our lives. This class helps to understand God’s foreknowledge, predestination, call, justification, sanctification and glorification. But I am still confusion about some stuff. I will continue to study the word of God we a new way of thinking so that I can understand the above formula.
I congratulate you for taking on the challenge of Colossians one. You have done a great job explain how that God will reconcile the His creation by back to him. All know that the ultimate goal or plan of salvation is to clean the cosmos from sin.
Response to James Dieujuste Assignment # 3 Pastor you really like the you explain the righteousness of God is now just one time deal but a continuous righteous that will be with even into eternity. The righteousness is also the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. When Christ is working in us we will live a life that will please to God but not to the devil.
Response to John A. Coaxum assignment # 2 (part 2)
I really like you essay about God foreknowledge and predestination and human freedom part 2. You help understand and feel at ease when it come to God knows everything. Now I understand that God foreknew what we will do but He does not forbidden us from our own personal choice.
Mr. Fuo good writing; some times i wonder if Christ had died in the garden would it still mean the same to us. and would it have the same effect on sin. i think for both questions the answers would be yes. because if he had died in the garden we would not know of a cross. and it would have the same effect on us because the fact would be he died for us. sin is so dreadful that it require blood to run and Jesus had to come to give us the freedom over sin.
The concepts “trans-cosmic” and “cosmic” are helpful in understanding God’s work for us through Jesus Christ. Though the message inherent from these terms is a familiar one, it was good to have the opportunity to think more deeply about them through the course of this class. I just want to briefly reflect on some of the texts that highlight the concepts of “trans-cosmic” and “cosmic” Christ. The first text is found in John 8:12 where it says that “when Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." As Creator of the cosmos, Jesus entered into the world in human form bringing about light unto it. Furthermore, He assures those following Him that they will also be as light in the world if they abide in Him. In the same chapter, Jesus says “you are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23). This statement shows the necessary contrast in describing the fact that Jesus at some point did come into the world and yet is not “of this world.” In a sense, the cosmos did not produce Jesus (because He created it) and yet He is the “light of the world.” It is also important that we understand the implications of Jesus’ message in analyzing these texts. As Creator God, Jesus came into the world so that we won’t live in spiritual darkness. As His disciple John later described it in one of his letters, if a person claims to have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness, then that individual is a liar and does not live according to the truth (1 John 1:6). The second text which I’ve found to be helpful in understanding these concepts is Matthew 1:23 which says that “the virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." As both the trans-cosmic and cosmic Christ, Jesus is God incarnate. The same Jesus that was with the Father before the world began is the same One who came to earth. He clothed His divinity with humanity in coming to earth. He came to us veiling His glory so that He may draw us to Him. His presence with us was very much felt in the way that He loved and cared for humanity. The life of Christ also shows that with His help we can overcome temptations because He was tempted in all points like we are. Christ’s life on earth was a gift to us demonstrating God’s great love for His children. E.G. White’s statement in Desire of Ages stating that “He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men that He might dwell among us” carries with it a powerful imagery in understanding Jesus’ work for us as the trans-comic and cosmic Christ (p. 23). Jesus was never aloof from humanity but was always very near. He was near those stricken with pain and grief. He was near sinners. He was near those who were dealing with all kinds of cases and crises. He was even near those who disbelieved His message. Jesus was indeed God “with us”. Through the works of Christ, the character of God is revealed. In Jesus, we see that God is merciful, kind, longsuffering, and patient. Through Jesus, the loving nature of God is manifested. Through Jesus’ works, His loving nature is revealed. In Steps to Christ, E.G. White states that “by assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity” (p. 15). This is quite a remarkable statement! I had never thought about Christ’s First Coming in this context. This statement caused to me to appreciate even more the sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary. Only a loving God would consent to die for us given that we are so undeserving. Despite our wayward and ungrateful ways, Jesus Christ esteems us greatly. In coming to this earth, Christ truly demonstrated that all human beings are loved and valued. I take comfort knowing that just as He was with the people who were alive during His earthly ministry, He is also with us who are now living in the last days. - James W. Dieujuste
Assignment #4 Real Confession is important in Salvation
I am appreciated Dr. Hanna reminded us the confession in very important in salvation. After that I tried to search some more information on this issue. Confess is o`mologe,w in Greek, the meaning are promise, assure, agree, admit, confess, declare(publicly) acknowledge. So it means you agree you sin or you willing to declare or acknowledge your sin. We will be saved. In the Bible : NLT Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. If we confess Jesus Christ is Lord, God will be gloried. NLT Philippians 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. If we confess our sins, we will have power to overcome. NLT James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. If we confess our sins, we will be cleansed and our sins will be forgiven. NLT 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. God is not making hard for us to be saved, just confess, it is not a big and hard work but it must be sincere and from a true heart. What Mrs. White gave us the encouragement from in her book. God requires that we confess our sins and humble our hearts before Him; but at the same time we should have confidence in Him as a tender Father, who will not forsake those who put their trust in Him. Many of us walk by sight and not by faith. We believe the things that are seen but do not appreciate the precious promises given us in God's Word; and yet we cannot dishonor God more decidedly than by showing that we distrust what He says and question whether the Lord is in earnest with us or is deceiving us. God does not give us up because of our sins. We may make mistakes and grieve His Spirit, but when we repent and come to Him with contrite hearts, He will not turn us away. There are hindrances to be removed. Wrong feelings have been cherished, and there have been pride, self-sufficiency, impatience, and murmurings. All these separate us from God. Sins must be confessed; there must be a deeper work of grace in the heart. Those who feel weak and discouraged may become strong men of God and do noble work for the Master. But they must work from a high standpoint; they must be influenced by no selfish motives. {FW Chapter 3} It is not hard to be saved, whenever we accept and put our heart to God. He will help us. Salvation is prepared for us by His plan. Whenever we confess, we are justified but it is not a single action. We have to keep constantly since we still sinners. Satan always put us in temptation. So I acknowledge that prayer and confess is necessary in our daily life.
Response to Andre Anderson's Posting (4th Response Posting)
I like the vivid imagery that you used in describing Jesus’ work in saving us. I am reminded of the text that says “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Even though sometimes some people consider themselves too sinful to be in a relationship with God, it is never the case in which God Himself wants to be separated from them. God is truly awesome in that He saves even unto the uttermost. Secondly, I like the statement that “the One who made us allowed Himself to become marred, so that we could see His love for us even with our flaws.” It is amazing how God’s love is manifested in this great exchange. He took upon Himself the due penalty of our sins. When we look to Jesus we can’t help but appreciate the extreme love that He has for us. – James W. Dieujuste
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Works of Christ
What was Lucifer after?
“For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature]. Colossians 2:9 “ (Amplified bible)
The Godhead fully existing in Christ, I am learning in more detail. An additional scripture declares God as the only unique God of his kind, being able to explain the Father because he is from the Father.
Qeo\n oujdei«ß e˚w¿raken pw¿pote: monogenh\ß qeo\ß oJ w·n ei˙ß to\n ko/lpon touv patro\ß e˙kei√noß e˙xhgh/sato. (John 1:18) Greek New Testament
Rough Translation:
No being at any time has seen God (Father), only the Unique God (Son) who is in the Fathers heart (bosom, chest) can explain Him (Father) or order His steps.
With the text if the son is fully in the Father and the Father in the Son; then the son is an explainer of ultimate wisdom from God. However, The God-Man (Christ) still seems surreal. What is he really giving up and why is Lucifer really after Him on earth. We read in Revelation 12 that the dragon is cast to the earth; in addition, Michael also defeats the dragon again at the cross? I am drawn back to Is.14; Lucifer desires to ascend above the throne of God. In light of the Adventist view of the Sanctuary, I am focusing on the essence of God when I say that Lucifer wants to ascend above God’s own mind. Lucifer Believes that he is a better exegete of the world and that he can order the world in a better order than the Godhead. In the New testament, Christ is called the greatest high priest who died once and for all for us and the universe reconciling all things unto Himself. Along this truncated reasoning, if I look back to the day of atonement only the High Priest could enter into the Most Holy place. If Christ is in the breast of the Father, then if he falls the entire Cosmos and the order of the Cosmos is at stake. The son’s intimate access to the Father puts at risk the cosmos; God-Man, Yeshua Messiah, is taking a real risk. It is obviously difficult to express complete thoughts and ideologies in a blog; however, The Only Unique God, can not fail, if he did it could have thrown the entire order of the universe out of course. Planets could have fallen out of orbit; life could cease to exist. All things are in Christ even our breath; I don’t think Lucifer comprehended in full detail the possible implications of fallen Messiah. This of course did not happen Praise God! I believe could have ceased to exist at that point even though he would have one the battle. (This is a scenario on possible implications of a fall, but Christ did not fall)
Finally, I am drawn back to our opening text; there was a direct link from earth to heaven through the Anointed One. In their own mind they communicated with each other; Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The jealousy from heaven was still with Lucifer, promising the Son the world (earth), if He bowed down to him. The entire Godhead is enshroud in a fleshly veil, this is mind-boggling. Furthermore, we now have access to the full deity via the Holy Spirit. If I sin I cannot give Lucifer the Throne room of God because I am not God but yet in my sinful state I now have more access to God than Lucifer because of the Holy Spirit, Indeed I am in heavenly places already. In the Old Testament, Elijah stands before God (1 kings 17), Gabriel also says a similar statement in Luke 1. How can a human being stand in the same space as an exalted angel? Both are colleagues in ministry but one has not sinned…. Just a few thoughts, I am still wrestling with have the same access as Christ in my sinful nature......
Peace,
Neil
Assignment 1: "I'm Not in Kansas Anymore"
Those were the words I used to describe the difference between undergraduate and graduate studies to my wife after the first day of THST618. This was confirmed when I read in Dr. Hanna’s “The Cosmic Christ of Scripture” that I’m going to embark on a journey as complex as a study of the cosmos itself (p.21). The materials presented thus far in the course have stretched my mind in directions that I’ve never considered before, and this essay is my attempt to compile my thoughts into something coherent regarding the subject.
First, I’ll address my reading of Dr. Hanna’s book itself. On p. 16, I read something seemingly common-sense yet stood out as profound to me: “…Christ is not a philosophical principle…” This struck me because in my just over 5 years as a Christian, I was already starting to notice a tendency in Christianity to simply use the Bible as collection of proverbs and isolated statements with the most important ones being written with red letters. Christ is not a philosophical principle; He is the Creator of the Universe. The Scriptures contain the story of the Great Controversy, not just a series of proof-texts to defend Sabbath-keeping or condemn homosexuals. It pains me when I read other authors who, without any consideration of how that statement fits into the story, pluck out a text and use it to fit their needs. The “story” on p. 31 seems to teach the same lesson.
Second, I’ll address my reading of a document from the BRI article: “Predestination, Foreknowledge, and Human Freedom”. It is a scary thought to me that there are Christians out there who believe that God only saves those He picked ahead of time and He leaves everybody else for damnation. If this is the case, the Great Commission is nothing more than busy work assigned to the Church to keep us busy until He comes again much like the worksheets that substitute teachers give middle school students. It makes Paul’s life of mission nothing more than a really busy sight-seeing trip. Most importantly, it means that we lack the free will that makes life worth living. If God has already written some names in the Book of Life and rejected others, what is the point of ANY of us continuing in this wretched world? Is it our enjoyment of cold, rainy Michigan days while we drive an hour down a pothole-ridden stretch of I-94? This flawed misuse of Paul’s teaching on predestination, which the document thankfully cleared up, naturally leads to a view of the futility of life similar to that offered by Darwinian evolution.
Mr. Donkor side-swiped an issue that we discussed in class but I still don’t fully understand. He states, “The biblical God, being the kind of God who knows the end from the beginning (Isa 46:9-10), decided to create the world, knowing that there will be the fall. The Bible does not tell us why God still decided to create in spite of this knowledge.” He already had a sin-issue to deal with in a third of His angels, and yet He still persisted in creating us knowing that once sin entered into His Creation, there would be no stopping it from taking hold of those created in God’s Image (namely, we humans). Why? I know that we said in class that questioning why God would do something seems to imply that we think we know better than God and that if we were God we would have done it “right”. While some biblical characters, such as Job, were rebuked for asking such questions with a similar line of reasoning, others receive straight-forward answers for their ignorance. When Habakkuk challenged God’s use of a nation as sinful as the Babylonians to punish His people, God helped the prophet to understand His purpose without any hint of rebuke for asking the question. If He didn’t want us asking questions about His methods or intentions, free will would be about the worst thing He could have given us.
I had written 3 other paragraphs that were eliminated because of the 4,096 character limit; more proof that I’m not in Kansas anymore.
John A. Coaxum
Assignment #1: The Already and the Not Yet
Ephesians 2:6 says “And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. This text has been the source of both consternation and beauty to me ( if this is possible). This week Dr. Hanna spoke about Original sin, Lucifer, and Adam…etc. In my opinion the atonement has been done. Firstly because the Bible says: “the lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This to me seems to indicate that it was decided before the world came to be that Christ would die and secure the world to himself. Although historically he had not died yet, in my mind God’s decisions, choices, and words are as solid and trustworthy as actions. I believe that if God has purposed it and said it, it will surely come to pass. He is God, and He alone has the power to speak things into existence directly. So in one sense when God had decided to have this sacrifice done in Christ in 31 AD was as good as done when he first decided it. Well then what about Calvary? If His word is perfectly good enough, than does that mean that Christ did not have to involve himself in the physical act of dying. Quite the contrary, since God spoke it, it HAD to happen. And as we studied this week there are phases in the total atonement package; calvary being one of them ( but of course the one we place most emphasis on). But there is also the resurrection, the second coming, the judgment and the obliteration of evil. Without either of these events the plan of salvation seems to fall short of being completed, although from the beginning of the world it was as good as done. For me this is akin to Ephesians 2:6. When Paul talks about us being seated with Him in heavenly places, he speaks about it in the past tense. As if we are already there in heaven. Obviously we are not physically there. However, when Christ entered the cosmos (his creation) His sacrifice was so sure that it is as if we are already in heaven with Christ. And then verse 7 compliments that by stating: “That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus”. In other words, in a later time the sure act of Christ will be fully divulged. We are already seated with Christ in Heavenly places and at the same time not yet. Similarly Christ made statements that the Kingdom of God had come to Earth and that at the same time it was yet to come. With these concepts in mind it gives a better vantage point from which to understand the solving of the sin problem. That it is a phases by phase process as well as something that is so sure that it will come to pass that it as if it has already happened.
Edgardo Rivas The Bible Tells Me So Blog #1
Knowing what the Bible says about Jesus and how he worked in favor of men can help diminish the misunderstandings that are said about Him. Even though for some scholars Jesus is just another person we can read from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy that he Is who he claimed to be, the Son of the Living God, God himself in human form, the creator of heaven and earth. Jesus is above scripture even though he is found in scripture. Neither one obscures the other (Cosmic Christ p18). It is by His word that we have today this special book (revelation, Rev 1:1).
God wants to bless his people and the only way there is blessing is by accepting Jesus just as he is. Having believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. Yes it is by the Holy Spirit that we can get to know God through Christ and his written word. Will help us know him better, v17. If we put into practice the three principles of sola scriptura, tota scriptura, and prima scriptura we can have answers to our questions. The bible is one and even though written by different people it has only One author, God. The Holy Spirit took these men and impressed them in such a way that what they wrote became the Word of God. When people, didn’t listen to the prophets and to the Word of God, He Sent his Only Son to speak on his behalf. But the religious leaders and the people of the time did not wanted to hear him. In the past God has spoken to our fathers through the prophets in many ways and times but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son.
If we are to listen to God we must listen to what Jesus has said and done on man’s behalf. We as humans don’t understand how things came into existence. Scholars, astrologers, scientists and others have tried to explain from a human point of view what happened. Many of these don’t agree with each other or even give God the Glory or the credit he deserves. On the contrary they explain things with it just happened.
The evolution theory has won the hearts of many professed Christians and has taken them away from the real creation story as expressed in the Bible. God made the earth in seven literal days. In order to understand this we must understand who God is and who Christ is. We must understand their mode operandi. Christ in order to make the world came into time. For before that, time for Him was eternity. He transcended all the barriers of time. The trans-cosmic Christ now became the cosmic Christ. Jesus is the light of the world. He shines in every heart that has accepted him as Lord and Savior. He came into the world (cosmic) to give light, meaning that he was not in the world (trans-cosmic). Before he came into the world Christ was in heaven and that can be taken as cosmic (within creation) or trans-cosmic (in the throne of God).
Ariel Roldan - First Reflection Paper
Because of the length limitation my entire reflection can be read at: http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
Works of Christ - THST 618
Ariel Roldan
First Reflection Paper
Ephesians - Chaps. 1-3:
After two days of lectures geared to present the concept of the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ I was surprised at the new perspective this brought to these familiar passages. The blessings we have in Christ in “heavenly places” (outside our world, but within the Creation), His choosing us “before the foundations of the world” (our sphere of Creation), and the gathering into one those things which are in heaven and on earth (reconciliation of the heavenly and earthly family) - in Him. These passages coupled with the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic concepts are beginning to fulfill Paul’s second of two prayer mentioned thus far - that even today’s saints would comprehend the width and length and depth and height of God’s love manifested through and in Christ.
Paul’s first prayer is for this to be revealed (so that it can then be comprehended) to the church in Ephesus. That they would know three things:
1. what is the hope of His calling
2. what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints
3. what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe (the same power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead)
This hope to be predestined to adoption into God’s family in Christ, our inheritance that is guaranteed in Christ, and the awesome power of Christ’s resurrection made available to every believer is central to the church’s existence. The church participates in the Cosmic revelation of Christ by being made the fullness of Him. This is the first of two paradoxes thus far. The church made of limited creatures (Cosmic) are the fullness of Him who “fills all in all” (Trans-Cosmic).
Now it stands to reason that if Christ could reconcile the family in heaven with the one on earth, surely he can reconcile the fragmented human family as well. Thus the second chapter transitions from its focus on God’s call to hope, guaranteed inheritance, and resurrection power from “us” to “them” - the Gentiles. In Christ there is no fragmented human family either. It makes no difference that they were dead in trespasses, so were we at one point. But the life giving power of Christ’s sacrifice (His blood) has rescued us, and them and has made us both alive. They too are part of His church, His body.
Towards the end of chapter three Paul begins to recall his earlier revelation of the estranged families of heaven and earth being united by the one name - Christ. This union will bring with it a revelation of Christ’s love. But this revelation of love is the second paradox. How can we know a love that surpasses our ability to know? By a ...
Colossians - Chaps. 1-4:
I had never noticed the strong parallels that exists between Ephesians and Colossians. Here Paul also prays for them to have the knowledge and spiritual understanding in order that they too may experience God’s glorious power in their Christian walk. Again the concept of Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ surfaces bringing a clearer depth in Paul’s expression. The “invisible God” that stands outside of the Creation. Invisible not just because of our sinful nature, but invisible for all eternity to the redeemed and unfallen beings. He is outside of the created realm and will ever remain a mystery - invisible. Yet there is a visible “image” of this invisible God - the Cosmic Christ. Though Christ is Cosmic, yet He is God and thus Trans-Cosmic since He has made “all things in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible ...” Now it is obvious that Christ making things that are invisible does not refer to also making the invisible God. What are these invisible things? Probably Paul is referring to the heavenly beings which are invisible to us presently.
... There is one new element Paul brings up that has unsettled me;
Ariel Roldan
First Reflection Paper:
http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
THE INCOMPARABLE CHRIST
Colossians 1:15-20
PREEMINENT IN CREATION
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things have been created through Him and for Him. 17
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15:17).
1. The Image of the Invisible God: (1:15). Most of the gods of the ancient world were visible. You went to a temple and you saw an idol and you prayed to it. By contrast, the true God is invisible. But God took on flesh and came among men.
The Greek term for “image” is eivkwn (eikon). It is from here that we derive our English word “icon.” God is a spirit. Spirits are invisible and this means you cannot see God. John 1:18 says that no one has seen God at any time, but that Jesus has explained Him. When you look at Jesus you are seeing the image of the un- seeable God.
This same word for “image” is used in Genesis where we read of God’s plan to create mankind in the image and likeness of God. Indeed, the Septuagint uses the same Greek word found here to describe how man was made in the image of God. It is for this reason that Paul elsewhere refers to Jesus as the Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45).
Moses stood in the presence of God and asked, “Show me your glory!” Philip asked something very similar when he asked Jesus to show the Father.
When you looked at Jesus, you got to see the imprint of the Father. He not only communicates who God is, He is that communication. He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.
2. The Firstborn of All Creation: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (1:15).
The term “firstborn” can have one of two possible meanings. The literal meaning describes the first of a series of children to be born in a family. For example, Esau was the first to be born to Isaac and Rebecca and is appropriately called their firstborn (Genesis 27:19). There is also a non-literal use of the term that is regularly found in the Bible. The firstborn can refer to one who holds a position of preeminence. Such a use can be seen in a number of instances:
• Ephraim was called the firstborn of Joseph and he was not the literal firstborn (Jeremiah 31:9).
• Solomon was described as the firstborn of David and yet he was not the literal firstborn (Psalms 89:27).
• God says in Exodus 4:22, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.” This does not mean that Israel was the first nation ever to be formed. It means that Israel held a special place of preeminence in the heart of the Lord.
• In describing the ravages of disease, Job 18:13 speak of how “the firstborn of death” devours a person’s limbs.
• The Hebrew text of Isaiah 14:30 speak of how “the firstborn of the poor” will be fed. The New American Standard correctly understands this to be a figure of speech and therefore renders this “those who are most helpless.”
• Later in church history, Polycarp refers to the heretic Marcion as the “firstborn of Satan” (Polycarp to the Philippians 1:7).
3. The Creator of All Things: For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities__ all things have been created through Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16).
Before anything was created, Christ existed. John opened up his gospel account with this message: In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He goes on to identify the Word as the One who became flesh and who dwelt among us (John 1:14).
It was by Christ that all things were created. When Paul speaks of Him creating all things, he wants us to be very sure that we understand there are no exceptions.
1. That which is the heavens and that which is on earth.
2. That which visible and that which is invisible.
3. That which holds power.
Wallin O'Connor
Assignment 1
At first I was uncomfortable with the term cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. My uneasiness stemmed from not fully understanding what was meant by these terms. But upon further study and participation in the class I’ve come to understand that the cosmic Christ represents the God who is actively seen and participates in the acts with his creation. The trans-cosmic Christ represents the God who lives and inhabits outside his creative realm.
For the most part because we are sinful beings and we have fallen from our perfected state. We see God desperately trying to save every human being on this planet. But we also see God trying to solve the problem of sin which first began in a perfect sinless being. We should be careful however not to limit God’s interaction with humanity as solely redemptive.
Genesis 3:8 “and they heard the sound of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day and Adam and his wife hid themselves in the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.” In this text most people believe this is where God had his first physical interaction with man.
We find however in Genesis chapter 1 and two that God creates this earth mostly by speaking it into existence. When it comes to mankind God is seen in Genesis 2:7 as “forming man from the dust of the ground and breathing into him the breath of life.” This physical act of God indicates his direct connection with his creation with us his cosmic interaction with his creation.
When it comes to the trans-cosmic dimensions of God we become very limited in our knowledge of it. Obviously the reason that we cannot exist in the trans-cosmic realm is because we were created in the cosmic realm where we now exist. Since the fall of mankind it has been God’s endeavor to reconcile humanity back to him. It is from this perspective that we see the works of Christ and we understand it from this viewpoint.
Colossians 1:19-21 “for it pleased the father that in him all the fullness should dwell, invite him to reconcile all things to himself, and by him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now he has reconciled.” Reconciliation is not the only work of Christ was one of many. The interesting thing is if we are to learn of all the works of Christ we first must be reconciled to him. Which is why on this earth and in our sinful state God consistently pursues the reconciliation of men.
Wallin, I had the same initial issue with the class; it doesn't help that our book has a big picture of semi-transparent Jesus floating through the Universe. Even with 2 years of Greek under my belt, the connection of "Cosmic Christ" to the word "kosmos" wasn't immediate for me.
I do have a little issue with terminology in your paper as well; I'm sure you have the right idea, but used a confusing term. You stated that God is "trying to solve the problem of sin..." and that God is "desperately trying to save...". I connect the word "trying" with the potential for failure. I "try" to pass my classes; I "did" eat breakfast. God's side of the salvation equation is not uncertain, doesn't have the chance for failure. God HAS saved every human with the shed blood of His Son. The uncertainty, the chance for failure, is on OUR side. I'm sure that this is the idea you meant to portray.
Works of Christ – Assignment # 1 – “Sin and Death Utterly Defeated!”
In light of our discussions in class, I’ve opted to briefly address the subjects of sin and salvation. Throughout the ages, people have wrestled with the topics of sin and salvation. This is understandable because sin is so pervasive in our world. Satan is the source of all the evil that exists in this world. He is the one who leads people astray and causes them to disobey the will of God. Thus, sinful acts committed by human beings can all be traced to Satan’s evil influences. However, Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross opens the way to salvation for everyone who chooses to accept Him. It was a self-sacrificing act on behalf of humanity done out of complete obedience to God. It brought honor to God that Jesus Christ was obedient to Him even unto the point of death. Jesus Christ’s willingness to die an agonizing death on the Cross was done out of love for humanity. It was a selfless act that took extreme humility and obedience on His part. The Bible gives us wonderful insight into this self-effacing act of Jesus Christ saying “your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). God did not send Jesus Christ down to earth to simply suffer shame but instead sent Him into the world that He might bring salvation to all who receive Him as their Savior. Hence, as a result of Jesus Christ’s act of redemption, the Bible gives us the assurance that Satan will one day suffer total defeat. Satan and his army will be utterly defeated. They will never again be able to harm, tempt, or cause us to fall. We will no longer have an enemy who keeps us from doing the good that we desire to do. We will no longer have an accuser who makes us feel ashamed or guilty for our actions. Though the enemy is doing everything in his power to bring about our demise while we are still here on earth, there will come a time in which his evil legacy will end.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ has already overcome sin and death. He leaves with these assuring words saying "do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:17-18). Hence, Jesus Christ died once and for all so we can escape eternal death. Everyone who believes in Him as the Son of God will enjoy God’s promise that, at the end, “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4). Thus, the evil legacy of sin and death will come to a permanent end. We can have the assurance that sin and death will never resurface again because Jesus Christ has gained permanent victory over these devastating enemies. It is because of this great truth that Paul was able to mock sin and death saying ‘“death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?’ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”’ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). It is terrific news to know that sin and death will be utterly undone! When we are taken up to heaven to be with Jesus Christ in heaven, we will indeed never again sin nor suffer death. In the final analysis, Jesus Christ will permanently eradicate evil, solve the problem of sin and death, and grant everlasting life those who are faithful to Him. Hence, Satan and the fallen angels will be forever condemned and destroyed whereas the righteous will inherit the heavenly kingdom and enjoy eternal life without ever falling into sin again. This is made possible only through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! - James W. Dieujuste
Assignment #1: Jesus Alone Can Reverse the Sin Problem
Sin is by far the greatest issue in the universe, it has disrupted the universal harmony which God created in the cosmos and only Jesus can truly eradicate evil from our universe forever. We don’t have a clear view of how the sin problem evolved in the heart of a sinless being; we do know its consequences not only in humanity, and nature but it also affected heaven and God himself. Humanity and other fallen beings have adopted a sinful nature which wars against God and disobeys His law, and the final outcome will be that we are, “by nature object of wrath [God’s wrath]” Eph. 2:3. The sin problem is not confined to humanity, it is much broader and as such the solution must have cosmic perspective, in other words, thinking that sin only affects individuals is only a part of the problem. It is true that God has provided a way of salvation for humanity, yet it is not only for humanity but for the entire universe God created and which is suffering the consequences of sin (Romans 8:18-23).
The question then is why did God create a universe where sin could enter? If he knew that his creatures could make wrong use of the freedom which he gave them, why create them with this ability in the first place? If he knew the terrible “price” he had to pay for the redemption of the cosmos, why did he go ahead and created it? I don’t claim to have a full answer to these questions, I can only quote Paul, “But because of his great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved” Eph. 2:4-5. I believe God’s love is stronger than evil, God’s power is greater, his mercy is sufficient, his grace is abundant, his forgiveness is complete, his authority is above all, his dominion is far reaching than just the universe he created, and his will is for his creatures to be adopted back into his glorious kingdom.
Jesus alone can solve the problem of sin, he defeated Satan in heaven, he defeated Satan when he died on the Cross, and he will defeat him at the end of time. Satan is a defeated enemy! We can rejoice because we know the outcome presented by John in Revelation 20:14, “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire,” he also mentions in Rev. 21:27, “Nothing impure will ever enter it [The New Jerusalem].” In heaven we will understand better the issue of evil and we will learn to hate sin, just as God hates sin.
Christ is also doing the same work of re-creation in our hearts; he wants to replace our hearts with a new one because in our hearts there is only rebellion and evil. Christ is working so that the relationship with God can be re-established, Paul comments, “In him [Christ] and through faith in him [Christ] we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” He is the only one who understands his creatures well enough to be an effective savior, not only to humans but to the entire creation. It is in Christ alone that God will bring everything together, Christ will have dominion over the entire new creation and it is God’s desire that we may become part of that new creation by exercising the gift of election and choosing to give our lives to Him. Humanity does not need to be bound to Satan and his fate; God has provided a way of salvation for the entire universe through the blood of Christ Jesus, who because of his great love and mercy chose to bring reconciliation between God and us. What a great gift of grace has been made available to all, we can be part of the new order where Christ will be the head, we can enjoy the blessings of the new creation were sin will not exist, we can be heirs of the riches and glory reserved to those who accepted the gift of grace through faith.
The cosmic scope of sin will be resolved by a trans-cosmic Christ, who will bring harmony back to the universe.
Response to Assignment # 1 posted by John A. Coaxum
I enjoyed reading your posting from assignment 1. I liked the way that you use Scripture to convey your points. I think that you accurately described salvation in that it is both “a phase by phase process” and yet something so certain that it is “as if it has already happened.” This is a helpful way to describe the “already but not yet” tension that exists in the Bible. The “already but not yet” concept is indeed present in the words of Christ and Paul. Christ can make the claim about the coming kingdom because as the omnipotent God He is able to establish it. For Paul, his faith was so grounded in God that he welcomed fully the eschatological promise made in regard to the kingdom though he had not yet actually experienced it. It is interesting to analyze the way that this tension plays out its course without there being a contradiction in the Word of God.
- James W Dieujuste
Quigley Morris
The work of Christ
05/13/02 Assignment 1
By Grace through Faith (Ephesians 2)
There are some compelling reasons that can make one think deep about his or her faith. Or just to understand grace through faith is a mystery that the church has been explaining to its members. Although the explanation may seem to be logical and profound the depth of faith still hangs around in the mines of people as an unknown variable.
It is the grace on God’s part and the faith on man’s part that can make this work. Now remember that in this deal we can take nothing to the table, because even the faith we have to take to the table is rooted in God. Man on his own cannot have faith; the faith we may enjoy is a gift from God. It is also an ability that can only grow when one is connected to God, the point I am trying to make here we can take nothing to the table. In our condition we are venerable to who we are, and who we are is not very good.
The part of faith is simply we accepting the invitation from God to rely and trust him. To me there is no other way around it; grace through faith is all about the Father giving to his children and the recipient who are his children through Christ learn to accept the offer in Faith. This process will grow base on ones experience in his relationship with the father. Here the ground for faith to grow and the recipient can learn to trust through experience.
That faith help us reach the table, but we are not taking faith there as our contribution to the deal of salvation; but it is there because on the other side of the table God is sitting there. And with him he carries all the good gifts that we need. It is only then can we have one once of faith and the ability to use our faith becomes available in him. So through the process of living for him and with him our faith grows as we start tasting and feeling the goodness of the Lord.
It is through the act of presenting ourselves to Him that we are saved not that faith is the means of our salvation but simply the channel. It is like turning on the light in your house, when you flip the swish you have not created electricity but you have provided the medium for it to flow. So faith of itself cannot help the Christian; the Christian must connect faith to God and that is the only time Faith can come alive and shine in a Christian life.
Salvation is not affected by human effort; we cannot save ourselves nether can we take our selves closer to God. Salvation is a free gift without money or price; we just cannot pay for it, we cannot rent it. It is a free gift that requires each individual must make a conscious effort to walk in a relationship with God.
Work is not a cause but an effect of salvation; that does not mean that your good works can help you attain salvation. As I have said early there is nothing we can do to attain salvation. But through your work you learn to build a relationship with God. You start eating the bread of live and that action create experience and from that experience our faith start growing and as we get older we get a better understanding of who God is to us. That is all our work can do for us, give us a better understanding of who Jesus is to us.
Our works are not good; of man himself he cannot bring forth good work. It is necessary for him to be spiritually recreated in Christ before he can produce the good work that is motivated my Christ alone. By a change of the will affection and purpose the privilege and duty of witness by good works become possible.
The true value of a human life is found in the love of God; and the wonder of it all God love us while we were sinners. And he has never ceased to love us; by the way it is his love that motivated his work of salvation. God has mercy on us because we are sinners, and he loves us because we are his creatures.
Assignment 1
Works of Christ
Why did God Create Lucifer?
Could it be that God may be implicated in the origin of sin and evil? Does the Bible provide an answer to this question? I do believe that any attempt to answer this question would include an aspect of speculation. The question that would come into our minds is; could sin and evil be part of God’s creative activity? According to the Bible the answer is clear as the Bible puts it that everything that God created was “very good” (Gen 1:31). This therefore affirms that everything that God created was good. I would think that it implies that He did not create evil.
There is also a very clear connection between God and Lucifer which should not be mistaken. The Bible states that God created him, he is a creature and also when God created him he was “blameless”. It seems to me that Lucifer’s aspect of being blameless did not last for long as latter “wickedness was found in him” (Ezek 28:15). Though God’s creation was good something happened on one of his creation. The text says that “wickedness was found in you”. The question is: What happened to Lucifer? Something had happened to Lucifer which is a point of contention to many scholars. Here we face the mystery of the origin of sin: its irrationality. While the blamelessness of the cherub is clearly explained as the product of divine creation, wickedness is an unexpected phenomenon that "was found" in him. Manuel Rodriguez says the strange behavior of the cherub was legally examined and found to be wicked. The legal proceedings were necessary because the behavior of the cherub did not correspond to what was expected from him. The court concluded there was "wickedness” in him. It’s hard to comprend this!
The fact that God is omniscient means that He foreknew that Lucifer, the light bearer, would become Satan, the accuser. Since God is omnipotent, sin and evil exist because God permits them to exist. Why did He permit them to exist? That is your question and mine too. Some theologians have established a distinction between the nature of Lucifer and his will. His nature, as created by God, was good; but his will, as used by him, led to sin and evil, Rodriquez Manuel would put it that way. God is responsible for the first but not for the second. The misuse of the will is based on, but not determined by, the freedom with which God invested His intelligent creatures. But, could not God have avoided all of that by not creating Lucifer? Why did God do what He did? At some moment in eternity God decided to create intelligent, free creatures. In His omniscience He knew that one of them would rebel against Him. Aha He knew! Funny isn’t it? Should He not at that moment change His plan? The natural human answer would be, "Yes!" It could have made a lot of sense if He did that. That’s what any human being would have done. But God is not like us! Once He decided to create, no real or potential force would force Him to alter His plans. Otherwise, the fear of sin would have defeated Him before He created anything. God decided not to change His plan but confront the problem of sin and evil and resolve it once and for all through His Son. And He did! Perhaps that's what happened. Who knows? I certainly don't.
The Works of Christ
Reflection Paper # 1
Christopher Mwashinga
I found the first two chapters of the book the Cosmic Christ of Scripture setting a foundation on which to discuss the question of God’s three books - The book of Incarnation, the book of Inspiration and the book of creation -written in the cosmos. The idea of the three books itself, gives the idea of a much wider outlook that covers much of human experience if not all. The book of Incarnation represents the Incarnate Christ who came to seek and save that which was lost in the cosmos. He came from heaven to earth. He Trans-cosmically descended and dwelt for a while among the dwellers of the cosmos (human beings); who saw His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth ( John 1: 14).
The books of creation (nature) and the book of revelation (Scriptures) they work to make the book of Incarnation more understandable and in terms of what He has done in both creating and redeeming His own creation. The three books show that indeed the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ is the Savior of the cosmos since He came from another cosmos to save our cosmos, the planet earth which is part of the bigger cosmos (universe).
The book of Ephesians has a direct bearing on the discussions we have had in class during the week. The salvation of Christ which is attained by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) is cosmic in its coverage and scope. It does not keep any group out. Whoever accepts Christ has an equal opportunity of being saved. It covers both Jews and Gentiles, so that there are no foreigners but all become fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (Eph. 2: 19-22). This is made possible because Christ in His body, reconciled both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (2:16).
In class, among other things, we saw that the scope of the sin problem is cosmic. That’s to say, it involves not only human beings, but also angels. In other words, because of the sin problem on planet earth, the entire cosmos is affected in one way or another. The solution to the sin problem , then ,must be as comprehensive as the problem is. So the Gospel Paul claims to have been commissioned to preach (Eph. 3) is the solution to the problem. Since it is the Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ, it can be concluded that the Gospel itself is cosmic, in the sense that it covers the entire cosmos with the same effectiveness. People of every race, regardless their geographical position in the world, whatever their social, economic or technological status, they can benefit from the power of the cosmic Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ of Scripture.The two documents, Justification in Romans 3:21-24 and Christ and salvation by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, they both relate very well with what I have read in the book of Ephesians . The two articles, basically discuss the question of salvation even though Rodriguez seems to limit his investigation to the text shown above. In his article, important terms such as justification, salvation, righteousness which were also discussed in our class, are featured prominently in the article. The same idea of cosmic- a wider understanding of salvation and the use of these terms is evident throughout the article. The article insists on the fact that since all have sinned, then all stand in need of the grace of Christ. All Jews and Gentiles are justified by the righteousness of God revealed in Christ- the cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ. The idea of “all” connects very well with the idea of the cosmic Christ and the salvation he offers. The verse he has quoted in this article, Romans 3:24, makes it clear that the thrust of the passage is that all people may receive the righteousness by faith and none has any claim to it on the ground of merit.
Assign 1.
The cosmic christ.
Having taken taken four years on studying theology in my undergrad in theology and now am in mdiv and on top of it finnishing my second year,I have gone through many theologies on the concept of who christ is,in our first year and second year in our theological school ,whosoever was using complicated terminologies and give more exergesis of the scripture by adding some hebrew and creek terminologies in his represanation was considered as the greatest champion on understanding who christ is,but with time I came to realize that the gospel is simple and one doesn’t need complicate termininologies to understandstand it.this is what I got as paradox in the materials I read.
By comparing Dr hannas book ,the cosmic christ I discivered that he is putting more emphasis what paul is explaining who christ is and who we are in him in his two book-colosians and ephesians.the BRI had the same concept too.In eph 1:4 I took this scripture as the basic foundamental of our hope or existence.long ago even before he made the world ,God chose us to be his very own through what christ will do for us. The cosmic christ im talking about controls time and space .some of what I read is the us of the term predestination as it is mentioned in his book [Dr.hanna] it carries more weight for it emphasises to us that we were already predistined to be children of God even befor the fall,hence the devil has no control over us even in our sinful condition.
Human beings have attendency for feel like they must do something for God to attain salvation but that is not the case our praises should be to God for his wonderful kindness to us by giving jesus christ to us.in colosian 1:20 says that it is through what his son did that god cleared apath for every one to come to him-all things in heaven and earth and on earth.so the cosmic christ has the authorithy in this planeth and in other worlds hence he is not limited by time and space.
What I grasped here is that we are of agreat value to God for we costed God all that he had in both heaven and earth,christ main agenda was to make us realize that though the world we are living in was in vaded by the devil,he is till in control for he defeated him in the cross and actually he is the devil is just a creature and he is the creater.John 1:1 in the beginning was a word and the word was with God and thewas God summarizes on the authorithy which christ posses.
The Works of Christ
Reflection Paper # 1
Christopher Mwashinga
I found the first two chapters of the book the Cosmic Christ of Scripture setting a foundation on which to discuss the question of God’s three books - The book of Incarnation, the book of Inspiration and the book of creation -written in the cosmos. The idea of the three books itself, gives the idea of a much wider outlook that covers much of human experience if not all. The book of Incarnation represents the Incarnate Christ who came to seek and save that which was lost in the cosmos. He came from heaven to earth. He Trans-cosmically descended and dwelt for a while among the dwellers of the cosmos (human beings); who saw His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth ( John 1: 14).
The books of creation (nature) and the book of revelation (Scriptures) they work to make the book of Incarnation more understandable and in terms of what He has done in both creating and redeeming His own creation. The three books show that indeed the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ is the Savior of the cosmos since He came from another cosmos to save our cosmos, the planet earth which is part of the bigger cosmos (universe).
The book of Ephesians has a direct bearing on the discussions we have had in class during the week. The salvation of Christ which is attained by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) is cosmic in its coverage and scope. It does not keep any group out. Whoever accepts Christ has an equal opportunity of being saved. It covers both Jews and Gentiles, so that there are no foreigners but all become fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (Eph. 2: 19-22). This is made possible because Christ in His body, reconciled both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility (2:16).
In class, among other things, we saw that the scope of the sin problem is cosmic. That’s to say, it involves not only human beings, but also angels. In other words, because of the sin problem on planet earth, the entire cosmos is affected in one way or another. The solution to the sin problem , then ,must be as comprehensive as the problem is. So the Gospel Paul claims to have been commissioned to preach (Eph. 3) is the solution to the problem. Since it is the Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ, it can be concluded that the Gospel itself is cosmic, in the sense that it covers the entire cosmos with the same effectiveness. People of every race, regardless their geographical position in the world, whatever their social, economic or technological status, they can benefit from the power of the cosmic Gospel of the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ of Scripture.The two documents, Justification in Romans 3:21-24 and Christ and salvation by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, they both relate very well with what I have read in the book of Ephesians . The two articles, basically discuss the question of salvation even though Rodriguez seems to limit his investigation to the text shown above. In his article, important terms such as justification, salvation, righteousness which were also discussed in our class, are featured prominently in the article. The same idea of cosmic- a wider understanding of salvation and the use of these terms is evident throughout the article. The article insists on the fact that since all have sinned, then all stand in need of the grace of Christ. All Jews and Gentiles are justified by the righteousness of God revealed in Christ- the cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ. The idea of “all” connects very well with the idea of the cosmic Christ and the salvation he offers. The verse he has quoted in this article, Romans 3:24, makes it clear that the thrust of the passage is that all people may receive the righteousness by faith and none has any claim to it on the ground of merit.
Assign 1.
The cosmic christ.
Having taken taken four years on studying theology in my undergrad in theology and now am in mdiv and on top of it finnishing my second year,I have gone through many theologies on the concept of who christ is,in our first year and second year in our theological school ,whosoever was using complicated terminologies and give more exergesis of the scripture by adding some hebrew and creek terminologies in his represanation was considered as the greatest champion on understanding who christ is,but with time I came to realize that the gospel is simple and one doesn’t need complicate termininologies to understandstand it.this is what I got as paradox in the materials I read.
By comparing Dr hannas book ,the cosmic christ I discivered that he is putting more emphasis what paul is explaining who christ is and who we are in him in his two book-colosians and ephesians.the BRI had the same concept too.In eph 1:4 I took this scripture as the basic foundamental of our hope or existence.long ago even before he made the world ,God chose us to be his very own through what christ will do for us. The cosmic christ im talking about controls time and space .some of what I read is the us of the term predestination as it is mentioned in his book [Dr.hanna] it carries more weight for it emphasises to us that we were already predistined to be children of God even befor the fall,hence the devil has no control over us even in our sinful condition.
Human beings have attendency for feel like they must do something for God to attain salvation but that is not the case our praises should be to God for his wonderful kindness to us by giving jesus christ to us.in colosian 1:20 says that it is through what his son did that god cleared apath for every one to come to him-all things in heaven and earth and on earth.so the cosmic christ has the authorithy in this planeth and in other worlds hence he is not limited by time and space.
What I grasped here is that we are of agreat value to God for we costed God all that he had in both heaven and earth,christ main agenda was to make us realize that though the world we are living in was in vaded by the devil,he is till in control for he defeated him in the cross and actually he is the devil is just a creature and he is the creater.John 1:1 in the beginning was a word and the word was with God and thewas God summarizes on the authorithy which christ posses.
The works of Christ-The plan of salvation
Does the death of Christ give us salvation? The New Testament uses different images to express the richness of the works of Christ. We may describe these images as analogies, models or metaphors. In the bible, Christ has seen as the ransom for sin, the sacrificial lamb and the model of the life in God. For example, John the Baptist calls him the Lamb “who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Paul calls him a “sacrifice of atonement”, a “sin offering and Passover lamb”, and a “fragrant offering” (Romans 3:25; 8:3; 1 Corinthians 5:7; Ephesians 5:2). Hebrews 10:12, calls him a “sacrifice for sins.” John calls him “the atone sacrifice” (1 John 2:2; 4:10). In fact, God made humanity and the cosmos, and He also saves humanity and all of the cosmos. A Lutheran theologian, in 1952 stated that the Christian community needed to carefully examine the limitations placed upon the works of the Christ. God's cosmic plan comes from the Scriptures, and the central passages for cosmic Christology begin with John 1:1-14 and include Mark 16:15, Colossians 1:15-20 and Ephesians 1:3-4 and 9-10.
In the writings of the early church teachers such as Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon (130-200), he taught that we must look to creation to see the unity that begins with the word of God working out God's plan of salvation. The unity of creation reflects the unity of the Godhead: Father, Son and Spirit. In one continuous line of action from creation-incarnation-life and work-death-resurrection, Irenaeus saw perfect expression of God's own unity. Through this complete line of action, before time, in time and in the future, all of creation is recovered for God's plan of salvation. Thus, Irenaeus called this process the works of Christ. Cosmic Christology calls us to look back to the creation to see the work of God and to move forward with the Risen Christ to work for the kingdom of God in all creation. Nonetheless, anyone who considers that he/she is a sinner and believes that Jesus Christ came as the Redeemer of sin is understood the plan of salvation. As Christians we need to implement the plan of salvation by receiving God’s gift of His Son, Jesus- Christ. In the Bible, a prison officer asked his prisoners, Paul and Silas: “what must I do to be saved?’ they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). “God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Moreover, we also need to understand the death of Christ because His death is a crucial part of the gospel. Hence, Jesus came to give His life by dying on the cross, and His death would purchase salvation for others. “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day” (Luke 24:26-27, 46). Obviously, His death was necessary for our salvation.
Although He was without sin, He was counted among sinners. “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken, smitten, and afflict by God. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. “(Isaiah 53: 4). Jesus’ death carried our sins and suffered for our transgressions. Yet, our spiritual illness is healed through his suffering and death. God presented Jesus as a sacrifice for our forgiveness as well as to demonstrate his justice” (Romans 3:25). Apostle Paul uses an interesting image of salvation when he writes that Jesus “disarmed the powers and authorities” by making “a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:15).
Fernandez, Nelson
Assignment#1: God of the 4th Dimension
Borderline heresy. Those were my thoughts after the first day of class. My mind struggled with this entire “cosmic” concept because of the fact that, even though I knew there was truth in the idea of a “cosmic Christ,” I had trouble accepting the idea that God has an even greater manifestation of himself that creation cannot begin to comprehend specifically because of the fact that we are indeed creatures; I still do. However, after beginning the reading for this course, that cloud of initial suspicion has dissipated more and more as the reading went on. It was only yesterday when my “aha moment” finally came and I was convinced that, indeed, God will always be bigger than what human beings can even fathom because of the fact that He alone can access realms we can only vaguely conceptualize; He alone inhabits a world that I call the 4th Dimension.
In mathematics, the 4th Dimension, or a four-dimensional ("4D") space, is an abstract concept, obtained by taking the rules of our three-dimensional-space (“3D”) and generalizing them to a space with one more dimension. While many people have categorized 4D by various interpretations, I will refer to it as the control of time itself, although this idea is no longer done in modern physics. I know this is a somewhat philosophical speculation yet, I did not arrive to this conclusion in a vacuum; there was a process to my madness.
First of all, I began by reading through the first three chapters of Ephesians. I was amazed that among the major themes of these chapters are predestination and unity in Christ. A curious phrase that is known to many Christians here is that phrase where Paul says that God “predestined” us to do good works (1:5;11). Now while I could go on a tangent about any one point, the main point that I want to bring out here is the implicit idea that God has two things at his disposal in to accomplish his will: a plan and the patience to wait for his plan to perfectly come to pass.
Secondly, looking at Dr. Hanna's book, and identifying “God's three books,” we see that God has the ability to use the same idea of unlimited time, to do his will in our “cosmos”. Take for example the fact that it took him 33 years to fully accomplish the work of the book of Christ's life; 1,500 years to fully compile the books in the book Inspiration; has been dealing with Sin for about 6,000 years; if that wasn't enough, he has a universe that we can’t really date.
A God in the 4D is a God who is not bound to the same rules of logic, time and space that we humans subscribe to. He is a God that isn't rushed and isn't delayed because of the fact that something might not be working out when he wants it to. He was able to look ahead before the foundation of world and see how long the Universe would need to put up with Sin and was willing to wait for it. Yet, when His children need a little more time, he can stop time itself at will like he did with Joshua and Gideon, or even go back in time like he did in the case of Hezekiah in order to accomplish his will. He patiently deals with our imperfections on earth and will still patiently deal with the fact that we will never be omniscient even while we ever grow in our knowledge and reflection of a perfect and transcendent God in the ages of eternity. Only a God who is able to have complete mastery over the 4th Dimension of time and space can be truly labeled the “trans-cosmic” ruler of all!
Juanfer Monsalve
Assignment #1—building on the Rock (Col 2)
The mystery of Christ is one that has revolutionized the world. Why would God deal with sin the way He did. This mystery is one that when understood, the life of a Christian grows as it never has before. It was the purpose of Paul to explain this mystery as to why it was so important for the life of a Christian. Verses 2-5
In Chapter 1 verse 15 we see that Jesus is the image of the invisible God over all Creation. Not only is He the ones that give salvation but the one that created everything. Today in the world there are many theories of Who Christ was? There are people blaming Him for the problem of sin the same that He is trying to eradicate. It is through the reading of his book that we can come to find the Hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We must take a hard look at the place where we are getting our theology and philosophy of life. Is our life based on faith in the word of God, is it real to us? Or are we letting fine arguments convince us otherwise about the reality of Christ. As Paul wrote to the Colossians we see that his desire is that their faith be based on Christ, the Creator of heaven (His official home in creation) and the creator of life. in verse 6 through8 we continue reading
Salvation seems to be an everlasting process. Continuing to live with Him is not a destination but a process. IF we are to have a firm faith, it will not come from a wait and see attitude towards life, but by living a life of faith in this world. In the first part of the chapter we find that the mystery of Christ is one that is filled with amazing room for growth. Today as we read the bible we must look build on Christ and continue to be strengthen by Him.
Here we must stop and take a look at the human philosophy, that one which takes us to look at ourselves instead of looking at the bigger picture. The human tradition which shows us that we sin is a problem of earth and earth alone. One that affects me and no one else. Yet this is a hollow and deceptive philosophy that drives us to focus in ourselves and not in the global conflict that is seen to be the theme of the bible.
Christ is to be our foundation, and His mysteries are not dumbfound us, but to take us to a place of growth as never before. Verse 9-12
The works of Christ are those of resurrection, those of new life. God is a creator that gives us freedom to make our own choice. We see that the problem of sin was something we won by our own attitude, yet we have been given the fullness in Christ. As we look ahead and we in future papers we look at the cosmic implications of sin and the plan of salvation, we must realize that the salvation given to us, is not attained by us, but given to us. Christ has taken that part which covers us and has cut it off, He is there to help us gain the victory over sin. The plan of salvation is one of total dependence on the giver of life. the one that created heavens and the earth is the one who raises us from spiritual dead and gives us new life.
As we look ahead, we must not forget that the base of our Christian experience is based on Christ and his gift to us. One that we must accept or reject, but one that has been given to all, because not one of us deserves it!
Lau, Chuen Chuen (Assignment 1) Mysterious cosmic
For what I learned from the reading materials and the lectures.
If we want to understand the works of Christ, the basic source is the Bible. From Dr. Hanna mentioned in the class, if we want to know the works of Christ we have to know who Christ is. From his book he mentioned the Scripture of Cosmic Christ. To understand Christ is necessary to read the Scripture. Therefore the Scripture is very important material to reveal the works of Christ. God used the Scripture to tell us about His work and how He loves us.
Paul mentioned the work of Christ, He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. It is the same of what Ellen White mentioned in Step to Christ in the first two chapters, those are coherence. Just like what Dr. Hanna says in his book. Ellen White is the lesser light to the greater light.
But when I read the book of Ephesians, Paul mentioned Christ Jesus many times in the first three chapters. But I don’t understand why Paul used Christ Jesus in the beginning twice and after that he used Jesus Christ. Does it have different meaning ?
Christ is the creator and He loves us so much, He prepared the best for the human being. “Man was originally endowed with noble powers and a well-balance mind. He was perfect in his being, and in harmony with God.” (From EGW) But unfortunately sin made the human being fall.
Even the human being did fall, our Creator still has the perfect plan to save us. It shows how great He is and How love He is. “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.” Eph 2:8 Salvation is the grace from God for us as a gift even it is the fault of disobedience of human being. But God is willing to take this as His work.
In the first lecture Dr. Hanna was talking about the cosmic and trans-cosmic, those are new terms for me. I never think of trans-cosmic of Christ of the Scripture before. It is very interesting for me, use the cosmic and trans-cosmic to understand the works of Christ.
Cosmic, all, from Christ, for me it is His great work. Christ reveals His mysterious plan to us by Himself. But I don’t think we can understand all since it is a mysterious.
Christ is cosmic as the same time salvation is cosmic. Christ did not only create the Earth He did create the other beings and planets. Sin is not only affect this Earth but also the universe. Therefore the salvation is not only for the earth.
I really appreciated that Dr. Hanna used the cosmic for the translation in some Scriptures. It is more clear for me to understand how related with it.
For sin, I think it is still a mysterious for me to understand, God know good and evil and He is righteousness and just. But how come evil can be existed. From the Scripture we know the Satan is the source of the sin but how did it create the sin, it still a mysterious for me. I want to know more about it.
I have to pray more and ask the wisdom from Heaven to let me understand it and to experience the love of God. If I even can’t understand it on this earth, I hope God give me the wisdom to explain to the church members that it is a mysterious and we won’t understand until we get into Heaven.
Assignment 1: “Let our faith be heard.” by Si On Sung
I was intrigued by the word of Paul in his letter of Colossians. He states that he pray for his brothers, giving praise and asking God many things for them because he has heard about them; their faith, love, and service. When I reflect myself, I wonder how many people know me and hear about my good deeds.
In the class, we have learned that the salvation is total gift from God and it is not by our works. Yet there are still our parts. Conviction is God’s part, but the physical action is our part. I believe that Christianity today is too much focused on the righteousness/justification by faith that we are often neglecting the aspects of our action. It is true that salvation is by God’s grace alone. Paul is very clear on this point in the letter of Romans. On the other hand, we must not neglect our sanctification.
Throughout the Bible, we see God’s command; do this and do that, otherwise we will not be blessed/saved. God’s concept of love, faith or any other teachings is not just theoretical that ends in our mind. It’s always lead to action (e.g. therefore, do this). Therefore, it is not wrong to say that we cannot be saved without our work because true faith is not in our mind, but in our action.
We would not have been saved, unless God took action, unless Christ died on the cross. In a same way, my neighbors cannot be saved unless we preach to them. Paul said that faith comes from hearing first. We must preach to others, witness to others. And when we do so, our brothers and sisters will be encouraged by us deeds and we can be mutually benefit. When Paul heard of fellow Christians’ services, he was strengthened, encouraged, and joyful. Then Paul responded by pray even more for them. This will cause further growth and expansion of their services.
I use to think, “When the chance comes, I will do it.” I even justified myself by thinking, “Since I have not given opportunities, perhaps it is God’s will to stay where I am and fixed in my old life style.” However, I am recently discovering through my own experiences and through the reading of the Scripture that unless I take the action first, my environment will never change.
God has already taught us how to live, in spite of our situation. When we are sinning, God does not change our environment so that we are unable to sin. He didn’t change the environment of Eden so that Adam and Eve cannot eat the forbidden fruit. God has already instructed them, and it was their responsibility to know and not to eat of it.
We sin, because we want to have pleasure or because we want to avoid suffering. But God is telling us that suffering is better than sinning. Worldly pleasure will soon or later vanish. God is inviting us to have hope in eternal pleasure. I am not here saying that temporal pleasure is all bad. However, it can be bad when it takes the place of Christ in our heart.
I really struggled with the concept of salvation that we talked about in the class. Sometimes, I still struggle. But one thing that is clear is that we should never give up on what we can do. We should not expect God to do everything for us while we are stuck in our comfort zone. We cannot blame God for our responsibilities. I believe it is clear in the Bible that there are steps we need to take in the path of salvation.
Assignment #1
Where is God?
Today, I was talking to a friend, who is a non-Adventist, born and raised Catholic, and now he is not practicing anything really. He believes that there is a God, but he thinks that God has given up on the human race and has left us to our own doom. He just watched a movie called “Legion” and then presented me with his thoughts. According to IMDB.com, the synopsis of “Legion” says, An out-of-the-way diner becomes the unlikely battleground for the survival of the human race. When God loses faith in humankind, he sends his legion of angels to bring on the Apocalypse. Humanity's only hope lies in a group of strangers trapped in a desert diner with the Archangel Michael. I didn’t offer to watch the movie, but I was slightly frustrated at the same time. My friend always asks me questions about “where God is,” “what He thinks of us,” and “What about angels and demons.” He listens to me, however, he doesn’t seem to want to research much on his own, he just wants to be told things, and never really make up his mind.
For situations such as this, I am happy for the opportunity of being in a class that discusses Christ, God, and Salvation. When I think about these things, I realize that my faith rests on the Word of God and not what people or the world tries to teach me. But how many other people have that point of view? If you talk to the main populace, not too many people believe the same as me. When I was talking to my friend, I brought up Hebrews 13:8. I also brought up the text in Matthew 10:29-31. I brought up a few more texts, however, my friend wasn’t so interested in the Bible texts as much as he was interested in finding a reason for why the world is in the state that it is currently in.
But when he was asking me about God, I was able to share with him some of the things we had discussed in class, such as our discussion of Revelation 12, where we learned about original sin and its spreading to earth, but that God had a plan of salvation the entire time. In this discussion, I realized how hard it was to explain these ideas in terms that my friend would be familiar with. However, as much as I tried to help him to see another perspective, not forcing him of course, but answering his questions with Biblical answers, he didn’t seem very convinced.
For me, just as in the first chapter of Steps to Christ, I see God in everything, in the beauty of the earth and creation, the good in people, as well as in my own life. But my question is, how do I explain that to unbelievers who have such jaded views of God? This is a hard topic for me because I want so badly to help people understand the love of God, but if they only see the bad, how can I help them to acknowledge both the good and the bad to see the balance of sin and salvation in Christ? Colossians 1:21 – 23 says, 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
I find so much truth that makes sense to me in the Bible, I feel that I have a good understanding of the truths that our church believes in. However, this makes me wonder, if I really knew these truths as well as I think I do, why can’t I help others to understand them as well? This is something that I am struggling with at the moment. However, I am so thankful that I am getting Biblical theology from this class, because it at least helps me to continue in building a strong biblical foundation of beliefs.
It is my desire to learn more about work of Christ. I use to think that salvation was only limited to the planet earth. As I learned this week in class discussion sin does not only affected us in on earth. It is disrupt the good order of the cosmic. The first week of class just open my appetite for to learn more about the cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. By learning who is Jesus will help understand better His work when it comes the plan of salvation. Jesus never seizes to be the transcendent God and the creator of the cosmic. Jesus became a man to the world in order to understand Him; but not for man to become god. Heaven is the head quarter where God dwells in the cosmos. Jesus remains as trans-cosmic while he was in the cosmic. This statement becomes one of my favorite quotes by Mrs. White “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love, GC 678.3.” it helps to understand that sin only the earth problem but the whole cosmos.
Salvation is not only for the earth but the cosmos. Since sin did not begin on earth but in heaven from the highest angel there. It showed the God is a free being full of love. God did not just create us but He created us with a free will to choose. He also had a back plan in case disobedient rises; this is the plan of salvation. Sin is a problem to and God. It impacts others, so Christ came to earth to die for us to save not only us on earth but the whole cosmos.
I always blamed Lucifer for sin. The discussion this week makes realize that sin could have began with anyone. Sin spreads to all by one and brought death to all men; because all have sin said Paul. The free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The offense brought death but the gift brings life. God made a commitment to Himself to pursue the path of righteousness. Sinless being can sin Ezekiel 28:15-16 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you….”
Heaven
Reconciliation
Earth
I just learned in class that reconciliation is another word for Salvation. The Cross is one moment in the plan of salvation. The death of Christ and the resurrection are steps in the history of salvation. Remember you don’t need Lucifer to sin, because you are a free being you can become the next Lucifer. God said I am not going to send anyone to hell because you were born in sin (sinful nature) but you will go to hell because of the choice you make.
As I read the book for the class the quote caught my attention “Just as Christ does not eclipse Scripture, so Scripture does not eclipse Christ. Neither does Scripture eclipse the revelation of Christ in the cosmos which He Created.” Scripture points us to the Christ of the cosmos who die for us. There is nothing we can do to receive salvation. Faith, Love, and Hope these three words implement the human being participation in the plan of salvation. We participate in the plan of salvation as a receiver. I really enjoyed the class discussion.
Assignment # 1
Sin and Salvation!
It is my desire to learn more about work of Christ. I use to think that salvation was only limited to the planet earth. As I learned this week in class discussion sin does not only affected us in on earth. It is disrupt the good order of the cosmic. The first week of class just open my appetite for to learn more about the cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. By learning who is Jesus will help understand better His work when it comes the plan of salvation. Jesus never seizes to be the transcendent God and the creator of the cosmic. Jesus became a man to the world in order to understand Him; but not for man to become god. Heaven is the head quarter where God dwells in the cosmos. Jesus remains as trans-cosmic while he was in the cosmic. This statement becomes one of my favorite quotes by Mrs. White “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love, GC 678.3.” it helps to understand that sin only the earth problem but the whole cosmos.
Salvation is not only for the earth but the cosmos. Since sin did not begin on earth but in heaven from the highest angel there. It showed the God is a free being full of love. God did not just create us but He created us with a free will to choose. He also had a back plan in case disobedient rises; this is the plan of salvation. Sin is a problem to and God. It impacts others, so Christ came to earth to die for us to save not only us on earth but the whole cosmos.
I always blamed Lucifer for sin. The discussion this week makes realize that sin could have began with anyone. Sin spreads to all by one and brought death to all men; because all have sin said Paul. The free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. The offense brought death but the gift brings life. God made a commitment to Himself to pursue the path of righteousness. Sinless being can sin Ezekiel 28:15-16 “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness was found in you….”
Heaven
Reconciliation
Earth
I just learned in class that reconciliation is another word for Salvation. The Cross is one moment in the plan of salvation. The death of Christ and the resurrection are steps in the history of salvation. Remember you don’t need Lucifer to sin, because you are a free being you can become the next Lucifer. God said I am not going to send anyone to hell because you were born in sin (sinful nature) but you will go to hell because of the choice you make.
As I read the book for the class the quote caught my attention “Just as Christ does not eclipse Scripture, so Scripture does not eclipse Christ. Neither does Scripture eclipse the revelation of Christ in the cosmos which He Created.” Scripture points us to the Christ of the cosmos who die for us. There is nothing we can do to receive salvation. Faith, Love, and Hope these three words implement the human being participation in the plan of salvation. We participate in the plan of salvation as a receiver. I really enjoyed the class discussion.
I appreciated Michael Taylor's paper. your title stood out and caught my eyes to read. It is really sad that some people don't even want to accept Christianity because of this predestination concept. I am thankful that we adventists have clear understanding on this.
Assignment #1
The Reconciliation of Heavenly beings
We discussed in class the vast scope of the sin problem. Romans 8:18—23 teaches us that “the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” When we read this, we wonder whether or not this term creation refers to the planet earth or the entire cosmos. In verse 22 we also read that “the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” When we read these verses and note that all of creation is awaiting a reconciliation and a revealing of the sons of God, there is a verse in the opening chapter of Colossians that helps us clarify whether or not this reconciliation is limited to the earth or whether the scope is larger. In Colossians 1:19 & 20 we read “For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Christ), and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” Christ through Hos blood reconciles “to Himself” all thing; both things on earth and things in heaven. What the text is saying that there are things in earth that need to be reconciled unto God through the blood of Christ, and there are things in heaven that need to be reconciled through the blood of Christ. Therefore, even beings in heavenly places which have not sinned, are still reconciled to God by Christ's blood. They are reconciled because they have been affected in some way by sin.
We know from scripture that heavenly beings sing praises to God for His work of reconciliation on their behalf. Revelation 5:9 KJV speaks about the twenty four elders and the four living creatures which surround the throne of God, singing this new song “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” It is interesting to note that the four beasts are also singing at this point. While this is not solid proof, it does cause us to think deeply. One problematic thing which would be interesting to discuss stemming from this point is that the NASB and the KJV translate these verses differently. The song reports in the NASB that Christ “...purchased for God with His blood man from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
One obvious question in light of this view point is 'from what would heavenly beings who haven't sinned need redemption?' The answer is, they need redemption from doubtful concerns regarding the character of God. Ellen White writes in Desire of Ages p 758 paragraph 3, that “Not until the death of Christ was the Character of Satan clearly revealed to the angels or to the unfallen worlds. The archapostate had so clothed himself with deception that even holy beings had not understood his principles. They had not clearly seen the nature of his rebellion.” Since this is true we can infer that they questioned whether or not god was just in His dealings with Lucifer up until that point. While they trusted God, there was still a breach of uncertainty from which they needed to be reconciled.
Thus Christ's mission was to do more than defeat the bodily presence of sin in humanity. He was also to defeat the effects of sin in the unfallen worlds. This He accomplished, so that he might Reconcile all things unto himself. Even the things in heaven.
Assignment 1.
Trans-Cosmic blessing through Trans-Cosmic Christ
When Dr. Martin Hanna mentioned on his book, Cosmic Christ of Scripture, that the teaching of Scripture is often misunderstood because of a rejection of what it reveals about Christ, I understood it in the following way: Misunderstanding of Scripture is caused by a rejection of Christ. Without Jesus Christ, we can’t understand the Scripture correctly because it tells us about Jesus to come and Jesus who actually came in and the one who is to come again in the future. This book is actually all about Jesus Christ. On the Book, Christ is not a philosophical principal or an energy diffused throughout the cosmos. Rather, Christ is the Creator of the universe. He is the reality revealed in both history and the Scripture.
Even Ellen G. White on her book, Steps to Christ, mentions that the life Jesus lived shows us His character. His life also shows us God’s character. Rivers of heavenly love flow out from the heart of God to us through His Son. Jesus the tender, pitying Savior, was God, who “appeared in human form” (1 Timothy 3:16) [SC, p.12]. In this sense, whosoever wants to know about God and understand what the Bible actually is about should understand who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. And I think also that as a preacher when we preach, it is impossible to reveal God’s character and His love to this world without Jesus Christ, the one who Bible actually talks about. Jesus Christ should be the main character on the Book we have on our hand today. And finally we got to know that the veil of misunderstanding of the Scripture can be removed by Christ. “grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). Dr. Hanna continuously says that the Cosmic Christ of Scripture points to the truth that the veil of misunderstanding of Scripture is taken away in Christ.
Scripture actually talks about who God is through Jesus Christ. But we, at the same time, are trying to focus on the cosmic Christ not only on the basis of Scripture, but also on the basis of Incarnation and creation. That’s why we are looking at God’s Three Books all together which is first, the Book of Incarnation written in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. And secondly, the Book of Inspiration written in the Judeo-Christian Scripture. And thirdly, the Book of Creation written in the cosmos as Dr. Hanna mentioned.
Actually, for me these Three Books reveals Jesus Christ as trans-cosmic Christ. He is not only limited in Creation or Scripture, but He was revealed in our time as incarnated one. He reveals himself in all of these Three Books and that’s why I can regard Him as trans-cosmic Christ. If Jesus Christ is limited only in the book format in term of paper, it wouldn't be so different to the other religion and their own books such as the Sutra among Buddhists and the Koran among the Muslims. But Jesus Christ is revealed through his own life in this world and, at the same time, His life is prophesized by the Scripture itself. And the creature reveals His character who were the Creator. All these three things strongly supports that Jesus Christ is the cosmic and even farther than cosmic, He is trans-cosmic Christ.
Finally, Paul clearly says that “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). The blessing which was actually in the realm of heaven became ours in this land through Jesus Christ. In other words, the blessing which was in heaven became trans-cosmic blessing with the One who is trans-cosmic Christ. Actually, this big Idea is what I have learned from the reading this time and I am so appreciated that Jesus Christ is trans-cosmic Christ for me.
Assignment 1
Trans-Cosmic Blessing by Trans-Cosmic Christ.
When Dr. Martin Hanna mentioned on his book, Cosmic Christ of Scripture, that the teaching of Scripture is often misunderstood because of a rejection of what it reveals about Christ, I understood it in the following way: Misunderstanding of Scripture is caused by a rejection of Christ. Without Jesus Christ, we can’t understand the Scripture correctly because it tells us about Jesus to come and Jesus who actually came in and the one who is to come again in the future. This book is actually all about Jesus Christ. On the Book, Christ is not a philosophical principal or an energy diffused throughout the cosmos. Rather, Christ is the Creator of the universe. He is the reality revealed in both history and the Scripture.
Even Ellen G. White on her book, Steps to Christ, mentions that the life Jesus lived shows us His character. His life also shows us God’s character. Rivers of heavenly love flow out from the heart of God to us through His Son. Jesus the tender, pitying Savior, was God, who “appeared in human form” (1 Timothy 3:16) [SC, p.12]. In this sense, whosoever wants to know about God and understand what the Bible actually is about should understand who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us. And I think also that as a preacher when we preach, it is impossible to reveal God’s character and His love to this world without Jesus Christ, the one who Bible actually talks about. Jesus Christ should be the main character on the Book we have on our hand today. And finally we got to know that the veil of misunderstanding of the Scripture can be removed by Christ. “grow in grace in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 3:18). Dr. Hanna continuously says that the Cosmic Christ of Scripture points to the truth that the veil of misunderstanding of Scripture is taken away in Christ.
Scripture actually talks about who God is through Jesus Christ. But we, at the same time, are trying to focus on the cosmic Christ not only on the basis of Scripture, but also on the basis of Incarnation and creation. That’s why we are looking at God’s Three Books all together which is first, the Book of Incarnation written in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. And secondly, the Book of Inspiration written in the Judeo-Christian Scripture. And thirdly, the Book of Creation written in the cosmos as Dr. Hanna mentioned.
Actually, for me these Three Books reveals Jesus Christ as trans-cosmic Christ. He is not only limited in Creation or Scripture, but He was revealed in our time as incarnated one. He reveals himself in all of these Three Books and that’s why I can regard Him as trans-cosmic Christ. If Jesus Christ is limited only in the book format in term of paper, it wouldn't be so different to the other religion and their own books such as the Sutra among Buddhists and the Koran among the Muslims. But Jesus Christ is revealed through his own life in this world and, at the same time, His life is prophesized by the Scripture itself. And the creature reveals His character who were the Creator. All these three things strongly supports that Jesus Christ is the cosmic and even farther than cosmic, He is trans-cosmic Christ.
Finally, Paul clearly says that “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). The blessing which was actually in the realm of heaven became ours in this land through Jesus Christ. In other words, the blessing which was in heaven became trans-cosmic blessing with the One who is trans-cosmic Christ. Actually, this big Idea is what I have learned from the reading this time and I am so appreciated that Jesus Christ is trans-cosmic Christ for me.
Works of Christ
Prof. Martin Hanna
"Identity of Christ and the Impact of Sin"
I noticed that Martin Hanna’s book has the same focus of what we have spoken about in class. The class topic the first day spoke about the person of Christ, which deals with who Christ is and where Christ stands as in the light of scripture and the cosmos. In class we learned that there is the trans-cosmos sphere, where we find the creator, and the cosmos sphere, where we find the creation of the creator. Yet in further discussion in the class we see that the creator also takes part in the cosmos, in order to be the light of the trans-cosmos to the cosmos. We can’t say that Christ is only trans-cosmos because He became part of cosmos nor can we say that He is only cosmos because He became part of the cosmos without leaving His trans-cosmos state. I find that to be unique because He seems to have fused together these two identities, of which by that fusion all things are held together. He was the element that brought to spheres together; a powerful element! This act of holding the trans-cosmos and the cosmos together after a powerful interruption together is a sufficient starting point to talk about the infinite power of Christ. Another point that was interesting to me was the fact that in the cosmos sphere we can say that the angels are also in that cosmos because they are all created by the creator. Also in the light of scriptures and because the angels are in the sphere of the cosmos, we then are brothers with the angels.
After studying the identity of Christ, we moved on into the impact of sin. I have never seen the real impact of sin until we studied it in class. From my understanding of class sin impacted the creation of God. It first started in heaven, which affected 1/3 of the angels and then was casted down into earth, which from one man, it affected 100% of all creation on earth. The interesting thing is that since it affected creation it also had an affect on the creator. The creator could not stand to watch, and moved to solve the problem of sin.
In the article entitled, “How Perfect is ‘perfect’ or is Christian perfection possible?’ by Edward Heppenstall, Edward speaks about the answer to sin being the ‘perfect righteousness of Christ’. He mentions that since the fall of man, the problem of sin became a part of man’s sinful nature, and no matter what man does, man will continue to have that sinful nature (Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 2:22). Yet, because of Christ and the Holy Spirit that he has left for us, we have a counteraction to the effect of sin. The counteraction made me think of the light of darkness, which the bible tries to explain this power of this counteraction. Where there is no light, darkness has dominion, but when you have light in the same room, the light is a higher and without a doubt more powerful counteraction to the darkness. In the same way, when we search God, and fill our self with God it counteracts the darkness and leaves no room for it in us. As long as we stay in the light, it’s hard to turn to remain in darkness (Gal. 5:16-18).
Along with this idea, the author states that humans have the idea that Christ rids of the sinful nature once and for all, but explains that if this were so, then we wouldn’t need the grace of God. Yet, the sinful nature stays in us, but the work of Christ is perfected in us until the day of the return of Jesus Christ (phil. 1:6). He points out that since we remain having the sinful nature we cannot come to be sinless or as others interpret as ‘perfect’ yet he brings out the fact that those that are called perfect in the eyes of God were not except from sin, rather, their faith and obedience made them perfect in the eyes of God. Since they were obedient God blessed them and extended His grace to them.
Response to Assignment # 1
Posted by Kabah Stephen
I enjoyed reading Kabah’s posting, especially the way he used biblical texts to conclude that sin is a mystery to us. Wickedness is a “strange behavior” which does not correspond to the plan of God, since God’s creation was found to be “very good,” yet he was aware that sin/evil could arise within his creation, so he had a trans-cosmic plan to defeat evil. He would defeat evil through the obedient sacrifice of His son Jesus Christ. Even though we do not know all the details, we have the assurance that evil was defeated and that at Christ’s second coming the consequence or result of sin (eternal death) will be cast into the lake of fire and the harmony in God’s creation will never be disrupted by death again. The work of Christ to re-establish the lost harmony will forever be our subject of study and amazement!
There is an old saying that goes, "Don't judge a book by its cover". I've often thought that whoever made this statement was probably an author of a book with a really ugly book cover. That fact is, today, people do judge books by their cover. Society judges everything you do by three primary criteria: who you know, how you look, and what you drive (one could argue that these are also the three primary criteria for successful ministry but that is a subject for a class in church growth). Partially, I can agree because you can tell a lot about a person by condition of the back seat of their car. You can tell when someone is in love with their car, because their car is always clean. Rain or shine, sleet or snow, day or night, inside and outside, their car is absolutely spotless. Everybody knows that in order to keep your car clean, you have to wash it yourself. Going to the car wash one a month just won't cut it. Why all this talk about car detailing? It not so that I can finish this assignment but because its that best way I can illustrate holistic reconciliation.
The reconciliation that is offered to us through Jesus Christ must have an holistic effect on the believer. By holistic, I'm suggesting that the "reconciled-life" should manifest an ability to be reconciled not only with God but in every social context. Reconciliation is functionally relational and can only exist between two people or two people groups. I can not reconcile with myself alone but true unity is requires someone to be unified with.
This is a stumbling block that I believe the Jews had in fully accepting Christ and the Christian movement. While personal salvation is based on an individual relationship with God, being reconciled with God through the works of Christ was accomplished for the entire human race. This was the purpose of people of Israel and spiritual Israel (the church ) to reconciled the world to God through their ministry to them. But the mistake the Jews made was is thinking that because God had chosen them, that He was only going to reconcile them. That reconciliation with God only came through one group of people who were qualified to receive God mercy.
Paul addresses this issue clearly in Ephesians 2: 11-18 and makes a powerful statement in verses 14-16. "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ... His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility."
Is Paul suggesting that Jesus , through His death on the cross, was not only destroying the barrier between God and humanity but the barrier between Jews and Gentiles? What does he mean by hostility? Paul uses this same language to describe our sinful attitudes toward God in Romans 8:7. How can we be reconciled with God and not be reconciled with each other? How can we love Jesus but hate the homosexual? How can we be an Adventist and a racist? How can we serve the church and neglect our children at the same time? How can we hold any contempt or scrutiny on individuals and interview them as unworthy candidates of not only God’s love but of our love as well?
Paul reiterates this principle in Col 1-19-20 by teaching, "For God was pleased ...to reconcile to himself all things...making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Because reconciliation is holistic, it affects everything we are, because it is relational, it affects everyone we know, and therefore it should it turn be transformational and affect everything we do. Our appreciating of what Christ done should compel us to love "sinners and Gentiles" and seek to see the peace of Christ exist in our relationship with all people. After all, a car is only clean when its cleaned on the outside and the inside. Not either or, not one or the other, but both at the same time.
Cyril
Comments on "Only Jesus can reverse the sin problem"
I truly appreciated Edgar Alquinta's above named piece. He has demonstrated that the problem of sin is not limited to earth, indeed it did not originate on earth, and because of its universal scope there is the necessary need for a universal Savior. In that light, then, Jesus' death was not just to save human beings from sin but to rid put an end to the sin problem. Alquinta also did a good job of incorporating Scripture into his piece thus demonstrating the biblical basis for his postulations. He probably should have focussed a bit more on the subjective aspects of the sin problem, but, considering the limitations as per space, I think he did a good job.
Ariel Roldan
Responding to Michael Taylor's "We're not in Kansas anymore" posting:
When I read the quote you posted; “…Christ is not a philosophical principle…” I realized that I need to continually reassess my thinking during this class. Since we'll be dealing with some abstract and even philosophical issues, Jesus can become just a bunch of thought processes and we loose the focus on the Person that He is.
Appreciated the caution for a spiritual reality check as we attempt to grow and expand our ideas of Christ and His work for us.
This is in response to the Alta Pierre posting on the plan of salvation
Pierre has clearly shown that Christ the sacrificial lamb that died for our sins. With support of many biblical texts from both the Old Testament and New testament, Pierre has shown that it was only through the death of Christ at Calvary that we are saved. In deed the blood of angels could not atone for us. We had transgressed the law of God and just as the scriptures say that the wages of sin is death, we were supposed to die. But Christ came to our rescue and died in our place. Isaiah 53 says that “by His wounds we are healed”. Just as Pierre says, Christ’s death was necessary for us salvation and therefore the Cross became the heart of the gospel. Good work Pierre.
Assignment #1
Works of Christ
Is God the Originator of Sin?
This question comes to mind based on the fact that God is omniscient. This means that God foreknew who Lucifer was going to end up being. The next question that comes to is did God create Lucifer and Satan the same person at the same time? Can we come up with and answer or answers to these questions? If we have to come up with answers to these questions they will be based on our human understanding. I personally do not believe that God is the creator of sin and evil. My fact comes from Genesis 1:31. The fact that everything that God created was good tells me that God can not be the originator of sin or evil.
The world needs to know that God did not create Satan. He only created Lucifer as a seal of perfection (Ezekiel 28: 12). But as we all know now the aspect of being blameless did not last for a long time. Ezekiel 28: 15 tells us “wickedness was found in him”. When God created Lucifer, He created him with a free will. It was Lucifer that used his free will against his creator. And it was how sin came into the world. God been a righteous God had to do away with the sin problem. How will God resolved the sin problem is the big question. But thank God that he has put a plan into place. Thank God for Jesus. Through the death of Jesus on the cross, the problem of sin and evil is been resolve once and for all. What I know for sure is at the end of it all, God will make all things new and very good again.
This is my comment on Kabah’s work.
After reading Kabah’s work, I was very impressed by his writing. We will never know why God created Lucifer. And we know from (Gen 1:31) God is not the originator of sin or evil because everything He created was good. At the end of it all, through Jesus Christ, everything will be good again. Eden will be restored.
Response to Edgar's comment
Assignment#1
I read your comment with interest because of your effort to explain why God went a head to create the world while He knew about the fall to come. surely its a puzzle to many just like you.
Your effort to tie God's love to the whole issue is quite interesting. I know its not all exhaustive because we are not in God's mind. The only thing we can do is to appreciate the glimpse of light from the pen of inspiration- scriputres.
Perhaps that's why the saints will forever and ever keep learning of this Love in ages to come and never get to the bottom of it.
I think God is truelly mysterious.
Response to "The Reconciliation of Heavenly beings" by Pohlmarc Lawrence
I appreciated Pohlmarc's thought process on this subject. The concept of Christ's death having any kind of merit for heavenly beings was always kind of nebulous for me, I couldnt really wrap my head around it. Mainly because these beings had not sinned, as far as we know. But as Dr. Hanna has said, they were affected by it. This is not to be confused with being "infected" by it. Though they had not sinned or fallen they were pulled into this issue mainly because God, of his own volition, involved himself in it. But again I appreciate the quote that Pohlmarc included from Ellen White that made this point quite clear. After the heavenly beings observed the death and sacrifice of Christ they were convinced entirely of the true character of Satan. And the biblical text cited from Colossians provides ample support for this thinking.
I am responding to Joseph's post. I like how you have stated that God omniscient, that is that He is all knowing. i would like to offer a different thought on the idea that God created sin. I am not of the belief that God was the originator of sin, reason being if He created it then he is responsible for all the evil and not the devil or Lucifer. I think it is important to understand that God created us as free beings who have the power of choice. God did not make the choice for Lucifer, but he made his own choice. Should a parent be blamed for a child's choice after they are grown. NO, not at all. Just my thoughts.
Response to assignment 1
Posted by Wilking Jean.
I appreciate a lot on Wilking Jean’s focus on trans-cosmic Christ. I could catch a sense that trans-cosmic Christ became trans-cosmic blessing to us. Because of trans-cosmic Christ we can anticipate trans-cosmic blessing in Him. Thank you for the statement that “One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space.”
And also I could find the sense that the scope of the sin problem is huge, but at the same time, the scope of salvation is way larger than sin problem, that it covers and solves enough. Thanks again for your writing on this topic.
Response to Juanfer’s Assignment #1:
I think that Juanfer’s article touched up on some very important subjects that we as seminarians far too often seem to overlook in our endeavors to learn more about how to best do the work of God while here on earth. Namely, the ideas that we can become so puffed up by human knowledge and philosophy that we neglect God, or even worse, think that we can go at it alone in the world after we are done with Seminary because we have attained the title of “Master in Divinity.” I also especially liked his quote: ” Salvation seems to be an everlasting process. Continuing to live with Him is not a destination but a process.” I think it was expressed very well. Good job Juanfer, we DO need to rely on God for everything that we do; we always will.
Response to Ariel’s posting.
In reading your reflection paper I was blessed to read that you had read somewhere in the Great Controversy that God did actually plead with Lucifer not to continue down the path of rebellion but he would not listen. I remembered to have read that statement in my many readings before but could not remember the actual book I read from. So I am very happy that in your reflection paper you mentioned the book where this statement is found. The fact that God took the time to warn Lucifer in advance so as to prevent him from falling or forever separating himself from the Creator God, is an important one indeed. And it is clear that God uses the same principle as He deals with us today- He warns us in various ways. By using every possible means He labors to bring us back to Himself. To me that’s grace. But the question is are we ready to receive it by faith when God extends it to us?
THST 618 THE WORK OF CHRIST
Bohole,EMMANUEL.N
ASSIGNMENT #1
in this Class I am blessed from Dr. Hanna’s Lectures. His publication sounds smart, both electronically. Previously I had a very narrow way of understating the issue of salvation of man kind. However after reading Hanna’s book ‘The Cosmic Christ of Scripture’ in the early chapters and also the book of Ephesians and Colossian, I discovered that Christ is the Centre of the Cosmos (world) He is all in all, and that all things were created, sustained by Him, and after the fall of man kind all things were redeemed by Christ. There fore CHRIST becomes the Head, the controller of all things. (Eph 3:9, 1:9-11, 1:22,) He also become the light of the cosmos (jn 8:12, (jn 1:10) Again by listening lectures in class see Jesus Christ exalted in the way that he is separate from sinners and he is higher than the heavens (Heb 7: 26) By seeing all these qualification of our master and LORD, I humbly say that there is no any one else who can temper with man’s salvation. We are all saved by Jesus Christ.
Here i got more comments from Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, The Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White, “It is only through the sacrificial death of Christ as our substitute that there is hope for the human race.” After the fall of human we totally lost hope and we live a miserable life, but there is hope in CHRIST, we live and we have assurance for the internal life only through Him (1 Cor 8:6)
In class lectures I came to notice that Sin affected the creator (Christ) who ministers to all beings as well as Angels due to the fact that Angels also minister to the sinners they are also being affected.
God declares his work of creation was perfect on Lucifer: You were the seal of perfection full of wisdom and perfect beauty you were in Eden the garden of God , you were the anointed cherub who covers , I established you , you were on the holy mountain of God , you were perfect in your ways from the day you were created till iniquity was found in you and you sinned; there fore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of Gog and I destroyed you o covering cherub…. “(Ezek 28:12-16, 19-19)
Again God declares his work of creation that was perfect in the universe “ God saw every thing that he made and indeed it was very good so the veining and the morning were the six day, ( Gen1:31) The Lord God commanded the man saying , of every tree of the garden you may freely eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die( Gen 2:16-17). With the lecture in class and now in connection to the scripture here we find that the serpent tempted the sinless human beings to sin and that when they did their sin impacted their bodies and the whole universe as well as environment. (Gen3) Ángel Manuel Rodríguez continue to say these strong words regarding God’s perfect creation ‘’ In Eden humans had full and perfect communion and fellowship with God, but as a result of sin the connection between heaven and earth was severed’’
Having seen the perfect work of God in creation and here man is fallen in to sin I realized that God loved so much his creatures.
I connect with the writings of E G White in stapes to Christ chapter one I found these beautiful word to quote: ‘’Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures.’’
In conclusion I now come to say that this love of God reflects back to us and so we automatically responding to Him in Faith ,that he loved us and dare to save us, and that we have hope when we look unto him
Michelle Itschner
Response to Kabah Stephen
I appreciate your thoughts on Lucifer and sin. I too have wondered things like that, why did God create him if he was going to sin, and then, in turn, spread sin all over the place and then attempt to destroy the creation that was once “good.” I am glad you chose to write on something that you didn’t have the answer to. I also wonder, if God is all good, how could he create evil? Or, has evil been around as long as God? I have resigned to believe that these questions won’t be answered until Jesus returns.
Responding to Assignment #1
Piasi Suleiman
I appreciated the way you think about the understanding of the person “Christ.” It is true that the study of Greek and Hebrew may still hinder someone knowledge of who Christ is because the only way we can understand Christ is through the Holy Ghost. Languages help us to dip into the verses such as to do exegesis though they cannot help understand the realm of Christ. Consequently, the Middle Eastern people are fluent in Greek and Hebrew, but ninety- nine percent of them are not Christians. We are not powerless in term of salvation; however, there is nothing we could do to be recovered from the biggest wound which is sin. To gain salvation, we need to do at least 2 of these- baptize accept and believe. Before we were even born, He had plan for us. “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Rom 5:8). Awesome!
Response to Michelle
She mentioned the religion aspect from her friend, it is a good reminder for me to understand the people more from other denominations. She gave me the insight that the Adventist can’t only stay inside of the circle of Adventist and we have to share what we have to others. I appreciate her message.
I am giving a comment on the report of Neil G.
The way The God Man is elaborated in the reading report gives me a confidence in accepting and understanding the authority and power bestowed in Jesus as God. This is what I quote from the report: ‘’with the text if the son is fully in the Father and the Father in the Son; then the son is an explainer of ultimate wisdom from God. However, The God-Man (Christ) still seems surreal. What is he really giving up and why is Lucifer really after Him on earth. We read in Revelation 12 that the dragon is cast to the earth; in addition, Michael also defeats the dragon again at the cross? In the New Testament, Christ is called the greatest high priest who died once and for all for us and the universe reconciling all things unto Him.
Suppose I am preaching at the crusade I would use this approach to explain the reality of the God man to let people accept Jesus as their savior and master. People will feel like fixing their problem to such God.
Again the reporter also explain the confidence left under God the Holy sprit for sinners to have a full access the holy sprit whenever sin problem persist. See here the reporter says ‘’ Furthermore, we now have access to the full deity via the Holy Spirit If I sin I cannot give Lucifer the Throne room of God because I am not God but yet in my sinful state I now have more access to God than Lucifer because of the Holy Spirit, Indeed I am in heavenly places already.’’
In this case there is much comfort when one listens to the holy sprit’s voice through reading, prayers and sermons.
Andre Anderson Response 1
I am responding to Edgardo Rivas The Bible Tells Me So Blog #1. I like what he has to say about knowing God through Jesus. Many have forgotten that Jesus the Christ was the incarnated God. According to John He was the word that became flesh and dwelt among us. For many they do not believe unless they see. Jesus knowing this made himself like flesh so that even the faithless might see and believe that Christ was the fulfillment of prophecy. Unfortunately people would rather believe in evolution. In my opinion evolution is harder to prove than the existence of God since we do not have any documentation that dates that far backwards. There are just as many hypothesis’s about the beginning and it has been documented in the scriptures. We have archaeologist that don’t believe in the scriptures yet they have been able to prove many people, places and things that have been written in the bible are true. I must say that my greatest challenge is that if we do not get to know and learn about Jesus we have no other signs to receive that confirm the true and living God.
Comment to Ariel’s Comment:
Thinking about what Ariel wrote, it’s interesting to see God’s love before the formation of the foundations. Before creation was born there was a plan. It reminds me of Jeremiah 1:5 where God tells Jeremiah, that before he was formed he had appointed him. It’s as though God already had a plan for Jeremiah, and this was just a small part of the initial plan created before the beginning of the world. It’s even more amazing to know that before he made us, he loved us… because Christ died out of love for His people, and since he planned it, then it shows His love even before we were born. Who can doubt God’s love for His children.
In reponse to steve kaba assign no.1
ijust wanted to appreciate the approach os kaba on why for the first case G0d created satan,in our lectires on the cosmic and trans-cosmic christ,i understood in deep on how it is abig mystry on who christ is lather than the shallow understanding of whom i used to think he is,it was amazing that during our discussions i got new concepts like 'our salvation will be complete when jesus will come while on the other hand there are scriptures quoting that our salvation is already complete the moment we accept jesus christ as our personal saviour,hence accepted that trans-cosmic attribute of christ.
In application to this basic concept of christ and God,the wisdom of God surpasses all our our understanding though it hurts to see the manifestation of satans acts upon the cosmos
,GOd will remain God wether we like it or not,and ours is to accept the basic revelation he has given us that though we see all this actions of the devil,he still loves us and he has given us
freedom of choice.
some of the things we cannot understand them easily for now but our duty is to press on for god will eventually reveal everything to us.
comment of Quigley Morris
Grace through Faith
Brother Morris here tells us that there is no other way for us to have salvation except through faith. I agree with this position for there is nothing we humans can do to obtain salvation. God already has done it for us in that He gave his Son upon the cross. All we have to do is look at the one nailed to the cross and accept what is freely given. Secondly being that grace is a gift unless we reach out and take it it going to do nothing for us. If you say to the door open up but don't get up to open it it won't open. Faith has to be put to work. God gives us grace but we must have faith that He has done so.
Edson Patrice
Assignment 1
Predestination, Knowledge, and Human Freedom
The nature of the texts that use the word “predestined” have been a source of much conflict and division and even derision in the church. A casual consideration and conclusion can leave a bitter taste of God and his “goodness” or more accurately in this case His “fairness” or rather lack thereof. But are these texts really telling us what we think they are? Or is there more that can be gained by a deeper look into its meaning.
On the subject of predestination as the cause of salvation: the Augustinian view of this suggests that we are incapable of saving ourselves as it is since the nature of sin seem to rob us of the right to choose. Humans are not able to do right even if they want to because of the drastic effects of Original Sin. This dramatic outlook does not appear to be contrary to the biblical view as Paul reminds us even our righteousness is as filthy rags. However, the point at which the masses seem to divide is where God is pigeon holed by the very grace fallen humans need to do right. Augustinians see God as granting that grace, which restores the freedom lost through sin, with a benevolent bias of sorts. In fact this is more than mere bias but even naked discrimination. The Armenian slant on this suggests that Gods only bias is towards those He already knows will accept His grace. The real problem, as the literature suggests, is still not solved since the central question of predestination is how it relates to foreknowledge. Did God create “the cosmos” knowing it would fail? Furthermore, in this knowledge has he already worked out salvation for a select few? These questions seem to be at the helm of the argument of predestination.
What is the relationship between foreknowledge and predestination? Is their relationship a forgone conclusion or could they be mutually exclusive? Perhaps the area of deepest concern is where one begins to question whether they are saved because they choose the right path or because since God who already knows the end from the beginning saved them through His foreknowledge of their proclivities.
Edson Patrice- con’t -Assgn 1
In “Works of Christ” with Dr. Hanna we have discussed the nature of God in the world, or more precisely the cosmos, we have also discussed God outside of this realm. Dr. Hanna refers to this aspect of God as the trans-cosmic God. We learned that this God being aware of the choices His creation would take was not prejudiced against it but went ahead and created it all the same. Frustrated young Christians are usually the first to retort, how could He create this knowing what it would become? Older Christians realizing the precocious presumption that the question infers are more silent on the matter but are no less perplexed by the question. To be sure it is foolish to attempt answering such a question but a way is needed to diffuse some of the tension created by these two concepts. Romans 8:28-30 illustrates very beautifully the inherent relationship between the two concepts but also recognizes their exclusivity. “And we know God causes all things to work together…” -- this passages clarifies Gods work as a premeditative, active, work which has as its sole purpose to preserve relationship (v. 29) even before the foundations of the world (cosmos). It’s like God is saying: “I have this goal, a hope even, that we are to be never separated.” Frustrations ensue when we realize we cannot predict an individuals’ destiny within this goal any more than we can go back in time. But we can assert the destiny of the whole cosmos because Divine hope is in a class of its own.
Foreknowledge and predestination are relational because one needs the other but they are not the same. Verse 29 of Romans shows us the marked difference. But does God’s foreknowledge restrict his creation? The answer is no. The article calls this the Aristotelian view of God, a God that is limited by His own omnipotence so as to imprison Himself. This attribute may in fact be contributed to God particularly toward the trans-cosmic God. This part of God is only discernable to us because of His own revelation into the cosmos, his creation. But we must confess that this is a limited knowledge of God. We are only slightly capable of making inferences about the revelation of God hidden character through His revealed character but one should be aware of the limitations.
It should also be noted that predestination of God does not mean predilection. It seems that the more precise interpretation supported in scripture finds our election or preference to be based on a relationship with God. This is not reprehensible because we would not expect God to restore someone He does not have a relationship with. Both parties in any such equation we know would be unhappy. It is hear that we see Paul’s rejoinder to this dilemma by giving a flow chart for how predestination is carried out. In Romans 8:29-30 Paul shows that God’s will, hope, and plans are rendered powerless in the exercise of human will. This same will is given to us by God but even God after all that he has done and will do must allow the human being to choose Him. This is the cornerstone of love and thus pivotal to the practice of God’s Theocracy.
Response to Michelle
"Where is God?"
I really liked reading your article. I once preached a sermon about where God was when Jesus was crucified and it was geared towards a Christian audience so they understood. In keeping with Dr. Hanna's principle for the creative yet careful use of language; I wonder if there is a way to say the same message using the language of the world or more specifically the language of your friend / the language of the movie to explain the same truth about God. I want to venture onto some dangerous territory and then reconcile it for a little while, humor me.
What if we were to say, in a sense the movie does tell some truth about God and some areas the picture is distorted. The Truth? The future does hang in the eternal balances and our only hope is the fact that Michael the "Archangel" is with us. The area that needs to be corrected; the future is in the balance not because God has stopped caring, but because he cares so much; he won't continue to let humanity destroy itself forever. And finally, we know that God loves us because He and Michael entered into an agreement that Michael would be a Great Prince "...that stands for the children of" humanity (Daniel 12:2).
Now, this needs a GREAT DEAL of qualifying & clarifying; especially the notion that Michael isn't just a regular angel but is "Arche" or Commander of the angels, Jesus Christ the Righteous, the Old Testament's Angel of the Lord.
Now using the language of the movie but tweaking it to correct or enlighten your friends views; I think that would embody becomming "all things to all men" I Corinthians 9:22. I think in terms of a view of "The Cosmic" Christ; one fitting image I would use to say what I'm trying to say is; Hollywood may be trying to "dress up" a story that contains the image of God, The Christ who is in everything drawing us to God. Our challenge, I believe, is to uncover that image and use it for what God wants to use it for. To Draw us to Himself.
Nevertheless, not only do I love the theological conversation about the Cosmic Christ, but the practical application of this theology in conversations with our friends. I'll pray about this conversation you had Michelle, that God uses it for His will to be done.
Assignment #2: Foreknowlege, Predestination, and Human Freedom pt 1
This question of predestination and God’s foreknowledge has been the source of consternation for me. Yet I feel this will be exactly what I will present on. Any how, Humanly speaking it seems illogical and foolish for someone to know that a decision or an event that will inevitably put themselves and the cosmos in jeapordy. How is it that God knew Lucifer would sin, cause others to sin and cripple the entire human race, and then eventually cause God to destroy lucifer and the people on earth who will choose Lucifer over himself? God is certainly omnicient there is no questioning that, He must be. It is one of the defining elements of His being and one of the major components that separates us from Him (Isaiah 46:9-10). We have discussed briefly in class this subject so far, so I read the BRI article by Kwabena Donker on this subject, and although it did not altogether solve it for me it did provoke a lot of thought. He describes the Augustian view of “irresistable grace” which states that human kind cannot stop sinning and God chooses those who will receive His grace and be saved. Note: he also states that God chooses persons discriminatorily but does not give the criteria. On the other hand in the Arminian tradtion God already knows who will believe and based on this foreknowledge only they receive salvation. But how in the world can free will stand amongst this towering concept. The augustinian view is such that I have no real choice in my salvation even if I choose to do good deeds because God has already chosen. And in the other view God already knows who will believe and they have salvation and I still cannot compete with God’s knowledge. Again in my mind God must know everything. However Clark Pinnock in this article, limits divine forknowledge with this statement: “Free actions are not actions which can be known ahead of time. They literally do not exist to be known. God can surmise what you will do bnext Friday, but cannot know it for certain because you have not done it yet.” If you think this is another uninformed statement, I invite you to read again!
Assignment #2: Foreknowlege, Predestination, and Human Freedom pt 2
If I am truly, absolutely free to choose than doesn’t that make it impossible for God to know my actions? Because I can step out of what he has foreknown and so my own thing because I am completely autonomous, right? Not quite. Just because God knows something does not mean that he has foreordained it. As the article conveys, God has simply predestined a plan to save but all men and women are free to choose that plan based on their individual choices apart from God’s perfect will. By the way,I was once told that God has three wills: perfect, providential, and permissive. Perfect- what He wants to happen, Permissive – He allows us to choose another way, Providential – He provides a way of escape, or salvation when we choose otherwise. We still have the power to choose, but God has knowledge of future individual actions and knows the choices that we will make despite whether he interposes on them or not. God must know all things, if he does not know, if He is not omniscient than the Biblical truth and prophecy is in serious jeapordy. Dr. Hanna gave an excellent point today regarding David and Saul and what God had told him would happened to him. To make a long story short David chose a different path and what God had predicted did not occur. But it left me with one more question: The word of God is clear that Satan will be destroyed because he will not relent of his controversy with God and will not repent prior to judgment, but isnt Lucifer a free agent as well and can he not choose? In my mind I agree with the Bible and others that say that he will not and his hear is so hardened to evil that he cannot. But I must entertain the question, because just like David in his situation he has the ability to say: “you know what God, your right, I give up, and I confess”. God told David what would happen. He chose differently. Crisis avoided? God makes known through scripture what will happen to Lucifer. He has the option to choose differently. Crisis avoided? I don’t know, what do you think?
Ariel Roldan
Works of Christ
Reflection Paper - Second Assignment
Again, the full document can be read at:
http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
“The Cosmic Christ of Scripture”, chaps. 3-4:
Just as justification, sanctification and glorification cannot be separated, neither can the mediums through which the knowledge of these theological concepts came to our awareness - Scripture, Christ, and Creation. I am finding these models of “three’s” more frequently as I contemplate the Bible. The relationship between Scripture, Christ, and the Creation mimics the relationship of how Jesus, the Father, and Holy Spirit interact with each other. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father, the Father confirmed His son by giving His testimony verbally and through raising Him from the grave - it is not linear but circular. This is what came to mind as I read how Scripture, the Christian’s ultimate authority, reveals Christ and points to nature as a source of revelation of God. Christ points to the Scripture and Creation, and Creation testifies of the Deity. Mrs. White brings in a fourth “book” - experience. In my mind, though this is the closest to us (our accumulated life experiences), it is the least reliable, even less than nature. It is human experience that, after studying nature decided there was no Creator - something contrary to what Creation reveals. So though it may be a beneficial source of understanding, experience to me is also the most dangerous.
“Steps To Christ”, Chaps. 6, 10:
“Faith and Acceptance” - Talk about blending Monargy and Synergy right from the beginning of the chapter. It amazes me how much slips our notice simply because of ignorance. “It is peace that you need ... Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift ... It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it.” The principle of the blend of Scripture, Christ, Creation, and Experience and its revelatory properties to us are also beautifully displayed in the explanation of why Jesus (Christ) healed the sick (Creation, Experience) in the Gospels (Scripture). “Jesus healed the people of their diseases when they had faith in His power; He helped them in the things which they could see, thus inspiring them with confidence in Him concerning things which they could not see--leading them to believe in His power to forgive sins.” ...
“A Knowledge of God” - It is amazing how this chapter almost parallels Dr. Hanna’s two chapters on the “four books” of God’s revelation. Beginning with the broadest revelation the point of nature being one of the revelatory books of God is expounded upon - “If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear.” From Nature the chapter moves to Experience: “God speaks to us through His providential workings and through the influence of His Spirit upon the heart. In our circumstances and surroundings, in the changes daily taking place around us, we may find precious lessons if our hearts are but open to discern them.” From there the chapter moves to ...
Ephesians chaps 4-6
It is with amazing clarity that the concepts of ...
Ariel Roldan
SECOND REFLECTION ASSIGNMENT
Because of the limited space on the blog the full document may be read at:
http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
“The Cosmic Christ of Scripture”, chaps. 3-4:
Just as justification, sanctification and glorification cannot be separated, neither can the mediums through which the knowledge of these theological concepts came to our awareness - Scripture, Christ, and Creation. I am finding these models of “three’s” more frequently as I contemplate the Bible. The relationship between Scripture, Christ, and the Creation mimics the relationship of how Jesus, the Father, and Holy Spirit interact with each other. The Holy Spirit reveals the Son, the Son reveals the Father, the Father confirmed His son by giving His testimony verbally and through raising Him from the grave - it is not linear but circular. This is what came to mind as I read how Scripture, the Christian’s ultimate authority, reveals Christ and points to nature as a source of revelation of God. Christ points to the Scripture and Creation, and Creation testifies of the Deity. Mrs. White brings in a fourth “book” - e...
“Steps To Christ”, Chaps. 6, 10:
“Faith and Acceptance” - Talk about blending Monargy and Synergy right from the beginning of the chapter. It amazes me how much slips our notice simply because of ignorance. “It is peace that you need ... Money cannot buy it, intellect cannot procure it, wisdom cannot attain to it; you can never hope, by your own efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to you as a gift ... It is yours if you will but reach out your hand and grasp it.” The principle of the blend of Scripture, Christ, Creation, and Experience and its revelatory properties to us are also beautifully displayed in the explanation of why Jesus (Christ) healed the sick (Creation, Experience) in the Gospels (Scripture)" ...
“A Knowledge of God” - It is amazing how this chapter almost parallels Dr. Hanna’s two chapters on the “four books” of God’s revelation. Beginning with the broadest revelation the point of nature being one of the revelatory books of God is expounded upon - “If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust. He who upholds the unnumbered worlds throughout immensity, at the same time cares for the wants of the little brown sparrow that sings its humble song without fear.” From Nature the chapter moves to Experience: “God speaks to us through ...
Ephesians chaps 4-6
It is with amazing clarity that the concepts of Monargy and Syngergy now are apparent to my mind. God “who is above all, and through all, and in you all”, Christ who ascends above all heavens “that He might fill all things.” And yet this is done so that gifts can be given to men, so that man can cooperate (Synergy) with God’s Monargy. The equipping is for working in ministry, God’s ministry. The concept of not being in harmony with God (Synergy) is “being alienated from the life of God”, thus death. Also the concept of ...
Aside from the blending of were, are, and will have an inheritance and interesting union is also made which to my mind alludes to the union of Justification and Sanctification. Christ is the head of the body - the church - he is the Savior (justifies) of the body. The church is “subject/submits” (sanctified) to Christ, the two are inseparable, but ...
Monargy and Synergy theme again is brought out. We may “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The armor we are told to put on is God’s. So we have to do things, but God is ultimately the source of what we have to do. As obvious as it is, ...
Works of Christ
Assignment 2 TRINITY JSG
In the light of the trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), and in light of the class, we view the trinity as both cosmic and trans-cosmic. All three entities of the God head exist outside the cosmos and are free eternal beings. Yet at the same time they exist and are actively involved with in the cosmos. In John 17: 5, “And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” The word for world in the Greek in this passage is κόσμον, or cosmos. Here Christ is asking the father to glorify Him with the Glory that he had before the cosmos was.
Salvation also has a trinity that we within the cosmos truly understand but not fully from a cosmic perspective. They are justification, sanctification, and glorification. One might look at them as Justification the point in which one accepts God’s gift of salvation. Sanctification is the process of growth along the path of salvation. Finally glorification is the culmination of the salvation process.
Just like the trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), justification, sanctification, and glorification work in a similar fashion. They operate individually with a common collective purpose.
I will not try to speak about justification, sanctification, and glorification in regards to their function in the trans-cosmos, due to the fact that I can only exist inside the cosmos. I do however believe that there is an aspect of JSG, which does exist in the trans-cosmos.
Edson Patrice
1st Response To: “I’m not in Kansas Anymore.”
Michael I enjoyed the comments about your “post Kansas” experience. I often fell that way too. I chose to read your submission because of your title, but that was before I realized you also read the BRI article on predestination. The article was well written and very thorough in handling the various theological missteps floating around out there.
I would like to submit a plausible response to the question you presented toward end of your post. Having also read Habakkuk I have always wondered why the minor-prophet’s contentious attitude with God is so well received in spite of its perceivable contempt. Curiosity is only more enticed when one compares it to other stories in the Bible, such as your mentioning of Job, where the same presumptions are immediately rebuked. It would seem then that the only logical action, short of labeling God with caprice, is to re-evaluate the premise of the stories. I would like to suggest that a major difference between the two stories could lie in one word: “posture.” During Habakkuk’s dialogue with God his primary concern seem to be God’s own reputation. Much like when Moses kindly “reminded” God of His character when He was prepared to wipe off the Israelites. On the other hand, let’s pick on Job since he’s already been named, here’s a man who was righteous in every way we can hope to be. To be brief, terrible things happened to him and he is then left with his three babbling friends. They’re futile attempt to understand God’s rationale was not much different from Habakkuk’s, except Job and his friends seemed to be more concerned with Theodicy. Their postures were starkly different form each other. Perhaps this is a valuable lesson we all can learn on our way out of Kansas and into the Cosmos.
Neil g.
Assignment 2
YHWH
Speaking about the Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification in the past, present, and future; as well as, the tension involved from Paul’s text throughout the New Testament remind me of the name of YHWH who exists in this same space. In Exodus 3:14 God declares Himself as the I Am. A rough and personal translation of this text for me is “I am always, and forever will be God.” My God who functioned in times past before my existence; My God who functions in my present; My God who will function in the future. I can see Paul wrestling with these concepts and showing us that these concepts are not a one time only concept but as Dr. Hanna’s lectures have persuaded me to see these concepts have interdependence even though they are separate and distinct.
Wrapping my mind around it took a few moments but the knowledge was always there in the seed (Zera). Fine tuning and being more precise are challenging. As I spoke with Terrence briefly in the hallway he mentioned that we should probably rename this class Theological Calculus. I suppose we are consistently cutting large ideas into smaller ideas to find out the best possible sum of the words at the end of the day. There are still lot’s of questions un answered; however, I’m writing down my questions for Glory at this point. YHWH, He who exists!
Neil g.
Response 1
@Ariel Roldan - Second Assignment said...
I think you did a great job here on your assignment of compiling and explaining the larger context.
Colossians is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I love the broad picture of salvation that Paul gives that is so heavily rooted in the works of Jesus Christ as Creator, Redeemer and Lord of His Church. Paul wrote “…we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” (TNIV) This is exactly what I am seeking for this class.
Even though I entered this class a week late, I have grasped that in the first week the cosmic and trans-cosmic dimensions of Christ were discussed. That God created the cosmos, which included humans and all of nature so that He is both above and beyond the sphere in which we live and experience life.
In “Adam and the Human Race in the Writings of E. G. White” Rogriguez discusses the impact of Adam’s fall into sin from the perspective of Ellen White. The first and tragic effect that he notes is that Adam’s sin resulted in separation from God. White stated, that the connection between heaven and earth was severed and man became divorced from God. Living outside of the Garden meant living outside of God’s immediate presence. She further states that it was now impossible for God’s love to reach them (Adam and Eve). While the relationship between God and humans drastically changed, and changed the nature of the cosmos to a seemingly hostile, unfriendly environment I still see in the act of God preparing the skins for Adam and Eve an act of deep love (Gen. 3:21). I also see an act of supreme love in forbidding them to take of the tree of life and perpetuate this misery forever and thus remove them from the garden (Gen. 3:22). All of the commands that came as a consequence of sin were ‘disguised’ acts of love and all of them came from God, who initiated each one, while at the same time setting in motion the greater, grander plan for redemption. The results of sin however were drastic, painful and deep.
The good news presented in “The Dynamics of Salvation” is that through the cross “divine love conquers evil.” God has a plan to restore us into His image. That the author/s notes that we could never do this for ourselves and we don’t deserve it can only heighten the degree of God’s love in our imaginations and experience. The author/s also affirm “a cosmic dimension in the story of our salvation.” I got excited when I read this as it relates directly to our class although it does not appear the author/s of this article are using this term in the same manner, or to the extent that Dr. Hanna is employing the idea.
In discussing the Scripture of the Cosmic Christ, Dr. Hanna makes a case for the three revelations of God: Scripture, Christ and the cosmos. I have never read or heard an argument presented for these in this manner. Sure, Aquinas places heavy emphasis on God’s revelation through nature and the importance of the use of reason. The Quadrilateral talks about the role of Scripture, faith, tradition and reason in theology. Barth highlights the Christ of Scripture that we connect with as we read the Word. Dr. Hanna offers truly a unique perspective. As I have not read the entire book yet, but am only being introduced to these concepts I am not ready to draw conclusions until I am exposed to the entire argument and can reflect upon it. A statement that captured my attention in Chapter 1, however, concerns the ontological primacy of Christ and the contextual primacy of the cosmos and the epistemological primacy of Scripture (p.20). The additional statement that these issues “call for the exercise of a high level of faith and reason” (p.21) would appear to locate the approach closer to the boundaries of the traditional Christian theological traditions while maintaining a sola scriptura motif as central. Very interesting. I am looking forward to learning more…
I resonate with Piasi's comments regarding all the theories in theology that relate to the work and role of Christ. There are many things in theology that confuse rather than clarify when we do not seek the simplicity and beauty of Scripture. Hearing many teachers on any given subject can feel like being presented with as many theories. What I like about Paul's presentation of Christ in Colossians and Ephesians is he is short, succinct and complete in his descriptions. But there are many other beautiful pictures of Christ to explore in Scripture too. I am glad that we have the opportunity to look deeply at a few through a new lens - the cosmic Christ of Scripture. I agree Piasi, that Christ has all authority, and the devil cannot have authority over our lives when we surrender ourselves to Jesus.
Assignment 2
In “Justification and the Cross” Rodriguez presents a case for the interpretation of Rom. 5:12-21. He deals with several issues of interest. One of them is the claim that Jesus’ death on the cross brought legal universal justification. This idea is an outgrowth of the notion that just as in Adam sin spread to all humans, so in Christ all were justified through the atonement He made on the cross. Yet, Rodriguez, correctly argues that the parallel between these two images breaks down as the latter would then have to imply that all are saved. What he argues is that God’s gift is universal in its provision, but it is not effective salvifically unless it is received personally. He further states, “A gift can only be offered to those for whom it was obtained.” And this gift is only received through faith. A theological conclusion that Rodriguez does not raise is what is known in Calvinist language as “limited atonement.” But the comparison may end up being superficial. Rodriguez claims that Christ died for all, but only those who accept it by faith will receive the benefits of this act of grace of God. For Calvinists, Christ died only for the elect, He did not die for everyone. Yes, Jesus died for those He intended to save, but the goal, the hope, the offer is for the entire human race. The question for us then is, how can those receive it who don’t know about it?
This ties to what we have been discussing in class this week. Namely, that God’s grace is available to every human being from the moment of birth. God’s grace is active and real before we ever knew the name of Jesus or His saving power. It is only when an individual fully rejects this grace after the age of accountability that he or she can be lost. Yet even in a lost state, a person can return and be restored into a saving relationship with Christ. Yet Dr. Hanna presented a broader manner in which God can reach humans with His saving grace. Through His revelation in Scripture, in Christ and the cosmos God is working to reveal Himself to us. He stated that we can not reduce biblical authority to Scripture alone (p.45). These ideas challenged my thinking in new ways. I have never heard an Adventist say that “we should go to and fro between Scripture and Christ to increase knowledge of the light from God.” And the same is asserted for Scripture and the cosmos. Very interesting. Most Adventists say something like, ‘we should go to and fro between the Bible and Ellen White’. Yet the next chapter, Chapter 4 deals with the issue of Ellen White and Scripture. As Ellen White was part of the cosmos perhaps she can be fitted into the third category?
I really liked the quote on p.52 of Cosmic Christ where Ellen White is quoted as saying, “A working church is a living church. We are built up as living stones, and every stone is to emit light; for every one is compared to a precious stone that catches the glory of God, and reflects it to others,” and “we are to be the channel for the revelation of Christ.” That places quite a large responsibility on us all. But then again, as we discussed the role of grace and justification and sanctification and glorification as all working together in us, it is ultimately a work of Christ in us and through us that we accept, submit and surrender to. It is interesting to me that Ellen White saw the storehouse of truth to be: the Bible, nature and experience (pp.53, 54). It seems that there are many who feel uncomfortable with the idea of experience informing us in any way, and many take special pains to denounce it. But in conjunction with other forms of revelation: including the primacy of Christ and Scripture I am glad that Ellen White makes a little place for ‘experience’. Because in the end we all must know God’s grace and must experience God’s grace in order to have the type of relationship that will lead to eternal life.
Assignment #2
The righteousness that saves is the righteousness of God revealed to man through Jesus Christ alone. Paul wastes no time to put the point clear in his letter to the church in Rome;
“But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:21-24).
The beginning of man’s return to God converges in the life and death of the Son of God. He is the "Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29), and, "when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Rom. 5:10). Alone, God in Christ reconciled the world unto Himself (see 2 Cor. 5:19). He requires no help from man in this supreme revelation of saving righteousness.
Thus saving righteousness is not an attribute of God or an ethical requirement and demand by God. It is a divine act that reveals in historical events God’s plan and power to save man. It is an objective act that changes the hopeless situation of mankind whether men believe and accept salvation or not.
Salvation by the righteousness of Christ means that man acknowledges and believes that God has revealed and effected in Christ alone a righteousness that is eternally all-sufficient for all men. This perfect righteousness consists of Christ’s fulfillment of God’s commandments and obedience to the will of God that was maintained even unto the death on the cross. It is a righteousness that satisfies all the requirements of divine justice, revealed in the sphere of human sin and death. This makes the gospel the power of God unto salvation.
The Christian faith is neither a philosophy nor is it a mere teaching. It is based on a series of historical events. The teaching derives from and is grounded in the historical events. That can never be too much emphasized, because this is the point at which our faith differs from every so-called religion. All religions are teachings; this (the Christian faith) is event and historical happening before it is teaching; it is an announcement of events, of actions and of facts. . . . God has revealed this, and He has done so in the historical events connected with the life and work and ministry, the death and resurrection and ascension of the Son of God, and with the descent of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost.
It is important to understand Paul’s statements on this great truth. First, he emphasizes the fact that the righteousness that saves is "the righteousness of God," in order to distinguish it from the righteousness of men. It is the righteousness of God revealed and not the righteousness of man achieved (but it is the righteousness of Christ achieved in man). The saving initiative is God’s. To be saved man needs a revelation from God, not a new set of requirements.
The particular form that the revelation of saving righteousness takes is determined by God alone. It does not come through the involved and complicated arguments of the world’s great men. No amount of mental activity by man can produce it. Saving righteousness is due entirely to divine action. God alone, in a unique act of redemption, has brought to bear upon man’s lost condition a revelation of His saving power and righteousness.
Jeon, Kyoung Chun
Assignment 2.
Title: Through faith in Him you may have life.
As we studied in a class period, faith is one of the crucial elements for salvation. Faith is the first step we have to take and at the same time, that is the last step we have to take. That why Paul says in Romans that “for in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: the righteous will live by faith” (Rom 1:17). Here is good example how faith is working for our salvation. Whenever Jesus heals the disabled or the sick, he asked their faith first. If we see healing as the way of forgiveness of our sins, faith is actually precondition, prerequisite for justification. Ellen G. White clearly says about interrelationship among the three elements that are justification, sanctification, and glorification. “Jesus healed the sick people who had faith in His power. After He healed them, they were able to see that He could help them in Other ways.” The faith we had at the very first moment leads us to the next level from justification to sanctification. And that faith leads us until we are glorified. That faith makes the justification as 100% justification and this 100% justification will be 100% as long as we dwell in this faith. We have been talking about it in a class period, mentioning that “Justification is 100% at the moment of conversion and doesn’t grow bigger and bigger because as far as the person is with Christ, justification is still 100%. On the other hand, sanctification grows gradually and will be glorified at the moment of 2nd Advent.” And after that, faith leads us to the next level to grow in Christ. This is described in sanctification stage. We can see this example from the healed by the healing power of Jesus Christ. Whoever healed by Jesus Christ by faith in Him, they move to the next level. They didn’t just go back to their way. Most of them witnessed what have happened to them to others. Somehow, we could say their life was grown up little by little to the next level. Even though the Bible doesn’t tell us the rest of their entire life, we can expect that their life was changed and grown up into next level by the first faith. That’s why Ellen G. Whit says on her book, Steps to Christ, that “Jesus healed the sick people who had faith in His power. After He healed them, they were able to see that He could help them in Other ways.”(chapter 6. Faith and acceptance)
As I understood, faith is really important for Christian life as well. Faith extends the notion of “Monergy” to the “Synergy” for the plan of God’s salvation. Monergy of God’s work described in foreknowledge, predestination, calling stages is well harmonized with Synergy of God’s work with His people in justification, sanctification, and glorification stages. And the notion about Synergy starts with human faith in Him. faith leads us to have hope of the glory of God and faith works through love. In that sense, faith is crucial elements for Christian life. That make His people as coworker of God in the plan of salvation.
More of these, I thank God for His Monergy in terms of He decided to save us and made the plan of salvation. This is the act of God. Ellen G. Whit gives us wonderful hope about it in the same book and the same chapter mentioned earlier. There is something more in this promise that is important. You must pray for those things that God wants you to have. God wants to free you from sin and make you His child. “I don’t want anyone to die… turn away from your sins and live” (Ezekiel 18:32).
Works of Christ – Assignment # 2 - "Open Invitation"
I find these recent class discussions helpful in thinking about the subjects of foreknowledge, predestination, and calling. I am seeing more clearly how these concepts relate to the ideas of monergy and synergy. Though we don’t fully comprehend these great mysteries, God provides us with enough insights to understand how they relate to salvation.
I agree that when the Bible discusses the idea of “foreknowledge,” it isn’t saying that God trumps the free will that He Himself gives to His creatures. God’s foreknowledge (monergistic in the sense that only God has all foreknowledge) does not somehow override our freedom to choose. God’s foreknowledge of the future does not do away with our free will. Even though God already knows what will take place in the future, He does not impose His omniscience on our freedom to choose. I agree that it is indeed difficult for us to understand how God can have all this power at His disposal and yet not use it to override or veto our free will. By faith, we can rest assured that He does not do so even though He has the capacity to do so.
In terms of "predestination," when it is analyzed from the biblical standpoint, it becomes easier to understand its actual meaning. For instance, Paul writes that “in Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will” (Ephesians 1:1). A second passage that can be used to understand the concept of predestination is found in Ephesians 1:5. There, Paul contends that God “predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.” It is evident that, in both passages, Paul is pointing to God’s great desire that none perish but instead that all come into reconciliation with Him.
In discussing the term “calling” (also described as “election”), Scripture refers to those who will receive salvation at the end of time. However, it does not teach that salvation is something that was already established for a select group before creation. The term “calling” points back to God’s will that all willing individuals (acting in synergistic cooperation with Him) will have the opportunity to enjoy eternal life. Biblical writers simply made the case that God, in advance, decided to bring about the plan of salvation for all in the event that sin was committed. They were showing how God decided before the creation of this world to reconcile us unto Himself though Jesus Christ. Their goal was not to equate the idea of calling with automatic salvation. This is evident throughout Scripture in that constant emphasis is placed on holy living and continued perseverance in the faith. Those who respond to God’s “call”, in essence, become “called” in that they have accepted His offer to salvation. Hence, being called is not a matter of being placed in an inescapable position; rather, it is instead referring to a person who has accepted God’s open offer extended to all. Then, those who have accepted that offer come to be referred to as people “belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9). They are called in the sense that they have been “called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). But, there isn’t the idea that a person’s calling comes on the basis of God choosing certain individuals to receive salvation. God does not show favoritism in terms of who gets to receive salvation. The opportunity and possibility for salvation is extended to whosoever chooses to receive it (John 3:16). Hence, salvation is conditional and depends on whether a person continues to abide in Jesus Christ having accepted God’s open offer to salvation.
- James W. Dieujuste
In the end, salvation by grace through faith is salvation by choice. Choosing the grace giver, Jesus Christ.
Assignment #2
God’s act of predestination
God’s act of predestination is one of the most debated issue in the scope of theology as it raises questions on human freedom and God’s sovereignty and also the relationship between the two. Some of the questions that arise from this issue are: Does God know everything? And if He does, does that limit our human freedom of choice? And if he does not then, is his omniscience limited in some way? In this case if we tend to preserve human freedom in a way we limit God’s sovereignty and if we uphold God’s sovereignty we may be tempted to sacrifice human freedom. So the question is where do we draw the line?
If we understand the meaning of the word predestination, then we may be able to get a biblical position on this issue. “Predestination” is a noun which is used in the New Testament which means to “decide upon beforehand”. Paul says “No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began” 1Cor 2:7. With no doubts, this expression designates the time before the creation of the world. This would however mean that this decision that God made was not influenced by any of His creatures because the text suggests that the decision was made before the creatures existed. This I would call divine freedom. It is important to note that what God predestines isn’t an accidental decision, He had a plan Ephesians 1:11 states “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will”. Manuel Rodriquez says that this plan was conceived in the divine mind, was willed by Him, and was worked out in history according to that will. The foundation and motivating force of the plan is God's love (verse 5). This indicates that the plan was intended to be for the benefit of His creatures. Romans 8:29 seems to suggest that Jesus was also predestined by God to be "the first-born among many brethren." The incarnation of the Son of God is part of the divine plan configured in eternity. He was going to be one of us and in the process was going to make us His brothers and sisters. Is this not wonderful?
God also in His infinite wisdom has predestined wonderful things to His people. There are certain specific things that God predetermined for His people. He established that His wisdom, revealed in the person of Christ, be "for our glorification" (1 Cor. 2:7). This isn't something that God perhaps will do for us, but rather something that He has determined to do for us. We will be glorified through Christ. This is good news for each and every one of us.
God has also predestined us to be adopted as His children only through Jesus Christ “he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will” Ephesians 1:5.This is a nonnegotiable for God. He acted one-sidedly creating a way for our adoption to the heavenly family before we existed. In addition, the plan includes God's intention to conform us to the image of His Son “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29. This is His plan for those who love Him. Our Lord's predetermined plan is to transform us.
Lastly, With respect to the salvation of His people Manuel Rodriquez says that God didn't leave anything to chance. Predestination, based on His foreknowledge, once put into effect reaches us as a call for salvation. The acceptance of the call leads to justification and to our final glorification at the Second Coming “And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified” Romans 8:30. There is no power on earth that can alter God's plan for us except our rejection of it. So what does this mean? The choice rests on you and me.
EMMANUEL N. Bohole. # 2
We are saved by hope: Rom8: 24
For we are saved in this hope but hope that is seen for why does one still hope for what he sees.
Last week and this week I have been comforted through the lectures delivered by Dr Hanna in class. I have come to discover that human response towards salvation is always found in the hope that is in Christ alone. If a sinner looses hope in the savior that there is no solution for sin and that the savior can not wash out sin then there is no way that faith can work out to pursue one to seek forgiveness and being justified. When we sin we loose hope and also we are on the evil’s side being declared for perishing. But when we look in to that hope which is promised to us we long to be glorified in the near future. This hope goes together with faith (Ephe 2:8) The Holy Bible says: For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God. This Hope also goes together with a genuine love, the love of God that turns to us as we respond in waiting for that great hope.
So now the past response that man hoped for was justification from the past sin. When a man is being justified manifested by the love of God , then here comes another thing which is hope for sanctification at the present time and finally God fore sees our future that in which direction we hope to chose to go. Rom 8: 29 for whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son. That he might be the first born among many brethren. 30 moreover whom he predestined these, he also called, whom he also called he also justified, and whom he justified these, he also glorified.
Now according to the reading of Rom 8: 28-30, and the lecture in class by Dr. Hanna we are being introduced to a more advanced way of how God ‘s work is being characterized by monergy , meaning that Gog working alone for the plan of our salvation as well as God working together with the cosmos, meaning that God works with those who corporate with him and therefore are being justified by faith, and who hope for glorification as the love of God is poured out into their hearts. Therefore those who are willing to wait for this great hope will then be glorified when Jesus comes and be reconciled with him. However , man’s response for salvation is based on accepting a call from sin then asks for the justification which is also obtained by faith, and later wait for the Glorification which is the great hope we only have for our salvation.
Josh Woods
5/20/2010
Works of Christ
Week 2 Reflection
Reflecting on Christ this week has yet again been wonderful. It has been a little bit more difficult for me to understand some of the issues being dealt with in class; however, I have been truly blessed by the reading. In the reading this week, there were a many notions that caught my attention, however, there were a few areas that spoke to me specifically. There was yet another point from last weeks discussion that was clarified. It is interesting how your understanding evolves.
This week I continued in my reading of Ephesians and Colossians as well as the other assigned reading, but became very excited when I came across Ephesians 4:11. It says, “What does ‘he ascended’ mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.” Although Paul is speaking of a completely different topic than what this text is talking about, it seems as though he took the time to remind the readers of the fact that Jesus is a trans-cosmic God. He affirms the fact that Jesus ascended only because he first descended to the earth from the heavens. I thought it was even more interesting that Paul didn’t say he ascended from earth to the heavens, but that He ascended above the heavens thus explaining His true nature. Another affirmation from the word of God that Jesus is a cosmic as well as a trans-cosmic God, which is something that may be hard to grasp, but shows God’s transcendence.
This week as I was reading through Steps to Christ, I really felt that the Chapter on Repentance was really hitting the same note that we have been hitting in class. The difference of Justification and Sanctification has been difficult for me. I understand that Justification is a work of a moment, and Sanctification is a work of a lifetime, but knowing the difference has been hard. Then the idea of foreknowledge and predestination was thrown into the mix, which turned out to be even more difficult. However, I felt that Mrs. White alludes to predestination in Chapter 3. “Christ is ready to set us free from sin, but He does not force the will; and if by persistent transgression the will itself is wholly bent on evil, and we do not desire to be set free, if we will not accept His grace, what more can He do?”(34)
The topic of the last quote totally touches on a couple of aspects discussed in class. First, God has a will for our lives, but he will not force that will upon us. He may have predestined or chosen us for a specific purpose here on this earth, however, that will cannot be carried out unless we choose to work synergistically with him. Until we choose to work in harmony with God, His will cannot be carried out. This has great implications for pastoral ministry because Satan would want nothing more than for us to work on our own and not do the will of God.
The next implication that arises is the notion of free will. Mrs. White speaks to the fact that we are not predestined in the sense that we do not have a choice, but that we can participate in God’s will by exercising our free will.
Finally, in terms of Justification, it seems if we have to also choose to be justified. We can choose to carry that proverbial “umbrella of justification” around, or we can choose not to follow God’s will for us, which is to be justified and sanctified. Until we let go of our evil desires, we cannot be justified and nor will we continue the process of sanctification.
Edgardo Rivas Blog #2 Sin no More
We can’t leave sin out of the equation. It is because of the sin in the world that the human race can’t understand the Bible and Jesus who is the main character in it. Sin came from within the cosmos into this world. “Draw closer to God and he will draw closer to you”. Those that open their hearts to receive the light and maintain their consecration to God will see an increase in the light. When people start questioning who Jesus is they will also start to question the issue of salvation. Jesus, in order to save us became one of us. I don’t know why it is hard for some people to understand that salvation is in one man, JESUS.
One question that is left unanswered and will still be is: how did sin begin in the heart of an intelligent, perfect, sinless angel? We don’t know the answer to this question but we have what the Bible says about it in Rev 12:7-12; Isa 14:12-15; Ezeq 28:12-19. The most decorated angel in all heaven turned against God. He wanted to be God. For this reason he was casted out into this earth away from all the heavenly hosts. Away from the worlds that have not sinned, away from his creator and, with no chance of going back or repentance. Sin affected the whole universe (cosmic), seen and unseen. If we as humans want to overcome sin, we must maintain a close relationship with the giver of life.
Christ defeated Satan once and his complete destruction is near. We too can defeat him with the power of the blood of the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. If we fall down he is able to pick us back up and lead us in the right path. This invitation is open to all humanity but only a few are taking advantage of it. What a joy should there be in our hearts that the trans-cosmic Christ should come into this world to give us a chance of survival. He came to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to give us a clean heart. He came to give us a chance to be the children of God. He came to give us once again the opportunity to be in the presence of the Almighty God. He came so that we can have life more abundantly. Praise the Lord all my soul.
When sin is done away with there will be once again peace and harmony in all of God’s creation. As Dr. Hanna said in class sin is a great problem for the universe but praise God that salvation is bigger and broader. If we sin within the cosmos we have a Savior that is trans- cosmic that can forgive us.
assign no2.Assign no.2
Topic:it is all a bout Jesus.
It is absolutely true that there is no other religion on earth that keeps the word of God as in psalms 119:105 your word is a lamp onto my feet ,as the Adventist do.we uphold to all the ten commandments and I have no problem with that. What difference can we make between the pharisees and some religions that base their salvation on good works? Most people are still battling with the question what can I do to be saved?i think some seminarians came to the seminary so they can prepare to work for God hoping that their efforts will add some marks towards their salvation or gain his favor or competiate for some time they think they wasted when they were in the so called world, people have different understanding on what salvation real mean.
I don’t blame their motives but I thank God that through this class we all discover that there is nothing we as human beings we will ever do to purchase our salvation.our salvation only depends on the grace of God and the merits of Jesus through the process of justification,sanctification and glorification. The writings of Ellen white ,the bible and the lectures of Dr.this week in our class discussion centered on what God can do in us but not what we can do for God .
Justification ,sanctification and glorification is a subject which is so difficult for people to understand or accept. we are living in an age where free things are always considered to be valueless or deffective,we have taken this principle from the world to confuse what Christ did for us in the cross .we often feel like it is not enough we feel like we must purchase our salvation but not era it as free gift,good things are known to be worked hard for to attain them. payed for,hence we sometimes feel like we must sweat for our salvation.i liked the new terms I learned in this weeks discussion ,the synergy and monergy of Theo's ,I guess Dr. Hanna is using this terms to break the monotony of the so simplified gospel oh our salvation is free,may be this will make theologians feel they are learning hard stuff after all what is the the purpose of paying all the tuition and time to hear what we had already before we came to the seminary. But the concept is the same even though the terms used are different.
I appreciated to learn new terminologies like the monergy of God’s work makes possible the synergy of our being `` workers together with God’’.hence it is God’s monergy that draws us first.God works all in all.we are just branches and Jesus is the true vine,john15:1 the gospel is a simple as it is proclaimed in john 3:16 that for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed in him shall not die but have eternal life.our main assignment is to accept and the rest is all about Jesus.Good works will only do attract people as the case of my father he used to like the Adventists because of the dos and donts but on the real sense good works don’t earn us salvation but are as a result of what God is doing in our hearts.it should be Jesus working in us.
Most immature Christians have left the church because they feel like they are not good enough due to the half baked gospel from somebody that they need to be perfect for God to accept them.we don’t need to be perfect to attain our salvation . when we go to God Let us fully surrender our hearts and allow God to work on us. We need to use the version of jesus to define who we are and who we will be in him .it is all bout Jesus!
Reflection #2
Where is God?
As I was reading in Steps To Christ, something stood out to me. When Ellen White says, “In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God; earth was cut off from heaven. Across the gulf that lay between, there could be no communion. But through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power.” This made me start to wonder about the time between the fall and Christ, what was God’s interaction with humanity? And if Christ wasn’t the bridge between God and man, then what was the medium used when God did interact with humanity?
To me, this passage from Steps To Christ can mean two separate things. First of all, it can signify that there was no means of salvation for humanity pre-Christ, but it seems that it may be alluding to the idea that God was not present here with us as He is today, and therefore, one might ask what God’s role was within humanity pre-Christ.
Personally, I think that God has always been involved in the lives of individuals, and we have always had the opportunity to choose God or choose the world. However, I don’t think that I know of any scripture references to back up my opinion on that. I do think that the text from Steps To Christ was referring to the salvation of mankind. Previously, Ellen White explained that Jacob was shown in a dream that Jesus was the ladder that was the bridge between Heaven and Earth, thus signifying a way to salvation, which in Jacob’s case, brought him much peace and an answer to his questions.
So, in view of this, I think that the people who believed in and followed God prior to Christ’s death on the cross are saved just as much as we are post cross. However, I’m still wondering what is encompassed in her phrase, “In the apostasy, man alienated himself from God; earth was cut off from heaven. Across the gulf that lay between, there could be no communion.” What exactly does that mean?
response to Nelsons first assignment.
First I loved your 4D application, after reading so much theology is good to see someone explaining things in a fresh easy way to understand. your quote "A God in the 4D is a God who is not bound to the same rules of logic, time and space that we humans subscribe to." caught my attention and i finally came to the conclusion that it's ok to not understand how God operates, what is important... that we trust in Him. Thank you
Assignment 2
What is salvation?
There are several things that grab my attention and spend my head at the same time. When does God begin the process of salvation in someone? As I learned this week I see that Justification, Sanctification and glorification are salvation term. I understand that glorification is the last part of God’s plan of salvation process. At the same time I wonder when does justification and sanctification begins and ends or at what point of life one take over the other? I have been struggled with this process try to understand exactly what is going on.
Justification is salvation “with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Rom 10:10). Justification is God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous before Him. In other words justification is the work that God is doing in us. There is not thing we can do to earn our justification. Again when does the work of justification begin in someone’s life? These are the thing I am really struggling this week.
Sanctification is salvation: “But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth” (2 Thess. 2:13). So if I understand base on this text that God is the one who is doing everything for me. He has chosen me and sanctified me though faith that I have in Him. Sanctification is a work of a life time. While we are unrighteous we have credited by His righteousness.
Glorification is salvation. “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Cor. 42-43, 51-53). This is the result of the work of the Master of the cosmos. After the process of justification and sanctification Christ will put His final touch on us who accept and obey His will. The first two things that mentioned above seem to be base on of individual readiness. It can happen at any time during that person life. But Glorification will be done collectively upon the return of Christ.
I have a different point of view about salvation. It is really bigger than I used to think. God created men and angels free because of that sin was possible. This is the greatest freedom human and angels can ever process the freedom of choice to choose good or evil. We lost that freedom because of sin. But God did not leave us like that. He had crafted a plan call salvation in case we disobey His will so that He can restore us to Him. It cost the creator his own life in other to save us. Sin is a big problem for God in the cosmos. Sin disrupted the order in the cosmos but the plan of salvation will restore that order upon completion of that plan. As Mrs. White said “The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love” {GC 678.3}. This is what the plan of salvation will do for us.
Assignment #2 - "Doers are justified..."
For the record, I have no clue how to boil this past week’s lectures and readings down into 4,096 characters. I also wish to commend Dr. Hanna for FORCING us to do so, because I’ve been told that if you can’t summarize your point down into one sentence, you couldn’t do it in half an hour either. I think that Dr. Hanna provided the best 7-word summary statement when he said, “Doers are justified, but not by doing.”
Ephesians 4-6 beautifully draws this point together. Opening with the very Pauline “therefore”, Paul lays out a series of points for what a Christian life should be like. 4:11-12 is a list of various spiritually gifted positions within the context of ministry, but v. 8 reminds us that before we can receive these gifts there must be a Giver. The rest of chapter 4 is built around right speech and temperament, but this only comes in from the One who can teach us such things in the first place. Right in the heart of this section is 5:1-2, a reminder that we are to imitate God and walk in love “as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us.” The whole of Ephesians 4-6 exists on the basis of what Paul provided in Eph. 1-3 that we are made right with God by His grace alone.
I asked a group of kids that I was doing Bible studies with a simple question that I think many older Adventists would disagree with. My question was to pick the theologically correct statement: A) “Because I keep the Sabbath, God loves me.” or B) “Because God loves me, I keep the Sabbath.” Does a Christian lifestyle come before or after our acknowledgment that we can’t be saved by our lifestyle alone? Paul, in Ephesians 4-6, demonstrates that Christianity as a lifestyle is merely our response to a process of salvation that God started long before our birth or rebirth.
God’s love is also the theme (and title) of part of my Ellen White readings. We can be tempted to simply gaze into the world and see the beautiful things as God’s love and ignore the rest, but Mrs. White reminds the reader that even the bad that comes into this world God uses for good. It was love that led to Creation, and it was love that nailed Jesus to the cross. We can destroy His Creation, we can distrust His Word, but if we want eternal life we can’t get there without first discovering His Love. It all comes back to God as the initiator and God as the source. This is where we return to Paul’s points on living in response to grace. The cycle comes around again: We’re saved by God’s love for us, and we respond to that love not in order to gain more love but because of that love.
“Steps to Christ” opens with a profound statement that draws into the discussion my reading from Dr. Hanna’s book, “Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love.” Dr. Hanna shows an almost Trinitarian relationship between the three revelations. I once heard that if you study the relationship between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, there is not a triangle with one figure on top and the others beneath but an upside-down triangle with speaking member of the Godhead placing Himself on the bottom in the process of uplifting the other two. Father turns His audience to Son and Spirit, Son draws to mind Father and Spirit, and Spirit proclaims the goodness of Father and Son. I see a similar (though not identical) relationship between Scripture, the Son, and nature brought out by Dr. Hanna in chapters 3 & 4.
I wish I had more than ~450 characters remaining because I would share my personal testimony as it relates to a statement on p. 50 about all true science being but an interpretation of God’s handwriting in this world. As one who spent the first nearly twenty years of my life as a devout atheist, this perfectly describes the realization I made at my conversion. Beautiful statement, Dr. Hanna, on a beautiful theme.
Fernandez, Nelson
Assignment #2: Man’s role in revealing the “Cosmic Christ of Scripture.”
During this past week the largest points of discussion in our class have revolved around the concepts of God’s presence in the universe, as well as the degree to which his impact and presence impacts our individual freedoms of choice. I sometimes find it difficult to relate what we are discussing in class to the “real world.” This isn’t to say that what we study isn’t important and doesn’t impact the church as a whole; however, I sometimes ask myself “how does learning about the cosmic or trans-cosmic nature of Christ change the life of the single mother who is being abused by her boyfriend and is looking for a way out. Or how does a theologically correct understanding of foreknowledge and predestination help to fix a home on the brink of divorce?” I believe the answer was given once, as Dr. Hanna’s book encouraged us, “let the Bible speak up for itself.”
In the final three chapters of Ephesians, I noticed a dramatic shift in the tone and manner to which Paul is addressing his readers. He begins by making the argument that the Christians at Ephesus should make every effort to increase their “knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Eph 4:13). After that, he switches the nature of his dialogue distinctly by addressing the behavior of the Ephesians for the rest of the chapter. He discusses not only how Christians should act in their personal lives but towards each other; even those who may not be believers. He finally encourages his readers to clothe themselves with the Armor of God in order to live their lives as people worthy of being called Christians.
The link in all of this comes through chapter three of the “Cosmic Christ” book. By looking at the wheel illustration showing the relationship between Christ, Scripture and the Cosmos, I realized the importance of this class because we ultimately are mini “revelations of God.” Paul made it very clear that he desired for all the church members to “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” He also talks about how Jesus should be our “all in all.” The implication of this idea is the following, namely, WE are part of how God reveals himself in the cosmos. When people see us, they should see God working through us!
So, yes, even though this is sometimes an ethereal subject that seems to lose its significance on the “real” world from time to time, I’ve realized that it IS important to learn what Christ does in the Cosmos because ultimately, we are learning how he works THROUGH us. If there is one thing all of the sources that I’ve read this week seem to agree on, it’s this: right theology should produce right living because through the creation, we can better understand the Creator! How great a though and how great a responsibility is that!
Works of Christ: Assignment # 2: “Without Him we can do nothing”
Why is it that we constantly fall for the “old” trap that there is any merit in our acts that can assure us salvation? We even believe that the exercise of our will can influence God to grant us salvation.
It is against our nature to depend on others, we want to believe we can do anything we set our minds to do, and in many cases we accomplish those dreams or objectives in our lives, however, when it comes to eternity, we must accept that “without him we can do nothing,” in other words, our deeds or good intentions do not qualify us for anything other than death and separation. This is why I appreciate Paul’s words in Ephesians 2:4, “But God,” yes, it is all about God and his desire to breach the gap that sin has created, the same gap that we keep enlarging by our sinful actions and desires, “but God” had a plan from the beginning to bring reconciliation between himself and his creation, if it were not for his grace, we would be forever lost. According to his good will, he has prepared a way, through Christ, even before we were born to draw us near to him, he has also called us so that we may become part of his family instead of being lost for eternity, all humans can do is to make the free decision to allow him to do in us according to his will (monergy). Salvation is not accomplished because we decided to follow him, it is accomplished because he has provided a way for us to be saved, and again, without him we can do nothing. This thought goes against our nature which wants to be free away from God, when in reality the farther we separate ourselves from God, looking for freedom, the more enslaved to sin we become. True freedom can only be accomplished as we align our will with God’s will. It is Satan’s plan to make us believe we can ever achieve freedom by following our own will since our will has been corrupted by sin and we simply can’t make correct choices. His deception has caused many to be lost while thinking they can be better simply by following their own convictions of morality and goodness. The reality is plain in the word of God in Romans 3:12, “there is none that does good, not even one,” our piety is worthless, our justice is worthless, and yet we believe that we somehow deserve to be saved.
We can cooperate with salvation, but even our cooperation is limited and we need God to create in us the desire to follow him.
I am thankful for God’s plan of salvation because it is God who does everything, he takes the first step, not only that, he creates the plan and puts it into motion and he is with me every step of the way until I reach glorification and all propensities to sin disappear. In the meantime, we are justified by his grace which is available to us every time we separate ourselves from God because of our wrong choices. We have the choice to truncate God’s plan by our decisions, yet he is always giving us opportunities to make decisions for eternity, and this is because of his great love and because he created us with free will which we exercise to either be in harmony with his will or to reject it.
God in his love understands our failure to make the right choices and is merciful to receive us back into the kingdom every time we fail. In his love he has created us with the option to choose for ourselves to be with him for eternity, yet he allows us to reject him and perish. This is a concept difficult to understand because it is not the way we operate; therefore, we can’t really see all the ramifications of the freedom we enjoy.
God desires that we make the right decision in order to live with him for eternity, yet he will never force us to choose him because this will go against the freedom with which he has created us.
It is a sobering truth to know that we are hopelessly lost without him, and that he has made all the provisions for us to be saved, except choosing for us, this is our prerogative, given by God to us so that we can respond to his love.
Touched but not Tainted
Throughout the first two weeks of our class, time and time again we have been challenged to think deeper about the cosmos and the Christ who has created the comos that has fallen due to sin and mans disobedience to God. When Christ created this world everything that He made was good. Unfortunately, Satan tempted Eve, Adam listened to His wife Eve and as a result of their actions they were escorted out of the garden. However, before being led out of the garden they were covered with coat of the skins of the sacrifice, which was the foreshadow of what the creator would have to go through for the sins of humanity. By doing so, He would also vindicate His own character throughout the universe by taking on our curse in exchange for His eternal life.
However, what I would like to focus on for this blog is that although man sinned it never changed the purity of Christ or the legitimacy of the Godhead according to Colossians. Secondly mans disobedience did not change Gods desire to be reconciled with him. I would even go further to say that Gods love while demonstrated through the creation of the earth and also His demonstration of grace after the fall of man is still yet climaxed in his own desire to become flesh taking on mans deteriorated human form, just so that he could be with us in order to save us.
Even though sin entered through the world through one man. Through Jesus Christ all men have already been saved if they believe and accept his justification, salvation, sanctification and glorification, which has yet to be fully realized on this earth. Christ did something that no other god has been able to do and that is become the first born for the redemption of the fallen Col 3:20-21. While other gods in history still desire for the fallen race to worship them without restoring them with better promises. Christ stepped into humanity being fully divine for the sole purpose of reconciling us to him and us to one another. Furthermore, in Colossians Paul makes a promise of something that he has not yet seen by faith and that is if the church in Colossae continues in faith and continues in love in the Spirit (3:4, 3:8) then there is a prize that awaits only those that endure to the end. Paul was able to endure the suffering put before him because he knew and believed what was yet to come.
As Christians one of the things that I am taking away from these few chapters in Colossian’s is that we have to be willing to follow Christ not just in the good deeds of what he has done, but also in the suffering that He went through also. He went through the suffering because as creator, He can and will restore our bodies and make it better than before while also restoring our minds so that we will not have the same propensity towards sin. Yes we will be free, but this time we will chose freedom for eternity.
Secondly Paul’s surety helped him to preach knowing that without preaching how will the world know of the way out through Jesus. Paul accomplished more when he was at his worst. Being bound for the gospel brought more attention to the good news that Jesus saves, restores, and will return. Paul encourages us today that if Christ be risen then, we should set out thoughts lives and actions on the creator of the cosmos that still lives and will return (3:1). Where Christ sits at the right hand is in a seat of authority and for those that believe and live as heirs he will take care of them. But our affections must be centered on Christ second coming. He will restore everything next time except for the marks that prove he saved us by His own blood.
Assignment 2
Touched but not Tainted
Throughout the first two weeks of our class, time and time again we have been challenged to think deeper about the cosmos and the Christ who has created the comos that has fallen due to sin and mans disobedience to God. When Christ created this world everything that He made was good. Unfortunately, Satan tempted Eve, Adam listened to His wife Eve and as a result of their actions they were escorted out of the garden. However, before being led out of the garden they were covered with coat of the skins of the sacrifice, which was the foreshadow of what the creator would have to go through for the sins of humanity. By doing so, He would also vindicate His own character throughout the universe by taking on our curse in exchange for His eternal life.
However, what I would like to focus on for this blog is that although man sinned it never changed the purity of Christ or the legitimacy of the Godhead according to Colossians. Secondly mans disobedience did not change Gods desire to be reconciled with him. I would even go further to say that Gods love while demonstrated through the creation of the earth and also His demonstration of grace after the fall of man is still yet climaxed in his own desire to become flesh taking on mans deteriorated human form, just so that he could be with us in order to save us.
Even though sin entered through the world through one man. Through Jesus Christ all men have already been saved if they believe and accept his justification, salvation, sanctification and glorification, which has yet to be fully realized on this earth. Christ did something that no other god has been able to do and that is become the first born for the redemption of the fallen Col 3:20-21. While other gods in history still desire for the fallen race to worship them without restoring them with better promises. Christ stepped into humanity being fully divine for the sole purpose of reconciling us to him and us to one another. Furthermore, in Colossians Paul makes a promise of something that he has not yet seen by faith and that is if the church in Colossae continues in faith and continues in love in the Spirit (3:4, 3:8) then there is a prize that awaits only those that endure to the end. Paul was able to endure the suffering put before him because he knew and believed what was yet to come.
As Christians one of the things that I am taking away from these few chapters in Colossian’s is that we have to be willing to follow Christ not just in the good deeds of what he has done, but also in the suffering that He went through also. He went through the suffering because as creator, He can and will restore our bodies and make it better than before while also restoring our minds so that we will not have the same propensity towards sin. Yes we will be free, but this time we will chose freedom for eternity.
Secondly Paul’s surety helped him to preach knowing that without preaching how will the world know of the way out through Jesus. Paul accomplished more when he was at his worst. Being bound for the gospel brought more attention to the good news that Jesus saves, restores, and will return. Paul encourages us today that if Christ be risen then, we should set out thoughts lives and actions on the creator of the cosmos that still lives and will return (3:1). Where Christ sits at the right hand is in a seat of authority and for those that believe and live as heirs he will take care of them. But our affections must be centered on Christ second coming. He will restore everything next time except for the marks that prove he saved us by His own blood.
Response to assignment # 1
Posted by Kabah Stephen
I really like the questions that you started your reflection with. They are very deep question sometimes I even wonder. You are very good write you can captivate your audience very well. As you mention too Gen 1:31 says that everything God created was good, but we know sin is just a disruption to God’s creation. Well done Kabah
Assignment 2: “Our free-will to make any choice”
Through the books and lectures, the concept of free-will made me ponder again in this matter. Why did God grant us the free-will that made things only complicated and troublesome? If He is the originator of the free-will, isn’t He the one to be blamed? Why do we need to go through all these difficulties and sufferings? Why is God keep annoying me to change my ways when He already gave me the freedom to do whatever I want?
Yes, He gave us free-will to choose what we desire; God or Satan. Yet if we choose evil, we are not allowed to live. Why did God allowed the free-will from the first place then? Not that we choose evil, but to choose good. To be able to choose God is our privilege. This privilege is what makes human being. Unless we can think and choose, we are same as animals who react by their instincts. Because we can choose, we can testify God, we can experience the love of God, we can practice self-sacrifice and self-control.
If we didn’t have the free-will, we cannot know how much God loves us and we cannot follow the example of Jesus for we would not be able to know the sacrificial love that Jesus willingly chose. Ellen White states in her book, Faith and Works that unless we learn the lesson of self-sacrifice and self-control, heaven will not be our home for us. We have free-will, so that we can practice self-sacrifice and self-control.
I always blamed God for my unrighteousness. I would think to myself, “It is Your fault for allowing me to inevitably falling into the evil.” When I committed the same sin over and over again, my conscious got weaker and weaker and came to the point that sin doesn’t seem to be sin anymore. I thought to myself, “If God is allowing me to do this over and over again, then this must be not that bad, not a big deal.”
However, I was awakened through the reading and the lecture that I must stop sinning, no matter how small it is. Even though the people around me may say, “it’s alright,” God is saying, “it’s not O.K.” It seemed to me that God is telling me, “I am allowing you to choose, so that you can experience the victory and to build your self-control.”
I am really thankful now that God has given me the free-will, that I can choose to love Him back. As long as I have the free-will, this means that God has not given up on me. He still has faith in me and waiting for me to come back to Him without outside force but from within my heart. I may fall again, but my heart is toward Jesus. We have learned that we are justified through faith, and not by our works. I am so thankful that we are not saved by our works but by His grace. My spiritual walk with God had been ups and downs. Nonetheless, whenever I was down, the grace of God had pulled me up to rise again. I couldn’t help but to thank God every time I experience His mercy and I resolve before God that I would not fall again.
Some people say that it is not good to make commitment before God, for you can never fulfill your commitments. However, I would say it is always good to commit ourselves toward God even if we may not fully accomplish it, since those thoughts came from God and it is our heart as the respond toward Him. God does not justify us by what we accomplish, but by our true hearts that is followed by our committed attitude even though we may fall.
Juanfer Monsalve
Assingment #2-- synergy that blows my mind!
As I read the book of Ephesians this week, something hit me as a brick that had just fallen on my head. Paul the man that is responsible for the change of Martin Luther’s thinking was talking about works. He was not just saying do this and maybe that, he was calling the Ephesians to live a life of a higher standart. “to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires” Ephe 4:22 it was with great interest that I continued reading and the more I read the more something we had talked about in class made sense.
For quiet some time now, I’ve had a hard time with people that hold up the last generation theology stand to your face. Not only do they cause problems everywhere I go, but set up themselves for failure that later drives out of Christianity with upper hate for the religion the loved before. As I read Paul, I started to understand a bit more the whole issue of sanctification and justification. During this whole fight with LGT (Last generation theology), something bothered me, I knew we needed to hold up our standarts and our life must change, but the emphasis on us seemed to be completely wrong. Yet as I read the words of Paul such as 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. or in chapter 5 verse 1 “Be imitators of God…” it hit me, even our behavior must be dependant on God.
For quiet a few years we have put lots of emphasis on what we need to do, when in reality our behavioral change, still part of the work of the Holy spirit in our lives as we allow Him to work. It is in this context that the analogy of husband, wife and kids treating each other as one that the whole picture makes sense. There is to be a special synergy between the family, one where there is submission, where there is respect. IT is this kind of synergy that God wants to work with us, As he calls us to change, He calls us to depend on Him and to be ready to put on His armor. It is through all the dependence on Him that we are protected by the armor of God. IT is also through dependence on Him, that we learn how to use the armor to go in attack mode against the enemy. IT’s all about synergy with Christ!
I appreciate the message by Fernandez, Nelson "Man’s role in revealing the “Cosmic Christ of Scripture.”" This reminded me of what a privilege and responsibility we have in His works. It gave me chance to reflect myself again. Thanks.
Assignment #2 : Work of Christ in Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
From the class lectures Dr. Hanna mentioned the work of Christ in Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
I would like to use the light to illustrate the relationship among the Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
Justification :
Whenever the sinner accepts the light “ Jesus” by faith then the sinner be justified, wherever the sinner goes with the light who is claimed with justification. It is no termination until the sinner to deny this light. Light and the sinner go together (synergy) the sinner has the justification. For all the beings in the cosmos can recognize who is justified and who is not by the light. The light is also for protection to the sinners in front of the cosmos.
Sanctification :
Light can make the human see more clearly, it is not easy to walk in darkness. When the sinner walks in the life journey with the light, it is more easily and safety, since it can let the sinner notice what is dangerous and what is right and what is wrong. The light also shows the right way then the sinner can be reminded always in the journey, the sinner can learn how to improve and also can choose the right decision under the light.
Jesus is taking the action in our Sanctification, He is going with us to protect us and give us the guidance to teach us how to be more like Him. But we still have the freedom to choose what we want to do. It is also the grace from God.
Whenever we deny the light we might fall in the trap in the darkness, we might go back to sin. So we have to practice to hold the light when we go through the journey, read the Bible and pray is giving us the power and reminder to hold the light firmly.
Glorification :
I think the Glorification is like a big mirror in the destination of the sinner’s life journey, when the sinner has the light to go through the life journey with Justification and processing the Sanctification until to the Glorification, the light will get the reflection to shine upon the sinner. When the sinner is hold the light to approach to the big mirror, the sinner will be shined by the light reflection.
In the beginning the sinner accept the light in Justification and practicing the hold the light in Sanctification, then who is used to have the light then until to the mirror, get the light reflection –Glorification, who is shinning by the light reflection.
It is forever since the light “Jesus” will be with us forever.
How important for us to have Jesus in Salvation. Since He is the one of the all processes in Salvation with Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
Assignment # 2 Message for the FUTURE!
It was powerful this week to hear salvation/righteousness take on 3-D, and you don't even need glasses, just the Holy Spirit, and a willing attitude to receive this message! Yes Justification is righteousness by faith, but get this faith doesn't accomplish justification, instead faith receives justification. In addition we receive justification, based on GOD's faithfulness! We believe 1 Cor 1:30, Christ is our righteousness/justification. Justification when did it happened? when does it stop? Stop trying to put justification in a box, let's look Rom 3:25 TELLS US JUSTIFICATION IS FROM THE PAST FOR PAST SINS, and JUSTIFICATION IS FROM THE FUTURE FOR PRESENT OBEDIENCE Rom 3:28 This means my life, lifestyle of obedience to Crhist, and His life of obedience. My life should pattern His, my life should be in harmony with His teachings, and His actions while here on earth. I can not do His works, because there is GREATER scope of the WORK of Christ beyond this world. Now seeing that justification is working for both directions I am covered! Or is it that simple? I think it is, we often try to make what God has made plain to us in Scripture a mystery. God has been clear in His intentions. He is saving us from total destruction, He is restoring us to the Character that He originally placed within us. The Big Picture in small words, God is keeping His Word!. Are we yielding ourselves to His Righteousness? Rom 6:19 Is put in human terms! By yielding oneself to righteousness one becomes more and more sanctified. How can this be made more plain? The beautiful part is that Jesus Christ is our SANCTIFICATION, past, present, and future!! Sanctification is the work of Christ within us, and we play a part! We have to cooperate, I know we as humans DO NOT know how to yield. For example the new roundabout, with the yield signs, people don't even tap their brakes, they just keep plowing through going on their merry way. Is that what we are doing with God, making our pryer requests, and praying for the moment, and forgetting that we are to be cooperating in this present process of sanctification. What should our prayer requests be now that we take into account the part that we play in the scope of Sanctification? What should our ministry look like? If we know we have to yield and that we can become more and more sanctified, how can we take others through their own process? MY take on this is that we are sanctified more and more when we yield to Christ's righteousness then we should sin less and less, Christ's Character revealed within us.
Reflection #2 "God's call to a life of prosperity by Intelligence"
In this weeks lecture I learned more about foreknowledge and predestination. I couldn’t really explain or understand these two before, but now I understand more of the whole scope. In one sentence I would say they are, “God’s call to a life of prosperity by intelligence.” In this statement Intelligence (foreknowledge) is the first things that occurs in order to create a plan. The plan is like a solution to a problem, or an answer to a question. With this in mind, in order for there to be an answer, there first must be a problem. If there is no problem, then there is no plan. We could say if there is no fall, then there is no need of salvation as a solution. Yet there was a foreseen problem, and a plan was establish.
In class we talked about God’s ability to foresee. One example of this was in 1 Samuel 22. As God foresees what will happen to David, God creates a plan (pre-destination) of telling David so that David could make a decision. Then he implements the plan (calling) by doing what he had planned. In this example we see that God leaves the options open so that David can choose. Trusting God, David chose to be free.
Another example that I see as in foreseeing is found in 1 Peter 1:18-20 which says, “But you know that it was not with perishable things … that you were redeemed but by the precious blood of the lamb… He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.” In this we see that Peter acknowledges that God already foresaw the fall of man, and had a solution for man, even before the creation of the world. What is also interesting about the text is the part that says that Christ, “… was revealed in these last times for your sake.” In other words, previously, the full scope of His identity or plan wasn’t revealed, but until after a long time and at the right moment it was revealed. Throughout history I see pieces of God’s plans were being revealed, but the complete picture wasn’t revealed until the cross. We see this since the beginning, God gave hints; starting with Adam and Eve, and working up to Isaiah, and through the other prophets, but yet God’s full plan wasn’t in full perspective until the Cross-. By then everybody understood. The cross was the plan. Yet there is the question, why God, knowing the past and the future couldn’t of told us His plan from the beginning? There are many answers to this, yet I want to pull out a thought; that it was because if He told us right away we wouldn’t understand the full spectrum of his plans. Like Isaiah 55:8 says, “For your thoughts are not my thoughts nor your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”
God’s thoughts are far beyond that of man. He lives in the trans-cosmos state were it is limitless, and his thoughts are far beyond comprehension. He sees everything and lives in everything, even the atoms of which hold us together. All things are held together because of Him. His mind is like binary numbers that can see infinite amount of possibilities, yet he created those numbers. He knows that for us to grasp the scope of things He needed humans to see it with there eyes, instead of just stating it. He used the Sanctuary, and the rituals to explain. Then was Christ as the perfect picture of the plan
Another way of looking at this is asking, why God didn’t tell me early in life that I was going to be a pastor. I think about it and I say that if He would of told me earlier in life, I would have ran like Jonah because the idea of a pastor was just ridiculous. But he had to drop pieces of the puzzle, so that at the right time, he could make the call, and when He did, I would understand the whole scope of the plan. (Warning: these are only thoughts reflecting back on the articles, books, and bible that I have read. It’s still a work in progress)
Edson Patrice
Assingment #2
Emmanuel, God with us.
God. The absentee father. The thought at once savors an admixture of the plausible and the foolish. To be sure, it seems a reasonable indictment especially for a Father whose presence is often experienced allegorically. However, rationality betrays the logical evidence and we find and it becomes a bit difficult to place such a charge on Him. In this submission I would like to discuss the possibility of why this is so.
Some of us were quite lucky. We were born into a happy and loving home where safety was a foregone conclusion and we were given most of what we needed to scrape a reasonable existence out of adulthood. For others who were not as fortunate the journey to adulthood seemed more complex. A web of mistrust and abandonment, we seemed fated to become tangled in. I suppose this already beginning to sound like some psycho analytic jarggle of how our paternal mess is super-imposed to our perception of God. While that may ring true in general this is a starkly different song. The truth of the matter is even our more fortunate brethren who had a good experience in their youth still have issues of mistrust and a sense of abandonment. Our very nature suggests to us the faint possibility of more only to be wafted aside by the sweet rancor of our every sin. We enter the age of reason already jam-packed with questions, many of which seemed to have been there way before us. Questions that fit against our natures and a nature that seems to be running from something. Something more.
The memory of my father, who is still very much around and whom I am still very much in love with, was far from perfect. He was present and his presence was felt by way of his provision, his abstract discipline, and the predictability of his commitment. A slew of other domestic principles were practiced. This however did nothing to change the fact that I knew very little about the man. As a matter of fact I find that on this very day he is still a man of much mystery to me. I should assert that this is not about being sentimental although there is a time and a place for that too. Nevertheless, I had to realize that whether my father was a homage to Cliff Huxtable, an ode to Archie Bunker or even persona non-grata, I would still feel short changed. In this mindset I believe there is a better frame work for interpreting the role of God in the monergistic and synergistic atmosphere He creates.
I suspect that the Trans-Cosmic nature of God could have been very prodigious and providential from afar. Just like the father whose laborious effort is translated into remote gifts of endearment or tacit words of affirmation, God could have been as efficient outside of the realm that he made and empowers. Thankfully He wanted more. He wanted to work with us. This synergistic nature of God is best idealized in His interaction with Moses. In this relationship God assumes every aspect of working alongside, for, through, with and above Moses. One might argue that He was so completely immersed in synergy with Moses that He could not tolerate one moment otherwise and expedited him to heaven. Dr. Hanna reminds us that the very purpose of God’s synergy made possible by His monergy is to restore us to complete synergy with Him, in brevity glorification. It is for this reason in particular that the charge flung against God at the beginning of the great controversy, in spite of its cosmic resonance will fall flat against a God who purposes all things, is in all things, and through Christ will reconcile all things to Himself.
The Works of Christ- Assignment # 2
Predestination – the fairness of God!
So long I have been struggled for predestination’s meaning because I used to think of those who were born in condemnation and had no chance to be saved. I was enslaved by the common perception which stated the “unfairness” of God - He controls the world in a way to save or lose some of us. It is true? Of course not!
I have to thank Dr. Hanna, for his elaboration on the concept of “Predestination.”
“Predestination” reveals the fairness of God, who is very active in salvation; nevertheless, He did not simply provide the means of salvation- the cross, but He also ensured the application of the blood of Christ through predestination. Can we ask why would God choose a category of individuals and not others? The thing is, God did not choose to save some and forget about the others. according to Ephesians 1:11 (NIV), In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Before the creation of the world, God the father, the Son and the Holy Ghost had made a plan to create the human being in the likeness of the Son – His status became ours; nevertheless, Christ came to earth as a babe like we were as children to show us how to live. He lived an exemplary life for our righteousness and did a public ministry for us to fathom. He died on the cross and resurrected as our substitute. God predestined everyone to be saved no matter who you are and what you are doing. God has no respect of person, and He called everyone to salvation; therefore, one needs to accept or reject it. Predestination, righteousness, justification, sanctification and glorification are one full package – all of this stand or fall together, so one cannot go without the others. All of us have sinned, and condemned to die” Romans 3:23 (NIV), for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. in addition, no one deserves to be saved, for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, Romans 6:23 (NIV). The Bible never describes that God rejecting anyone who believes in Him or turning away anyone who is seeking Him. The Bible says that we have the choice and all who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved. John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. God predestines who will be saved - is in the concept of whom choose Him will be saved, or we must choose Christ in order to be saved. “Predestination” is “predestined” from the Greek word proorizo, which carries the meaning of “determine beforehand,” “ordain,” “to decide upon ahead of time.” Let’s consider these verses:
God
Predestines us to salvation (Rom. 8:29-30).
Chooses us for salvation (2 Thess. 2:13-14).
Draws people to Himself (John 6:44,65).
Appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48).
Grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
Calls according to His purpose (2 Tim. 1:9).
Causes us to be born again (1 Pet. 1:3).
Predestines us to adoption (Eph. 1:5).
Predestines us according to His purpose (Eph. 1:11).
“Divinity needed humanity, that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man. So with the servants and messengers of Christ. Man needs a power outside of and beyond himself, to restore him to the likeness of God, and enable him to do the work of God; but that does not make the human agency unessential. Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, and the power of man becomes efficient for good.” Desire of Ages p. 297
The bottom line - “Predestination” is all about God‘s love.
Cyril
Assignment 2
Steps to Christ, chapter 2
Being just with God is something human beings have had to contend with since the fall. As soon as one recognizes that he/she is a sinner and, therefore, stands condemned before the bar of heaven, there arouses the desire to be just with God. And why is that so? Well it is so because we were made to be in communion with God. Adam, after choosing to transgress God’s law in Eden, hid from God because he knew that he was not just with God. He had sinned and as a result stood justly condemned before the Judge of all. God has placed within human beings an awareness of their need of Him. He has also given to each individual an acute desire to be in a right relationship with Him.
Being in a right relationship with God should take precedence over all other relationships at all times. However, as White demonstrates so aptly, even though that is a real need there are multitudes who are completely ignorant as regards the means whereby such a relationship can become a reality. If we know our unjust, unrighteous and sinful state; and if we want to be in a right relationship with God; and if in order for that to become a reality we must no longer be unjust, unrighteous and sinful state; then how could such a transformation take place? How can a person, an unjust and unrighteous person, become righteous before God? White informs us that it only through Christ can this change take place. However, in order to receive the merits of Christ’s grace one must first repent.
White considers repentance as including “sorrow for sin and turning away from it.” At the same time, though, she posits that there is true repentance as well as false repentance. False repentance is not concerned with turning away from sin. On the contrary, it is concerned with escaping the consequences of sin. This brand of repentance is not motivated by love for God and hatred for sin. Rather, it is motivated by selfishness and a desire to fulfill the desires of the flesh while at the same time gain God’s forgiveness. Unfortunately individuals who resort to limiting themselves to this manner of repentance will discover, hopefully not like Judas did, that God does not provide forgiveness when it comes from lips that are only concerned with escaping consequences. God’s forgiveness is too valuable to be used when individuals are not inwardly sorry for sin.
True repentance is motivated by heartfelt sorrow for sin. The individual who truly repents is not concerned with escaping the consequences of her/his sin. They recognize that their sins have hurt God rather deeply and they are truly sorrowful for doing so. True repentance recognizes that God is deeply hurt by sin and sin brings disharmony, not only between God and humanity, but within the entire cosmos. Thus when one is truly repentant he/she clearly recognizes the magnitude of sin.
When we consider how devastating sin is we can be tempted to become completely bereft of all hope. However, this is where Christ comes into the picture. Even though sin is indeed devastating in its scope and impact, Christ’s death on the cross is the perfect and complete response to sin. Christ’s death informs us that even though “sin abounds grace much more abounds.” Therefore, the sinner, having been convicted of sin, turns to God in repentance and is assured of God’s grace because of Christ’s atoning sacrifice. And, because God is so gracious, not one who turns to Him in repentance will be turned away.
That means even though my sins may be so vile, and my character so corrupt Christ’s sacrifice is more than sufficient for me. When I repent, turn to Christ, and turn away from sin, God graciously forgives me of every sin. He graciously wipes my slate clean and reckons me as though I have never sinned. Repentance, therefore, is rightfully placed at the beginning of Ellen White’s understanding of the ordo salutis and it is the turn that makes the difference between being at enmity with God or being in a right relationship with Him.
Adelina Alexe
Reflection on chapters 1 and 2 from Faith and Works, by Ellen White
I found the first two chapters of Faith and Works extremely relevant. I also found them very practical. I feel like Ellen White wrote with a good balance of theory and applications, so that I understand things both at the intellectual level, as well as how that is exemplified and can be lived.
One thing that stood to me was her focus on the necessary balance between the law and the gospel. Coming from a more conservative religious background, I have heard more stress on the law, but I never realized how dangerous this could be until I came across this statement in my reading: “I have been shown for years that Satan would work in a special manner to confuse the mind on this point. The law of God has been largely dwelt upon and has been presented to congregations, almost as destitute of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His relation to the law as was the offering of Cain.” While it is not our job to assume other people’s spiritual life, it is simply sad to know that “many have been kept from the faith because of the mixed, confused ideas of salvation, because the ministers have worked in a wrong manner to reach hearts.” It feels unjust and confusing. Unjust because it is not fair that people’s faith is not build due to the wrong approach of ministers, and confusing because the role/responsibility of humans (including ministers) in other’s salvation is still quite nebulous to me.
“We have left out Christ and His matchless love, brought in theories and reasonings, and preached argumentative discourses.” This also is familiar to me, and it took me time and a different setting to understand a new approach, a new way to deal with presenting God.
However, the tendency to uplift Christ’s love to the detriment of His law is, although a paradox, present in our church as well. While I don’t think obedience to the law earns our salvation, it is, as Ellen White puts it, “the mirror presenting a complete reflection of the man as he is, and holding up before him the correct likeness. Some will turn away and forget this picture, while others will employ abusive epithets against the law, as though this would cure their defects of character. Still others who are condemned by the law will repent of their transgressions and, through faith in Christ's merits, will perfect Christian character.”
The law and the gospel are like two sides of a coin. The coin cannot be a coin without both sides. Similarly, I see the law and the gospel inseparable. And I think that part of why people tend towards one side or another more is because of fears. Each one tries to secure salvation through some ways, and because salvation is one-sided understood, there is fear of slipping towards the other way. In this sense I see it like the up-growing of a child: the parent must advise him and teach him, but also give him the freedom to start making decisions. I see the relation between the law and the gospel in similar terms, in the sense that both are needed, both are equally important, but it is sometimes difficult to know how to combine them. And yet, it is crucial.
Adelina Alexe
Reflection on chapters 1 and 2 from Faith and Works, by Ellen White (continuation)
“Unconverted men have stood in the pulpits sermonizing. Their own hearts have never experienced, through a living, clinging, trusting faith, the sweet evidence of the forgiveness of their sins. How, then, can they preach the love, the sympathy, the forgiveness of God for all sins?” continues Ellen White. I see this like offering someone food. One can have all the ingredients and the proper recipe, but (1) if he has never tasted the food he does not know what is should taste like, and (2) if he has never prepared it himself, he cannot offer it as prepared by himself. Same I see with spiritual food. We can have all the Biblical ingredients and the understanding of what the spiritual meal should look like, but we need to first taste of it ourselves to know what we are offering others, and we also need to know how to put those ingredients together if we want it to be a good meal to them. I think experience does have a word in this. The more often you’ve cooked a meal, the more likely the success (besides, the more time you prepare a recipe, the more likely to know what difficulties you can encounter, and what to do about it next time, what to avoid, etc.). So in that sense I kind of see how it is crucial that we first have our own experience and genuine relationship with God before we can minister to others.
At the same time though, I don’t think we need to wait until we come to the feeling of some sort of perfection (as in completeness). Maturity is desired, but it is a never-ending process, and at times I find it challenging for me, and others as well, to offer what we have experienced thus far, because we feel like we cannot offer all we wished to, or all we feel there is to be offered. I think that should not hold us back though from sharing what we have, but I think we have to be honest with that.
Adelina Alexe
Reflection 2 on chapters 3 and 4 from Faith and Works, by Ellen White
Ellen White writes: “Repentance, as well as forgiveness, is the gift of God through Christ. It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are convicted of sin and feel our need of pardon. None but the contrite are forgiven; but it is the grace of God that makes the heart penitent.” So, God is the one who offers us forgiveness of sin. But our desire to be right with God does not come from within ourselves. God is still the one impressing on our mind that we need repentance and transformation. The Holy Spirit is the one who works in our conscience the realization of our need for wholeness, and who brings us to the recognition of our brokenness. Thus, on one hand, God convicts us that we need transformation, and on the other side we find God again as the one who achieves his will in us. Our only part is to accept his impression on us, as well as His forgiveness and will for us. We are sandwiched in between God - the Bread of Life. :)
“Yes, those who claim to be sanctified have a great deal to say about being saved by the blood of Jesus, but their sanctification is not through the truth as it is in Jesus.” And also, “One of Satan's most successful deceptions is to lead men to claim to be sanctified, while at the same time they are living in disobedience to God's commandments. These are described by Jesus as those who will say, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?"
Sanctification is for sure a difficult topic. I have been reading Sanctified Life lately, and what I appreciate most about it was that it brought this rather abstract concept to a more practical level, by exemplifying what sanctification is. I would like to share with my classmates a few of her thoughts:
True sanctification is an entire conformity to the will of God. {SL 9.1}
The most precious fruit of sanctification is the grace of meekness. There is a continual waiting upon God and a submission of the will to His. {SL 14.2}
These three Hebrews possessed genuine sanctification. True Christian principle will not stop to weigh consequences. It does not ask, What will people think of me if I do this? or, How will it affect my worldly prospects if I do that? With the most intense longing the children of God desire to know what He would have them do, that their works may glorify Him. {SL 39.2}
These faithful, steadfast characters exemplify sanctification, (-referring to the three Hebrews at Babylon’s court) while they have no thought of claiming the high honor. {SL 40.1}
I find her persistently relating sanctification with conformity to the will of God. It is only within His will that we can grow in our Christ-like character, and the experience of the three Hebrews at the court of Babylon helped me understand better what sanctification actually is, although as it has been said repeatedly in class and mentioned in other readings, sanctification is not something to appropriate, claim, or even realize. It is the outward expression of a true living with God.
Response to Assignment # 2 posted by Piasi Suleiman - “It is all about Jesus”
I enjoyed reading your posting for assignment # 2. You make a good point in that sometimes people consider free things to be “valueless or defective.” Also, your statement really made me think about how so many people just pass up the opportunity to accept Christ. Some choose not to believe or think that a relationship with God is unnecessary. They just don’t know the importance of having a relationship with Jesus. Therefore, we have a responsibility to let them know what they are missing. People need the Lord even if they don’t realize their need of Him. – James W. Dieujuste
Assignmet #1: God’s Plan B
Ephesians 1:4,3 “Just as he chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ.”
STC “None but the Son could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and the debt of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of man could express the Father’s love to lost humanity.” – p.5
God created Adam and Eve with a freedom of choice, He foresaw the risk in doing that but because He is a God of love, He allowed Adam and Eve their free choices to love or disobey Him. If they chose to love their God then it would be a perfect demonstration to the world of who their Creator is. Just like the well behaved loving children that always carry a good reflection of their parents around. Unfortunately, they chose otherwise and as a consequence they lost their conditional immortality, they lost their holy status and their nature and deeds became blemish. And the whole cosmos and universe is impacted by their choice to distrust God and believe in Satan’s lie.
Before Adam and Eve sinned, God’s plan B had already in placed. The omniscient God knew the possibility of sin and prepared the solution for it. God send Jesus Christ, the best and the only perfect revelation of a loving God..
The trans-cosmic Christ became the cosmic Christ and in Him, all the trans-cosmic spiritual blessings are given in order to restore fallen humanity into holy and blameless beings through the process of Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.
The cosmos (revelation and history) testifies about this trans-cosmic Christ as the Creator of the universe and He a source of eternal life. How the trans-cosmic Christ became a cosmic Christ in the likeness of man’s sinful nature is a mystery that I cannot fully comprehend because we can only know so much of what God decided to disclose to us in Scripture. However, as Ellen G White testifies, “none but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption, for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and the debt of the love of God could manifest it…” Ellen G White further testifies that in giving up God’s Son, He has poured out to us all Heaven in one gift. Just as Paul says, we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.
And lastly, that’s why the trans-Cosmic and cosmic Christ becomes the heart of Christian theology as Dr Hanna wrote.
Response #2
Response to Josh Woods
Dear Josh,
I really appreciated your reflections on the reading as well as on our class lectures. As you, I also have had a hard time deciphering the differences between Justification and Sanctification. I recently heard a sermon that explained Justification as “Just – as – if – I’d…” so, to say that when we are justified, it is as if we had never sinned, which gave me a better understanding of that term. However, when we got back into class, I was confused then on where Sanctification fit. But, thankfully we have those hour long question and answer times in class that help to clarify these things. So far, I’m thinking that Justification cleanses us as if we had never sinned, and Sanctification keeps us that way as we go along, helping us to grow and become more like God. That’s my understanding so far…we’ll see if it changes this coming week after more discussion.
The ideas of Foreknowledge and Predestination still have my mind in a bit of a knot. I agree that God has a predestined plan for our lives and we have the freedom to choose whether or not to do it. However, I think that his foreknowledge means that he knows what we will decide before we decide it. But again, all those thoughts are subject to change.
Joseph Thomas
Second Assignment
Works of Christ
Eternal Life the through Cosmic Christ.
We have spent the past week talking about Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. Here is what I have learned from the class and the word of God. Galatians 4:16 tells us “that a person is justified not by the works of the law but through the faith of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we might be justified by the faith of Christ and not by doing the works of the law because no one will be justified by the works of the law”. Also Romans 1:16-17 says “for I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written: the one who is righteous will live by faith”.
The Church or most people have come to see justification, sanctification and glorification as if they were states of being. But as the New Testament presents it, however, these terms refer to processes. It is what Jesus through the Holy Spirit has done for us. It is base on the finished work of Christ. Paul tells us that salvation is accomplished through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ by His willingness to go on the cross and die for us and His resurrection from the dead.
It is the faith of Jesus that will make us children of God. It is the trust that Jesus Himself had in God, believing that His death on the cross would be vindicated by His resurrection. Our faith in Jesus must be as the faith and trust that Jesus had in His father. The foundation of our salvation is the faith of Jesus.
Eternal Life depends on Christ alone and nothing else. Eternal Life is Christ dwelling in His righteousness in the soul of the justified person. Salvation is union with Jesus Christ. And the foundation of the union is the word faith. We all come to Jesus, to rests in Him, trusts in Him, become one with Him, abide in Him; and this become life because it never, ever ends. And the love of the father cements this great union forever and ever. Thank God for Jesus.
Ariel Roldan - Reflection Response to:
Si On Sung
Assignment 2: “Our free-will"
I really appreciated the vulnerability and honesty with which you approached predestination, free choice, and your own personal journey through it.
It is a paradox of human nature. We get angry with God because we believe He picks and forces who gets saved or lost - what a tyrant!
Then we realize out He has no say in it, rather gives us the choice, and so if I am lost it is my fault. So then we still get angry with God for giving us the freedom to choose our destiny.
It is hard to be God.
Ariel Roldan - Reflection Response to:
Si On Sung
Assignment 2: “Our free-will"
I really appreciated the vulnerability and honesty with which you approached predestination, free choice, and your own personal journey through it.
It is a paradox of human nature. We get angry with God because we believe He picks and forces who gets saved or lost - what a tyrant!
Then we realize He has no say in it, rather gives us the choice, and so if I am lost it is my fault. So then we still get angry with God for giving us the freedom to choose our destiny.
It is hard to be God.
Response to MRamirez Reflection-God's call to a life of properity by intelligency.
Assignment #2
I appreciate your effort to bring out scriptural support on the argument of God's foreknowledge and man's freechoice. We however continue to struggle to understand the mind of God but as we learned in class, we will not fully understand his mind even in ages to come
I have come to a conclusion that the safest thing we can do is to be assured that He is good in all His works. His love endureth forever.
Reflection response to "Message for the Future"
This is indeed a great and necessary message. It is so comforting to know the extent of the love God has for us. Christ loves us so much that He is our justification as well as our sanctification. What else can I ask for? I think Jasmine covered the topic well. The pertinent issues were dealt with. Christ is our sanctification because it is as He works on the inside we become changed to reflect His glory. But we are to cooperate with Him. We are to accept His work for us, justification, then yield to His work in us, sanctification. But, as she pointed out, we have a tendency to be recalcitrant thus robbing ourselves of the benefits and blessing of sanctification. Nevertheless, when we yield to Him we become more and more like Him. Now, that is indeed a great message for the present and the future!
Response to assignment #2
Predestination – The fairness of God by Alta
I was impressed by Alta’s integration of texts on the issue of predestination. Its great to know that predestination revels the fairness of God who is very active in salvation. God provided the cross as a means of salvation and it’s through the death of Christ who was predestined to die that we are saved. In otherwords just as Alta puts it predestination is about the love of God. Good work Alta
Response to Joseph Thomas:
If it is the faith of Jesus that will make us children of God, how can we measure of faith of God in comparison to Jesus' faith in God? That is a heavy statement, can we have the absolute faith that Jesus had in God? Jesus was in creation with God, Jesus has always been in the presence of God, how can we as humans, who keep fudging our way through life possibly have the same faith as Jesus? How can we live by faith, when we are not willing to DIE BY FAITH. Jesus died in faith, Spirit of Prophecy reveals, that "Jesus could not see past the tomb". IS OUR LEVEL OF FAITH, EVER CAPABLE on Earth to reach the same faith level of Jesus Christ? How is this possible, faith is developed by experience correct? If I do not have an experiential faith within my lifetime how can Christ work within me to establish the same merit of faith he demonstrated?
Response to Andre Anderson’s “Touch but not Tainted”
I resonate with Andre Anderson’s blog on “Touched but not Tainted”. I like that he said that the integrity or the purity of the Godhead was still in tact even after Christ took on sinful flesh. A little while ago I read a book called “Ellen White on the Humanity of Christ”. As we already know this still remains a controversial subject in many circles. It was at first hard for me to wrap my head around what was being said given there are a few texts in the Bible that provoke questions about Christ’s nature on Earth; did he have the post-fall or pre-fall nature? Was it even possible for Him to sin being still being God? But as I continued to read one particular illustration provided some more light on the subject. The author stated that Christ was “affected” by sin and not “infected”. Affected is like having your arm broken and it limits your mobility. But Infected is something like a debilitating disease/virus inside of you that you can do nothing about and will eventually take your life. Christ was definitely affected by sin, meaning he was tempted and subject to mortal things like hunger, exhaustion, and thirst. But he was not infected and did not have the propensity to sin as we do. He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but he was not tainted with it (Hebrews 4:15).
Response to Cyril, Assignment 2
I enjoyed reading Steps to Christ as well and appreciate your comments on it. The idea of turning to Christ is so crucial in the whole act of repentance as well as turning away from sin. It is so easy to continue with a childlike concept of forgiveness where we were forced to say we were sorry as children without truly understanding what we are doing. Ellen White sheds light on what true repentance is. One that we must all thoughtfully consider. It must include the desire to be changed from the inside out.
Response to Kabah Stephen #2.
As he brought to us the issue of predestination as God’s plan for man’s salvation in the sense that man has a free will to chose which way to take over, Kabah brings us to the understand of the meaning of the word predestination which implies God’s foreseen the fall of man in case he chooses to disobey God ‘s conditions. Also man was created with a free will to choose which way to follow without being forced. Now I f man chooses life then to him there will be life forever , but if man chooses to disobey God then in that free will of choice the choice is death. However in that case there comes God fore seen the way of solving this eternal death through the plan of redemption as he mentions the 1 cornt 2:2. Kasbah also mention another thing which implies Synergy where by God ‘s way of solving sin problem is to work with man ‘’those who love God will corporate in love with him in the plan of their salvation’’ meaning that they will choose to corporate with God freely and in harmony with out being forced and in that way they freely choose life by faith without seeing that life but with hope to be manifested in them and finally being glorified. This is exactly synergy, meaning that God does the plan of redemption with those who give him corporation and these are the people who accept the plan being predestined to the cosmos
Christopher Mwashinga
Reflection Paper # 2
RE-SUBMISSION (this work was first submitted on Thursday May 20, 2010, but only one line is seen on the blog. Hope everybody will be able to read the entire document here)
The book, “The Cosmic Christ of Scripture - chapts. 3 & 4”
In order to understand the purpose of God in our lives, we must read( go to and fro through) all the three books of God, namely; Scripture,(the written word) the book of nature and the book of experience. These three books ought to be studied together for a fuller understanding of the plan of salvation, just as justification, sanctification and glorification ought to be studied together for a fuller understanding of the question of salvation. Just as we can learn about the Cosmic and Trans-cosmic Christ in scripture and actually praise Him for who He is and what He is capable of doing, by watching nature we can also be drawn to praise the same creator Christ who created the cosmos. However, it must be clearly said that Scripture is the only Christian rule of faith, practice and knowledge. Ellen White who has a lot to say about the subject of salvation, she also has a lot to say about God’s three books as mentioned above.
The Book of Colosians chapts. 1-3.
I was utterly surprised and excited when I read the first three chapters of the book of Colossians to discover that the concept of God acting alone that’s doing what He alone can do (monergy) and what he can do with the cosmos (synergy) to be very obvious. Before the lecture on the Monergy and Synergy I could hardly see the connections. The three chapters have several texts which speak especially of the concept of synergy. To illustrate this point, here are some of the texts: “For in him dwells all the ullness of the Godhead bodily ( 2;9); In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge(2:3). It relates very well with the role of faith in attaining salvation. In these chapters, Paul seems to put across the point that all that Christians do must be done in synergy with Christ to the point that, even though Christians are human beings who live on earth, “must seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God” ( 3:1). Of course this can only be done by faith.
RBI Documents.
“Predestination, foreknowledge and human freedom and The Dynamics of Salvation”
After reading the two articles, I have concluded that in the end, salvation by grace through faith is actually salvation by choice. Exercising our freedom of choice. choosing the grace giver, Jesus Christ. In class we had a discussion on predestination. We saw that predestination is God’s plan or purpose. God wills or purposes that all should eventually be saved. In other words, the goal of predestination is to restore humanity but not in the sense that God decides beforehand who shall be saved and who shall be lost, but in the sense that God has a foreknowledge of who shall make what decision. If He interfered with what humans can do with the freedom He has given them, that would be taking away the very liberty of choice He had gave them initially. The Bible teaches, instead, the kind of predestination which acknowledges God’s foreknowledge of our individual future choices. This kind of a doctrine of predestination leaves every human being with the choice of whether or not they want to be saved. If they cooperate with God the plan is in place for them to be saved; but if they do not, it is also clear that they will be lost. They must act in synergy with the creator God. In the end, salvation by grace through faith becomes salvation by choice. Choosing the grace giver,Jesus Christ.
Response to Cyril Assignment # 2
I truly appreciated the way you put across the idea of repentance in your reflection on the book “Steps to Christ”. It is important to always remember, just as you have correctly said in your reflection, that “True repentance is motivated by heartfelt sorrow for sin. The individual who truly repents is not concerned with escaping the consequences of her/his sin. They recognize that their sins have hurt God rather deeply and they are truly sorrowful for doing so.” It is useless to hide any thing from the Almighty God, since He knows everything. People who truly love God will always be sorrowful for their evil ways and will be able to see the sinfulness of their sins and acknowledge the fact that their sins have hurt God. As such , they will choose to turn away from their unrighteous ways. Because that is what repentance is. Turning away from our sins; and this can be done only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Response no.#2 from jean's comments.
In response to jean’s comment on I appreciate her critical thinking on how can one know where he is in the process of salvation.for instance i also ask myself the same same question in my journey of salvation where have I come from and where am I and where am I heading to .The major point I got was that though this stages are so much interwoven,the are transcending hence we can’t change their order though they lead us to the same destination.this portrays Gods wisdom and how much he loves us .
Response to Si On Sung – Assignment 2 “Our free -will to make any choice”
I appreciated that you open yourself and described what the struggle you have. But I think you found the way to solve your problem. It is very true for our attitude to God. No matter who we are and what we did, if our hearts toward Jesus and we commit ourselves to God, we can be justify.
Response to Assignment # 2
Posted by Wallin: “Trinity JSG”
I enjoyed reading Wallin’s posting, especially the way he paralleled the Godhead with the concepts we are developing in class. The idea that justification, sanctification, and glorification can be understood in similar way as we understand the Trinity is creative and help to better understand a little better the intricacies of the works of Christ.
What a challenge for our finite minds to try to understand such a difficult subject as Salvation, yet through the Holy Spirit and God’s word we can begin to understand the reason, which is love, for God so loved us, that he gave us the perfect and only way to achieve glorification.
I too would like to respond to Alta's blog on predestination. At times when we look around and wonder where is God when some things happen. When we see some people who cannot buy a break you wonder is there more to this persons life and what is it that someone in their family has done to put this cloud over their head. However, God is fair! He causes it to rain on the just and the unjust. This is why both the fortunate and the misfortunate have the ability to grow. Sin has made many of us pessimistic and we never gloat when God favors shines on some revealing his manifestation in the cosmos. There is one thing that I am certain of when I reflect on Adam and Eves decision. That choices will impact all of us. This is why we must seek Christ daily to that we can be on the right course to eternity. We have all been predestined to enjoy the love of God no matter what our decisions have been. Because Romans states clearly that-while we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly.
Response to assignment 2
Posted by Joseph Thomas
First, I appreciate the main idea mentioned by Joseph Thomas that foundation of our salvation is the faith of Jesus. As he mentioned faith is not just separated one. Rather it is necessary for justification, sanctification, and glorification as the process. That’s why Paul mentioned faith as “Through faith for faith.”
Secondly, he approaches that salvation is union with Jesus Christ. And the foundation of the union is the word faith. Thank for giving me the notion that faith is the foundation of monergy and synergy at the same time. Faith itself make God to save us. And with faith God works with us for salvation. Thanks for these notion.
Comments on Edgar Alquuinta
Assignment # 2: “Without Him we can do nothing”
I agree with you 100 percent because we can only gain salvation through the blood of Jesus. However, the atonement was completed at the cross, but the salvation was not completed as long as the last person is living on earth. Ephesians 2:6 said, “And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. That was accurate at that time as of now. What is counted not our deed but Christ! Christ seat at the Right Hand of God for every believer; as a result, it is like me and you who seat at the Right Hand of God in heaven. We did not die at the cross and resurrect; Christ died and resurrected as a ransom on our behalf as it is you and me who died and resurrected. Good post!
Comment from Joseph Thomas on Stephen Kabah second assignment.
Hi there Stephen, great job on your take on predestination.
After reading your comment, I got some deep understanding on what predestination is all about. Keep up the good job. I pray that Christ comes soon that we may learn new truth from him.
Comment on Joseph Thomas' second assignment.
I really enjoyed Joseph's article, especially his comparison about how both faith IN Jesus, and the faith OF Jesus have roles in the process of justification, sanctification and glorification. It is true that many times we have the desire to define issues like the Revelation 14:12 with either faith of Jesus or faith IN Jesus. However, we need to recognize that BOTH of these aspects are important in their own rights. Thanks for that reminder Joseph.
I would like to respond to Andre's Blog as well.
i do like the point that you made when you reasoned that even though God became one of us he was not tainted by being one of us.
EMMANUEL N. Bohole. # 2
We are saved by hope: Rom8: 24
For we are saved in this hope but hope that is seen for why does one still hope for what he sees.
Last week and this week I have been comforted through the lectures delivered by Dr Hanna in class. I have come to discover that human response towards salvation is always found in the hope that is in Christ alone. If a sinner looses hope in the savior that there is no solution for sin and that the savior can not wash out sin then there is no way that faith can work out to pursue one to seek forgiveness and being justified. When we sin we loose hope and also we are on the evil’s side being declared for perishing. But when we look in to that hope which is promised to us we long to be glorified in the near future. This hope goes together with faith (Ephe 2:8) The Holy Bible says: For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of your selves; it is the gift of God. This Hope also goes together with a genuine love, the love of God that turns to us as we respond in waiting for that great hope.
So now the past response that man hoped for was justification from the past sin. When a man is being justified manifested by the love of God , then here comes another thing which is hope for sanctification at the present time and finally God fore sees our future that in which direction we hope to chose to go. Rom 8: 29 for whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son. That he might be the first born among many brethren. 30 moreover whom he predestined these, he also called, whom he also called he also justified, and whom he justified these, he also glorified.
Now according to the reading of Rom 8: 28-30, and the lecture in class by Dr. Hanna we are being introduced to a more advanced way of how God ‘s work is being characterized by monergy , meaning that Gog working alone for the plan of our salvation as well as God working together with the cosmos, meaning that God works with those who corporate with him and therefore are being justified by faith, and who hope for glorification as the love of God is poured out into their hearts. Therefore those who are willing to wait for this great hope will then be glorified when Jesus comes and be reconciled with him. However , man’s response for salvation is based on accepting a call from sin then asks for the justification which is also obtained by faith, and later wait for the Glorification which is the great hope we only have for our salvation.
5/20/2010 9:44 PM
Cyril
Motifs and motives
Reading Reflection 3
BRI: “Comments on the In Adam/In Christ Motifs”
There is indeed a challenge in trying to grapple with Paul’s concepts of “in Adam” and “in Christ.” The “in Christ” motif is very prominent in his writings and, to a large extent, is a lot easier to treat with than is the “in Adam” motif. Rodriguez’ article seeks to refute what he considers to be an erroneous interpretation used by the 1888 Study Committee as regards those motifs. Exactly what did Paul mean when he spoke about being “in Adam?” Rodriguez does not agree with the view that we were all physically “in Adam” in Eden. Indeed, the implications for such a view are many. Among other things, it could imply that we were all physically present in Eden and all ate the fruit together with Adam. I think Rodriguez is correct when he rejects that view.
Rodriguez also disagrees with the notion of all humankind being present “in Adam” in a “trans-physical” manner. He believes that each person is a complete individual entity. Furthermore, he opines that the “concreteness and individuality of a human being makes it impossible for him or her to exist or be present in any form or shape in another human being. Biblical anthropology makes it impossible for persons to merge their personalities in a mystical way into each other.” Additionally, saying we were actually “in Adam,” according to Rodriguez, is tantamount to saying there was something about us that actually pre-existed our actual reality. Such a notion is untenable. Also untenable is the notion that we, being “in Adam,” are responsible for his sin. Indeed we, in the sense of seed, were “in Adam.” However, it is theologically incorrect to say that we sinned with him. That is due to the fact that a “seed is not a morally responsible agent; not even the ‘seed’ of a human being.” Therefore, Adam’s sin is not our sin. His sin is not imputed to the rest of humanity. At the same time, though, because of human solidarity, we all receive the “fatal results” of Adam’s sin.
As regards the “in Christ” motif, Rodriguez sees the 1888 Study Committee as saying that we, in the same way we were “in Adam,” are all “in Christ.” Resultantly, all sinned “in Adam” and all are legally justified “in Christ.” For him, only those who have consciously accepted Christ as Savior and Lord are spiritually “in” Him. Being “in Christ” is voluntary and by faith. Thus “only those who through faith in Jesus have been incorporated into him are in Christ.” Being “in Adam” came about without choice. Being “in Christ” on the other hand, is completely by choice.
Moreover, if we were legally “in Christ” when He died on the cross, we also died on the cross. The theological implication of such a view is indeed obvious. If we died on the cross then Christ did not die for us. Such a proposition is a theological affront to God’s grace and makes of none effect Christ’s death on the cross. This proposition makes me my own savior from sin! Like Rodriguez, I am completely unable to accept this position. Christ died for me! I did not die for my own sins. I am totally incapable of dying to save myself from sin. If we all die for our own sins, then what is the purpose of Christ’s death? Why did He have to endure such pain, rejection and suffering if we were capable of saving ourselves? Indeed we are unable to save ourselves and that’s why Christ died on our behalf.
The overall tenor of Scripture places an acute emphasis upon the atonement. Not only is it atonement, but it is substitutionary atonement. That means atonement is made on behalf of another. In Christ’s death on the cross, a full and complete atonement was made. However, only those who accept what He has done will be recipients of the benefits therein. There is no other way. I thank God for the death of Christ. He died my death so that I may have His life. Amen!
Cyril
Motifs and motives
Reading Reflection 3
BRI: “Comments on the In Adam/In Christ Motifs”
There is indeed a challenge in trying to grapple with Paul’s concepts of “in Adam” and “in Christ.” The “in Christ” motif is very prominent in his writings and, to a large extent, is a lot easier to treat with than is the “in Adam” motif. Rodriguez’ article seeks to refute what he considers to be an erroneous interpretation used by the 1888 Study Committee as regards those motifs. Exactly what did Paul mean when he spoke about being “in Adam?” Rodriguez does not agree with the view that we were all physically “in Adam” in Eden. Indeed, the implications for such a view are many. Among other things, it could imply that we were all physically present in Eden and all ate the fruit together with Adam. I think Rodriguez is correct when he rejects that view.
Rodriguez also disagrees with the notion of all humankind being present “in Adam” in a “trans-physical” manner. He believes that each person is a complete individual entity. Furthermore, he opines that the “concreteness and individuality of a human being makes it impossible for him or her to exist or be present in any form or shape in another human being. Biblical anthropology makes it impossible for persons to merge their personalities in a mystical way into each other.” Additionally, saying we were actually “in Adam,” according to Rodriguez, is tantamount to saying there was something about us that actually pre-existed our actual reality. Such a notion is untenable. Also untenable is the notion that we, being “in Adam,” are responsible for his sin. Indeed we, in the sense of seed, were “in Adam.” However, it is theologically incorrect to say that we sinned with him. That is due to the fact that a “seed is not a morally responsible agent; not even the ‘seed’ of a human being.” Therefore, Adam’s sin is not our sin. His sin is not imputed to the rest of humanity. At the same time, though, because of human solidarity, we all receive the “fatal results” of Adam’s sin.
As regards the “in Christ” motif, Rodriguez sees the 1888 Study Committee as saying that we, in the same way we were “in Adam,” are all “in Christ.” Resultantly, all sinned “in Adam” and all are legally justified “in Christ.” For him, only those who have consciously accepted Christ as Savior and Lord are spiritually “in” Him. Being “in Christ” is voluntary and by faith. Thus “only those who through faith in Jesus have been incorporated into him are in Christ.” Being “in Adam” came about without choice. Being “in Christ” on the other hand, is completely by choice.
Moreover, if we were legally “in Christ” when He died on the cross, we also died on the cross. The theological implication of such a view is indeed obvious. If we died on the cross then Christ did not die for us. Such a proposition is a theological affront to God’s grace and makes of none effect Christ’s death on the cross. This proposition makes me my own savior from sin! Like Rodriguez, I am completely unable to accept this position. Christ died for me! I did not die for my own sins. I am totally incapable of dying to save myself from sin. If we all die for our own sins, then what is the purpose of Christ’s death? Why did He have to endure such pain, rejection and suffering if we were capable of saving ourselves? Indeed we are unable to save ourselves and that’s why Christ died on our behalf.
The overall tenor of Scripture places an acute emphasis upon the atonement. Not only is it atonement, but it is substitutionary atonement. That means atonement is made on behalf of another. In Christ’s death on the cross, a full and complete atonement was made. However, only those who accept what He has done will be recipients of the benefits therein. There is no other way. I thank God for the death of Christ. He died my death so that I may have His life. Amen!
Response #2- Si On Sung -Our Free Will
I really enjoyed your comments about free will. The nature of our relationship with God, I believe is one of the first indicators of His Divinity. Just thinking about what you said in regards to God’s method of giving us the joy of victory over sin. This is done through choice. In class Dr. Hanna introduced us to the possibility that God also has a choice. He could of exercised that choice in a way that would not include this wonderful plan of Salvation that we get to preach about, but He chose and pre-destined this plan into action. Just the thought of a God who would set up a dynamic like this excites and terrifies me all at once. I can’t help but compare it to our earthly relationships. Certainly the comparison has limitations but can still contribute to a greater understanding of how we should deal with those relationships. We often get into relationships with hopes that the other party will act accordingly and do things just as we want. The truth is we don’t really want that. We seem to self destruct relationships that don’t mirror the one God enacted in our hearts when we were fearfully and wonderfully made. Relationships that have an inherent risk in them. This is our joy.
Assignment # 2
“Show Me the Riches!!! Grace untold!”
God's will is described as a Mystery (Ephesians 1:9) I also believe that the Bible teaches in the same verse that God desires to reveal to us, this mystery. As the sincere Christian studies the Bible more and more he or she finds what we call tension in ideas that seem to not be able to coexist, and yet they do. One of these tensions is that which exists between the fulfillment of the kingdom of God. What has already been fulfilled, and what has not yet been fulfilled. I would like to suggest that the Holy Spirit, through writers like Paul, inspires these tensions in order to reveal the mystery of God's Will.
With regards to the tension of the already fulfilled and the not yet, it exists throughout scripture. The one place in particular that I would like to focus on, are Paul's writings in Ephesians 2;4-7. Paul asserts that “While we were Dead” God “made us alive together with Christ”. He continues by saying that we were not only “raised up with Christ” but that we also have been “seated with Him" in heavenly places. Paul continues that God did this “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His Grace.” The plan of salvation is being carried out so that God can show the “surpassing riches of His grace .”
We know that the plan of salvation was established “before the creation of the world”. (I Peter 1:20) Thus God knew that in the even that sin arose, His response would be Grace. In times past when we as Christians have sought to define grace, we have limited it's definition to say that it is God's response to sin. While this is true, and necessary in order for us to speak about God's response to sin, I believe Grace is much more. If Grace were only God's response to sin, then God would need sin to exist in order to be graceful. However, although God shows himself graceful through His dealings with sin and sinners, He is a God who changes not. (Malachi 3:6) Therefore, Grace didn't become a part of His Character in response Sin, grace was already a part of His Character. This means that we need to define Grace as more than just God's response to sin. Grace includes God's benevolent acts before the entrance of sin into the cosmos as well as His benevolent acts after the entrance of sin.
So, God enacts the plan of Salvation in order to let us know more about himself. I believe now we are more equipped to gain a little more understanding of why God didn't just destroy the devil and not allow sin to arise. If Adam had not fallen, it would have been his privilege to enjoy communion with God continuously and to continually learn about Him through creation. Not only would this have been his privilege, it was also God's plan for His life. When sin entered the world, Adam was set at a disadvantage and fell into the arena of God's permitted but nor prescribed will. However, this did not necessitate a change in god's prescribed will. Remember, the Lord changes not. He still wished that Adam would learn about Him through creation. This, God's response to the hiccup of sin, is the same way He response to everything. He maintains His character; he “changes not”. God's grace did not arise in response to sin, but was revealed because of sin.
Thus the tension in the scriptures concerning whether or not we are presently seated in heavenly places as the Bible says even while the world is the way we see it around us is meant to teach us the lesson that we will always need to grow into God's image. God wanted to show us the riches of His grace even before sin entered the world. Currently He is “responding” (if we can call it that) to sin in order to show us the richness that existed in his Character before the entrance of sin.
Emmanuel Ngussa Bohole: #3
Synergy of Love: 2 Corinthians 5: 18 ‘’ Now all things are of God who has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation’’. As we have come to know in class lecture the real meaning of the word synergy in application to the work of Christ we find that Synergy meaning God working together with the cosmos – meaning that those who love God are in love response to the call from God according to His fore knowledge and predestined purpose. We find that God has loved the whole world and has called each and every one to respond to His justification, sanctification and glorification.
As we all know that sin involves synergy with the devil and the bible tell us that he that commits sin is of the devil for the devil sins from the beginning’’ (Johan 3:8) In this case we see the sin less God interacting with sinners through the ministry of reconciliation ( Synergy). As the results of God’s love we see the Goal of the ministry of reconciliation done by Jesus himself in the cross and that is to destruct God’s enemies and bring to an end the devil’s reign. (1 CORT 15: 25, 28) The bible says ‘ when all things shall be sub dued unto him ( Christ ) then shall the son himself be subjected in to him( the Father) that put all things under him ( Christ) that God may be all in all ‘’ In class lectures we discovered that God being every things ( God being all in all) as this verse talks, it implies that God made every thing here on earth, and finally God brings harmony by subduing the enemies by the son and by willing subjection of the son who is not an enemy. Now here we find that all Christians who are willing to practice submission to each other and to God are the ones that accept the fore call from God and these will pass through the process of justification, sanctification and in the end they will all be glorified. It real encourage me that our part is very small but important where by in order for one to come to the final stage of glorification we all need to accept the call from above and be respond in love to the merit of the cross .
This call is not a forced harmony rather it is a synergy of love, where by man respond to God’s love freely without being forced but just by the feeling of the love bestowed to man and sin is forgiven. (Rom 8: 29- 30) For whom we fore knows, he also predestines to be comfored to the image of his son that he might the first bores among many brethrens. Moreover whom he predestines, them he also calls, and whom he calls, them he also justifies, and whom he justifies, them he also glorifies’’ in this verse we see God’s harmony between man and Himself. The important part of human being is to respond to God, response in love which reflects the Father’s love to those who are called and being justified by faith and being glorified in hope. Finally we can say that those who are willing will be reconciled by God himself through Jesus Christ. This is how God works together with sinners.
Works of Christ- Assignment # 3
Wallin O’Connor
In Romans 8 there is an interesting passage in verses 29-30. “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
This passage has been described as the process of salvation. The key words foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified, have all drawn questions as to what they mean. For this blog I want to focus for a moment on the experience of God in respect to these words.
It has been mentioned that God who is omniscient, he is all knowing and knows the future. But the thought came up in class about the difference between God experiencing things based on His knowledge and Him actually experiencing it through time.
This point has still left me a little confused. My confusion stems from the fact that I think that if God can only know certain things through His experience then he is not quiet all knowing after all. I do not doubt that God can experience things. But how new can they be if He knows what will occur. Can God be restricted like that? Can He be restricted period? I really don’t have an answer to these questions. And I like everyone else have to do more study on the subject. But the honest truth is that there are elements of this equation that we will never know because we are not God.
What we know however about God is that he created humanity, and became one of us, and the idea is that by becoming one of us, having new experiences. While I cannot say that this is untrue, I must leave room in my mind for more than the one way of thinking about this issue.
Like I stated before I am confused n this topic but I look forward to the comments in aiding me on my path to clarification.
Assignment #3 “In Him was the Fullness of the Godhead”
Colossians 2:9 is an interesting text in scripture. It states that all of the fullness of the Godhead, dwelt in Christ bodily. To be clear the trinity is a complicated subject. The word is found nowhere in the Bible, yet I do believe that the principle is there. But the principle does not solve the questions in my human mind. In creation the phrase “let us make” is used (which is a plural term). Jesus says he and the Father are one. And other points He prayed TO God and spoke to Him. At other times Christ said that He must go so that the comforter (Holy Spirit) would come. At times it seemed that Christ had supreme knowledge and wisdom and then at another time He Himself said that He did not know the date or time of the second coming only the father. But if He was one and is one with the Father how could he not know these things? Human logic causes me to get a headache when I think about this subject. I am a lover of illustrations and I’ve collected a few to help quiet my dilemma about this issue. If we take a look at water, we realize it can be manifested in different ways; steam, ice, and liquid. However at its basest point all these are still water, just the same substance in a different form. If light is shone through a prism it refracts into many different colors but is essentially coming from the same source. And so it is with God who shows and reveals Himself to us through the Godhead, although they are one. Of course these are elementary ways of trying to conceive a divine subject. But it helps somewhat. What I am thankful about is that the Bible says all the fullness of the Godhead was in Him. In other words He was complete and Paul even told the Colossians that they lacked nothing in Christ. When we receive Christ, we have it all we lack nothing. As professor Hanna just explained today, we do not have righteousness or salvation in our pocket, but as we walk with Christ as we stay in tune with Him we have them both because of our relationship with Him. He is complete. We do not need to worship three separate entities to fulfill our salvific requirement. We only need to accept Christ once and for always and stay connected with Him. By the way Ellen G. White offers the most help on this subject in my book. She plainly states that we are not to speculate regarding the nature of God. She says the problem has not been given us to solve and that “no human mind can comprehend God” (Ministry of Healing 429). So I choose to believe this principle regardless of whether I understand it all now or not. But I cant wait for eternity we get to spend with God discussing it.
Edgardo Rivas Blog #3 “Not from us but from Him”
It wasn’t until this week that I understood more what is the relationship between; sanctification, justification and glorification and what it had to do with predestination. It is a subject that I hardly understood. Yes I knew that the just shall live y faith and had heard about sanctification, justification and glorification but it did not click into me. Usually I saw these three separate from one another but seeing it this week in a different aspect got my attention. This is one of the subjects that our members still don’t understand. Here we are just touching a little of justification.
When Dr. Hanna said that justification is righteousness by faith and also sanctification and also glorification I was wondering how. Well everything God has given to us we must accept faith. That faith must be put into action before it can do anything for us. Faith is the secret ingredient in the process. The just shall live by faith (Rom 1:17). This does not mean to sit down and do nothing. It means that as a child of God we must look unto him for spiritual dependence. There is only one thing that we can do to help in the process, accept Jesus as Savior and his sacrifice on the cross. There is nothing we can do to gain justification or sanctification or even glorification. It is credited to our account because of what Jesus did on the cross. Therefore Christ is our justification. We are called to walk with Jesus every day. We must have a close relationship with him.
It is our choice and decision if we want to accept this free gift. God made us free beings. We must choose correctly otherwise we can be making a trip to never land. If we make a good decision it is because of him who is merciful however if we make the wrong choice it is because we have turned away from God. We must turn away from sin and its originator. But if we sin he is righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We can’t obey as robots do. There has to be something that moves us to obedience. May I suggest three things mentioned in class? It was mentioned that love, faith and hope.
If we love God we are going to obey him, the same way if we love our parents we will do our best to obey them. When we obey through love and see how God is working in us and through us our faith becomes stronger. As that faith gets stronger and stronger hope develops in us. It is a sense that God is near to us. We have hope for a better future. Hope for a stronger faith that works through love. An aspect that it is not understood at times is that Justification is equal to Salvation. This is done by one and the same, Jesus. Justification is accomplished by God’s faithfulness. Jesus has enough righteousness to support all of us. Remember there is nothing we can do to be justified before God. Our justice is like filthy rags. God bless us all.
Reflection #3
On Perfection
I grew up with the idea that because Christ is perfect, and we are to be just like him, that in order to be a good Christian, I had to be perfect. As one could imagine, this thought process lead to a lot of misunderstanding about grace and justification and sanctification. This misunderstanding also lead to the inability to admit when I was wrong, and finally, it made me judgmental and of the opinion that I knew everything. Obviously, I was wrong in my thinking, and eventually in my actions.
In this week’s reading, I ran across an article by Edward Heppenstall titled, How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or Is Christian Perfection Possible? This article helped me to see much more clearly the meaning of the verse in Matthew 5:48 which states, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” As I said before, when I was a child, I was under the impression that God called all Christians to a literal perfection, and if we called ourselves Christians and weren’t perfect, we weren’t really saved. I really like Heppenstall’s article because it diffuses this misguided belief with scripture and logic.
When discussing Biblical Perfection, Heppenstall points out that there are nine Hebrew and six different Greek words that are translated to mean perfection. He also alerts the reader to examples in the Bible where God calls different people “perfect” but as the stories tell us, these people made plenty of mistakes. So what is it then if God calls them “perfect” and yet they still commit sins? The key is 1 John 1:8-10 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” This scripture explains that when we confess our sins, God forgives us our sins. So when we are forgiven, God doesn’t remember the sin anymore, thus, in a sense, making us “perfect.” Now, if I had more time, I would like to do a word study on the different words in the Bible that mean “perfect” so that I could have a deeper understanding of what the author was meaning each time someone is called “perfect.”
The beauty of one understanding what was meant in the Bible when people were called “perfect” is that one understands the gift of salvation for how it was truly meant. When we come to the understanding that we cannot be perfect on our own accord, but are as “filthy rags” we are made to trust in the only one who can make us perfect, the son of God, Jesus Christ.
As Dr. Hanna has described in class, when we are saved in Jesus Christ, we have been called, we have been forgiven our sins through justification, we are on a continual journey to becoming like Christ in sanctification, and when Christ returns, we will experience glorification in our immortality.
Indeed, what a gift we have in Christ, the one who offers us perfection in His gift of salvation.
Toward a Theology of Synergy in Colossians Part 1
Reading through Colossians and reflecting on the class discussion on the notion of monergy and synergy excited me. Monergy and synergy are almost impossible to see, in the letter, with the background information from class on the subject matter. Since space here does not allow me to trace these two, I will treat and reflect on synergy as an issue in the letter. Since it is scattered throughout the letter I am forced to restrict my consideration and discussion to chapter three, though I may make reference to other chapters.
To properly frame my argument and locate the passage under consideration I will give brief, relevant background information about the letter. While authorship and audience are important for the purpose of this discussion they will be overlooked, I will focus on the occasion of the letter because I think it serves as an interpretive key here. It seems that Epaphras, the “faithful minister,” has visited Paul in Rome and informed him of the state of the assemblies in the Lycus Valley (cf. Col. 1:7-8; 4:12). That Paul did not found these assemblies is clear in the text and most commentators are in agreement. Epaphras may be the minister responsible for the gospel first being preached in Colossae (Col. 2:1; 4:12-13). While much of Epaphras’ report was encouraging (Col. 1:8; 2:5), there was one disquieting element. It seems as if an attractive, but false, teaching had recently been introduced into the assemblies (Col. 2:4, 8-23). This teaching was threatening to undermine the very basis of the gospel and Paul believes that this teaching represents an attack on the salvific sufficiency of Jesus Christ. Further, he believes that if this teaching goes unchecked it will overturn the gospel and return the Colossians to bondage. The aberrant teaching is often called the “Colossians Heresy.”
Although Paul does not explicitly describe the false teaching; the letter implicitly and explicitly exposes the following elements: 1) the insufficiency of Christ (Col. 2:2, 9; cf. 1:15-20), therefore 2) subjection “again" to cosmic powers. Teachers of the “heresy” promote obeisance to “the elemental spirits” (Col. 2:8, 10, 15, 18, 20).
So Paul is arguing for the sufficiency of Christ in this letter. Here’s a perfect opportunity for him to postulate monergy since it fits in perfectly with his polemic. However the apostle presents a two part corrective strategy, he exalts both monergy and synergy simultaneously (in the same letter for the same occasion). Paul attempts to stabilize the community, by positing 1) the absolute sufficiency of Christ (monergy) and 2) exhorting believers to live the new life that they already possess in Christ (synergy).
As stated above, the focus here is on synergy using the third chapter of the letter. Paul uses deliverance and transference (i.e., baptismal) language to remind believers of their new status and to exhort them to live in light of this reality (3:5-17 cf. 1:13; 2:12). He exhorts believers to “put off”(3:5f.) and “put on”(3:12f.) metaphorically reiterating the reality of the new life in Christ. I will parenthetically pause here and highlight that, in Pauline locution, the imperative is preceded or undergirded by the indicative, the indicative being the monergy and the imperative being the synergy – for the believer. For example, notice that his exhortation here is preceded by the fact that God through Christ has rescued the Colossian believers “from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of the Son…”(1:13).
Note Paul’s use of the conditional clause (3:1-4) introducing the pericope. To think that when a person is a born again Christian they need not do anything because everything has been done for them seems to be a denial of the biblical text. Notice the imperatives in verse 1 and 2: ζητεῖτε (lit. you seek), φρονεῖτε (lit. you set your mind), more imperatives could be cited from the chapter that will not be necessary here.
Note: this is part 1 of 2
Toward a Theology of Synergy in Colossians Part 2
A summery or overview of the chapter demonstrates Pauline synergistic language in a way that renders the idea of synergy an irreducible fact of the matter of salvation.
For Paul the believer’s life is corollary of Jesus’ salvific work and must be ordered as such, without exception. Because one has been born again it must follow that he cooperates with the working of Christ in that person. With this understanding he exhorts the following in chapter 3 of Colossians:
• Seek the Things Above (3:1-3)
• Put away the Past Life (3:5-11)
• Put on the Life of Christ (3:12-17)
• Life in the Christian Household (3:18-4:1)
Here the apostle lists what a Christian must do, which is of course a response to the working of the Holy Spirit, according to Pauline locution. This language indicates a synergistic theological perspective; it shows the work of the believer in the context of Jesus’ work of salvation. Notice that the letter is arguing mainly for the sufficiency of Christ yet Paul throws the idea of what the Christian must do in the mix, showing that there are these two dimensions which are not dichotomous but are two sides of the same coin.
Assignment 3
Some thoughts on Ephesians 1
The book of Ephesians is one of my favourite books in the Bible. I just love the way Paul discusses the way in which believers are chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, and that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will” (Eph. 1:4, 5). We have been discussing predestination quite a bit in class this week. It has been equated to the will of God. While I do believe in free will I am also a believer in the sovereignty of God. God’s sovereign will was projected and unleashed in His efforts that He put forth to adopt us as God’s children. It was His good pleasure to do this for us. It makes me think of a mother’s love for her children. She would do anything, give anything, be willing to die to give her child a chance to live. To this end I see God coming forth from heaven on a grand rescue mission because He wants to save, to protect His children that He created. He knows that not all will respond to His efforts or His love, but He still must try. The goal is also the reward, “that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him” (Eph. 1:10). If God has this immense power I cannot think that I am contributing anything to save myself. I have to get on a plane just to get up into the sky, let alone draw everything in heaven and earth together. I am reminded of Jesus weeping over Jerusalem and saying how He wished He could have gathered her together as a mother hen gathers her chickens under her. Yet He was rejected by the very people that He came to save. But the gathering will still take place. A different kind of gathering at the end of the age. Everything will become one. This is a mystery. It is not a panentheistic vision, no it is a tremendous gathering so that heaven and earth can be reconciled. And the guarantee that we will be part of this incredible experience is the gift of the Holy Spirit as a seal of promise, given by God when we believed (Eph. 1:13). Salvation as we have been saying in class is all from God and yet requires all of us. One more reflection on Ephesians 1 is that God has immense power toward us who believe (Eph. 1:19). This power we can trust to sustain us through temptation, or trial, through doubts and fears. God can and will lift us up. As long as we keep looking to Jesus we cannot be swept away and He always has incredible means to help us through any difficulty. The gift is so great and it all came about because of the thoughtful care that God put a plan into place before the creation to rescue His loved ones for eternal life.
His power in us.
Having a week of presentations is one of my favorite moments in any class I take in the seminary, this is because all of us we are unique in our expression of what we have been taught by any professor .This takes me back to time when the bible was on translation from its original manuscripts. The message will be one but reporting will not be same from one translator to another. When one message has been send to a person by the time it is reported to the fifth person, it has some modifications which the first recipient received. However the content will seem to remain the same.
The miracle of the new birth in Jesus is what impressed me too much in this section .for actually God sent his son to us not to condemn us but to give us a new life roman 8:1 therefore there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. We need to deeply understand that the main agenda of God and Jesus Christ his son is to save humanity from sin. Through one man [Satan] sin came to the cosmos and through one man [Jesus] the world has been saved. This is the condition we are in the world-Romans 1:3 all have turned away, they have together become worthless, there is none who does good not even one hence when in the world we posses what the world offers and when in Christ we also posses what Jesus posses ,this is the difference when we are in Christ -1john 1:7 but if we walk in the light as he is the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all our sins.
Am hundred percent sure that if we a bid in Jesus as he states in john 15:4 remain in me and I in you for no branch will bear fruits without me will be our heritage, this kind of relationship with our savior will bring forth what Jesus himself could accomplish. The symbol of Christ whether in person or his name has power and a transforming power . Dr Hannah also brought into our attention of who we become when we are in sync/synergy with God it involves the miracle of justification and sanctification by faith that works in the light of the truth of Christ.
Some of the scriptures are difficult to understand through a canal mind .For instance the issue of the imputed righteousness of Christ, one of the class members brought a contagious question within the week if the imputed righteousness is 100% to us who trust in him or is part of it. some of the members in the discussion were a bit nerves from the look from their faces but the answer from Dr Hanna was quite satisfactory for he said it is 100% ,I supported his comment from mark 16:17 which says- and these signs will accompany them those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will pick up snakes with their hands and they will drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all, they will place their hands on sick people and they will get well”
So Jesus is imputing us whatever with his divine powers. Behold what a great manner of love that God showered us that we will be called the sons of the most high God. Finally the Bible points us to a new dimension of service while in him. The message of salvation is the power of God to redeem us from our broken relationship with our God .By beholding we will be changed actually the more we stay closer to Jesus the more we become like him.
Natural Laws
Assignment # 3
Every class session is a major learning session for me. The question I have is that, what is a natural law? On whose criteria does the natural laws base on? Does God restricted by natural laws?
There are many definitions for “Natural Law;” for example Natural Law is a set of principles which govern human interactions, which are built into the structure of the universe, as opposed to being imposed by human beings.
In my limited human being thinking I understand the natural laws of nature. Does God has to break any natural laws another to be involved in His creation. Does God breaking the natural laws when performing miracles? Do the natural laws apply differently in the cosmos according to the circumstances? This world is under influence of sin, for that reason the natural laws apply accordingly. I believe because of sin the natural laws had change from what they used to be before sin. God does not abound by the natural laws; therefore He does not have to break any natural laws to perform miracles in human life. “When God created Adam and Eve the plan of salvation was already existed and it stipulated that in case the humans failed the test of obedience and become subject to death, Jesus would die in order to redeem them. "I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25). He who had said, "I lay down my life, that I might take it again" (John 10:17), came forth from the grave to life that was in Himself. Humanity died; divinity did not die. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death. He declares that He has life in Himself to quicken whom He will. Was Jesus’ redeeming plan breaking the natural laws, or on the contrary, was this the way in which the law applied under the circumstances of sin breaking through? Was Jesus’ death breaking the law of God’s immortality, or did His death mean that the law was applied based on the circumstances?” as the architecture of this world his intervention is the proof of his supremacy as the Creator. God, or nature, or universal reason has given humanity a law from which the norms of all human law must be derived. ..
We can see clearly in Mrs. White gave full endorsement to Jesus in her writings and in ways that confirmed her to be a qualified prophet. Dr. Hanna mentions in chapter “For Ellen White, the Christ-centered connections of divine and human persons involve three overlapping themes of Scripture….” What impresses me is the involvement of Christ with human on this earth to restore our image. “Christ had not exchanged His divinity for humanity; but he had clothed His divinity in humanity.” “He veiled His divinity with the garb of humanity, but he did not part with his divinity.” “This is why, although he was tempted in all points like as we are, He stood before the world, from his first entrance into it, untainted by corruption, though surrounded by it.” One of the reasons I think Christ did sin is because He was connected with His father while He was on earth. Christ came to the sinful world to show us; we can live in a sinful world without if we are truly connected with God through Him. Christ had no advantage over us even if He used His divinity, for He would not have made use of anything that is not available to us.
Assignment #3: Pseudo-Scholarship Galore!
How can it be that God can be nailed to a cross and die? The minute He gave up His last breath, doesn’t He cease to be God? Can God therefore be God one minute, and then not God the next? Can He change back; if so, can I become God too? This line of thinking has derailed many philosophically-thinking scholars throughout history, drawing themselves into a spiral of questions which ultimately lead not to a fuller understanding of God, but away from Him instead and back to self. My reading in both “Cosmic Christ of Scripture” and Colossians 1-3, combined with our discussions from class, revealed a whole new light on the topic of Divinity.
The concept of a “social nature” was mind-blowing. While I’ve long-known that the Hebrew ‘adam’ is used to identify all of humanity as well as the first male human (although some scholars doubt that Adam was actually his name; they believe that “naming” was an expression of domination over, like when Adam named the animals (2:19) or post-fall named Eve (3:20). Since only God had dominion over the first male, and He never expressed a “name” for that male, they conclude that he was nameless. I love journeying out into the sea of pseudo-scholarship from time to time.), I’ve never put together that this sort of arraignment might also be just a type of the Divine Antitype. It is fully possible for a man to die but still have other men left, just as it was possible for a Divine member of the Godhead to sacrifice Himself and still not fundamentally change the nature of the remainder of the Godhead. God was, for a few brief hours, both fully alive and immortal and also extinct.
Another topic raised both by the book and also in class is the tension that arises because we Adventists sometimes struggle to comprehend the difference between antichrists and The Antichrist. We get so caught up on the smaller parts that we lose their source. It’s easy to watch what the Papacy is doing; are we also aware of what the Devil has been up to? It’s easy to keep a whole manual full of rules; can we keep God’s rule #1: Love? I like the way that George Knight describes this issue, noting the difference between Sin and sins, Law and laws, Temptation and temptations; I’d like to add to that list Antichrist versus antichrists. I spent nearly 20 years as an antichrist serving the purpose of The Antichrist.
At this point, I turn to my reading in Colossians. Paul makes several statements that we Adventists don’t really like to acknowledge because they seem antinomian. Most notable, of course, is the section in 2:11-17, which seems to teach that there is no more Sabbath observance at all. Paul wants his Colossians readers to stop using the laws as a means to fulfill the Law, in light of the fact that they’ve already broken the Law so completely that only the Law Giver can set things right again. He does use a very Platonic ‘shadows’ concept in verse 17 which I’m sure could end up as a whole research paper in itself, so I’ll just substitute in the ‘type’/’antitype’ concept and hope that I’m right.
I did have one verse, a single phrase actually, that stood out to me as one of the single most important things I’ve read about sin. The NIV of Colossians 1:21 reads, “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.” I’ve had real enemies before. The hatred between us has been fierce and mutual. When we do evil things, and sin against God, it is just a figment of our overactive imaginations that God is against us. He is every bit as patient and loving and merciful as He has always been; it’s just in our own sinful minds that we can work out this bogus concept that God hates us. Pseudo-scholarship strikes again, this time at the single most fundamental thing we all must cling to – God loves us, no matter what (as long as we don’t do it again).
Assignment 3: “Miracle” by Si On Sung
When we say miracles, the first thing that comes in our mind is supernatural events. Yet when we think wholistically with bigger picture, the ultimate miracles are 1) Creation (exnchilo) of God, 2) God’s sustainment, 3) God’s Intervention.
When we discussed these matters in the class, it gave me chance to ponder again on His miracles. We are driven by our busy work that we often fail to recognize the true miracles of God’s creation. We often get so obsessed with our current desire, future dreams and goals that we don’t appreciate how God has sustained us in the past until now. When we pray, we even dare demand instantaneous results from God without any mention of praise or thanksgiving.
In our midst of suffering it is hard for us to see the presence of God, but we must remember that He has already intervened in our human history and He has already justified helpless human beings. His intervention didn’t end there; He is still ministering unto us. What a privilege we have. When we meditate on what divinity has and is doing for mere human creature, we cannot help but cease in awe. We realize that what we have accomplished and what we desire is nothing in the span of universe.
When I ponder on these, I become so shameful and embarrassed to the fact that I have been disregarded the values of Christian faith in order to fulfill my selfish desire. I used to think that I could accomplish something, contribute something to His mission and to this world. But when we truly come to the Cross, we realize that we cannot do anything in the presence of God.
God can accomplish anything, everything on His own. He doesn’t need human’s help. He has thousands and thousands of angelic being who can do way better job than us. Yet it is amazing and mystery that He justified us on the Cross and He calls us to be part of His mission.
Question may rise: does God justify first, or does He call first? Here, as we have learned in the class, we should think carefully, widely, and consider both side of the argument rather than thinking quickly and narrowly, before giving the answer. When I ponder this question, the answer is both. God is above us and beyond us. He does not behave in fixed way, but He always surprises us. When we remember the conversion and the lives of many believers, justification does not always come first. However, this does not mean that God’s call must be first either. Lives of different individuals work in different ways, and only God knows what is the best way for us.
It is true that Paul in his letter alludes many times that justification comes sanctification. Again, we have to interpret the scripture in the whole context, because there are also many other instances where Paul alludes that sanctification happens before justification.
At the same time, as we have plentifully discussed in the class, justification is not a single event, but rather continuous event. In a similar way, sanctification is also continuous event rather than a single act. We need to continuously experienced and walk in sanctification alongside with justification. Therefore, we deny the concept of “once saved, always saved.” As Dr. Hanna said, we have continuously work out the work that Christ has done for us. How can we say that work is done when Christ is still working? We must remember that it’s Christ’s work, not ours.
Respond to Wilking Jean
I appreciated your questions at the beginning of your essay. They were very thoughtful questions.
At the end of your essay, I think you missed a word. You wrote, "Christ did sin is because..." You meant "Christ did not sin is because..." right?
Works of Christ:Assignment # 3: “The Blessing of Being in Unity with God”
I have learned so many mind boggling things in this class which have changed my simplistic perception of what God expects from us within the process of salvation. I had the misconception that it only took my good actions or obedience, but now I understand that the true blessing comes when in my free will I decide to align my will with God’s will for me and actually surrender it to him. My response is synergistic because in reality without God I can’t do anything, even the faith I need is a gift from God and has been available for me since my birth. God has predestined me in his foreknowledge to be partaker with him, he proactively presents the way of salvation and pleads with me to respond positively to his call to be in harmony with his will. He allows me to make a decision which he already knew but could not interfere in my decision process. This is the measure of his love, yet I must not for one instant believe that it is my intervention which saves me, it is not aligning my will with his that brings salvation because salvation has been there all along, available to me as soon as I choose to be in harmony with God, this is the synergy which God desires to reach with his creation.
My mistake was to believe that simply knowing the process was enough, but now I see that this process can only bring fruit in my life when Christ takes total control, and I can say together with Paul, it is no longer I that lives, but Christ is the one who lives and rules in my life. The problem is the surrendering of the will, which means I no longer share synergy with the enemy, but now I share it with Christ. Christ deserves the glory because his plan to defeat the enemy is perfect in every aspect.
God’s desire is to become united with us and as a result we can be united with one another. If we all are united with Christ, then by extension we have the capability to be united and in harmony. We learn harmony in the example given by Jesus and his relationship with the Father, and we are called to do our part by making the choice to accept the entire plan of salvation. God is always working towards his goal of universal unity as the foundation for the plan of redemption. This is his will, but it is somewhat limited to the choice humanity makes, although he knows from the beginning what those choices from us will be, he allows us to freely be in harmony with him.
I believe God has developed the plan of salvation freely and with the purpose to restore the unity which was lost due to the entrance of sin in our world. This lasting unity created here on earth will continue to develop and improve throughout eternity, this closeness with God allows us to grow more and more like him every day until the second coming where we will experience this closeness in a total different way.
I am becoming aware of the fact that our simplistic view of the unity which God desires to achieve is the reason why our churches lack unity, we simply do not fully understand all the ramifications which unity has for our growth as the body of Christ. How can we have such a close relationship with Christ that it results in unity, harmony, and oneness of purpose among ourselves? Do we really desire this type of relationship, or are we comfortable with a half-hearted surrender? Let us remember that we can’t serve two masters, at the end we will be united either with Christ for eternal salvation, or with the enemy for destruction. God continues to call his church to unity, but we will never have this unity among ourselves unless we have it with Christ; first in our lives which will affect our harmony with others and actually with the entire universe. God is good!!
Fernandez, Nelson
Assignment#3- Jesus: Creation’s greatest being; Creation’s only hope.
This week, the focus of my reflection paper revolved around the person of Christ and his relation to humanity as both the “firstborn” of all creation and link between us and God. It all began with the reading of the first two chapters of Colossians where Paul gives one incredibly telling passage (1:15-20) containing a compressed summary of the absolute supremacy of Christ. In similar language to the book of Ephesians, Paul elaborates on the idea that Christ is head and shoulders above every living and non-living, created and invisible object in the universe. Everything that was made exists because of him and ultimately is for Him. This absolute power places him in the “firstborn over all creation.”
Obviously, we do not believe that the “firstborn” (“Protokokos” in the Greek) in the sense that he is a created being. However, the text clearly seems to indicate that nothing in the created universe even comes close to matching Christ in terms of rank. He is farther than the human mind can hope to come to grasp and his power is described as limitless. He is the head of the church, the first fruits from the dead and the originator of all of the powers that be. With such a description, you would have to be more intimidated to meet him than you would be to meet all of the heads of state in this world combined.
However, Paul brings his description of Jesus back down to earth to give it practical application and startling revelation: Jesus’ supreme power does not distance us away from God, but it actually brings u us closer! Christ alone has the ability to span the vast gap between God and humanity. “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation” (Col 1:21-22). With these two verse, Paul turns the readers world upside down by suggesting that this supreme being might actually be our only to find reconciliation with God!
“None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father's love to lost humanity.” Steps to Christ, p14.
This idea also brings to mind the memorable statement that Edson made in class today by saying that in sending Jesus, “God was effectively beginning the invasion of earth through Christ.” His invasion however was not to enact a vicious, forceful takeover. Rather, it was done to reclaim the ground that had been lost by the smear campaign that Satan had been giving against God for centuries. This idea is justified both in the Colossians and in the Steps to Christ reading. It is only through knowing Christ, can we truly know God!
“Satan led men to conceive of God as a being whose chief attribute is stern justice,--one who is a severe judge, a harsh, exacting creditor. He pictured the Creator as a being who is watching with jealous eye to discern the errors and mistakes of men, that He may visit judgments upon them. It was to remove this dark shadow, by revealing to the world the infinite love of God, that Jesus came to live among men. { 10.3}”
Ariel Roldan
Works of Christ
3rd Reflection
The full document can be read at:
http://drop.io/ArielRoldan_WorksofChrist_ReflectionPapers
Book “The Cosmic Christ of Scripture” Chapters: 5-11
Chapter 5:
It was insightful to contemplate how a misunderstanding of human nature/composition can affect the understanding of the nature of Christ. Mainstream Christianity’s unbiblical position in regards to the soul, spirit, and body can easily ...
Chapter 6:
The book quotes 2 Corinthians 5:21 in relationship to Jesus “... who knew no sin ...”, and my mind automatically thought of Genesis when God said “ ... man has become like us knowing both good and evil ...”. I was energized by this insight that provides a biblical model for demonstrating that there are various ways/levels of knowing. God can know evil without knowing it. Of course we would add the word “experientially”, yet as we discussed yesterday in class, we would be going beyond what the Bible says. Yet I feel these ...
Chapter 7:
Like the “hive” article by National Geographic.
On page 94 the book quotes Mrs. White statement of “... Christ’s humanity was united with divinity, and in this strength He would bear all the temptations ... and yet keep His soul untainted by sin.” It would have been expedient to clarify who’s divinity Christ was united to in order for him to overcome sin - His divinity, or the Father’s divinity through the Holy Spirit? If it was his own divinity then he did not ...
Chapters 8-10:
Without Christ scientific knowledge (or any knowledge for that matter, even religious) becomes foolishness in a very real sense. I saw a documentary of the origin of life on the Discovery Channel some time ago. After all the scientific jargon was presented the answer they were heading to was aliens. Beings from another planet from some form of life, left it here, and here we are. This was a legitimate group trained at accredited and competent institutions of higher learning; yet because they...
BRI Articles:
Comments on 1 Timothy 4:10, by Angel Manuel Rodriguez
It is marvelous how many sticky theological mixups can be clarified through the simplicity of John 3:16. Though I throughly appreciated Dr. Rodriguez’s solid explanation of the universalist interpretation given to this text, I kept thinking “for God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, so that whosoever believes on him will not perish but have everlasting life.” Thus Jesus can be the Savior of the world because that is for whom He was given; yet there has to be a human response of belief.
Predestination, Foreknowledge and Human Freedom, by Kwabena Donkor
While reading this excellent article I wondered if Dr. Donkor has taken this class with Dr. Hanna. In any event it summarized wonderfully the concepts that have been presented in class. It did further clarify the distinction between God’s foreknowledge and His predestination, how the one does not by default control the other. God can know and yet ...
Christopher Mwashinga
Reflection Paper # 3
The Cosmic Christ of Scripture Chapters 5-6.The discussion about the nature of Christ-both His humanity and divinity which was touched in class on several occasions, is addressed in chapter five of the book and six. I share the conviction that the heart of Christian Theology is the doctrine of the divine-human Christ. The reasons given by the author as to why the study of the divine-human nature of Christ is complicated, are both insightful and humbling. However, the fact that the study of this subject is complicated must not drive us away from studying it. That fact, instead should lead approach the subject with some degree of humbleness and carefulness. Chapter 6, spells out the fact that Jesus is the theme of the Bible. This reminds me that even as we have been discussing about justification, sanctification, glorification and whatever other doctrine in class, we were talking about Christ even when His name was not explicitly mentioned. It is Christ who justifies, sanctifies and glorifies us. In other words ,everything that happens in our Christian walk, it does so because we are in Christ. From the time the “Word became flesh and dwelt among us… “ it seems that His influence has been with us and will never leave the human race. Somehow, Jesus became the theme of the planet earth in its own way. There have been people who preach, teach, or sing about Jesus Christ ever since.
The book of Ephesians Chapters 4-6.It is amazing how Paul presents his message here. He talks about the believers being united as a body, in other words bearing one another. One would think that because the body needs members to be together and somewhat connected, these members would need to have the same kinds of gifts of the Spirit. Instead, Paul presents the fact that grace was given to each of the members according to the measure of Christ’s gifts. For me I think this explains why it is important to think wholistically even as we deal with issues to do with people or even the Bible. It is OK having different opinions as long as we maintain the unity of the body. People with different measure of Christ’s gifts, are likely to see one thing from different perspectives. It would be narrow-mindedness to think that all people must see everything the same way to be one or united. Paul himself does not limit his messages to one section of the church, but he sends it to husbands and wives, children and parents , slaves and masters as the battle against evil continues. That wholistic approach Paul has taken, seems to be the best approach to the theme of the great controversy. When he calls believers to live in the light, what is saying is that they should run away from darkness. The great controversy is between darkness and light; between good and evil.
BRI Documents.I read the articles The Dynamics of Salvation and Some Problems with Legal Universal Justification with keen interest. While the article The dynamics of salvation spells out the Adventist understanding of how humans are saved, the article “some problems with legal universal justification” deals with an erroneous teaching of justification. Rogriguez shows clearly that to cling to the objective aspect of justification does not save us. The doctrine of legal universal justification seems to be doing exactly that. This also teaches me that even though in our class discussions much emphasis has been placed on thinking broadly and rightly so, not every broad or universal kind of thinking is necessarily correct. I think it is important to put every claim and thought be it broad of narrow under the scrutiny of God’s Word.
Joseph Thomas
Reflection Paper #3
The Cosmic Christ the creator of all things.
From my study in this class I have come to the full understanding that the creator of this world is both Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic. It is He that made all things and gives His life for all things. We made never understand the works of Christ until we get to heaven. The world of God tells us that all things were created by Him and for Him. “All things were made by Him and without Him was not anything made that was made” (john 1:3). “for by Him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities ties or powers; all things were created by Him and for Him” (Col. 1:16). Due to the fact that this perfect creation was ruined by the entrance of sin, when man and women fell and all creation on account of that fall was brought into the bondage of corruption, the work of redemption became a necessity. No creature of God was fitted or fit to change what took place as the result of sin. It was only the Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ could undertake the great work of our salvation. He had to be part of the Cosmic to bring redemption to our world and the rest of the universes.
The works of Christ that we have wrestled with for the past few weeks as we have studied has a three-fold aspect. It is a past work (justification), a present work (sanctification), and beyond the present there is His future work. His work and service on this earth will come to an end when He delivers up the kingdom to His father in heaven, but his work will continue with us His children forever on the new earth. So that God will be all in all (1 Cor. 15:24-28). The three aspect of His work corresponds to His threefold office as Prophet, Priest and King. The cosmic Christ loved the church by the washing of water by the word, and in the future He will present it to Himself, a glorious church. Due to His threefold work, we as children of God are saved, are being saved and will be saved.
During this present age we His people will not be cast away; our miraculous preservation on earth, our continued, separate existence is due to our Cosmic and Trans-Cosmic Christ. He is the Lord of our lives.
Assignment # 3
The Works of Christ!
Why Christ did not come under Levy and Aaron priesthood? The humanity of Christ is something that He shares with all mankind. Sin has established a bridgehead in our life from which it dominates the situation. However, Jesus came in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. Obviously, the death of Jesus was significant because His death did not just cover sin, it redeemed sin. The cosmic Christ presented his sinless life to God as sin offering. God by this means “condemned sin in the flesh” according to the New Testament commentaries, “The territory ruled by sin was redeemed from its domination through the incarnation, sacrifice and victory of the man Christ Jesus.”
All the embodiment of Christ: the incarnation, exemplary life, public ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ viewed in the Old Testament in the service of tabernacle day to day. According to my understanding, the sanctuary service is about the priestly ministry for the Jewish people in the Old Testament, and a prerequisite for the coming of the Messiah. There was only one institution from which the Israelites people could have learned the gospel during their wanderings: the tabernacle – sanctuary with its priestly. Nevertheless, nine hundred years later, God used the same designation for Solomon’s temple just before its destruction by Babylonian’s arms: “Moreover, this they have done to me: they have defiled my sanctuary on the same day and profaned my Sabbaths” (Ezek 23:38 LXX).
Accordingly, Jesus lacked the qualification to be the priest in the Old Testament because a Jewish priest should have come from the tribe of Levi or Aaron to qualify; however, Christ comes from Judah that would not be a good idea either because the blood of the sacrifice for the sins of Israel did not have in itself a magic power for purification. Its purifying or contaminative value had to be measured according to the place and the circumstances in which it was applied.
These foreshadowed, which is the saving acts of God, come alive with a vibrant reality when they are plotted on the time framework of prophecy, particularly the apocalyptic prophecies of Daniel and revelation; thus, they are fulfilled at the appointed times by Christ Himself. The objective of God since the creation is to bring people back to Him; he had blessed the patriarchs to live longer, so they could pass the knowledge of the true God to generations thereafter. Provided that, was the death of Christ at the cross give us salvation or atonement?
The atonement is referred to the death of Christ through which the sinner can go back to God because Adam was the breached of communication. When Adam was sin, God built the sanctuary to dwell among his people, and at the fullness of time, God sent His Son to die for this fallen world; as a result, whoever believed in Him would not perish." The Bible says, Christ came to save those who were lost, and whoever (repentant believer) accepts Him as Savior and Lord. I agree that there is no magic power in the death of Christ if the sinner does not accept it.
Chuen Chuen Lau Assignment #3
Repent and Prayer
In Step to Christ, Mrs. White mentioned the prayer of David for his repentance. “His repentance was sincere and deep. There was no effort to palliate his guilt; no desire to escape the judgment threatened, inspired his prayer. David saw enormity of his transgression; he saw the defilement of his soul; he loathed his sin. It was not for pardon only that he prayed, but for purity of heart.” He understand the forgiveness of God and he longed for the joy of holiness – to be restored to harmony and communion with God. In Ps 32, he clearly mentioned “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity. …” He knew that God see us as right, as Paul says in Rome 1:17 “This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight.” (NLT) God know we are wick and anytime we repent sincerely He will cover us by Jesus.
I like what Mrs. White said in SC, “A repentance such as this, is beyond the reach of our own power to accomplish; it is obtained only from Christ who ascended up on high and has given gifts unto man. We can’t do anything if Jesus did not give us this hearts. It is a gift, whoever accepts it then can be obtained. If we don’t have Christ we won’t have the genuine repentance since it is the virtue that goes from Christ. Mrs. White also described that we can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience that we can be pardoned with Christ.
Therefore if we have Christ it is easy for us to know our sin and with the repentance hearts. If we resist Christ then we can’t have the repentance hearts. “The sinner may resist this love, may refuse to be drawn to Christ; but if he does not resist he will be drawn to Jesus; a knowledge of the plan of salvation will lead him to the foot of the cross in repentance for his sins, which have caused the suffering of God’s dear Son. (SC)
Repentance is part of salvation which is a gift. Acceptance is what we can only do.
Whenever you have Christ in your heart then He will give us the repentance heart.
We can ask what we do not understand in this salvation plan. Paul says “So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.” (Col. 1:9 NLT) Paul said we can ask the knowledge of God’s will. How nice it is ! We like a little baby in this great controversy, nothing can do. The little baby has no power to flight and gain anything by itself. They just can accept the nutrient from the parents, they can’t protect by themselves, they just can be protected by the parents. The parents would provide everything to the baby and take care them. It is because of love, they would like to see their kids grow up in a save and peace environment with healthy and happiness. It like our God, He knows that we are born in sinful nature and in a sinful world. But He still loves us and wants to give us the best. He does His best to provide everything for us to protect us. If we are willing to accept and put our hearts in Him, we will have the perfect life in the future. This is what He planned for us.
Works of Christ – Assignment # 3 – “Show me your faith”
Yesterday’s discussion on how we actually obtain God’s righteousness is quite interesting. It is true that we shouldn’t view God’s righteousness as something that we can simply carry with us in our pockets. God’s righteousness is not simply something that we obtain at a given point but one that we must continually receive. As Quigley mentioned in his presentation, those who are made righteous by God can, in turn, produce good works as was the case for Apostle Peter. The discussions surrounding “righteousness by faith” and the need to do good “works” found in the writings of Paul and James can serve to illustrate this point. As we have been discussing in class, the need for holistic theology is paramount in understanding this apparent tension.
First, it is important to note that Paul’s emphasis on “righteousness” and James’ emphasis on “works” are not contradictory but instead complement one another. For instance, the idea that James is legalistic and that Paul’s theology is antinomian is a misinterpretation of their respective writings. James does not teach justification by works without the need for faith. Similarly, Paul does not teach justification by faith with the absence of works. In both Paul’s and James’ views, an individual either has or does not have faith.
Second, in his epistle, James seeks to ensure that a person does not forgo doing good deeds while claiming to have faith (James 2:14-26). Paul, on the other hand, in various parts of his letters, seeks to ensure that an individual does not fall into the line of thinking that salvation will be earned on the basis of merits (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:24, Galatians 3:18, etc.). However, both James and Paul hold up the concept of justification by faith and the need to perform good works. To clarify their position on this issue, both James and Paul cite Abraham’s story found in Genesis 15 where it says that “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (James 2:23; Rom 4:3,9,22; Gal 3:6). Paul brings up the story of Abraham to show that justification by faith works hand in hand with the need for righteous works. James brings up the story of Abraham to show that one’s faith needs to be proven by doing godly deeds. Hence, both Paul and James emphasize the fact that Abraham’s faith was demonstrated by his works.
Third, Paul does not argue for justification by faith at the expense of doing good deeds though the concept of justification by faith is seen throughout his writings (e.g. Rom. 3:28, Gal. 2:16, etc.). For instance, he writes about “work produced by faith” to the people of Thessalonica and reminds the Ephesians that they were “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (1 Thess. 1:3; Eph. 2:10). Conversely, the concept of doing good works permeates James’ epistle. However, James does not argue for doing good works at the expense of having in faith God. James makes it clear that good deeds must be accompanied by faith. For James, if a believer does not back up the claim of having faith by doing good works, then that individual’s supposed faith is actually dead (James 2:17). Hence, James understands that faith and works cannot be detached one from the other.
In conclusion, the concepts of justification by faith and doing good works are present in both the theology of Paul and James. They both hold in high regards the need to have faith in God. They both agree that faith without deeds is useless or dead faith. They both uplift the need for believers to demonstrate their faith by doing good works. Hence, they both view justification by faith and works in a similar way. They understand that works are the necessary fruits of a truly living faith. Looking at these concepts in a holistic way, we can come to the same understanding.
– James W. Dieujuste
Response to Assignment # 3 posted by Christopher Mwashinga
Your points were well presented. You discussed them in a clear and precise way. First, I think that there is truth in that “people with different measure of Christ’s gifts, are likely to see one thing from different perspectives.” I agree that, for instance, different approaches to applying biblical teachings or going about doing ministry in varying ways can be acceptable as long as God’s Word is not compromised.
Second, you raise a good point in saying that we don’t need to necessarily see everything the exact “same way to be one or united.” I think that it’s possible to have unity even in diversity. As you have correctly pointed out, diversity must not mean that we open the door to receive what’s not in harmony with Scripture. – James W. Dieujuste
Jeon, Kyoung Chun
Assignment 3
Title: Mystery that is revealed on the dynamics of salvation.
Usually, we use the term “mystery” for the phenomena we can’t easily understand by human reason. Actually, Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “mystery” as A hidden or secret thing; something inexplicable or beyond human comprehension; a person or thing evoking awe or wonder but not well known or understood; an enigma. As we talk about the mystery on the basis of salvation, that is about something that connects heavenly realm and earthly realm. Actually two realms are too different. The gap between of these two realms is so huge. We, earthly beings, are alienated from God, Heavenly Being. After men falls, they fled from the presence of God. "Sin has marred and well-nigh obliterated the image of God in man" (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 595), and we are still running from Him. The Bible clearly tells about the alienation between God and men. Nor can we change our standing before God. No sacrifice, no gift, no act of devotion-no work of any sort-can restore the broken relationship.
Bible doesn’t tell us we are not alienated only from God himself, but also from our true selves (Rom 3:23; Gal 5:1; 2 Pet 2:19), from one another - we seek to gather to ourselves riches, and to grow in reputation at the expense of others; so we are jealous and suspicious, envious and crafty, insensitive and cruel (Jer. 17:9). The network of human relations established by the Creator lies in tatters (Rom. 1:28-32); but all our efforts are fragmentary and inadequate. And finally we are also alienated from the created world. God appointed us to have "dominion" over the world (Gen. 1:26; Ps. 8:6), but we have turned stewardship into exploitation. We ravage the resources of the earth, consuming them greedily, and turning all we find to our own selfish ends (Rev. 11:18). Now we can understand how huge the gap between God and human is. So humanity is in a desperate condition. All our plans, hopes, and efforts are corrupted by our sinfulness. Individually and collectively we stand condemned for what we have done and for what we are, for the spirit of rebellion against God that is part of us, for our all-encompassing alienation and sin (Rom. 5:18; Steps to Christ, pp. 19-25). We are lost, full of anxiety and loneliness. And we are unable to help ourselves.
However, there is the way to get rid of the gap between God and men. We call that the mystery of cross because the mystery of cross only can connects heaven and earth together. In other words, it connects trans-cosmic realm and cosmic realm. The divine plan reconciles all things in heaven and earth through the cross of Christ (Col. 1:20). That’s why we call cross of Christ as mystery. Cross of Christ is really mystery because that removes huge gap between God and men.
And the mystery of salvation comes from divine initiative and it works with human response to grace given us. First, the mystery is revealed in Christ on Calvary. In the book of Colossians, apostle Paul continuously speaks of mystery which is in Christ (Col 1:26-27; 2:2). The God who delights to forgive has redeemed the world by Jesus Christ. Through the mystery revealed in Christ, the gap between God and men was removed. And secondly, the next phase of the mystery of salvation is on human response to grace. The human response to grace centers in faith, and the essence of faith is trust, taking God at His word (Rom. 14:23; Heb. 11:1). By the way, that faith is also in Christ. Apostle Paul connects “faith” with “Christ” (Col 2:5). It is obvious that God is initiator of the mystery and that mystery is valid in Christ. That’s why Paul urges, “continue to live in him, Jesus Christ” (Col 2:6).
In short the term “mystery” is not the mystery as dictionary defines any more for me. “mystery” is revealed clearly in Jesus Christ. And the “mystery” is God’s wonderful grace and love that can’t be measured by human notion. That’s why we who are in Christ call the One and his work as Calvary as mystery.
The Cosmic Plan Part 1
That the entrance of sin into this world has wreaked havoc in an otherwise peaceful and orderly cosmos is an indisputable biblical fact. What was a perfect world at creation became marred by sin and has been on a downward deterioration spiral since Eden post-fall. The effects of sin are far-reaching and catastrophic, as a result of its pervasive effects the whole creation is “groaning together with labor pains until now.” This suggests that the answer to the apparent sin phenomenon is not found in creation; even though there is a sense in which creation contributes to the answer in one way or the other – it is not my intention here to pursue and try to lay bare that tension. With this problem at hand what does a loving God do? How does he answer the sin problem that has created a chasm between him and his beloved creation; the cosmos?
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul, under the guidance of the Spirit peers into God’s modus operandi for restoring the cosmos back to where he wants it. In this response I am going to endeavor to expose the passage where Paul makes the argument for God’s solution to the breach that exists between him and the cosmos and the schisms that have dogged creation within itself. As with my post on Colossians I will consider the passage exegetically. I will consider God’s plan for the cosmos as it is presented in chapter 1 of Ephesians.
Scholars argue that the letter was possibly written as a circular letter based on the fact that “at Ephesus” does not appear in some early manuscripts. If this is true then the audience is not limited to believers in Ephesus, but includes other churches in Asia Minor (Eph. 2:11; 3:1, 6; cf. 3:8). A major interpretive question is why Ephesians was written, to which I will suggest an answer at the end.
The passage of consideration is Ephesians 1:3-10. Notice the indicatives in this passage, what God (the giver) has already done (the gift) “in Christ” (the means) for the believers (the recipient). In the passage God has done seven things, six just for the believers and the seventh, which is the clincher, for the cosmos.
Response to John A Coaxum's Assignment # 1 post.
I think John makes an important observation when he point out the important tension between the already and the not yet. This is a tension I think we need to understand as we face the "once saved always saved" teaching. The work of salvation is a done deal and yet it is being done. Generally people struggle with paradoxes because for them it either has to be one way or the other. However it is not so with the issue of our salvation, we are both saved and being saved. I think it will help us much if we consider the matter from a dual perspective standpoint, a spatial view as it were - the above and the below perspectives. From the perspective of the above we are already saved and from the below perspective we are being saved.
The Cosmic Plan Part 2
In Christ God:
• Blessed the believers
• Chose the believers
• Predestined the believers
• Graced the believers
• Redeemed the believers
• Made known (to) the believers
• Unites all things (the cosmos)
The thematic verse here is verse 10, “He planned in Him for the administration of the days of fulfillment-- to bring everything together in the Messiah, both things in heaven and things on earth in Him.” And the thematic verb here is ἀνακεφαλαιώσασθαι (aor. mid. inf.), literally, to bring together, gather under one head, sum up, recapitulate. It is important to note Paul’s shift in tense usage here; he shifts to an infinitive and that is significant but I’m not treating syntax here. It will suffice to point out that the key point of the syntactical shift is to highlight that God’s cosmic unifying plan in Christ is paradoxically progressive. Paul talks, here, of theology from a spatial perspective. In other words Paul wants his readers to understand theology from the perspective of the above and I would say that if you don’t understand theology from the perspective of the above you will get caught up in the below and end up being limited in our understanding of the cosmic plan of salvation. The question is where is your perspective?
From the perspective of the above, Paul wants the believer to know that, through grace, God has united all things in Christ. By implication, there’s a re-integration of all things after a period of cosmic fragmentation based on the fall. Looking at this through faith eyes, God has already accomplished his purpose of uniting the cosmos back to him. Paradoxically, though, grace continues because God, from the perspective of the below, is uniting all things in Christ. Throughout the letter the apostle argues for the unification of the church, the family, and the individual in God’s plan. So then God has united the cosmos, yet God is uniting the cosmos back to him. To borrow the teacher’s phraseology, there is a tension going on.
To answer the interpretive question mentioned above, Paul write to encourage believers to embrace God’s unifying activity in Christ and to celebrate Christ’s victory over the cosmic powers.
This is in response to the post by Edgardo Rivas, The Bible Tells Me So Blog #1.
I think Edgardo has done a good job revealing an understand of the class lectures on the cosmic and the trans-cosmic Christ. I am, however, not sure how world and cosmos are being distinguished in the post. It appears as though an artificial distinction is being imposed on heaven and earth in view of the cosmos. To suggest that trans-cosmic is synonymous with the "throne of God" I find troubling because the throne of God is part of his creation though removed from earth. I think we can make the case that once Jesus stepped into the throne room in heaven he became cosmic since cosmic encompasses every part of creation.
Assignment # 3
On Biblical Perfection
This is a reflection on Edward Heppenstall’s article How Perfect Is "Perfect" Or
Is Christian Perfection Possible? I think the author did a great job laying out the issue of perfection which many entangled in wrong theological positions – some hardcore on perfectionism others hardcore on liberalism. He does not try to take a middle ground position but rather a biblical ground and approach to the subject. The writer makes the case that perfection, in the bible, does not mean sinlessness; it means a life surrendered to God. He states that, “a "perfect" Christian is one whose heart and mind are permanently committed to Christ, cannot be moved. Noah, Abraham, and Job were all declared to be "perfect" men. Yet the history of their lives shows that they were far from being sinless.”
According to Heppenstall, the lack of a clear understanding of the issue of perfection stems from a misunderstanding of the biblical teaching on sin. Sin is not merely a matter wrong or willful acts or all sincere Christians would be sinless, sin is deeper than behavior it touches the human state of mind and heart. To add to the author’s definition of sin I would describe it as the human quest for autonomy from God, both personal and corporate. We traditionally think of sin as wrong acts, but this is a limited view of sin hence the limited understanding of perfection. I like the text which states: “But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa's heart was perfect with the Lord all his days” (1 Kings 15:14). This text makes it clear that perfection does not center in what one does but who one is.
This takes me back to Matwetwe’s class presentation and the discussion that followed. The whole notion of the being and or versus the doing came up, at issue was the question of priority and, in some farfetched way, necessity. The fact that we discuss the matter in terms of priority or process tells me that traditional views die hard. To say that we have to be in order to do may come across as making the being merely a means to an end. I think Dr Hanna made an important point and that is that the being in Christ is what guarantees salvation without regard to the doing, yet the doing is inevitable. In light of the subject, I think it is safe to say that perfection is at the level of the being and not on the level of the doing because the doing will always leave room for improvement hence Paul’s, “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus,” (Phi 3:12 NAS).
I like the way Paul puts it when says, “I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” In other words Paul is arguing that he can only lay hold on the goal as Jesus lay hold on him. Not only do we depend on Jesus Christ to transform our being, he also has to work on our doing. Even though it is Jesus working within the human to do the work of God, that work is never perfect, there will always be the striving on to perfection.
I think the author did a great job in presenting the biblical teaching on perfection. However I think there is need to elaborate on what surrender to Christ means and how it achieved, since he submits that as the antidote to the whole perfection problem.
Haron Matwetwe
Response to Chuen's Reflection.
I like the topic you choose" prayer and repentnce from Steps to christ especially your argument that true repentance stems from knowing Jesus.
Having an understanding of what He did and is doing motivates humanity to make better decisions. That is where His love draws hearts to Him. Unless we see His works, our hearts cammot be subdued to call upon Him for salvation.
Thanks.
Response #3
This is in response to Si On Sung on Miracles.
I agree with Sung on his assignment on miracles. Many are times when we fail to recognize the true miracles of God. In our day to day lives we should always appreciate the hand of the Lord in our lives. I was also impressed by his reflection on what Dr Hanna taught us in class on Justification and sanctification. Good work sung
Haron Matwetwe
Assignment #3
CONCEPT OF SYNERGY IN SANCTIFICATION
It’s obvious from the writings of the Old and New Testament that sanctification has a divine source in what we term as imparted righteousness. Attention should be drawn to the human factor in the process of sanctification. If we stress the divine work and ignore the factor of human effort, we run into the error of being quiet or something worse. If we play up the importance of human effort and ignore sanctification's divine source, we run into the error of legalism. In order to avoid the pitfall of quietism, the thing we draw attention to is the fact that the Holy Spirit's work in the human heart is not substitutionary. Sin has been put away, death conquered, Satan defeated, and everlasting righteousness has been presented and accepted in the presence of God on our behalf. This glad word of salvation creates the faith to accept this free title to justification and life eternal. Now the same thing cannot be said about the Spirit's work or our response to His work. His work is in no sense substitutionary, as was Christ's work on the cross. The Bible teaches that faith is the gift of the Holy Spirit and that good works are the fruit of the Spirit's working. But the Bible does not teach that the Holy Spirit does the believing and good works for us. Faith is a meaningful human activity. It is the human agent who does the believing. It is called "your faith." 2 Thess. 1:3. The same thing is true about the works which spring from faith. Paul calls it "your work of faith." 1 Thess. 1:3. It is not called Christ's work of faith nor the Spirit's work of faith, but "your work of faith." While the Holy Spirit imparts the righteous attributes of God to the soul and then inspires, motivates and empowers the believer to a life of good works, He is generally not represented to us as the One who does the acts of righteousness.
The part of divine grace and human effort is neatly balanced in Paul's appeal to the Philippians: ". . . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Phil. 2:12, 13.
Union with Christ does not mean the mystical absorption of the human into the divine. He does not intend to assume the significance of human personality. Redemption means the restoration of true selfhood and the dignity of true self-possession. The Holy Spirit calls the human faculties into exercise, and man, as a responsible agent, is given the inestimable privilege of being a laborer together with God. We may summarize the human factor in sanctification by saying that it includes both faith and obedience.
Response to Fernandez, Nelson Assignment # 3.
I liked your well thought summary of the supremacy of Christ. I agree with your strategy of explaining the fact that “we do not believe that the “firstborn” (“Protokokos” in the Greek) in the sense that he is a created being.” It is important to state that up front so that Christ remains who He is as Paul rightly describes Him in the book of Colossians - the most powerful supreme eternal God. Another very important point you raised is the fact that Paul brings his description of Jesus back down to earth to give it practical application. This is an important point because an impractical message no matter how sweet it may be is as good as no message.
Response to "In him was the Fulness of the Godhead"
John's exposition of Col 2:9 as regards the trinity was refreshing. He, like many before and many after, attempted to bring some elucidation on understanding the concept of the trinity. Using the examples of water and light helped to bring his point accross. At the same time, however, he acknowledged that those illustrations, just like many before, have their shortcomings. At the end, he admitted that the trinity is a topic we can never fully understand.
I often ask myself if it takes more faith to believe in the being of God than it takes to believe in the trinity. I may be wrong, but, the way I see it, the same faith necessary to believe God exists can be used to believe that He is Triune. Thus, when I say I believe God is by that same statement I say that I believe He is triune. Works for me but it may not necessarily work for everyone.
i am responding to Michelle's 3rd blog on perfection.
i completely agree Michelle's perspective on perfection. for most christians perhaps they often look at perfection from the perspective of doing no wrong, yet there are real people to whom God attributes perfection that were flawed. yet if you look at jesus he also uses this revelation through being fully human and still fully God, his divinity is perfect, his humanity is like us is flawed yet he was perfect. this is what make Gods journey more difficult than ours. the ability to do right when your DNa is programmed to do wrong. it is a mystery, yet he has given us the power through his spirit to overcome just as he did in the flesh.
Response to Assignment # 3
Posted by Nelson Fernandez: “Jesus: Creation’s greatest being; Creation’s only hope”
I enjoyed reading Nelson’s post; he did a good job at presenting Christ as the Creator, the only way to reconciliation with God, and the only one who could effectively show us the Father. In Christ we have not only the greatest power of the universe on our side, but also the greatest manifestation of love which in the person of Jesus Christ came to set us free from the hostage situation we were in because of Satan. Indeed our only hope can only be in Christ, not in anything or anyone and this hope is what keeps us going until that glorious day of his second coming.
Response to James W. Dieujuste Assignment #3 “Show me your faith”
I like he pointed out these two teachings from James and Paul : James does not teach justification by works without the need for faith, Paul does not teach justification by faith with the absence of works. He compares these two teaching without contradictory. It is quite clear and convincing.
He gave the example of the story of Abraham in both James and Paul’s teachings, it is very good example. In his message he provides a good evidence in justification by faith and works in Paul and James theology.
Response to Mike Taylor
Assignment 3
I agree that the idea of God dying seems like a strange paradox. But by tasting death, Jesus was able to really experience the full impact of sin: ceasing to exist. Could He do that? He was hypostasis: both divine and human. If the human died and the divine remained alive, that's docetism. He had to fully let go and that is why He was sweating drops of blood in Gethsemene. But if Jesus just went to sleep for a bit, like we believe the Bible teaches then that is strange too, God neither slumbers nor sleeps! I think it's one of those mysteries again...
Reaction to Juanfer Monsalve’s “Synergy that Blows my Mind” post
I should begin by pointing out that it very encouraging that the author has benefited from the reading of Ephesians, I found it quite beneficial myself. I am also glad at the clarity gained with regards to our LGT brethren. With that said I must confess to the difficulty I faced trying to follow the writer’s trend of thought, even after going over the post again. I am having a hard reconciling texts quoted with points being made, e.g. how does the imperative to be imitators of God show that behavior must be dependent on God? I am not suggesting that somehow we do not depend on God, but I am asking how the text quoted brings makes that point.
Reaction #3 to Edgar's Assignment # 3: “The Blessing of Being in Unity with God.”
I very much enjoyed reading Edgars thoughts on how being united in Christ accomplishes and furthers the universal goals that God has for us. It is definitely true, at least in my experience, that we can get so complacent in our knowledge and understanding that we dismiss the thought that any new aspects can be learned though further study. This is especially true of pastors already in the field of students, like us, earning our "masters of divinity." May the Lord keep us faithful to His Word and ever thirsty to grow in knowledge and understanding. Thanks again Edgar!
Blog3
All Aboard – Admission Saved by grace through Jesus Christ
In many discussions that I have had throughout the years they have often centered on Christ and what he has done, is doing and will do. After getting past those foundational thoughts the next thing that has been discussed is what we think heaven is going to be like when we get there. We have talked about the gates and the splendor of it all, the streets paved with gold and so on and so forth. However, this class has me thinking about what truly will be the main attraction when we get to heaven from Gods perspective.
John exiled to Patmos is shown something that is out of this world, yet the first few chapters of revelation highlights the fact that even though heaven has and still will exist with out without us the fallen creations of God. Jesus is found working with the seven churches even after his death. His future has been realized in time. He endured the cross and so therefore why should he care about the rest of us left behind. I pondered this while reading the letter written to the church in Ephesus. In the second chapter of this letter Paul highlights the fact that these people who were once without Christ and therefore dead in sins (verse 2), without a place to sit, uncircumcised, (verse 11), aliens, strangers, without hope, without God in the world (verse 13). However, through Christ there has been a transformation that comes by faith through grace in Jesus Christ that qualifies the discarded to be able to be considered for the eternal trip.
In my opinion the second chapter of Ephesians paints the picture of a junk collector (Christ) that goes around looking for pieces of trash. Everyone else scorns the collector’s old filthy truck. Before the collector leaves his office he knows what pieces of trash he needs to finish his final masterpiece. Everything that he collects is refused, discarded and down casted set at the corner of the road to be burned. However, even in its marred form, the collector knows what he can do not just with each piece, rather what he can do when he puts all the pieces together. There are still some missing pieces that He has yet to have picked up as yet. What Christ has been trying to do is to show us the value we have even in our marred condition. He wants everyone to be heirs to something that we would otherwise not been able to possess. This possession, I believe goes much further than the material heaven that many long for. The possession that Christ wants for us is to be in his presence without restriction.
Christ has predestined us (1:5) to be apart of an experience that will never end. He desires to put our lives back together again, because he misses fellowshipping with us, more than we do him. This is why the word became flesh and dwelt among us, it was so that He (Christ) could be closer to us and us to him. The one who made us allowed himself to become marred, so that we could see his love for us even with our flaws. And by beholding him in the flesh, we can see that flawed can be redeemed when inhabited by the divine, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We will never be God, but we can be Christ like, and when we are truly Christ like, we can facilitate in bringing souls to Christ where they too can be redeemed.
Response to Haron Matwetwe
Assignment #3
CONCEPT OF SYNERGY IN SANCTIFICATION
I liked your clarity and word choices in your writing. And I agree with you about we have to be careful concerning how we speak about sanctification because we can easily go between two extremes(legalism and quietism) and the goal should always be to be balanced. Sanctification is indeed synergy; the bringing together of the human and the divine. And I think it is noteworthy also that you dispelled any notion of a mystical connection, because to some people it does sound quite magical and mystical when we say things like "Christ is living in my heart". To some people they are confused and do not understand this concept, but as you said if we must choose our words carefully.
I am responding to Josephs 3rd blog.
The Cosmic Christ the creator of all things.
I too have had my understanding broadened in this class, and I agree that it is peaceful and comforting to know we serve a God who rules over the trans-cosmic and the Cosmic. He is a wonderful God and I thank you for that reminder in your blog.
Ariel Roldan - Response to:
Chuen Chuen Lau Assignment #3; Repent and Prayer
The chapter you quoted from is my favorite and one of the most enlightening one for me as I began my Christian journey. Repentance had been a barrier for me, I recognized there was no sorrow or dislike to sin; and frustrated I could not manufacture this repentance so Jesus could forgive me. Like I said, this chapter opened an enormous door in my journey.
I realize the need to be brief in these blogs because of text limitation; so there was probably not enough room to develop the concept of "helpless baby" you mentioned. I wholeheartedly agree, yet I believe a healthy baby will grow - but this growth does not negate nor take the place of complete dependance upon the Father.
I appreciate your deep thought on the love of God. God’s love is so profound, that there is power behind that love. His love is so great, that our time on earth is only enough to understand a small portion of the great love which He has for us. I can’t wait to spend all eternity and continue to grow in His understanding in His love. I’m going to have to register for some of those classes….
On a different note I like how you brought in Paul and the concept of salvation. ‘It is God’s love that brings us in.’ 1 John 4:19; we love because he first loved us.’ God’s love is our motivation, it is the reason we do things; the reason we go to the extent of searching for the promise land.
Response #2 to Michael T.
I appreciate your deep thought on the love of God. God’s love is so profound, that there is power behind that love. His love is so great, that our time on earth is only enough to understand a small portion of the great love which He has for us. I can’t wait to spend all eternity and continue to grow in His understanding in His love. I’m going to have to register for some of those classes….
On a different note I like how you brought in Paul and the concept of salvation. ‘It is God’s love that brings us in.’ 1 John 4:19; we love because he first loved us.’ God’s love is our motivation, it is the reason we do things; the reason we go to the extent of searching for the promise land.
Response #3 to Edgar Rivas
I appreciate your reflection on justification, sanctification, and glorification. You know, I too didn’t know how to separate them until the moment that we started to talk about it in class. It’s amazing how the justification/ righteousness that we receive comes from Jesus. Not even our righteousness or anything good comes from us, rather it comes from God as a gift; free. Not only do we receive it but it covers us through out time… I liked the illustration used in class regarding righteousness. It’s like an umbrella, we receive righteousness, and as we move forward, we continue to be righteous in the past, present, and the future. Though this is possible we still have to remain in Him. Like you had mention, to receive this, we must receive it through faith, and remain in Him.
Joshua Woods
Response to Michelle assignment #2
Michelle, I thought your application of Steps To Christ was phenomenal. I truly enjoy practical application, and you succeeded in that. I agree with your assertion that God is involved with our lives. I think it is amazing how he is a transcendent and yet a personal God. Thanks for your thoughts
Joshua Woods
response to Juanfer Monsalve Assignment #2
Juanfer, you wrote, "We must take a hard look at the place where we are getting our theology and philosophy of life. Is our life based on faith in the word of God, is it real to us? Or are we letting fine arguments convince us otherwise about the reality of Christ."
I enjoyed your perspective on this. It was a healthy reminder that we must be critical of where we gain our theology from. Many times, those "arguments" are convincing, however, Jesus should be the one convincing me. thank you!
Josh Woods
5/13/2010
Works of Christ
Week 1 Reflection
Reflecting on Christ this week has been wonderful. It has been even greater to connect that with the reading. While reading, there were a many notions that caught my attention, however, there were a few areas that spoke to me the most. The reading of two chapters in Steps To Christ was very interesting, while the reading of Ephesians and Colossians was encouraging as well.
The first section that caught my attention was Ephesians 2. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live…” The idea here is that the reader used to be dead in transgressions. We used to be dead in our transgressions; however, we have Christ who has given us grace. We don’t deserve the treatment that we receive from Christ. It is like Dr. Hanna said in class by saying that it is similar to a nightclub with a VIP access. Jesus will come and say, “He is with me.” Jesus takes us in our sinful nature and showers us with his love and mercy. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” The only way we can be made alive is through Christ. We can search anywhere we want, but Jesus and His Father who loves us is the only answer.
The next section that will be commented on is found in Colossians 1:16-18. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” This verse was interesting because I read this after the conversation from class. Reading this verse after talking about Jesus, as the cosmic and trans cosmic being was interesting. He in heaven and on earth created all things. He has dominion because he is creator. This idea that Christ is cosmic and trans-cosmic is not the entire picture, however. This verse affirms that he is creator of all things and therefore he is trans-cosmic. It affirms that he is before all things, which explains that he is not temporal. But in verse 18 it moves to the cosmos by saying that Jesus is head of the Church. So the same Jesus, who is trans-cosmic, is also the same Jesus that should be head of our church. This is so powerful! Jesus is big and he is in charge of this universe, but at the same time he still wants to be the God of our lives.
The next comment comes from the first couple of chapters of Steps To Christ. I have been exposed to many people in our Church who believe that God is a God that needed blood to love us. They believe that God is a bloodthirsty and angry God and that Jesus, the only one of the Godhead that truly loves us, basically had to beg Him to love us. Obviously these people are overlooking the message of scripture. All over the Bible, God shows his love to us. Even in the Biblical reading for the week God’s love is apparent. It was nice, however, to see Ellen White affirm God’s love in the first chapter of her book.
“But this great sacrifice was not made in order to create in the Father’s heart a love for man, not to make him willing to save. No, no! ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son.’ John 3:16 The Father loves us, not because of the great propitiation, but He provided the propitiation because He loves us…”
Jesus is not the only one who loves. God loves us and Christ’s death didn’t provoke God to love us. God gave it because he loved us. Therefore, this work of Christ was the direct leading of a God who loves us all.
The reading this week was great. I am looking forward learning more about the Great things God has to teach me.
Response to Edga Alquinta assign no#3
I totally agree with Edga comments on his assign no#3 because the word of God is a two edged sword which bisects into deeper parts of even the born marrow.it transforms the preacher and the preached.i will call it again the power of the gospel for we have seen it is changing even the pastors in the seminary on what they use to believe.
Im glad that he received a new outlook of his salvation.the work of christ trascends all human understanding we need to .to grow anto christ day after day and be flexable for the word to transform our earlier steleotype thinking.blessed are the flexable for they will not be bent.
i am impress with the class too mr Bohole Emmanuel. some times i feel like pulling out my hair because the reasoning is so deep that i cannot understand how far we can go. to understand Christ is the cnetre of the world is beyond the reasons of the common man. when people tell be they do not believe in God i am more patient with them because that is deep deep stuff. to think Christ is all in all is not easy to understand. this class is giving me a new message to carry to my people. we should by now understand the models of salvation is not narrow as we think this thing is so big but simple because Jesus have done it all for us, and today he is helping us achieve the desire he plants in us. good writing i enjoyed your thoughts.
Response to Fernandez, Nelson
Assignment #2: Man’s role in revealing the “Cosmic Christ of Scripture.”
I really appreciate the questions you raise and wrestle with. Specifically the questions that ask "So what? What does this mean in the real world." I equally appreciate the conclusion you came to; that we are minature revelations of God. If I could venture on to say a little more of what I believe you were already implying, not only are we miniature revelations of God, but we are those revelations in a particular context. Not only within THE Cosmos but also within OUR Cosmos . I say that to reflect the words of a Childrens song I used to hear growing up. "Jesus Bids us shine with a pure clear light, like a little candle burning in the night, in this world of darkness we must shine you in your small corner and I in mine . Our actions will ultimately be contextualized by the context in which we act them out. And we ought to understand this in order to understand a little better how we reveal God. Further, when we understand this we can be at peace with the fact that our revelation of God has yet room to grow and be perfected. this is because God's revelation of Himself (though perfect) is still growing as he continues to reveal himself within our context. Within the Cosmos.
Response #2 to Michelle's Reflection #3
I feel for you and your perfectionist upbringing. My wife still battles with a similar theological issue from her youth, but she says that I help "cure" her by sharing my conversion experience. Because I'm still newly-converted, I tend to teach and lean more heavily towards the grace aspect of salvation (as opposed to the "works" of our response to God's love). I'm glad to hear that you were so moved by Dr. Heppenstall's article, and I enjoyed reading your reflection.
Response #3 to KBlue's Reflection #2
Katrina, the issue you raised about SDA views of EGW's inspiration is one that has long troubled me. It has always made me laugh when I hear a church member say, "We follow Scripture and Scripture only, and this is what Ellen White has to say about that..." I too appreciated Dr. Hanna's insight in the sola scriptura issue.
I'm equally intrigued by the way that the world dismisses the reality and importance of experience. Weaved in and out all throughout the theory of evolution is the idea that animals (including humans) learn from their past and it allows them to become stronger for the future; just one facet of the "survival of the fittest" concept. Why is it that we can give credit and authority to the natural experiences in an "evolutionary" realm, but as soon as the experience is one with the Divine, it's mocked and ridiculed by these same people?
I greatly enjoyed your reflection; thank you!
Comments on John Coaxum's: Assignment #1
I found the reflection presented by John to be very thoughtful and stirring. Through the lectures in class I was also able to connect with some of the notions presented regarding the "salvation package." What I found particularly significant in the reflection was how he stressed the trustworthiness in the future actualization of second coming/judgment because God said it would happen that manner. There is already substantial evidence for the follow through God has had in the salvation plan, so i found John's reflection points appropriate regarding the trustworthiness of the hope in which we wait.
Response to assignment 3
Posted by Chuen Chuen Lau
Thanks for the notion that forgiveness is for restoration to harmony and communion with God. And that forgiveness is from Christ. In other words, Christ is the subject for the harmony and communion with God. He is the initiator. Christ who want to unite with us gives us forgiveness. What a wonderful hope that is. That’s why we say this is the gift of God. And I think that's why she say over here concerning forgiveness that If we don’t have Christ we won’t have the genuine repentance since it is the virtue that goes from Christ.
And thanks for one more thing that Repentance is part of salvation which is a gift. Acceptance is what we can only do. It gives us clear understanding what monergy and synergy are exactly meaning. We can be subjective in synergy concept because of God is subject ahead of us for all the plan of salvation. That assurance makes us being subjective. Thanks for your note on that again.
Josh Woods
6/2/2010
Works of Christ
Week 3 Reflection
I feel that my understanding of the topic of this class is beginning to grow. I definitely don’t have a grasp on everything, however, after reading through Dr. Hanna’s book as well as continuing to read through Steps to Christ, it is becoming clearer.
One section that really jumped out at me this week in the reading was found in the chapter entitled, “What Does the Bible Say?”
“For Paul, so-called ‘natural knowledge’ or false science is opposed to the gospel His use of the word philosophy includes a warning to us: ‘beware lest anyone spoil you with philosophy’ (Col 2:8). At the same time, Paul does not reject philosophy in general. He only rejects philosophies, which oppose the claims of Jesus through teachings contrary to the gospel. He rejects false philosophies of beguiling speech (2:4), empty deceit, false tradition, elemental spirits of the universe… (Hanna 109)”
This text and thought reminded me of what one of my colleagues wrote about on the blogspot. We need to understand and know the source where we are getting our theology. It is interesting that Paul wrote about this very thing. Hanna points out that Paul speaks of philosophy with a word of warning. Many people would read this and assert that we need to stay away from philosophy, however, that is not the entire picture. Paul, as Hanna suggests, only rejects philosophies that are contrary to that of the teachings of Jesus Christ. Even Paul used philosophy to speak to people, but his philosophy was in conjunction with the teachings of Jesus Christ.
This week I was blessed by the chapter in Steps To Christ entitled, “A Knowledge of God.” Mrs. White spoke so vividly about how earnestly God Speaks to us. How he uses nature through the Holy Spirit to work on our hearts. There are so many things and utterances that the Lord sends our way, but we have such a hard time hearing. She spoke of listening being the key. “If we will but listen, God’s created works will teach us precious lessons of obedience and trust” (White 85). Many times there is so much noise in our lives that we fail to hear the simple truths that are right in front of us. I believe that if we could just spend a little more time with God in His nature, we would be able to get away from the noise of this world. If we could do that, and commune with God a little more, we would be blessed by His leading. That would be amazing!
After reading this week, I am convinced that I must spend more time communing with God. I don’t want to be led away by philosophies, and I believe that wouldn’t happen if I learned how to listen to my creator.
hi John good thinking there i am of that opinion too. but i have learn how dreadful sin is; if it had to take Jesus from heaven to die for us as the only way to get reunited to him that tells me sin is dreadful. and just to think about it he is God was there another way to get that done. but the bible says from the fondation of the world it was planned that way. we will never be able to understand it all; like he took all of our guilt and paid the price for us. man i just want to jump as high as i can and praise him from the bottom of my heart, oh how i love Jesus.
Josh Woods
6/2/2010
Works of Christ
Week 4 Reflection
The only draw back to these summer intensives, is that you have to really rush through the material that you are reading. It has been tough to read through some amazing stuff found in the Bible, Steps to Christ, and Cosmic Christ of Scripture, but not have the time to reflect on it. However, the reading has been great, and I will continue to process some of the information in the future.
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading through Dr. Hanna’s Cosmic Christ of Scripture. In my reading for this week the chapter entitled “Are Ellen White’s Writings Relevant to the Cosmos” obviously caught my attention. This is one of the greatest attacks on the writings of Ellen White. Her critics accuse her of being irrelevant to our personal walk with God. It is obvious that her writing and the writings of the Bible are a finite language. Therefore, through them, we can’t fully understand God, but we can have a better understanding of who He is.
“For Ellen White, the Bible is “perfect in its simplicity” while it “does not answer (correspond completely) to the great ideas of God; for infinite ideas cannot be perfectly embodied in finite vehicles of thought.” Scripture is an incomplete representation of God due to its humanity, and to the process of its preservation, transmission and translation. Even these limitations, the divine and human dimensions of Scripture are wonderfully united. “The diving mind and will is combined with the human mind and will; thus the utterances of man are the word of God.” “Every chapter and every verse of the Bible is a communication from God to men.” (Hanna 117-118).
Responding to the first few sentences, it is amazing that God cannot even be embodied by our finite language. I believe this is a testament to how amazing God is. So, even though scripture doesn’t completely describe who God is, how is it relevant? It is relevant because it says exactly what God wanted it to say. God has revealed through his inspired penmen, exactly what he wants us to know about Him. Isn’t that amazing!
Yet another thought presents itself in this quote. Scripture presents God as a loving and just God who is beautiful, all-powerful, all-knowing, and so much more, yet he is even more than that. Our finite comprehension of God is awesome, but we can’t even begin to fathom who He really is.
When I read things like this, I can only worship. We definitely don’t completely understand God right now, and we will probably spend eternity learning without totally grasping, but we are called to trust and obey still. Even though we don’t completely understand God, “Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare” (White 122). We have no reason not to rejoice in a God who we know because of His word. The God that I know is wonderful and I am truly blessed to be called his child.
Quigley Morris
Works of Christ
05/20/10
Assignment # 2
Colossians 2: 6
(6) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord so walk he in him,
Paul was exhorting the Colossians; the emphasis of his message was presented using a simile. In verse six he is challenging this group of Christians to live a good life for Christ. Just as much as they believed in Christ and accepted his words they were suppose to believe and live for him. Just as much they believed in the preaching of Epaphras and believe in the message of salvation they too have to live by what they know it true.
This required every Christian to learn about their new faith by reading and following the lesions that Epaphras left them. It was their responsibility to grow and preach to others about the message of salvation. This is the good news of salvation; please note the good news is not in receiving the message but it is also in passing it to your neighbors, friends and love ones. They created the theme; “the church is here for those who are not yet members”. It was the Christians responsibility to move on with the work.
It was also their responsibility to hold on to the message of faith they already have, so while the apostle rejoice with them, it was also important that every member help the other remain strong and witness to the people who had not made up their minds about being a Christian. This is the same atmosphere that existed in our early church. The people were excited and guanine In heart that they could not keep quiet. By 1860 to 1870 the church was growing at an impressive rate of 18%; today we are at a sorry state of about 1.5%.
Pastor Paul always had his way in getting his message across; he uses the word walk he in him, which means first conduct your self’s like a born again Christian. Growing up when I was about to get baptized my parents send me to the community to ask the church members and friends you know the people I deal with like family friend to forgive me for anything wrong I had done to them. After my baptism I was suppose to live a new life fit for a new born again Christian. This help me understand what Paul was saying when he said walk.
The second he is saying to them now you are connected to Jesus you must live like Jesus. Now there are two points of view I want to look at closer; (A) you are not who you use to be so start living as you agreed to live. And that is to be different to the pagans and let them see the quality of life that you have discovered in Christ so they too will follow your example. (B) He is now connecting them to the life giver as the example to follow. Be one in Christ. Your mission is to be connected and remain connected to the Savior.
I am thinking there were lots of religious practices going on at the time and the people were very devoted to their gods and method of worship. Now they were been introduced to a new God and a method unknown to them Paul was careful in helping these people to understand the power is not in the preaching, or lifestyle but it was in Christ. So getting them connected was important for growth, development, and brotherly love. All of this qualities came from a relationship with Christ.
Quigley Morris
Assignment # 3
Steps to Christ; What to do with doubt;
Today Christians are under pressure to prove Jesus to the world; there are so many different opinions floating around that people are confused about the facts of Jesus and his saving grace. I believe we are beyond the enlightening years of the mid 1700s when everyone had an opinion that was presented as facts. This confusing period led to the time when people were not sure about their religious beliefs.
This kind of teaching is here today with a different emphasis; the idea is to destroy the very thought about Jesus and his saving grace to the human race. What we are seeing is more and more people are doubting the death of Christ and his power to save us. Even people who have been in the church for many years are falling prey to this kind of thinking.
People are ready to believe in the books that are written by men, the devil have led many to stand against the reason of the servants of the Lord. Today people can say they are gay, witch, and all other kind of satanic practice but it is not ok to talk about Jesus in public. So people are doubting, and they feel ok to believe that God is not involve in the world and everyone is doing as he please.
Mrs. White said “all Satan wants is for us to doubt God” if we doubt he can provide all the reason we will need to live our lives as the devil please. And that is what I am seeing today, people have no fear of God and they rely on book knowledge for their answer to the world and its problem. If the Christians today could believe in Christ and show the world that they are believers then we would be able to reach a few people for Christ.
God desire man to exercise his reasoning powers and the study of the bible will strengthen and elevate the mind as no other study can. God gave us a brain to think, he gave us reason to think, he gave us logical explanation to his plans. He added his Holy Spirit to guide us through the troubling times of life; so we are not alone and there are no excuse for our lack of knowledge of God and his saving grace to the world.
To strength our minds and to build a positive relationship with God He gave us the bible to feed our mind. But there is a drive to undermine the bible and to replace it with other books that has no food for the mind. It has been proven that any race of culture who accept the bible and live by its rules are capable of developing a relationship with Christ that can only get better as they continue to read from its pages.
God intends that even in this life the truths of his word shall be given in this life the truth of his word shall be ever unfolding to his people. There is only one way in which this knowledge can be obtained. We can attain to an understanding of God’s only through the illumination of that Spirit by which the Spirit was given.
There are many things that are difficult to understand, God will explain to those who are willing to seek the true knowledge. We are never alone there is always a way out for us that is if we believe in him. We have available to us the word of God, nature and the help of the Holy Spirit to guide our study through the scriptures. We must take advantage of this privilege and it is all available to us.
Assignment # 4
Wallin O’Connor
In Colossians chapter 1, Paul is stating the fact that Christ was the facilitator of all creation. Not just the creation on earth, but all creation, and this includes the entire universe. In verse 16-17 it says “for by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on the earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him.17 and he is before all things and in him all things consist.”
I have known that God created all things but it never really started to weigh on my mind how important all his creation is to him. The problem of sin isn’t just confined to Earth as its implications throughout the entire realm of creation.
As a human being it’s quite easy for us to be focused on ourselves and why Christ had to take our form and how he had to do a cross to save us from sin. And we tend to view the plan of redemption solely for humanity. But after having my mind thoroughly confused in this class, I’m beginning to understand that in the plan of salvation humanity has a role to play yes. There are however there greater ramifications than just our role in the process; God sees the big picture which includes the little picture.
The problem of sin is so terrible and so vile that it needs to be solved only by the Creator even though it began in his creation. As far as we know sin has been confined to planet Earth. But sin never originate it for universal standpoint here on Earth, it was actually originated in heaven. In a perfect being who was created to stand in the very presence of God. And if sin could originate within a perfect being, who was in heaven, and in the very presence of God, and what are the ramifications for the rest of the unfallen creation.
This is why Christ is the key to the problem. In verse 20 it says, “and by him to reconcile all things to himself, by him, whether things on earth or the things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of his cross.”
It is clear to me at least that in this verse God’s will that all of creation is reconciled back to him. It is His desire that the harmony in creation might be restored. The funny thing about harmony is that it only takes one bad note to break it, yet the whole group is affected.
Commentary on Alta Peirre's: Plan of Salvation
The reflection posted by Alta was one that i feel expressed a point that is worth commenting on. The reference to the looking at the plan of salvation in the broader sense and seeing the unity that is seen as it is revealed to humanity. THe history and Biblical text that he referenced demonstrated how many people have pointed to Creation as a way of seeing the plan of salvation in our life. I find it interesting that all are exposed to God's work in our life and that we can also see it as a glimpse of the plan of salvation.
A ssignment #2. Sin Problem and the Work of Christ on the Cross.
Proper understanding of sin gives us a clear understanding the Cross and the work of Jesus.
Sin Problem:
Dr Gerhard Plandl defines original sin as an inherited stain from Adam and Eve’s sin as the parents of humanity. We do not inherit the guilt of Adam’s sin as the Catholic Church believes from the teaching of Augustine on the original sin, but our sick nature with the tendencies and propensities to sin.
Adam and Eve were perfect sinless beings from the perfect creation of God. They were created righteous so I believe they were Spirit-filled and Spirit-directed with the fruits of the Spirit produced in their lives. They had conditional immortality through loving obedience with the guiding principle in their lives to please their Creator. Lucifer’s temptation was for Eve to doubt the trustworthiness of God and his word in (Gen 2:17). The moment they chose to doubt God and His word, they fell into sin before they ate the fruit of the forbidden tree. Eating the forbidden fruit was the consequence of their sin. As a consequence of abusing their freedom of choice, they were dead spiritually because the Holy Spirit left, they began to die physically and lost their immortality. And the sad consequence of their sin, was their separation from the open fellowship with their Creator. Their sin impacts the whole cosmos, the whole universe and their Creator.
The extensive consequences of the original sin on man is that we are born alienated and separated from God (separated from Christ, without hope and without God –Eph 2:12/Is 59:2). We deserve to die (Rom 6:23), born as sons of wrath (Eph 1:2), Guilty (Rom 3:23) dead spiritually (Eph 2:1,5). The intensiveness of sin on us is that we a born lawless (1 John 3:4), our nature is bend to evil (Is 53:6) and we chose to do what is missing from God’s mark of righteousness (Rom 3:23).
What Christ Accomplished at the Cross>
George Reid’s article is about how sin impacts God by finding a solution to sin problem. God’s solution for sin as some texts say is to pay a ransom or price for sin (Matt.20:28; 1 Pet 1:18,19). Christ’s ransom is not to please an angry God to love us. Christ went to the cross because God loves us (Rom 5:18). Christ’s death is also not a ransom paid to Satan to reinstate God’s fallen son of Adam as some suggested. But the ransom is paid to the righteous demand of a broken law that the wages of sin is death (Rm 6:23). So at the cross of Christ, God uphold the righteousness of the law at the same time it offers Grace for sinners. That’s why the Cross of Christ is the only gateway to heaven. When we come to God through the cross of Christ. We receive Justification, Reconciliation, Adoption and the Holy Spirit to live a life sanctify till he comes in glory. And Ephesians 1 – 3 talks about Predestination, Justification, Adoption and Holy Spirit (new relationship with God) Eph 4 – 6 is about Sanctification (result of the new relationship).
Assignment 1: Initiative of Cosmic Christ
Throughout the session we discussed the cosmic and trans-cosmic Christ. We spent significant time distinguishing the two concepts in order to help us see the clearer and interactive work that Christ has with his Creation. What i found intriguing about the Cosmic Christ was the initiative that is seen in our lives.
I found it very interesting how Christ has taken the first steps in trying to restore the broken relationship that man has caused. In order for us to understand and fully appreciate the works of Christ we need to understand the "sin problem." It was typical of Paul to make the connection with sin and death. The verse that comes to mind is Romans 6:23 where he says that the wages of sin is death. Not only do we see that sin results in physical death but also spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1). Now, another connection he makes is in Romans 8:7 "The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so." Not only does sin cause physical and spiritual death, but it also prevents us from wanting to do God's will in our life. It is easy for us to see why the cosmic christ takes on significant meaning since we recognize the sin problem.
When we see that the Cosmic Christ reflects a loving Creator willing to work with and within HIs Creation it is something that is able to deepen our appreciation in the plan of salvation. Not only can we find a great appreciation in the beauty of the Cosmic Christ but we also so the necessity we have for the Cosmic Christ. In order for us to even know God we need a revealing from God. If we are able to receive something it must first be offered to us. Again, looking at Paul's statement regarding the the fact that our sinfulness prevents us from doing God's will demonstrates the need for a Cosmic Christ who initiates an awareness and longing to do the will of GOd in our life.
Overall, i find the Cosmic Christ demonstrating the beauty of our Creator and the need humanity has for such a Christ in order for us to experience of salvation.
How to be an overcomer?
Assignment # 4
John 16:30-33
Foreknowledge – Pre-destination – Call – Justification – Sanctification – Glorification
In verse 30 the disciples acknowledge that Jesus foreknows all things in the world. Jesus knew that the disciples were going to leave him when trouble came. But He warned them of what was going to happen later.
WHY are we not more successful in living up to God's standard? WHY do we slip and fall occasionally? Here is how YOU can overcome where you are weakest and hardest tempted! Have YOU ever met temptation, struggled with it, only to wake up a little later to the remorseful fact that you had slipped, and failed to overcome? Or perhaps you are struggling with some habit that holds you as its slave—struggling, wrestling, and always fighting it, yet somehow never able to conquer it.
These things are serious. In other to be an overcomer in this world we must believe that Jesus is the Redeemer of the world. Also we must believe that we cannot overcome the world in our own power. "To him that OVERCOMES," says Jesus, "will I grant to sit with me in my throne." "He that OVERCOMES, and keeps my works unto the end, TO HIM will I give power over the nations; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron." (Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21.)
But God is now calling ALL to a life of separation (Sanctification)—to a new and different and Spirit-filled and Spirit-led life—in order that they may be wholly CLEANSED of sin, and that they may GROW in grace and knowledge, thus being prepared, trained, fitted for a position of solemn responsibility— that of king or priest—in God's KINGDOM! And it is ONLY those who qualify by the training, the overcoming, the spiritual development and growth, DURING THIS PRESENT LIFE, who shall thus reign with Christ. Study the parable of the pounds, in Luke 19:11-27. I believe if we allow God to draw ourselves near to Him, and then KEEP close to Him, our problem will be solved. We will then have the FAITH. We will then be continually FILLED with His Spirit—His power to overcome.
Satan had declared to his associate angels that he would overcome Christ on the point of appetite. He hoped to gain a victory over Him in His weakness. But Christ gained a complete victory over this temptation, thus placing men and women on vantage ground, where they can overcome as He overcame. Let those whose mental and moral power has become enfeebled by wrong-doing, seek the Lord earnestly, and they will gain the victory, even over long-established appetite. "God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." {ST, April 4, 1900 par. 7}
Sanctification, unity, peace--all are to be ours through the truth. The belief of the truth does not make men gloomy and uncomfortable. If you have peace in Christ, His precious blood is speaking pardon and hope to your soul. Yes, more, you have joy in the Holy Spirit, through accepting the precious promises. Jesus says, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. Therefore the world shall not overcome you if you believe in Me. It is a world that I have conquered. Because I have overcome, if you believe in Me, you shall overcome. . . . {OHC 329.4}
I greatly appreciate the work that Christ has done and doing in the cosmos. Christ came into this world to solve the problem of sin once in for all. He did not come just to be our example. He came to show us, help us and doing the work in us so that we may also overcome the power of sin in our lives. This class helps to understand God’s foreknowledge, predestination, call, justification, sanctification and glorification. But I am still confusion about some stuff. I will continue to study the word of God we a new way of thinking so that I can understand the above formula.
I am responding to Wallin O’Connor assignment # 4
I congratulate you for taking on the challenge of Colossians one. You have done a great job explain how that God will reconcile the His creation by back to him. All know that the ultimate goal or plan of salvation is to clean the cosmos from sin.
Response to James Dieujuste Assignment # 3
Pastor you really like the you explain the righteousness of God is now just one time deal but a continuous righteous that will be with even into eternity. The righteousness is also the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. When Christ is working in us we will live a life that will please to God but not to the devil.
Response to John A. Coaxum assignment # 2 (part 2)
I really like you essay about God foreknowledge and predestination and human freedom part 2. You help understand and feel at ease when it come to God knows everything. Now I understand that God foreknew what we will do but He does not forbidden us from our own personal choice.
Mr. Fuo good writing; some times i wonder if Christ had died in the garden would it still mean the same to us. and would it have the same effect on sin. i think for both questions the answers would be yes. because if he had died in the garden we would not know of a cross. and it would have the same effect on us because the fact would be he died for us. sin is so dreadful that it require blood to run and Jesus had to come to give us the freedom over sin.
Works of Christ – Assignment # 4 – “God with us”
The concepts “trans-cosmic” and “cosmic” are helpful in understanding God’s work for us through Jesus Christ. Though the message inherent from these terms is a familiar one, it was good to have the opportunity to think more deeply about them through the course of this class. I just want to briefly reflect on some of the texts that highlight the concepts of “trans-cosmic” and “cosmic” Christ. The first text is found in John 8:12 where it says that “when Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." As Creator of the cosmos, Jesus entered into the world in human form bringing about light unto it. Furthermore, He assures those following Him that they will also be as light in the world if they abide in Him. In the same chapter, Jesus says “you are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23). This statement shows the necessary contrast in describing the fact that Jesus at some point did come into the world and yet is not “of this world.” In a sense, the cosmos did not produce Jesus (because He created it) and yet He is the “light of the world.” It is also important that we understand the implications of Jesus’ message in analyzing these texts. As Creator God, Jesus came into the world so that we won’t live in spiritual darkness. As His disciple John later described it in one of his letters, if a person claims to have fellowship with God and yet walk in the darkness, then that individual is a liar and does not live according to the truth (1 John 1:6).
The second text which I’ve found to be helpful in understanding these concepts is Matthew 1:23 which says that “the virgin will be with Child and will give birth to a Son, and they will call Him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us." As both the trans-cosmic and cosmic Christ, Jesus is God incarnate. The same Jesus that was with the Father before the world began is the same One who came to earth. He clothed His divinity with humanity in coming to earth. He came to us veiling His glory so that He may draw us to Him. His presence with us was very much felt in the way that He loved and cared for humanity. The life of Christ also shows that with His help we can overcome temptations because He was tempted in all points like we are. Christ’s life on earth was a gift to us demonstrating God’s great love for His children.
E.G. White’s statement in Desire of Ages stating that “He pitched His tent by the side of the tents of men that He might dwell among us” carries with it a powerful imagery in understanding Jesus’ work for us as the trans-comic and cosmic Christ (p. 23). Jesus was never aloof from humanity but was always very near. He was near those stricken with pain and grief. He was near sinners. He was near those who were dealing with all kinds of cases and crises. He was even near those who disbelieved His message. Jesus was indeed God “with us”. Through the works of Christ, the character of God is revealed. In Jesus, we see that God is merciful, kind, longsuffering, and patient. Through Jesus, the loving nature of God is manifested. Through Jesus’ works, His loving nature is revealed.
In Steps to Christ, E.G. White states that “by assuming human nature, Christ elevates humanity” (p. 15). This is quite a remarkable statement! I had never thought about Christ’s First Coming in this context. This statement caused to me to appreciate even more the sacrifice that Jesus made at Calvary. Only a loving God would consent to die for us given that we are so undeserving. Despite our wayward and ungrateful ways, Jesus Christ esteems us greatly. In coming to this earth, Christ truly demonstrated that all human beings are loved and valued. I take comfort knowing that just as He was with the people who were alive during His earthly ministry, He is also with us who are now living in the last days.
- James W. Dieujuste
Assignment #4
Real Confession is important in Salvation
I am appreciated Dr. Hanna reminded us the confession in very important in salvation. After that I tried to search some more information on this issue.
Confess is o`mologe,w in Greek, the meaning are promise, assure, agree, admit, confess, declare(publicly) acknowledge.
So it means you agree you sin or you willing to declare or acknowledge your sin. We will be saved.
In the Bible :
NLT Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
If we confess Jesus Christ is Lord, God will be gloried.
NLT Philippians 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
If we confess our sins, we will have power to overcome.
NLT James 5:16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
If we confess our sins, we will be cleansed and our sins will be forgiven.
NLT 1 John 1:9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
God is not making hard for us to be saved, just confess, it is not a big and hard work but it must be sincere and from a true heart.
What Mrs. White gave us the encouragement from in her book.
God requires that we confess our sins and humble our hearts before Him; but at the same time we should have confidence in Him as a tender Father, who will not forsake those who put their trust in Him. Many of us walk by sight and not by faith. We believe the things that are seen but do not appreciate the precious promises given us in God's Word; and yet we cannot dishonor God more decidedly than by showing that we distrust what He says and question whether the Lord is in earnest with us or is deceiving us.
God does not give us up because of our sins. We may make mistakes and grieve His Spirit, but when we repent and come to Him with contrite hearts, He will not turn us away. There are hindrances to be removed. Wrong feelings have been cherished, and there have been pride, self-sufficiency, impatience, and murmurings. All these separate us from God. Sins must be confessed; there must be a deeper work of grace in the heart. Those who feel weak and discouraged may become strong men of God and do noble work for the Master. But they must work from a high standpoint; they must be influenced by no selfish motives. {FW Chapter 3}
It is not hard to be saved, whenever we accept and put our heart to God. He will help us. Salvation is prepared for us by His plan.
Whenever we confess, we are justified but it is not a single action. We have to keep constantly since we still sinners. Satan always put us in temptation. So I acknowledge that prayer and confess is necessary in our daily life.
Response to Andre Anderson's Posting (4th Response Posting)
I like the vivid imagery that you used in describing Jesus’ work in saving us. I am reminded of the text that says “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Even though sometimes some people consider themselves too sinful to be in a relationship with God, it is never the case in which God Himself wants to be separated from them. God is truly awesome in that He saves even unto the uttermost. Secondly, I like the statement that “the One who made us allowed Himself to become marred, so that we could see His love for us even with our flaws.” It is amazing how God’s love is manifested in this great exchange. He took upon Himself the due penalty of our sins. When we look to Jesus we can’t help but appreciate the extreme love that He has for us. – James W. Dieujuste
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